navybankerteacher

With the emergence of mega-ships, I think size of ship has gained importance. I think the itinerary, the ease of getting to the port, the cost all start to pale: If I want to see an area I will go there -- and take the time to see it, not try 4 0r 5 hour drive-by port calls. I do not think I will ever again consider sailing on a ship carrying more than 2,500. Destination and ports of call are obviously significant --- I do not think a cruise ship is a good way to see the Mediterranean area - but a transatlantic repositioning is a good way to return from a trip there. Mexican ports (Gulf or Pacific) do not attract. Ease of access to embarkation port is significant - unfortunately the New York market is close to dominated by the likes of NCL (top of my do not sail list) and Royal Caribbean (almost all mega-ships), I am looking forward to an Oceania cruise from Manhattan to Bermuda - calling at St. George and Hamilton, rather than the Dockyard tourist trap at the far west end of the island. Cruising remains a great way to cross the Atlantic -- meaning Cunard's QM2 and the occasional repositioning. I believe that the "success" of cruising has largely destroyed its attraction --- food, entertainment, ports, have all suffered over the past quarter century.

Try Yellow Tail - moderate priced Australian vineyard. I like their Cabernet, but am tempted by their Shiraz because it comes with a screw cap -- I know they have a Chardonnay -- but prefer reds, so I cannot say how they are topped. But, seriously -- corkscrews are not that hard to drive and there are lots of recaps which work perfectly well, horizontally as well as vertically. Go for the wine you prefer, not the closure mechanism.

The problem with the four wheel spinners is that they are terrible on rough surfaces -- if you never hit a cracked sidewalk, carpeting, or any other non-smooth surface, you are OK, but they are very surface-sensitive ---- and much more subject to having a wheel break off.

It all goes back to the instant of creation: there was a finite amount of intelligence created at the birth of the universe; with the increase in population that intelligence has to be spread more thinly.

Good idea if you are in a city for just a few hours, but for a couple of days or more, using public transportation or just walking works for u#.

While avoiding packing/unpacking is a plus for cruising, spending enough time in a few places gives you the opportunity to really experience them - the four or five hours possible in places like Rome, Florence, Barcelona, Athens, Istanbul, etc. I find simply frustrating. Also, “…being on the road in other countries…” certainly supplements the time spent in cities. Although I would only consider it if driving - I think staying at home competes with a bus tour almost anywhere.

But your suggestions are totally relevant?????? "Lots of time to store luggage "somewhere..." ? ...really helpful.

I am not inclined to pay the asking price right off the bat, but I usually have better ways of spending my time than haggling: so if there is an item I am interested in, I will make an offer: essentially take it or leave it. When you get right down to it, I very rarely see a souvenir (especially in the Caribbean or South America) which I really must have.

If they are travelling fairly light, after seeing the city they could pick up their bags at Moynihan then go across to the LIRR part and take a train to Jamaica and transfer to the JFK Airtrain to their terminal. Admittedly cumbersome, but certainly an inexpensive way to get to JFK.

Glad they work for her -- I think ginger is clearly the best protection ---- but I doubt taking it that much in advance is necessary (or even effective).

When my parents advised me (at age 6) that they were taking me to Bermuda, it seemed obviously better than running away from home - so I decided to go with them.

I think their effectiveness is largely dependent upon the belief of the wearer that they work. The “natural” remedies suggested by the title which do seem to work are ginger - in as strong a concentration as possible — crystallized ginger yes, but ginger snaps and ginger ale (as opposed to ginger beer) are highly diluted; and green apples —- add a lot of fresh air and light food, while minimizing alcohol.

Great suggestions on how to do a Med cruise — still, if you are primarily interested in seeing the cities mentioned and don’t care about the ship, cruising may not be the best idea. A well-planned land trip will give you much more time seeing the region- yes, fewer cities perhaps but not spending so much of your time on a ship you do not care about, and a lot of time getting from/to ports to/from what you you really are there for.

Agreed - those spinners are only good on polished terrazzo, or comparable flawless surfaces. The two- wheel trailer is better suited for most surfaces. Because most trips are fairly long and involve different environments and different social interactions, I rarely can get by with just a backpack.

Are you sure you would want to wear sandals for several hours walking around a port? What makes sense for when you "...walk for exercise..." should also work for walking around a strange area - with probably not as well maintained sidewalks as you are used to.

Yes - about seven long east-west blocks - perhaps a mile and a half - with six avenues to cross — just a fair walk if you travel light — but tough on the wheels of your luggage if you trundle stuff along. Not the prettiest part of town - I would spring for a taxi.

Most people bring their food/drinks back to their seats. I prefer sitting near the middle of the car- I think it gives a smoother ride than being over the wheels.

I like their policy - since most of our Amtrak trips are planned well in advance we can take advantage of the low prices — which are made possible by the very high fares charged last minute bookers.

Any serious amount of luggage on Amtrak is a hassle - often the racks are full, and if there are a lot of stops you do not feel comfortable if you cannot keep your eye on your bags - several people I know have had bags stolen while on a train. The only easy way is on the Autotrain - you leave most of your stuff in your car and just have small carry-ons with you.

The Head of the Charles is close to the busiest/priciest time of the year for Boston hotels. My granddaughter rows for her school, so I’ve been to two - with one more likely - fortunately I have an old Navy buddy in Winchester who puts up me and my DD and SIL

I doubt there is any Amtrak straight ride from Roanoke to Newark? I think he’d have to get to Richmond.

Thinking about booking a connecting flight with a 35 minute window while on your way to a ship which will not wait for you makes tactful comment difficult. If you like driving - do it both ways. When you add parking fee at Roanoke to one way flight fare to car rental, you are probably creating the worst cocktail of high cost, nuisance, and possibly missing you cruise.

Exactly - the point of the exercise is to have a good time: pushing and sweating to board early so you can lug your carry-on around while fighting the buffet mob is not my idea of how to start a vacation. A leisurely boarding which lets you walk on and go straight to your cabin seems a better start. At the end: neither working up a sweat to be first on nor lingering with the crew wanting to see your back is an enjoyable coda to your vacation.

LGA is now a great airport - butting from there (and back) to Cape Liberty is likely to cost you $100 (or more) each way (use Uber - NY taxis don’t do NJ - other than EWR) - so a lot of your airfare savings might evaporate.

Have you ANY support for that contention (other than wishful thinking - or rumors heard at your local watering hole)?