jsn55

I don't use my phone for this stuff unless forced. I did all this baloney for NCL last month, it was beyond aggravating. But it beats standing in line forever. I have a scanner on my printer, and I know you can take a picture of your doc with your phone. It took me forever to get several docs uploaded and properly in their place. NCL's website 'didn't like' various photos, United didn't like our passport scans ... it was maddening. Best to do an online search for exactly what you want to do ... sometimes it takes several bits of advice to actually accomplish your task. Or prevail on a friend, or a friend's kid more likely, to help you.

I agree about the 'why you want to see Hawaii' post. If you're looking forward to walking along the beach in warm water, drinks with umbrellas, water sports and taking shore excursions to be entertained on each island, the cruise is a far better 'deal'. All depends on your wishes and wants. We're booked over Christmas in an aft-facing cabin and I'm not sure we will care if we get off the ship or not ... we're there to relax and soak up the soft breezes of the Hawaiian Islands as well as experiencing the hedonism of the cruise itself.

Most all my travel clothes have pockets. Once you get used to pockets, you don't want to live without them. Life is so much easier.

Just be aware of time ... don't get yourself into a place where you miss the ship's boarding call.

Sometimes, if people can't understand someone's point, or don't want to, it's easier to just call them names. Trying to understand and evaluate a concept that you don't agree with is hard work.

My thoughts on ship drinks packages ... they're kinda gimmicky, unless you drink a lot (as we used to do). It's neat to not have a bar bill at the end of the cruise, but budget-wise for 'small drinkers' I think you're better off paying as you go. We did buy a drinks package on Cunard a few years ago, but Queen Victoria's included bottles of water in the cabin and specialty coffees, so it worked for us. I searched for drinks' prices first (amazing what you can find out on CC!), so I knew what I was comparing. Cruise lines sometimes bundle in a free drinks package, but you prepay the gratuities. If you usually have a cocktail and a glass of wine daily, you're wasting money on the package.

I am never cold, but always bring a "wrap/scarf/shawl" something as a fashion accessory. I can get ready for dinner in ten minutes.

And be careful of any ports where your ship is anchored and tenders are used. Don't wait for the very last one to come back to the ship after your day in port.

Even with a WiFi plan, the internet is glitchy on a cruise ship. You really don't know until you board if you'll be able to connect at all. Don't count on it.

Wearing shorts is not the problem. Neither is wearing capris or sandals or sleeveless tops. The problem is wearing those items with a washed-out t-shirt with some former garish logo on it, 3 sizes too big, sagging over said shorts. The issue is simple: many of us think that people who look like slobs should be barred from nice restaurants. All that's asked is wear a clean shirt that fits, tucked in and maybe a belt.

I've travelled for 40+ years doing sink laundry with the hotel or ship's shampoo. If it can't be hand-washed, it doesn't get to go with me. We had comp ship's laundry once, that was very nice ... but I don't really want my clothes washed in hot water and put in a hot dryer.

I don't blame our OP, some of these responses are very near the arrogant/condescending line. The OP wants our opinions on how to plan this trip, not endless judgements about how expensive it might be. It would be helpful to share your planning strategy, how you do the research and make decisions. Include helpful info on 'how the ships are deployed' at various times of the year, as one of us posted ... no need to project your judgement of the budget or the practicality of the plan, nor imply that the OP is an idiot for wanting to 'cruise around North America'.

This is probably the kind of advice you're looking for, right? I'd be all over this idea and think that planning it would be GREAT fun. I'd start with a big paper map of the world in front of me, some highlighters and a legal pad. I'd look at websites that list "every cruise ever to sail anywhere" to get an idea of when/where cruises go within your time parameters and what the costs are. When you have some ideas of itineraries that might work, research those ships/cruise lines carefully so you end up with the 'level of service' you want. My husband and I are very happy with 'mass-market' lines, but there are numerous budget and luxury lines available. And do find a travel agent who is a cruise expert. S/he can add tremendously to the value you receive. You don't need a 'local' TA any more, computers and phones make it unimportant. But don't use an online booking service ... all they do is 'take your order' even tho they like to fool people into thinking they're TAs. Use them for research only.

EXTREMELY well said. Do whatever you want, but pick the locations at which you do it. I don't want to get all spiffed up for a lovely, elegant dinner and look at a slob at the next table. Nobody is trampling on your rights to do what you please. Just stay away from those of us who are trying to enjoy a special experience in a nice restaurant.

I couldn't agree with you more. Smoking in the casinos should be banned, starting tomorrow morning. Smokers belong outside or in special well-ventilated 'rooms' like Europe does. We do not belong in the casinos, or any other part of the ship except our designated area(s).

We just cruised from Quebec to Boston on NCL Pearl. At our first US port, Portland ME, we had only a few hours. We'd already missed two Canadian ports due to Fiona, and Halifax was thick fog with rain. Portland was sunny, with beautiful clouds in the blue skies ... and that's when Immigration boarded the ship, about 11am. We all had to line up and pass through with our IDs. It took a great deal of time away from enjoying Portland. I had heard horror stories of people standing in line 'forever' but we were lucky to have a ship shore ex booked, so were in the first group. The experience was just an inconvenience, wasted about an hour. The ship's schedule surely could have been set up better so we had a decent time in port after the required formalities.

People are going to smoke. People are going to decide they're allergic to smoke. People are going to complain about the smell of smoke. People have decided that the smell of smoke is the worst odor in the world. People are going to smoke. Some smokers are courteous and discreet. Some smokers drop their cigarette butts on the ground right in front of an ashtray. As JMO says, there's no point in rehashing the subject. Give the smokers information about where they can smoke on a cruise ship, and allow the people who are bothered by smoke to avoid the area. Not sure why people continue to read this thread, except to express themselves. Nothing is going to change. People are going to smoke.

I know! When I first read about this idea, I chucked a bit around a little tube and threw it in my 'stuff bag' ... probably 15 years ago. Never once have I used it, but we all know if I ditch it, I'll need it. Same with a tiny tube of super glue. My stuff bag has everything I've ever needed and then some; I don't like to run around in circles looking for something that might be difficult to find when travelling. My most-used item? Binder clips, use them for so many things while travelling.

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.