brzymom

I respectfully disagree- prices are higher when booking through Viator or Trip Advisor as opposed t booking directly with the tour provider.

Many things we’ve learned about booking our own excursions: 1- define “small group” with exact number of participants 2-are entrance fees for sights included? 3-check pick-up and drop-off locations carefully 4-read reviews on whatever site you are booking through and by looking up the company online as well. 5-be sure to triple check departure time and only do excursions that state return time is at least two hours prior to back on board time. Will continue to book our own as the cruise lines add up to 100% to the price of the excursion, are often crowded large buses with sometimes sub par guides.

Isn't that a damn shame?

Yes—after she mentioned it I looked it up and now understand. Was surprised though! You’d think there’d be exceptions for cruise ships bringing tourists to US ports!!

Thank you all for your very helpful information. Trip is 9/2025, so I will begin the research! Funny note--we then noted the ship was repositioning right after our sailing and we were considering a B2B for the next leg from Vancouver to LA--prices were awesome. My TA advises there is some weird old law that prohibits this. She thought it was the Jones Act or something like that. Who knew?

Hello fellow cruisers! Just booked an 11 night on Celebrity for 9/2025 with a 4 night pre cruise add on tour that includes Denali, Fairbanks & Anchorage.. Wondering would it be realistic and more economical to book the pre-cruise portion on our own?

We were in 8239 an infinite veranda. Never heard a thing entire 12 night cruise in October. Just letting people know that cabin is noise free.

Thank you both so much for your helpful tips!!

I ordered yaktrax from amazon--any idea how easy/difficult they are to take on and off?

Ahhh now I get it. Thanks for clarifying.

Did you get the $100 shipboard credit?

Reminds me of about 20 years ago I was incensed when the Honolulu resort I was staying at wanted to charge us $25 per beach lounger per day. Walked down the strip to an ABC store and purchased two sand chairs for $25 each. Used them for all 10 days at that resort and another. Last day saw cute family at beach w just towels and asked if they’d like them. They were happy to take them.

I am a beach lover but am very fair and need shade. I bought this tent online from Amazon and it worked well. Has its own carry bag with a strap so can be carryon. Opens and sets up super easy (prior to this I had one where you had to connect all the bars and string them through straps on exterior. This is much easier). Two adults can easily fit inside. I have even used it elsewhere with small fold up sand chairs. I hope CC lets me share this link : Pacific Breeze Easy Setup Beach Tent, SPF 50+ Beach Tent Provides shelter from The Sun for 3+ People https://a.co/d/gTBPXcy pacific breeze easy setup beach tent spf 50+. It’s $59.99 and there’s a $5 coupon right now. Folded up in carry case it’s 40” long. We take it everywhere we go.

Sailed the Beyond on 9/28/23. IV Cabin 8239 with friends in &243 and 8259. None of us heard anything. No creaking or popping. We had an excellent cruise and it’s a gorgeous ship. Sorry to hear not all had same experience.

Personally on a longer trip like that--if my steward was really good I would leave an extra $50-$100 depending on how good they were. Last 11 night we left a card with $50 for our steward who really didn't do much for us and saw him twice after and he didn't even acknowledge the additional tip. Oh well.

Hello--we are doing the Viking Venus in February--In Search of Northern Lights. Don't ask where--cause I've been scouring these boards for information on this cruise and the ports--but I found a link to this very detailed review of the ship, the ports, and excursions. It is long--but there is s much information including the names of the tour operators used. My group have two northern lights chases booked--one each in Tromso and Alta--there really wasn't much availability through my usual operators and I didn't want to get shut out. We are still looking for wonderful and unique things to do along the way! Safe and happy travels!! http://www.thepreismans.com/venus_p1.htm

Good to know--I will check all of that now. Thank you.

There are many things to consider. We never used to buy it--but we lived in US, in Florida so we just get to port and depart for Caribbean. We didn't have to worry about flight delays etc. Now however, we are officially senior citizens. Also, we are now traveling abroad more. So I did some research and talked to a lot of people on these boards. For us--our credit card, which we paid for the cruise with, covers the cruise cancellation, delays, luggage, etc. For the amounts not covered we were willing to take the risk rather than pay like $800 each for comprehensive insurance offered by cruise line and our TA. Instead, we purchased an annual policy for medical. This covers emergency medical transport up to a $1 million, as well as other medical expenses--which are not covered by my health insurance when not in the US. That was $460 for two of us for a year. I listed the 3 major trips we have planned and the total anticipated cost of each. I know the details will not be the same for you in UK, just hoping this information gives you a starting point to work from. Good luck!

good to know. thanks for sharing.

There are 3 choices for dining-early, late or select (anytime). If you have select you can make advance reservations in each of the 4 MDR's online under dining. I was told that they do try and push people toward early seating or late seating, but I just booked dining for all nights for my Apex 9/24 cruise and most time slots were wide open with lots of choices for dining time. However I had not known about this until a few months ago for my 9/23 Beyond cruise-- and there were far fewer options when I booked each night there.

I used to book on my own, but after seeing one friend on Cruise Critic rave about her TA, I asked for her name and number when I met that friend on a cruise. I've used her since and I am not going back to booking without, She often has group space giving better than posted prices, she gives us OBC, and she is at the ready to solve any issue or problem we may have. We've had a few issues here and there and once she even managed to resolve it, even though she was on a cruise herself when I reached out to her!!

You can pretty much get by in NY and Florida with Apple Pay, Venmo, Zelle or a credit or debit card (beware some restaurants now charge 3-3.5% when paying with credit card). I've never had anything but US dollars when traveling the Caribbean and Mexico. And credit cards. Only time I can think you'd have any issues if say you were boarding a local bus or taxi. That might require local currency.

If you like to have cocktails while cruising the drink package is not ridiculous. Personally I rarely drink anything other than light beer or wine spritzers. But put me on a cruise ship and I’m having pina colada’s and imported beers by day and fancy martinis and cocktails on the menus in the evening. For my past several cruises the drink package was included. I would get it anyway. You have to calculate the price of drinks you will want and compare that to the per day pricing. If you only have 1 or 2 drinks a day it is totally not worth it for you.

Some private tours also offer the guarantee- Tours By Locals has this on their website: NO ONE LEFT BEHIND GUARANTEEWe guarantee safe and on-time return to your cruise ship. In the unlikely event that you miss your ship after a shore excursion, we will arrange overnight accommodation and transportation to the next feasible port-of-call. Other things to do to be sure--triple check the sail away time, and be sure to be back to ship at least 90 minutes in advance. If my ship is in port for 8 hour, I book a 4 hour tour and spend a little time shopping on the way back.

I had been following along, and we were on Equinox with you and Barbie 2/9-2/18. What an adventure! I just caught up on the last two weeks posting and thoroughly enjoyed all of it. Sadly, we were preparing for a big family wedding this past Saturday, when suddenly the groom's Dad passed two weeks ago. It has been an absolute rollercoaster of emotions for all of us in our tight knit family. Every member of the family went above and beyond to make the wedding wonderful and memorable. We made my brother in law proud I'm sure. I mention this, because we just never ever know what's coming for us. Enjoy every moment you have! We hope to sail with you again one day!