Mary229

10 hours ago, Heidi13 said:

 

Couldn't be further from the truth.

 

The quality ship owners implementing alternative energy for propulsion not most definitely not marketing initiatives. They are addressing real issues that are already being faced by the cruise industry, with the planned 2026 closure of some Norwegian Fjords being the next. Once Norway implements this closure, I don't expect it will be long before other jurisdictions follow suit. As the Chief so aptly posted previously, an increasing number of cities are banning cruise ships, so these non-CLIA members are building smaller ships and embracing technology to address the concerns. Hardly a marketing initiative.

 

Marketing is about selling your product, the quality ship owners are implementing these technologies, not to sell cruises, but to keep their ships sailing in the regions their pax wish to visit.

 

The old technologies mentioned in the CLIA report are cost saving, as I have experienced with the operation of my last command and managing a shipyard. The current technologies being implemented - fuel cells, batteries, solar were not available prior to my retirement, so I have no real data on costs. However, I expect they are not cheaper than LNG/Bunker Fuel, so potentially have higher capital and possibly operating costs.

 

If the cruise industry is so healthy, as per the CLIA report, why is Carnival's stock price plummeting. It has dropped about 25% in less than 1 month. I'll suggest a company's stock price is a vastly superior bellwether, as to a company's financial health, than a glossy marketing report from CLIA. 

You do understand that the lines have the option to mute the regulations by no longer sailing to certain ports.  That is an economic decision that can override engineering.  Lines are not building smaller ships to comply with various port regulations. Business planning far more complex than engineering.  
 

i never said that they were healthy, I said it demonstrates the financial health, no matter the condition of that health.  Gauging a line by stock price leads to the question of how are those lines without audited public accounting and no stock price gauged?

15 hours ago, Banditswife said:

bragging about their extensive travel, t

I enjoy engaging with those who have traveled extensively.  Sure they might be bragging but many are also very helpful in planning my time in port.  One of the wealthiest couples I ever met onboard gave us so many unique suggestions on how to travel independently once on shore.  They were delightful (and they enjoyed showing their wealth). It takes all kinds and if I start ignoring people who are quirky I will be a nation of one😉.  

What are you trying to pay for?  Things off invoice, that is, things in your cart must be purchased with one method or the other.  You cannot, for example, pay for shore excursions with both a gift card and a credit card.  

4 hours ago, Kristelle said:

 

 

I disagree

 

it isnt single minded and short sighted, just because it doesn't suit tourists. Or in the case of big cruise ships, hordes of tourists

 

Your post sounds rather patronising really.

 

Not everything can just be managed to make it work for tourists and there are people who prefer maintaining their way of life and their sacred sites  to being over-run by tourists and their money.

 

I am a tourist too of course and I love travelling - but I hope we are all aware we are intruding on other people's lands and lives and we try do so in a way that suits them, not expect them to suit us or think we are doing them a great favour by being there

And more basically the cost  to build new waste, water, utility, road, transportation and health systems may exceed the benefits tourists bring.  There used to be a concept of appropriateness (appropriate technology)  which is little used in public discussions but it does underly economic planning. 

3 hours ago, john2003 said:

We will do it in the ship. We are 4* so get the discount. I only asked as we like a bottle in the cabin and aren’t going to pay to carry it on. 

And you can buy that package from the first restaurant/bar personnel you encounter.  Anyone who sells the package gets some form of “reward” so if you have a favorite bar you can get it there as easily as the MDR

I nabbed a very sweet deal on one of my cruises a few months back and it is being honored.  I bought it quick!  Sunday seems to be the day to check

TripAdvisor used to send me all kinds of swag for writing reviews.  Now that they have their audience and we’re able to sell themselves to the highest bidder they don’t  have to do that anymore 

No, I haven’t ever had any pushback from locals especially when walking around independently.  Occasionally I will get on a transport bus where they drop you off at a remote location for some hours to walk around independently and it may overwhelm a small town.  No local has ever been rude but of course there may be stares.

Last time in Bar Harbor we were on a small group tour and the guide freely complained about the local and federal government hindering his business. 

On 10/21/2023 at 12:16 PM, crusinthrough said:

I would love this.  You use your cell phone for GPS information on Amtrak.  Honestly, it's the economy version of train travel.  

You can, just switch your map to public transportation.  Google tells me when my stop is approaching.  The best I heard of that should be included on the ship’s app is walking directions - at my sister’s workplace, a hospital, their app will tell you exactly where to walk to.  Like go straight, turn left in 100 feet, take elevator to 3rd floor, turn left and so on - that is great!

I think the lesson from FTX is that discussions of alternative energy are just marketing.  Of course the primary motivation is cost savings followed closely by regulation, the rest is window dressing.  
 

Demographics and sources of revenue speak to the financial health of the industry.  

The exploration cafe opens early also

I am a simple woman - crème brûlée, Pavlova and hot fudge Sunday (a recent discovery for me).  In the lido - bread pudding.  In Pinnacle - key lime pie.  In Canaletto - the gelato trio.   

10 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

The "fine print" details in the terms at the end of the offer will let you know if you can pay a deposit with balance due at a final due date or if it has to be paid in full.

If it qualifies for a deposit, you can use a FCD.

Safe travels  - enjoy your cruise! 

I was allowed to use FCD on a complimentary cruise for the $100 booking fee.  I chose not to as it was my last FCD but it was offered 

9 hours ago, Host Kat said:

 

Hello @liz4949

 

To me one of the main things not to forget to take with you when leaving the ship in a port of call is the contact information for the cruise line's local Port Agent. The Port Agent is the person or company you contact if for some reason you have some sort of problem in a port and will possibly miss the ship's departure. They help in other situations too.

 

The Port Agent's name, address and phone will be in the daily paper left in your cabin the day or night before and probably the ship's app on your phone. Or maybe it will be on your cabin's TV. Once you locate the information, take a good picture with your phone or a screenshot if the app. That way you will have the contact information off the ship if you aren't connecting your phone in the port of call. Or just take the page with you that contains the Port Agent's contact information for that port.

 

Hope this will be helpful!

 

Happy sails,

 

Host Kat

 

Yes, but other circumstances exist where you may find yourself in need of a consulate and a digital copy of that passport will be needed.  It is about timing and distance.  The port agent can only do so much.   In my complicated case I thankfully had my digital copy. There was recently a case on one of the islands where a woman was in a car accident and hospitalized for days.  She had no passport and could not fly home.  I don’t know if the port agent was called or could have helped. 

10 hours ago, 1985rz1 said:

Do you think that O might be on the hook for the airfare and hotel because they have a contractual agreement with the airlines and hotels for bulk rates that at some point are non-cancellable for them? I don't know, but I wouldn't be surprised if that were the case. 

Most lines will assume the responsibility if they cancel the cruise. This cruise has not been canceled .

it does bring up the question of where she was flying to and hotel location,   That flight may have been or will be canceled 

You can use your FCD.  If it is a discount, such as 5 - 30% then you pay on the normal schedule.  If it is a strongly discounted cruise such as free or $99 interior stateroom you will pay all upfront.   

My condolences.  
 

Many small agencies offer this service especially if they have a group offering.   Also as mentioned churches, civic organizations such as senior centers.  There are also agencies that specialize in senior travel who also can accommodate match ups including meeting people prior to sailing at a social where you can find someone with whom you are congenial.  If you can afford it the best option may be to seek a group and travel solo cabin  still having the companionship of the group for dining and shore activities 

I leave the passport in the safe but I do carry a digital image, stored in the cloud,  of my passport, my credit card, vaccination cards and my drivers license. You never know if you will be waylaid in a foreign port and might need consulate assistance. We were once stopped and separated from the cruise tour and it was uncertain whether we would be able to catch up with the ship prior to sailing.  You never know what will happen. 

1 minute ago, smelltheroses said:

We purchased air and hotel thru oceania

There is a gal on the Holland board who knows the airlines in and out.  Here are her instructions to me should I be in your same situation.  I am on American Airlines bought through cruise line.  Also go to the flights board, there are a bunch of experts over there. 

A workaround (only once tickets have been issued) can be to cancel the Oceana flights and rebook direct w/AA using the credit. The amount of credit you receive will be less change/cancelation fees,  so it will be less than what you paid. I only do that if the new flight is considerably less than the original cuz it's a process.

Hope it all works; safe travels  - enjoy your cruise!

Which airline are you using.  Most business class for US airlines is refundable in some form, perhaps by voucher but somehow creditable.  Most hotels are refundable unless you accidentally purchased a nonrefundable rate, oops!  Talk to the hotel and likely even if you did buy a nonrefundable rate the nonrefundable portion is likely only the first night.   

17 minutes ago, CHOPPERTESTER said:

Thx Mary229. I looked at Roger's menus but couldn't find anything else other than the Cellar 1/2/3 packages. I have read on CC that if they sell out of a wine in your package they will offer a substitute from a higher level package or even a wine not on any of the package lists. Sounds like that is what your MDR wine person set up for you.

There are plenty of wines onboard and you don’t have to buy from the list.  The price per bottle decides which category they fit in.  My point is you don’t have to buy from that prescribed list and therefore I wait until I board to see what truly is available 

27 minutes ago, Ipeeinthepools said:

 

It sounds like you doubt me.  😅   Yes, vaping can set off optical or ionization sensors but not heat sensors.

No, I wonder if it is truly allowed.  If I was going to vape I would bring a copy of the contract with me. 

4 minutes ago, Ipeeinthepools said:

 

Hopefully the vapor doesn't set off the fire alarm or sprinkler.

🤷‍♀️. I would hope someone who has real life experience might chime in.  I am not a smoker just simply curious. 

1 minute ago, CHOPPERTESTER said:

You are correct. What wine packages are there besides the 4/6/8 bottle cellar 1/2/3 packages? I might be interested.

There is some high level package which I don’t think allows substitutions. See Roger Jett’s page for menus.     We visit with the MDR wine person (formerly known as the sommelier😉) on the first or second night in dining.  We tell them what we prefer, do they have it onboard and which package level do I need to get that particular wine.   We have never been turned down 

The cruise contract says two things, this contract supersedes anything else written anywhere and two,  vaping is allowed inside the confines of the state room.  Who knew? I certainly did not.  
 

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/us/legal-privacy/cruise-contract

hint - search document for “smoking”