Heidi13

Affirmative, I haven't found a Canadian bank/credit union that will accept notes from any of the Scottish banks that issue them, only Bank of England.

Crossed the Atlantic way too many times and experienced everything from flat calm to storm force. Expect something in the middle of those extremes.

Maybe they didn't get the "Thick ear" as a memory aid to future conduct.😁

Liquid lunch is provided on the top deck of the Storehouse, as each ticket is exchanged for a pint. It has been 4 yrs since our last visit, with tours being self-guided at your own speed. You also visited whatever attraction was of interest. We probably spent about 3 hrs, as DW doesn't drink beer, I scored 2 pints. As Jim noted, Temple Bar is a great place for lunch and more refreshments.

I have brought Scottish notes back to Canada inadvertently a couple of times and our banks will not accept them. I'll suggest the US banks are similar, probably only accepting Bank of England notes. Therefore, if you request "Pounds and/or Sterling", your US bank will most likely provide you with Bank of England notes. As others noted, no need to worry, as Bank of England notes and any of the multiple bank issued notes in Scotland can be used anywhere that accepts cash.

This may be another example where standards are different in the USA, as I was brought up in the same country as KBs Mum, where we were taught that gentlemen don't wear hats indoors and there were no exceptions. Woe betide you, should you forget.

I tried to keep my photos between 200 - 350 K, not only to reduce the size of the blog post being uploaded, but also to reduce the required storage at Wordpress. If I uploaded 2 M, or greater photos, I would quickly run out of storage and have to pay more to Wordpress. Since most are reading blogs and looking at photos on a phone, ipad or laptop the difference in reduced file size isn't really noticeable.

Unfortunately, in our experience which insurance company you use makes a huge difference, especially when you have a claim. Some are reasonable when determining coverage, while others deny claims after searching extensively through your medical history, for the smallest details. We have experienced claims approved in a few days, but 1 claim that should have been simple took 6 months, as they tried to find a loophole to deny it. Every insurance policy purchased is great value, provided you don't need to submit a claim. Real value is only determined when you submit a claim, which is why I utilise the services of an insurance broker, not a travel agent, to assist in finding the right coverage with a company that has a good reputation for claims approval.

What is the size of each image taken by your phone?

Affirmative, on both camera bodies, I can save both RAW & jpg versions of each image. However, I found it doesn't save much time, as I select and move the images I will include in the blog to a working folder, then complete a batch conversion in the background, while I work on other things.

A question for those pax aboard the Neptune, as I am frequently reading of complaints with challenges using the wi-fi. I have also noted many, many photos being posted from the ship, both on the multiple blogs and the multiple FB groups DW reads. To those posting photos, are you posting photos straight from your phone/camera, or are you compressing. The photos from my cameras are 30-40 megs, but before posting to the blog, I convert them to jpg, shrink them to 1024 pixels on the longest side and compress them to about 300K for uploading. On the couple of times I forgot to compress a photo, it wouldn't upload. Are you posting photos straight from the camera, or shrinking and compressing them in post processing? If posting straight from the camera, what is the average size of the photos being uploaded.

Just did a quick search and Australia has a Coasting Trade Act 2012, although the Government has been contemplating amendments, easing some of the restrictions. Based on a quick read, it is closer to the Canadian Coasting Trade Act than the US PVSA. Similar to Canada, foreign flag vessels can request a temporary permit to operate in the coastal trade. Provided no Australian flagged ships are available, I suspect applications are granted. This is similar to the R/T sailings out of Vancouver, which technically are in contravention of the Coasting Trade Act. Therefore, in Australia, based on what I just read, shipowners can apply to the Minister to operate in the Coastal Trade with a foreign flagged ship, or they can stop in Bali, or another foreign port. When I completed a full season Australian cruising, we never carried pax from 1 port to another. It was always R/T Sydney, with calls in SE Asia or South Pacific islands.

The US is discussed frequently, but most coastal nations have some type of Cabotage Laws. In Canada we have the Coasting Trade Act, which in some cases is more restrictive than the US. I haven't studied Australian Laws, but I suspect you have a similar law, as foreign flagged ships when cruising around Australia all stop in Bali, or another foreign port.

Hi Char, The US PVSA only considers your ports of embarkation and disembarkation, they do not take into consideration if you booked multiple cruises. Boarding in New York and disembarking in Milwaukee will require a stop at a distant foreign port, which unfortunately is not possible. Therefore, this is in contravention of the PVSA. If you continue from Milwaukee and disembark at a Canadian port, it would be legal.

Ship - looking for ships with pax capacity of 750 to 1250 and a pax/space ratio of at least 45, preferably over 50. Also looking for a traditional ship with regular pools, no waterslides/wave riders, etc. Also not interested in ships with graffiti painted on the hulls. Inside - looking for clean and understated. Crew/Pax ratio - looking for 2:1 or better. Itinerary - I've been to most of the ports at least once already, so I look for multiple days in ports and longer hours, if only a single day. Preference is smaller ports, without multiple ships in port, especially mega ships. All-inclusive - preference is for a more inclusive cruise, not interested in the constant nickle & diming. Victuals - looking for good quality and service. All restaurants to be included, including 24/7 cabin service Entertainment - not interested in glitz shows, as we can get them ashore. Prefer good performances from the entertainment team, singers and band, supplemented by reasonable guest entertainers. Not interested in wacky pool games, marriage shows, etc. Lectures - want to attend lectures learning about the destinations Laundry - option for ship's laundry or self-service machines. Flights - will embark anywhere with a maximum of 1 flight connection.

The sun is only overhead at meridian altitude (Noon) when the ship's latitude is the same as the sun's declination. Since the latitude of New York is about 40 degrees and at the end of April, the sun is still only about 11 degrees north, it will be at a higher altitude than November, but not close to being overhead. Depending on courses, the sun will be on the Stbd side in the afternoon. The altitude (height) of the sun also depends on the ship's clox and the time of meridian altitude, which is when the sun is at its highest point. If meridian altitude is before noon, by mid-afternoon the sun will already be at a lower altitude, whereas when meridian altitude is about 13:00, the sun is at a higher altitude mid-afternoon.

Any light shining fwd negatively impacts the bridge team's night vision. If you wish to open the blackout curtains, you must ensure that all the cabin lights are turned off. We had no issue using the balcony at night, we just turned of the lights in the living room/dining room.

Being an industrial/port area there is nothing close to the port. Going into London for just the morning to be back for an afternoon tour is also not worth the time. You will need a taxi to the train station, then it is 40 - 50 mins to Fenchurch Street Station by Tower Hill. Note - Fenchurch St Stn has no underground station, so the walk to Tower Hill underground is about another 10 mins. If you want to do London on your own, I suggest you cancel the tour and spend the day, returning prior to all aboard. Otherwise, you may want to consider catching the adjacent small ferry over to Gravesend for the morning, which is across the river.

Affirmative, but the last time we used them, the pre-ordered ones that were posted, could not be returned for a refund of the cost of the card.

Sorry, but I don't agree that you are being forced to hire a private car from LHR to Tilbury, as other options are available. Arriving early a day or two early is a highly recommended risk mitigation, but as with all risk mitigations, it may result in other consequences. In addition to public transport, which is readily available in London, you could have booked the pre-cruise extension with Viking, which does include transfers. Travelling with bags on public transport can also be avoided by contracting with Airportr, to pick up your bags at LHR and ship them to your hotel. We have used this service, finding the cost of shipping bags and taking the tube, was less than getting a car hire to a London city hotel. Personally, we would either stay at the Sofitel T5 and book an executive car to Tilbury the next day, or ship our bags to a hotel at Tower Hill, taking the tube to the hotel, then next day book an executive car. If we elect to arrive early, then the responsibility is ours to reach the cruise terminal. Nobody would be forcing us to arrive early, or to hire a car. it would be personal choice.

Provided you have a contactless/tap card with no FX fee, I'll suggest it is personal preference. Personally, my preference is to purchase an Oyster card, upon arrival. Last time in London, we did this at LHR, paying the deposit and loading it with money. When we departed LHR, I went to the office, handed in both Oyster Cards and received an immediate refund in cash for the balance and cost to purchase the card. When using the Oyster card, I don't need to remove my Visa from the protective aluminium lined cover, opening it up to potential scanners in the vicinity of the turnstiles. While we do carry a back-up Visa, we normally travel for extended periods, so want to reduce the risk of the primary Visa being compromised.

How does your TA know your risk tolerances, medical conditions, etc. Do you create and provide a detailed Statement of Requirements (SoR) to your TA, so they can determine what policy best meets your needs. May I suggest that sitting down with a number of local insurance brokers, to discuss your requirements and receiving quotes from them would be a better option, especially if you had to submit a significant claim. Every insurance policy, even cheap ones are excellent, until you submit a claim. From experience, it pays to have completed your research and know what is covered and more specifically, what isn't covered. I know our TA very well, having used her for a number of years, but she doesn't know enough about us to recommend an insurance policy.

Sorry, but by accepting vouchers, with the exception of the initial vouchers, you relinquished all rights to the cash you paid Viking. The initial vouchers had an option of cash back, if unused for 2-years, but once used on a booking, the cash option was removed. Viking offered 25% then 10% incentives for pax to accept vouchers, rather than cash refunds. By accepting the vouchers, you effectively invested (sold) your cash with Viking, in return for a voucher and were subject to those terms and conditions. Therefore, by accepting the vouchers, you have no rights to getting your cash refunded. While the vouchers are single use only, as per the T&C, Viking have moved vouchers when a cruise is moved. We have experienced this twice, with a voucher initially used on a river/ocean combo, then moved to an ocean B2B and finally moved to a World Cruise. While not permitted under the T&C, many agents will use some discretion, provided you rebook another cruise. You can't cancel and expect return of the vouchers, but you might find an agent who will book a new cruise using the same booking number.

Lots of craft breweries in Vancouver, so that would be my vote.

Affirmative, the PP is right above the cruise terminal. When are you in Vancouver? If we are home, are you interested in a couple of local brews and swapping P&O stories?