navybankerteacher

I did not say it was particularly warm to me - but it would be warm for someone leaving New Hampshire in December.

First clause makes sense - just do not get separated. Last clause - going to meet up place - would not be much help in OP’s “…crowded market place in India…”. Anyone with experience of such a place would recognize the priority of making sure you do not get separated.

You are talking about people from New Hampshire - where the sea water temperature NEVER gets as warm as it is in Bermuda in December - and where sunny and warm days in December are quite common. Sure, it’s not ideal, but having spent several winters in New Hampshire, I would leap at this opportunity.

Not the best time to visit, but temps are likely to be in low 70’s - both air and seawater, so it will probably be better than any New Hampshire beach in summer. Also, the ship calls at the Dockyard - which in peak season is a mob scene tourist trap, so being on the only ship in makes it better. Sailing down the Hudson out of New York any time of year is a great experience.

I would say Cunard - which really is a mainstream line.

What old Princess ships did they buy?

Of course, just as inflation increases the base cost, it will also carry over to increasing the tip. I can recall when 10% was the standard, now 15% - increasing the percentage while the base to which that percentage is applied is sort of like rocket fuel. Good to note, however, that you retain the notion that it is meant to reward good service: i.e. no service = no tip.

The person in a hotel who carries your bag(s) from the front desk to your room after you have checked in.

How about Azamera and Oceania ships - which have about 650 passengers? You might try something different from these new mob-scene Walmarts of the Seas

If those “first time cruisers” did some intelligent price comparisons with alternative vacation options, they would recognize the cruise bargains available. That “sticker shock”- inducing price they see pretty much says it all - to compare with a land vacation, they would have to keep track of room costs, entertainment expenses, all meals, as well as incidental local travel, to make any valid comparison. The sad fact is, with inflation now firmly entrenched, the cost of everything is going up - and the casual window-shopper is likely to be thinking about what he paid three or four years ago fof his travel vacation. Inflation alone is likely to make today’s activity 25%to 30% higher than something comparable back in 2020. Live with reality!

I just noticed your mention of Northern Italy land trip. Are you renting a car? Best way to see small cities like Lucca, Montefioralle, San Gimigiano, Perugia, Urbino, Ravenna, Greve, the hill towns and countryside of Tuscany. Of course if its the larger cities: Milan, Turin, Siena, Venice, Florence, Genoa - trains are the way to go. I've done both - best to focus on the desired target areas to decide transportation mode. Also, if time permits, consider a trans-Atlantic repositioning (fares usually favorable) to come home -- most lines arrange cheap one way air eastbound --- we've done that several times after Fall travel in Italy -- great to not have work schedule cramping things.

There is a lot more to do (restaurants/shops) at Terminal 5, from which it is easy to get to Terminal 4 by AirTrain.

Of course cost has to be a factor - there are very few people who are in a position to decide to purchase any product or service without considering cost. But when cost becomes an overwhelming consideration quality has to suffer. Until about a dozen or so years ago lines like HAL, Celebrity and Princess (about 25 years in the case of NCL) offered cruises whose prices included good food, service, entertainment and itineraries. Yes, the mass market lines have made cruising more affordable to millions (largely by cutting entertainment and adding surcharges for well prepared and served meals) — I simply prefer to cruise less, in less crowded environments, and continue to enjoy the experience. Ports like Nassau, St. Thomas and even St. Maarten which used to be uncrowded and delightful are now mob scenes. Ports like St. Barth’s and Venice are now off limits to most ships.

The fact is, very few areas are impacted by hurricanes. Those that are are avoided by cruise ships. Sure, there is always a chance that your itinerary might be changed (sometimes for the better) because of heavy weather — but that can happen any time of the year. If you are really determined to see a particular port which happens to be in the Caribbean, you probably should try before June, if physical safety is what you are primarily concerned about, maybe you should stay home.

2019 for Celebrity and HAL, 2018 for Royal Caribbean, 2017 for NCL - and because they seemed to be continuing on same trend, we decided never bother with them again. Azamera is very similar to Oceania, and only slightly more expensive - sailing many of the same former 600 pax R class ships. Good service, good size, generally good itineraries. Because we sail for enjoyment (if saving money were the be all and end all, we’d stay home), “cheap” is not a key decision factor.

Travelling (especially trans-Atlantic) is easier wearing a blazer - the pockets are helpful for documents, etc., no packing concerns, and you have it to wear on board if so inclined.

HAL used to be a distinctly superior mainstream cruise line, but the have continually cut corners and given up that which made them special. Until about 2010 they were my favorite because what they delivered for the price charged made them compete with premium lines. Now the are largely just like the others in the Carnival fleet (Cunard excepted) making me wonder why Carnival Corp. maintains the fiction of differing products.

They are just one of the many little things which have vanished from cruising as the lines continue to shave down what is included.

Going “one subway stop”is not all it takes. Getting from the part of Manhattan you are interested in seeing to the subway station takes time, waiting for the train takes time, actually riding the train takes time, getting from the other subway station to your hotel takes time, and you spend that time twice: going and coming. Spending those chunks of time adds up to more than just the time the subway train you are on spends actually moving. When I commuted to Manhattan from CT the train ride took about 48 minutes - but getting from my house to the station took some time, because I drove I had to allow a bit of time to park, feed the meter, walk to the station platform, pick up the newspaper, and wait on the platform for the train to come in (no one can perfectly time things) then shuffle along the platform in Grant Central, cross a couple of avenues, walk five blocks (yes - sometimes I did not have to wait for a green light, but often I did) . Yes -I “lived 48 minutes away from work) but spent a lot more than two hours a day.

“bland, sweet and salty” does not ring true with me. I really like lobster and clams, not so much snails, and cannot stomach crabs and squid — they all taste VERY differently to me.

How did it compare with gas station sushi?

In descending order: A)Oceania, Azamera (preferred) B) Cunard C) Celebrity, HAL (but fading fast) D) Princess, Royal Caribbean E) Carnival F) NCL

As one who lived in Manhattan (and worked there) for many years I (along with my peers) have always called it Wall Street (the name of the key street being applied to the district and the industry generally).

Are you aware that on the first day of a three day cruise - after waiting a few hours - you will get on board at about noon (if you are lucky), your bag will be delivered by 4:00 or so, and you will sail at about 5:00. The next two days are actually “cruising” - likely stopping at some awful port like Nassau, and the next day you will be back in port. - with the crew trying to hustle you off at about 9:00 AM so they can welcome the next batch of suckers. You will have been on the ship for significantly less than three full days. Sea days or not - a three day cruise is just a good way to have a bad time —- yes, it may have been an inexpensive cruise - but still lousy value for your money.

If you stay near Fifth or Sixth Avenue between 45th and 59th streets you would be within easy walking distance (or short ride) of a whole lot of things to see/do. p.s. Using “trendy” abbreviations such as FIDI for Wall Street and UES, UWS along with LIC - is a sure way of identifying yourself as an irredeemable out-of-Towner.