Hawaiidan

7 hours ago, LNielsen said:

We’ve also taken multiple land vacations.   Again,  it’s the thought of flying from the west coast to a far flung location and then being stuck in a hotel room rather  the being on the ship. 

check the countries you going to....  I am flying to Europe next week and  there are no quarantine    there are no special docs or anything,  My euro friends tell me its all over   The airlines do not even want to see a vac card!!!     Only the cruise lines are testing and that is supposed to go away darn soon.   There is no getting stuck in a hotel in  some place. .....maybe the did months ago... but better check today....you may be getting bum scoop....  Fear is your enemy. 

1 hour ago, rkacruiser said:

 

I'll take whatever I can get after years of flying in Coach!  Carrier is Delta.  Whatever plane their regional carrier uses for flights from MSP and DTW to DAY that has First Class, it's a heck of a lot better than those regional carrier flights once were when there was no First Class.  

It pays to know the aircraft   the CRJ and RJ used  are all cramped...  the Emb 175  now coming on line offers some steller first class  wort

3 minutes ago, CruiserBruce said:

You realize that that seat that came from the factory at delivery quite likely won't last anywhere near the life of the plane. Airlines switch seats regularly...

and  my point is it appears that each newer generation seat is getting worse...I mean more value  conscious  to the airline...  cheaper, more bare bones each year for domestic  service     The international  seats are the money and competition  against foreign carriers......  trying to get the  people from Cotati to fly  then. 

1 hour ago, Mary229 said:

I have mostly had lousy economy seats but have actually had some decent ones on short flights.  As said above the pitch, width, materials and padding are selected by the airline and varies by airline.  It is not a Boeing issue 

except that any airline when ordering seats for a New aircraft  is going to be looking at the NEW generation seats that are in vogue.     Hence   newer planes   newer seat modled      and the new seats for the  most part are not great for the customer.

2 minutes ago, reposado said:

Thanks for the replies and a follow up question. Can the restaurant reservations desk book extra reservations days in advance or only for the day of?

 

yes.....the world is your oyster...   you can try to book anything on board if available.... unless things have changed....I always could    but I dont take less than 14 day cruises too.  The longer the cruisee  the more the options

1 hour ago, brittany12 said:

I found the Montreal to Boston Fall foliage cruise a bit boring. Ports are nowhere like European ports with exception of Quebec City. Has not everyone been to Boston by now in their lives? Waters not always predicable as we enter the fall hurricane season. Not much foliage to see from out at sea and only good when entering and in ports, if before Columbus Day.

Ya columbus day....most of the lobster places close down....    Its an area best seen by car....  Bar Harbor is a coney island tourist trap  except for the Natl Park.  I agree high prices high expectations low experience.

1 minute ago, 1985rz1 said:

What coverage do they claim you get.  A minimum policy should be $500,000 per person for evacuation and repatriation.  A $250,000 policy could cut in in some cases.

they do not list a cap....open ended.

on cruises with more than 10 days  it's easy, in my experience to  get almost any thing if your  open to share and flexible.     Seems everyone stresses over this and pays to get a butler and such.....   Never needed one  but its a popular thread....   RELAX.... you wont go hungry..

Also if the ship is rolling a bit  tons of cancels happen   that you can walk in to a restaurant many times when people do not show up  without a cancel   try that when there is motion on the ocean !!........think positive   its easy 

20 minutes ago, travelingJimmy said:

 I always get medical transportation as part of my travel insurance and honestly, its the biggest reason i get travel insurance.  depending on where you are, at it can easily cost into the hundreds of thousands of dollars to get evac'd and transported home due to medical issues.  You might be surprised as to what type of medical issues can prevent you from traveling commercial back home

are there other companies that are better???....  the price is $190 for  family....    At that price I worry its a scam as too cheap.  I have med good anywhere in the world already and My CC covers the travel ins bit   but at to evac is my question.

53 minutes ago, rkacruiser said:

 

When I have flown domestic First Class, the seats are most certainly different than seats in Coach.  

not by much amigo.....  4 more inches pitch, 3" more recline 2 more inches wider........ that dosen't cut it for me....     What carrrier?      Euro first domestic is  row or 3 with the mid blocked.   US not much better... Now, there are some older planes hat might be some what better but with the 737 craze going on your going to be in for a rude suprise...

Got a mailing from EA+ ( emergency assistance plus company)...  on emerg evac insurance...     any one  with an opinion or experience....I am all ears.  Other options??  Ideas?     

Just now, KKB said:

Can be a challenge with some airports/gates SWA flies into.

TRUST ME—I WILL be looking into it!

That, sir is the flip side of flying Southworst....   the greyhound bus of the sky"   you get what you pay for is the adage.

2 hours ago, Globaliser said:

 

Sometimes.

 

And usually, only by chance.

 

The only airline that I know of that does this systemically is QR.

 

Otherwise, an itinerary with a long connection time may be more expensive than one with a short connection time, if the flights concerned are more heavily booked and only more expensive fares are available on them.

my experience in the past year is ALL  the US carriers, and Star Alliance do this    The longer the total trip time  the lower the fare.... I have seen layover connections 10+ hours !

2 hours ago, KKB said:

I just read a post from a flight attendant that says do NOT book anything with hour or less layover these days. 

We are flying/cruising monthly for the next several months. Changed every flight to morning, longest layover, with most options for connections later in the day.

4.5 hour layover in Midway a couple times isn't exciting...but less stressful than missing one's cruise.

Thats what airline clubs are for...  I had a 3.5 hour to Alaska in SFO layover. last week..   had a nice rest, good food and drink all  included...    If you fly a lot get  a membership.    or a CC that gives  you free passes  many of the clubs  are very nice now with great food selections and free drinks and cocktails. 

2 hours ago, Globaliser said:

 

But Boeing doesn't make seats. Boeing fits the seats that other companies make. The customer (the airline) chooses which other company to make the seats. So if newer seats are less comfortable, it's because the airline has chosen them, rather than because of which aircraft type the seats are going into.

Again.... newer planes  made by anyone   choose from available new generation seats  by many manufacturers, most of which are, year after year becoming less comfy and trending to weight and how many  you can pack in..  thats what the airlines have to choose from and want...... thats all  I was pointing out    The choices from seat manufacture for all but lie flat ultra prem product's, is going to the "dark side" for economy on newer planes because thats what the airlines want....   

  AND lets be realistic  domestic First class is coach with free drinks.    Euro airlines already use coach seats in  euro service first class...  blocking the middle seat....

17 minutes ago, 6rugrats said:

No, UA will not book you on ANY airline.  They try to keep you in UA/UAX flights, then partners/ Star Alliance carriers and then will look to other airlines, but there are many they will never pay to book you on.

your probably right...I doubt they would put you on Southworst ot Alleganey !    Both air "experiences" rather than airlines.     UA will have the full range of star alliance however which is a bunch.   Just my experience with UA for 30+ years.    

22 minutes ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

If it’s an O charter, that’s one thing. If it’s a scheduled commercial flight, check the O ticket contract which can’t state any more clearly that O zero responsibility for air carrier issues regardless of O booking or DIY.

Of course, if you used O air, they will assist in reticketing but it may mean you’re paying the fare differential and, still, the ship “waiting” is not “guaranteed” nor likely if the delay is significant and/or only affects you.

Picking up a ship at the next port used to be possible with O permission pre-Covid. Not that easy now. In addition to the Ticket Contract and T&Cs the O Sail Safe FAQs address this issue (and more).

As any savvy intercontinental air traveler will tell you: arrive two nights prior to embarkation if you have a connection and always make that connect at least 2-3 hrs.

You echo my advice.     in recent past with health restrictions and testing BS  I allow for 72 hours arrival.   Africa being Africa , both politically and Healthwise ,  Id  try to arrive 3 days prior....

On 6/14/2022 at 10:19 AM, PacnGoNow said:

We’ve always precleared in Canada for our US flight.  Here’s a link you can check for your airport in Canada.  Also, check with UAL.  They would rebook you on the next available flight, but most flights are heavily booked these days.

 

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/preclearance?language_content_entity=en

 

Many Canadian airports have a US customs in them  so you do not have to clear any more   AND  yes  UA will re-book you on the next avail flight on any  airline   I missed once in LAX and UA put me on a AA flight !   ......

On 6/19/2022 at 2:28 PM, KKB said:

Both have exactly ONE  additional connecting flight to FLL.

MDW tends to have more delays than STL. 

I think I will go with the longer layover--gives bumper room for delays.

current ticket prices  are reflected in  the amount of connection time.    The longer the connection time the lower the fare   I always try for 1.5 hours domestic and 2 hours intl. ( that is going domestic to intl) and intl to domestic

my point is  that all airlines are  going to have newer less friendly seats on the newer, mainly 737's  as  along with the  new planes came the "new generation" of seats available   from Boeing. unlike past years     For anyone who orders a plane. !!!   

Airbus and Embre seem to fare much better  the EMB 175 is a jewel.

On 6/10/2022 at 1:51 PM, PhD-iva said:

Perhaps the avid travelers have switched to land programs.

I have...just did Alaska and next week Switzerland  had 3 cruises this year..... cancelled all but 1. because of testing games

3 minutes ago, nhow said:

We are booked on the Jan 6 Nautica cruise departing from Cape Town.  If our BA flight from London is delayed what are our options?   The flight is due in at 8am but not sure how late we can board or if it is possible to join the cruise at the next port.

If O arranged you flight I think they will wait... seen it in Tahiti.    However, it is on you  if you did the flight independent.     Many times the port schedule requires the ship sail to vacate a berth. They can not  just say  " we are sticking around chum".     You can board as late as 6pm in such a case it thats their sailing time ...   I would make a plan B    get a phone # to contact O and relay your delays if any.   Second I would check on how to get to the next port.   Third, I would take out insurance for missed cruise protection  ( I know you brits are keen on insurance for everything)    Finally.... think positive you have 10 hours to get to the ship even if it starts boarding at 1300. !!!

On 6/18/2022 at 8:52 AM, SDHusker said:

Don't blame the model, blame the airline that spec'd the seats.

ya' you can   the newer the model aircraft  the newer and the more "economic" the seats  they have installed.. 

 Older planes have older seats built with different asthetics in mind    Go to seat guru   to read  reviews of every plane every airline  every class     and use youtube  to see video of not only seat but service for your self.

On 6/19/2022 at 3:51 PM, GeezerCouple said:

 

Yes, Hawaiidan, kindly share which airline you were flying!

(If you mentioned it, I'm missing it.)

 

GC

United....   Ive put several million  seat miles under my belt  with a host of airlines AA-SWISS-Luft- Air can, ANA -hawaiian- LOT- delta     

My worst experience was on AA. horrrible service start to finish  and ANA  ( seat like bricks)

 Best on UA.     Business / first on  LUFT A340 380's  and UA 787-10's Polaris class... excellent   Polaris class to me is everything I need.  I do not fly Gulf  states airlines..not an oil shiek.   

 The new crop of 737's  which are being used now  on trans con and even to hawaii has ushered in a new crop of seats Since UA has the largest  fleet  and fly the most places and I felt most  fly them.

A quick note the 787's have the best jet lag prevention due to the higher cabin humidity and lower cabin altitude.   It really has  a very real effect.

53 minutes ago, oskidunker said:

Viator is a good option. You do not have to pay until three days before tour. Also less people thanbships tours

another option is "Tours by locals"  you can take custom tours for the price of ot less than O tours.  Sometimes you can locate a tour guide that  is listed by Tours by locals,  but you  can book direct with then  at  a price far less then through tours by locals.!      One good thing about tours by locals is that they hold you deposit  by credit card in escrow and if you cancel  within 2 weeks of the tour you get a rapid  in a few days refund with no hassel...     I have used them several times  its a good operation.  if you want to go that route.     

On 6/8/2022 at 7:17 AM, ORV said:

A few points about Roll Calls. First, there’s a pretty big difference in the amount of people on a Princess cruise compared to an Oceania one, with the exception of when they had an R ship. Numbers alone will dictate that Oceania will have less participation. Second, look at the demographics of O passengers compared to what you’re used to. Although not a hard fast rule many of Oceania’s guests will tend to be less of the social media type, more of just the facts please type people. Although many people do use the RC to connect for tours, that’s not really the main purpose. I think it’s more about the socializing and the anticipation of the cruise. 
 

Another thing I’ve noticed on the main stream Roll Calls is that you get a lot of useless posts that makes them look busier. I’m not really interested in the weather every couple of days in Peoria, or what someone’s cat did. You also get the posters that welcome every new arrival, as well as the keeper of the list that updates it every few days. There is a lot less of that on Oceania roll calls. 
 

But, the bottom line is that pretty much all the Roll Calls for all the lines are less busy than 5 years ago. It’s a common topic of discussion on CC. You can attribute some of that to FB, but not totally. You can attribute some to the shutdown, but RCs were waning prior to that.

 

The bottom line is there just seems to be less interest than there used to be. 

Very true.....For the most part many of O's passengers are well traveled and know a great deal about where the are traveling to.    Many are repeats on the same ports so require no interaction,  There is thus  very little need to set up or plan as these folks already have all they need. 

 Finally. as ORV said ,many are just not into social media.    The longer the cruise the less the chances that there will be  active  media people..    The older  generations just are not into that buzz.  likewise many are not on cruise critic at all.     All great people  just not into posting.