CruiserBruce

There are 3 (or is it 4?) lots. Keep in mind, if you are arriving to board a ship, that means that ship arrived that day, and people got off, some of whom got in cars and drove away. There is turnover each day.

Been asked and answered many times. Yes, some places say not for casino...seems to be loosely applied. Otherwise OBC can be used for anything changed to your account on board.

I would think its too soon to call this "over". And I would definitely take it "up the chain". Good luck. We have had cabanas 10 times, on 8 different ships, and love them. I agree it is totally inappropriate. I would be very curious to find out who this "VIP" is.

The size of the plane doesn't matter much for these long haul flights. The planes commonly used are 767, 777, 787, A330 and 350. It's the layout and how they use the space. For example, the seating in the front of a 777 can be 2-4-2! More commonly for international operations its now 2-2-2 or 1-2-1, which is the most desired. You may even see 1-1-1 in some planes. The back of the plane is 3-3-3 or 3-4-3. So layout and use of the space is pretty important. If you really want to get picky about plane interior features, the better pressurization of the 787 models will make your flight and it's after effects far more enjoyable. Not sure if any of the Airbus models have this feature or not.

The Hilton Marina used to have a rental place in the building. Don't remember the brand. A little searching around for the many rental car threads will find a map of the close to port rental locations.

Really no major difference. Many threads here discussing the concepts. Mostly just personal preferences.

The first couple and the last couple of days at sea, not likely. The closer to Hawaii, the warmer it will get. Of course, if your ship has an enclosed pool area...

I would expect all that OBC to be non- refundable. Haven't heard of anyone adding HIA on board. Beverage Package is the way to go.

And there is a fourth way...flat rate taxi. I believe the current rate is 50 euros. The private car service, like the very frequently recommended Rome in Limo, will be a bit more expensive...70 or 80 euros. The Italy board: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/464-italy-ports/ The vast majority of people in Italy, particularly in busy tourist areas, speak more than adequate English. Most of the signage at the airport will be in English, or with easily read symbols.

Have you checked with your cruise line air program? International airlines tend to be better in the upper cabins than US airlines. Hopefully some one will answer if Iberia is better than AA. I don't have any experience with them. The price doesn't seem too outrageous. As I mentioned in the other thread you started...common advice here...if you are comfortable with the price, buy, and DON'T LOOK BACK. it will just drive you nuts.

Much different configuration, purpose and situation, and doesn't have a profit motive. And what does "SHTF" mean.

Yep, keep doing things the customer loves, even if it means losing money. That is a wise business decision. It's ALWAYS about balancing a number of complicated issues. Right now, I sense, revenues are just STARTING to get above CURRENT expenses. That goes without mentioning all those past debts. I sense it's going to take a be a good period of full ships before there is any sense of nice amenities returning. And @Sir PMP, as I know you like the smaller, older ships, running those older ships in a losing money situation, doesn't help things get better sooner. And to say " I would gladly pay more" is strictly a self serving sample, not representative of the real market. EVERYONE is always seeking a cheaper deal.

Not really a new idea. Airlines have done similar. Why do you think the 747 has been retired? Very inefficient airplane. Just making their fleet more cost effective and efficient.

It's being phased out on international longhaul flights, in favor of PE.

A couple clarifications here. Most airlines don't fly single aisle planes on long haul international, like US to Europe, because they don't have the range. Premium Economy is an international product for most airlines. Economy Plus (different names for different airlines) is a domestic product.

I think @Crew News has the correct answer here, but more specifics from @sheri221 would help us. What ship are your referring to, @sheri221?

Absolutely. Never been a problem.

Based on a random date in October...hard to be more specific without more specifics from you. First, I am not seeing ANY non-stops. Second, I don't see ANY first class. I see business at $3200/pp, which isn't outlandish for one way international business. Will these prices go down? Yes. No. Maybe they will, maybe they won't. Nobody will be able to predict. Airlines are very good at adjusting prices upward at the slightest hint of demand. I would say October flights are not in peak season, so probably less demand. Will premium economy sell out? Yes, most likely, but no one can tell you when. Some common pieces of advice from this board. Watch the pricing...hopefully you started already, and have an idea on general historical prices. When you see a price you can live with, buy, and don't look back. Check your cruise lines air program. One way international flights isre their best skill and benefit. Good chance you can find your way into business. Immigration is the potentially complex process...standing in long lines, etc. Where you have to do it depends on where you fly...usually the first place you land. However, if you go through London, you will do an additional step there you wouldn't have to do if you stopped elsewhere in Europe. Customs isn't a thing in Europe. They use what is called the Red/Green system. If you have nothing to declare, you go through the Green Door, and you are done. If you have something to declare, or are grabbed for a random search, you go to the Red Line. And they can be very thorough. I wouldn't worry about the 4 flights selling out for a couple of months, so do some research.

Perhaps ask on the Mexican Rivera board, here: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/124-mexican-riviera/

Varies by ship. May have more things, but perhaps not the "best" things...like lobster, when HAL served it. Or escargot. Or the best cuts of beef. Almost guaranteed the Lido will have more dessert choices.

I don't think its black widows...not native to typical banana growing areas, but some other bigger, scary threatening species. On that front, bananas are usually shipped to the western world in intermodal containers, filled with nitrogen or other inert gases, to delay ripening. They are also fumigated to kill anything. Then, when they arrive near their destination, they are purged of their inert gases, and either allowed room air, or occasionally exposed to other gases to accelerate ripening, to make them appealing on the store shelf. Cruise lines may buy them in bulk, still in the green state, and rotate them into use as they ripen. Better living through modern chemistry.

Yep. Carrying off your luggage and any other method to get towards the front off the line always helps.

"Badly delayed"? Not usually. The issue is frequently that if a ship is returning to the US after an extended period overseas, like a season in Europe, there are extensive Coast Guard and Public Health inspections. Boarding of the next load of pax can be delayed. Entering the US is the same procedure as at the airport. Lines will be the delay. We saw this at Boston this year, as our ship was returning to the US after the summer in Europe. There were a number of Coast Guard personnel standing by, waiting for the bulk of the passengers to disembark before they could start their inspections.

The reverse routing is discussed here fairly often.

I would do choice 1 or 3. The cost is what it is.