jsn55

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This is a disappointment, but thanks for letting me know.

I may have taken stupid pills this morning, but I cannot find the topic 'Shore Excursions' doing any of the things you have suggested.  This is a board that I would really like to read!  What's the answer to Mariwind's original question?

11 hours ago, 9tee2Sea said:

Don't forget to mention that Young people ( since you generalize that all "Old People " experience challenges) are rude, obnoxious, entitled ,loud and very immature.  We " Old People"  mostly lived thru that era, and thats why we " Old People" are considered wise.  We know how to behave and act ( except when alcohol is involved, then we revert back to our youth).

And we 'old people' have MUCH BETTER music!  

59 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

You mentioned preferring river cruises, but being put off by the cost of airfare to Europe. Have you considered a river cruise in the United States?

We did American Cruiselines cruise up the East Coast several years ago.  I've never experienced such incompetence anywhere.  I will be checking out Viking tho.

52 minutes ago, njhorseman said:

Try something more upscale . Oceania, Azamara, Viking, Regent Seven Seas, Crystal, Seabourn, Silversea.

The minute after I posted this I realized that avoiding the mass market ships is the key.  I love Cunard's Queen Victoria and will check out all of these too.  Thanks, everybody!

I'm starting to think of my next ocean cruise.  I prefer river cruises in Europe, but the cost of air is getting out of control, so I'd rather leave from a US port.  I pick an itinerary first and look at the mass-market cruiselines, keeping a keen eye out on cost and solo supplement waivers.  My last two ocean cruises were not as enjoyable as they might have been because I didn't attend any of the entertainment.  I didn't want to be caught in the theatre when it darkens and we are blasted out of our seats with sound.  Around the pool, in the lounges and other public spaces, the noise is just overwhelming.  The cruise director is screaming, and the music is deafening.  I love to see people having fun, but noise is not the only criteria for having a good time.  When I was walking the deck on Crown Princess in August, often 9 or10 in the mornings, there were always movies on, and the volume was ridiculously loud.  Nobody was watching whatever was on the screen.  I've sailed NCL and Princess most recently.  Are there some cruiselines you can recommend who don't blast audio 24/7 in the public areas and in the theatre?  I really would like to enjoy some evening shows and whatever.  

,

2 hours ago, Dock B said:

Mrs dock b here (he was signed in already and I just had him pass me the tablet when he was done reading)

 

Anyway, I had used the hair cleansing product wen several years ago and experienced hair loss; found out others had the same issue so I quit using it and that certainly helped.

 

But the thing that has totally changed my hair loss from how you described it to normal hair loss (a few strands only) was when I quit coloring my hair. I do not know if you color yours or not, so that may not be a factor in your hair loss.

 

I now not only lose lots of hair when I wash it but I’ve had a lot of regrowth in the last 2 years of enjoying my natural silver hair.

I'd be very interested to know what 'cleansing product' you stopped using.  My hair definitely seems much thinner lately and I'm wondering if the shampoo or conditioner I use is causing any of the hair loss.  

I did this cruise in April.  Actually two cruises, Provence to Paris on Poetry, then Tapestry for Paris-Normandy-Paris.  The 'transfer between ships in Paris' was a VERY long day.  There were severe water-level issues the entire two weeks, so it may not always be that bad.  I'll try to recreate it here.  We boarded a bus at 730am (Lyon I think) and boarded Tapestry in Paris about 5pm.  Very nice stop in Beaune with a walking tour.  At some point we stopped for lunch on our own, Avalon gave us cash for lunch.  The guide was very helpful and we had a nice meal with a little time for walking around and a tour of some wonderful building. 

Back on the bus to Dijon to board a train.  For those of us with little train experience, it was a harrowing adventure, with a local guide who just kept babbling about what and how we were going to board the train.  We were in the middle of the Dijon station bustling with travellers, looking at incomprehensible TV boards full of constantly changing information.  We finally figured it out and got on the right train.  Not a bad ride to Gare duNord, we were hustled out to board yet another bus to go find Tapestry.  Apparently she had been moved and it seemed that nobody knew exactly where she was moored!  After seemingly hours driving around Paris, we finally found her.  That's when we found out that she had not sailed at all the week before because of the water-level issues.  I was glad to not have known that!  Tapestry must have been moored up on the north end of la Seine.  It was a beautiful day and I was very disappointed to not sail through Paris itself, but glad to be on my way to Normandy.  

Other than catching the train, Avalon handled it all very well, our Cruise Director probably hadn't had a decent night's sleep for a week.  Looking back, I hadn't done my usual research into all the details of that last day ... definitely not prepared for an all-day transit.  Not unpleasant at all, but VERY long!  It was very comforting to know that no matter what happened, Avalon would take very good care of us.

I just kept looking in the discount stores to find exactly the same thing.  Found a decent-looking black one in a thrift store!  Can be carried with a handle on top, or long adjustable strap on my shoulder.  Designer names are meaningless to me, I'm all about function; part of function is looking good enough to take to dinner.  

It goes without saying that relying on information posted in a public forum is always a bad idea.  What we share on these forums is enlightening, interesting and helpful.  But it may or may not be fact, and it may not apply to travellers who reside outside the US.  We should not have to caveat our posts just in case someone uses the information to his detriment.  

4 hours ago, Lunalovegood_6 said:

Thanks for all replies.  I am booking with the cruise line directly on their website. I will read the cancellation/ terms & conditions for the booking  . I didn't mention the cruise line company as I thought I read somewhere not to name the cruise line company or maybe it was travel agent.

 

On another note it took 3 attempts to register on this website and I haven't found it the easiest website to manoeuvre around . Its early days for me , I'm sure I will get a better feel for the website but first impressions have been  daunting..

I remember when I first got involved with CC how I could never find ANYTHING.  So just hang in there and use the forums and it will all start to work just fine for you.  

Far as I know, you can book what you want now, then rebook if the price goes down.  Read the fine print before making your deposit.   

4 hours ago, CDNPolar said:

 

I think that what I have learned about River cruising over Ocean, is that with River, you cannot (or should not) go into a journey with set expectations.  

 

Last year in December when water levels were high, we docked several times way outside city limits when we knew that Viking had docks at the city.  We were lucky that we did not have to change ships or be bussed to hotels, and the week before our cruise they shut down all ship traffic through Cologne.

 

You must be flexible on River cruises - IMO.

 

We saw so many people that were "red under the collar" and "steamed up" and "angry" at Viking during this cruise.  It was not Viking's fault.  They were doing the best they could under the circumstances of the high water.

 

Imagine what is going on behind the scenes when these weather situations are happening.  Crew on the ship and crew on land rearranging everything, and arranging busses and different docking locations.  This stuff takes a lot of coordination and they are not doing it to punish us, they are doing it to give us the safest and best trip possible.

 

I had to bite my tongue so many times listening to people attack Viking verbally to others on the bus at how ridiculous this was and how they could do better...  I was just beside myself with the lack of understanding and reasoning that some folks actually have to reality. 

Travel's a lot easier when you realize that people just don't think beyond the end of their own noses.  "Everything's" a personal attack meant to ruin their experience.  They have no concept of how things work and they don't know that they are making fools of themselves by showing anger at a situation nobody could have foreseen or controlled.   I often wonder if they create all this discontent just so they have an excuse to not tip the crew. I've posted before about giving a cruise director a huge tip when I know they haven't slept in 5 days rearranging things over and over ... and were still polite and cordial to the complainers.  I just walk away from them, mumbling something about small minds

7 hours ago, SAN415 said:

I have had great luck with the plus size clothes on Shein. The clothes are cheap and they also have free shipping both ways. I find many of the exact dresses on Amazon but for way less money on Shein. You do get what you pay for.... the clothes are made cheap but also cost cheap. I live in a rural area and am not comfortable driving an hour into Birmingham ( Alabama) so other than Walmart,  Online is my only option.

Nothing wrong with ordering online, it's just the 'too-good-to-be-true faceless internet websites that should be avoided.  Thanks for the tip, I'll check out Shein.  

Stay relaxed and patient during the boarding process.  Dump your stuff in your cabin, meet your steward, read the activity listing, and go find some lunch.  Pick up a drink, walk around the public areas and absorb it all.  Your luggage will probably have shown up by the time you come back to your cabin.  Put it all away, then head for dinner.  Check out the entertainment.  Next morning, hit the top deck and walk all the decks that have outside access.  Read the activity list again and off you go on the most hedonistic of activities a human can enjoy.  

Giza is a LONG WAY from Alexandria.  There's so much good stuff to see in and around Alexandria that I'd not waste hours getting down to Cairo.  But it's probably worth it if you've never laid your hand on the Great Pyramid, nor expect to visit Egypt in the future.  Just know that if there is no Giza SE, you'll be quite fascinated with Alexandria.  

I am grateful for all the excellent info on this thread, thank you all.  It's much better to know that we might not be docked right in the middle of everything every port.  Won't be so disappointing to wake up to yet another bus or shuttle.  I'm spoiled!  I'll rely on my usual 'travel luck' for Avalon's November Rhine cruise.  

I am doing the Rhine, Basel to Amsterdam, in November with Avalon.  I too remember the joy of just walking off the ship.  I quickly get to the point where I don't want to even SEE another bus at 830am!  I'll be disappointed if we're docked 'way over there' too often. Not the end of the world, but just walking off on your own is part of the river-cruise charm.  I'm not expecting a great many raftings or traffic on November, so we'll see.  I'll report back.  

If 'the dining experience' is important, an ocean cruise will always be a better fit.  My preference for river cruising is based on many positive factors; I'm not very interested in dinner.  Sometimes join the whole group in the DR, sometimes up on the bow for a little buffet.  Sometimes dinner with a book in my cabin ... some bits from breakfast, or I can order room service on Avalon.  It's always valuable to be able to discuss this stuff on CC so you don't have to learn the hard way!

Yup, book those shore excursions!  Or go hiking, or ... anything except walking around Juneau (which is my first choice in any port).  The sled dogs are still a big treat for me, and I signed up for a salmon bake supper but chose to return to the ship.  BTW, the buffet on Crown Princess was fabulous, best buffet food I've ever had.  I was delighted to meet the Executive Chef and tell him so in person.  

Anytime I'm unfortunate enough to have a tender port, I book a ship's excursion just to be sure I get off the ship earliest.  I think being stuffed into a tender is absolute torture, but ports like Newport and Bar Harbor aren't to be missed.  We had a private excursion at some port in the Med, and we booked a ship's tour just to get off the ship early enough to have some quality time in the port.  My theory prevails ... I've spent thousands on this trip, what's a few more hundred dollars?

It's your basic layers plan on steroids.  I find that a silk turtleneck under a short-sleeved shirt as good as a long-sleeved shirt.  Bring accessories.  I pack beige and black and one bright color.  Everything can be worn with everything else.  Everything's hand washable and doesn't need ironing.  Tank tops with shorts, or under a shirt, over a turtleneck.  One plain black tunic top with scarves and pretty earrings for dinners.  I pack 3 pairs of black pants, 2 pairs of 'walking shoes', flippers, all black.  Khaki shorts, neutral sandals.  A weightless caftan as a robe and can also run get coffee in the morning.  Rain jacket/windbreaker and scarf, sweater or sweatshirt.  It's very 'freeing' to pack as little as possible and still look presentable 24/7.  

10 hours ago, port msp said:

You've gotten lots of good advise so far.  To answer your questions in order;

Not to miss ports-- I'd say if this is a "one and done" cruise for you, try to get to Glacier Bay.  I like Skagway for the Klondike Gold Rush history and the train.  You'll likely go to Juneau, so I'd say take a whale watch excursion and the Mendenhall Glacier.  I like to wander around the Ketchikan port area.  

Best departure ports-- I like Vancouver over Seattle.  You do the true inside passage steaming up the east side of Vancouver Island when you leave from Vancouver.  Not to catch Essiesmom out, but there are many one week round trip cruises out of Vancouver, not just one ways.  

Best ships-- if you want Glacier Bay, HAL and Princess are your best bets.  We've taken both, we liked both.   We also had a great time on Celebrity.  I think Viking does Alaska.  I've heard good things about Viking, but haven't tried them yet.  We tend to book last minute, and that doesn't seem to be possible with Viking.  

Weather-- It changes by the minute and is quite variable.  We've had 75F and clear skies in Ketchikan, where they measure their annual rainfall in feet not inches, to rain coming down sideways on a whale watch in Juneau, to sunny skies steaming out of Skagway only to run into a snow squall 5 minutes later.   Multiple layers are your friend in Alaska.  Along with a Gore-tex-type hooded jacket.  I'm also a Gore-tex hiking boot kind of guy, but others disagree.  I'd look at average temp charts for the time month you're planning the trip and pack accordingly.  It's pretty dependent on your tolerances.  60F is shorts weather for me in Minnesota.  My friends in Florida bundle up for 60F like I would for a December day.  You can always pick up a fleece jacket or vest while in port if you find you've under packed.   Then you'd have a useful souvenir to remember the trip by.  If you plan/pack with a cool, rainy autumn day in Northern Europe in mind, you'll probably be fine.  

Such excellent information and advice.  I grew up in Alexandria, and burst out laughing at your description of 60F attire.  We've had really nice weather for this entire cruise, sunny and 60-65F ... every time I see someone running around in shorts or a tank top I just KNOW they're from Minnesota!

15 hours ago, DarrenM said:

I find some of the topics on this site to be quite bizarre.

 

Sorry but this is one of them.

 

If the aircon in the room is too cold, has anyone thought about bringing their own radiators onboard to warm it up again?

It would be helpful if you learned a bit about the needs of people who are different from yourself.  These forums are meant to be helpful, meant for us to exchange ideas about how to solve issues.  I have learned a great deal over the years from Cruise Critic.