Sea42

It is too bad that the cruise is off to a rocky start. I hope thing improve in the coming days. What a good attitude to have when the unexpected happens!

Thanks for the details! Last time we arrived on New Years Day and stay at a small motel owned by a brother and sister team. Basic but clean and the food they served was great. We may stay there again, I just have to look at current reviews. Thanks!

On our cruise that left out of San Antonio, we also stayed in San Antonio and enjoyed it so we'll be doing the same for next year's cruise. Can you tell me a little more about your casita?

I'm not sure. This is the first cruise I've looked into getting one due to the many sea days.

A whole cruise pass does show up online for purchase for our next cruise.

I hope you have a wonderful voyage! I look forward to tagging along.

Have a great travel day(s). Safe travels!

We did. We took an upsell for a Neptune on our last cruise. The value for us was the wrap around balcony for Norway. The cabin itself was fine but I would never pay the going price for one. The Signature suites give us plenty of room for a much more reasonable price. That being said, if offered another good deal on an aft Neptune for our Antarctic cruise, I would take it!

A Happy & Healthy New Year to you!

How good can it be if it doesn't come with its own tote bag😔

What amazing adventures you've had this year, thank you for sharing them with us. I enjoy your blog so much and look forward to tagging along in the new year.

I'm looking forward to following another one of your fun adventures! Safe travels

Oceania also has them.

That's exactly why we eat before we board the ship.

That could be a fun little tour on a rainy sea day while getting in some steps!

It is fabric. And here is a random thread talking about how much will fit in it. It's a great value for us!

I thought the private excursion was more than that. But we do have $300pp credit for a HAL excursion, which makes it less expensive than private either way. I haven't taken a ship excursion since our first cruise. Usually because of the large bus groups and the expense. The flexibility of private is another big bonus. But I just don't see that advantage for Volunteer Point when everyone is going to the same place, in the same type of vehicle. If the time spent at Volunteer Point were different, that might sway me though.

@NorbertsNiece Merry Christmas! 🎄I am enjoying your posts so much while I wait for our sailing in 2025! Can you tell me about how long you were at Volunteer Point before the HAL excursion people arrived? Or did you think they were already there when you got there? Have you talked with anyone who went with HAL? I have signed up with HAL to use our excursion credit as it doesn't appear to be much difference in private versus HAL, that I can see, for Volunteer Point. From what I've read the total length of time of both are the same, as are the type of vehicles being used. But I am wondering if the time at Volunteer Point is significantly different. Any information on this that you can share would be appreciated! Thanks!

That I don't know. Maybe if they are sailing from the US?

For the US, this is from the ADA website: https://www.ada.gov/resources/service-animals-2010-requirements/ "When it is not obvious what service an animal provides, only limited inquiries are allowed. Staff may ask two questions: (1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability, and (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform. Staff cannot ask about the person’s disability, require medical documentation, require a special identification card or training documentation for the dog, or ask that the dog demonstrate its ability to perform the work or task"

After 20 years, maybe it's time to update to a $5 bill?

In this case, just purchase HIA separately and you would come out ahead

It is my go to option for spending most of my non-refundable OBC.

I did notice in the daily planner it was listed as being live streamed in another lounge. It's a nice alternative if people find themselves arriving late. Very nice to know that HAL is offering quality speakers.

You do receive double mariner point in the Signature and Vista Suites but that's the only "perk". For us the Signature Suites are the perfect cabin when looking at size and price. The benefits for the Neptune suite just didn't justify the price. I was glad we were able to try one for a great price on an upsell but we wouldn't pay the normal fare for a Neptune.