Essiesmom

When ships load provisions, they order fruit at different stages of ripeness, so they don’t all go bad at the same time. EM

Traveling when school is in session will limit the number of kids. You might look at MSC, in a class that has Yacht Club, but maybe in the Med, not from the US. EM

You can get lots of ideas and up to date info on the Alaska board here, under Ports of Call. EM

Sounds like you should try Virgin Voyages. EM

Have you seen how luggage is piled high in the bins for the forklift to drive onto the ship? Would you want your wheelchair to be in the middle of that pile? EM

I would do Viking in a heartbeat…if I could afford them. EM

I sailed Celebrity Summit in June. No photographers. Anywhere. There was one guy in a studio who would take pictures. EM

US Customs. EM

I thought they would have sailed…MSC Euribia is sitting at the commercial terminal waiting for the parking space…EM

She’s back at the Ostseekai now. EM

When I debarked Elation in JAX in March, coming down the gangway with passport in hand, lady at the bottom was directing people: passports left, BC right. She saw my passport and said ‘you can put that away, you won’t need it any more’. I went straight to the camera, stood on the footprints, and was through. I was the only person in that huge room! All others went right. What a pleasure to have a passport! But I suspect there were a number with passports in the BC line because others in their group did not have passports. EM

It appears to have a two pullmans and the B (laying in its side) means it has a tub/shower. Also connects to the small solo inside. EM

I have received offers on my AMEX green and Optima Platinum in the past, most recent for Seabourn (can’t afford them). Have used for Carnival and Celebrity in the past. EM

Carnival kids program starts at age 2, and they change diapers. How good the program is depends on whether your child likes it or not. The same goes for the older kids…if they don’t want to go, it’s a no-go. Some parents report their kids can’t wait until camp opens in the morning. It looks like you are not planning on going until schools are back in session after the holidays, which means camps will not be as busy. What was your cabin arrangement of previous cruises? It might be difficult to find cs ins for five…. EM

Did you perhaps mean to post this on the roll call for your cruise, rather than start a new thread on the main X board? EM

Look into the kinds of checking accounts your bank offers. I bank with Wells Fargo and as ex military I have an account with no foreign transaction fees, although there may be an atm fee. Haven’t had to use it in years. Also check with your credit cards for foreign transaction fees, if you plan to use them in foreign countries. EM

Since most of your questions involve a cruise on Princess, you really should be asking your questions on the board here for Princess, under Cruise Lines P-Z. As far as luggage goes, you give your larger bags, those that would not fit through an airport security scanner, to the porters. Make sure your boarding documents are in purse or carryon, not in checked luggage. There is no one else to give them to. Yes, they anticipate a gratuity. But realize that they are longshoremen, union and work for the port. They are quite well paid, as these are coveted assignments that they bid on, and often go to the most senior that are the best paid. As for what happens inside the terminal, I can’t answer as I have never sailed from Seattle. Both of my Alaska cruises were from Vancouver. Those questions are best answered over on the Princess board. EM

It would have known if had read the Guidelines…

See post #20.

From checking the deckplans, deck 1 midship starboard deck 4&5 aft deck 6 all the way forward Deck 7 starboard midship EM

Yes. I believe all Carnival ships except the two newest and perhaps the former Costa ships have laundries. EM

Thank you for coming back to report. Glad you enjoyed it. EM

There is a 27 page roll call for this cruise, in the forum for ROLL CALLS. If you don’t know what a roll call is, read the pinned topics on the previous page. EM

Thanks. Wasn’t t sure if #104 was between Top 19 and YC, or outside access to Top 19. EM

Princess has had problems too, esp. with Crown. And Viking…. EM