jmpiterniak

Going to Europe on a cruise, and we were told by Citibank that when we use our credit cards in port, there will be a charge if we buy things in Euros and have to have the credit card convert/do and exchange to US dollars when billing. Is anyone familiar with this?

Thanks in advance!

JoAnne

On 7/29/2019 at 12:17 PM, doone said:

I am planning a trip to Alaska, it was going to be land and then cruise, but looking at the pricing, I am finding it hard to justify the land and cruise and am honestly leaning towards just the cruise, perhaps heading upto Anchorage a day or two ahead and doing a bit of sightseeing on our own. 

 

For those of you who have done the land and cruise, what did you like and would you book a trip like that again.  

 

thanks, I appreciate you sharing your experiences.

We did land portion - 3 days and went to Denali. It’s a whole different side of Alaska from the cruise and so vast and beautiful. Highly recommend!!

1 hour ago, Krazy Kruizers said:

We have used a TA for over 26 years -- a live person that we can go and talk to or call her.  No online agencies for us.

 

We get better prices and more perks than HAL can give us.

We have a TA through our auto club and wouldn’t switch. We get nice comps and great customer service!

13 minutes ago, Zach1213 said:

 

To clarify, no matter when you check in, you never get seats assigned on Southwest. You get a boarding position, but never a seat assignment.

 

If I am around a computer or phone, I'll check in 24 hours in advance for any trip...but often I am elbows deep in an airplane fuselage doing work at 24 hours out, so I usually just say "the hell with it" and check in at the airport. No problems so far.

Very good to know!  I’ll check in for the outbound flights just to be safe but for  return, (back to reality!) flights I won’t.

1 minute ago, Zach1213 said:

 

There really isn't likely a reason you need to check in ahead of time. Just arrive a few hours early at the airport and do it there. I've never heard of an airline checking people in over phone...then again, never tried it.

 

Seriously, just do it at the airport.

Agree...think the 24-hour thing was stuck in my mind from having flown Southwest in the past, when you had to check in ahead to get seats assigned. We have seats so there really is no need! 

42 minutes ago, FlyerTalker said:

Yep....just put in all your personal details over an unsecured wifi connection in Italy.  And Naples no less.

 

You will still need to do a full document check at FCO - so why do you need to do OLCI?

Wow good point at that!! I’ll try to call the airline and will probably check in via telephone if that’s available. Thanks for pointing this out!

Hi everyone!

We're on the HAL Nieuw Statendam Mediterranean Mosaic Sept. 27 to Oct. 7. We fly out Oct. 7 from Rome back to the US. This means we need to do our flight check in on Oct. 6 when we're in Naples. I'm assuming we'll find Wi-Fi somewhere so we can take care of this on the airline app. What if we can't? Just trying to cover my "what if" items here, thanks!

JoAnne

Haven’t heard back from travel agent on this one but am hoping HAL will instruct us on the daily sheets...

We’re on the Nieuw Statendam Mediterranean Mosaic sailing Sept. 27th. It’s RT from Rome but goes to several countries - Croatia, Montenegro, Greece, Italy.

Do we bring our passports off the ship for customs /ID at each port? I’m thinking we must have to ... anyone know?

Thanks!

Loving this....on the Noordam next week, so excited. Thank you!!!

JoAnne P :cool:

if you don't get any responses, try calling the Chamber of Commerce of each town. They're familiar with the local retail outlets and who sells what.

Terrific idea, thanks!!!

This is on my shopping list...a totem or Native American style birdhouse. Anybody remember seeing anything like this?

Stopping in Ketchikan, Skagway, Juneau, Anchorage, Fairbanks. Thanks in advance!!

JoAnne P :cool:

Fantastic...can't wait to check it out on the Noordam, thanks!!

Just wondering if anyone's seen ATK on Noordam yet. Believe this is fleet-wide in the next few months, but was hoping we'd see ATK when we sail on the 18th. Thanks!

JoAnne :cool:

Thanks so much!! We are on the same - Noordam northbound - in a few weeks and all info is appreciated!!

JoAnne

Thanks for the info! Travel agent told us to board at 11 after we check out of the hotel (and buy wine!). Since we're cruise first timers we will probably do that...

Hi all,

We're US citizens flying into Vancouver for a one way cruise into Alaska with land + sea Denali tour. I know we have to go through customs at Vancouver airport. Will we need to go through customs again when we board the ship, get into Alaska waters or at our first port? Just curious, thanks!!

JoAnne :cool:

Following!!! Am doing the same trip in reverse on Noordam!

JoAnne :cool:

That's a shame...would be helpful to lots of people I'm sure!!!

Saw excursions for this year a month or so after last years Alaska season wrapped...Oct/Nov. If you book on your own, Viator does a 20% Black Friday sale...

Hubby and I are foodies!!! Thought I heard that on embarkation, menus for the week are available so we can plot our meal strategy. Anybody familiar with this? Thanks!

JoAnne :cool:

Drooling...will book now!!!

Thanks everybody!

JoAnne

Curious on this as we are trying to pack in as many experiences as possible during our 7 days on the Noordam during our cruise tour. Don't want to commit to PG during a port day...understand Friday is the MDR gala...was thinking Friday lunch for Pinnacle. Is the menu the same at lunch as dinner? Please advise, thanks!

JoAnne:cool:

These are so great - thank you! We're doing Noordam with the land tour so I'm happy to hear your impressions and get your advice. Thanks!

Thank you...my rose awaits!!!