CruiserBruce

Not sure how we can note if the promo you booked under had crew tips or not. We booked just about a month ago...the promo at that time didn't have crew tips.

Non-refundable.

Thread just down the board from yesterday:

Flying to CPH from FCO is considered "domestic" and has fewer procedures than if you were going direct to the US. Instead, you did those procedures at CPH.

Have you asked on the NCL board?

Yes, usually 2 or 3 brands on the Pinnacle class ships, maybe 1 or 2 on the N. Amsterdam. Check the drink package threads for drink menus to see some of the brands mentioned.

Its not a question of using Princess transfers. Its a number of other questions, like when is your flight? Yours was "domestic", so you only really needed to be there 2 hours ahead. A non-stop to the US is 3 hours ahead. Sometimes the question is about cost. Sometimes its about "can I make this flight if we dock at XXXX". Generally the very early arrivals don't start disembarking 5 minutes after arrival, which can mess up early transfers and flights. It sounds like yours got a got early start. That is good news.

It would be helpful to know where you are getting off your ship and which airport you are flying out of. The water taxi in Ft Lauderdale is very commonly recommended when your question comes up, as it does frequently. Its a fun way to spend at least 3 hours, more if you want to investigate things at some of your stops. Also check with your cruise line for Luggage Direct services to take care of your bags, if you are sailing into Ft Lauderdale.

But then Mariner status isn't applied to specialty restaurant bookings...they are comped. There would be no reason to "we plan to pay at the time of service with our 3 star 25% discount ."

My question as well...

I would suggest you prepare your carry on for the possibility you can't claim your bag at DFW, but when you check in at Waco, you ask if they will only check it to DFW, and claim it at DFW if they allow it.

Just relax and enjoy the cruise. Don't sweat the small stuff.

The fares are cheap because April 29 is about the earliest Alaska cruises start going. Ports (meaning the tourist facilities)may not fully ramped up and open for operations then, and accessing Hubbard might be an issue. That being said, Glacier Bay is worth it.

Just down the board: There is also a thread about Sitka, and many discussing Sitka vs Skagway: The "northbound has increasing" scenery thought has some merit, but I don't know I would determine the route based just on that.

You probably would be better off asking on the French board, here: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/462-france-ports/

AFAIK, ALL excursions require coming back down to the tender dock by via the cable car. Have not heard of any other option. The mention of going back to Athinios port is interesting. I believe that is the place ship's excursions board the bus.

Sail from Ma'alaea Harbor on your whale watch...about 25 minutes, not from Lahaina, which is 45 minutes minimum.

That is fine, but the poster I responded to, and quoted in my post, was asking about Coke.

As you can't see how many GTY bookings there are, you can't really say there are lots of cabins available. You can only see how many have been assigned.

I would expect they will hold your luggage. You can ask to claim it in DFW.

We have taken small boat whale watch trips many times. Particularly in Maui, but also at Cabo. They are fairly action packed 2 or 3 hours. As mentioned, they don't usually, in the true "small boat" operations, have bathrooms. We love these whale watch operations and seek them out when and wherever we go. A bigger vessel doesn't mean better whale watching.

You can't purchase the TSA, but you can sign up for TSA Pre-Check. Tell us about your need for "timely" TSA clearance. Generally, if you don't fly often, like at least a couple times a year, I wouldn't buy it. Comparing, we fly 3-5 times a year, we feel its different worth it.

Tell us more. Airline? Schedule? Generally, if the routing is the most direct, on the same or allied/cooperating airlines, they will keep your bag. But if you are not meeting those criteria (for example, you are using Southwest for one leg, or extending your layover at DFW for your own convenience... to get that sleep), you will need to claim your bag.

If you do a little searching on this board, you will find several threads on testing, including a vendor across 17th St from the Embassy Suites in FLL. However, as testing is not as commonly required (and may be less required by your sailing), some of these vendors may be folding up.

When you get off the ship, try to book one. If there is any hang up, just grab a cab. Its about 30 or so minutes to the airport.