Hlitner

We have generally avoided rail in favor of rental cars. Trains are fine for getting between Point A and Point B, but other than pressing your nose against a window you miss out on everything between those points. A car also makes it somewhat easier to move one's luggage. Japan is also somewhat unique in having an amazing luggage shipping system. In that country, you can ship your luggage (many times done overnight) between two points and than take their excellent trains without the burden of anything more than some light carry-on. The cost of shipping is quite reasonable (last year we sent two large bags from Tokyo to Kyoto for less then $60. But, in Europe, we do think trains are very overrated (some will flame me for taking this position). Consider that you will seldom never find anyone to help you with luggage (in Europe). For some folks, just lifting their luggage onto some trains can be difficult and leaving your luggage at the end of the car (the storage method on many trains) does cause some security concerns (luggage thieves are not uncommon). There is also the issue that European trains cannot get you to many desirable places. Just consider a popular town such as San Gimignano where there is no train station. One would need to take a local train to the closest station and then wait for a bus or hire a taxi, just to get to this walled town. or consider that many of the best parts of France can only be accessed by vehicle (be it a bus or car). On the other hand, being able to take the train between London and Paris is fast, relatively easy, and convenient if one is just visiting those two cities or needs to move between the UK and the continent. Speaking of trains, as much as we love to cruise, I do think many cruisers are kidding themselves when they think its a great way to see a country. We have long suggested that our idea of a perfect trip involves both cruising and driving. So, for example, a long TA cruise from the USA to somewhere in Europe followed by a few weeks of driving can open up most of the continent. River cruises are also another option in Europe (and parts of Asia). Hank

No easy answer as the ultimate answer will depend on each country to be visited. Not only do you need to comply with whatever rules your cruise line might have in place, but you need to comply with the laws of each country. Some countries, such as Japan, have very strict rules (in their case you need prior approval). That being said, you certainly should carry those drugs in their original container and also have copy of the prescription. DW and I have never carried any narcotics so do not have first hand experience. And by the way, the various rules can even impact over-the-counter drugs. Many countries do not allow the import of any pseudoephedrine (i.e Sudafed) with some countries not even allowing over the counter drugs that have that ingredient. I live in Mexico for part of the year, and Sudafed (and its main active ingredient) are absolutely illegal here. Speaking of narcotics, a bigger problem exists for folks who spend months out of their country and truly need a narcotic drug. It can be difficult to get more then a 30 day supply of those drugs, which means one would need to get narcotics in a different country. This is very difficult in many places and usually requires a prescription from a physician licensed in the same country. We know cruisers that simply bring along all their drugs and take their chances. That works unless they get caught. When DW and I travel to Japan, we go through all their paperwork (often required for even over the counter drugs when you have more than a month supply). It takes me over an hour to fill out the Japanese forms which then have to be e-mailed/faxed to a specific address in Japan. One then waits for approval. The last time I submitted those forms their official requested follow-up info on the "origin country and drug manufacturer" for all our drugs including basic blood pressure meds. As you might guess. when we did enter Japan, their officials paid zero attention to our drugs and did not ask to see our approval (which we had). Hank

We have been to Honfleur many times and would really be curious where your ship can "dock" in that town. Unless things have changed (doubtful) there is no cruise ship dock in (or close to that town) that can handle anything much larger then 2500 tons! I guess there are still a few ships around that small, but that is not what most folks think of as cruise ships. The World Navigator is 10,000 tons and I am doubtful that it could dock at Honfleur. Tender.....yes. Perhaps Honfleur has improved their docking facility and, if so, I hope you post that info here. I will again reiterate that some cruise lines have this "habit" of misleading their customers by listing itinerary places that are not close to where the ship docks/tenders. In fact, I recall a few years ago a cruise line telling folks their port was Rome! Rome is not even on the sea and the nearest port is a good hour distant! However, we do know of a few smaller cruise ships that would lay-off Honfleur and tender their passengers into the town. I have never seen this happen but have been told (by others) that it happens. Hank

We have read about some luxury trains (quite pricey) in India which sound quite interesting.

If your ship does dock in Le Havre, there are several rental car agencies within a half hour walk of the port or a short taxi ride. Inside the port there used to be a single rental car company rentacar.fr although we are not sure if they are still operating inside the port. We have heard of a few ships that do tender into Honfleur. Not sure if any cruise line does that these days. We have long been outspoken that cruise lines should not claim on their itinerary, to go to a certain place (such as Le Havre) when they actually dock or tender into a completely different city/place. Hank

Keep in mind that there are two separate train stations in Avignon. All the fast TGV trains must go to the TGV station which is located well outside the center of town. From the TGV station you would need a taxi or local shuttle bus (which goes to the regular station) to get into or close to the walled central part of town. The slower non-TGV trains go to the old station which is located within walking distance of the walls. Most of the river boats leave from an area just outside the walls. DW and I have long been fans of Avignon (we have rented flats there on two trips). Not only do we simply enjoy the city, which is a mix of old and new, but we like the location (within Provence) that gives us easy driving access to our favorite parts of Provence. Hank

Overtourism and cruise ship crowding have become the norm in most of Europe. As Cruisemom suggested, one solution USED TO BE to cruse in the shoulder seasons of March-May and Sept-Nov. But even this is no longer a great solution. Consider we are doing a long TA cruise later this month and will be in Santorini in mid-April. But even at this relatively early date there will be 5 other ships (and more then 10,000 passengers at that island. We like to point out the the cable car up to Fira can only move 900 per hour (one-way_. But Santorini is only one out of many with overtourism. This year, because of many cruise line itinerary changes (to avoid the Red Sea, Turkey, etc) things are worse then usual. And it will continue to get worse as cruise lines continue to build huge mega-ships (some carry over 6000). When we plan long independent driving trips in Europe, we generally make sure to avoid cruise ports or places that are within range of cruise excursions. In fact, DW and I have started looking at it like a game, trying to avoid the crush of fellow cruisers when we are not on a ship. Even when we go to crowded ports, we tend to go off on our own and will often go to places not visited by cruise ship excursions. The downside is that cruise ships in both Europe and Asia do go to many of the best places. Hank

We discuss issues like this here on CC on their Cruise Insurance blog. Yes, it is the norm, outside of the USA, for most hospitals to require up front payment or a credit card from which they can put on a credit hold (so you need a high limit on the card). While having insurance may (assuming you have the right coverage and properly file a claim) later reiumburse you. A very few health policies, such as GeoBlue, may be able to work with a facility to help you avoid the deposit or payment issue, but this is not very common. This is one reason (among many) that we have long suggested that travelers try to have at least one card with a high credit limit. Also keep in mind that quite a few countries have both public and private hospitals, with the private facilities often being the desired place. Here in Mexico (where we live for part of the year) we have both public and private and most do prefer the private facilities. If you cannot meet their deposit requirements, they would likely have you taken to the public hospital (where you will still need to pay). Hank

There are good trains in Europe and Japan. However, you are on your own with luggage and train stations can be huge. Hank

Like I said, I do not understand this entire "loyalty thing." Then again, HAL fans nearly revolted when HAL said they were going to stop giving out their "tinny" medallions that some folks actually wear around their necks :). Whatever floats one's boat! There is the issue of loyalty programs where folks really covet getting a perk that might save them a few dollars on an expensive cruise. That being said, we find it interesting that the new Explora Journeys cruise line, which is a very high-end luxury line with the deep pockets of MSC, has yet to even start a cruise "loyalty" program after 10 months in operation. And MSC cruise lines (one of the larger cruise lines in the world) has a loyalty program where one's level (and perks) expire after 3 years of not booking a cruise. That line routinely gives past cruisers a 5% discount off the cruise fare. While this is real money, the reality is that veterans and some other folks can actually qualify for 10% off without ever having taken a cruise. And one of our cruise agents (who has been in the business for decades) tells me that some cruise lines (especially HAL) is more likely to give a free upgrade to a first-time cruiser than their most loyal repeaters. Why? Apparently, the cruise lines understand that repeaters who are always loyal do not need much incentive to book. But a first time cruiser needs lots of encouragement. We do like some of our "loyalty" benefits we get from various cruise lines, but it has never influenced the line we book. The thought of spending $10,000, $20,000 or more and letting free laundry be the deciding factor is laughable (to us).

When I think of loyalty it is to DW, family, friends, and country. To a cruise line, airline, hotel chain, etc? No way! They must all work to earn our loyalty and that would only be valid for the current booking which one could argue means we have no loyalty to these kind of entities. Hank

I like that combination and will give it a try :). Our SB cruises are generally for quite a few weeks, so what usually happens is we find 1 or 2 Colonnade waiters that became our regular favorites (we simply sit in their sections). It only takes 1 or 2 days until they know our preferences. I guess that is just part of what makes Seabourn such as terrific cruise line. Hank

For many years I have simply laughed at this "loyalty" thing about cruise lines. Certainly cruise on lines you like. But being "loyal" is just silly. If there is to be any loyalty it should be the cruise lines being loyal to their customers by maintaining their standards! Last year we met a cruising couple who told us, over cccktails, that they were not sure they would book any more cruises. They had over 500 days on HAL, but said that they now found the line somewhat boring, the menus repetitive, entertainment the same old same old. They ask DW and I about a few other non-cruise options that we like. This couple told us they had not been on any other line for over 20 years and that they were "loyal" to HAL. When I suggested they might not be bored or find things repetitive if they tried a different cruise line they said they would not feel comfortable on any other line because of their loyalty to HAL. Go figure. I think that the primary reason that DW and I love cruising (after far more then 1500 days on cruise ships) and travel is because we enjoy variety. We go on many different cruise lines (#17 and cruise line 18 are booked this year) and travel all over the world (have yet to get to Antarctica). For us, every time we walk up the gangway it is exciting..as is every trip. If we start getting bored with a place we simply go elsewhere. Cruises never get boring because there are always different ships (we have been on far more then 70 different ships) and different lines. Each line has their unique menus, entertainment, etc. I like the saying , "keep it exciting, try something new." Hank

Apparently, they have now started with Mercier, which is supposed to be the largest selling champagne in France. Having never had the stuff, no comment, EJ has a connection with LVMH which is a large conglomerate that owns Moet & Hennesy. They own Mercier, which means they are keeping it in the same corporate family. On thing that bothered me about EJ was that the only Cognacs they had were Hennesey products Even on Princess I can get Remy Martin XO. That was not to be found on the EJ1. For what it's worth we recently booked two more Seabourn cruises, but have not booked any more EJ. That line has lots of possibilities with a management team that are full of themselves and need to have a major attitude change. Hank

My only very minor complaint about the Champagne is that it is Moutadon. IMHO that is just a so-so champagne, but it is the real thing. When we were on Explora Journeys we appreciated that they had Moet and Chandon products (Brut, Rose, etc). Hank

Ok, so I opened a can of worms about asking for the French Press. After COVID, Seabourn did get quite a few new waiters/crew and we have run into times when the Colonnade waiter may not know what a "French Press" is or what it does. But there are always some more experienced waiters around and it only takes one time until the new folks are "educated." In the Colonnade you can get regular coffee (we assume it is made in a normal commercial drip machine) and servers do come around to fill your cups. The French Press is one of those things you need to know, since we have never seen it mentioned on a menu or a table-top card. It is one of those things like caviar, that you have to ask to get. Funny story about the French Press on SB. Shortly after the Covid restart we ordered this item in the Colonnade while cruising on the Ovation. The server who brought my French Press was not very familar with the gadget (he we on his first contract) and once he put it on our table he very quickly pushed down on the plunger and coffee exploded out of the press and went all over our table and his hand (ouch). On subsequent visits to the Colonnade he always made a joke out of being very careful and slow :). Hank

We agree! Over the years we have repeatably posted that none of the so-called luxury, or even Premium, lines use mega ships. In fact, nearly all the luxury lines use small ships (generally no more then 900 passengers and often a lot smaller). Small luxury ships are about very good space ratios, all suites, very good to excellent cuisine, and high quality service. The down side (for some) is that the small ships do not have water parks, bumper cars, ice skating rinks, etc. We enjoy cruising on both small luxury ships and large (not the mega ships) vessels such as those of Princess, MSC, etc. There is certainly a place, and a customer base, for many types of ships. There is a huge difference between dining in a tiny venue on Explora 1, where your dinner may be cooked by a celebrity Michelin starred chef vs a huge MDR on a mega ship. On some luxury ships you will find items like lobster, caviar, and prime beef, fresh oysters on the half-shell, etc. available on a daily basis. There is an interesting facet to the industry and its customers. There are folks who will actually pay more money for a suite on a mass-market vessel (with so-so food) then it would cost them to cruise on a luxury line such as Seabourn, Silversea, Explora Journey, etc. We routinely cruise on Seabourn (a true luxury line) for less money than it would normally cost to book the smallest "retreat eligible" suites on Celebrity. That being said, not everyone would be happy on small ships where there are no pool games, no photographers, no art auctions, no water slides, etc. Hank

No question that each cruise line corporation wants to see customers stick with their various brands. But, there is not much (or any) benefit to them if you book NCL, O, or Regent since they are all in the same corporate familiy. The fact that you pay more for Regent than O does not mean the corporation makes a bigger profit. Regent and O are two different products with Regent offering better space ratios, better passenger/staff ratios, having more inclusions, etc. And sure, any cruise line hopes to get folks to "move over" to their product and does their best to make that customer want to return on future cruises. That is just good business. All that being said, DW and I cruise (and have cruised) on many cruise lines (17) and do not even think about the overall corporate structure (i.e. NCLH, CCL. RCI, MSC, etc). We simply book individual cruise lines. In the past year we have booked O, Explora Journeys, HAL, Princess, Seabourn and Silversea. In our case, what you call "moving over" is just meaningless malarky. Hank

Since we have never cruised on Regent, we cannot do a comparison to that line. Otherwise, we do have an awful lot of experience. The idea of rating a crusie line by stars does nothing for us as we think it is silly. Seabourn, Silversea, Regent, Explora Journey, Sea Dream, Scenic and perhaps a few others would fall into the luxury category. We think it is safe to say that each line has their pros and cons. I did smile at the comment about coffee at Seabourn Square. Folks should understand that Seabourn Square uses an excellent expresso machine and if you request coffee you will get an "Americana" type coffee which is simply watered down expresso. For folks that prefer typical american coffee, they might find it not to their taste. They do serve normal coffee in the dining venues, and for those of us who like truly full flavored coffee you have to ask for "French Press" coffee in the Colonnade. In that case they will bring a french press to your table and you can push the plunger when you think it has reached the strength you desire. Otherwise, the coffee they serve comes out of typical commercial coffee systems which I do find somewhat lacking (many others prefer this weakened stuff). I will also be honest and say it does nothing for my ego (or cruise) to have a CD, Hotel Manager, etc. meet me as I board the ship. But this does often happen on Seabourn and I guess some find this to their taste. I will say that on one Seabourn cruise, prior to the Covid shut down, we used to dine at hosted tables (one volunteers for this). During the course of a single cruise, on different evenings, we dined with the Captain (in Thomas Keller), Staff Captain, Chief Engineer, Assistant Cruise Director, and several of the entertainers! And we were staying in a low category suite and only had about 40-50 days on the line at that time. Is Seabourn 6*. I have no idea what that even means but I do know it has become our current favorite line. Explora Journeys certainly has better cuisine, some other lines have better entertainment, etc. but for us, Seabourn is the best overall product! Is Seabourn perfect? Not even close. But it is a very good product and generally costs a lot less, per person/day then Regent. Hank

While Princess normally docks at Havensight (the more popular and convenient of the two ports) there can be exceptions depending on port congestion. I believe that Havensight is also known as the West Indian Cruise Company Dock. Hank

Have posted this a few times, so here it is again :). We have flown out of FCO many times, and have no hesitation on booking a post cruise flight that departs at 11am (or later). We have also done quite a few earlier flights (I think our earliest was 9:50) but that did cause me a little anxiety. With the morning flights we always book a private transfer with Romecabs (Romecabs.com) and will often post on the CC Roll Call looking for 1 or 2 other couples to share (this lowers the per person transfer cost). We do time our transfer reservation to get us to FCO about 3 hours before our scheduled flight. A 7am pick-up will usually get you to the terminal by 8. Hank

We tried Premier on our December Sky Princess cruise and it turned out to be a great decision. The reason? On our particular cruise they had some decent wines and excellent booze that fit within the package..and there were a couple of other wines where we had no issue paying a few dollars over the Premier limit. Unless one can get a good deal that saves them some money, it might be wise to buy the lesser package and only upgrade to Premier once aboard. Why? Having a list (pre cruise) of wines and booze may not be helpful. The onboard inventory can often vary, big time, from the expected products. If you are buying the upgrade primarily for wines, you might want to first find out what wines are aboard (and available by the glass) before you commit the extra money for Premium. Many of the other Premium perks were not of major interest, to us, but finding items like Remy Martin XO (priced at the $20 Premium limit) quickly sold me on the package. Hank

We became quite friendly, with a now retired HAL Captain, and spent a significant amount of time sitting/socializing with him (and his DW when she was aboard). It was really interesting to hear the kind of questions/comments that came his way. The reality is, just like with other friends, our usual topics were about family, home life, etc. My favorite Captain story goes back to one dark night when we were somewhere off the coast of Italy. It was late (around midnight) and I saw the distant lights of an island. Since I had no clue to that island, I asked the Captain, "what is that island?" He thought a minute and then asked the bartender to hand him the house phone. He called the bridge and said, "its me, what is that island off the port?" After he hung up and gave me the answer I just laughed and said to him something along the lines of "surely you knew the answer to the question." He quickly replied, "I just wanted to make sure they knew on the bridge." We all had a good laugh! But over the years we learned a lot from him (and another Captain on Celebrity) about their working life. A major part of their work involves training the officers/cadets under their command and helping them prepare for their future careers. Both Captain/friends told us they viewed this as one of their most important tasks, the most rewarding, and sometimes the most frustrating. The other Captain memory goes back to a talk, given by the very popular Captain "Demitrius" when we were cruising on the Silhouette. He was giving his usual "bridge talk" to a full house in the theater when a lady passenger asked him, "what happens if you get sick?" He responded, "my staff Captain would take over and he is fully qualified to be Captain." The passenger further asked, "what if he is sick?" He responded, "my First Officer would take over and is also fully qualified as a Captain." She than asked, what if all 3 of you are sick? Without missing a beat Captain Demitrius answered, "then we are all having a very bad day." And that is why his talks are usually to a SRO audience. Hank

You should add Princess, who has been doing that type of cruise for many years. Unlike the other US based lines, Princess has based a ship in Australia for many years. They even had to alter some of their policies (such as tipping) to make their cruises more Aussie-friendly, Hank

For what it's worth, this is something you hear from fans of many cruise lines. Long time HAL fans have long heralded the crew on that line (mostly Indonesian and Filipino). Crystal fans generally loved their crew. Those of us who have cruised Seabourn have also thought the crew to be amazing (I used to post that Seabourn crew do not have the word "no" in their vocabulary). One other thought. While we pooh poohed this idea that cruise lines all declined due to the Covid shutdown, the loss of many long-time crew members (on every line) has certainly taken a toll. This again takes me back to the new Explora Journeys Line and their first ship (EJ1). Just over 80% of their crew (in passenger areas) were on their first cruise contract during our cruise :). That company decided to recruit most of their staff from high-end luxury resorts (many in Dubai). It was interesting interacting with many of these first-time cruising staff who truly understood service and luxury without having adapted to the culture of working on a ship. More than a few told us they would not work anymore contracts simply because they were homesick (and sometimes seasick). One EJ management person (visiting from the home office in Geneva) told me hiring these resort folks was no accident. The new line wants to create a new culture of a floating-resort rather than a cruise ship. Hank