ontheweb

There is a history behind the fact that OBC can now be used on Princess pre-cruise for excursions. Princess used to let you book excursions before the cruise and have them not show up as a charge until you boarded the ship. They stopped that and were confronted with many protests to that policy change. They compromised by allowing OBC to be used pre-cruise for excursions, and note excursions only.

It works the other way also; we have booked excursions only to have them cancelled because there were not enough passengers booked on the excursion. (I also remember at least once finding out an excursion was sold out.)

On our last cruise, we were flying home from Montreal heading to Newark. There were several flights and ours was the only one that boarded on time; all others were listed as delayed. We got as far as taxiing to the runway before our flight was delayed. And it was delayed several times.

Ours is Newark to London and Reykjavik back to Newark. And yes, it is a good deal.

I was actually driving once when our car burst into flames. Scared the hell out of me. And it scared DW in the front passenger seat even more. I still drive, though of course not that car that was totaled by the fire. I should add I will never go back to the place that did an oil change just before the fire and was responsible for it!

If we are ever on the same roll call, I will be sure to remind you of this post.

Flying has always been a mess! Many years ago we booked a flight to Fort Lauderdale for a cruise. And then it was changed from direct from Newark to a stop with a layover in Dallas! And we would have got to Fort Lauderdale possibly in time to wave goodbye to our cruise ship.

We have the same deal. I hope we sit together, but if not we will survive, and we will meet up for the cruise. We once sat apart, and were just glad to have seats. Our cruise was delayed getting back to Fort Lauderdale for 2 days due to a hurricane. We got the last two standby seats on the first flight available back home.

Yes, those books are extremely funny.

You are welcome from a former school board member.

I hope it lives up to the expectations of you and your DH. It does seem like it has to be a better than going on a steamer.

Right, and does anyone else watch Master Chef Jr. with 8-11 year olds competing as chefs?

The mention of a rocking tender boat brings back a not so nice memory. We had to tender in Corfu despite it not being a tender port as there were 3 ships and only 2 berths for ships. Despite being helped by a crew member, one of the passengers fell directly on his elbow. I winced as I realized it could have happened to my DW who has metal in an elbow from a previous fall on ice. It is painful to her if she is just touched there. If she had fell on that elbow, her screams would have literally woke up the dead.

We've been in that Italian heat in August. The worst was the train going back to Rome after doing it on our own. It was packed and very uncomfortable, and that was even before a fight broke out! It would have also been a lot easier at Pompeii if it were not for temperatures in the 90s.

I second that. Would never take one of those.

Thank you for this first hand account. (Couldn't give both a thank you and like, so I am posting the thank you.) I'm sure you were at first horrified that your grandsons were on a ship that was on fire, and then relieved that it all turned out well for them.

In fact, many TAs will ask you if you want travel insurance. If you decline, they will make you note that you did so after they asked so you cannot come back and complain if and when you wish you had insurance that they did not let you know that you can buy insurance and that it is a good idea.

Just to add, the experience of visiting the Anne Frank House is well worth it. It is an awe inspiring experience. Do not miss it.

I've met people at trivia; it seems to be the same people every time. We have met people dancing or at dance classes. Again, seems to be the same people each time.

How about a compilation of the best of Hank's posts on cruise critic instead?

Speaking for myself, the only time I cancelled a cruise was when in 2020 I saw the writing on the wall and cancelled before final payment when I saw Norway closing ports. (The cruise line cancelled about a month later after the final payment date.) Speaking for myself, the only ship chartered out from under us was well before Covid and was after final payment.

👍 for those at those middle schools responsible for those shows.

"Those who forget the past are doomed to relive it."----George Santayana

Yes, I remember that newsgroup and was also a regular poster on it. It was a shame when it was basically taken over by trolls.

So, when can we expect Hank's DIY port guides?