CruiserBruce

If the seas move, the ship will move. If they don't, neither will you.

The port doesn't care. The staff there will enforce the rules HAL prescribes. Not sure why they wouldn't. You should expect to be required to follow the HAL policies.

Booked 3 events with them in Australia. 2 of 3 were screwed up.

Both these are brokers, not providers. They take your money and seek a low bid provider. Yes, this can create some attractive prices. It also causes difficulties contacting anyone where is a problem. The common recommendation here is seek out the recommended local providers and deal with them directly.

I think you are over reacting.

Yes, you should be able to. However, you will still need to do an extra passport/security check near the gate, before boarding, IN PARIS. Your flight from VCE to CDG is domestic.

Have you looked at car rental locations in the downtown?

Much of what is done in drydock is below the waterline or out of view of the passenger. There are required maintenance and inspections, which require the ship to be out of the water. Yes, they can do passenger facing work as well...new carpets, beds, other work. An amazing amount can be done in a very short time, because they plan these things to the minute, have all the supplies and equipment ordered and received before the ship even gets out of the water. Much of the crew is kept on board to help and support the work. Of course, they go 24/7 on drydock work as time out of the water is money lost to the cruise line. I also take reviews with a huge load of salt. A lot of reviews are about food or service...which are very subjective and of course, can't be fixed in a dry dock. Other things like too much (or not enough) A/C are also subjective, and not really flaws that need a fix. Things like plumbing frequently are fixed on board...maybe with in a day or two, and the reviewer focuses on the problem, not the solution. The list of possible complaints goes on and on...but hopefully you can tell apart things that are serious mechanical issues, those that are lesser mechanical issues, those that aren't really mechanical issues at all, and those that are totally subjective.

This statement was actually aimed at the start times, not the length. I agree, seems like all the shows are 40-45 minutes. But when the shows start varies day to day, ship to ship, etc. There isn't a hard and fast time when shows start.

The Rotterdam is definitely not in Alaska this season, nor in 2024.

The Alaska season is only 3 or so weeks old.

Show times can vary by ship, the show, or even by day of the cruise. They aren't locked in to every cruise, every day or every ship.

I don't think you really have any differences of note...except for the Wednesday sailing. Sailing on other than Saturday or Sunday puts you on an "opposite course" from the majority of other cruise ships. Thus ports may be a little less crowded.

This topic was discussed here a month or so ago: The vast majority of ships will tender there. We did on N. Statendam (HAL), a medium sized ship...2600pax. In the other thread, you can see an expansion of the docking facilities was proposed a few years ago, but has not yet happened. Its a fairly tight harbor.

You need to use cell service. Many carriers have coverage in Mexico and Canada included in their plans now. I wouldn't schedule while still on the ship...I would wait until ashore. Drivers can be quick to bill a no-show.

I got it flying to Houston. No more flights...but didn't get it on 3 cruises in 2022.

Wasn't local boats when we were there last July, it was ship's tenders. Some cruise lines have policies about not tendering people in wheel chairs.

Saw them last July in Copenhagen...looked like everyone was having a good time, but we didn't try them.

Your cabin attendants will help you move...you don't have to take it ashore. Haven't done a turnaround day in Canada, but you will be able to disembark, to tour, etc. You will receive written instructions on what you need to do.

There are many threads here about VeriFly. It was never required and of little value today. Never heard of mBark.

HAL only offers Luggage Direct from Ft Lauderdale and Copenhagen, and a similar, but unrelated (and free) service at Seattle.

Immigration is the complicated process, Customs literally takes seconds. The most time you will have free will be waiting for your luggage, which can easily take 45 minutes. Are you staying at a hotel in Rome that has a concierge? If the train doesn't happen, I would be talking to the concierge.

Or perhaps a brief Passport Check (the name for Immigration in Europe). I agree, unlikely the OP will do Customs.

Only been to Europe 15 or 20 times, including last July (Copenhagen)and are flying there (AMS) in 3 weeks. Have used a PIN exactly once...in a train station ticket machine. Never had our credit cards denied.

Just look down the board: