Ask4Jay

Lanyard: About 3 ft of lamp pull chain. You know, this pearly chain for old light fixtures. On board the Reception will punch a hole in one corner opposite the magnetic strip. If it’s a bit too long, tie a knot in it. That will add weight to keep the card from flapping in the wind. Any good hardware store should have the chain. I use the reamer on my Swiss Army Knife to drill the hole.

In 2009 I was sort of browsing online, looking for a cruis, any cruise. I found the Gem leaving in 28 days from Barcelona for New York. “Let me call and see if they have an aft balcony available.”

They did, and at a very attractive price. We had a deal. Flew out about three weeks later, spent a couple of days in Barcelona and cruised back to New York. And what a cruise. It was one of our most exiting TAs with winds of 57 kn and 28 ft waves.

Sorry, Bird, I cannot agree. Never had a spa cabin, but every one of our 13 TAs has been in an aft cabin. Did I mention that this is my totally unbiased opinion? :)

How tall is the shortest girl? In our balcony cabin we had one drop-down bed AND the sofa/bed. The sofa/bed comes in sections and is adjustable. The last section (at the foot end) is about 1 ½ ft long. If the shortest of the girls can get by with a short bed, you’ll be ok. We took our 12 yo grandson, and he preferred the shorter bed to the one under the ceiling.

The short bed allowed us to easily get to the balcony door. J

On our TA in October we had a little Hamilton-Beach single-cup coffee maker with Senseo coffee pods. Since DW prefers tea, I had the machine all to myself.

Liked it so much, we bought one as soon as we got home.

Out of 13 TAs, both ways, we had 3 brief periods of rough seas, which we enjoyed immensely. Not scary at all. We just got to realize how tiny and insignificant we are.

We are very fortunate, we do not get seasick.

@no real name

Good list, but you forgot the most important item:

Chocolate’ zHow could you?!

This does not apply on a cruise, but in hotels we take s ‘before’ picture of the contents and ‘after’ prior to check out. Never a dispute.

DW and I spent two weeks in our Getaway balcony cabin last November, cruising from Copenhagen to Miami. We had no fights, with each other or the sheets. Then again, at 83 we did exactly what is expected to be done between the sheets: we slept. Too tired to be clambering around with a tape measure in hand.

Kory, are you sailing to San Juan? According to my info there are 2 TAs on 11/22/19: Epic to San Juan, Star to Miami. I was considering the Star. Do I have incorrect info?

Agree. Nothing to be added.

@fastpitchdad -

Edith, she changed plans on you? Or was it really an edit?

Thanks for the chuckle. :)

No pop-ups on my iPhone6S . Have you taken a look at the settings on your phone? Try googling that question.

The absence of the Great Outdoors is a deal breaker for us. But - I’ve seen s few Gem departures from NYC.

I wish we wouldn’t all jump to conclusions without knowing the facts. We just read a newspaper article, albeit a very sympathetic one.

Do we know whether the DG just dumped them? If so, did she have a good reason? How long did the Waxes sit there before nudging NCL?

And let’s be careful with the ageism. They may be sharp as a whip, not fuddy duddies. Old folks make misteaks (see?) just as young folks do. DW and I are just 2 years younger, and you’re not keeping us at home. J

My hat is off to you, AutumnSky for your moderation. You are looking for a good cabin. Not the Best, just good. That’s is so refreshing. Most requests are just for the best .

Flexibility is the magic word. We are ready and willing to change the day, time or venue. Hey, we’re on a cruise, no schedule. Done 15+ cruises, never went hungry. On our last cruise we celebrated our 60th anniversary without advance reservations. Had a lovely dinner for 2, a little later than our usual dinner time.

Here’s to unpredictability

Napping on the balcony!

1. My favorite Travel companion, my wife

2. IPhone with recorded books and some music

3. One of those noise-cancelling over-ear Head Phone.

4. Small water bottles, filled

5. Survival food (bagels, dry or with hard cheese).

Not to take: any chocolate cookies. If one falls into your lap, there’s no way to find it in the dark and you find yourself with a brown spot exactly where you don’t want it.

Sailed in cabin 13304 from Copenhagen to Miami. Didn’t get run over by a truck. However, we had lousy weather the first three days. Should have moved down to a safer deck . .

The wine bottles must not have been opened. We bought a bottle of Port in Copenhagen and paid $15 prior to checking in for our TA to Miami last October. We had a relaxed sail-away for 4 on our aft balcony. $15 well spent.

I trust we are not talking about beverages for Hot Adults, no? Shucks, that leaves us two seniors out in the cold. Oh well . .

Happy cruising and New Year.

I put a limit of $200 cash transaction, at home and abroad. If out town, I get an “is this your charge? text within seconds. So far so lucky.

Thank you both.

Happy New Year. J

I am intrigued. Convenience aside, how does the cost compare when the airline charges $80 per suitcase?

Seriously consider medical evacuation coverage. We are in our 80s and don’t cruise without it. Thank goodness, so far it’s been for naught.