SargassoPirate

I do not, however, surrender it to hotel staff in other countries. If they insist, I carry a couple of photocopies for them. They do not need the original no matter how much they say they do

Thanks. Plus once it's laminated it looks official enough that it works as a photo of ID to get back on the ship in ports around the world. It's never been questioned.

Wowzz, I've never had any unused OBC because I put the pencil to it carefully before the cruise and usually manage to use it all. If I book with the Plus package, I use any OBCs for excursions or specialty dining just to burn through them. There are some cruises where the TA gives me enough OBC to cover the staff tips, so I go ala cart for drinks and wifi. I don't need wifi, and I usually only have a wee dram or three in the evening. I'm somewhat of a frugal, low-key cruiser and any day at sea is a good day for me.

The first time ot two when I was forced to surrender my passport I was not a happy camper. But once I had to stand in line for an in-person immigration check, I was happy to surrender it to the ship personnel. I do, however, photocopy and laminate the photo page of my passport and keep it with me.

Off topic Pescado, but I cruise without She Who Must Be Obeyed because she doesn't care to cruise as much as I do ( motion sickness issues ) SWMBO is fine with it because she doesn't want me to miss an adventure and the feeling is mutual. Some of our friends won't cross the county line without their spouse. It's unusual, but also speaks volumes about the nature of the relationship.

Once again, MissP22, I like the way you think. Millions of people DO NOT have Covid, but that doesn't make good headlines. I'd love to buy you a wee dram, unmasked of course.

And millions have cruised since the restart and been Covid-free, but that doesn't garner sensational headlines.

I think that was Drag Queen Bingo night.

You've noticed that too, eh?

Sounds like you are taking the right approach with research. In addition to the deck plans, I also watch ship tour videos online. I've only been on one cruise ship on which I couldn't wait to disembark. Didn't care for the layout of the ship and the cabin design was atrocious. I didn't do my research and went at the invitation of some friends who were putting a group together. It was an "Epic" mistake on my part.

It's always good to put the pencil to it. I usually book the Plus package for convenience, but on my next two January cruises I did not and I'm going ala cart. I was able to get a heck of a deal on the cruises and just couldn't justify paying almost as much for the Plus as I did for the cruises. I have enough OBC to cover the tips. I can live without wifi since in between cruises I'll be back in Fort L and can get caught up there. I can also purchase the wifi package if I feel the need. That leaves a wee dram or two in the evening and I'm all set. Good luck with your Princess adventure. Be sure to study the deck plans carefully if a full promenade is important to you and to get close but not too close to the guest laundromat. Princess will spoil you.

Someone asked Bernard Shaw what, in his opinion, is the most beautiful thing in this world. “Youth,” he replied, “is the most beautiful thing in this world—and what a pity that it has to be wasted on children!”

There's no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing. Look on the bright side. A little rain helps clear the Melonoma Deck of chair hog nests.

Roxie...I usually go to the US State Department website and search visa requirements for each country I'll be visiting. The info is up to date

Since the restart, I have been in five cruises with various degrees of mask mandates. I wear a mask when required, but nowhere else. I've been on planes, trains, shuttles, in taxis, hotels, grocery stores, to a circus, and in many restaurants - all unmasked. I am in excellent health, both vaxxed and boosted. I have never had so much as a sniffle or a sore throat after any of these exposures and I couldn't care less about what people around me do with regards to masking. That's my personal experience. I will continue to comply with mask mandates - but mask optional means I opt not to. One should do whatever makes one comfortable. Wear a mask if you want to. I

It's also important to keep things in perspective with regards to "cases" and "outbreaks". Don't forget that for every case and outbreak, there are millions of people going about their daily lives without masks and who are not a "case".

It is also important to remember a couple of points. * Covid in 2020 is not the same as Covid in 2022. Since 2020 it has mutated into a less virulent form. * The vaccines do not prevent you from getting covid, just not as sick with it - as evidenced by the reports of mild cases and cases where people didn't even know they were a case until they tested positive. Those are still counted as "cases" and add to the "outbreak" reports. One can either take precautions and travel, or one can wait until the case count is zero before venturing out. With more decades behind me than in front of me, I don't have time to waste. I'm vaxxed and boosted and carry a mask in case it's needed to for whatever reason.

Covid is everywhere. Planes, trains, taxis, airports, grocery stores, sporting events, and yes, cruise ships. If you are concerned about catching it, or any respiratory disease, get vaxxed, boosted, and wear a mask. It's that simple. You don't need to depend on what others around you are doing with regards to masks, take precautions to protect yourself. (This advice was from my GP during an annual checkup last week and echos what I have posted in the past and sometimes had deleted) I also agree with sabreline above, those with co-morbidities and those with underlying conditions should not be exposing themselves to covid unnecessarily and cruising is not a necessity.

Operational reasons Out of an abundance of caution

It's also important to note where your new location might be - if that's important to you. Under the Melanoma Deck or above a bar/nightclub may be annoying to some folks. There's probably a good reason an available balcony is available if one studies the deck plans.

I wonder if the youngsters getting all tatted up have ever noticed what an old tattoo on a senior citizen looks like?

For "operational reasons" I never book excursions ahead of time. If I haven't already booked a tour with a local guide or company, I wait until I'm on the ship and see what's available and the costs comes out of my OBC and/or on-board account. It's never failed me yet.

What a great outlook on life! 👍

Forgive me if I'm preaching to the choir here, but don't forget to look at the overall cost of the cruise too, not just the single supplement. And, once you are booked in the perfect cabin, check the prices every day or so. Two weekend ago I saw a price drop on my WC and called my TA. I was able to get the basic cost of the cruise down a couple of thousand but then the TA picked up the tab for some "perks" that I had previously added to my booking, so I really garnered a savings.

Yep. It still fails to resonate with me and I'm not changing my tipping habits or my enjoyment of a nice pour of a good Scotch in the evening. It must be a heavy burden to worry so much about what others are doing and with little but anecdotal Information and zero evidence. 😋