navybankerteacher

So why don't you check with the Portuguese consulate nearest to where you live? Also, why the BS about household goods going into Mexico?

...like much of urban North Jersey

Which really isn’t “getting bumped”.

Just one more word the meaning of which has radically evolved. Today “liberal” politics generally means a lot of government involvement to “ level the playing field”. — while when it came into use to describe political slants it originally meant minimal governmental control over individual citizens.

“ Discrimination” does not only mean unfair selectivity — when a cruiser picks one line over another because he prefers what they offer he is exercising “discrimination”

Someone getting a free cruise is the sort of situation where bumping might occur - a lot of travel agents are given free rides --- if there are unsold cabins - so a contemplated free ride could be withdrawan if sales picked up. Were you contacted before being "bumped"? If there was a financial incentive offered which you accepted that is one thing , but being arbitrarily downgraded is definitely something else.

There may be some condition attached to the line accessing the port. If it is strictly to bring passengers, the delivery of goods might be a complication.

AI's offer significantly different vacation options: for many of us the being at sea and the stopping at different ports are powerful draws which AI's lack. Further, AI's offer little (if any) advantage over just staying in an area. We regularly spend a couple of weeks on Sint Maarten -- enjoying what the island as a whole has to offer-- with no temptation to lock into one spot. And (with the exception of this year thanks to Ian) we regularly spend three weeks on Sanibel. I do think, however, that AI's will attract a lot of the demographic now drawn to the mass market mega-ships, once they tire of the same over-crowded Caribbean port calls and the undeniable downgrading of the cruise ship experience. I think that there has been substantial overbuilding of mega-ships; some of their current regulars will turn to other options-- land travel or higher value (yes, at higher cost) smaller "premium" ships which can go places the big ones can't. The gradually shrinking pool of cruise ship staffers (due to improved economic options in their home countries) will result in further service cuts and fare increases. I would not include any equity investments in Carnival, RCI or NCL in my retirement portfolio I think their golden age is passing.

The concept of the second leg of a back to back cruise exists only in the mind of the customer - not the cruise line. That second leg is the second half of what that customer books --- that cabin for that week is just a cabin in the line's view -- or perhaps the first leg of some other potential back to back cruiser.

Define “way too late” (as in new flight time), and weigh it against “acceptable risk” (as in missing your flight). You have a chance of making an 11:28 flight - if the ship arrives on time (or early) and everything goes smoothly —- but unless taking the later flight involves more inconvenience than just wasting time, I would not bet on making it.

Of course there are also a few who seem inclined to believe that they can be worse than everyone - and then go on to prove it.

Put all four outside your cabin door then carry two down the passage to the entrance to the elevator lobby, put down those two and go back for the other two. Then, bring two bags to right in front of one of the elevators and go back for the other two. When the elevator door opens, block it with one bag while bringing the other three onto the elevator, then bring that first one in, press the button for the floor indicated for debarkation, following up with repeating the shuttling of bags till you get off the ship, when you will flag down a passing van. (You can tell: I had nothing to do for a few minutes.)

There is a reasonable middle ground between begging “permission” and flatly “informing” others of intentions.

Indeed - in 1964 it cost 4 cents to send a first class letter - with next day delivery a real possibility. Also, you could turn in a $1 bill and receive an ounce of silver from the U S Assay office. Those were the days.

If you had paid attention in your college literature lectures , you would have been able to refer to him properly : Alonso Quixano

We were on the 2019/2020 Christmas/New Year’s cruise. We got back in at about 5:30AM - and folks were getting off a bit past 7:00. A couple of our table mates (from the UK) had mentioned looking forward to taking the Cunard-organized bus from the cruise terminal out to JFK - which gave them several hours in Manhattan on the way. One of the best parts of that itinerary - leaving New York in the extreme cold of a late afternoon - is finding yourself in the 70F waters of the Gulf Stream the next afternoon. We’ve done that several times also on HAL before they gave up sailing from New York.

Perhaps in part because they can rip you off on the exchange rate when you do not use local currency.

Your “…decision to leave early was made after disembarkation…”? How was that possible (without a time machine) ? Ordinarily must peoples’ actions are made after the decision to take them, not the other way around.

Actually, it was a question about silly luggage.

Some people seem to think it is demeaning to be expected to make a request.

They’ll be trying to get you off the ship and out of the cruise terminal as soon as possible -so unless you were foolishly hoping to catch a morning TA flight (which means 8:30 AM or earlier) you will have ample time. Unless there is a major delay in arrival, you should be on your way by about 11::00 AM at latest

If you expect Customer service to facilitate departure, and to settle your account, and to arrange for a customs officer to process your entry, you surely do need to make such request in advance.

Rule #1: never commingle alter ego and secret identity.

If you have any general preferences, people here can give more help. Think of the following: Are you more interested in a lot of activity or a peaceful getaway? Have you any particular interest in a specific area - or time of year? Are you interested in flying to a distant port or prefer something from a UK port? Are you happy with a few days at sea, or would you want, if possible, to see a different port every day? What time of year is likely? Would you want to combine a land visit before or after the cruise?

My Zuiderdam sailings have been Quebec to New York, Panama Canal RT from Fort Lauderdale, Eastern Caribbean RT from Fort Lauderdale (I think that’s all).