sparks1093

If you drink beer you can swing by a bar during the day and ask for an unopened beer. Do that several times and you'll have several to take ashore with you. When you get ashore ask a bartender for a bucket of ice. (I have not tried this but it was suggested to me when I mentioned we had to buy our drinks.)

I was going to quote Ogden Nash's poem "Reflections On Breaking the Ice" which is "Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker", but since they don't drink I guess that's out. I do agree that this should happen as organically as possible. I like the idea of discussing what to do in the ports.

If we are familiar with the port we might be more inclined to do something like this. The big benefit for us with the ship sponsored excursions is there is no need to do independent research. That time savings alone warrants saving a few dollars.

When I was in the Navy we were able to buy cigarettes tax free from the ship's store once we entered international waters. On my last ship in 1992 a carton of Marlboros was $5.90, generics $3.50. I look at cigarette prices now and am very, very glad that I quit, even though it was a heart attack that was the incentive to do so.

I would think it would have to be more than a "normal" amount in order to be reported. They would probably just report it and let CBP sort it out as for who is actually bringing them back and this would be flagged to the passenger's name, which would be flagged to CBP and as with the watch they would be called aside. If a friend asked me to purchase for them I probably would but I haven't had the need myself since 2006, which was before we started cruising.

It's my understanding that cruise lines routinely report large purchases to CBP, so searching may not be necessary.

It's been a long time since I've read the regulations but I think anything over the allowance is subject to forfeit, so I looked to see what CBP says and found this (emphasis added): Returning resident travelers may import tobacco products only in quantities not exceeding the amounts specified in the personal exemptions for which the traveler qualifies (not more than 200 cigarettes and 100 cigars if arriving from other than a beneficiary country and insular possession). Any quantities of tobacco products not permitted by a personal exemption are subject to detention, seizure, penalties, abandonment, and destruction. It is a complex area and more detailed research is suggested before purchasing anything.

It could be that or a TA released cabins back to Carnival (or someone cancelled).

I think you definitely deserve some sort of recognition.

Thanks all for the great info! I am hoping by the time we have to renew in 2025 this will be the norm.

18% is the amount established by the cruise line, whether it is per drink or for the package. Tipping more then that is completely at the discretion of the customer.

Thanks for the reminder about that plan, we'll be in a position to fully benefit from it in another year of so since we will be in a position to travel out of the country often enough for it be the best option.

If they are sold by an individual cruise line they are for use on that particular cruise line. If you looked for Cunard cards and didn't find them I would have to conclude that they don't sell them.

I feel your pain. Our itinerary changed from Bermuda to the Bahamas a few months before the cruise. Unfortunately the contract does allow them to do this and as with any cruise with any line individual ports are never guaranteed. Any contract is always written to favor the one who writes it and when it comes to travel contracts they very much are of the "take it, or leave it" variety. I know that you are willing to fight, and as much as I can sympathize with you I do not think that it is a fight that you will win.

Very likely, but this is an area where I don't mind being over-insured and the difference between a comprehensive plan that offers $100k of insurance isn't that much less than one that offers $250k (and the $250k plan likely has a higher allowance for medical treatment as well). Of course if one is only looking at an medevac plan then the $250k probably costs significantly more.

Every plan I've seen that offers medevac coverage includes repatriation of remains and I make sure it does. Whether or not you can be forced to take the body probably depends on your relation to the decedent.

When you buy the Cruise Cash I believe you can designate who in the cabin it is for, so if they have a separate portfolio it would apply to it. Cruise Cash is generally used up before other payment methods. I know that they say it is non-refundable, but I'm not sure they are legally allowed to spend unused funds. Since we always secure the account with a credit card I don't know how the account works with just Cruise Cash. I also second the idea of starting with $100.

I'm mid-60, DW mid-50. Yes, there can be parties going on. There can certainly be a lot of kids, especially during school vacations (although parents will take kids out of school for a cruise if the price is right). Most partying and groups of kids are fairly easy to avoid, especially on the larger ships. Serenity is a good place to hang out to spend time in the pool and to get sun. The upper decks have plenty of loungers and it is relatively quiet for reading, sunbathing, etc. We've always been able to find quiet places to sit inside, as well. I have heard that the longer (10 day or more cruises) tend to have less partiers and kids, but no direct experience. I say give it a shot and see if you like it, because that is the only way to really know.

They should outlaw that term "living wage" because it is going to vary region by region and even person by person. DW and I raised 5 sons and I suspect our living wage was higher than someone who was single, as only one example. On a cruise they make it easy and give you the recommended amounts. Once you've paid those recommended amounts you have met your obligation.

I leave the extra tip on the receipt. I expect most others do, too. But as has been pointed out CC represents a very small percentage of the cruising public.

I suspect that it would be provided it exceeded 7.5% of the person's adjusted gross income, and $40k probably does for a lot of people. Here's a link to the article, which I meant to post sooner https://abc13.com/houston-woman-stuck-in-montego-bay-jamaica-carnival-vista-cruise/12217285/

Ok, sounds similar to our experience when they substituted the Bahamas for Bermuda about 4 months out. Very little OBC, but they did allow passengers to cancel/reschedule (again, if they called).

I was just reading an article about a lady that needed a medevac from Jamaica. $40k. No insurance.

Travel insurance is a good idea for most people. A good comprehensive plan should cost less than 10% of your non-refundable trip cost. Comprehensive plans typically cover trip cancellation, trip delay, lost/damaged luggage, medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation/repatriation of remains. While cruise lines offer a plan most cruisers can obtain better coverage for less from online insurance "stores", such as www.insuremytrip.com. Each plan is going to be different and it is important to understand any and all exclusions. Most plans operate on a pay first, reimbursement basis so you'll need to keep paperwork until you apply for reimbursement (and note that many hospitals in ports will require payment up front for treatment, even if you have insurance). Before buying a plan check to see what you have already. Does your health insurance provide coverage in a foreign country? Does your credit card offer any trip coverage if used to book the trip? Even if you do have some coverage remember that medical evacuation (medevac) can be very pricey, so it might be prudent to get a plan that covers that (and many plans also include repatriation of remains, which can also be expensive). And while insurance may be a good idea also remember that it doesn't cover every eventuality, some things aren't going to be covered no matter how good the policy is. Google is your friend and reading several articles about travel insurance should give you the info that you need to make an informed choice.

Most excellent point.