navybankerteacher

To “…reasonably manage the risks…”, I am inclined to figure on allowing at least six hours for unexpected delay -which, means for a 5:00 PM sailing (boarding by 4:00PM) I will schedule anticipated arrive at pier for 10:00AM. For a New York sailing that would involve leaving home by around 8:30-9:00 AM . For virtually any other departure port, it means the day before.

If there is something you like about the cruise (other than ship handling, food service, and cabin maintenance) the cruise director was probably at least partially involved. Much of what they present is blather, but the do much to set the tone.

Right - if you bring it back close to fill you will only have to pay the extortionate per-gallon price on a gallon or two. What is your time and absence of aggravation worth to you?

Pick your hotel first - that’s the big ticket item— maybe three or four rooms. You will need at least two taxis, or a van. Taxis probably best bet.

LXI.

It is worth the slightly higher cost to spring for an Uber rather than try to grab a taxi from the many hundreds (perhaps more than a thousand) folks debarking with you. Reserve in advance, check out the neighborhood and select a rendezvous point.

There are several reasons I would suggest Zaandam: HAL’s food and service is markedly superior to that on NCL - unless you pay extra for their better restaurants; Zaandam carries about 1,400 passengers (typically more mature and thus more compatible for your Mother) and Pearl about 2,500 - more likely to be younger adults, many more children; an ocean view does make a great difference in just being comfortable in your cabin; the itinerary is obviously superior. It would be tough to catch an 8:30 flight — I would suggest a noonish flight.

A significant concern - when you have many hundreds (if not thousands) of debarking passengers trying to connect with cars coming to pick them up, MCT is a dog’s breakfast.

You can expect clear skies when there is no haze, overcast or cloud cover. if you can exist without liquor, while being provided good meals, evening entertainment, a decent library and the opportunity to interact with other travelers, you should be able to avoid extra charges: it’s up to you. I very much doubt that it will take two weeks to get from Bermuda to the Mediterranean (should be four or five days) most likely there are a number of port calls in the Med.

How important to your lifestyle is that seasonal marzipan income?

Would you include charging for all meals? After all, some folks eat a lot less than others - and might be inclined to seriously cut back intake - do you REALLY need a full breakfast?

Of course it looks like just one more example of “shrinkflation” - the continuous tacking on of fees for previously included amenities, the reduction in quality of included meals, the lessening common space per passenger. I would not be surprised to hear of charging fees for taking a tender.

Sounds like a good idea - no driving on embarkation morning, save a lot on parking.

Just start with the dates you want and consider the ports you want - from busy ports like Miami and Fort Lauderdale you could easily come up with hundreds of permutations. If you want to stay on the same ship you should look for longer itineraries (perhaps segments of a world cruise) and book as many chunks as you want.

Yes - but traveling the day before embarkation certainly minimizes the risk.

Of course ALL casinos’ odds are for suckers only — the more you play, the more certain it is that you will ultimately come out behind. Yes - even the (obviously memory impaired) folks who post on these threads about how they regularly come out ahead.

Then I would suggest you carefully check the ship’s deck plans. It is unlikely (but I suppose possible) that there might be some obstruction - such as a lifeboat - which would make the balcony less enjoyable. Other than there being a serious obstruction, you may very well be happy to give up choice of deck level or position on the ship to save yourself $1,200. There are some very selective cruisers - who want a specific cabin, particular deck, side of ship, distance from bow or stern, etc. and are willing to pay for such choice.

It could be said that, in most respects, NCL led the plummet.

If you will be happy with the least expensive cabin in the CATEGORY (such as: inside, obstructed view, ocean view, veranda, suite, etc.) YOU SELECT, you might want to save that money. A glass half empty person would say that picking a specific cabin will cost you $1,200, while a glass half full person would feel that letting the line assign the cabin (in whichever category you select) will save you $1,200..

Or the Cliffs of Moher , on that magical coast road southwest of Galway, now with its paved, walled in deck where once the grassy verge of the drop-off was only bordered by some upright flagstones. Just another trashing of the world I’m passing to my grandchildren.

My first trip to Stonehenge -over a half century ago - stays in my memory. We parked on the shoulder of the raid, perhaps four other cars were there, and we had complete un-guided access. My last stop there (and I do mean LAST) was just over a year ago. Too many people are doing too many things - reducing much of the purpose of doing those things. If you have time for just one stop between LHR and Southampton, you might want to consider Salisbury — hopefully on a not overly crowded day. The cathedral- rising alone from a grassy plain (rather than crowded by many other buildings as is the case of virtually all other Gothic cathedrals) - is truly worth the stop.

That works out to 36 mph average speed - which in and near Boston is about the best you can expect.

That’s got to be one fat wallet!

The 8:35 from BWI is the Vermonter, and not specifically a Northeast Corridor train. Since it originates in DC, it might not be called a “long haul” but I still think it a good idea to build in some wiggle room.