terry&mike

Copenhagen will generally cost you a good deal more to fly to/from than Rome, if that helps in selecting your cruise.

Thank you!

The first consideration is the cruise line profile - Holland America is a slightly more mature and sedate demographic, Princess is a slightly more diverse and lively demographic. 

In Japan, I'd go Princess hands down, as they are extremely good in that market, with a very good enrichment program that includes on-ship cultural activities.

You should check all the sources you have for airfare, because you may have multiple sources. Check the cruise line air first as often their contracts have very good rates internationally. If you booked with a travel agent, they can also offer you consolidator fares that can be extremely good. And the open market, by running your dates and options on an aggregator site such as skyscanner, kayak or similar.

$345 for 2 up to Business is an unreal deal for international. I'm concerned that is up to Premium Economy, not Business....

35 minutes ago, Coral said:

They have agents in there who can assist also. And the line is shorter.

That's my suggestion. As you are flying Business/First, if there are any issues head directly to the lounge and work with the agents there to get a new routing. No lines and top level service.

5 hours ago, Budget Queen said:

 

Pack a lot lighter?   Rely on laundry.   And don't go overboard with "stuff".  🙂

 

It can be done-  I did a 10 week trip-   Sept- Nov  with    ONE 25" bag and a back pack.  I am frequently gone for 8  weeks.    In my case-  6 would be a snap.  🙂  

Agree. I give a Packing Light class twice a year, and promote traveling with one piece of luggage (carry-on size) and one personal bag (large purse for me, backpack for hubby) on almost any trip, for many weeks. Mix and match, and layers are the key, along with re-wearing, and limiting shoes, plus some other tips.

4 hours ago, satxdiver said:

I cannot use EZair for our fall sailing out of LA because the EZair booking thinks we live in LA - we live 1400 miles east of LA.  I am not sure what is happening so I need to call Princess. 

You can change your city by typing in the city you want to fly from and/or to. I do this all the time, as often I am going or coming from other places than my home city. As to why it is happening, your "Return to City" in your passenger records must be Los Angeles (or Louisiana, if that's what you meant by LA)

5 hours ago, Davey Jones Dentist said:

We used EZ-Air returning from TA cruise in April (yes, one way despite being told that "They don't do that!")

 

 

EZ-Air always offers the option of booking one way

I'm sure your TA would pass on the move over offer. If a client accepts a move over offer that is passed on by a TA, the TA generally gets a small "thank you" from the cruise line, in the form of a few extra dollars, for coordinating the change. 

Are you a US Citizen on a US passport? If so, a visa is not needed for Morocco.

20 hours ago, Zach1213 said:

 

As much as I enjoy having a room to shower after a long flight, it’s too tempting to lay down and nap. If I nap that day of arrival, I’m screwed for many days; however, if I stay awake and move around, get fresh air and exercise, and crash early (day 9pm asleep), any jet lag is cured the next morning. 

I do the same, no matter how long I've been traveling, even to farther flung places like Asia or Middle East. I always just push through the first day. I find once I get walking I get re-energized, then it's usually no problem to enjoy the day. My bar is to try to stay up until 8pm or so, and then take a Sleep gel by Olly, and crash for a good 10 hours. Next morning I'm generally on the new time and feeling pretty good. 

I always choose the least amount of connections, less stress, less opportunity for problems. Most hotels in Rome will hold your bags while you go take a stroll, or join a walking tour. 

Sailed on an expedition trip to Antarctica in January, and had to consider this possibility due to the extreme remoteness of the location. First off, the expedition ships make you provide documentation that you have evacuation insurance in place for the trip. Should an emergency occur that necessitates you leaving the ship they handle it in different ways depending on the emergency:

- they may sail you to nearest inhabited island with airstrip, such as King George Island. Or sail you back to Ushuaia Argentina, if this is an option, although you are probably 1.5-2 days sail away

- they may deliver you to a research station with medical facilities to get you stabilized, and try to fly a small plane in to airlift you out

- they may try to call for a larger ship, such as a military vessel in the surrounding area, that has a more advanced medical bay and try to get you back to main land

All depends on where you are and what the possibilities are. We've only ever witnessed one real medical emergency at sea, it was in the Tahitian Islands, and a small boat came to the cruise ship and the passenger and companion were offloaded onto the small boat. We heard they were taken to the nearby small island, transferred to a larger boat and taken to Papeete Tahiti to a hospital. Some sort of heart condition. 

You may be a bit spread out, but I feel Frankfurt airport is well run and efficient.

I would not take that short of a layover in CDG, too tight for me in this particular airport.

My eDocs for Feb cruise state PamAm Pier also.

I have free bags with both Delta and United, from 2 different credit cards. When I purchase EZAir on those airlines it shows on the EZAir site that there will be bag fees, but I have never been charged bag fees from the actual airline.

You'll want to ensure you can bring your reservation up using your account/frequent flyer number on the airline's site. If not, be sure to add your ff number to your reservation so it will all tie together. 

I just changed my flights this week on EZ Air, and you would not be able to cancel your original flights without really intending to do it. Once you have selected Add or Modify Flights option, and find the flight routing/price you want you have to click to accept these new flights. Once you click that, then another pop up comes up that says "you will be cancelling your previously booked flights, are you sure you want to do this", and you have to acknowledge that also to be able to go forward.

The only caution might be that be sure you really want the new price and schedule, as once you have cancelled your originally held schedule you may not be able to get it again. I accepted a new price and routing that is much more to my liking, so am happy; but I can see my old price and routing is on offer now for $65 more pp than what I had it held at.

1 hour ago, Desert Cruizers said:

Flyer Talker thank you for that explanation very helpful. We don't have Net Jets or SW in Palm Springs, they have talked to SW but no commitment yet. Someday we might see SW in here but not counting on it. Most used airlines here for all major stops are AA, United, Alaska,  Delta, Jet Blue, West Jet for Canada and commuter flights of course. 

The Net Jets comment was in jest from the poster. Net Jets is a private airline service that you buy a membership into, which allows the member to fly private and choose their own route and departure day/times.

5 minutes ago, Hoyaheel said:

 

So true for ALL drugs, lotions, products, SHOES, bras.... I never travel with something I haven't tried at home first (and, for shoes, well worn in 😉 

Agree 100%.

I'm not sure what you mean by paying for "extra air per person", but if you mean you purchased Viking's custom air then you can call Viking and work with their air department to get a flight routing that is better suited to you. If you did not pay extra for customized air, and have air with your Viking package then Viking will book your air 45-60 days before departure and notify you.

This is if you booked with Viking directly, if you booked with a travel agent they will work with you and Viking to coordinate your air if you paid the custom air fee. 

Also, not sure where you live, but if you live in the US most flights to Europe, including Barcelona, are overnight.

20 hours ago, Alaskanb said:

I end up using whatever pillow device I take to make my back and hips comfortable. I think we have tried most designs over the years but none are perfect. I'm going to light weight inflatable devices by Klymit for back and hip support ...... we'll see how it goes. Yet to decide on a neck pillow but it will probably be our Cabeau ones. 

 

I have found that for back and hip support, I do better with propping my legs up slightly. My legs are rather short, and I found that a blow up travel footrest takes the pressure off of my back. 

You may also want to price it with Princess as SF to Heathrow, round trip, business class. Then go to the open market and buy just the Heathrow-Shannon, economy, one way leg, on it's own.

4 minutes ago, ziggyuk said:

 

Each to their own, I can't think of anywhere nicer to be stranded in the Caribbean, had a wonderful 2 weeks there 10 years ago.

Agree. Flew there with my Mom for a long weekend last year, stayed in a "Casa Particular" (room in local residents home), had a wonderful time. Beautiful place, kind people. Nothing not to like.