Buck Turgidson

We sailed on the Star recently, Feb 7th. Baggage handler was smiling, courteous and professional, took our two suitcases, I then tipped 5 bucks and we were on our way. We observed no issues. :)

Buck, not sure when you took that cruise, but if it was around the time of WHTI implementation it would have been shortly after June 1, 2009. I am sorry to hear that they really messed up, but fortunately you received some compensation from your TA. Also fortunate is the fact that the ports have learned a lot about the law in the intervening six years.

Thank's, yes it was '09 or '10. I was lucky my son was old enough to be on his own, with my ATM card,:rolleyes: he went to family about 100 miles away .

Buck, thanks for your story. At least one other CCer recently took a 4-day Baja closed loop from LA on Carnival and didn't have a passport for one of the guests, so I guess it's not uniform. :confused:

 

I hate to waste the $350 on getting passports, but I also don't want to be denied boarding. Ugh!!!

We got about 300 dollars back from the T/A

This did happen at a time when the govt. was making changes to required travel documentation and I think I just got a govt. official that was confused about the changes.

That is all that is necessary; so did the government official tell you which of those was incorrect? Was the DL expired, for example? The BC was not issued by the state/county/city? Your son was born outside of the U.S.? Names didn't match? What was it?

They told us "no passport, no travel" no is's, no and's, and no but's.

His birth cert.was the original and drivers licence was up to date and both from California. We had traveled this way many times prior to this cruise.

We are all native Caucasian Californians .

Is it a matter of "government officials" meaning border control? Or HAL letting your son on the ship. That's what I don't get. Who decides?

It was govt. officials that made the call, I don't know if they were border patrol or homeland security as they were in a separate area, and HAL rep would talk to them, and then talk to me. I never actually saw the govt. official.

About 4 years ago, we went on a cruise on HAL out of San Diego to the Mexican Riviera. It was an 8 or 9 day cruise. It was closed loop as it also returned to San Diego.

My son age 28, had no passport and could not board, he did have his birth certificate and drivers licence, and we had been told, prior to the cruise by T/A, that this was all that was necessary. It was a useless endeavor pleading with gov't officials.:mad: I tossed him the car key's and said "see you in a week"

Fold and staple, on both handles.:)

Check out cabin and obstructed view, leaving carry on behind we explore the ship, spending a lot of time on lido deck, until out of port.

So "flame" me if you must.....but as a cigar smoker the policy on the Crown is really not so good for us. We are not allowed to smoke up on the pool decks, only in the lounge off the casino, which would be just fine, if it were large enough and had a decent ventilation system. It's so very small, and there is no ventilation in there, our loved ones can't stand being in there with us, the smoke is so thick it sticks to everything on you. Up on deck 16 I was not allowed to smoke with the other cigarette smokers. Personally, I'd rather smell someone smoking a nice cigar than a cigarette any day. There other ships (Sapphire, Golden) have great lounges with good ventilation. It seems this was a total afterthought....and on superbowl Sunday, it was not enough room for everyone. Just sayin......:(

I agree, cigar's smell much better than cig's, When I was on the Grand, the cigar room by the casino was mostly cigarette smokers , so I went to the top deck by the 1five club and smoked my cigars there. Nicer chairs and open air.

The good news is everyone got on board, and most I'm sure had a good time. They got out of the S.F. port late but I believe got to their first port on time.

I heard of one load/pallet of luggage falling/dumped into the Bay.

I'll be there sailing in about a week on the Star. I'll check my luggage, and get on board, no problemo's.

You can get a lot of info by checking your ships "Roll Call"

When I was young this would be no problem, the more the merrier. I am much older now and would rather not have three to a cabin, but would still do it for a good friend .:) I adapt well!!

We took a 36 day cruise out of L.A. to the South Pacific on the Cunard Queen Elizabeth a couple of years ago.

I do not like wearing a suit, but I put up with it and it was no big deal . I would change back into comfy clothes after dinner. Occasionally I wore the suit after dinner, usually to the Churchill lounge for cigars.

I'd go with Adventure, due to lower price

Jewelry, my wife likes the pink fire opal, clothes , pharmacy, leather goods, pottery and other little kiosk.

I usually take off my dress coat at formal dinners when I sit down, I just can't take the heat from wearing all those clothes. So I figure I'm good with slack's, a nice long sleeved shirt and tie. On occasion though I have also rolled up the sleeves to be comfy. :eek:

I'll take about 15 one's, when I go ashore in Mexico, I also keep a few one's for room service tip's.

Whenever we have had late seating dinner, the seating is often limited at the after dinner show, especially if you have a large slow dinner table.

I got a haircut a couple years ago aboard the Queen Elizabeth, I believe it was 30 dollars plus the 15 percent tip:)

Welcome Mick, I would say read about your ship, ports of call and others experiences. Perhaps join the " roll call " for your cruise. A lot of info here:)

Pier 39 shops and restuarants, Ghirradeli Square, maybe walk or ride a bike across Golden Gate bridge.

I'd do the New Orleans cruise, arrive a couple day's early to check out the town.:) A lot to see and eat, in New Orleans

Get on board and let the party begin:)

When I was a kid my aunt and uncle would take cruises. We would see them off in Long Beach, and all on board would throw colorful streamers from the ship as they sailed away. I was curious when they stopped this.