Markanddonna

The answer is so variable. On our first transatlantic, we rarely used the balcony because of "sea spray." The constant mist from the ocean sometimes combines with the ship booking it across the ocean, making sitting on some balconies not a pleasant experience. The worst was in the front on a very large balcony that was a deck below the bridge. While sailing, it was extremely windy, but of course, quite nice when docked. The secret is to search reviews to find balcony experiences.

I find that the folks on this site have been my best teachers and advisors. I also ask questions on sites like Rick Steves and Trip Advisor forums. My experience is that the majority know less than I do about the general ins and outs of cruise travel. When I ask a pointed question, I hear, "I book many of my clients at..." They are dodging the reality that they have little experience in travel. Most travel agents only wish they had as much travel experience as some of you cruise critics!

The only time it is problematic is when people give advice like, "the experience outside a suite/YC, Haven, etc is so inferior. I would never book outside of these more elite experiences." That gets quite obnoxious.

This is exactly what will happen because we will become like that frog who became desensitized while the pot was heating. The items and services that have been taken away will be added for additional fees.

We won't ever know the break even point. Instead, we will just be used to less service and lower quality food and details.

You have received some good advice, but may I offer another point of view? There comes a point in everyone's life when we have to scale back travel. My DH became ill in Europe this past May, and we needed to visit a hospital twice. He now realizes that his conditions may limit future travel. Your passing out if overheated is perhaps the most serious of all your concerns. You are putting not only yourself but your husband and anyone around you in a difficult situation and could injure others. A very large woman fell on my grandson and caused an injury that has complicated his young life, with him experiencing more injuries to the same physical area. All caused by a woman who accidentally fell on him.

Everything depends on how many prescriptions you take. I have only one, so I bring them in their own bottle. I then place all my over-the-counter supplements (calcium, multi, Vit B, C, etc.) in one or two different bottles. I bring one of those seven-day containers filled with the first week's dosages. Then, each week, I refill it. I only take one of each supplement, so that is easy. I have a description of what each is in case I need to know.

If your insurance includes medical, your doctor's letter stating that you are not well enough to take the cruise should be enough. Does your policy cover preexisting conditions? That might be the sticky wicket since yours was.

We are looking at a 15 day cruise out of Sydney to Singapore. Am I correct that the school holidays will be over by July 21 in 2024? The weather seems fine for traveling. Any other considerations? Thanks.

A transpacific is most often a repositioning cruise taking place in the spring and fall. Both nice times to visit before their winter and not during the hot season when you will see lots of families.

The voice of logic and reason. Problem solved.

I like narrated, concise videos. I don't need to see every detail in the room. We know there are plugs and hairdryers.

Is the weather in Scotland much different in late April versus mid May? Three weeks difference. I am trying to decide between two transatlantic sailings. Thanks.

I think the new e-visa begins in 2024 but no official date has been set. It has been delayed a few years now.

Considering the cutbacks, perhaps this is a new effort to provide a lecturer without giving them a free cruise.

In reality, the cruiser will have to keep an eye on the history of the price of their own cruise. An exceptional agent might do so, but certainly, the cruise line isn't going to reduce your fare automatically.

We did that a few years ago. I only wanted to say I had been to Paris. The day was lovely; we got to see Notre Dame a few months before the fire, and walked around. We took a taxi to Notre Dame, so we didn't waste time walking, and then walked back to the bus pick-up area. I've traveled extensively in Europe and just don't see the uniqueness of France. We've been to several other cities in France. We never experienced any rudeness, so my opinion isn't based on a bad travel experience.

Like others said, I witnessed sold out buses last year. We booked a 9:45 departure and the next available was after 3:00

A question for some of us would be: Once would go Disney, why would you ever go back?

I use ship tour excursions only for these reasons: - if the next port is very far away. When we were on a cruise that stopped in Maui, I took the ship excursion because the next port was in Fiji- about one week away. Missing the ship would have been a very expensive catch up. - if I have lots of OBC or one of the perks is $50 toward a ship excursion, I might take it if it is a port of little to mild interest (read: the Caribbean), a port I have already been to, or one where I can use their transportation and do my own thing for a while.

I have to agree with this assessment, except for my sympathy for vacationing teachers. They have to travel during the most expensive times, with tons of kids around and lots of other vacationers. Retired teachers often comment on how nice retirement trips are in the fall and spring. The western Caribbean is now off my list of considerations.

We follow through on the vast majority of our bookings, but things come up that are only covered by "cancel for any reason" policies. I know the cruise lines are trying to protect themselves from those who book several cruises during the same time period and then cancel most of them.

We've just booked a Celebrity cruise using the Cruise Next $200 certificate. We wish to book an RCL cruise and know that they are $900 for a nonrefundable fare. Are the other cruise lines similar in cost? That is a lot of money to plunk down on a cruise 9 months in the future. How do NCL, MSC, and all the Carnival lines measure up? Thanks.

I hope that the publishing date for the book will be late summer 2023. It will be on Amazon. As far as going to Israel with an electric scooter, keep your expectations realistic. There will be some things you just can't do, such as the more ancient excavations like the City of David. One thing: have you checked to see how your ship matches up with the high holy days in Israel? It can be very busy during those periods. A tour of old Jerusalem with a scooter will be quite difficult at that time. The Galilee region might have fewer people since the sites are not the focus for Jewish tourists.

Yesterday, the travel agent also said I needed to pay the difference between my $200 deposit and the usual $900. Two agents for Celebrity also said that. You are right, I kept pressing, and it was resolved. It is nice to know that logic prevailed.