WatchHill

The so called Deals menu is a source of frustration because qualifications are not clearly stated. We’ve been verified for aarp, educator, and veterans but see nothing posted to our booking. At one time it was so easy to validate the share holders perk. Now you have to download an app and jump through hoops. Out TA send me the directions and half way through the process I was ready for a double Chardonnay. On hold with HAL to confirm and gave up. Other cruise lines we frequent make this process so much more user friendly. Love that princess lets us stack assorted perks and credits without question of their source

The OBC issue with HAL isn’t as user friendly as with other cruise lines. We got $200 from our TA plus $350 from HAL which is unspecified. Then I have confirmed retired educator and DH gets veterans plus I get another $200 with AARP. That’s a lot of OBC in addition to the HIA package. Oh and stock holder OBC. Vacations should be stress free but seeing all this $$$ that I can’t immediately use to book a few excursions or a cabana plus the two a la carte dinners, plus laundry package and upgraded WiFi makes me question why HAL! Princess Celebrity and Azamara passenger web sites had it all and let me take care of these things long before we got on the ship. I really don’t like standing in line on the ship to manage something that should be taken care of long before I arrive in FL and onto the ship. Darcy

Azamara even provides the laundry detergent and fabric softener - free!

For Hyatt check pricing at their Dania Hyatt Place location. The other side of the airport and ample restaurants nearby We are in Ft. Lauderdale a few days pre cruise and booked Hyatt house suite at Dania which works best for us as well be renting a car at FLL

I just rented a 4 person golf cart for our December 09, 2024 visit on Bonaire. We plan to pick up the cart asap when the ship arrives,about 8:30ish, then head to a beach resort to get our wrist bands and claim access to the facility. Our plans are to spend the morning touring; head toward the salt mines, slave houses light house and flamingo sanctuary. By about noon, we plan to arrive back at the resort, enjoy a frozen delight and light lunch, then enjoy the pool, beach and lazy river. Returning the cart later in the afternoon. I was hoping it was a credit card hold, but payment in full now, egh. Both DH and I have driven assorted golf carts, 2 & 4 person vehicles without any issues. I wonder if the so called "balance" problems were related to the poor road conditions on Bonaire.

Memories of my first ship are few, though there are pictures of my parents and me [pre-school age, early 50's], "dressed" for a stroll around the deck on the Queen Mary out of Boston to the UK. I think we returned on the Queen Elizabeth. DH has a far more interesting "first" leaving the UK for Mombassa and onto Seychelles in about 1960, with trips on the Uganda, Kampala and Karanja. He attended school in Nairobi and every 45 days traveled British India Line from Mombassa to Mahe to be with family. Our first real cruise was on the Volendam & Veendam, about 23K tons each, formerly the Brazil and Argentina. We did a Caribbean and Bermuda cruise on each. We spent many nights in the Crow's next bar, with Alex our bar tender, who greeted us with "Mr & Mrs M, vodka soda and vodka martini!" Darcy

We did a transatlantic out of Southampton, a day late leaving there, and once on the ship were informed we would not be stopping in the Azores, but going onto Bermuda and Nassau [egh} as planned. Sadly, no credit and leaving us quite disappointed. Darcy

We did a "tours by locals" walking tour with Maike, a guide. She and I communicated prior to the cruise to identify what we wanted to see and organize our time so that we could meet friends after the tour. She was waiting for us on a bench as we walked off of the ship with head phones for each of us. It was a wonderful experience having a local familiar with the historic and interesting sites, who was able to answer our questions and take us through the area. Darcy

There is an airport bus that travels the terminal route....along the roadway. The only terminals that have a post security connection is C to E. [Food options in T-E are horrid and $$$, so I walk to Wahlburgers in T-C for food. Airline food is IMO, awful even when flying Execuitive or Upper Class. And is a very late night flight, I can't handle more than a drink or two at midnight to get me across the pond.] The prior Logan interactve maps were much better, but since Terminal E was recently expanded, the newly posted maps are usless and lack any detail. When we flew TAP to Lisbon, out of Terminal C, friends who joined us came through Terminal B from Maryland and had to go through TSA check in again. TSA at Terminal E is much tighter. We have Global/Trusted and last month had to remove shoes, sweater, and computer/e readers, iphones, etc. Last week my sister flew to the UK out of T-E and said the cranberry bread was pulled out of her cabin bag and checked! Suggest you request wheel chair assisit to navigate the airport. It's a long walk in T-E and getting around the aiport will otherwise be a major challenge. Darcy

We recently had medical issues while on a transatlantic cruise.We have Medicare and a supplement that is very inclusive that covers us when out of the USA. I have a letter stating we have full secondary coverage. The secondary reimburses us for what Medicare doesn't cover and has a 100K medivac rider. We still opted into cruise/travel insurance, too. Of course we have to pay for medical services, then apply for reimbursement. That's the portion that takes time and lots of patience. First, we have to submit everything [itemized bills from the ship's medical center and final bill from the cruise and the dated itinerary] to Medicare and then get the rejection of coverage letter. Medicare will automatically submit to our secondary coverage. If anything isn't covered, then I have to submit to the cruise/travel insurance. I spoke with the cruise/travel insurance rep who sent me a claim form link to use once Medicare and our secondary claims are processed. Darcy

Probably the same at hotel to FLL. Normally we do a car rental when in FL, but this short stay was post transatlantic, [coming from the UK] so we didn't do airport to hotel. Give the hotel a call to confirm the cost pp. At least the van was large and comfortable, not a squished taxi with luggage on top of us. What hasn't gone up in price? I remember when the hotel transfers were free! Darcy

We had a verandah nearby and when I got off of the elevator, walked through that short corridor - it does have a second, open passage adjacent to 02 and 03. Those cabin maps aren't totally accurate. Darcy

Yes, from the hotel to the airport. Darcy

On November 3 we checked out of the Hyatt after staying one night post transatlantic cruise. It was a few minutes before 8: am and the shuttle van was sitting in front of the hotel. The cost was $8. pp cash to the driver.

This is something you need to speak with your medical team about. Shelf life of each vial and keeping it at proper temp prior to and after opening plus extra syringes and testing for a lengthy trip are best resolved by those who know your medical needs and can work with your insurance to obtain over rides in excess of the 90 day window

We spent a few hours today in the solarium and enjoyed the tranquility and soft music as we relaxed in the lounge chairs and caught up on reading. Healthy light foods served at the spa cafe won’t attract kids. IMO the solarium was more inviting than getting off in Nassau. I looked across at the carnival ships and independence of seas. If celebrity installs water slides in the solarium they’ve lost a loyal cruise client. Darcy

Finding a quiet area to relax on ships that overwhelm passengers with glitz and constant thumping music in excess of 100 dbls is an increasing challenge. Ships libraries have disappeared and replaced with high energy, revenue generating venues. We love the solitude of the Solarium and keeping it as an adult venue. Darcy

You have to crunch the numbers to decided cost v convenience. What about a hotel close to a Logan express location? Logan express parking is $7 per day. Pre purchase logan coach tickets for $18 round trip. Or Uber to the port. Crazy idea, yes. But those park n fly packages do build in parking with the daily rate and often only do it for 7 days Check out the Marriott in Westwood on university dr. It’s adjacent to the Amtrak and commuter rail line and ends at south station which is an easy transfer to the port.

As I was heading up to Oceanview Cafe this morning I spotted ethereal creatures floating on wires across the atrium. Left over from cirque du soleil? Darcy

Glad you were able to get an appointment and proper treatment. Before taking any unique or herbal based OTC it may be wise to discuss with your primary. I’ve notice that in recent years I’m am always asked by my primary medical if I take any herbals or other non rx medications or supplements. There are some that can alter lab results or interact with medications. Prior to any surgical procedures I’ve been told NO herbals for at least a week to 10 days. Darcy

Just stopped by guest relations and our room number was added to their list. They agree it should be on the app to facilitate the debarkation process. We’ll chill out in elite area and then head to sushi on 5 at our designated time.

It’s all about the high level of antioxidants in particular fruits. Blueberries tomatoes etc. More unexpected things things happen to us as we age and got to be prepared as best we can. The ship’s medical center has been very good even when I hit the emergency button on the phone at 2:30 am. A wheel chair was at our cabin door before I slipped into my top siders. Later that day guest relations called to be sure DH was doing well. the keflex which is a broad spectrum antibiotic seems to be working. No martini flights! just attempted to complete the debarkation info on the app. It’s more about purchasing THEIR transfer or Shorex than requesting wheel chair assist. I’ll stop by guest relations to request WC assist off the ship and then we’ll taxi to the Hyatt. Friday back to Boston. as far as cost goes - your well being is primary. Each visit was in the $600 range. Of note we are on Medicare which doesn’t cover but my gap plan is the optimal plan from the commonwealth of MA and well worth it. I carry a letter with me that indicates they cover all out of country medical. I pay first and they reimburse. Also have travel insurance just in case. As I said to DH. The cost of medical is on my jet blue card. More FF miles! Got to keep a bit of humor in this unfortunate medical even Darcy

This was something we discussed along with leaving the cruise in Bermuda. With our close contact with DHs medical team the ship’s doctor felt the best option was to be treated on the ship and stay on until we reach FL. Just as well we didn’t try for the only jet blue flight out of Bermuda today. Our ship was diverted last night when there was a life raft spotted so we will be late into Bermuda. Ravages of being a senior male crept up too quickly for DH so a cath alleviated the intense pain. Third one the doctor did on this cruise! thanks for the caring words. I’m going to suggest a new topic outside of Effy sales and Botox - health care at sea. Darcy

According to DHs urologist at MGH Brigham, cranberry may be preventative (more so for women) but not curative though liquids help process out the bacteria while on meds. I keep telling DH that my preference for cosmos keep me healthy. And avoid caffeine while of keflex.

You cannot just go to medical. You are required to call through guest relations who will transfer the call to medical and they will give you an appointment.