Essiesmom

Usually 10. EM

Roatan has two separate port/pier areas. Carnival Corp. ships dock at Mahogany Bay with their own shopping and beach. The others dock at Coxen Hole. That separates the crowd. There are three piers in Cozumel. Carnival family of lines use the most southern pier at Puerto Maya. Royal Caribbean group use the international pier (as does MSC). Downtown pier is Punta Langosta where NCL, Virgin, sometimes MSC and others dock. They all have different t port areas with separate shopping and taxi stands. EM

I believe the San Juan exception was made years ago at the request of Carnival Corp as they planned to run one way cruises from Florida. But the concept wasn’t popular so the itineraries were scrapped. EM

They will add as many buses as they need. EM

I believe Carnival Capers reappear on Journeys cruises, possibly on the throwback day. EM

I was in 5026. I had booming bass from the theater, occasional patter of feet during shows, and moving around of props after the show. But it ended maybe 11pm. I was also just above a loading hatch, could watch pallets of Acqua Panna being loaded in Port Canaveral. I was okay. EM

I would never take first time cruisers on the newest, biggest ship. Even the smallest is going to seem huge to them. All the options might be overwhelming. And it would not be a cruise shorter than a week. Party cruises are not a good introduction unless you are a frantic party person. EM

Longer cruise, better ports. EM

Tuesday and NCL Gem is going in and out

The one in your cabin, the others no. Reservation link is only for MDR. EM

Has your travel agent ever sailed MSC? Doesn’t sound like it. Give them a try. Try for a 7 day cruise to get a better idea, and stick with ‘downtown’ instead of the Yacht Club. With young kids you wouldn’t be wanting to hang out all the time in the YC. You can get kids sail free sharing a cabin with two full fare guests. The newer ships have a bunk sofa, couch that raises up to become upper and lower bunk. Go with an open mind. Yes, it’s different. But you might find you like different, especially for the price. EM

The longer the better, July and August beastly hot and busy! Europe takes August off for vacation. Western Med is the most traditional route, I think eastern Med is more interesting, varied, historical. EM

Monday brings Zaandam eastbound, and Viking Mars doing an in and out.

When you are booking an inside the cabins the ones with bunks are 1A cabins. All of the others will have a twin/queen. EM

Who gave you the gift certificate? It sounds like a time share reward. A 1A cabin with one on the floor and one in the ceiling. And of course to get twins you have to pay up. Do you have to work with a particular agency? Have you priced out the cruise as if you were booking a regular inside cabin? How does it compare with the upsell price? EM

It’s always given you the ability to request, but not guaranteed. EM

Sunday another world cruiser, Costa Deliziosa, plus Le Dumont d’Urville making another pass…

All excursions are pricey in Alaska. You should ask this on the Princess board where some may have experience with Princess tours. Also do some reading on the Alaska board under Ports of Call. EM

You might ask on the Ports of Call board for Bahamas. EM

You can go to guest services and ask for a blank card to leave in the slot. I was having trouble with the a/c. It was very cold, and I tried to raise the temp to moderate, but every time I came back to the room the thermostat was back down to the bottom. I asked the steward about it, and he said he never touches it. But he had the electrician come, and he said that when I removed the card it would reset down to its previous low, and to get the extra card to leave in the slot. Of course, I could have got the bracelet and left my card in the slot. EM

The coach tour picks you up from the tender at the new port. But at the end of the tour you are never taken back to that point, you are always dropped off in Fira to find your way via cable car or by foot down to the tenders. The only exception might be a private tour by boat from the tender pier to Oia, and return by boat to the tender pier. EM

Last dry dock was May 2023. It will be awhile. EM

What kind of excursions do you like? Have you been to these places before? At Kotor the tender will leave you right outside the entrance to the walled city, just walk in and explore, maybe hike up the hill behind. At Split there will probably be a shuttle to the center of town, walk around, explore the ruins of Diocletians palace… For Mykonos, one of the quintessential Greek towns, the tender will leave you right at the center of town, walk around and explore. In Dubrovnik take the shuttle to the old town, walk the town and the walls, maybe take the tram up the hill for the view. In Santorini many like the excursion to Oia. Another tender port, leave plenty of time to get the cable car back down to the tenders. For Kole’s, we had a walking tour in the rain. Visit your roll call to see what others are doing, visit the Ports of Call boards for suggestions. EM

I suspect you will be docking at Havensight and Wonder at Crown Bay, but downtown may be crowded. EM

I think that’s because they are using parallel ships to fill adjacent locks. For Gatun an eastbound ship lowering forces the water sideways to raise the ship in the westbound lane. At Pedro Miguel the ships were going the same direction, so she had to wait for the ship in the adjacent lock to force the water out and into her lane. EM