NotThePest_Too

Just booked Freedom of the seas for september 29th, it will be our first time cruising out of San Juan and I'm a little worried that the flights might fill up upon our return, has anyone had luck flying standby out of San Juan after a cruise? We won't be in any rush to leave the island but we'd like to leave the same day.

 

Thanks

I think you pick the wrong forum to ask that question. I know what you mean as a Mom of a former TecOp. I don't know which airline you work for or if you're a dependent/spouse/parent of ...but you need to take that question to your airlines NonRev Facebook group if they have one. Most of them do.

Ramona

While I'm no expert on this, shouldn't one who has a NEXUS card also carry their passport?

Already answered (see above) NEXUS is only for people who pass through the US and Canadian border all the time by ground transportation: truck drivers, live in Canada work in USA/USA work in Canada. etc.

Ramona

I think the lesson learned here is .... if you have a passport, then you should always travel outside your home country with your passport. It seems odd to me that someone would go through the steps to obtain an alternate proof of citizenship if you already have the best proof in your hands, a valid passport. I’m obviously missing the other benefits of having a NEXUS card?

I mentioned, well sort of, the reason for NEXUS. If you are a long haul truck driver, if your business is going back and forth between Canada and US, NEXUS makes sense as you are not held up at Border Crossings as time is money You may from time to time be subject to going through the old fashion way just like those who have TSA Pre-Check may be subjected to going through the long slow line.

Ramona

NEXUS is only for Canadian Border Crossing both from USA and to USA for US and Canadian residents (I'm not sure if you have to be a citizen). It was meant for business travelers; truck drivers who routinely cross the border. Now If one crosses into the US with a NEXUS card, gets on a cruise ship going to another country, gets off the ship and then tries to Board without a Passport … well … you're just out of luck. I'm doing a 49 Day S.A. cruise leaving in Feb 2019 and one of the stops, well three ports, are in Brazil. Guess what, even if I don't get off the ship, I have to have a Brazilian Visa or else it's a non-boarding issue for me and I can't get on the ship.

Ramona

By the way ...the in error part of your title is your error not Carnaval

Here is the wording from US Customs and Border for NEXUS:

NEXUS

Yes....three come to mind:')....... chogging......Children in the hot tubs.....and.......to wear or not to wear, jeans in the dining room:eek:

I will have to search on those. I love reading writing that is cleaver.

Ramona

Hi...just returned from our cruise and these insoles were on sale . They are not cheap to buy but if they work then I would think they are worth it. So has anyone bought these insoles and more importantly....do they work?

Goodfeet are not only sold on cruise ships. They are also sold, as per my hair stylist, at hair shows. I've had custom orthotics made @ a cost of $600 a pair which was guaranteed for 10 years, didn't happen. I purchased a pair on my cruise, Dec 2017, and they seem the same as my custom made only less expensive. I have flat feet, with my right foot is flatter than the left. The Goodfeet I have are not the same.

I think I'll try to find out when my hairstylist is going to her next show in or around NYC and tag along to see how they sell Goodfeet there.

By the way, the custom orthotics greatly helped my walking, my leg strength, and the muscle endurance in my legs.

Ramona

The average cost for boarding a dog is $25 to $45 per day. Boarding for a week long cruise with an extra day for travel would cost a minimum of $200 per week at those rates. You can buy a vest on eBay or Etsy for just under $10. You could even throw in a couple of those "Service Dog -- Do Not Pet" patches for less than a single day's boarding cost.

But as soon as the dog begins barking, jumping on people, pulling at the leash, etc. I know, as well as others, not a trained service dog …

Ramona

This was the most entertaining thread I've read so far. Lots of great Word Smiths.

Ramona

So, someone made something up and you are quoting it as fact? And yeah, the offered gratuity is indeed an indication that requests will be made, that said request is expected to be done and there will be compensation for such effect. Welcome to the way the world works. This book is an excellant read in how high end hotels work https://www.amazon.com/Heads-Beds-Reckless-So-Called-Hospitality/dp/1101973749

Not made up but if you believe that there is nothing I can do and I won't belabor the point. The person the lawyer challenged use to be head of the IMF. The lawyer went on to become the Brooklyn (NYC) District Attorney. I'm sure you can find the info through Google. The man just had a passion for justice.

Ramona

Please post the link to that myth. There is no country that believes that. Crew are well versed in guests and tip habits.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/tips/how-to-tip-when-youre-traveling-abroad/ss-BBDPLqV#image=2

No link but I'm familiar with a case in NYC (hotel) which a lawyer who attended my church took on a sexual assault case against a very famous financial official heading an international monetary fund. I also know people who work(ed) in the hotel industry as housekeepers and have lots of stories of people leaving pre-tips and expecting/assuming everything.

Ramona

I called many times to see what they would say, but every time the answer has been a “maybe.” They’ve also given me an email, but no one ever responded.

 

To reply to your question, I wrote “competition” for the sake of not having to explain, but since you asked, it’s actually a state convention performance. I did a competition last month and it wasn’t my best playing. I ended being an alternate for the performance, which I was fine with. It didn’t expect that anyone would give up their spot, but someone did. If the cruise says no, I know I can’t play at the convention anyways, so I’m just hoping they say yes.

I understand. Wasn't trying to rag on you but I know musicians.

I'm kinda in the same boat as you but as a new group exercise instructor, Aug will mark 6 months and the end of my internship. I'm scheduled for a Feb 2nd, 49 day cruise and I asked if I could do free ad hoc classes to keep my skills up. If not I'll just head to the gym, put on my head phones and teach invisible people.

Just a thought, can you bring along a small keyboard to practice as a last resort?

Ramona

I’m going to be on the Norwegian Breakaway in June, and I have a huge state piano competition right when I get back. Do you guys think it is possible the cruise will let me borrow a piano just to keep my piece up?

Contact Norwegian BEFORE you sail. But you also must realize when you ask a question, you will get either a yes or no. Was the competition a last minute entry or did you book the cruise knowing this was coming up after you returned? Very curious. I'm good friends of a Department Chair at Manhattan School of Music and I know he plans nothing BEFORE a scheduled concert. Between teaching, administrative duties and advising students, time management is no one priority.

Ramona

Anyone know how to join a meet and mingle party. They have them on Royal, but don't see how I can do this on Princess. The page just takes me around in circles. It even says if you want to pre-register, to call 1-800 princess, but they have no clue what I'm talking about.

I'm on the Roll Call for Royal Princess Feb 2nd 2019, South America Grand Adventure. When I made a deposit there was already someone who organized the Meet & Greet (Meet & Mingle) with Princess, Spreadsheet six TABs (Google Doc); and a potential room to meet dependent on the number of people. You may want to find that Roll Call and check out the signature for, Chelsea922, as she is the one organizing, because there is a link to the spreadsheet.

If you want to organize a Meet and Greet you have to be well organized and able to deal with phone calls to Princess. If you create a spreadsheet to to track everyone, you have to lock it so you're the only one who can update it. You will also have to commit to constantly keep up with what is posted on the Roll Call to update, add and remove people as they sign up.

Hope this was helpful.

Ramona

Get the app ( IOS and Android) Hopper. It tracks flight costs, demand, etc. Using past history, it will show you the historical costs (Low, Med. High) by color codes and let you know if the price is likely to go up, down or remain the same.

Set up the app with your info, enter your fly dates and then it will track pricing.

Ramona

I've never seen one, but it came close as I was threatened. I was sitting with my wife on 2 chairs in Navigator of the Seas Solarium (Adult area ;)) A guy came up to me and said I was in his chair. I started rationally mentioning we were there for 2 hours and it was empty when we arrived. No logic would calm him down and he started talking about physically removing me from my seat. I made my plan, I was going to stand up, yell loudy for security and then was going to announce to the crowd, "watch this guy, if he hits me first, he is going down". Years later I would have just gotten everyones attention and let him hit me and make a big deal about it. But fate stepped in, just as I stood up, his wife called out, "Over here honey!" He had left the solarium from one direction and come back from the other, so he was confused by which side he was on.

Did he at least put on a sheepish face and apologize?

Ramona

… One time I tipped my room steward at the beginning of the cruise because I had an extra request (wanted ice) and I gave him $40 at the beginning....never saw him again. He was the worst steward I ever had and I wished I hadn’t given him the extra $40 up front.

Depending on the country your steward came from, it is possible he saw your upfront tip as an insult. If you placed that tip in his hand, face to face, he also may have thought you were expecting his to do something that was outside of his stated duties. You may know what you wanted; but he/she may have not.

Ramona

I've done over 20 cruises with Royal. About 14 solo. Never received an upgrade. I don't believe they value solo travellers. I am tired if seeing couples I know get upgrade after upgrade when they have a lower loyalty status, while I pay more and have never gotten an upgrade of any sort.

If the status quo is so upsetting to you, vote with your money … Go where you are valued as a solo traveler.

Ramona

My Vista cruise was 6 days. There were 3 of us in my cabin( myself and 2 children)

Thank you so much and you were quick. What you tipped your steward for three people (two kids! Wow) is approx. what I've calculated per day, $4.50, $221 for 49 nights. I'm single and traveling solo. I also tend to "tidy" up pre steward. If you did any excursions, how did you tip if there were multiple people involved (drive, tour guide). My first cruise 10 days, I did a lot of eco-tourism with multiple people taking the helm in a multi-part excursion. I took the 20% of what I had set aside as a tip and divided it up. It didn't help that I was unaware of just how many people would be involved with the excursion. The worst was one I did Jamaica, W.I. Zip line, Bob Sled ride, hiking to falls, bus driver and tour guide (she was terrible). Each of the first three sections had two people each, Ugh!

Ramona

On my Vista cruise this past April I tipped the porter that took our bags $5.00( there were 3 bags). My gratuities were $233.00 and was charged to my sign and sail account towards the end of the cruise. I tipped ever bar tender $1.00. At the end of the cruise I wrote a thank you cars for our steward and placed a crisp $100.00 bill in it. I handed it to him and he was about to slip it into his pocket. I told him to open it and he did. He actually shed a few tears, he was so thankful. I wanted to tip the child care center but there were too many workers and they kept switching them out so I had no idea who to actually tip.

 

I am not saying you have to tip as much but I do suggest that you acknowledge the hard work of the crew members that assist you.

May I ask how long (days) was your VISTA cruise? I am doing a 49 night S.A. cruise in Feb. 2019 and I have a spreadsheet to calculate tips. Tips for excursions, MDR wait staff, Steward … I don't drink so sorry no bar staff tips... I've calculated for $3 per day for the Steward and about 20% total of excursions (Private, My Travel Agent's recommendations and Ship Excursions). I have prepaid gratuities included, calculated as part of cruise costs.

Thank you in advance.

Ramona

Sounds like they call anything with spice, “ethnic food”.

To somebody who is not where you are from, everything other than their food is "ethnic" food.

Ramona

If you can't sue or if it's almost impossible to sue, then you get creative and hit them in the pocketbook. Corporations want to protect their goodwill so you hit them there. It may take a while but it can be successful. Anyone remember United Breaks Guitars?

His redress is social media.

This new thread is for Solo Cruisers to tell people about the next cruise they are planning and for other Solo Cruisers to refer to if they want to know if there will be other Solo passengers on a particular cruise that he or she is planning to book. Please follow the same format so that the posts on this thread will be easy to follow. The name of the ship and date should appear in the Title and then you can write your message in the body of the post. Please be sure to join in and periodically check the "Roll Call" for that Cruise Sailing, as well. Any conversations with other Cruise Critic members are better done on the Roll Call thread rather that this thread since this thread will likely cover several different cruises. Let's see how this works........

Restating purpose; format and OP's intentions

Ramona

Hope you can access this: I took a photo with my phone of the NYC (New York City) regulations for allowing service dogs (if you can, read the lower right section):

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipOCRcvRMA_FxG3K0-6vt1aYziLWePP5e2SItzEm

Opps. You may have to have a Google/Gmail Account to see. I'll try to figure this out.

Ramona

Interesting. Actually, "time will tell." However, you've got it backwards when it comes to tolerance for crime and crooks.

My Last Words: !) God loves you even if you don't know it or recognize it; 2) I Never said I tolerate crime and or crooks, I just said I'm not going to let bitterness make my life toxic (well, in so many words), I'll just let the reaping take care of what the other person has sown. -- My Last Words on the subject.

Ramona

Flatbush Flyer,

Good one! (y)

And the good Lord will provide? Philosophical B.S. you think? :D

Sorry you feel like that but time will tell. I use to feel exactly like you do … but time is an equalizer.

Ramona