cruzingnut

I guess I should have specified which Grands I meant. For years they used to have the Grand Asia (or some combination thereof) and the Grand Med. They stopped those and have added in the Grand Africa and now the Grand Au/NZ. So yes, they haven't really discontinued the Grands; they've just mixed them up. If they do have a Grand Asia in 2026, we would be VERY interested! Linda R.

Really! Well, that's not too bad! Linda R.

I've been noticing how they have been extending the season on the Med! I don't think that would be great weather wise. Not sure I'd want to be there either at that time of year. October possibly but I think November is stretching it a bit. Linda R.

How far back WAS that? On our first Grand (and first Equator crossing), early 2000's we thought we'd get slimed so we dressed in our bathing suits and sat in the front row of chairs. Nope, no dice BUT, we did kiss the fish. To this day, you can still do that at least. Linda R.

That would be a great idea since they've discontinued the other Grands! Linda R.

@cruisemom42, @VMax1700, @AtlantaCruiser72, @SUESEABE As @WriterOnDeck stated, northern countries such as Japan and China are really not the best places to be in winter so that would be the main reason the world cruise doesn't go there. Just do a google search for various cities and you can see what the averages are in January and February. As far as not wanting to places when it's hot, you wouldn't want to go anywhere near the equator then since it's always hot in those areas. Cartagena? Hot.....always hot, no getting around it. Anywhere in Indonesia, Singapore, etc. are hot too. But, the world cruises go to southern Australia and New Zealand too most times. But, again, it's summer then. I know I wouldn't want to go to Australia or NZ in winter (our summer). As far as the Caribbean and the Panama Canal, the couple stops there are so that you don't get on the ship and sail for days. Never mind that the Caribbean is part of the world. Not everyone that cruises on the world cruises have been in the Caribbean very much. For the Panama Canal? I've been through there many times and each time I enjoy it. It's also the easier way to get to the Pacific rather than having to go all the way around S. America (which not everyone wants to do). If you want that, HAL has the Grand S. America every year. @whogo We have people on the world cruises that are yes, mainly North America, but also from all over the world. Usually a fair amount of British, Dutch and other assorted Europeans and even people from Australia. As far as "seniors" wanting to go places "safe and familiar places", you couldn't have that more wrong. There are a LOT of people that go every year. Some go less often and we've gone on a number of them since 2010. I can tell you we would LOVE to get to new places. When they had the Grand in the fall, they used to go to Asia at that time. Fall was the perfect time for it weather wise. In 2013 HAL had probably one of the best fall Grands we've ever been on. Chock full of WWII islands, and other destinations you would have loved. Check here for the itinerary that we did. https://lindavesadventures.com/2013/09/12/itinerary-for-our-cruise/ @OlsSalt This past year on the 2023 we went to Reunion, Mauritius and were supposed to go to Madagascar but weather cancelled that out for us. As far as the Black Sea, that was done occasionally when HAL was running the Grand Med. Another Grand that we really wish they would bring back! With any luck, we can get Gus Antorcha to bring the other Grands back. They would be a guaranteed sell out, especially the Asia, etc. Please, I don't want anyone to feel like I'm "lambasting" them; I'm just trying to set out the facts from my experiences on a number of Grands and World Cruises. 😎 Linda R.

I just completed my survey. First I'll say the east sailing one is no way. We did that on our first WC way back in 2010. While it was awesome and we did have really great stops, it was pretty rough going in that direction. Too many of the others have Antarctica. I know this will sound crazy, but we've been there 3 times and we really don't need to go again, never mind I don't want to tempt the fates of the Drake Passage. 😱 One of the choices was pretty much a repeat of last year, 2023. I liked the last one (D, I think) the best. I agree with you on the ports, but unfortunately, some of the "big" ports we go to are restock stops so are necessary. With the 2 smaller ships we have left, we could most definitely get to some "rarer" ports that the larger ones can't. That would help if the WC could go back to that size ship. Plus, some places are starting to limit the size of ships and not allowing them in (Major case in point for us is Bora Bora!). Linda R.

I've been lurking here and wanted to comment on the beer....if you can, please try Patagonia beer! I'm not a beer drinking at all but I love that stuff!!! Patagonia and a slab of Argentine beef = heaven! Back to lurking I go.....😎 Linda R.

Oh, thank you so much for reporting back! Great info and now I'll order one from Amazon (I've had it on my "shopping list on there since you mentioned it). I really appreciate you report on it; will save me from dragging my own hairdryer onboard. Yay! Hope you had a great cruise; we'll be on her for 21 days starting mid March. Linda R.

@The-Inside-Cabin So great to see so many familiar faces! Now, you have a picture of Henk.....keep it and take pictures as you go along so we get to see his hair grow. AND, see how long it is at the end of the cruise, lol! It gets pretty long! I know....weird but it's an observation I've made over the last couple WC's we were on. 😎 Linda R.

@WCB You may thank us for you getting that cabin! 😎 We had it last year and, oh wow, was it awesome! Since we aren't there this year, you get it. Enjoy! Great cabin, fantastic balcony too! I'm wondering if the breakfast place was (Just joking!!!) happy to see you go considering all the free coffee I know at least ONE of you consumed, lol! Have a blast; I'll miss you and everyone else. Last but not least, is there a way to sign up for your blog to get an email? I used to have that but it hasn't happened in a while and I see nothing to click on to be notified of your new blog entries. Meanwhile, I'll be coming here to check up on you guys. Linda R.

I've gone there but there is no link to sign up that I can find. There used to be, but not now.

@WCB, I'll def be following you guys on this "mystery" trip. Dave and I are not on this year. I haven't been able to find where to subscribe to your blog. I used to be able to but can't find where to do that; do you still have that option? Otherwise, I'll just come here and see what you're up to. Linda R.

Ok, thanks. I'll try it and see how it goes!

@Ken the cruiser So from what you are saying you still need to give them your account number. I copied this from their agreement that you say yes to when you sign up. Not giving them my account number....nope. Linda R.

I love it! I scored one of the 2019 carpets and it's in my elevator foyer! I will be following you, probably crying the whole time, as we are not on this time. Sigh...... Have a great time! Linda R.

I'm not particularly happy having to do this this way. We are basically giving them entry into our accounts! With so many data breaches these days, I don't think this is smart. Unfortunately, there is NO other way to do it. Still not sure what I'm going to do about it. Forgo the benefit to protect my account? Curious to know what other people think about this new set up. Linda R.

Weather for tomorrow at HMC.......not looking that great. Maybe it will improve!

They only paid up to a certain amount; can't remember what it was but somewhere around $2,500 pp? Our flights home were far more than that. We aren't going on the WC next year but will be following along, both jealously and with great interest to see how it all goes. Linda R.

Sorry to say, not much in the way of perks. You are up high and forward and I believe that the verandah itself is smaller than the regular ones. You get some vitamin water, a yoga mat (use only, no taking home) and I think a dock for an iPod or charger. You'd think with a name like that, you'd get a discount at least in the spa, but you don't. If I've missed or gotten anything wrong, someone please correct me. Linda R

Bye!!! Have (more) fun!

We waited close to 2 hours last year for people to come. They finally went to the cabin of one of the people and drug his butt out of bed and slapped it in a WC. Then later, the other one finally showed up. People can be so inconsiderate.... Post how sail away goes and I'll try to be watching the PTZ camera at the port. Hang on! And enjoy. I'll be on her in March/April! Linda R.

Hang on to your hats and strap yourself in tonight. We've got a gale warning up here in S. Florida! Linda R.

That's pretty cool! So, you're a reporter again!!

I would love it if this worked, would safe some packing space! If at all possible, can you come back and let us know if it fit? I had measured the opening on the one on the ship and it was pretty large. Also, it's tapered but with the silicone grips on this diffuser, as long as it fits on, it should stay in place. Thanks for coming back with this info! Linda R.