DCThunder

According to the State Department website, the cost of a new, adult passport is $165 valid for 10 years. That's $16.50/year. A renewal costs $130 ($13/year). A child passport is $135, valid for 10 years or until the kid is 16. As stated above, if you can't afford that, why are you cruising?

There is no downside to having a valid passport. The scare stories of last summer about how long the processing of the application takes are long gone, so just get the passport.

I ran into the exact same thing last week in looking to book a 35-day cruise in 2026. Cabins I really wanted weren't available for the 35-day itinerary, but miraculously were available for the 17-day, then 18-day B2Bs. My CVP took care of getting me booked into the cabin I wanted. Two booking numbers, so two sets of SH OBC.

Or by filling out a paper form that's available on the ship and put in a drop box in the furutre cruise area. Some people prefer the old skool way.

Maybe they try to get the grandkids to do an internet withdrawal for the cruise. A crazy idea, I know, but just a thought.😁

Future Cruise Deposits are only sold on the ships.

Couldn't they also tell the credit card company the card had been "compromised" and have a new one issued with a new number/CVV code.

There ain't no "this is the one" out there, but good luck and vaya con Dios in your search.

Wait until you get into the pros and cons of roof prism vs. porro prism and the magnification/field of view combinations. Are 10x42 "better" than 8x42? What about coated vs. not coated lenses? Nikon vs. Swarovski vs. Bushnell vs. no-name brands? It's a rabbit hole that can consume hours and be very confusing. If you have a sporting goods store or a place like Cabela's near you, pay them a visit and try out a few pairs and see what you like and what you want to pay.

There are many websites devoted to binoculars. Reviews for the "best" in different price ranges, how to use articles, and all sorts of information. Probably many YouTube videos too, although I haven't really searched for them. You can get really cheap "travel" binocs on Amazon and multi-thousand-dollar binocs designed for serious birders, hunters, and shooters. As JimmyV says above, you use them without glasses. Do some research and I'm sure you can find a pair that suits your needs and meets your budget.

Me too. They wash up very nice, and are close to 15 years old.

My brother leaves on Friday to get to Sitka for a 7-day Lindblad/Nat Geo Expedition cruise ending in Juneau. He's flying from Nashville to Seattle, then Seattle to Sitka with a stop in Ketchikan.

I rank the perks as follows: 50% off internet packages > Elite Lounge snacks > priority water shuttle >>> free laundry >>>> tea in the cabin >>>>>> 10% off in shops...

Maybe they'll bring the sled dog puppies aboard!🐕

An Executive Chef on one of the ships said in an enrichment talk that health regulations required all fish brought on board to be frozen. No fresh fish could be served. This may or not be true, but it's what I remember being told.

I have definitely found that boarding later in the process is better than earlier, so I totally agree here. Thanks for the other tips.

Thanks, NEJohn. I've got my excursions all booked (both through the ship and otherwise) so I'm good there. And I bought a secondhand tuxedo, so I think I'll be covered as well on that front. Hope to meet you as well.

I'm a rookie Cunard cruiser, heading to Alaska on QE on June 21. What are some on-board etiquette mistakes I should avoid so I don't look the fool in the august surroundings of a Cunard ship?😀 I've cruised a lot on Princess and HAL, so not a total noob, but want to be sure I'm not "that guy" on Cunard!

Would another option be for you to find people to sail in the duplicate cabin and reimburse you directly for the fare? You'd need to get Princess or the TA to change the names of the passengers in those cabins, but that might not be too big a hurdle, although it's very possible it would be.

I always thought that was Emily Litella...

Aren't you Elite and so get access to new cruises 24 hours before the hoi polloi? Surely this cruise isn't so special that it will sell out with only Elites, will it?

The biggest drawback to the Island is the fitness center is in a windowless area at the stern of the ship on a lower deck. It is kind of depressing if you're used to the upper deck fitness centers with wide windows to look out while on the treadmill or elliptical. It was clearly added to the ship long after she was built and fitness centers became increasingly important to some cruisers.

I did a TA on Island and the 7 sea days were just as nice as the port days. You do feel closer to the ocean on a smaller ship when you're out in the middle of the Atlantic.

I did two 30 day cruises on Island in 2024 and had no issues with the ship. So long as your expectations aren't for glitz and glamour of the newest ships, Island is very nice. She has her quirks that take a bit of getting used to, but the Explorers Lounge is great with a couple of good bartenders, and by and large the ship isn't crowded. Bayou Cafe instead of Crown Grill, but still a good steak, and there's a Sabbatini's. Anyway I liked Island.

Did your wife mind? Or was this the old upside-down pineapple? 🍍