hrwi

I went solo to Rome when I was 21, and I'm a woman. I planned it all myself, before the internet even! The hardest thing to deal with were pushy Italian men, so he'll probably avoid that. ;)

Does he like cities? I love cities, but it's definitely a bustling one. I stayed near the Spanish steps and was able to walk to most everything. It was close enough to the train when I wanted to visit Ostia Antica or go on an overnight to Venice.

I'd recommend he download Duolingo or another app and start on his italian. That goes a huge way. Don't wear shorts, don't hang things around your neck. Don't wear a fanny pack. Get a phone case that's a wallet and carry it in a front pocket, with just the things you need that day.

I'm planning to take a taxi over to the fort and see the evening ceremony: http://www.havana-guide.com/cannon-ceremony.html

I have 3 kids and a show isn't quite what we're going for! ;)

A Cuban visa (tourist card) has nothing to do with US Customs. It is a document required by Cuban immigration.

Oh you're right, and different cruise lines probably handle it differently, but carnival had me fill out a form in order for them to acquire my visa. This wasn't a governmental form, it was from the cruise line.

For which you'd need Internet access.

Groan, you're right, I totally misinterpreted the original question. I've never sailed before so didn't realize that the ship's computers aren't online (or maybe you only pay for internet, I'm still not sure but that's neither here nor there ;) ).

You could use something like google docs on the ship's computer.

I believe the form is the same because it has to do with returning through US customs. That said, I've heard it's only given a cursory glance and no one might even notice.

I just filled out my forms for the Carnival visa, and it did have a line for country of passport and passport number. I put US in mine but you could just use the same form and write Great Britain?

This year, in my Massachusetts home, very few trees have started changing right now. Last weekend we were in Maine and it was starting, but still pre-peak. I always say mid-october is prime, but this year will likely be a bit later.

As long as it doesn't have a surge protector. I've been using a basic three plug deal I got at the dollar store for six cruises.

Oh good, I got one at the dollar store that I'm hoping I can use. If not, I'm only out $1.

There are very few reasons I wouldn't move.

Thanks for asking this! I really want to take my sister Boston-Bermuda for her big number upcoming birthday.

The hub will still work for menus, etc. without any wifi plan. If he does want to connect, you can share an account.

We plan to use the hub app with the texting feature ($5/device for the entire trip) for communication (3 kids, 2 of whom have devices and will be going their own way), but probably only 1-2 wifi plans that we will share just for contacting family, etc.

I stayed at the Hotel Salisbury last summer and loved it. Kind of an aged old-style hotel, but great location, nice big rooms, good prices. Even if it was a little old, clean and great service.

I gave my kids a trip to Disneyland a couple of years ago. I packed a few small gifts like sunglasses, bathing suits, and then printed up a cute faux "ticket" and wrapped it in the last box.

The official word is that the Constitution will re-open in "september". Helpfully vague for you!

Every germ I get antibodies for now is a virus that won't be serious when I'm 85.

Boston is really very walkable. Those are all quite near each other. I'd recommend taking a cab or uber from the pier (which isn't really downtown) to either Faneuil Hall or the North End and walk to the other, and add on as much of the freedom trail as you'd like, then cab back.

Weather dependent, I like James Hook for a lobster roll - but there are no tables inside, at least I don't think there are.

I looked at at&t's website and found they do have international roaming in cuba. It's a daily fee just added when you use it.

https://www.att.com/offers/cuba-roaming.html

According to a press release last fall, t-mobile has it too (none of it's particularly cheap though!): https://newsroom.t-mobile.com/news-and-blogs/cuba-roaming.htm

They haven't announced what the changes will be or implemented any actual policy yet. It will be mid-september before things are finalized (if that):

https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2017/06/16/fact-sheet-cuba-policy

Thanks for the review! Our itinerary is scheduled to arrive at 11:30, but it's the same ship - was your scheduled arrival later than your actual?

I'd recommend the freedom trail as well. The Constitution and Navy Yard are really great, it takes you through the North End past the Old North Church, hits all the sights. I don't know much about the hoho bus, but I do know that the duck tour loses a lot of time to going in and out of the water. And the part of the water that it goes on (the river) isn't particularly historic.

Good to hear that reasonably quick service is available -- but application "mailed ... on Monday and got it back on Saturday"?

 

Really?

I got mine in 12 calendar days, which had two weekends in it, so it was like 7 business days or something. Super fast. It was a renewal.

If you have AAA (and a AAA location nearby), the photos are *free*!!

Wow that tour looks amazing. Thanks for alerting me to it! I went last summer to the "nice" side of Ellis Island. The ferry isn't too long, but I am just now realizing we went from the New Jersey side. If you have a car and aren't totally committed to going from Battery Park, it was a really easy way to do it - nice large parking lot, you just walk up to the pier, super easy.

I'd recommend Uber as well. Saturday to the cruise pier won't be a big traffic time. Thursday evening is going to stink no matter what you do, but I still wouldn't do public transit. The only hotel area I'd recommend doing that would be the aquarium area, it's the same line.

I have school age kids so I have definitely heard of it!

What a cute idea to bring them. We are flying in though so I'm not sure we'll want to carry them!