sammiedawg

10 minutes ago, Homosassa said:

To be blunt; Carnival is Walmart, NCL is Target, and HAL is Macy's. Think of the shoppers one might see in the three stores and you have your answer.

Have not sailed Carnival or NCL but Holland America is no longer Macy’s.  The last couple ones were Kohl’s level.  It was Macy’s ten or twelve years ago but it is now a value line, a la Kohl’s. 

I would take the express train into central. Rome and stay there, then use Rome Cabs to the port the next day.  Door to door drop off.  You can also take a train from Termini to the port, it is doable and we did this years ago.  There will be taxis  meeting every train to get you to the ship, just make sure they can get into the actual port.   

For cheap lodging, book a Marriott that can be cancelled and then do a last minute Priceline.   Priceline offers terrific express deals, the best ones are  close to arrival date. November is off peak and there will be plenty of lodging. 

I’ve been on a couple  cruises with muddled, ever changing itineraries.  We were disappointed but still made the trip.  If this were to happen on Oceania I would still make the trip but focus on eating well and relaxing.  If this were to happen on a non Oceania line I might  look to see what I can switch into yet still make use of my prepaid air.  Maybe pay an airline change fee but get my cruise deposit back. 

I don’t have a crystal ball but I expect some kind of a workaround or revised policy.  

We didn’t get invited to the mariner lunch on a couple cruises but didn’t care.  The ones I attended were overcrowded with people pushing and shoving to get in the door.  Standard food, nothing special.   And lunch is available in other venues.  

Other lines do very popular cocktail parties and open bar events for all passengers and a couple for past passengers.  

I’ve had tiles placed in our cabin and took a few home.  I occasionally find one in a junk drawer.  Couldn’t figure out what to do with them.  Also we leave behind any pins or ship memorabilia left in the cabin. 

You will have plenty of time to make 11am train.  We’ve had no difficulty at the NYC terminal.  Immigration was a wave through and we were in an Uber well before 8:30. 

I enjoyed your thoughts. We were supposed to be on the leg after yours but sadly had to cancel. 

We have never done a TA but we’ve had some rough Northern Europe sailings.   Being cooped up inside is not fun after a day or so. 

We love the Marina. 

Who were the VIPs?  

Why not just move up to Seabourne or one of the premium lines.  

We did one Prinsendam and I swear on my kids lives the food was standard for the fleet.  The service was standard for the fleet.  We were underwhelmed but we left our rose colored glasses at home, 

The poolside smoke den should be eliminated.  It is my one complaint on every cruise survey I do.  I hope others complain as well. 

 Oceania does not attract a high percentage of smokers but it only takes one to stink areas up if the wind is blowing.  On one trip there was a small German group on board, enough said. 

The enclosed section of Horizons is adequate to house the smokers. 

4 minutes ago, susiesan said:

I will be embarking on an Alaska cruise this coming June 18 on the Coral Princess. I wanted to visit Alaska with Oceania but the lack of access to GBNP is why I chose Princess. I also considered Azamara but they do not go to GBNP either.

We think Coral Princess is the best choice in their fleet.  We’ve done Alaska several times on the Coral . Great space per passenger with abundant viewing areas.  They have a naturalist on board and they will bring in cultural entertainment.   We had guys from the Ketchikan lumberjack show on board.  They will have Alaskan  experts lecturing including Libby Riddles in Juneau.  

It has been a few years and I’m unsure about the food quality but last time it was decent, of course not Oceania caliber. Great pizza. The specialty restaurants were good and well worth the upcharge.  It was $25 a few years ago. 

Peru is well known to be a source of GI illness.  A couple years ago we sailed from Tahiti to Lima.  In Lima, Marina crew distributed disinfectants,  special shoe mats rolled out,  educational materials were distributed, etc.   

17 minutes ago, Shawnino said:

 

 

So what's up with this? I think it's true (there's a similar posting about two operators on Az board getting shuttered) but is it linked to the new US travel restrictions (and if so, why would it be?) or is in coincidental? 

Private tour operators were being hassled when we were there early November.  Cops pulled over cars in our little caravan everyday.   Passengers were not hassled in any way but the driver/guide walked to the rear of the vehicle for what appeared to be a quick shakedown for cash.  

Our guide told us the government was “taking over” private tour companies in December.  

Several major private tour companies have recently suspended operations but this was in advance of the new US restrictions.   

We were there late October/early November.  We spent four days with a private guide and he discussed the government plans to take control of private tour companies in December.  Now it appears most have been shut down.  How very, very, very sad.  

The government controls wages and jobs pay $30-40 per month,  regardless of skill and education level.   We learned physicians, engineers, educators were quitting their jobs and becoming tour guides.  Not surprised to learn the Cuban government has stymied the entrepreneurial spirit.   I’m so sad for the Cuban people.  

I am hoping US officials find a way to grandfather in Americans visiting Cuba via foreign flagged cruise ships.   

Why not just upgrade to a premium cruise line?  The perdiem will be more than $50 but better food, free specialties and more  included amenities are worth it.  

No way would I pay a premium for HAL food.  Not good enough. 

A few years ago we were on Nautica in Northern Europe.  Terrace grill was decorated in USA regalia at lunch,  traditional foods and themed desserts were served.  

I don’t remember anything else but it was a port intensive itinerary and we were exhausted. 

Crystal has some permits.  

Princess and Holland America historically have controlled  the bulk of GB permits.  

However, there is a major Alaskan environmental scandal involving Carnival corporation brands illegally dumping garbage, sewage in protected waters.  Maintenance records were falsified and other environmental regs  were broken.  These violations have been in the courts for a while and recently additional environmental crimes were committed. 

Hopefully, severe  punishments  will be doled out.  The court has already threatened imprisonments,  massive fines and loss of docking privileges at US ports.  Some think GB permits will be pulled.

Not sure if I can post the link but there is a lot of info on the site specializing in cruise law news.  

Private guides and the ship experts advise taking euro to exchange to avoid a 13 percent penalty assessed on American dollars.  We took euro but were still assessed the penalty at the exchange shack.  It is hit and miss.  

Credit cards could be rejected.  I wouldn’t chance it. 

Alaska is the crown jewel of cruising.  Combined with land tours this is the very best travel experience.  And we have been all over the world. 

Sorry but Canadian ports and regions will not have the same appeal.  

Courts will consider the economic impact in Alaska and they will not ban carnival brands from these ports. But they need to impose massive fines and glacier bay permits need to be pulled. Incarcerations should be on the table. 

Alaskan waters are sacred to us.  So many trips there.  We were planning to take the extended family there as soon as the babies get a little older. 

This story has upset me to no end. The more I read .......

37 minutes ago, ski ww said:

I think if the judge throws a couple of the CEO's and some of the people at the top in jail that would get every one's attention.

Totally agree plus massive fines and revocation of future Glacier Bay permits.   I doubt any docking penalties will be imposed this season.  

I am not a stockholder. Totally disgusted with Carnival corporation.  They grandfathered lots of docking and sailing permits but they have disrespected our  pristine 49th state. 

We did a land tour to facilitate the Tatoo.  It is a marvelous event.   Our land tour company toured us early in the day then ran shuttles back to the hotel.   Evening transportation was offered to the event and most everyone had a bite to eat nearby.  Plenty of eateries in the area.  

I would advise touring in the morning then resting up on the ship for the late show.   Don’t plan on a twelve hour day in the city,  your feet will fall off on the concrete jungle.  Enjoy. 

6 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

So when you went on this Amazon cruise five years ago, the cruise line didn't require you to have the vaccine or  waiver before boarding? I'm assuming that is not the case now.

No one asked or cared at Oceania, airport, cruise terminal, ports of call.  

I have no idea what the situation is now.  

I had no regrets or problems with the YF innoculation other than it was expensive   We took the shot as we had future exotic travel planned.   Since then we learned TPTB decided one dose a lifetime is adequate.  

A big myth is a need to take malaria meds for an amazon cruise. We only met a couple people taking these.  Travel clinics show broad malaria maps that are not specific to tourist areas.  Tourists do not get anywhere close to malaria areas. 

Definitely discuss with your PCP.  Travel clinics will administer.  

The only pain was to the wallet. 

We did the Amazon five years ago on another cruise line and no one asked or cared about yellow fever inoculations.  Onboard experts repeatedly said tourists do not get anywhere near the interior jungle areas.  A handful of scientists are allowed in. 

The important document is the Brazilian visa.  The process wasn’t all that bad and has been simplified since we went. 

9 hours ago, Sue from Canada said:

Copper, this is off the topic but would you know why HAL only does two ports in Cuba (Cienfuegos and Havana).  I was looking at another cruise line and they also include Santiago de Cuba.  Do you know if HAL will expand their Cuban itinerary?

Not  Copper but HAL Cuban itineraries are poor.  

Definitely look around for more ports and overnights so you can take in the evening cultural shows.  

Ok,  I have not read  this thread word for word but several posters have documented passengers were notified of the change 30 days in advance if the port date.  What is wrong with that?  I’m not a cheerleader but I don’t see any HAL conspiracy or communication fail.   They have no idea and do not care when individuals are departing home on a multi leg trip prior to boarding a cruise.

i spent years working in corporate America in a professional capacity.  Decisions would be made but almost always there would be a time lag before partners, customers were notified.  Sometimes changes took effect immediately upon the announcement and I was very sympathetic of the impact on serious health matters.  

For the record, I have sailed eight cruise lines and I’m fairly sure port changes occurred  on most or all of them.  Notification times varied,  a couple times the ship literally turned around as we were going into port.  Once a port cancelled for a civil war, then it was added back on when civil unrest lessened.  We’ve had ports cancelled for civil unrest,  terminals under repair, port problems,  weather,  too much glacial ice, medical emergencies.  And there were cancelations for which there was no explanation.   We pretty much  rolled with the punches although we were deeply disappointed a couple times.  Such is life.  

Hotels and cruise ships are removing tubs when they refurbish and new ones are shower equipped.  This is also a design trend in homes. Tubs are red flags for safety.  

We were on it four years ago. I doubt much has changed.  

Thought food and service were standard for the fleet. The physical plant, especially our cabin,was a little rough.  Odd layout to the ship.  

Loyalists think it is perfect. We didn’t hate it but didn’t get the love.  I’ve read Neptune suites are nice. 

To each his own.