LaraTiara

Asking for a friend.. [emoji6]

Better to wait around for the Sip n Sale or take the current Come Back New on offer for Spring 2019?

TA offering a bit of OBC on top of CBN, but it’s nothing to leap at.

Thoughts?

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OHtoNC

Just to clarify further our experience from 2016:

We used SPB, we did not obtain visas during that cruise travel. Our previous visas were for different trips for different purposes.

As I mentioned, there was no problem with the SPB tours or border control. The tour guide shrugged it off when I mentioned it in country, and said there would be no problem. She was correct.

But if you are concerned, then by all means, use PCL tours. That’s reasonable and I as an adoptive mom of a Russian child completely understand your concern. But others have gone ahead of you without an issue, not long ago.

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And also, I should mention that our son at age of cruise travel was the age of compulsory Russian Army service. That fact crossed our minds.

But that won’t be a concern for a daughter.

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Looking for advice from anyone who has experieneced the same situation. We have booked Regal Princess Scandinavian and St. Petersburg cruise to celebrate my daughter's graduation. She will be 18 at time of sailing. We adopted her at 14 months old and she has held US Citizenship and US passport for 17 years.

 

 

 

Princess states that all passengers exiting the ship for a Princess excursion will not need a visa, but will be required to provide a copy of their passports to Russian immigration when going ashore. (We will not be doing anything on our own which requires our own visa)

 

 

 

I'm nervous about this because it shows her place of birth as Russia. Has anyone dealt with this before when entering St.Petersburg, and were there any questions asked or raised concerns?

 

 

 

Thank you.

Your situation was precisely ours, same age of our child at time of adoption and sailing. Same ship even. Summer 2016. No problem or even a single question at the border at all. Additionally we didn’t utilize the cruise line excursions on the 2 days in port.

We had, in years past, been to Russia with our son on a number of charity trips. He travelled then with his US passport and one time it was even misspelled for 5 years (typo, still never questioned). The visa requirements were different in that case, even more strict, so the tourist visa you will have at time of your travel is perfectly fine. Enjoy the cruise!

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Thanks squadron and silentbob007. I appreciate the insight!

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That is just about when the excursion sail ended. I did get a few good deals during the sale. Now they are back up to regular price. To the OP, if this is your first RCI cruise how are you sure that this is "Clearly a policy for RCL, so I am putting it out to you all in the forum."

Sorry it’s our third Royal Caribbean cruise, but thank you for the correction.

The sale makes perfect sense as a reason not a policy, thanks.

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Just a head’s up to you all, in case you are new to cruising RCL like we are. In addition, we are finding in certain ports we prefer to book through the cruise line.

The cruise line can, of course, choose to increase their pricing but as cruisers I wanted to let you all know what I learned this morning.

A week ago, over 30 days precuise, I used Cruise Planner to book and prepay our shore excursions. Glad I did. Checked on the bookings this morning just to verify one port in particular, and noticed it had increased by $15pp.

Upon review, all the excursion prices had increased. For 3 excursions for 2 people, I’d saved $88 by booking over 30 days out. What!

Clearly a policy for RCL, so I am putting it out to you all in the forum. In case you all were unaware.

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To the OP, you are not doing anything wrong. There is no right or wrong amount of luggage to take on a trip. More important is what works for your needs and preferences, and what you are comfortable with.

 

Enjoy the journey, no matter where it takes you.

Exactly - to each their own. Enjoy your cruise!!

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TwoCruisers

Fossil and Michael Kors watches are essentially the same functioning, only the branding differs. My girls bought rose gold watches and still wear them.

Check the patter for pricing, but it’s reliable to buy on board. And crew can replace with a new battery at point of purchase for you. [emoji568]⚓️

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Alaskanb and everyone else covered it all very well. My mom and I love the massages and do get one every cruise. They have all been licensed and professional, there’s no worry about that.

Do arrive a little early to relax in the waiting area with a cup of tea or flavored water. The spa experience is never meant to be rushed. The ladies will never shoo you off, so just sit and enjoy before and/or after, whatever your timeframe allows for. Bring a change of clothing if you want to use the showers and sauna also (if you’re in the smaller ships - no sauna on Royal/Regal unless you pay the thermal spa fee).

The hot stone choice is nice IMO, as it heats up the muscles and loosens them, but my mom goes for deep tissue. And we do always request for quiet during the massage.

Pricing is always better on the sailaway day and port days, if you want to save a bit off that. Gratuity is included. You may want to wait til you have a kink in your neck from a pillow, or travel, and let the masseuse work it out. That’s been helpful in the past.

I’ve never purchased anything, though my cousin did buy teeth whitening and was very pleased with the results.

And hydrate, as mentioned.

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Thanks for the replies. This is all very confusing to me. I've never dealt with this before. It's not my intention to steal from anyone. I didn't know the package was intended just for one person - which is why I asked in the first place. I also don't know the drink prices. I asked the Princess rep on the phone and she said her guess was that bottled water was $2 each, specialty coffees were about $3.50 each, and beers and wine were about $8 each (plus 15% gratuity - which would make them closer to $9.50 or $10). I was thinking that even if we each had two alcoholic drinks, that would be $40 max, plus two coffees at about $8 total (with 15% tip), plus two waters at $4 total, that's only $52. That's still less than the $69 for the package. It sounds like I need to ask more about the different beverage packages offered and the prices of the drinks. :eek:

Hi - welcome to CC

First off, I haven’t thumbed through your entire thread but there is an excel spreadsheet here on CC you will locate by a quick word search of AIBP. This topic has been covered a number of times.

AIBP is a personal and financial decision. It also depends where you’re from (certain cultures drink more, in our experience) and who you’re with (on a girls’ only cruise I switched TO AIBP on the first day, noticing how the cruise was going to become costly otherwise!).

If you have the means, and believe you will benefit from the convenience, go for it. No sharing.

We have used it for shorter 5- and 7-day cruises. But I found I consumed more calories and alcohol than I wanted to justify the expense, and I have found that a per-glass works better for me. We usually get the soda package now, and room service spirits offered for cocktails, and use the happy hours for frozen drinks or other beverage choices.

5-7 drinks a day for the duration was over consumption for me, in addition to the large lovely meals.

Like I said it’s a personal financial decision.

Enjoy your holiday! ⚓️

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Packing is very personal, yet that time of year in SA is still not the “summer” temperature range one hopes.

I’m doing that SA cruise also, and in addition to the outerwear already mentioned (shell, fleece, winter jacket, layers, hat, gloves), I’m bringing a hefty scarf and wearing my big UGGs. If I can bundle my neck against the wind, I’m usually fine. But I run cold. I’d rather be safe than sorry. I’d rather wear UGGs on an excursion and be toasty than regretting I’d left them back home!

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Yes, take the encouraging advice posted above. And prices are usually lowest on the sailaway so it is the best day to do the Spa then, in my opinion.

Have fun with your mom, what a special treat to enjoy a cruise together!! Such a gift.

From Virgin Voyages #ShipTease Facebook LIVE Facebook event...

 

dry dock ready for #shiptease!!!

 

Is this the countdown we’ve been anticipating all month? [emoji7]

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This isn't on the voting list but I really like the name Imperial Princess

I do as well.

 

 

 

Well said.....:):):)

 

 

 

Bob

 

 

 

I disagree.

 

This is an open cruise forum and cruisers are here on this thread to express sadness over terrorism and lives LOST at a common Med port o call.

 

Not discussing anyone's future cruise plans.

How terrible - so sad to hear, just heartbreaking that over a dozen lives were lost and many others injured at the hands of terrorists. I hope none of our fellow cruisers were involved as victims. It could have been any number of us.

We last were there in late May, and a local guy walked up Las Ramblas with a large sign at the height of a busy weekend market day which read: "THIS IS NOT TOURISM, IT'S AN INVASION"

I realize Barcelona is wealthy far beyond tourism, and can sustain itself apart from that industry, but I found it an unsettling sentiment.

It's not terrorism, and it's not a crime to be an idiot. But it's still one of the most unwelcome approaches to a main pedestrian walkway I've encountered recently. In English, no less.

Apologies for the double photo, tech issue.

The only reasonable suggestion I would make is a drive as you make your way to LAX, like an uber detour near LAX to the beach for a drive-by peek along Pacific Coast Highway or Marina del Rey. You'll fit right in because as the 80s song says, "nobody walks in LA".

Port to LAX for a 2p flight isn't that much wasted time in LA traffic (says a native gladly in exile ;)).

I agree to disembark after breakfast as late as possible and make your way to LAX with your bags and no rush. Breezy end and no LA stress.

Enjoy, and let us know about your cruise. [emoji568][emoji126]🕺🏻⚓️

Yes we had to cancel once, for one passenger, but not for a medical reason, so our situation doesn't match yours exactly.

We had standard Princess insurance. We called Princess and they walked us through our options. Ours were limited.

All the best to your wife and in your decision.

ALWAYS good travel planning to carry at least minimum standard insurance. ⚓️

Thanks @hi2you, I'll let the crew know! Ha

So I have travel news to share with you gals. Excuse my post cruise jetlag this morning [emoji126]🕺🏻⚓️

Let's discuss packing in the 3-1-1 carry on for a min. I know it's not fashion but it's part of our packing light. Because I found a nifty trick. If it helps one of you, then yay. Just YAY. That would be awesome.

Obviously these itty bitty 3-oz items don't last an entire month (as our original thread post here indicates - but many of us following this thread are traveling less than a month). {My hair, I mean don't even get me started on travel hair. That's a whole other thread.}

Yet the important personal toiletry items that we prefer to have along, we want to bring with us. If you wear makeup and contacts and hair products, it adds up quickly. Shopping on vacation is not for us planners. And besides while in port it's a challenge with time constraints to attempt to find what we need (nevermind what we want), and on board you may not like the brands available. That's the main obstacle - bringing along the brand you like. Call me picky. [emoji6]

Here's my most recent $5 3-1-1 solution, and it's gotten me through airport security checkpoints all over. Much to my amazement. I saw it early this year and wondered if it would work and it's been the best little purchase yet. But I still keep the 3-1-1 baggie with it. I don't know why. So I can pull out the baggie of tsa pulls me over and explain to them that I have 3-1-1 and keep most of my items, I suppose. [i got this bag at Target- or Walmart? (Not even a TJ Maxx overspend!) Now look, I know there are Nordstrom days and there are TJ Maxx days. If you are buying 3-1-1 bags at Nordstrom for your cruise, you are doing it wrong. Save your money for the wine bar. [emoji126]⚓️[emoji568]]

When I search the image online now, I don't see it. I'm sharing it because it's a little larger than the TSA baggie, enough to fit in a deodorant (if you like liquid gel, as I do) and a face moisturizer. Necessities. It also has a zipper and a handle. Once, due to a spill, I had to throw out my purse and stuff everything into a shopping bag temporarily and carry this 3-1-1. The handle was terrific in that situation.

As I said I have anticipated getting stopped, but now it's been a dozen times of passing through, so I am letting you all know... it's safe to pack this way. [emoji6] I'd hate to risk any of us getting called out by tsa while needing to board a flight. But I think it's acceptable, and I've taken this through tsa DFW, DAL, CLE, CAK, MDW, ORD, ATL, MCO, LGA, MIA, BCN, FCO, GRR, LAS, SJO, SFO. Since March. And I am pre-check, but only fairly recently. So I have been through main security lines in most of those airports. And even MCO recently because it never matters at MCO [emoji51]

At each location I just left the bag out next to my large purse in the tsa tray on the belt. No staff pulled over the tray at any airport. No sharp objects, nothing over 3-oz, you can see it's just toiletries. It's just a little more than the ziploc baggie.

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Thanks for these insights. Will put them to use.

I have a friend who is a Stitch Fix coordinator and I run everything past her. She's that fashion authority in my life, and I appreciate the cruiser forum here too! You ladies KNOW! [emoji4]

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Sorry - missed the chance to edit that post - I mentioned that a skirt is good for heat but then I shared the photo in baltics. Didn't seem to connect.

We had been in Med earlier that month, sweat pouring down my back all day.

As others in this thread have already mentioned, had to pack to accommodating the climate changes. Packing the skirt and leggings also allowed a break from predictable jeans in daywear.

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Also, just for giggles -- the reason I am thinking of two black shells is that for some reason it is virtually impossible for me to eat a nice dinner without spelling SOMETHING on myself, whether it's a tiny speck of salad dressing or a large drip of gazpacho. I am afraid if I take only one shell I will be washing it out every.single.night. :')

The knee-length skirts always help beat the summer heat, in my opinion.

And spilling is my specialty too - the wraps come in handy mainly to cover those up. Tossing it over the pesky spot like a sari and I'm set til I return to the cabin to wrestle it out. Or tops that are colorful prints - they hide meal spillage don't they. ;)

Carry on-only travel is not easy for me. I'm not a minimalist. (And when we went to SE Asia, I went in the opposite direction and didn't pack anything terribly formal at all (regrettably). And the gowns on board! I could've packed ONE...!)

So I appreciate these tips here! Am still striking the balance. And not wear only black.

So I just went to my friend's FB (because she posted too many photos last summer), and found this pic to share. Grey skirt alert. Friend took it of us in Copenhagen last July when she was mad with her selfie stick. And I'm wearing all my layers - lulu lemon leggings, grey skirt, jacket, and my wrap. I was coldest in baltics on this day. Mid July. Freezing my booty off! Our 2 adult kids with us (and my friend) gave me grief about my bright American trainers, and admittedly it was the only day I wore them outside the princess gym. But Hey, I was cold and my Birks weren't appropriate. And sitting in the cabin, though tempting, wasn't an option..

It was "warm", by Baltic standards, the remainder of the cruise so I didn't have to embarrass the crowds or countrymen forever....

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I'm trying to pack as light as possible

 

Anyone have advice on the least amount of extra pieces to include just for these evenings (8 in total) and how to dress? I am not a dress person, btw, so dresses are NOT in the mix. I'm thinking maybe 1 pair of dressy black pants and 1 black skirt, 2 black lightweight shells, and 4 different toppers (wearing each one twice). But that's an extra 8 pieces in addition to extra shoes+bag. :(

Sounds great overall, unfortunately that's just how it goes with having to bring along evening wear in addition to day wear, and I'd recommend choosing a variety of 4 colored tops (sleeveless and varied-sleeves) and bring a solid wrap and a print wrap as well. You can carry one heavy wrap the plane, if need be.

As a thought.. You may want to make the skirt is a grey. I wore a grey textured skirt a lot last summer, more than my black one.

Ballet flats. They can also be tucked into your carry purse, possibly? Mine can. They are not my favorite essentials - but I find them best to use on rainy days. They're not that comfortable on cement streets, for 15K-steps days. But they do air out well and are replaceable on bad weather days. I don't like ruining my athletic shoes, since I do spend money on those.

I think you can check Pinterest in how to pack for a week cruise, get some visuals, etc.

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That 4 month trip had an 18 day cruise on the front end and a 30 day cruise on the back end to get us from and to the US instead of flying. DH carried one pair of pants that would work for formal night and used a cotton blazer as a light jacket and formal night wear. I carried a couple of knit dresses (not much suitcase room required) that I could dress up or down for formal night wear. The important thing to us was that the clothes could be worn the entire trip. It is doable.

 

 

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I'm genuinely impressed, and that you didn't tire of them. Especially as you were away that length of time. That's what I find.

Last year we were away just a month (two European cruises, inland a week), but the repetitive evening wear was wearisome after a few weeks...Cruise dilemmas!

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