GTJ

I would not diminish the intelligence of Aussies as to being able to understand how to ride public transportation in New York City. Moreover, public transportation use is higher in Australia than in the United States. http://www.transportist.org/2018/06/26/public-transport-ridership-in-the-us-and-australia Bannockburn is a rural community about 90km outside of Melbourne, a bustling cosmopolitan city that has the world's largest tram network. If the person making inquiry routinely uses public transportation when in Melbourne, and has the ability to navigate on that system, then I see no great difficulty with using the public transportation system in New York. This is a city of immigrants from around the world, and those immigrants can easily use New York City's public transportation system; Aussies are no less capable.

I think that the question you're asking is which passenger terminal has greater accessibility for persons with disabilities who use wheelchairs: Bayonne or Boston?

My responses to "why take a chance" arguments typically involves the more likely adversities that people routinely take, but getting upset with relatively minor chance events. For example, many people think nothing of traveling in an automobile, yet it is one of the most dangerous common activities one encounters regularly. So when I hear people shying away from using public transportation, because it "unsafe," and then proceed to travel by automobile, I just shake my head with disappointment that so many people have little sense of statistics and risk. So many thoughts seem to be the consequence of irrational fear rather than actual statistics. As to real statistics regarding the danger of automobile travel, these statistics were compiled by Ian Savage in his paper, "Comparing the fatality risks in United States transportation across modes and over time." http://doi.org/10.1016/j.retrec.2012.12.011. Passenger fatalities per billion passenger miles 2000-2009. Riding a motorcycle 212.57 Driving or passenger in a car or light truck 7.28 Passenger on a local ferryboat 3.17 Passenger on commuter rail and Amtrak 0.43 Passenger on urban mass transit rail 0.24 Passenger on a bus 0.11 Passenger on commercial aviation 0.07 Using public transportation is relatively safe and secure; choosing instead to travel by automobile is less safe. Now let's look at some statistics that compare New York with other states. I will note that the fatality rate, from motor vehicle crashes, measured per capita, makes New York state the second safest (the only incrementally safer state being Rhode Island). http://www.iihs.org/topics/fatality-statistics/detail/state-by-state This statistic is largely driven by New York City, which is by far the safest place in the country. In contrast, Mississippi is the most dangerous state, with more than five times as many fatalities compared to New York. The state of Florida, the state where most North American cruises originate, has a fatality rate three times that of New York. As to security (which is frequently confused with safety), the homicide rate, measured per capita, places New York as reasonably secure, ranking 18 out of the 50 states. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/sosmap/homicide_mortality/homicide.htm The most dangerous state, again, is Mississippi, with a rate six times higher. The rate in Florida is 50 percent than New York. As to overall crime (of which any measurement algorithm requires certain assumptions to be made as to weighting), New York ranks 11 out of the 50 states, being slightly more secure than the state of Iowa. http://www.usa.com/rank/us--crime-index--state-rank.htm The least secure state is South Carolina. In this measurement, Mississippi is in the middle, ranking 25, while Florida is far less secure, ranking 45. New York is a safe and secure place to be. Not perfect, but reasonable people should not have trepidation about traveling to New York. We can do better--hopefully our present and future mayors will take those measures needed to do so--but even now New York is a good place to visit.

I had suspected it meant something to that effect. There are subway disruptions planned in advance, usually to accommodate subway construction of maintenance. For example, during a given weekend, no. 7 trains will operate express between Main Street and Woodside to allow for construction work on the local track. These planned disruptions happen routinely, and in some cases can involve substitute bus service on a given subway segment, etc., But with few exceptions, they don't really affect the ability of people to travel on the subway generally. So often there are just so many of these circumstances, and they're typically for either a short time duration or short effective time (e.g., overnight between midnight at 5 a.m.) that most of the time the comprehensive service notices posted are routinely ignored by most people. When planning a subway journey more than a month in advance, it is very difficult to accurately predict what disruptions might exist on the anticipated travel date: the webpage for planned service changes only goes one month in advance. http://new.mta.info/alerts There are some long-term disruptions, but again it is hard to pick out these particular disruptions when there are so many minor ones. I do not know of any such long-term disruptions on either the Eighth Avenue or the Sixth Avenue subway lines. Unless travel was being planned within the coming month I would not be concerned. Now there are also present subway disruptions, either planned disruptions now in effect, or unplanned disruptions. If traveling immediately, then I might look at the live subway map that shows present subway disruptions. http://map.mta.info The Google "i" markers are, apparently, taken from the live subway map. But for planning purposes, unless one is about to travel right now, both the live subway maps and the Google "i" markers are fairly useless. Use the live subway map or Google maps when traveling immediately. Use the planned service changes for advance planning within the coming month. Don't bother at all with any disruptions if planning more than a month in advance.

If you are used to using public transportation, and are able to carry your baggage up and down stairs, then you have a very good plan. Certainly you don't want to use up the savings you gained from that very good deal by giving it to a taxi driver! But only you know if you can carry your own baggage. A few notes that might be helpful. The Manhattan Cruise Terminal is closest to the 50th Street station (at Eighth Avenue). You should be able to easily walk the four avenues, from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, at Twelfth Avenue, to the subway at Eighth Avenue (if not, then you would not be able to make the walk at the other end of your trip, from the subway to your hotel). At 50th Street station there are separate entrances for uptown and downtown trains, and no connection at that station between the two directions. You will want to make certain that you enter on the side for downtown trains, for which you will want to be on the west side of Eighth Avenue. There is an elevator from the street at the northwest corner of West 49th Street and Eighth Avenue. The 50th Street station has both upper level tracks and lower level tracks. The "C" train stops at the upper level track platforms, while the "E" train stops at the lower level track platforms. You can use either the "C" train or the "E" train. Some people wait on the stairs between the upper level and the lower level, and depending on which train arrives first they will go up the stairs or down the stairs to board that first-arriving train. You will need to change trains at West 4th Street station. This station, too, has upper level tracks and lower level tracks. You will arrive at the station on the downtown "C" or "E" train on the upper level. Use the stairs or escalators to reach the lower level. At this station board the downtown "B" (weekdays only), "D," or "F" trains. You could board whichever train arrives first. If you board the "B" or "D" train, ride to Grand Street station. There's no elevator, so you will have to carry your baggage up the stairs. It is a short walk to your hotel. If you board the "F" train, ride to East Broadway station. There's no elevator, so you will have to carry your baggage up the stairs. There are multiple exits at this station. After alighting from the train, exit from the rear of the train platform. This exit will take you to the Canal Street exit. It is a short walk to your hotel. Both Grand Street station and East Broadway station are about the same distance from your hotel. The two stations are on opposite sides of the hotel. There is no problem with taking baggage into the subway. It might be difficult to pass through the turnstiles with baggage. In that case, place your baggage immediately outside the service gate at the fare control area. Pay your fare and pass through the turnstile. Then, from within the paid area, return to the service gate, push the bar on the service gate to open it, and bring in your baggage. While the first person goes through the turnstile, the other person might wait with the baggage at the service gate, and pass the baggage to the first person after having gone through fare control. Then the second person can go through the turnstile. I don't know about these Google "i" symbols. I would think that this is Google just being excessive. I have never concerned myself with a Google "i."

I attended law school in Tribeca at night. I would walk that area regularly late at night, typically to and from the subway (though sometimes a late night walk to Chinatown to get a bite to eat). For the most part, Tribeca is a mixture of commercial and residential, with much (most) industrial land use no longer present. This is a relatively secure area of New York City, including at night.

I would not describe Amtrak's Adirondack train as an "alternative" means of travel between New York and Montréal: it has long been my primary means of travel between the two cities. It is a most pleasant journey, one that I think has been underrated by many who focus on the more-advertised western intercity trains. This is particularly true for me in winter, when it becomes a snowy wonderland (though no cruises at that time of year!). What is important to know is that this is an all-day trip. Immigration and customs can be tedious (but never "hours"), and timekeeping is not perfect (don't fret about arriving an hour or so behind schedule). In Montréal, do not expect to make same-day connections between the Adirondack and a cruise vessel, and for any cruises originating or ending in Québec you will likely want to spend a night in Montréal. (From Québec, there is an early morning weekday-only train that will arrive in Montréal in time to connect, and there are Orléans Express buses both to and from Québec that will allow same day connections--be aware of the need to travel between train and bus stations in Montréal--but a same day connection means a very late arrival in Québec, or a very early departure from Québec.)

These types of arguments are difficult because the truth is in the middle. Much of New York City is reasonably secure. Parts are not (at least at certain hours), though it is unlikely that one would stumble upon such parts without trying to do so. There will always be anecdotes of misfortune, but the media and many individuals often fail to properly quantify the risks (indeed, you can even find a handful stories of murder in rural communities where :"everyone knows everyone else"). In other words, there's plenty of argument points on both sides from which one can pick and choose. But the larger picture is that if one retains street smarts, and otherwise does not deliberately seek out trouble, New York City is reasonably safe for everyone to visit. It should be better, and hopefully we will return to better days, but today it remains reasonably safe, with only relatively few incidents otherwise.

It is near Victoria Square. Under one kilometre from the Port de Montréal, ten minutes walking. Not within the old part of the city, but nearby. A reasonably convenient and comfortable, if sterile, place to stay.

For those persons who will be in New York City on June 20, 2023, Open House New York (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization) will be sponsoring an evening cruise from Manhattan to the Bronx and return. According to its description, the cruise will be “highlighting capital projects, housing, and industrial development that are shaping neighborhoods and shorelines along the East River. Passing by Randalls, Rikers, and Wards Islands on the way to the mouth of the Bronx River, this tour will offer participants the chance to see waterways rarely traversed by tour boats.” It certainly cannot be overemphasized the rarity of this type of cruise (though with NYC Ferry now serving both Soundview and Throgs Neck, one can now see a bit of the Bronx from these ferry vessels as well). I think that anyone who has a true interest in seeing and understanding New York City, beyond the usual tourist circuit, would get much out of this evening cruise, either a prelude or encore to a longer cruise from New York City. I had previously taken a similar cruise, also sponsored by Open House New York, from Manhattan to the New Jersey industrial shoreline and return, and seemingly everyone—myself included—came away so satisfied with the excursion. The cruise will be operated by New York Cruise Lines through its brand Circle Line Cruises. http://www.ohny.org/activity/building-capital-to-the-bronx-and-back

As far as Amtrak is concerned . . . sort of. Analogize Pennsylvania Station to an airport with two distinct passenger terminals, connected to each other. Passengers can readily connect from an airline in one terminal to a different airline in the other terminal, but both airline passenger terminals utilize the same runways and other infrastructure, and both airline terminals are known collectively by a single common name. That's much the way it is with Pennsylvania Station. The old and the new (the latter being known as Moynihan Train Hall) constitute two separate buildings, with New Jersey Transit in the old, Amtrak in the new, and the Long Island Rail Road in both. Connections between all are straightforward, with the two buildings connected with an underground passageway. The same tracks and platforms are used, and generally accessible from, both buildings. Collectively, they are known as Pennsylvania Station, and the entire complex, both old and new buildings, is owned by Amtrak. Finally, even the old building is being upgraded, and while still space-constrained, at least portions are much better than the dreary and old of prior years.

It may be that the cruise line, itself, is not going to offer any of the substantial railroad excursions. But that doesn't stop you from buying tickets tickets directly from the railroad. The true "ultimate" excursion will have you on the train for nearly 10 hours. There is no pre-packaged trip for doing so, but what you would do is buy two tickets. First, a one-way railroad ticket from Skagway to Carcross, and, second, a one-way railroad ticket from Carcross to Skagway. http://www.wpyr.com/excursions/product/carcross-one-way-service This will work on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The train departs Skagway at 7:45 a.m., and arrives Carcross at 1:30 p.m. local time. The return trip departs Carcross at 2:00 p.m. local time, and arrives Skagway at 5:45 p.m. Fare is 190.00 USD each way, or 380.00 USD round-trip. Make certain that your vessel is in port at these times! Alternatively, the railroad will sell a round-trip package between Skagway and Carcoss, one-way by railroad (all the way to or from Carcoss, a 5-hour trip by railroad) and the other way by bus. http://www.wpyr.com/excursions/product/bennett-scenic-journey For train first, return by bus, travel any day except Monday or Saturday, departing Skagway at 7:45 a.m., and returning at 3:45 p.m. For bus first, return by train, travel any day except Friday or Sunday, departing Skagway at 9:30 a.m., and returning at 5:45 p.m. Fare is 255.00 USD.

You should be able to depart readily by taxi; it is a busy place open 24 hours daily (while I have been there many times at that hour, I have always departed by Métro rather than taxi). Given your scheduled arrival time, I assume that you will be arriving on the Greyhound Lines coach departing at 1:00 p.m. from Boston, so you are likely to find others similarly situated.

I read the tour description. It is misleading for Carnival to characterize this as an ultimate railroad adventure. An ultimate railroad adventure would include, at a minimum, a ride along the entire route that has passenger service. This means the trip from Carcross, departing at 1:00 p.m. Alaska time (2:00 p.m. local time), to Skagway, arriving 5:45 p.m., a near 5-hour railroad journey. Instead, this tour includes only a partial ride from Fraser. Adding insult is that the tour actually visits Carcross, but instead of dropping passengers off at the station in Carcross, it instead transports passengers to Fraser (about a one hour highway journey). Going beyond the minimum, a truly "ultimate" railroading tour would include a locomotive cab ride, or some other distinctive railroading activity. I view the tour name as being the creation of an ignorant marketing person at Carnival, looking to impress but instead showing ignorance about railroading.

"Best" is subjective based on your values. What's important? Quickest? Cheapest? Most comfortable? Something else?

That you will be staying Montréal does make a difference. There are multiple railway stations in and around Montréal. The two stations most important are Dorval and Montréal (Gare Centrale). The Dorval station is at the airport. The Montréal (Gare Centrale) station is in the city centre. Were you to have planned direct travel to Québec, using Montréal only as a transit point, then Dorval would have been the best station. Dorval would also be a good station is you are planning to stay at a hotel near the airport. But if you're staying in the city centre, then Montréal (Gare Centrale) would be the best station. And if you're staying in the suburbs of Montréal, then it is possible that yet another station could be more convenient. I should note that the vast majority of passenger railway stations in and around Montréal are used by Exo commuter trains. A much smaller number of stations are used by Via Rail Canada intercity trains. I should also note the Gare d'autocars de Montréal, on the east side of the city centre, from where frequent motorcoach service is operated to Québec. Should the Via Rail Canada railway schedule not work out to be convenient, the Orléans Express motorcoach schedule might work out better. Orléans Express also has a stop at the airport and several stations in the suburbs; Orléans Express operates to the Gare du Palais in Québec. Should you elect to fly from Montréal to Québec, the local public transportation agency, Société de transport de Montréal, operates a quick and convenient express bus service between the city centre and the airport. This service has a readily-memorable route number: no. 747. Trains on this route do not carry separate baggage cars, but unless you're carrying a huge amount of baggage, it should not ordinarily pose any issues. The carry-on policy is as follows. Free allowance 1 personal item, max 17 x 6 x 13 in., 25 lbs., plus 1 large item, max 62 linear in., 50 lbs. or 2 small items, max 21.5 x 15.5 x 9 in., 25 lbs., plus Pillow, blanket, clothing Excess baggage: additional 40.00 CAD fee (except no additional fee for business class passengers) 1 large item, max 62 linear in., 50 lbs. Although Via Rail Canada discontinued its red cap service several years ago, it does provide assistance with carry-on baggage on request. Should the Via Rail Canada baggage policy pose an issue, then consider as well the baggage policy of Orléans Express: Free allowance 1 personal item, carry-on, no explicit limitations on dimensions or weight, plus 2 checked baggage items, max 24 x 24 x 36 in., 50 lbs. each (Heavier items will be accepted, but passengers must load those items themselves) Excess baggage: additional 30.00 CAD + taxes per item Up to 2 checked baggage items Additional excess baggage may be sent by express, charges based on size and weight

There is a free shuttle bus from the airport in Montréal to the Dorval train station. A quick ride, about 5 minutes away. Trains depart Dorval at 8:11 a.m. (weekdays only), 11:55 a.m., 3:55 p.m., and 5:44 p.m. These trains arrive Québec at 12:22 p.m. (weekdays only), 4:18 p.m., 8:26 p.m., and 9:56 p.m. Travel on Via Rail Canada from Dorval to Québec, and alight at the Gare du Palais. From the station it is about one kilomentre to the Terminal de croisière, about 13 minutes walking. If you use a taxi, it will take about 3 minutes. If you travel by air, then you will alight at the Aéroport international Jean-Lesage. From the airport it is about 18 kilometres to the Terminal de croisière, about 20 minutes by taxi.

The main area of the airport is open 24 hours daily, but the secured area of the airport does not open until two hours prior to the time of the first scheduled flight. http://dot.alaska.gov/faiiap A favored website responding to inquiries of your type is "Sleeping in Airports." The report states: What to Expect Fairbanks Airport (code: FAI) consists of a small but modern terminal. There are a couple of eateries and newsstand/gift shops located on both sides of security. WiFi is available to help pass the time. There are no private lounges at this airport. Sleeping in Fairbanks Airport We do not yet have any recent sleep-related airport reviews. Past reviews described airport staff as friendly and accommodating to overnight sleepers. There were reportedly several sleeping options, including comfortable seating throughout the airport, and assorted quiet nooks. Look for a corner nook near the big stuffed grizzly bear. http://www.sleepinginairports.net/guides/fairbanks-airport-guide.htm While it might be more comfortable staying a few hours in a hotel room, with television as entertainment, I do understand the reluctance to pay so much for relatively little. I would seriously consider passing the hours of darkness at the airport, as suggested by the website, and getting a bit of shuteye. Sunrise is at 6:27 a.m. that day, and so after daylight breaks, head to the Westmark to drop off your baggage. It is a full service hotel, so you should have no problem with leaving your baggage there. You'll then have the day to yourself.

The Brooklyn Cruise Terminal is more conveniently located to John F. Kennedy International Airport than to Newark Liberty International Airport. It is also similarly convenient to LaGuardia Airport. Manhattan is convenient from all three airports. Thus, if your transportation needs are (1) airport to Manhattan, then (2) Manhattan to Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, then it is not a significant concern as to which airport you fly to. As to your return trip, the analysis will be similar . . . will you travel direct from the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal to an airport, or will you be wanting to transit Manhattan?

And no holes in your pockets carrying that many coins?! I am attentive to the coins I carry, and in the United States I rarely have more than 1.00 USD in my pocket (and rarely more than four pennies), for I always try to use the loose coins when making a purchase. The only exception is if I am making a lengthy trip using local transit buses that require only coins in the farebox, in which case I will obtain a supply of coins in advance of such travel. Perhaps some Americans are not facile with using Canadian coins, so they're always paying with paper notes, and with the lowest value note being 5.00 CAD, one could fill pockets quite a bit if never using those loonies and twonies.

From a security perspective, I fully concur. The reason to avoid Fisherman's Wharf is not for lack of security, but rather that it is a tourist mecca that many people simply dislike for its character. In some respects it is like Times Square in New York City, a place that most local residents would prefer to avoid because of it being overpopulated by tourists and concomitant commercial enterprises and street performers. Personally, I really dislike being in tourist environs, and for that reason I would never consider staying at Fisherman's Wharf absent very good value in doing so. I would rather stay in the commercial center of San Francisco if on business (near Market Street), perhaps along Van Ness Avenue if visiting governmental agencies, and in the neighborhoods otherwise. Overall, security concerns are generally not prevalent where most hotels are located, and the areas with the greatest security concerns do not have hotels.

Whittier is on a branch line, meeting the railroad's main line at a junction known as Portage (it was once an actual community, but today is effectively just a train station plus the nearby wildlife refuge). The Coastal Classic train remains on the main line, while the Glacier Discovery train makes a detour to and from Whittier in both directions, southbound and northbound. The timings in Whittier match same day cruise vessel arrivals and departures, the cruise vessels arriving in Whittier in the morning before the first train arrives, and the cruise vessels departing Whittier in the evening after the last train departs. Other passenger trains either remain on the main line, going to Seward, or use the branch line if terminating at Whittier, so it can be a bit confusing absent a railroad map or timetable. A day in Whittier could be interesting for some people, but would likely be boring to many others. From an urban development perspective, it is fascinating to observe that nearly every resident lives in a single apartment building. There's no traditional community as it is commonly understood, with many freestanding houses and commercial buildings, but a distinct community perhaps more similar to a tenants' association. So if this is intriguing it can make for an interesting day. But for others it could be terribly boring. Just be certain what to expect if you're going to spend a full day in Whittier, vis-à-vis spending an additional day in Anchorage or elsewhere.

I am not entirely clear as to your intentions. You're starting out at the Anchorage airport, and ending up in Whittier. From the airport, you desire to stay a few nights nights, presumably either near the airport or downtown. There is expressed a desire to "go further south" than Whittier and Portage, but it is not clear how much further south you desire to travel. To Spencer? To Grandview? To Seward? That's going to determine which train or trains you would need to travel upon. The least complicated alternative would be to board the southbound Glacier Discovery train in downtown Anchorage on the day of the cruise vessel departure at 9:45 a.m. Travel on the train south of Whittier and Portage, either to Spencer, arriving at 1:45 p.m., or to Grandview, arriving at 3:20 p.m. After a short stay at either of those two locations, board the northbound Glacier Discovery train, departing Grandview at 3:30 p.m., or departing Spencer at 4:40 p.m., and alight in Whitter at 6:05 p.m. This would then provide a convenient arrival to the cruise vessel, in advance of its 8:30 p.m. departure. If you desire to go further south, beyond Grandview and all the way to the southern extremity of the railroad at Seward, the trip becomes more complicated. You could travel on the southbound Coastal Classic train, departing downtown Anchorage at 6:45 a.m., arriving in Seward at 11:05 a.m. After a day in Seward, board the northbound Coastal Classic train, departing Seward at 6:00 p.m., arriving at Girdwood at 8:55 p.m., or downtown Anchorage at 10:15 p.m. You would then spend another night in either Anchorage or Girdwood before boarding the southbound Glacier Discovery train the next day, either in downtown Anchorage at 9:45 a.m., or in Girdwood at 11:00 a.m., arriving in Whittier at 12:05 p.m. I think, however, you might have in mind travel direct from Seward to Whittier, and spend the night in Whittier. That trip, however, cannot be done conveniently. There is an Alaska Cruise Transportation bus that departs Seward at 2:30 p.m. on alternate Mondays, alternate Wednesdays, and every Friday, and you could request that bus driver drop you off at Portage (the bus should pass through Portage at approximately 4:00 p.m.). The northbound Glacier Discovery train will then stop in Portage daily at 5:25 p.m., arriving in Whittier at 6:05 p.m. This might work if you're traveling out of Whittier on Princess Cruises on Wednesday, or on Saturday by spending Friday night in Whittier (though it could be boring spending all day Saturday in Whittier waiting for the vessel's departure), but not very convenient if you're traveling out of Whittier on Holland America Line on Sunday. Maybe you can clarify what it is you desire to do. This map of Alaska Railroad passenger trains might help (though it does not show the buses to and from Whittier and Seward). Alaska Railroad Map and Service 3.pdf

Many times the names painted on the sides of the coaches do not accurately reflect the names of the actual carriers, but may instead reflect a marketing effort, possibly for separate clients. (For example, motorcoaches in Alaska may be painted "Princess Cruises," but are actually operated by Royal Hyway Tours Inc., a separate subsidiary of Carnival Corporation, d/b/a HAP Alaska.) You really have to look at the legal lettering on the coaches . . . and even then there can be some surprises as a consequence of the recently-adopted FMCSA rule on the leasing and interchanging of buses. It would be interesting to know if Royal Caribbean is itself the broker, and engages a single carrier (which carrier then subcontracts in the event of its own insufficient capacity), if Royal Caribbean as broker actively involves itself with day-to-day fleet management matters, or if Royal Caribbean engages a broker which, in turn, makes the transportation arrangements. In any event, it is not surprising that Royal Caribbean would handle motorcoach arrangements identically for its subsidiary, Celebrity Cruises.

We have planned and done both late embarkation and early disembarkation, though not with the past year. The specific circumstances were as follows. Norwegian Cruise Line. Full cruise itinerary: one-way from New York to New Orleans. We disembarked early in Cozumel (México). Carnival Cruise Line. Full cruise itinerary: round-trip from New Orleans. We embarked late in Cozumel (México). Croisières CTMA. Full cruise itinerary: round trip from Montréal. We disembarked early in St-Pierre et Miquelon. In the first instance, we informed NCL customer service on the vessel itself. No formalities or fees. NCL requested our passports, and that we join with others disembarking at the port in one of their conference rooms for any inspection that might be required by Mexican immigration and customs. In fact, no in-person inspection by Mexican officials, and NCL returned our stamped passports with Mécixo tourist card. In the second instance, we showed up at the dock in Cozumel and informed security that we would be joining the vessel at this port. CCL customer service escorted us aboard and processed our check-in with no formalities or fees. It was a special occasion for us, and it was easy for CCL customer service to provide us with an upgraded stateroom. In the third instance, we planned early disembarkation and CTMA provided a reduced price for the one-way journey from Montréal to St-Pierre et Miquelon. Upon arrival in St-Pierre, CTMA called us specifically to purser's office, where we met with a French immigration and customs official. Apparently no other passengers were disembarking there. After cursory inspection we were given the official okay to enter the French overseas collectivity (no passport stamp). In all three instances there were no legal impediments, as neither the American PVSA was applicable nor the immigration laws of other countries prohibitive. Late embarkations and early disembarkations have been handled regularly, even if not overwhelmingly, to accommodate persons who arrive late at the origin point of the itinerary; persons who become ill, experience an emergency, or have simply become dissatisfied with the voyage; entertainers and other service providers who do not have the time to remain on the vessel for its entire itinerary; and persons who not fly. I am in this last category myself. Indeed, most of the vessels I have traveled upon have been for one-way journeys, and I use cruise vessels interchangably with ferry vessels, primarily for transportation purposes, not for the frivolity for which most passengers make round-trip cruise journeys. Importantly, now that the COVID-19 pandemic is over, will Royal Caribbean reverse its FAQ?