RVRoadie

I cruise all the time and NEVER use or even heard of Norwegian airlines. Also I know Iceland air is very cheap but every flight has to go to Iceland regardless. Their business class is horrible (read reviews on Seatguru.com or Trip Advisor).

All of the major US carriers participate. Also these major carriers code share with European major carriers.

 

TSA pre-check is a different program from Global Entry. TSA pre-check is strictly a US entity where GE provides TSA pre-check AND expedited screening thru US customs and border patrol when re-entering the US from another country. It also depends on the airport you are flying in and out of. Some will have dedicated TSA PreCheck lanes and some don't.

Norwegian Airlines is as similar to Southwest Airlines in Europe, one class of service and one airframe (B737.) However, they have a fleet of B787 that they fly outside of Europe. Our last flight back from Copenhagen to Ft Lauderdale after a Baltics cruise was non-stop, included bags and two meals plus bulkhead seats for just under $400 each. Excellent flight and value.

As for TSA, even though you purchase Pre Check from them (or indirectly as part of Global Entry), you are not their customer. The Airlines are. While they do the screening of ALL airlines at each airport, your TSA Pre Check is only good for MOST airlines. Buyer beware.

Don't know if this has been covered yet, but the number of airlines participating in TSA Pre Check is very limited. Just got our Global Entry approved and tried to put our KTN into our reservation on Icelandic Airlines. THEY DON'T PARTICIPATE.

Got this from the TSA FAQ: TSA Pre✓® participating airlines include Aeromexico, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Airlines, American Airlines, Cape Air, Delta Air Lines, Etihad Airways, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Lufthansa, OneJet, Seaborne Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, United Airlines, Virgin America and WestJet.

That is not very many airlines, and excludes the two cheapest airlines that cruisers tend to use: Norwegian and Icelandic.

Oh well, should still be helpful getting back into the country though Customs and Immigration.

My recent experience on the Star, TA and Baltics, suggest the these unlimited packages are destroying any chance of getting something useful done on the internet. With so many people on all the time, speeds are horrible, especially for those paying by the minute. It was all but useless.

If you have a lot of ports, I would check your cell phone plan. Verizon has a new $10/day International access that extends you local plan to most foreign countries. Way cheaper and high speed. But, it only works in port. You are only charged for the days you actually connect and use it. Just turn on your phones hot spot and get access on all your devices.

Don't you hate that. I don't understand why policies can not be sold in some states.

 

 

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Insurance is regulated at the state level. Without state approval, companies can't offer their products. I guess some states are so strict that it isn't feasible for some companies.

I have had good luck with Uber in Copenhagen. Rides were considerably cheaper than taxis, and my Capital One credit card was running a promotion I didn't even know about that gave me a 20% statement credit for each ride. At the port, I didn't have to wait in the long taxi queue.

The only downside is that it you need a smart phone with both internet and texting in the country your are using it. Also, for some screwy reason, Uber uses texting to communicate with the driver rather than in-app messaging. You usually don't need to communicate with the driver since the app handles the ride request, pinpoints your location and gives the driver your picture. Likewise, you get a picture of the driver and car to look for. In Copenhagen, my phone had internet, but no local texting. So when one driver couldn't find me, our messages to each other didn't work and I got charged a small missed ride fee. I just requested another car and it worked fine. When I contacted Uber, they reversed the charge.

You can go on the Uber website and see where they operate and get a fare estimate for your ride.

Here is a link you can use to register and get a discount on your first ride.

Don't overlook the possibilities of using airbnb. If you aren't registered, use this link for a $30 credit on your first stay.

Here is an example of a very inexpensive place not to far from the beach. There are dozens of options in a wide range of prices.

We just booked a one week driving trip from Glasgow to Gatwick next May and already have reservations with airbnb in Airdrie, Appleby in Westmorland and Stratford-upon-Avon. It is an exciting way to travel and meet local people.

After the UK we are meeting out son for a three week trip through Germany. With three of us, we usually get an entire home/apartment to ourselves.

Is there a flat rate for taxis?

No, but they are relatively cheap, and no tipping is required. Just round up to the next euro.

I've decided to do three things in Barcelona. Sagrada Familia, Park Guell and Las Ramblas.

Is it possible to do all three in 8 hours?

Which should I head to first?

How much time should I give myself?

 

Thank you

Take a Taxi up to Park Guell. This avoids a big uphill walk if you use any of the public transit options. The rest can be done with taxis, or walking if you are up to it. It is a 35 minute walk downhill to Sagrada Familia. Plenty of places to stop for lunch or a coffee. It is another 35 minute walk to Las Ramblas. You will need a taxi back to the ship.

It should be a fun day.

I prefer the CP balcony over the outside balcony. No wind, nice view and the pleasant sound of birds. Plenty of public places to watch the ocean.

Go with what you like best.

Yea, I saw that. But Cruise Next is a prepaid deposit that can be used regardless of how you book (according to NCL certificate).

Not sure why NCL would offer their product through a company like Verizon when it is just going to piss off their customers with onerous restrictions that are in conflict with NCL's policies.

I tried booking through the Verizon Rewards site, and could get a discount amounting to about 5%. However, at the final step of booking there was no provision to use one of my Cruise Next deposit certificates. I can only complete booking if I pay the cruise deposit.

Called Verizon for assistance, and you can imagine how that went. Not even sure who to call at NCL. Do you suppose NCL will refund the deposit in exchange for a certificate?

Any ideas?

You'd have a better chance of finding a unicorn in your cabin, and I'm not referring to one made of a towel.

I actually know two Pinnacle members, but have yet to encounter one on a cruise. They are very rare.

In 2012 we used Rent A Wreck (now Juneau Car Rental). It was within walking distance of the cruise port.

Getting the multi-day vaporetto ticket is a great deal. Walk until you get tired, then hop a vaporetto and take a load off. After a couple of stops, you can work your way to the front and enjoy the spectacular views. Stay on as long as you want.

Some Medicare Advantage plans do offer reimbursement for limited medical expenses outside the US.

You can get a reasonable policy from Insure and Go by putting a low ($100) value on the trip cost. I have done that before.

It is more than a little annoying that Insure and Go can write annual policies outside the US, but not inside. You can see this by selecting a different country at the top of the page, like UK.

I have friends that get an annual policy from DAN. It is not that cheap, and is not offered in Florida. They travel about 6 months out of the year and think it is a good deal.

I just rented a Fiat 500 from Ace Car Rental using Expedia. $258 for our one week layover. That is half the price of anything else I have found.

Anybody had experience with Ace?

Thanks for the tip. While you had a good experience with airbnb I've heard too many horror stories. It looks like I'll live with Malmo.

Do you know the Tobins in the Villages?

No, but it is a big place, 125,000 residents and growing.

I've stayed in over a dozen airbnb places in the last three years, and zero hotels. Great travel experiences. We look over each place very carefully, and communicate any concerns we have to the prospective host. We are also airbnb hosts, so are more familiar with this service than most.

Next year we are planning a three week auto trip through Germany at the end our our cruise, and already have our airbnb places picked out. Can't wait.

We have stayed at an airbnb ($30 travel credit if you use link to register) place on our last two trips, and had wonderful experiences. One was a private room overlooking the Marble Church, and the other was a wonderful country house about an hour out of Copenhagen (we rented a car). Both were in the $100 range.

I lived in Juneau for two years back in the 80's. Sunny days are so rare, that the State government would nearly shut down because nobody showed up for work.

I did the first cruise of the season a few years ago (Miami to Seattle via Panama Canal and Alaska) and enjoyed it. It was cool and overcast most of the time. Also got some rain almost daily. Did get one sunny day on a day trip out of Skagway. Snow and ice are not usually a problem unless you are going up to the higher elevations... to see the snow and ice.

And if it did go away, then you would be happy with the SF bay ferries being foreign flag and not having to meet USCG safety standards and US labor laws?

You mean they will be like the Cruise Ships that everybody on this board sail on now?

Maybe you could book with two different travel agents. Flouting such a ridiculous interpretation of this law is worth the effort.

It is ironic that in 2011 the NCL Jade was diverted to Istanbul as a safe alternative to Egypt. One year later the NCL Jade returned to Egypt. Instability rules in that part of the world.

Check out this article, it may offer better answers... https://skift.com/2016/07/01/norwegian-air-is-dealt-a-setback-on-u-s-flights-by-the-dot/

Thanks for the info. I should have known there would be politics involved.

Anybody know what is going on? The cutoff date of March 26, 2017 hasn't changed for the last month or two.

It is just the 787 TA flights. You can book flights within Europe well into July 2017.

I have used InsureAndGo for the last few trips. They don't have an annual policy in the US, but they do allow you to just get the Medical and Trip Interruption benefits for a very reasonable price. Just set the value of your trip to $0.

I've never had to make a claim, so I can't speak to that.

Oops! I was just getting a quote for my next trip in 2017, and they no longer allow a $0 trip cost. However, putting in $100 gets a quote that is still reasonable.