Essiesmom

I think I heard it before that, about travel not cruise related. EM

Also consider the climate for the cruises. I suspect the temps on the fjords cruise might be a bit chilly for the outdoor water activities. If that is really important the Spain and Portugal itinerary might be best. But look at climate data and ask on the port boards for those areas. EM

She’s sailing from the eastern Caribbean islands, Guadeloupe yesterday. Doubt anyone on this board is on her. EM

Are you trying to book her as a single? If so, it might be they have few enough cabins left they won’t sell to a single. EM I just tried a mock booking for 2, suites and YC available. Switch to a single and it’s sold out.

People who look dazed and confused aren’t always first timers. Sailing for the first time on a different ship or cruise line can be quite disorienting. Try going from one of Carnival’s Joe Farcus decorated ships to Cunard to MSC and they are quite different in both decor and layout. EM

I just sailed from terminal 10 at PC Dec. 7-17. There was a lot cleared for future construction but I had no problem using the garage. It complicates the traffic pattern, it is workable. Interesting result was that I got a week of free parking. My 10 day cruise was actually sold as 3+7, although I booked as 10. I previously did a B2B from there and they charged me the 3 and 4 days separately (which means you pay for the turnaround day twice). This time they could on,y charge me for the first three, and said I would pay for the 7 on the way out. But there was no place to pay on the way out. Score! EM

I don’t have kids, and am nearly 80. I would eliminate the fjords cruise, because I think they would all look alike to the kids. The second and most expensive has the best ports, more variety. For me, I would choose the third, because I have t visited some of the ports. I assume you have some loyalty to Royal, since all three are on a Royal ship? Maybe you should consult the people involved for their opinions. In the meantime you might consult the Ports of Call for excursion opinions, and get copies of Rick Steves’ Mediterranean Cruise Ports and Scandinavian and Northern Europe Cruise Ports. EM

No new points here. EM

If you never added a payment method, I don’t think your bids are active. That’s probably why you never got a bid confirmation. If you did t follow through to give payment method, then you never submitted your bid. EM

The important thing about washing your hands is the friction of the soaping, then the rinsing. Temp of the water is not important. EM

I can’t answer your question, but we took the Surfliner the day before. We came into LA on the Southwest Chief and discovered when we got to San Diego that we could have taken an earlier train, as our luggage did! When our bags were not unloaded, we discovered them inside the terminal. I think it would have been a bit of a hike to the pier, depending on how much luggage you have. EM

Keep in mind that the advice given on how to access features of Cruise Critic may differ depending on the device you are using. I have a small iPhone which limits what I can do on it. Using my iPad and iPad mini are better, but some things just have to be done on my surface pro. EM

I’ve watched enough episodes of ‘To catch a smuggler’ to know that people aren’t randomly pulled aside in airports for further screening. They are ‘profiled’ in the the agents are trained to observe suspicious behavior. And that when they suspect sex trafficking it is usually Asian women, not necessarily minors. Now, I was ‘randomly’ pulled aside for screening once, not long after 9/11, but I realized it was because they needed someone in the group who was not from the Middle East to make it seem as if they were not profiling. EM

From what I have read, on a Princess train transfer you luggage is collected when you board, and you next see it in your cabin. Maybe not carryons. I just read a blog on the HAL board of a cruise tour in August. They took the train from Denali (?) and the train ride was 9 hours. Much longer than from Anchorage, but they were checked in while on the train. EM

It would help to know what cruise line you are on, and whether they have self serve laundry. But a lot of it depends on how you like to dress. Remember that they are three different cruises, so three different groups who will not know if you wore that outfit before. You can always send out laundry, though it may seem pricey. It’s a matter of convenience. I’m an old lady who has to lug her own baggage, and 11 years ago while dragging luggage across Piazzale Roma in Venice determined I would never again travel with luggage larger than carryon. I’m not hard on my clothing, I have assembled a wardrobe that is lightweight, packs well, and can be hand washed in the sink if necessary. Limit shoes is one key. Do you really need a different pair of shoes for each outfit? For perhaps more helpful advice, ask on the board here for the cruise line you are sailing. EM

6 Sept. cruise from Ravenna has an ON in La Spezia. EM

Which ship/port? There will not be an elegant night, there is always a white night. EM

@Ferry Watcher might you give us an opinion here? EM

Cruisedeckplans has copious pics of 7002 and 8001, video of 7001 and 8001, but the one for 7001 says offline. Didn’t try the other. EM

I don’t see anything but a blurry picture. I was across the ship in 5026 for ten nights. Under the stage, had booming bass in the evenings when there was a show, sometimes the patter of feet and after the show, moving of props, etc. But it usually stopped by midnight. Also right above a loading hatch, could watch them loading pallets of Acqua Panna. If the sea was active I occasionally had waves crashing, sometimes sounded like sleet hitting the windows…. But I would t hesitate to book the room again. Except that it’s a looong way from the MDR. EM

I can’t give you any estimate but your cruise on Seaview boards new guests at nearly every port, which means the whole ship will not be departing in Barcelona. That means not all 4000+ will be trying to get off early and queuing for cabs. EM

Thank you very much for taking the time to report on this. EM

Just take a taxi to the other terminal. EM

Those square insides are the best cabins. Very roomy. I’ve spent 40 nights in K1116, part on Westerdam and part on Nieuw Amsterdam. I also spent 32 days in an OV cabin on Oosterdam and would not do it again. Having a tub and a window is not worth it. You have to crawl across the bed to see out the window. If you separate the beds, the nightstand keeps you from getting close to the window. The inside is much larger. EM

Totally understand. I like the convenience of my iPad but some things can only be done on my surface pro. EM