CruiserBruce

I would recommend an add on trip of 2 or 3 nights to explore Normandy...we did that about 10 years, and will be returning for the same idea next June. In either case, I would suggest looking into Overlord tours, mentioned here frequently, whether it be from your river boat, or while on a land trip. They are awesome, offer a number of tours. We used them for an 8 hour tour 10 years ago, and plan on using them for an 8 hour and a 6 hour tour next June.

Some comparisons from a thread just a few days ago:

Uber.

As I recall, NS's color was a very dark color..

My bank requires that for ATM use outside of the US. My CC used to require that, but no longer.

You asked this on the Florida board...the best place...and got a number of answers. Its about ground logistics. The only way you know if booking through HAL is a better deal is to check the prices available both ways. People think booking through the cruise line guarantees or protects them somehow...it doesn't. The cruise line will likely book you a little later in order to protect their rep as providing "safe" flights. But they also may book less desirable routes because they can get them cheaper.

So, just off the top of my head, the car rental idea is probably going to add $100 or more to this plan. Not sure that is enough savings to go through this hassle.

When you add the cost of a rental car, gas, taxi to San Diego car rental facility...what is the price difference?

Not sure where the 30 day time line came from. I have seen close to 30 days once or twice on B2B suite bookings when they do it a little earlier to help you stay in the same cabin, assigning a little sooner. For cabins in general, on B2Bs, they may assign a little earlier, like around 20 days, again to try and get you the same cabin for both cruises. Otherwise, as mentioned, sometime around 10 days before sailing is very commonly mentioned here.

So you think they are scamming money off you? Couldn't be human error, or a problem with the credit card company? Agree with the previous poster...investigate before ranting. Not sure how posting twice solves anything.

Yep...change is difficult. However, most situations I have experience since cruising resumed has not REQUIRED many of the changes be used. There is usually a work around, like printed menus, or having your room key/card scanned at check in for an excursion, replacing excursion tickets. That may vary by cruise line.

"Normal" would probably be middle of this coming winter. But there hasn't been anything resembling "normal" recently.

Its a little over a mile, all with sidewalks.

The first time I traveled to Europe, we arrived at Frankfurt Airport to German police patrolling in the airport with Uzi machine guns on their backs. This was a few months after the first Gulf War. Sure glad that didn't stop our 15 or so additional trips to Europe. In fact, on our last trip, there are still German police still patrolling with Uzis...just fewer of them.

I don't recall any notable breezes.

No. It's a separate package.

The "real Inside Passage" is east of Vancouver Island, meaning sailing out of Vancouver. Sailing out of Seattle almost always means sailing in the open ocean, with no real scenery, west of Vancouver Island. Certain Princess ships are under powered in relationship to their steering abilities, thus they can't sail in the true Inside Passage.

Take Uber from your hotel to the port. That is the most efficient. Secondarily, look at the hotels that a shuttle like SAS picks up at...your hotel or one nearby might be on the list, so returning to the airport to catch a cruise line transfer would be pretty silly, and certainly not the cheapest option.

From Ft Lauderdale airport to Miami airport? Or from Ft Lauderdale airport to PortMiami? For the latter, very commonly mentioned here are SAS, QLS, GO Shuttle, Jiffy Jeff and a couple others. Just takes looking around the board.

Crab legs and lobster, when offered on HAL ships (not currently, from my experience) are a mixed bag on the topic of being offered in the Lido. About 50-50 on available in Lido or not.

It was hot and crowded. I don't mind the heat, but others in our party were uncomfortable. And there is some humidity involved as well. Crowds were a mild to moderate problem...particularly at places like the Acropolis and Santorini. We are looking at cruising the Med again in 2025.It will be in May, most likely.

Wow...this will be a fun day. First, taking a train from San Diego station to the LA Union Station, then getting from there to LAX is one option. Take a look at the Surfliner (the train line that runs San Diego to LA...the station is about 4 or 5 blocks from the pier)schedules...that might work. I don't know the current best way to get from the train station to LAX. The other way would be renting a car. So getting over to San Diego airport car rental facility, and driving up 5 and 405. 405 can be a problem any day of the week, any time. Yes, I think you can make it. But what a complex hassle. I would rent the car.

There are some downtown...check when you make your reservation to re-confirm they are open. There are none at the port.

Plan on a 20-25 minute drive, as traffic will build some around the port and airport. I would talk to Delta, see what they can offer you. Be blunt...the flight change is very tight for you. I don't think I would try the 10:30 flight. You might make it, again, if you can get off the ship in the first few people, and grab a taxi immediately. Immigrations and Customs has been reported to be a bit inconsistent at Long Beach. Do you have TSA Pre?

The Lido will not typically have the nicer items from the MDR. Nicer cuts of meat, fancier fish dishes, escargot, things like that, aren't typically offered in the Lido.