highplanesdrifters

@RetiredandTravel. Not sure if you mentioned it - where are you headed next? Inquiring minds. 😃

On a different note, this story popped up on my news feed. When we were there last year I was fascinated by the saltier explosion. Still happening. Thought you might find it interesting. Glad they didn't get you! 😃 https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-04/saltwater-crocodile-numbers-survey-bigger-kimberley/103406240

The haul back from OZ is a tough one. And work right around the corner, ouch. We patiently await any travel gems you care to share.😃 What's next during retirement, JPTravel dot com?

Oh fun! There is an excellent wine store adjacent. The small grocery store makes delicious sandwiches, and the gift shop has some cute tourist swag. I've never eaten at the Chucj wagon but its seems to be popular.

Wishing you a fabulous trip! Please post so I can live vicariously. Have a drink or dinner at Dornans in Moose. You'll find it near the entrance to Grand Teton National Park. There is a second story deck that has a view to die for. https://dornans.com/ The Art museum is a must, world class. A few pics to whet your whistle. The view from Dornans Bar, inside. The foods pretty good too. When you cross the bridge make sure to look down as there are often Moose there grazing on willows there. From Dornans there is a path down to the river. Worth a look see. This guy crossed our path. They have become beggars near trail heads. Spring in June. Grizzly. There is a Griz with 5 cubs this year. Maybe you'll get to see the famous 399. Winter in September. Yellowstone. Is that color even real? Elk crossing.

What a fun journey! Can't wait for the next installment Chris has planned . Hope you take us along.

PP - Looks like you are having some spectacular weather. Those Bluebird skies, congrats!

I've started using AI for that. 😅

Thanks for your report. Care to share details of your incredible deal.

Well good to hear Chef Pia is still around. On Cloud we were told that she had left the fleet to open a restaurant. And glad you're trip is top knotch!

That was a really good analogy. 👍

@BasandSyb Major score on the bear with cubs, congrats. We took home whatever crud was on the ship. Not horrible, but not fun. Hope you can avoid.

Time for a new jeweler. And not just because of the dog!

If I may jump in... We were told last year that the cave paintings have a minimum age of at least12,000 years old, some 16,000. They are dated based on fossilized wasps nests on top of them. A painting under the nest must be at least as old as the nest.

Fabulous story and great advice. Thanks for sharing.

And will it be paper or plastic?

@drron29 is right. Depending on the agency and their relationship with airlines TAs can have access to fares we do not. When things go pear shape is when the real value comes in, so true. I could easily make a case for paying a TA for services. Our TA is a Goddess. In the beginning she gave us modest rebates on our travel. She was so helpful and saved us so much we asked her to stop sending those checks. She never charges us above booking rates although I would happily pay it. The battles she takes on with the cruise lines are legendary, especially now with all the pricing games they are playing. The amount she saves us annually is in the tens of thousands. We now occasionally send her an unsolicited check in appreciation. That along with chocolate and Champagne. 😃

You hit the nail on the head! I wonder how many of the newbie upgraders will come back. Is it a one off YOLO and back to Carnival or will it stick?

@ChucktownSteve It's a tightrope between keeping both the shareholders and customers happy. if the customers aren't happy, the shareholders won't be happy. Tell that to the bean counters. Worked out really well for Boeing. 🤣

Fantastic, thanks for the spa tips. Can't wait to give it a try. How many people can fit in it? We're just off Venture and tried the Panorama. Loved it, except it is a tad tight walking around and closet crazy small to the point of annoyance. We would stay in it again. Those windows, wowza. We've also been in the bow suite. The front balcony is to die for but the suite is a bit dark. Shockingly we had amazing weather on our Svalbard/Greenland trip and spent many nights after dinner lazing on the balcony recliners in the polar ice cap and Scorsby sound. Magical. We had the same immigration and food waste problems last year in Cairns on SS Explorer. I complained because they should have given us a day room if they were kicking us off the ship for 12 hours. Problem was there just weren't enough rooms in town with several ships flipping. Fortunately the head receptionists texted us and we returned at 3:30. He had Champagne chilling and canapes all set up. There are still vestiges of the days of olde.😃 Food waste side note - Headed into Cairns we had numerous seafood extravaganzas as did staff. If you use the cost of a seafood tower, we personally ate a few thousand dollars worth. Staff were also treated to many special dinners as they cleaned out the fridge. Bring back Chef Pia. Hope you continue to feel better. Can't wait to hear about Darwin and Kakadu. They were not on our last itinary.

Thanks for taking us along and all the great information! We slip into the Signature in September. Would you consider commenting a bit more on excursions, included vs. Revenue. Hope your energy returns so you can enjoy your remaining days to the fullest.

Great photos and such fun!

Yes, Luxury cruising is still the only game on town, and it's a tough game to play...ha ha. Seriously though, such a mixed bag out there, you never know what you're going to get. Had a great time on our trip but it was really more of a hybrid expedition/ocean. Not that there is anything wrong with that, and in fact could be perfect for certain areas and couples where one is more active than the other. It was the pricing, eye watering for the most part especially when excursions are generally included on expeditions and no heads up was given at booking. Although Seabourn has always charged for kayak and submarine, $375 for a beach trek, c'mon. It's not hard to be on holiday when the market is rallying these days. 😃 Makes up for that bad call in the 10 year. 😂 Keep us posted on the safari hunt. We might need to slip another one in. Fair winds, HPD

I'm sure it's just an oversight. I'd not embarrass them by calling. Just send the pictures.😁

Whoa! Travel nightmare for sure. So sorry you had to go through all that.