mapsmith

I find it insulting that you are now telling me that either I can't read or can't figure out where I am reading it. And I'm getting pretty tired of you refusing to believe what we are telling you.

You may have been correct. But currently the US Department of State says otherwise.

Again you are ignoring what everyone is telling you, that the cruise line will retrieve your passport and turn it over to the port officials for you when you finally arrive. People have reported that this is what happened to them, and if you ask any ship officer, they will agree. Are you calling them liars?

If I have a choice between what passengers or crew tells me and what the US Department of State says (and the Immigration Departments of the the other Countries) I will call the passengers liars every time.

You just said in your last paragraph: "I will continue to carry it ashore in non-US ports. To do so would be irresponsible, no matter what you think." It appears that you don't know what you are talking about because you just contradicted yourself.

 

The majority of people and travel experts agree that the true responsible action is to keep your passport safely secured at home or in your room safe if you are not required to have it on your person. The State Department has also recommended the same action, as several people have reported to you. Yet you refuse to believe anything unless you see it for yourself. Apparently to you we are all fools, are confused, or are liars.

 

So just continue to believe that we don't know what we are talking about. As the brilliant astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson once said about scientific fact: "When something is true, it is no longer subject to your opinion. It’s true whether or not you believe it." Believe what you want. You have every right to be wrong.

 

"Trying to convince a doubter of the facts is like trying to push a rope uphill - it will always result in futility." That is my quote. I am done with you.

And you are the one that is ignoring the quote From Tyson. You have been shown that there currently is NO statement from the State Department saying to leave the Passport in the Cruiseship Stateroom Cabin. You have been shown a link to the State Department Web Site that states that a passport or passport card is required in Aruba and most of Netherlands Antilles.

Just because people say it is not required does not change the laws. That is like the laws that say "Right turn on Red After Stop" when most people do not stop and just turn right on a red.

I have been explaining my thoughts to the OP about what to do when on shore. I pointed out that we always take our passports with us, because it is the law and is a better ID than a Driver's License.

(And we do not use Birth Certificates either. Those stay in the Safe Deposit Box at the Bank. We got the Passports so that we did not need to carry Birth Certificates and we can travel throughout the world.)

Your attitude toward my posts stinks. Grow up. and Obey the Laws.

Actually while on the Solstice in the Caribbean, they had panels which opened in the Solarium. But the roof does not retract, just a couple of window panes that the crew MAY open to allow breezes through. But they are high on the roof, and I believe that they have to request the engineers open them. Not sure if they can be opened electronically or if they have to be opened mechanically.

It is there. Several people on past threads have posted the link and I have gone to it. Suffice it to say that the advice to leave your passports in your safe unless needed is indeed real.

 

Based on your stubborn refusal to believe anyone who is telling you this advice is real, it is clear that you would not change you position even if a State Department official sent you a personal letter telling you that is what they recommend. You would still insist on taking unnecessary chances by having your passport with you at all times.

 

Bottom line, pointing out the link to that information would be a wasted effort on our part. I am not going to waste my time finding it for you, because it will be ignored.

Still waiting for a cite from the State Department. As I posted, there are specific examples on the State Department Website stating that either a Passport or Passport Card is needed for Cruise Ship Passengers for Aruba, St. Martin (french Side) and most of the other Netherlands Antilles Islands. It was also strongly suggested for Turks and Caicos. Looking over various pages on the State Department Website, I found absolutely NO statement that the Passport should be left on the ship.

I think that the citation that you are referring to was not the Official State Department Site but possibly a link to a cruise ship site that said to leave it in the safe.

I don't plan on needing the Passport, but having nearly missed a ship because of a private excursion that thought we left a half hour later, I am not planning to have to spend $500 for a new Passport from an embassy and then spend the additional costs to fly somewhere else to get said replacement passport.

So until someone can specifically link to a US State Department Page that says it is safer to leave the Passport on board, I will continue to carry it ashore in non-US ports. To do so would be irresponsible, no matter what you think.

"NOTE: Be aware that Caribbean cruises that begin and end in the U.S. (closed loop cruises) do not require that you travel with a valid passport. However, should you need to disembark due to an emergency and you do not have a valid passport, you may encounter difficulties entering or remaining in a foreign country. You may also have difficulty attempting to re-enter the United States by air because many airlines will require a valid passport before allowing you to board the aircraft. As such, we strongly recommend that you always travel abroad with your valid passport."

From http://travel.state.gov/_res/rss/CSIs.xml

This is the Country specific notifications page. It lists Aruba as a country that now requires either a passport or a passport card for Cruise Ship passengers. The listing also includes Turks and Caicos, because "the nearest passport facility is over 500 miles away" in Nassau. And to get to Nassau from Turks and Caicos requires a flight to Miami, where you would need to present your passport in order to continue to Nassau. Or you can take a ferry which might take several days.

Sint Martin is also listed as requiring a passport or passport card (French side)

So, reading the State Department information, there is no where that they suggest leaving the passport in the safe on the ship.

You went to the trouble and expense of obtaining a passport and don't want to use it?

The passport does NOTHING if it is in the safe on the ship. Looking at the US Department of State website, in most cases, if you are getting off the ship they recommend that you do take your passport with you.

I could find no specific statement that the US Department of State says to keep the Passport in the safe while you are off the ship.

If you have emailed the signature page or other documentation to yourself and take that information to the local US Embassy or Consulate if you miss the ship, it MAY allow you to repurchase a replacement Passport to allow you to complete your trip. But you will have to pay the fee for a replacement Passport. (about $110 per person) just a warning.

We always take the passports along when leaving the ship. You are in a foreign country in most cases so you will need something.

We however, may sometimes leave them on the ship when visiting US territories since we can fly with Driver's Licenses to and from US and the Territories (Puerto Rico, USVI).

On shore, they are usually in my front pocket. On the Beach, one or the other will stay with our possessions while the other is in the water.

Passports are possibly the most valuable thing that you will have when on foreign soil. Going off the ship without them is like taking no money with you. And a picture of your passport is like a picture of the cash that you left on board.

I know that people will disagree with me, but those are simply the facts.

I love watching people bring their carryons and two or more cases of bottled water that they have to lug all over the ship until they can get to their cabin.

The water on ships is just fine to drink. No need for excess carryon bags.

Check out the San Juan Board.

In my trips to San Juan, we stayed in the Sheraton. (entire first floor is a Casino, so you want a higher floor.) Probably good for sightseeing, but not really good for one night.

We also stayed at the Stellaris Casino before it was the Stellaris. Has everything you could want but is pricy. Would need a cab to the hotel from the Airport and then another for the pier.

Have heard decent reviews for the Hilton between Old San Juan and the Condado area. But for your requests, I think any of the hotels in the Isla Verde (?) area are probably good choices. Again, you will have to take cabs from the airport and to the pier. (Besides if the Sheraton is not good for the older members of your party to walk to the pier, there are no hotels closer than the Sheraton. On the Isla Verde area, you will find hotels that run the gamut of hotels. $129-up to $600 per night. Many restaurants within walking distance. (and possibly pizza for the boys). Pools, beaches, shopping, etc.

I have seen various types at the condiment station for the Burrito Bar on 2.0 One morning they had a whole variety. Next time they had their own brand. Most was fairly decent. But I was looking for either Marie Sharp's Habanero from Belize or Green Tabasco.

Fortunately our cruise went to Belize and I picked up a variety of Marie Sharp's to take home.

We usually cruise in late January. Will have to see how things go. but may be looking at the week before you StockJock. (or maybe we'll try for the same week, at least we would have someone with a similar language background)

That's very true. I was able to use AAdvantage miles (American Airlines) to buy 2 tickets. They were 37,500 miles per person with about $75pp in taxes and such.

 

Decent flights from San Diego with about a 2.5 or 3 hour layover in Miami and then direct to St. Maarten.

 

But yes, the point is well taken.

Checked that last year. Unfortunately, AA does not allow stopovers. My in-laws are in South Florida, and we have to stop in if in the area. Miami is close enough.

Although checking rates through the canoe. AA has 604 rt arriving in SXM at 9PM connecting through PHX and CLT. (going from PHX to SXM costs 723???) So it means a night (and the next day)SXM before the cruise. Probably will consider more as the year goes on.

Thanks. Seems like most of the things that I had already deduced from my own research.

Couple of comments. As to gratuities, could that be related to the fact that CDF usually books the cruise AND the Flight from Paris. So the French Market has a higher cost? Joining in St. Maarten, or the DR, would not have that cost. So the "independents" would have gratuities added where the French All inclusive would not?

There are decent you tube videos of the cruises and it does seem like they do have a lot of energy throughout the ship.

Also the videos seem to show a little more crowding in the dining rooms since there is no buffet dining and the passengers all eat in the dining room.

Continuing from the videos, entertainment also is in French and appears to be french versions of 70's and 80's US entertainment. Could be entertaining.

There are also some Quebec based travel agents for CDF. so if someone is in upstate NY or thereabouts, you might get decent rates from them.

Finally, when is your cruise???

Au revoir for now. And Merci!

Many of the cruises around Jan/Feb 2015 out of St. Maarten are just over $200 for an inside and just over $300 for OV for 7 days w/booze. Even a balcony is under $500.

 

Port and tax are higher than normal. Visits a lot of interesting islands.

Problem is finding decently priced flights to St. Maarten

My wife has always been able to get Pineapple Juice either in the MDR or on the Lido at breakfast. She usually has to ask for it, but it is available free with breakfast.

That appears to be the only time it is free.

Carnival's cream of mushroom soup. I've never had any that's any better than theirs. I look forward to it every time I cruise Carnival.

Carnival's is very good. MSC's Mushroom soup is the best that I have ever had. Has that decent "earthy" mushroomy taste that seems to be missing everywhere else.

Saw yesterday that they have a repositioning cruise in April of 2015. From either Santo Domingo or Isla Margarita to Barcelona. Isla Margarita is under $600 for 16 days in an inside. From Santo Domingo for 14 days is about $1000.

Anyone want to make a group booking of North Americans??????

Mine had the potential to turn out badly, but was able to save the day through a small additional expense.

We had booked a cruise on MSC (about the third year that they were sailing out of Florida.

Of course I booked airfare separately from Phoenix to Fort Lauderdale the day before.

Drove from Tucson to Phoenix. At the Phoenix airport about an hour before the flight I realized that we did not have our passports (we only cruise with passports). Fortunately we can fly with Driver's licenses.

Called MSC to see if there would be any problem sailing with just Driver's licenses since we were past passengers and they had our passport numbers on file. Nope.

Fortunately, I have a couple of employees that I felt I could trust. Sent one to the house to open the safe and get the passports to have them FEDEXed to our hotel in Fort Lauderdale.

Next morning at the Hotel. Waiting for the FEDEX guy. 10AM, 11AM. Went to lunch with the In-Laws. Came back to the hotel. No FEDEX package. My employee said that he took it to FEDEX at TUS and they were sending it. The Hotel desk said to check with the Bellman. He contacted the shipping desk at the hotel (not the main desk) and there was the package.

Got our passports and made it to the ship about 1:30. Had a great time.

I think that many times the noro comes on board. An infected person is starting to feel sick but does not want to miss the flight/cruise and loads up on Nyquil to seem well enough to board.

Surprisingly, I miss the day when you had to fill out the form saying that you were not sick before boarding. Seemed to me that if you lied on the form, then you would be responsible for ruining others vacations.

Although I still think that the Cruise Lines/Airlines need to change the policies so that sick people can cancel with no penalty and rebook at a later time. Raise the rates if necessary.

After reading this thread I've packed a flashlight, disposable gloves, and a large bottle of lysol. Then going to check every square inch of the cabin when we first arrive. Especially the fridge.

Those items would be interesting for the next passenger to find in the cabin and even more interesting if they were found in the Fridge!!!!

Add a couple of condoms and a can of Cat Food and you could become a CC Legend.

Hasn't Jorge been a CD on Carnival before???

Just wondering if anyone having to deal with Chair Hogs has ever "greased the palm" of the Attendant to get a chair. That is what is usually done on shore or at a resort. And if you take a beach excursion, usually you have to "purchase" a chair.

Seems like it might work on ship as well.

I seem to remember a verrrrrry long thread in the Floataway lounge about Trivia.

I enjoy trivia (and am fairly good) I may get upset and challenge an answer given by the host. Usually, I get others to agree with me, but have realized that I have to give the answer that the host expects. (for example, what country is St. Andrews Golf Course in? Technically it is the United Kingdom, but the host wants Scotland) I particularly get annoyed when a geography question is obviously wrong. (I own a map store and have a Master's in Geography, but for some reason they ask questions that aren't really geography--like what country is the home of the first cruise ship? Bahamas was the registry, but the true answer was Denmark, I think)

On a Celebrity cruise, as lady always brought in a massive binder filled with trivia questions and answers from several dozen cruises she had been on. That is simply cheating.

But, I realize that it is a game. As long as I win one ship, I am usually pacified.

On our last cruise to Alaska, we wound up finishing in Whittier and then stayed a day in Anchorage before heading north to Denali. We did make it to the State Fair and had a great time. the State Fair is known for displays of amazing Matanuska Valley Vegetables, like 36 inch carrots and 90 pound cabbages. But the fun thing was actually meeting and seeing true Alaskans. We enjoyed the State Fair environment and the stereotypical sourdoughs that were wandering around.

We also got to meet the artist that draws the "Tundra" Cartoons. http://www.tundracomics.com/

Really nice guy and funny cartoons. We also found an very interesting carving of salmon in a river. But the size was too big to easily transport back to Tucson. (Still kicking myself for not buying it.)

The Alaskan State Fair is a typical State Fair, but it is a smaller footprint. The people are also a lot nicer and friendlier than some Fairs that we have been to.

If you can, take the trip.

Thanks all, This makes my leaning toward the PP a little easier to convince the wife. We really don't care about the casino. We both prefer Late Seating so not having ATD also is good. (On our last Princess Cruise, we had to enlist the help of my sister who was on about her 5th or 6th Princess cruise to help us convince the Maitre 'D to change us to the Traditional Dining room since we hated not knowing our tablemates from one night to the next. Entertainment is good to know about, but it will be an Alaskan Cruise so entertainment quickly falls aside.

Any comments about food? Quality, deliciousness, flavoring?

Looking at the Pacific Princess at the End of August for Alaska.

Smallest ship we have been on has been the Carnival Paradise as our first cruise and about 1600 passengers.

What is it like on a ship with about a thousand?

Since it appears the Pacific Princess is being used for an extended World Cruise, how do people that have been on board for a month or more interact with us peons that would only be on for a short time?

Would I be proper in assuming that the continuing passengers would be more of the retired age range? (I am not that far away myself, but wondering about the two of us at mid 50's being among the younger?

What is the service, and entertainment like aboard the smaller ship?

I have heard that there are plexiglass panels along the promenade that can interfere with views (Glaciers,etc). Are they also on the upper decks where they would also interfere with views? How about the views from the staterooms?

Just considering at this point.