Middleager

I usually wear XL, but the NCL robes were fine for me. For my wife, she finds them a little too long and so always fold the sleeves (she's 4' 11.5"; Shhh, she keeps saying she's 5'1")

They asked you to accept or decline?! That's new to me. I'd love to have that, because that allows me to look for alternatives and if I find something better I can cancel the NCL proposed flights. 75 days out usually would allow you to find alternatives to decide.

Contact the tour op. Most would not charge, or refund if they pre-charge, if ship cannot make port. That's what happened to us for the 2021 TA cruise when we didn't make port.

We were on a 2021 TA cruise, westbound, and our stop to Ponta Delgada got cancelled due to high waves. Last year we had a cruise ending in Lisbon. We stayed a few more days in Lisbon, then trained to Porto. Then flew to Ponta Delgada for 3 days, before flying to Toronto. During those two full days in Ponta Delgada, we took two full day tours, both in mini-van. They were inexpensive, included lunch, and we went to many places, some place you can walk around a bit or the guide took us to see place which wouldn't happen with a big bus tour. Even if we were on a cruise, we'd almost always go to non-ship excursions. They have even more need to get you back to the ship in time, otherwise their reputation is toast.

It does depend on the fare class you got for the segments. Even in economy, there are still different fare class. Being a member of AC aeroplan (I'm a member), unless you're in their elite class, doesn't give you any more right to choose seats on some class of economy fare. We recently bought tickets and most of the segments are on AC, and on some segments we can choose seats free, while on some segments at a different class fare we'd have to pay if we want to choose seats. That generally applies to other airlines.

AC Rough Rogue seats, no thanks. I've had it once San Diego to Toronto. I'll stay away as much as possible. It's a scam aeroplan charges the same redemption points for those awful awful rough rogue seats as mainline AC planes.

I've encountered several times the machines not able to read my Nexus card. Sometimes I try another machine, then it works. But if two machines don't work, we then walk to the CBSA agent. We also haven't filled out ArriveCan app any more.

We have had two successful upgrade bids, but that was in the earlier days of cruises resuming from the pandemic. Of course there were other unsuccessful bids. NCL said they sent to you the successful upgrade in error. That is not right. If they found out they have no room to upgrade you to (after other cascading upgrades), then they cannot offer you an upgrade room, but should provide some compensation, at least some OBCs. But if they do have room to upgrade you to, that's very bad of NCL.

Which sailing? I just checked a cruise in Nov/23, and YYZ is certainly available as an airport to choose from.

Didn't know this can be done. How do you do that?

yes

I always ask my wife and pack little, wear little. She doesn't listen to me though.

True, for some of the fares. For the fares we've bought through NCL, with several airlines, we've always been able to pay to select seats in advance. Maybe we were lucky and haven't gotten fares where they don't allowing selecting seats even if you want to pay.

Every few days someone would ask a question like this, even though there are already tons of threads with lots of answers. We bought airfare with NCL before, worked out fine, much cheaper. You'll get the cheapest fare, sometimes no luggage included. One time we got red-eye flight coming back from San Diego to Toronto. Seats together -- you can pay if you want that, just like with any other airline tickets you buy these days. Upgrades, if you have status and/or want to pay, and if the fare class allows. We never take ship transfers. We always arrange our own, often uber, much cheaper and just your group at your own time. No need to wait for a big bus to fill up, and may go around to many terminals (e.g. LAX has 9 terminals).

I always thought it was really luxurious to have 2 times daily room cleaning. Many hotels are now not doing any service for short stays, and even for longer stays only on request. So ships going once a day is still quite good.

We did some research before hand. Yes definitely add another day if you can. The biggest tips I'd give is to book the early morning Vatican museum tour that starts before it opens to the public. It's a lot quieter. Our mother-in-law went before the pandemic, and said when they walked into the Sistine Chapel, there were hundreds of people behind, pushing them forward. You cannot stand still. Everyone had to keep on moving and you really didn't have to time enjoy. When I tell people that inside the Sistine Chapel we had 25 minutes to sit, walk around, and just enjoy in awe, they were surprised.

In another thread I just posted the following, as we did a 2d deviation to Rome prior to cruise: We stayed near Piazza Navona. We walked to Tiber river, saw the Vatican at a distance, Justice Dept., then walked to the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain (and more), and the Pantheon. A big bus won't be able to go to those places easily. Next morning we walked by Castel Sant'Angelo, St. Peters Sq, then the Vatican Museum. We bought the tickets for small group tour before it opens to the public. It was a very nice tour, without other tourists/crowd, and we got to spend 25 minutes inside the Sistine Chapel (just in awe). We then had breakfast inside the Vatican Museum. After that, saw a bit more of the Vatican Museum, before taking uber to the Colosseum. There we took a tour that included going to see the underground. Then went to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, bought the English audio self-guide for that.

We stayed near Piazza Navona. We walked to Tiber river, saw the Vatican at a distance, Justice Dept., then walked to the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain (and more), and the Pantheon. A big bus won't be able to go to those places easily. Next morning we walked by Castel Sant'Angelo, St. Peters Sq, then the Vatican Museum. We bought the tickets for small group tour before it opens to the public. It was a very nice tour, without other tourists/crowd, and we got to spend 25 minutes inside the Sistine Chapel (just in awe). We then had breakfast inside the Vatican Museum. After that, saw a bit more of the Vatican Museum, before taking uber to the Colosseum. There we took a tour that included going to see the underground. Then went to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, bought the English audio self-guide for that.

Tip? If you want flights together for these people in different cabins, buy. What if more people want to be together?

We don't take cruiseline provided airport transfers. We've taken uber/taxi, rented our own vehicles, or arranged own transfers. Cruiseline transfers are at higher price, usually needing to wait for big bus to fill up, and can be more waiting for drop-off at multiple terminals (e.g. LAX has 9 terminals).

That transaction would be difficult to explain.

South Beach. I remember the time when we visited and there was a special at one of the restaurant for big glass of cocktail. I ordered. When the bill came, instead of showing Big Cocktail $xx.xx It abbreviated, or just didn't have enough space,, so didn't show "tail".

We rented a car and drove. Yes there are twists and turns, but mostly easy enjoyable driving.

No microwave. Nothing for guest use.

Plats get 2 bags on a 12 day cruise. We were just on one. My wife and I each get 2 bags.