ldubs

I wouldn't even need training. I read cruise critic all the time.

I think I saw that on Oasis too.

Not sure I follow the hi-lighted item. What difference would it make how old they are. I've been known to order a Diet Coke or two in Boleros. Good thing I'm not a teen. 😀 Pulling chairs together for kid naps seems a little over the top. I can see families wanting to enjoy the evening, but there are some limits I think. At least it was not an entire takeover, or you would not have been there from 5:30 to late at night to witness it all.

I understood the part about $40 on Amazon. Otherwise, I haven't the foggiest. 😀

We picked up our medallions on boarding day. Saw no need to have them before that.

Edinburgh is not to be missed, IMO. For us the port was Queensferry, which is a short journey to Edinburgh. There are others as already mentioned. BTW, Queensferry used tenders for our cruise, but that was a long time ago. This is one of my favorite itineraries. We are thinking of doing it again next year. Enjoy!

Anyone who spends money on entertainment will end the day with a little less in their pocket. Unlike most entertainment, at the casino there is at least a chance to walk away even or ahead.

I think I might disagree. The cruise they want to take requires flying in the same day. Additionally, depending on flight details, I think it an acceptable risk to fly in morning of and enjoy the cruise they prefer. Of course, there are flights I would never use due to connections, weather, etc. And, there are other flights I would feel very comfortable using, including nonstops to Europe.

Keep in mind that when an application for a passport name change is made the old passport is no longer valid. If timing is a concern, booking and sailing under the current passport makes a lot of sense.

Ain't that the truth. And travel rules were a lot less rigid.

I imagine the itinerary, and like you say, the length has a lot to do with youngsters being on board. I'm pretty much at the point where I guess I am going to be viewed as an old dude. But even in my younger years, I liked Princess for the atmosphere and ships.

All I can say is retirement is better than I thought it would be! Enjoy!

I agree WhatsApp is really good, and for video calls too. And I sure agree about using it to avoid international call charges. The following may vary by carrier. While traveling on land or ship we can use wifi calling to any US number without additional charge. If we have the ship wifi then we call or txt our fellow travelers without the app. If we have need to call an international number, that is a different story -- hello WhatsApp!

X2 on umbrella strollers. However, one reason for the big stroller is it could be a convenient nap place during an excursion day for the 2 1/2 YO.

I'm retired now. Back in my working days, if it were possible to extend days without pay, I don't think I would do that. Kind of a double whammy, IMO. And no, I don't think your situation is all that unique. The many times I've arrived morning of, there are multiple transfer buses shuttling folks from the airport to the pier. At LHR, I think that count would be in the hundreds. When we were younger we used to travel without paying too much attention to the details. Life seemed a lot easier then. 😀

What if they don't have an extra vacation day. I guess technically it would not be an option but still be "possible".

Yes, advisable and I think now preferable. We have voluntarily flown in the same day many times. In our younger days we just didn't worry too much about things that might but likely wouldn't happen. These days, we are somewhat less adventuresome, and prefer to fly in at least one day early.

We just enable wifi calling on the iPhone. Can do the same thing as long as there is wifi. An app isn't necessary. I do like WhatsApp. We use it for everyday communications with one of our sons who lives and works in another country.

For the kinds of relatively short &relatively inexpensive cruises we do, it is typically savings in the $ hundreds like you say. And sometimes a cabin upgrade. So far, the only reason we have to use our TA is to save a few hundred bucks. I'm good with that.

X2 - craps. Don't get fancy, bet the odds, and avoid the sucker bets.

I've also read the luggage tags are available at the port. So it seems that technically, paper copies of anything would not be needed. We have yet to go paperless. Still print various stuff as a "back-up". Going paperless - that is scary stuff! 😀

They have "smart" luggage that follows you. Kind of like motorized pull carts on the golf course. The batteries and motor must make them heavy and I don't know who well they would do on cobbles. But, I really don't know much about them. A good friend has mobility issues and cannot handle her luggage alone. She is getting one of the smart luggages. Because someone is always there to help her, we told her no need, but she feels guilty.

I, unfortunately, don't pack light. While 1st class may not have much more luggage space, I find it has less luggage in those spaces because there are fewer passengers. I do agree with your previous comment about it being less useful for lengthy routes.

X2 on GPSMYCITY. I often look at the tourist info center websites for places I will visit. They usually have those tourist maps that highlight attractions, and public transport options. I find them helpful to put things in perspective when planning a walking tour. Typically we end up modifying/combining suggested walks from GPSMYCITY.

No, I goofed. I read Atlantic zone but was thinking Eastern time zone.