Teechur

I purchased 2 tickets to Las Vegas from Hawaiian Airlines a couple of years ago and at the last minute, we both had Covid, so we cancelled to avoid spreading it. The cancelled tickets became travel credits, but we discovered (the hard way) that you had to actually FLY within one year of the PURCHASE date, rather than the original flight date or the cancellation date. Since we had purchased the tickets about 8 months in advance, we only had a 4-month window in which to use them or lose them. We lost the money. A lesson learned! 😪 That is the kind of fine print that is not extolled during their commercials while bragging about how flexible they are. Most of the airlines, cruise lines, hotels, car rental agencies, etc., have "gotchas" built into their contracts that they use to pencil-whip customers.

Per Google, Feb. 9, 2024: Here's where you can cruise without a passport - The Points Guy Can I get off a cruise ship in Canada without a passport? Closed-loop cruises from U.S. ports that visit Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico are part of an international agreement that allows U.S. citizens to cruise without a passport. In these cases, government-issued identification and proof of U.S. citizenship are acceptable alternatives to a passport book.Feb 9, 2024

LOL, I agree completely with this statement. ⚓

Rubber snakes would add an element of excitement! 🐍

Once again, I doubt that you would have to pay an additional $1800 to cancel your original ticket. It sounds like a misunderstanding. You will simply lose the original ticket, and will have to buy a new ticket from EZ Air or any random airline.

It sounds like you will simply lose the cost of the original ticket as "the change fee" and then have to purchase a new ticket. Your statement makes it sound like you are paying 3 times for your ticket. $1821 original ticket + $1821 additional change fee + $2244 new ticket This seems unlikely. I would check again if I were you.

A related story from today's news: British tourist stranded in Mexican hospital after collapsing while on holiday with insurers refusing to pay out for heart attack treatment (msn.com)

Undoubtedly this is true in MOST cases. In my case, my boys would be allowed to visit Victoria B.C. WITHOUT being passport holders, according to both govt. and Princess websites. I've made the decision to get them anyway for future travel.

With agency fees (Post Office) and pictures, they are more than $200 apiece. I was simply lamenting the fact that I will need to pay for 3 of them and make final payment for the cruise all in June, while I am on cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Quebec. OK Boomer, LOL! 😉 First-world problem!

The youngest one is 18 and a senior in high school, who doesn't currently have a job. The Alaska cruise is a graduation present from me. The twins are 24 and would pay for them if I insisted, but I can afford it much more easily than them. My hope is that they will become avid travelers, perhaps backpacking around the world like I did. I turned 24 in Hong Kong, turned 28 in Colombia, and have visited 100+ countries on 6 continents.

Self-service laundry rooms are one of the main reasons we stick with Princess. If they ever remove them, we will probably resume cruising with other lines.

I am currently getting passports for my 3 adult grandsons even though we will be on a closed loop from Seattle to Alaska and back. We have one 4-hour stop in Victoria, for which no passport is necessary, but I am reluctantly going to spend $600+ to get them for possible future travel. Sucks! 🤑

Lots of snowbirds from Alaska winter in Hawaii. Many also go to Cuba or other Carribean Islands.

It sounds like we have some seriously well-traveled, adventurous people contributing to this thread. I believe most Mexican ports are safer than Jamaica, Haiti, St. Thomas, and more. I hope we didn't scare off the OP. Daytime on a cruise ship excursion should be safe. 👍

I did the Newport to Ensenada race once in 1977. I was at UCSB and a member of the SB yacht club. I had to take a final exam, and then raced down to Newport and met the boat and crew there. Fun evening, cruising around the yacht clubs with all food and drinks "on the house". My aunt and uncle lived at the Balboa Bay Club in Newport during the summer when Palm Springs was too hot. We didn't even come close to a win on the Newport/Ensenada race, but we won Santa Barbara to King Harbor once. Fun times! Good memories!

Most of my experiences there were great! When we were robbed, we were out honky-tonkin' in some edgier parts of Tijuana and Ensenada. I was back a month after getting shaken down in Ensenada and ran into one of the cops, off-duty. He apologized and said it was the only way they could survive on their low pay. We actually had a beer together and parted with a handshake. Later on, I rode three times in the Rosarita to Ensenada bike rides. Great fun but 50 hard miles! I always expected to retire around Cabo, but good fortune smiled upon me, and I was able to afford Maui instead. Good times, and thanks for reminding me of what fun I had as a younger man. 😉

I visited Mexico dozens of times during my life. I've been to all of the major resorts, Mexico City, and many smaller towns. I even drove from Southern California to Cabo San Lucas/La Paz and back in the 1990s just for the experience. (It was mostly boring.) Twice I was robbed at gunpoint by crooked cops. Both times were in Baja, once in the 1970s and once in the 1980s. The first time, the cops were drunk. It was just part of what you had to accept there. I quit going to Mexico about 15 years ago because there are better places to vacation, (and I live in Maui). Even so, I may still return on a cruise ship. Not trying to scare anyone, just recommending situational awareness. 👌

I assumed by the title that you are soliciting opinions since no one can absolutely guarantee your safety. I've visited more than 100 countries worldwide and several of them are sketchier than Mexico. A number of U.S. cities are also more dangerous. Enjoy your cruise and shore excursions! 🤙

Here you go: Cruise line: 22 passengers robbed in Mexican seaside resort | CNN Is It Safe to Travel to Mexico? What Cruisers Need to Know (cruisecritic.com) When I looked for the cruise ship robbery I recalled on Baja, I ran across this story instead.

The gangs try to avoid the scrutiny of U.S. law enforcement, which is in your favor on a ship tour, but doesn't protect you from the actions of random thugs. There are an estimated 100,000 people who have disappeared in Mexico. I recall reading about a ship tour that was robbed at gunpoint. Someone discreetly took pictures of the thieves, who were later identified by local police. Being on a ship tour is not a guarantee of safety.

I used to think that but it's hard to believe any longer. The peninsula is controlled by gangs. Three surfers were recently murdered just outside of Ensenada to steal the tires from their truck. When the bodies were found, another, older murder victim was discovered dumped in the same well. Nearby Tijuana has become one of the most dangerous cities in the world. I was a fan of Mexico travel for most of my life, but I won't go there anymore. Surfers' deaths in Mexico 'eerily' similar to San Diego couple's murders: 'Anyone can be killed for anything' | Fox News

Where were they when I was in elementary school with pink underwear from laundry Oops.

Probably from the wine served to those with only the PLUS package. 🤣

The main dining rooms already offer menu items reminiscent of a Waffle House (ex. meat loaf). Let's not encourage Princess to move any further in that direction.

$50 per cabin is like ONE glass of wine each (if they can find any of the better brands) or maybe two each if Canyon Road (Gallo) is the only option. $50 and a bottle of good champagne might be more enticing.