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On our last cruise on the Adriatic (NCL) they actually had a historian on the crew who gave daily talks about the history of the area. It was fascinating and made each port so much more enjoyable. I wish I could have convinced my kids to attend the talks. They spent most of the cruise bored or on their phones.

Never once have we encountered rude crew. A few times we have come across crew ( usually in jobs that don’t require much passenger interaction) who’s English isn’t great. On NCL we always make fun of the “washy washy” girls at the buffet. I asked once how then can be so happy all the time. They said “ what’s not to be happy about?” On our last cruise in the Mediterranean, crew was less than fantastic. But still always pleasant.

Can anyone think of any reason we’d want a passport when we go ashore in Mexico? My rule of thumb is: if you can’t bear to loose it, leave it home. If you can’t leave it home, keep it on your body, under clothes or in a safe. If it’s something I have to pull out ( like a cc) it’s in a pouch, around my neck, that hangs under my shirt. It’s easy for me to get to, but impossible to pick. Believe me, as a woman, you are very aware of any hands near your boobs. I haven’t been to Mexico in a long time. Would I be safe wearing my wedding ring in Cabo? It has a 1.5 carat diamond. Common sense says leave it home. But I feel weird without it.

And that is certainly not a cruise I’d choose to take. But, to each his own. 😁

I’m glad you asked. I have wondered the same thing. I always take it with me, even though I know I probably shouldn’t. But I also keep it in a money belt or neck pouch under my clothes so it can’t get stolen. And I don’t pull it out unless I need to so no one even knows it’s there.

We were there last year in early Oct. We were on the Adriatic so I’m not sure if it’s about the same as the Med. we did Venice, Croatia, Kotor and several Greek islands. We didn’t have any rough seas that I noticed. We had some “soft” rain a few days. But nothing that would stop us from enjoying time ashore. I don’t know if that’s the norm. But I don’t think it’s any worse than any other time. Also, most people don’t realize- keeping your stomach full helps keep sea sickness at bay. If you get sick, ask any bartender for bitters and soda. It works for seasickness, hangovers and other minor ailments. You’ll feel better in seconds.

This thread is starting to border on the ridiculous. First, I don’t know where you live, but where I am if you park in the wrong side of the street during alternate parking- your car WILL be towed 100%! Or if there is a snowstorm, you car will be “moved” by a snow plow. 2nd, anyone who thinks money equals dressing nice and pride in one’s appearance has not been around many wealthy people. And if you think people with more money have more respect for others, you are sorely mistaken. There are all kinds of people in every financial bracket. It may be that people who book those “upscale” lines do so partly because they like rigidity and formal conventions. We can well afford those lines, but like the more relaxed attitude on the bigger lines. Point is, you can’t make generalizations about any group.

I know many people who dress so people will think they have money. Most of the really wealthy people I know care less what others think than average. US politicians are a great example of dress not affecting behavior. Most wear suits, and most act pretty obnoxiously from time to time.

To each his own I guess. One of the reasons we like cruising, especially with others, is freedom. Everyone can pick and choose what they want and when. Of course certain rules have to apply for health and safety. And most of us REALLY do not want to see most cruise passengers naked. We like the opportunity to be as dressed up or casual as we like. When your work requires a certain dress code, being able to dress comfortably is a real treat. I think the perfect solution would be to have one or two formal or semi formal restaurants on board. When people want to dress up, they can go there. When they want to be business casual they can do MDR. When they want to stay in swim suits or sweats, buffet. If it bothers you to see people on board in general (not in your “dress code” restaurants) in shorts and flip flops the night you choose to be formal, I suggest you get some therapy and stop worrying about what others are doing.

Did you ever consider that people with more money can afford formal wear and have more cause to wear it than the average person. And can afford flights where baggage restrictions don’t apply. It’s not a class thing. It’s a money thing.

We did our first Med cruise last year. We usually go NCL or Princess. To be honest, I think the staff has been better on our Caribbean cruises. We didn’t find the food quality much different. I did like that they had some interesting lectures on the history of ports. But I’m a history buff. I would hope, on a ta cruise with so many sea days, they up the food quality and activities. We were supposed to do one during Covid. Maybe next year. Have fun! Let us know how it goes.

I don’t think you can bring either in a carryon on the plane.

Every experience is what you make it. If you want a formal night- pick one and make it that for you. I agree that it’s kind of fun to get dressed up one or two nights. But for some people, like us, it’s not worth spending money to buy formal clothes and have to pack them. I like the “to each his own” attitude. I like that it’s easier and more affordable to cruise these days. Maybe someday we can afford the luxury lines. But for now, I’d rather be able to cruise without the formal experience, than not be able to cruise at all. Also, most ships have their elite class where more is included and they have private restaurants. So, if you can afford it, do that. You won’t be “nickle and dimed”. Anyone wanting that all inclusive experience is welcome to pay for it.

Also figure, when in port, you won’t be drinking on board. We just paid for a zero proof package on Celebrity for a 6 night. It was around $600 for both, including gratuities. We drink at most, 1 alcohol drink each a day. And if in port, we are likely to do it there. But we always have a bottle of water with us and I love smoothies, and virgin cocktails. The numbers may not make it worth it. But being able to order what we want, without thinking about the bill at the end makes it worth it to us. You can get 1 zero proof and one alcohol package in the same cabin. We had to do that when my son was 21 and my daughter 19 shared a cabin. But a few hacks if you don’t have a package- juice, soda, water and bad coffee are free at the buffet, which is only closed for short periods of time between meals. If you have a water bottle you can go there to fill up. Just be sure to check if that’s ok and don’t touch anything with your bottle ( for health of you and others). For your wife, it may make sense to buy a bottle of wine, or check rules on bringing a few of your own. Because we are concierge class we get a bottle of champagne. We plan to add a little champagne to some virgin drinks. It should last us the whole cruise. Most importantly, enjoy your cruise whatever you decide.

I’m a bit surprised. I haven’t cruised as much as some here. But I don’t think I have ever had a problem with another passenger at the buffet or anywhere else. The worst I’ve seen is people letting kids play in the Jacuzzi or just not listening to instructions when given. Making it obvious we are at the buffet has always worked. I find other passengers are, for the most part, in a good mood and happy to work with others. I can’t imagine having to go to staff to complain about another passenger. Maybe I’ve just been lucky. But I find, in general, when you walk around with a smile on your face, people respond in kind and interactions are a lot more pleasant and cooperative. But if someone takes your spot, maybe the best thing is to pick up your stuff and find another table. Whose vacation do you ruin by letting those things bother you?

I planned our destination wedding in Punta Cana a while back. I had people coming from different countries, and different languages, elderly parents and their needs, an autistic niece, an obnoxious ex, and sisters on both sides who were less than helpful. We pulled it off and it was wonderful! Though the term “like herding cats” was used a LOT!

You can tip individuals more in cash if you feel they went above and beyond for you. As for drinks and food: I know if you get a drink or dining package gratuities are added to that cost automatically. If you pay for drinks as you go (you can’t use cash for this. They scan your sea pass or whatever they call it) it’s all added to your bill. I never thought to ask if they add gratuities to the individual drinks but I know you can write a tip in for the server on the receipt you sign, just like a restaurant. even when we get a drink package, my husband always tips extra. I think we should only tip extra if the server did something extra. But you don’t do anything onboard in cash, except for the casino and maybe the stores.

In Cozumel (I think) we booked a “swim with the seal” excursion. It was at a park where they had snorkeling, dolphin and manatee swims, and other recreational activities. In general the place was fun. But the seal swim was in a pool, with one seal who we each got to touch once as it swam by us standing in the water. What a huge disappointment! Ever since I’ve wanted to do this.

First, let me offer my condolences and empathy for being the sole planner. It’s a thankless job. If your like me, you’ll spend the whole trip worried about making everyone else happy. Since you have an international family, I assume you are used international travel. I always say “Plan for the worst, hope for the best”. It’s been a long time since being in either port. We found Barcelona MUCH simpler than Rome. Mostly because the “Rome” port is not in Rome. Having said that, as long as you plan to get everyone there a day ahead and plan for the unexpected delays, it sound like Rome would fit your travel agenda better. And if you speak Italian, it will be easier for you than most. As a city, I think Rome is more impressive: just my opinion. The rail system is super easy to use all over Europe. Keep in mind, Italy often has strikes that can affect train travel, taxis, and other transportation. If you plan to get their early, you have at least a day buffer to figure out something else. If you are concerned about getting to the actual port town from Rome, you can always go back to the Rome airport and arrange a transfer through your cruise line from the airport. That’s the safest way since if there is a problem they will hold the cruise for you or get you to the next port of call. That would also get you all to one central place from which you can begin your adventure.

This will be our first cruise to Mexican Riviera. We’ve done the Caribbean many times. We have snorkeled, swam with dolphins, stingrays, sharks, pigs and even swam with manatees once (that was a trip!). But I am wondering if there is a way to swim with sea lions? I had decided to do a glass boat tour to see the fish, rays and turtles. Snorkeling has gotten more difficult as we get older. But to get in the water and swim with sea lions would really be something worth doing. Is that possible?

Spring, 2019- booked a dream European cruise to the Mediterranean for April 2020 for my hubby’s 50th. It was to be us and my mom. We used cruise next credits as our deposit. Jan 2020. - we decided to visit family in South America in March and rebooked an even better cruise to Northern Europe for spring 2021. Ncl was good enough to transfer our credits which were due to expire in 2020. We did go to Ecuador in March. We made it home on the last flight before the airport shut down and borders closed. 2021 Northern Europe cruise- you know what happened there. So rebooked for fall 2021. But Covid was still raging. Tried again for Spring 2022, back to the Mediterranean cruise. November 2021, my very healthy 90 yr old mom had a heart attack and passed away in Jan 2022. In Feb both my husband and I lost our jobs. I was in no mood to take the spring cruise. Rescheduled again for Oct 2022. Ncl let us continue to book with our credits and let us give her reservation to our now graduated kids. We finally got that dream cruise, 3 years and 6 attempts later. It was awesome! But a little bitter sweet. Mom would have loved it.

What cruise line was that? It’s great to know they are using their resources to help people.

Or just buy yourself or do one else a nice piece of jewelry on the last sea day. They usually have big sales then.

Did you love it? That’s on our bucket list.

We have found different TAs package it differently, but the total remains the same. For example- NCL has their sail away rate. It is stripped down basic fare. That allows you to pick and choose which extras matter to you. We never have the cruise line book our air. We like fist class and they won’t offer that. The shore excursion credit almost never saves us any money. The dining and drink packages come with extra gratuity costs. So depending on who we are traveling with and to where we take different combinations. I would be a bit suspicious of a site “recommended” by NCL. Since they have their own cruise consultants, why would they recommend someone else. Or did you mean the NCL board on Cc?