Giantfan13

If you are buying them for your grandchildren, I would go for the least expensive ones you can find. As was said, you can get a decent set for about $10 and no one in the states will know the difference. Yes, once you compare them to a much more expensive set, you can see which one's would cost more, but as cheap souvenirs, we found the inexpensive sets were nice and much appreciated by those we gave them to.

Just a few thoughts, try buying some of the sets in Tallinn. They have an equal number of sets and them seem to be a bit cheaper. Also, there was a shop at the cruise terminal that had some nice but inexpensive sets. Also, if you can, try to shop at one of the street vendors. You can bargain with them, specially if you are buying several items. Most of the tour companies don't like you to stop at these vendors, as they take you to their own souvenir shops, but you can get good buys if you are able to deal with them.

Cheers

Len

Yes, the first thing on your packing list should be a 6 plug power strip.

With today's need for everything electrical and needing to charge, this is the single most important thing you need to pack.

Cheers

Len

We were on the Diamond Princess in 2008 going to Alaska. People without ties and some kind of jacket/sports coat were being denied entrance to the dinning room on formal night.

We saw an older gentleman with a very nice shirt and string tie denied. He was very upset because he said that was his tie. That was the only kind he had.

Not sure how Princess is now. I have read that Alaska is less formal and that is true but they were still looking for ties/jackets...

I'm not denying your experiences, but we sailed Princess in 2005 and we never got dressed up and were never denied entrance into any dining room. We wore presentable clothes, but no jacket and no tie and again, we ate normally every night in the MDR.

Cheers

Len

I would also agree on the 90 minute time frame, depending on if you just want to see and leave, or stay and admire the setting you are in.

Cheers

Len

Don't know much about weight, but if you are going in July or August, light weight would be MVHO. If you are walking around town you probably won't need any jacket, on the glaciers or near them, still light weight but with layers.

Unless you are from Miami and any day under 70 is 'COLD', they what I suggested should be fine. Just make sure that light weight is waterproof.

Cheers

Len

If you have a booked tour with a private operator, they will wait for you, even if you are the last one off. As my fellow posters have said, it is better to try and contact the others in your tour and exit the ship together, as a group, but if this doesn't happen, most of the tour operators known you are there, signed up for a tour, so they will wait for you. That is why I always say, book with a reputable tour group, so you can rest easy.

If you are in a rush to get off, like many others, you still have to wait for the rest of the group to disembark.

As was said, Russian immigration doesn't care how long you have to wait. they move at a snail's pace and if you don't like it, what choice do you have. Dare not complain, or even make a face to them, or it's off to Siberia for you.

The tour groups know of all this and they plan accordingly. You won't miss seeing what you are supposed to see.

Cheers

Len

Alaska, to say, is very informal. Personally, I gave up schlepping the jacket, tie, dress shoes etc, and DW the nice dressy dress and shoes to match. instead, we opted for just a nice shirt and pants, and DW had on dark pants and a nice top.

Sorry, even myself, a senior, have gotten out of the formal night thing. For us, it is more to have the photographers snap scores of pixs instead of really what made cruising so elegant.

I'd be surprised if you saw 10 people wearing tux's and gowns, unless they were looking for a formal portrait.

Myself, I am a blue color, flannel shirt type of guy and would rather be comfortable than dressy.

Different strokes for different folks.

Cheers

Len

There was some one who posed that same exact question maybe a year or so ago. I'm sorry but I don't remember the answers. Maybe some one else does.

If not I would first contact the tour operator and ask them. I think they would know exactly what you need or don't need. If that doesn't satisfy you, try contacting the American embassy service and ask them.

Again, maybe one of the regulars here can remember back to that question and hopefully get you an answer.

Cheers

Len

We just returned from a Bahamas cruise and we loved our time in Nassau. We have been on 12 other cruises and we stayed on the ship in Port Canaveral. it was the first time ever we stayed on a ship while in port and we were surprised how many others did the same.

But in Nassau, most got off. I can see people returning to Nassau maybe many times and deciding to stay on, but most get off, if nothing more than to just wander about. Anywhere near the cruise area is as safe as any other port.

Cheers

Len

Just make sure that the 'Made in China' stickers are off all their merchandise.

Cheers

Len

You want to know which line is best, do some homework. Check the itineraries and times in ports. To ME that is very important.

Only a few cruise lines do Glacier Bay and to me, that would eliminate several others.

Other cruise lines seem to cater to an older crowd, opposed to say Carnival which seems to cater more towards families and a younger crowd.

Is money a factor, at all? Some cruise lines are a lot more expensive than others.

it is impossible for us to make that choice for you. We can suggest but you need to do some research yourself.

Cheers

Len

We are not taking the excursion into Berlin when we get to Warnemunde so does anyone have any suggestions of what to do? Is there a train to Rostock? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Do you like to sit around and watch paint dry?

No, I'm just kidding, of course, but really, Warnemunde isn't the most exciting town you will be visiting. Most cruisers opt to go some where else. if not Berlin, then Rostock, Schwerin, or any of several other places that are popular in the region. Warnemunde itself, maybe you could spend a few hours wandering around, and head towards the beach area. It is basically one main street, with several nice shops and places to eat or drink. If that's your thing, you'll have a ball. But the people are very friendly, though many of the 'older' folks do not speak any English.

Cheers

Len

We cruised Hawaii several years ago. We spent 5 days pre cruise on Oahu and our first place we had to visit was Pearl Harbor. We learned, from reading CC, that they give out tour passes on a first come, first serve basis. Tours groups from ships and private tours are no exceptions, so in order to assure yourself a tour, you need to get there as soon as you can. If you arrive, say 11:00am, there is no guarantee you will get to tour. You just never know how many people will be there the day you want to go.

They give you a ticket and you are assigned a time for your tour. it could be anywhere from 9;30AM to 2:00PM, again, depending on how early you were there and your place in the line to get tickets. There is a lot to see and do if you have to wait for your tour time. They have a great museum, you could go over and tour the USS Missouri, or just wander around Pearl harbor. Once your tour is called, you go and watch a 1/2 hour movie about Pearl Harbor, they take you on the launch out to the Arizona. You are allowed about 25 minutes on the memorial and then you are called to go back, and you MUST leave on the same launch that brought you.

It is a very moving experience and should be experienced by all Americans.

One a side note, you cannot carry anything except a small case on the tour. No pocket books, back packs, even camera cases. They have a place to check these things and you pick them up when you leave.

Cheers

Len

We cruised the Splendor, mid February and loved her. The décor may not be to everyone's taste, but I don't pick a particular ship because of the décor.

We ate in the MDR every night. We had anytime eating, usually went to dinner about 6:45-7:00 and NEVER once waited for a table. We asked for the same waite staff every night and we were seated immediately.

We are vegetarians, so we didn't eat any meat, but we do eat sea food and we found the food on this cruise way above average. We sailed the Glory last summer and found the Splendors food much better. Service was remarkable. At dinner we always had hot food, waiters that bent over backwards to please us. A wonderful experience.

We also found the entertainment to also be above average. Again, from our Glory cruise, we hated the entertainment, but here it was excellent. From the production shows to the Legends show, the last night, most of the shows were very entertaining. We went to the Punchliner about 4 times for the adults only shows and most were good. There were a couple of the comics we found just too crude, but most of the others were funny.

We never went to any of the other clubs, so there is no comment on them.

AS far as Malcolm, the CD. either you like him or you don't. I was not a big fan of his, but To be honest, I rarely saw him.

Overall, we liked sailing the Splendor very much and would so again when the opportunity arises.

Cheers

Len

Once you've purchased your SPB tour from a tour operator and obtain your tourist card, is it possible to leave the group and do something on one's own? For example, I might like to spend extra time at the Hermitage and skip some of my official tour. Logistics aside, is that "legal?" Also, what about leaving the ship in the evening using that same document. Is that do-able? Thanks!

Ever hear of Siberia?? That's where you may end up if you got into any sort of trouble, had even a minor accident.

Just kidding of course, but you know how much troubler your tour operator would be in if something did happen and your were separated from your group?

Yep, Siberia again :D:D:D:D:D

Cheers

Len

Some people think HAL is like an old retirement home, with seniors just sitting sound in their rocking chairs and watching the world go by. Come on. We are seniors and though we don't consider ourselves party animals, we aren't ready for the 'retirement home' either.

So HAL deals with a more older crowd, and they may be more sedate, but that sure doesn't mean they don't like to have as much fun as others. You act like HAL's excursions will be a quiet walk to the park and back. Gimme a break here. Seniors don't like to go out and do things?> I'd bet anything that their excursions are just as challenging as any other cruise line. PLUS, if you don't like their excursions, do it all yourself, or book privately.

Let's call this as I see it, with Disney you will have a younger crowd, but you will also have a ship full of kids. We just went on a Carnival cruise over Presidents week break and also had a ship load of kids--give me that older crowd anytime. Kids just ran wild all over the ship. Parents are glad to ship the kids off to their camps, but they return, and forget any peace and quiet. Disney id FOR kids, and they rule over everyone else.

Plus the cruise mentioned is port intensive. Forget about who is on the ship, you get FIVE more days of cruising for the same price. That trumps anything Disney has to offer.

Don't even reconsider it. You have made the right choice, now sit back and start planning.

Cheers

Len

I agree. The jitneys are more like converted old school buses, but the drivers are extremely accommodating, and will drop you off where ever you want to go.

Cheers

Len

Like ANY cruise, what's 'best' for me may not be 'Best' for you. We know nothing of your likes and dislikes, age, where you are traveling from and if this is a family thing.

There are certain cruise lines that do family better than others, while other cruise lines, like a Carnival, cater more towards a party type cruise. We are seniors and we look for certain things from a cruise line and ship. Those same things may not interest you if you are a lot younger than us. I think you can get the picture.

\ Do you want to do a one way where you will get to see parts of Alaska that a round trip cruise doesn't do, but airfare will be much higher?.

The one thing I would try and look for is a visit to Glacier Bay and good times in ports.

After that, the rest is up to you.

Cheers

Len

Any cruise that stops in Bar Harbor gets my vote. I would just say that it really all depends on if you would rather see Boston as a pre cruise city or NY?.

Whichever city you would life to spend some time in either pre or post cruise, should be the deciding factor. Both have a lot to offer.

Cheers

Len

Since you already have the car rented, I would opt for a drive to Boothbay harbor. It is about an hour or so away and a wonderful drive to a wonderful place.

http://exploreportlandmaine.com/places-to-go/day-trips/boothbay-harbor/

We spent a few days in and around Boothbay harbor and loved it.

Cheers

Len

I know this isn't exactly what you are looking for, but we did about a week, pre cruise thing from Seattle before our Alaskan cruise. We rented a car and drove around thru much of the state of Washington and parts of Oregon. We drove thru the Cascades, up Mt St Helens, down to Mount Hood among many other things. We spent about 8 days and loved every minute of it. Just magnificent country and easy driving.

Anyway, I thought I would mention it as just a suggestion.

Cheers

Len

We were also there a little over a month ago. There are quite a few vendors there now, also some retail stores, like Del Sol, and there was A Senor Frogs there. We went into the gift shop, and peeked into the restaurant and saw people dancing on the bar, it was time to leave.

Cheers

Len

We were on the Splendor this past February and also echo many of your comments. We sailed the Glory last July and the Splendor's staff and food definitely was better than the Glory's. We also felt the entertainment was also better. Would sail her again in heartbeat

Cheers

Len.

We also stopped there on our way to Anchorage from Seward. it was an excellent place to view animals, not caged up.

Here are a few pix I took while there

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/ala9qqqq.jpg

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/ala9s.jpg

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/ala9r.jpg

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/ala9p.jpg

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/ala9o.jpg

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/ala9mmmm.jpg

Cheers

Len

Don't know if I fit into the 'freaker' category, but I do consider myself pretty anal. I like to have all my 't s' crossed and my 'I s' dotted before I do or go anywhere. always have a plan before we do anything. :D:D:D:D

Cheers

Len