Mary229

Off topic for sure but airports are first built to aid commerce, ie the business traveler. Tourists are beneficiaries of those activities and are secondary. If tourism becomes the primary economic activity then yes that would be the underlying commercial consideration but that likely only accounts for 10% of the world’s airport

So I guess it is time to register our dissatisfaction on social media. I use Twitter and will comment there. If anyone is on Facebook leave a comment there. It wouldn’t hurt to leave comments addressed to CCL either

Big storms can cause bird drops when migrating birds are blocked from their feeding grounds https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bird_fallout

I think the focus for us is not the airport baggage fees it is the moving the luggage around. I want one hand free always for balance and stability. Hurrying through airports, onto trains, up a flight of steps can be accomplished with my current system. Adding luggage would hinder movement.

I question the usefulness of AirTags also. So I know where it is that doesn’t mean it is going to get to me. To appease my travel companions I have one but it is totally unnecessary

It depends on how much pre or post travel I plan. If it is a simple arrival by single flight onto ship I carry whatever I want. I did ditch the 28 luggage and when I do check it is a 26 inch case. My two carryons are a backpack (personal item) and a handheld. Truly most everything I need will fit into those two carryons but if I want the extras they go into the 26 inch. If I have all three one is on my back (or front if an insecure area) and I pull the 26 inch with the handheld draped across the top. The bonus to checked bags is I can carry the liquids I want instead of relying on ship toiletries - I cruise for 3 weeks at a time minimum and I like my small comforts

Another vote for Norway.

It is just tea served in the MDR with cakes and scones. As much as I don’t like Oceana they could take a note from them and offer tea in a more congenial atmosphere with live soft music. You could just as well go to the lido and fix a cup of tea and grab a cookie for the same ambiance available in the MDR

They have not woken up to the fact that they are a retail operation, they still think of themselves as a service industry. In this age of internet commerce everyone is a retail outlet. Website outages are the death of retail. A customer shouldn’t have to clear caches and try different browsers. When customers change browsers they could just as well change cruise line. For the most part the lines are all interchangeable. My micro business had four internet outlets, I can count on one hand how many times I had any kind of glitch in 15 years of online commerce and I did most of the web design - I used a website builder. This really isn’t rocket science. If I can do it, anyone can - I had absolutely no interest in computer/internet technology but as a business it was a tool I had to master just like I had to master accounting. There is no excuse. It is sloppy and bad form. They need to treat their customers better.

From what rumor is this is exactly the problem. All CCL lines have been outsourced to a single company

I seem to recall @CruiserBruce being the recipient of rather unique towel animals a while back. He must be a VIP 😉

Someone did mention on one of these threads that CCL had hired a single group to manage all websites. I guess they misunderstood and read mangle instead.

Seabourn - same glitches

They aren’t allowed on any HAL ship here is the verbiage. Note the ability to block at will PREMIUM INTERNET PLAN - 7 DAYS Whether emailing friends or streaming videos, enjoy truly premium, unlimited access throughout your voyage—at a savings of at least 50% compared to the daily rate—with our Premium Internet Plan. All onboard Internet usage is subject to Holland America Line standard policies, which may limit browsing of some sites due to network security and bandwidth usage. Applications that use high bandwidth may be blocked and offerings are subject to change with or without notice. The plan can be activated on any device but only one device can be actively connected at a time, the rate calculation is based on prorating the voyage package by length.

The difference in chocolates could be related to category. Bruce, thanks for the Canaletto report. I will sure to order an extra side of butter

If you are a hiker and whale watcher St Anthony is a fine location on its own. There are well defined trails and even a Viking long house you can visit without going the distance to the meadow. We found the locals very engaging. One year on the VOV we did it independently with no rentals, tour guides or shore excursions. I would give St Anthony a thumbs up.

Please use the feedback button on the left margin. They need to hear from us or they are totally oblivious.

Some of the popular YouTubers were on a HAL ship this past winter and discussed that HAL had actually fit the hull cleaning into the schedule and passed inspection unlike other lines who were delayed.

You can survive without it. I like my technology but it really isn’t necessary. no matter what phone you bring it is of utmost importance to put it into airplane mode as soon as you step on the ship. The ocean based roaming charges can be very large. If you don’t know how to do that just shut the phone down. For emergency purposes give home the Holland America emergency number. These are for emergencies only and the ship will call your room phone or send someone down depending on urgency. Business Hours: 206-626-9000 After Hours & Holidays: 1-800-628-4771 or 1-206-286-3294

To further back up Dave’s post here is a direct quote from the Mariner website When you cruise with Holland America Line, you’re automatically enrolled in our Mariner Society®. As a member, you’ll earn Cruise Day credits for every day you cruise and for each purchase you make onboard. Earn bonus credits when you pay a published fare for a suite or penthouse and for each $300 in eligible onboard purchases.*

You will simply need to show a single statement showing ownership, that statement should be no older than 6 months old.

As an aside to this discussion, no matter if you book your own or through flight ease if nonstop is available - book it, at least on your way to the ship. I would go so far as to fly to the intermediate city a day early so that the flight would be nonstop. On the way home I am not so picky but when I am going I pay the extra.

And that was the issue in Key West. The town’s impact also impacted the state and the state had and does provide a lot of funding to the city, some of that to build the port facilities which had brought much of the prosperity. It seems Bar Harbor must not have accepted a lot of funding for port activities from either the state or federal government so have not been challenged by those entities.

I am sailing next summer and what I have done is book flight ease in case there is a sudden upswing in prices. I will likely book my own in a few months just before final payment. The flight ease booking serves as a hedge while I keep looking. I generally only use FE for international flights

I likely share your political bent but there are environmental issues outside of the popular ones. Problems like water shortages, waste water treatment, garbage disposal. Those are environmental issues and may be very expensive for small communities.