Travelling2Some

Very true. Florence, Rome, Barcelona, Paris . . . Just wanted to add that Magellan's makes a great theft-proof women's pocketbook and Clothingarts.com has men's pickpocket-proof pants that my husband has used for years. We also pare down our wallets before leaving home, taking only those cards/credentials we will use abroad.

Jamaica = Sea day. Same goes for Nassau. We're not big on the Caribbean anyway but actively avoid itineraries with these ports.

Yes. Almost as bad as those Royal Caribbean TV ads. I'm always amazed that so many youtubers make such motion sickness inducing videos too.

When we considered the very high cost of the excursion plus the 6 hour r/t travel time, it made more sense for us to visit Berlin separately after the cruise. Two nights in a Berlin hotel cost less than the excursion.

Have been through Brussels on a land trip and found it skippable, Brugges is much nicer. Loved Amsterdam but it needs several days to see it properly. Can recommend Riga and Hamburg (go to Miniature Wonderland) as enjoyable ports. Berlin is way too far from the port but we did very much like our day Warnemunde. Spend as much time as you can in Stockholm - wonderful city. As others have mentioned, Prima is not a good ship for colder weather. Another vote for the Dawn.

Agree. Ever have well-meaning dinner guests who insist on "helping" you clear away but have no clue where anything goes? I have a system and I really would rather do it myself.

I was staying several nights at a guest house attached to a governmental installation in a third world country. After a couple of mornings an employee implored me to stop making my bed because she was supposed to make it. Being a democratic sort of person I said it did not seem right to me because, after all, I do not make her bed so why should she have to make mine? She said she needed her job and might get in trouble if I kept cleaning up after myself. Whoops! I stopped, of course.

We did this cruise on the Dawn with zero sea days and loved it. One of our best trips ever. The main reason we chose the particular sailing we did though was because it embarked in Copenhagen and ended in Stockholm, enabling us to spend five additional days in each of those cities. I don't know if that would be a factor for you. Which two ports do you give up if you choose the Prima rather than the Dawn?

Second the recommendation for Spain Day Tours. Have gone with them many times and always very good and reliable.

Probably the work of the Anti-Magnet Faction (or some goofy kids). This would be a concern for the Legion of the Over-served!

I always put more stock in the official port websites because they have absolutely no motive to lie. Cruise lines have both "motive and opportunity". Also, a frequent sign that a port will be canceled is a lack of shore excursions offered. They know in advance.

During covid I got in the habit of keeping little pepper packets in my purse since the shakers had been taken away in most places. I was finding that when I would ask for pepper they would often take so long bringing it that my food was cold.

Whenever somebody insults my husband he gives them a big smile and a hearty "Thank You". He says it confuses the heck out of them.

Nothing wrong with calling things what they are but it doesn't make for popularity, lol.

That's the best attitude. Reminds me of the popular saying to "Be kind because everyone you meet is fighting a battle that you know nothing about." I also tend to thing to myself (a bit less kindly) "Thank you, Lord, that I don't have to live in the same house with that clown!"

Yes, I would have thought that NCL would have made this reservation awhile ago (unless this is another one of their sneaky "we always secretly intended to skip it?" situations? Regardless, we canceled this morning. The ironic twist is that now we will be visiting Bar Harbor by land and avoiding it on a day that cruise ships will be in town.

Exotic foods from McDonald's and fancy toilets. Could be an interesting combination!

I understand their thinking. I have been to Bar Harbor and it is a small lovely place when cruise ships are not in town. Much as I love cruising, I see their point. When people visit by land they spend money on local hotels and restaurants. Cruisers not so much. I understand that I am very welcome as a land-based traveler but less welcome as a cruiser. I wouldn't take it personally.

Nope. And you know what is really crazy? Having the FAS beverage package I would be charged extra for San Pelligrino sparkling water while Prosecco (Italian champagne), my other go- to drink would be free. Hello, NCL, Pelligrino is WAY less expensive than Prosecco. The bean counters seem to have missed that one.

Yes, it's the Breakaway. My understanding had been that the Bar Harbor authorities intended to honor the bookings that were in place for the coming year. This made the cruise more attractive (at least for us) since it would be the "end of an era". Don't know who canceled the stop (NCL or Bar Harbor) but it was an important stop (for Acadia National Park) so the cruise is much less attractive to us now. A driving trip looks more interesting since we can include multiple nights at Cape Cod/Nantucket on the way up and skip several ports of less interest on the itinerary.

Exactly and with plenty of attractive stops on the way. We have been to all these places before being somewhat local, so the cruise is not really needed. I would rather drive and have several days in places of interest.

Yet another itinerary change. Substituting Boston for Bar Harbor, which is not bad and at least well before final payment. Have to say I was expecting this but Bar Harbor was an important port stop because this year is probably the last time ships will be allowed to dock there. We were on the fence about this cruise since it is an easy driving trip from NY and driving allows us more days in ports. This tips the balance so we will cancel and make it a road trip, which allows us to include Cape Cod and Nantucket.

Interesting. I never thought of that. Probably being on a longer non-Caribbean itinerary would make a big difference though.

Slumming it, huh? Yeah, we're really living on the edge over here, lol. We had a troll from the Viking boards a few pages back but you guys seem nice!

Yes, we know those people too. But isn't it amazing that they don't seem to notice that we, their friends, return unscathed cruise after cruise after cruise? How can we be SOOO lucky that we go on all these cruises for years and none of this terrible stuff ever happens to us??? People believe what they want to believe. People also seem to find a way to do things they really want to do. Just as well they are not increasing consumer demand. More for us 🙂