CruisingAlong4Now

Could this be right? The Rhapsody of the Sea is heading to Haifa? Is it doing an evac?

The issue at ATL is that the concourses are very long and the connecting train is accessed in the middle of the concourse. If you arrive at the furthest gate and leave from another concourse from the furthest gate, those are two very long walks to the center of each concourse where you can descend to take the train to the departing concourse.

Make sure your phone is fully charged before you get to the airport. If there are delays before you board, you phone could run out of power. I always carry a printed copy of my boarding pass.

It's been a while since I've cruised, but I don't recall bingo on board. We had very active and enthusiastic Trivia though.

If you and hubby book aisle and window on a three-seat and the middle person shows up, I'm sure that person would be more than happy to change with either of you for the window or aisle. If the seating was three across, my DH and I would usually book across aisles since we both like to get up and walk about, especially on longer flighs.

There are possibly more options to ATL.

It's not the "free" things that enhance the cruise experience. It's the service and the feeling that you are living at a more luxurious level in which "specialty" drinks, service charges, all beverages, and alternative dining choices are how you live. Being able to sit at the pool and have a steward ask if you would like a beverage without asking for your card. Being able to move freely around the uncrowded ship - easy access at the theater or few queues at port calls. More space, more personal service, more luxury. And many times, the cost isn't really higher.

I haven't heard about any update on the two women.

The real value of travel insurance is the medical coverage. Cruise cancellation is a limited expense and generally has already been paid so that there is no ongoing, open-ended liability. Medical coverage for illness or accidents out of the US can be an expense that has no limit. These liabilities could be tens of thousands of dollars. This is the purpose of insurance: to protect against unforeseen, unexpected, and unlimited expenses.

If possible, I would practice walking on uneven terrain, including grass before the cruise. I don't know where you are cruising, but many ports and towns have cobblestone streets or narrow sidewalks which can upset balance.

It would probably be best to secure your own reservations for a wheelchair accessible taxi at the airport and at the ship for the return. After you speak with the hotel, you can determine if you feel comfortable with their ability to provide transportation to the pier. Accessibility Services | Tampa International Airport (tampaairport.com) Ridewyse (ridewysefl.com)

You are correct Belgian cruiser. All cruise lines have problems. It's how they handle the problem and the ease with which they support their customers that define 5-star luxury service.

Sometimes little things, like soaps and printed Heralds, mean a lot.

It was years ago, on one of the Seabourn Triplets which is small enough to dock at Bordeaux. Due to a labor dispute in La Rochelle, we had to overnight in Bordeaux, rather than sailing at dinnertime on Saturday. We left the following day (Sunday) at noon. It was wonderful for everyone. Saturday night in Bordeaux! The crew got an unexpected night off the ship and many of them went to some clubs in Bordeaux. We were able to attend a concert in town. There was a large farmers market on the piers that Sunday morning. All in all, still memorable.

After our cruise, which ended in Budapest, we hired a driver to take us back to Vienna for a 1-week post cruise stay. We had two days in Vienna on the cruise, but we wanted more. It was not an AmaWaterways cruise; different line. Vienna was wonderful. We attended an opera and an orchestral performance. We overate Manner cookies from the Manner Shop on Stephansplatz.

Single Guest Cabins are totally forward on Deck 7

Still can make dummy bookings. DATE OF TRAVEL: Departure: Jul 17, 2023 / SOUTHAMPTON, United Kingdom Arrival: Aug 1, 2023 / COPENHAGEN, Denmark Ship: EXPLORA I PASSENGERS: # 144444 / ADULT # 2 44444 / ADULT YOUR SUITES: #1 SUITE: (8095) Ocean Terrace Suite OT2 | Capacity 2 Price per Guest: $ 24,900 PAYMENT DETAILS: Total: $ 24,900

I think many cruisers are like airline flyers. They wanted cheaper fares and they got them. Cruising has definitely become more accessible to more people due to the fare structure. As was shown in Post #18 above by aborgman, cruising is less expensive than it was years ago in constant dollars. When you are paying less in real dollars, you will get less in real service. People wanted lower airfares. They got them. So, the airlines shoved more seats on the plane and started charging extra for what previously was included. But for some people, this was wonderful. They didn't care about the "before" because they didn't fly "before". The basic current pricing allows them to visit Florida on vacay or visit relatives on the other side of the continent for very little money. All their clothes are in the hefty backpack they wear so no baggage fees; they don't care that the backpack hits you in the face as they walk down the airplane aisle. They take any seat, so no seat selection fees; they don't care that they spread out in the dreaded middle seat onto your space. They are flying somewhere they could not have afforded "before".

Coral Princess Cruise Roll Calls - Cruise Critic Message Board Forums

You won't find many HL cruisers here because this is an English language board and the HL ships are mostly German speaking. "The on-board language on EUROPA, HANSEATIC nature and HANSEATIC spirit is German. On EUROPA 2 and HANSEATIC inspiration the on-board language is German and English. "FAQ - Life on board - Hapag-Lloyd Cruises (hl-*****)

I hope you aren't planning to stretch your leg into the aisle. This isn't safe for you, the cabin crew, or other passengers.

If there is a crew fund, I donate the OBC to the crew fund.

It is not uncommon for cruises to have itinerary changes. Your contract generally provides for the changes. On an ocean cruise, you would have the port charges refunded (or adjusted for a substitute port). There is almost never a price adjustment due to port changes.

Acclimate yourself by looking at the clock, not your body. If you arrive in the morning, do not go to bed, even if you are tired. Stay outside in the light (sunlight if you are lucky in London) and let your body's melatonin adjust naturally. On the plane and on the ground, stay hydrated with water. Tea is a diuretic, so avoid the inclination to have a cuppa.

Ships like the Ruby Princess are part of the problem. These behemoths were destroying the lagoons.