jsn55

I don't think a good travel agent needs to be 'local' with today's ease of communication. Being a cruise expert TA is the most important aspect. I never use an online booking service for anything, I want someone there if I need help. Get references ... a good TA is worth her weight in gold.

River cruise in Europe, there's nothing better to celebrate birthdays. Our last was Avalon's Rhine & Mosel ... spectacular!

Looking over this last week on a cruise ship, I'd say the most important non-obvious thing to pack is a tiny flashlight. I've carried one for years, but didn't really think about it until this thread came up. Seems like we use it for something every other day.

I've gotten good at the 'ensembles' part, all black & beige with one color. Everything can be hand-washed. I bring some scarves and earrings and vary my look without packing tons of clothes.

I meant to make preparations for an emergency, but didn't ... never gave it a thought with all the sturm and drang of virus testing and related garbage. I have little hope that more than 10% of the pax will behave with calm and purpose in a real emergency, I think they'll all just run around in circles screaming. When the subject comes up, I just tell myself that I was a strong swimmer and could just swim ashore. Emphasis on the word 'was' here, but it works for me.

I think it's because people like to express themselves on topics that are important to them. Perhaps we feel that we can 'change the world' and that's comforting. It's difficult for some of us to accept that people prefer to look like slobs. For some of us, it indicates that society is going downhill.

Someone who smokes on a ship balcony and 'flicks ashes' should be disembarked at the next port. That's just disgusting. NCL Pearl has a nice smoking lounge up on 13, way forward, sheltered from the wind with tables and chairs. It's hard to be a courteous smoker and see jerks like the above guy get away with being stupid and maybe dangerous. As I've said a hundred times, the jerks make us all look bad, I don't understand being so rude.

Oh, OK then. I misunderstood the topic. Too many drama queens in life maybe. I'd never pitch a fit, but I would stop cruising on a line that allowed too many people who look like bums in the dining room. The people who are serving us look classy, so why can't the pax? People can do whatever they want, I just don't want to be around people who can't be bothered to 'clean up'. If you can't even change your shirt, tuck it in and look decent, you should order room service.

I woke up at 645 ... glorious sunrise! Blue skies and pretty clouds ... now all we have to do is hope the Immigration people get right on with this when we dock. I will look for 'Sea Bags'; not much of a shopper but I love to stroll around and take it all in.

This topic of dressing decently is one that people either understand or they don't. Those of us who enjoy 'looking nice' don't worry about the others, we don't get upset, we just ignore them. If you don't understand the concept, then just move on.

Well, how about lip balm and tissues? I can't go anywhere without them.

Oh, thank you, Kate! We call at Portland and Bar Harbor over the next two days. Portland will be pretty screwed up, we're there a short time and we all have to parade past US Immigration, so probably not much time to do anything. It will be wonderful to stroll around in sunshine and beautiful trees, no matter what color. It's too bad we can't leave the fog and rain of Halifax early so we have a whole day in Portland, but I'm sure that would be a logistical impossibility.

Six lobster tails! 30 years ago we cruised with my little brother and wife. They hadn't ever been anywhere. We had a late lunch on the ship one day and he had a Reuben sandwich. I had one too and it was beyond delicious. So we were swooning about that as the waiter came by and told us we should have another. My little brother thought that was just amazing, and he gobbled up the second one. Suffice to say, by the time he was done with his FIFTH Reuben sandwich, most of the DR staff had drifted over to cheer him on.

To allow people in hoodies with 'designs' at an upscale dining area is just plain stupid. People with real class won't take any action, but they'll probably look for a cruise line who cares about personal appearance. Loud-mouthed louts have always been with us, but I just get up and walk away from them. I understand why Oceania doesn't take action ... these days whomever screams the loudest gets their way, regardless of suggested behaviour or dress. So it's a no-hope situation all the way around.

We are in Halifax this morning on NCL Pearl, our first and only Canadian port; we missed Charlottetown and Sydney trying to avoid Fiona. We were 33 hours late getting out of Quebec, it was very cool sailing out in the dark with all the pretty lights. So what do we see now at 8am in Halifax after two days at sea? Solid fog! You can't make this stuff up. We're avoiding big gatherings on the ship so as not to have to hear all the complaining. What do they think ... the Captain can just magically stick to the itinerary no matter what? We're just glad to be out on a ship. RCCL's Voyager just slipped into the dock in front of us, great to watch her come in. This is our first NCL cruise in years, Pearl is a lovely ship with a fabulous crew. We're giving up on the fall foliage for now, if the sun ever shines again perhaps we will see some beautiful trees along the East Coast on our way to Boston.

So true! We are in Halifax this morning on NCL Pearl, our first and only Canadian port; we missed Charlottetown and Sydney trying to avoid Fiona. We were 33 hours late getting out of Quebec, it was very cool sailing out in the dark with all the pretty lights. So what do we see now at 8am? Solid fog! You can't make this stuff up. We're avoiding big gatherings on the ship so as not to have to hear all the complaining. What do they think ... the Captain can just magically stick to the itinerary no matter what? We're just glad to be out on a ship. RCCL's Voyager just slipped into the dock in front of us, great to watch her come in.

Travel: if it doesn't have pockets, it stays home. I loathe carrying a purse or bag or anything at all. I see no reason to carry a phone around the ship (??) ... whatever for? Kleenex, keycard, lip balm, dollar bills for tips, reading glasses, off you go. My wonderful husband will carry a little tote or something on a shore excursion that we can both share.

I think if you just keep reading 'everything', Suzi, you'll form some valid opinions and ideas. Cruising is a seriously hedonistic activity, you do all your planning before and just enjoy yourself on the cruise. I would thoroughly research the cruise lines who sail where you want to go. Carnival is known as a party cruise line, and that may or may not be a good fit for you. Don't bother with Rick Steves, he's excellent, but mainly does Europe. Forums on CC specific to the cruise line you choose will give you lots of information and you'll always be able to find an answer to any question or concern.

Far as I know, NCL's Pride of America sails around the islands and doesn't go anywhere else.

I know EXACTLY what you mean. Had I known that Canada required testing to board a ship, I would have cancelled this cruise which we are about to start today from Quebec. We wasted an entire day diddling with testing, results, getting everything printed at a hotel ... blah, blah, blah. I'm sick and tired of being pushed around by mindless bureaucrats and politicians. Fiona is making her presence known, so we will probably board today as scheduled, but not sail until tomorrow. That's fine, of course, who wants to sail into a hurricane? But my TA tells me that we may not be allowed off the ship to enjoy time in Quebec. The ship docks right at Chateau Frontenac, so we will just sit on the balcony and stare at leChateau for 24 hours? And for no reason, other than the stupid, stubborn Canadian officials. I travel for enjoyment, not to be annoyed with mindless regulations.

You are right, I apologize. I have been a wreck over the virus testing thing ... and just now I heard a rumor that NCL Pearl might not sail tomorrow out of Quebec. Not a reason to be snarky, tho.

I generally use Firefox, but over the last few years, Chrome has been much more reliable with some websites. I hate to give up Firefox, but perhaps there's no choice. I've noticed this with Hilton, IHG and a couple of other travel websites.

So tell us what happened, please.

And I usually think those women have no mirror at home at all. Hardly anyone looks good with their butt covered in spandex. Wear a longer top! OTOH, lots of people couldn't care less what we think. That's why there are dress codes.

I think that health professionals recommend 'new sneakers' often, because people tend to wear comfortable ones for years, and the support breaks down. So not a particular brand, but a recommendation to get new ones for better support.