9tee2Sea

If want a no brainer when off ship ( don’t have to figure where to go, any language barriers, transportation headaches, etc) I will do a ship shore excursion. Like everything, prices everywhere have gone up ( could be due to gas ,wages, insurance, road taxes, port taxes). It's just the price of doing an excursion. I prefer to get off ship and just walk around, or find a local guide at the port, but lately, I have been doing shore excursions and enjoy them just the same. It's all about the “new economy”. gotta get used to it

I don't think I have sailed on GTY. I would rather pay the extra fee to choose my cabin. Always go to a cruise ship deck mapping website to see where the worst cabins are located. What may be horrible for one, might not be that bad for another. Personally, I would not want a cabin right by the stairs or elevators, but maybe folks with mobility issues might want those cabins ( close to the elevators).

rbintigger……..so sorry to hear. That has happened to me on two occasions. Prayers to you and your family

I would call the counter and ask that question. Im pretty sure it wont be that hard to catch a ride share near a car rental return location

If I were you, I would just go to the hotel you are staying at post cruise. Usually i the front reception area, there will be tour information ( hop on hop off, Universal Studio ,etc). Unless you have a very specific sight to see ( Los Angles is a VERY BIG place, lots of traffic and you must need GPS), I would do the Hop On Hop Off tour the day you get in , then see if there is anything else you want to explore further. Believe it or not, there is a Subway that takes you many of the sights ( Hollywood Bl, Downtown LA, DIsney Hall/Music Center). Long Beach is also a very good place to explore for a day or two. I use an app called Rome2Rio. Plug in my location and destination, gives me all the options of how to get there ( Public transport, drive, walking, train) along with route and times

I sort of inherited a few Caruso Albums. Still have them in a box somewhere. But once i got a CD player, I gave away to Salvation Army all my old Punk Rock Albums. There were a few boxes. Now with online streaming music, no need for anything except a phone and bluetooth.

looks like LA is getting ready for the Olympics in 2028. Hope they have a foot ferry in the planning for drop offs from Long Beach - San Pedro

My mom just Loved Tom Jones. You might remember he had a variety show on TV back in the days ( might have been Saturday nights). When my folks would go out on Saturdays, my Mom would ask me to sit in front of the Tv and use the tape recorder ( with the microphone on a stand) and record any songs that he sang on TV. She would listen to those tapes while in the kitchen.

nope. they were 4 track ( predecessor to 8 track). Much smaller than 8 track cartridges and only two sides. They were just a bit larger than a a big pack of cigarettes.. The 8 track cartridges were much longer. I should have kept the whole set up, might be valuable ( but Im not a hoarder, so if I dont need it, out it goes).

I should have remembered that. Im was never a fan of The Beatles. I did have all their albums on 4 track ( does anyone remember those). They stole too much style from Chuck Berry

on the Ncl website, it states that will try to give you no more than 2 layovers. Look at all the flights from your airport - destination. That will give you an idea of departure, arrival times. If any of those flights work, then there will be no issue. Personally, I only use NCL Air for overseas. Sometimes you can get better Coast to Coast rates by booking yourself. Especially flying in a day or two early.

i will never order from a menu available only via smartphone. Print is too small, cant look at all the items so I can decide what to order. I have walked out of many US restaurants that only choose to have me use my smart phone to order. I also make sure to tel the Manager that they are going to lose customers by going only digital. What's wrong with having about 12 printed menus if some one asks?

NCL ( on some newer ships) have the Cavern Room ( Or Cavern Club). It's supposedly a replica of the venue in London where many R&R bands played. It's a very small venue, and quite loud, but you do get the early R&R vibe. On NCL they mostly use it for the Beatles show ( from their beginnings to the Sargent Pepper phase). There are other nights where the band plays different eras

yes. if you got it...flaunt it.

I was on one cruise pre-christmas cruise ( dont remember the cruise line). The Christmas decorations were being put up during the cruise, and once they were all done, they had a big get together in the Atrium. We sang Christmas Carols, had hot Apple Cider, and they even had snow falling ( it was real snow, not the fake stuff) from the ceiling for a short time. Very fun and un-expected.

I cant imagine eating pizza ( or anything) after midnight. Brings back memories of my party days. Dancing till the clubs closed ( 2am), then going for Tommies Burgers ( greasy chili burgers) afterwards. Not in the cards any longer.

I believe when checking in (online) there is a box to check were you are allowing everyone under the reservation to be charged to the same credit card. If you don't check the box, the you can set up individual payments to cabins. Verify the payment situation when you check in in person at the desk, where you receive your key cards

here's an idea..if your neighbors in the connecting room are friendly ( take the anyway you wish), just leave the door unlocked and have memorable cruise

it may be at 60% capacity for now, but once final payments are made, the 90 day ticker begins for discounted rates ( which must be paid in full at time of booking). Also keep in mind that 5 day cruises are perfect gifts for some companies to give to their employees, so your cruise just may be fuller on sail away date. But if it's not full, be happy. Not much wait time in bars/restaurants.

sometimes its more cost efficient to just pay for the cruise instead of gambling money to get a free cruise. I like to gamble ( slots) I bring whatever i feel comfortable losing ( it's rare I win, but I have won some big jackpots to pay for the cruise). I got a drinks on us while in the casino offer, but still decided to get the drink package so I can drink anywhere, any time.

Uber/Lyft

you can also file a dispute with your credit card company on the non-refunded amounts. If Princess docent respond in the specified time frame, the Credit Card Company will reverse the charges you were charged. Much easier than trying to have a person respond to your inquires

If you choose to sail out of Barcelona, just learn 1 simple question to ask. Habla Ingles? Do you speak English. Also, once you get to your Hotel, take a business card from the Hotel with you. If you get lost ( which is easy), just show the card to someone and they will know what you are trying to do ( talking from experience)

Escargot in Le Bistro.

I cruise because I HATE driving vacations. I DO NOT enjoy being a nervous passenger, or driving on unfamiliar roads. I do not enjoy the congestion and unknown traffic rules in foreign places. I enjoy the ease of just getting to my port, walking off to explore, or taking a shore excursion. I enjoy the total relaxation while on a cruise ( no cooking, cleaning, no time commitments). I enjoy meeting new people on a cruise ( even if I never talk to them again..but occasionally a friendship is made). I enjoy hearing from other cruisers about new destinations to see, or places I have wanted to go to. I don't cruise for the food ( Im a pretty good cook) or the on board entertainment.. If I could take an around the world cruise, I would jump at it. But as of now, 2-3 week get away is all I can do