rkacruiser

Just thought of another item that I always take with me: a small LED flashlight. Electricity goes out on the ship? I have light. After dark excursion where there is poor/no lighting to see where one is walking? I have light.

I read an itinerary for a cruise on one of the Hurtigruten ships that seemed to indicate that there now is a dock at Hellesylt. I wonder if there is and, if so, can it accommodate a MSC sized ship.

On Meraviglia, I was unimpressed with the YC elevator perk. A few times it worked. Most of the times, by the time that I got to the elevator, it was full and/or the doors were closing.

Spooked? I think so. And, I seriously doubt that we will see CCL at zero. Morgan Stanley's analyst has been very negative about CCL for quite some time. Since I am a MS client, my advisor has not been ringing my phone about this situation. I don't believe that includes Ohio's public employee pension funds. At least, not mine. Friday, July 1, the members of our pension fund will receive our fist COLA in several years. A whopping 2% increase in our payments! 53% of which will have been spent as the result of filling my gas tank this afternoon.

I have had my 4th jab and expect a 5th one this Fall. My PCP (Personal Care Physician, a GP doctor) is out of the loop as well. In private practice, he is not equipped with the ultra cold freezers needed to store the Covid vaccines.

Yes, you will get "through it". With wheelchair assistance, based upon my experience with HAL and Princess, a crew member will wheel you as far as they can go at the port when a port agent employee will take you through C&I and to your transportation. At the airport, either an airport/airline employee will meet you and help you through check-in and security to your gate. When it's time to board your flight, another airport/airline employee (probably a Gate Agent) will get you on board and to your seat. A similar process will be repeated when you need to make your connection to home. Don't worry about. Your situation is not the first time that this has happened for either the cruise line or the airline. I'd suggest this. But, if you have a travel agent, contact the agent and let that person to whatever is required. When I first realized that I needed wheelchair assistance, I called my travel agent and she arranged everything. It went as "smooth as silk". Completely agree with this poster!

There are several small restaurants near the Welcome Center. I don't know the name of any nor did I patronize any of them.

Those favorites of mine as well. I also enjoy watching the Miami Airport web cam and listening to ATC.

When I was there is 2019, I remember seeing that steel mesh netting. For those on ships that are docking at RRA, tendering to the Small Boat Harbor is a benefit. It's a long walk from the aft part of that dock towards town.

Duct tape, Scotch tape, manicure set, an extra battery and memory card for my camera, Traveler's Checks, and more cash than I think I will need.

Seriously, has there ever been a time when that any of us have thought "this won't happen to me"? A tire issue on I-95 in West Palm Beach en route to Fort Lauderdale for a Holiday cruise in the middle of Friday afternoon prior to Christmas has been one example of.....whatever may happen can happen regardless of how well one has planned and prepared. Who ever thought that they would find their Amtrak car ending up on its side in Kansas and they had to climb out of the car by an emergency window? If one has not experienced such "it won't happen to me moments", one ought to pray to your God with prayers of thankfulness.

Yes. Unless they asked me if it would be OK to do. How often does that happen? If there is a medical or physical reason for them to fully recline their seat for a long flight, defined as a trans-continental or international flight, I would accept such a situation. (It might be me that required that.) But, would the passenger behind that person know that was needed?

The morning of embarkation, I have a continental breakfast. Nothing heavy in anticipation of having a nice lunch once aboard. Or call for pizza delivery while you are inline? I hope you will have a better embarkation experience than this could be!

Do they have an explanation of the Atrium sculpture for the Eurodam?

Check out Floataway Lounge in Cruise Conversations.

Other than your thoughts about not needing both BB King and Rolling Stone Rock Room on the same ship, I agree. King and the Stones could provide their own "unique" music, if that type of music specific programming allowed for this. I have negatively commented on HAL's entertainment programming for years. There was one specific "guru" in Seattle that was in charge of this for decades. He survived Lanterman, Kruse, et al. Not sure that he is still in charge, but, the wandering around the entertainment field that HAL's management has done makes me think that either he or his minions are still in charge. The amount of money spent on creating such an "innovative concept" of a "Theater in the Round" and the use of that facility on the Pinnacle Class ships has been the most significant disappointment to me as a guest (and CCL shareholder) in the entertainment area.

That could be the death of all three companies. What 'wonders" did Ashford do for HAL? Azamara has a fleet of ships, none of which because of what I know about their history and the comments made about those who have sailed on those ships have made, would I ever consider the ships to be "upper premium", at least for what it would cost me to sail on them. I participate on the Seabourn board and don't read the enthusiasm that you are reading for a change of ownership. Much is too murky as to what it would mean for the brand.

That's really disappointing news because those small business shops offered items that could not be found elsewhere. Lots of unique items and, as a book lover, I found books that could not be obtained in the United States at one shop that sold such items.

If interested, do some googling about the damage that the Italian Line's Michelangelo experienced during a very severe storm during an Atlantic crossing. 2002, Volendam, crossing the Pacific on her first Asia Pacific cruise, there were waves crashing above the Crow's Nest at times when the bow dipped into the waves.

The gentleman's answer was realistic, I think. If one does not want to get vaccinated against Covid, it then ought to be like if one does not want to be protected from other diseases when vaccinations are required. One does not cruise. In time, I hope, Covid will become live the Norovirus, we learn to deal and live with it if one wants to cruise.

That was my experience and it was a refreshing change for me.

No, I am not. As long as the vaccines are available and its recommended that I get another shot, I will do so. Getting a shot for whatever disease is no biggie. It's a whole lot better than having to jump through some of the other hoops that one has to do in order to travel.

Lois, I regret learning that somehow you injured your leg. (How do such strange things happen when your did?) Knowing that you will be able to continue your trip, but without the touring you wanted to do, is better than having to fly home ASAP. A previous poster suggested that you request wheelchair assistance at the airports and I strongly endorse that! Good wishes for you to enjoy your trip as much as you can and that your injury will not require more medical attention either before or after you get back to Jacksonville.

My favorite was 2002 Asia Pacific Cruise on the Volendam from Vancouver to Los Angeles. It's itinerary was a "Circle Pacific cruise" type with port calls in Russia, Japan, South Korea, China, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Singapore, Indonesia (where the port call was cancelled due to a bombing), Australia, New Zealand, Polynesian ports, and the final one being Nuku Hiva. Why is this my favorite? 1. This was the maiden cruise for this itinerary. At several ports, there were activities geared to welcome the Volendam on her initial port call. These events were special! 2. It was the longest cruise that I had sailed up to that time and allowed me to visit places that I had long wanted to do. 3. Thanks to a very active Roll Call, I met and became friends with many fellow cruisers, many of whom I remain in touch and some of whom we have sailed together since. 4. The weather: both good and not so good. First morning, west of Vancouver Island heading to Russia, we awoke to unexpected stormy seas. And, more of those days occurred, periodically throughout the cruise. Of course, beautiful, tranquil seas and weather were experienced with the seas in the vicinity of Bora Bora memorable. 5. Destination oriented menu items appeared often: i.e., Filet of Kangaroo. 6. Port lecturers and lecturers who knew about which they presented/spoke added much to the cruise. The gentleman who spoke about China accompanied my tour group when we visited Xian and a couple of other cities. His commentary along with the "regular" guide provided value information and insights. 7. Many memories of my experiences during shore excursions. Among which was my first experience with the Eastern style of the loo. 8. Interesting interactions with various crew members, many of whom are those with whom I have sailed since. 9. The flight home from Los Angeles: disembarkation was running late, time was running short to get to the airport, the transfer bus driver missed the exit to LAX and didn't realize it until some on my bus so informed him, requiring a doubling back, a hurried check-in and security check with me being stopped at the gate for another screening while the door to the aircraft was about to be closed causing me to be the last passenger on the plane. I was still not seated as the plane was pulling away from the gate while a flight attendant was "barking" at me to get seated!!. 10. The Volendam herself. Rotterdam V is my most favorite HAL ship, but, the Volendam runs a very close second.

Of course. But, doesn't one's conscious questions that "right" that you purchased? Of course. I am realistic. I know what I have bought. I try to have a bit of concern for my fellow "cows" behind and around me.