angeleyes27

2 hours ago, K.S. said:

 

But that’s thing. Hawai’i’s Volcanoes National Park *is* safe. They would close the park if it wasn’t. I mean, there’s risk in everything in life. Go drive your car! Go walk outside! See what I mean? On the other hand, this whole White Island business was utter absurdity. The United States NPS would never let visitors walk into an active crater; “Here’s your gas mask”. And I can tell you, you’ve never been able to. Royal Caribbean not offering excursions I think, has more to do with optics at this point.

 

I have no stake in the matter personally, other than that, although I now live 5,000 miles away, Hawai’i is my “home”, I am a native, and I *knew* people would falsely equate the White Island absurdity with the natural wonder of our beautiful National Parks in Hawai’i. People have even mentioned Haleakalā in the same breath which is doubly absurd. My message is: go to Hawai’i, go to these places, enjoy it’s wonder and natural beauty, do not be afraid. Keep in mind when you visit Yellowstone National Park, *that entire park* is actually on top of the caldera of what is known as a “Super Volcano”! The geysers and hot pools etc. are not happening for no reason. Do people advocate closing down or canceling trips to Yellowstone? Think about that.

 

Hawai’i is just not the same thing as the situation that happened in New Zealand! The whole White Island story is just pure craziness!

I would agree about Hawaii Volcano Natl Park and Haleakala being safe.  I have family members born on the Big Island.  I have visited them many times and went to Volcano Natl Park & Haleakala many times.  They are very cautious and safe with visitors.  I am very risk adverse and I wouldn't hesitate to go to Volcano National Park. I have also visited New Zealand & went to Rotorua, but I wouldn't do White Island.  Although it sounds cool, I myself am too cautious.  I won't zip line either.  I have heard of people getting killed on that.  Everything just depends on your particular comfort level. 

6 hours ago, greykitty said:

Hawaii is the site of several active volcanos - in fact, a National Park is located at one.  I guess no one should go there ever.

 

 

I have been to the top of the volcano in Hawaii numerous times.  You can see the glow from the lava in the center if you go when it is dark. There is a hotel at the top.  I am very low risk (I don't do any helicopter or flying excursions).  But the thing that I don't understand is that: in many volcanoes I know, they are studied & have an idea of an eruption (Hawaii Volcano, even Mt St Helens-they had an idea).  Isn't this volcano studied?  Very sad for those involved.  Many had just completed a tour.

Hi!

Thanks for your information. We will be on a fjords cruise in June, 2018. Were you able to book the rental car in Honningsvag over the internet, and, if so, do you have a link for that? Also, what was the approximate cost for the day/

Sorry. I missed this. Yes I booked via email. I don’t remember the cost ...about $120? They were at the port.

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I should have said 20 minutes before take off time, not boarding time. They were on break over 2.5 hours just talking to each other and not screening anyone. Then after screening, they said they wanted to give everyone new boarding passes which delayed things even further. Someone at the airport said that it was because they were disgruntled over employee benefits

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Our problem wasn't the long lines for customs, but that they stood there talking and waited to screen people until 20 minutes before boarding time, making everyone deliberately late so it was impossible for the plane to take off on time and the entire flight missed their connections. Beyond rude. It was deliberate.

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We were in customs 2 hours when we arrived in BCN with huge lines. Then delayed flight solely because of customs coming home. And we were at the airport more than 3 hours prior to flying

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Our flight was delayed by Barcelona airport security in May 2017. Most with connections missed their flights. They went on a long break and decided to start screening again shortly before the flight

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What have you decided to do in the ports? Are you taking shore excursions?

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The container has a baggie with my underwear. I put the baggie in the food container which I use to store any food I bring back from the dining room. I have blood sugar issues so I need to have food near me always. Then I put fragile items that I buy wrapped in bubble wrap in the container as extra protection for the trip home. The leftover room is for souvenirs. I buy a T-shirt wherever I go and use that as a cover up or to sleep in if I buy more than one

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I am on this cruise on the Jewel with you. This is my carryon all packed and ready to go. In the bottom roll, I have 9 shirts, 5 pairs of pants, cuddleduds for extra layer/ warmth, gloves. In the pouch, I have my chargers. In the red bag is my coat and I have another baggie with toiletries. I am unsure whether to not bring a coat and buy one instead in Ketchikan which I plan on doing anyway. I have never used packing cubes. Would they take up less space than I have here?

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We spent an hour at the Lofotr viking museum. I think we left there about 2:45 or 3pm. I wrote out a schedule so I could fit it all in and had written down driving distances. We also made numerous photo stops. We were on one of the first tenders off the ship.

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We picked up the Avis car at the port which saved time but cost $50 extra which was worth it to us.

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We were in Leknes from 8am to 5pm. We moved quickly. We drove an hour to A and spent about 45 minutes or so at Norsk Fisheries Museum or so there as village was closed. We got delicious cinnamon buns. We stopped in Reine and took a number of photos from the viewpoint above the village and at waterfront. We next visited Sund and toured the blacksmiths museum there. Next we stopped at Flakstad Kirche which was quaint. We went inside the church. Next we went to Skagssanden Beach for about a 20-25 minute stop. Nusjord was our next stop where we toured the village there and got a snack. Our last stop was Lofotr Viking Museum where we spent an hour and got the tender back around 4pm or 4:15pm. Gives you an idea about what you can do during your visit. We enjoyed all that we saw.

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How do packing cubes work?

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We each have one carryon. In half the carryon, I can fit 5 pairs of pants, 10-12 shirts, bathing suit, etc. In the other half, I have a coat, electronics, hat, gloves, underwear with half of that space empty for souvenirs. The secret is to lay the clothes flat and roll them. I buy a T-shirt when I get there to sleep in. My husband and kids do the same.

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In St Petersburg, we booked SPB, by the way. They were great!

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While it is true that it is usually better to book direct with the tour company, I have used Viator in certain places because I know they will stand behind the booking and in ports, they guarantee to get to the port in time so in some places, that is worthwhile

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We had one overnight in Tokyo. We took public transportation from the Yokohama cruise port to Tokyo. We stayed around Tokyo station and took the public transport to Asakusa and the temple and then went to Skytree. We also had an easy time getting to the Imperial Palace. The subway system is very complex. It took about an hour or so to figure out how to use the system. We would have tried to see much more but we had pouring rain the whole day that we were there and we were soaked. But if we can figure it out, some other people can too. We asked for help and people were very kind. Public transport to the airport is good. Just remember that each station has different exits and different sides so you have to know which direction you are traveling.

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We are going here at the end of May.

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I bring something back to eat from the dining room or buffet every night by wrapping it in a napkin. I have blood sugar issues and it gives me a snack in case I feel shaky. There are too many carbs or high cholesterol foods at the breakfast buffet so it is very helpful.

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I bring one carryon bag, no big luggage so I am not sure about big luggage. If you lay all your clothes flat and roll them, you should be able to fit a lot in. I fit 11-12 shirts, 3-4 pairs of pants, underwear in 1/2 a carryon and leave some space to bring things back. I buy a sweater or jacket as a souvenir sometimes and wear it home. Good luck

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We used Perro Tours in Valparaiso but I am sure they do San Antonio. We booked directly with El Pedral for Puerto Madryn and saw penguins. For Puerto Montt, we had a guide named Karen who we booked with a guy named Denis and I think the company was Puerto Montt Excursiones. Punta Arenas is easy to walk on your own. We used some ship tours in some city. We went on a wildlife excursion boat trip that was right at the dock in Ushuaia

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We used the Park Plaza in Providencia. Nice area with restaurants and Sky Conterra within walking distance. Great breakfast

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We did the half day tour with Liven Up of Ez and Monaco and loved it. We were on the Epic as well. Depending on who else is in your van, they are flexible. Our guide was Marion.

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I saw the plastic on suitcases as well. On our trip, one couple had their backpack taken from them which was next to the husband in a church pew. Another person had the necklace ripped off of her neck.

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