port msp

When boarding do you hand your cpap case over with luggage or carry around with you until your room is ready?

I don't turn my bags over anymore. We travel pretty light so we can easily handle our bags, take them straight to the room, and get unpacked before sailaway. If you need to turn your bags over, I'd carry the machine myself. If your bag containing your machine got crushed on a cart/dropped/lost/dunked in the ocean/etc, and your machine broken/lost, you won't find a replacement in the gift shop:D I thought it was going to be a big hassle to travel with the cpap, but it hasn't been a problem at all. Here are a couple things that work for me; I replaced the flimsy cpap travel bag with a small photographer's backpack. It provides a great deal more protection than the original and the interior is configurable with velcro and padded partitions, so it gets its own well protected compartment. The bag isn't much bigger than the original travel case, but big enough to also fit an extension cord (no surge protection and the same color and shape as the cpap power cord), tubing/mask, my camera, and a small Bose speaker. I keep the power cord plugged into the extension cord and wrap it around the transformer/brick, and have never had it questioned. That bag and my carryon are all I take.

I make the most of sea days by doing very little. Sleep in, a late breakfast, some reading and watching the world go by on the balcony, maybe a lecture, lunch, a nap, more reading, work out, dinner, movie or reading or sitting on the balcony listening to the ship crash through the waves, then bed. We love our slothful, relaxing sea days.

I am supposed to only eat gluten free .However ,on a recent 12 day cruise I decided to eat regular food .After 7 days I became ill and went to the infirmary . The doctor told me that I must stay with gluten free .I spoke to one of the Head Waiters in the MDR and for the remaining 5 days of the cruise he chose my food for every meal .On days that the MDR was closed he spoke to a Buffet Chef and worked out a menu for me as well.

On the last night I wanted to tip him $100.My wife said that was crazy and $10 is what I should tip.I gave him something in between.

I told him that I will be on another cruise with the ship and he said he will take care of me from day 1.This will be a 12 day cruise.i would like opinions on what amount i should tip him.

 

Thanking you in advance ,I am

 

Money is great, but for marital harmony, I think you should determine the amount by balancing your desire to express gratitude and your wife's lack of enthusiasm. What I think would be even more appreciated, in addition to the money, is a letter to mgt. expressing your gratitude for the individual's desire to take care of your special needs. Let him know you praised him to his bosses.

I spent a lot of time in Key West in the late 80's and early 90's and still know people there. I returned recently on a day when three cruise ships landed within hours of each other and learned a once idyllic and peaceful community sold its soul to the big boats and the big money that comes with them. Being accosted at 11 in the morning by drunk Germans demanding, "Ver ist der Schloppy Choes?" isn't something I'll remember fondly.

 

I agree. We did a 4 night land vacation to Key West in February this year instead of taking our annual Caribbean cruise to sun and sand. It was interesting to experience port days from the land side of the equation. I gained some understanding and appreciation for those who are staying in a port as opposed to those that simply visiting for the day.

We stayed on Mallory Square at the Margaritaville Resort and our balcony had a view of the port area, so we had a ringside view of the goings on. The crush of people heading to and from Duval St. each morning/afternoon was "something" to behold. It does change the nature of the town. It didn't ruin our vacation, but given the choice between a ship in port or not, I'd choose not. The sidewalks were packed, the venues were packed, the hop on/hop off trolleys and "train" were full, etc.

 

I get that port towns and businesses like cruise ships; thousands of people spending money and then leaving, but I think it changes the vibe of the town. Thousands of people rushing to do as much as possible in the few hours they have in port.

Sorry for the thread hijack.

I don't think I'd want to live on a ship permanently. I suspect it would get "old" for me. Our longest cruise has been 11 nights, and by day 9 I was getting bored with the sameness of the surroundings and routine. Living aboard a ship would mean same surroundings, same food, and for the season, same rotation of ports. Maybe if I'd move to a new ship once in a while it would work for me. I think I would like to give it a try for a month or more in Jan/Feb/Mar.

 

I think it takes a special person and a special set of circumstances to make it work. I suspect those that do it have a great deal of $$$.

How does one come to know about these themed cruises? Is there a specific website?

 

Give this a try. https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=349 You can also google the ship and the date to see if something comes up. I've been on a few cruises that were partial charters. It was mostly ok. Quilters, a marathon running group, The Country Family Jamboree, and a gay men's group. Some venues were unavailable some of the time, but all in all no group was overly intrusive or obnoxious. For the OP, would I book a themed cruise for a good deal? Maybe. Depends on the theme. Personally I'd stay away from proselytizing religious groups, rabid sports fans, and any other narrowly focused theme group. A world history themed cruise? Sure. A Walking Dead themed cruise? Not so much. The prices for themed cruises, which have to be purchased through the sponsoring group, with all of their events, tend to be quite a bit higher than one would pay to take the same cruise without being a part of the themed group.

We are taking our first Alaskan land/cruise May 20-31. I am really struggling as to what I should pack. Any tips?

Layers! The weather can change constantly.

 

My must have Alaska packing list:

goretex hooded jacket/rain pants

goretex hiking boots

wool or fleece vest, wool or fleece pullover

wool or fleece gloves, hat, neck gaiter/scarf

 

Under Armor-like long sleeve zipneck shirts, UA tshirts, jeans (many will disagree, but an Alaska cruise just screams for jeans/fleece vest/goretex jacket for me), quick dry travel pants, nylon travel shirts.

 

I see you're from MS. You'll want to look at average highs and lows for the ports and plan accordingly. 60F are shorts weather in MN, but I'm guessing not so much in MS (it's 7F as I type this) I'd also suggest waiting for your first port and buying a fleece vest. Get one with an eagle/Alaska state flag/a bear embroidered on it. They're pretty cheap, and you'll have a useful souvenir. I take a fleece vest on every trip, regardless of destination or time of year.

 

We don't bother with formal anymore. Alaska cruises are port intensive and pretty casual. I'd rather spend more time in a port town than rush back to the ship to dress for dinner.

 

Free advice is worth exactly what you pay for it. Enjoy your cruise.

I just found out that the cruise I want to go on is only done once a year, and the next one is on November 24th. So I either go in 11 days time or wait a whole year.

 

This one in 11 days would cost me £150 more than the one next year, but there is a free upgrade to a balcony cabin.

 

I'd also have to arrange everything in only 11 days. My passport has expired and I'd have to pay extra for a fastrack renewal. Plus I'd have to buy new clothes, as I've put on a lot of weight recently and none of my nice clothes still fit.

 

Can anyone help me decide what to do?

 

If you have the time, money, and most importantly I think, the true desire to go now, then I'd do it. Last minute trips can be fun to pull off. But if the logistics of making it happen are stressing you out and causing anxiety, then I'd wait until next year.

 

 

Let us know what you've decided.

 

Free advice is worth exactly what you pay for it.

Best place to get a watch St Lucia ,Grenada,Barbados,Antigua St Vincent

 

 

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I like watches, and if we're in a shopping district, I can usually be found perusing the watch displays. I don't recall seeing much in the locales you mentioned, but I may have missed them.

 

If you have a specific watch brand or model in mind, do your research ahead of time and know the price for each model you're considering. Then you'll know if a deal is to be had or not. And don't forget that you may owe duty on it when you go home, which adds to the equation. St. Thomas probably has the best selection of watches across all the manufacturers and price ranges I've seen in the Caribbean, followed closely by St. Maarten and Nassau.

 

I'll also suggest that if you have your heart set on a specific make/model, check with the manufacturer to see if they have an authorized dealer where you're going. Then contact the store to see if they have that particular watch in stock.

 

If you're not sure about brands/models, find a large online watch retailer and check out their selection. It'll give you an idea of whats out there and the price points.

 

It used to be that there were great deals on Swiss watches in the Caribbean. I haven't seen any real deals in the ten years we've been going. The internet has made the world a pretty small place. It's easy to find out what the going price for a particular watch, or anything for that matter, with a google search.

 

 

Others suggested Amazon and your local jeweler. Those aren't bad suggestions.

 

 

Free advice is worth what you pay for it.

Hi there. We have read that the Puerto Rico stop on Carnival Vista is a great place to explore by foot. Can anyone recommend a website or walking route that we should take once we get off the ship? We would like to do our own thing without a tour but not sure which direction we should go to see the most of the city. Thanks.

 

Welcome. Old San Juan is walkable if you're reasonably mobile. As others have said, wear sturdy shoes. The streets are cobblestone, the sidewalks can be uneven, and it's all uphill to the forts. Depending on your port times, I'd go to San Cristobal first, then walk along the northern path to del Morro. If you port later in the day, you may only have time for one, in which case I'd go to del Morro. While at del Morro, go to the cemetery wall and look east along the shore. The waves breaking on the rocks is really tranquil.

 

 

Free advice is worth exactly what you pay for it.

I would suggest Westminster Abbey and Churchill's War Rooms Museum - close together - for a London experience not duplicated elsewhere. Fish and chips, after all, can be prepared almost anywhere in the world.

 

I'll agree with this sentiment and others. Depending on where you're flying from, you'll have jet lag to deal with. You may find that by the time you get to your hotel, you won't have the time or the energy to see much. I get that you want to have fish-n-chips in London, even if it doesn't turn out to be as good as the offerings in your hometown. You'll find it somewhere. One suggestion; when you check into your hotel, ask the desk person/bellhop/concierge/doorman where they'd go if they wanted good fish-n-chips in the area that isn't a tourist spot. Then go eat, take a walk, get a good night's sleep, and head to the ship the next morning.

 

 

For when you return, I'll second the suggestion of taking a guided walking tour. I like the London Walks tours and thought their Jack The Ripper tour was worth the time and money. Google London Walks for schedules. For a full day on your return, pick two or three things at most and truly enjoy them instead of trying to rush from place to place to see a bit of as many as possible. I liken this to people going to Washington DC for a weekend and trying to go through all the Smithsonians on the mall, while also trying to see all the monuments, going to Arlington Cemetery, and the National Zoo. I suppose theoretically you could do it, but you wouldn't enjoy it! And you'd be exhausted at the end.

 

My favorite museum in London is the Imperial War Museum followed closely by the British Museum. Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London are worth the time. I still haven't managed to get to Churchill's Cabinet War Rooms. Next time.

 

Free advice is worth exactly what you pay for it.

Another vote from a satisfied pre cruise stay at the Sheraton Old Town.

 

We've stayed at Sheraton Old Town and liked it.

Except when you can't find any way to attach it securely. I tried everything on Celebrity Solstice but with a bed-by-balcony cabin there was nowhere I could attach it where it wouldn't block access to the bathroom.

Yes, Solstice Class staterooms are a little harder as they don't have the retractable clotheslines in the shower. A couple ideas for you:

When you know you'll be out all day, like a port day, do the wash and string the clotheslines from the handhold bar or soap dish/basket in the shower to something in the sink area, ie the crossbars on the shelves, the faucet, or anything securely attached. The Nite Ize twist ties come in handy for such installations. https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=nite+ize+twist+ties

You can also string one from the soap dish in the shower to the shower head bracket. Not ideal, but it works and doesn't restrict use of the facilities.

Free advice is always appreciated! Do you know anything about the excursion offered in Tracy Arm fjord? I've read that whales are usually seen on that excursion

 

 

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Sorry, I don't know anything about the excursion to Tracy Arm, but I have been in Tracy Arm. It is spectacular! The excursion wasn't offered on our trip in 2016. If it had been, we'd have taken it instead of the whale watch. But, we've taken 3 whale watch excursions previously. And yes, in the past I have seen whales in the vicinity of Tracy Arm.

 

I just looked at the itinerary for the Emerald Princess for 5/28. It says you'll be scenic cruising Tracy Arm for three hours on the same day you'll be in Juneau. It is early season, so there may be a lot of ice, limiting how far you go up the fjord, but you will be in the area.

 

<cue free advice>

 

You can't see everything on one trip, and attempting to cram too many things into a day just increases stress and decreases enjoyment. My advice would be to stay on the whale watch/Mendenhall Glacier excursion. You're guaranteed to see whales, which is a pretty inspiring sight, and you'll see the glacier, which you said is a must see for the group. If there's time, and the weather is cooperating, you still might have time to ride the tram. Leaving something just gives you a reason to go back one day.

 

<more free advice>

Rain gear and waterproof/breathable boots/shoes! It will likely rain on the whale watch. It has on three of the four I've taken in Juneau. You're there to see whales, and the best way to do that is to be out on deck, not huddled in the cabin looking through water streaked windows. For me, wet feet=misery. For rain gear, I've heard good things about Frogg Toggs. A set isn't expensive, and they do the job.

 

 

Enjoy!

Two days early gives you very little time.

Day 1: Arrive, check into hotel, do some sightseeing, battle jet lag, eat two or three meals.

Day 2: have a full day of sightseeing.

Day 3: Possibly do some sightseeing, check out of hotel, transfer to ship.

 

I advise against the London Pass. By racing to get your money's worth you will miss out on all the free attractions that are absolutely world class. The British Museum, National Gallery, British Library, Wallace Collection, and Imperial War Museum are just a few of the free attractions that beg for your limited London time. Check out a good guidebook or two, find out what you want to see in London, then see if the London Pass is any help.

 

Sound advice. Find a guidebook you like and pick the things you want to see. Then decide if the pass makes sense. +1 on the Imperial War Museum. I love London. I've spent a couple weeks there over a couple trips and have just scratched the surface.

 

You could spend a month in London and not see everything you want. Pick a couple things each day and enjoy them instead of racing through "to see everything". I'd also suggest a London Walks tour one night. I've taken 5 or 6 and all have been fun.

 

 

Free advice is worth exactly what you pay for it.

I'm on the Emerald Princess leaving Seattle May 28th and just got notice yesterday that our port time has changed in Juneau. I had scheduled to do the Mendenhall Glacier and Whale Watching, which is a 5.25 hour excursion. We knew we would still have time to do the Mt Roberts Tramway (my daughter insists!) afterwards. However, now that the time has been moved back, we won't return from our excursion until around 8:30pm and the last tram is at 9pm! Thinking maybe I should scrap the whale watch portion, as we are booked on another whale watch in Victoria toward the end of the cruise.

 

Any advice would be appreciated....know that Mendenhall is a must for my first time cruisers with me....is there a way to just do Mendenhall on our own from a tour company there?

 

Although I haven't taken a whale watch out of Victoria, I have taken 4 whale watch excursions out of Juneau. Each has been great with lots of whales, both orca and humpback. I suspect you'd see more whales out of Juneau than Victoria. Of the 4 times I've been to Juneau, it's been an all day rain for 3 of the trips. I've wanted to take the Mt. Roberts tram, but the weather hasn't cooperated. I wouldn't cancel a Juneau whale watch, which is all but a sure thing, for the possibility of a short, scenic, but maybe cloud enshrouded, tram ride up and down a mt. My $.02.

 

 

Free advice is worth exactly what you pay for it.

We will be on a very long cruise and would love your advice and tip and tricks:)!

I have found that a Scrubba wash bag works well (once you get the hang of it) and you won't have pruned hands. Available from Amazon.

 

demo video of it in use.

 

I like the braided rubber clothes lines with the velcro loops on the ends.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Lewis-N-Clark-Clothesline-Size/dp/B003MU9JZC/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1495314684&sr=8-4&keywords=travel+clothesline

I've had no luck getting the suction cup models to actually stay attached to any surface when clothes are on the line. YMMV I've also found Nite Ize reusable twist ties to be helpful in securing the clothes line to tie off points.

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_7_5?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=nite+ize+gear+tie&sprefix=nite+%2Caps%2C157&crid=YCETIOULBW63

 

 

For soap I use packets of Woolite, also available on Amazon.

 

 

Put the clothes in the Scrubba, fill to the line with water, put in some Woolite (I don't use much soap), and use the bag as directed. I usually put it on the floor and agitate it with my foot for a few minutes. The Woolite is gentle and rinses out well. I usually rinse each load twice. I used to hand wash in the sink, but I got tired of pruned hands.

 

 

For drying I squeeze the water out of the clothes, sandwich them between two pool towels, roll them up, step on the roll a few times, unroll, and hang the clothes using the braided clothesline. I've always been able to find some tie off points in the bathroom that still allows us to use the facilities. For non cruise travel where an abundance of towels aren't available, I take a couple microfiber towels to use.

 

We wear travel clothing (Patagonia, Ex Officio, etc) which washes easily and dries overnight. I usually do a couple loads while I watch the news. I've also found that putting a shirt "on" the back of a balcony chair and buttoning the cuffs of a shirt around the arms of a chair secures it well and allows the breeze to dry the shirt quickly.

 

 

As an added bonus, the Scrubba bag does double duty as a waterproof drybag for excursions.

XT Fit CPAP by APEX. Currently sells for $209.00 with free shipping. When I bought it, it was $189.00 plus shipping, so I guess about the same price. Google it for web-pages.

 

Thank you for the info.

Will taxis in St Kitts take you to only see Black Rock, Timothy Hill and then drop off at a beach? I've researched island tours but they include other places I'm not interested in seeing and the extra stops will cut our beach time. Thanks

 

 

It shouldn't be a problem. We were there in 2014. You'll find a crowd of taxi drivers waiting just outside the port entrance, all offering island tours. I didn't want an island tour, I just wanted to go to Brimstone Hill. After the initial frenzy of groups piling into vans, I approached a couple drivers that hadn't gotten a tour group. I told them what I wanted to do and one of them agreed. We settled on a price and headed to Brimstone Hill. I bought him lunch at the snack shack on site, and while I toured the fort, he hung out with the other drivers. When I was done, I headed back to the van and we headed back to the ship. easy peasy

Just an FYI. CPAP machines are not a valuable item in monetary terms. We own two. One for the home, and one to travel with. The travel one is much smaller, and you can buy them for under $200.00. All you need is a prescription, which your doctor should give you with no issues since it's a back-up machine.

 

Yes we check it with our baggage. However, I'm not worried about the loss, but the only real value is not having it when you need it. So that's the worry.

 

Now if you are driving to the ship, the risk of "loss" is pretty slim compared to the airlines. So it's your choice of handling of the risk

 

I'd be interested to know what brand and model of travel CPAP machine is under $200. For that price, I'd have an extra machine just for travel and one for the cabin. Then I could dispense with packing up my home machine.

 

 

Thanks for the info and the link. Just stated using a CPAP machine a couple of months ago. This will be our first cruise taking it with us. I have taken a couple of flights with it and no problems traveling with it. Just an overnight and long weekend, So carry on limit was not a problem. I will be flying to Europe for out TA cruise in the fall. And normally have a roll-a-board and a small bag. Now with CPAP the count goes up:eek:. The one question, I do have is your CPAP counted towards your 2 carry on bag limit for flying?

 

Thanks,

 

Vic

 

Medically necessary equipment doesn't count against your carry-on limit, per the Americans with Disabilities Act.

 

http://traveltips.usatoday.com/tsa-rules-cpap-machines-110222.html

 

 

I'm not sure if that holds true for flights originating outside the US. I have flown domestically and internationally multiple times with a carry on, a small backpack/personal item, and my CPAP machine in its own case and haven't had any issues.

Going on our first Alaskan cruise 8/26-9/5 and I'm curious about what kind of shoes to wear while out on excursions. Hubby thinks I should wear light hiking shoes. I was think a good pair of walking shoes.

 

 

Jenn aka Muthatruckr

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I've worn Goretex light hikers on the 4 AK cruises we've been on, as has my wife. I wouldn't go to AK without Goretex boots, but then again I wear them year around. I'm partial to Danner, but there are many good brands. The pair I have, Danner 453, are not much heavier than athletic shoes, give great support, and keep my feet dry and comfortable. Southeast AK is a temperate RAIN forest. For me, wet feet=misery. They're bulky to pack, so I wear them on the plane.

 

 

Free advice is worth what you pay for it.

Thanks for the advice! So, the temps that are listed for July in Alaska are pretty much the same temps we have in San Diego during our winter--and I've worn the insulated jacket at night then! Would the only time I might need a heavier jacket be glacier bay? If so, I'll probably just leave the insulated jacket at home and hope the fleece and rain jacket will be enough.

 

Aaaaah, San Diego! I spent a fall semester there in 1990. I remember showing up for class one night in shorts and a sweatshirt, which would have been normal attire for me in MN at 62F. My local classmates were wearing down jackets. We each looked at the other as if they were nuts! Remember, you'll be on a ship while in Glacier Bay. It's always 72-74F inside. Get too cold? Step inside for a couple minutes. I'll again suggest a fleece vest (get one with the Alaska flag embroidered on it). They're just so versatile. I wear them from Oct-April up here in the Northland. I've worn one every day on every AK cruise we've taken. A fleece vest on top of a lightweight fleece, under a goretex jacket, should be plenty warm. If you think you want more insulation, just in case, Patagonia Nano Puff jackets add a lot of warmth for the weight. They also compress well.

 

 

Someone suggested you don't need to pack Goretex hiking boots. I agree. Wear then on the plane. :D I wouldn't go to AK without Goretex boots. Wet feet=Misery! SE Alaska is a temperate RAIN forest.

 

 

Which waterproof pants would you recommend?

 

I have REI brand. They no longer sell the model I have, but they do offer models with side zips. So much easier to get on and off. I"m sure Marmot, TNF, Patagonia, all have options. If you don't want to spend that much, consider Frogg Toggs. I haven't used their products, but saw several people wearing them on our last cruise. They get very good reviews on Amazon.

I'd leave out the mid weight fleece, insulated jacket, and a couple short sleeve shirts and probably add another light weight fleece and long sleeved shirt. But, it really depends on your tolerance for temps. Pick up a compressor bag for the fleece items to squeeze out the air and save some space. I'd also suggest picking up a fleece vest in port. Then you'll have a nice souvenir and a very useful piece of clothing.(the one's I've seen on offer are usually embroidered with the Alaska flag/a bear/etc) I always travel with a fleece vest and a goretex jacket, no matter the destination or time of year. I'll second the suggestion of waterproof/breathable pants. Get some with full side zippers. They will be much easier to get on and off. I'd also suggest waterproof/breathable hiking boots. Some don't think they're necessary, but I can't imagine going without them. Nothing makes me more miserable than cold wet feet. On our last Alaska cruise, I forgot to grab my waterproof pants for our whale watch/Mendenhall Glacier excursion. It poured down rain sideways on the whale watch and I spent the rest of the excursion in soaking wet jeans. But my feet and upper body were dry and warm thanks to the fleece vest, goretex jacket and boots. Yes, I know jeans aren't great for travel, and I wear travel khakis everywhere else, but for me, Alaska means jeans, hiking boots, and goretex. YMMV

Your gala night outfit sounds fine.

If you don't have a truly steady hand, don't buy anything more than an 8x power. Nikons makes a really good glass for the price point. I own an 8x42 Monarch and a 10x Sporter that I travel with. Monarch cheaper than the other. I also carry a mini pair of 8x25 Nikon's in the car (better than nothing but not wide enough for all day glassing). I have had junk Tasco & Bushnell minis. Best to try them on for determining suitability as some brands bring in more light & have better optics than others. I need all the light I can get but don't want to spend the money for Leica, Swarovski etc. Go to a sports Store (Cabelas, Bass Pro, etc ) or find a local Audubon store and visually look out of various makes and models. You'll know quickly what your eyes like!

 

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+1 to all of the above. I've been really happy with Nikon. I have a pair of Nikon 10x25 Travelite III that I've used for 20+ years and a pair of 10x50 Trailblazers? that I've had for 10. I will say that 10x magnification is pretty hard to hold steady for more than a moment and plan to get a pair of 7x or 8x for future trips. The Travellites are great for size but not so great for field of view. The Trailblazers have great field of view but are a bit bulky. A couple cruises ago I forgot to pack a pair of binocs. All they had on board for sale was Vivitar. They worked, but weren't as clear as my Nikons. You get what you pay for. I can't imagine going to Alaska without a good set of binocs. There's so much to see!

#1 Celebrity-- It's the sweet spot for shipboard experience and value. We're really happy with Aquaclass and BLU. But, their Caribbean itineraries were extremely unappealing this year, and no private island, so we went with our #2 HAL for the '17 winter getaway. I like the ship size of HAL Nieuw Amsterdam, and they had better itineraries this year. But, their food offerings were very limited and quite bland. It was an 11 night cruise and it was like being at an assisted living complex at sea. I don't think we'll be back anytime soon. And I didn't like Nieuw Amsterdam's layout. It was a lot like it's namesake, crowded and annoying to get around. We had a great time on RCCL AOS, in fact it may be the best overall cruise we've taken. I just don't need all of the amusement park amenities. An ice rink at sea? Really? I didn't like the dining scrum of NCL. Princess was ok. Food was mediocre, but we liked MUTS. I think we're more interested in the shipboard experience these days, but still want some interesting ports. I check the port calendars and plan to stay on board when there are multiple ships in port. If one of the behemoths of the seas is in port, I look for a different cruise to avoid being in port with them.