Tina G

Bull****. Why should I waste my life feeling sorry for myself? I have been around the world because of chemo treatments. Otherwise, I would have died years ago. This time I am going in a wig - well, I'll take several in different colors. So what if my hair is gone again? Just got an upgrade to a Vista Suite, so I am looking forward to it!

When I do die, I hope people say "Well, she did everything she wanted to do, thanks to her doctors and modern medicine!"

By "best", do you mean cheap? The bargain prices are usually in early December. We have been three times.

Your post is very nicely worded.

 

I have to agree with the above. Planning a cruise around chemo treatments seems risky. They sometimes have to reschedule those treatments based on things like results of blood tests.

I have been planning cruises around my chemo treatments for the past ten years. No problem. Unless you are going on a World Cruise, an extra week does not make that much difference. I can't count the cruises I have been on since I was diagnosed ten years ago! They have been wonderful, and I am very glad I did them! My oncologist and surgeon are all for it! They even ask me for cruising advice.

When God send cancer, you can sit around and feel sorry for yourself, or you can get on with your life, as much as time allows. I have seen too many nursing homes with people who didn't get out and do things when they could have.

I am pleased to hear that the OP's late wife didn't postpone their trip. She was looking forward to the future, I am certain. It is sad that she didn't get to go, but I am convinced that there is a cruise ship in heaven waiting for me someday - a suite, of course!

I was unable to get travel insurance at all until a year after any cancer treatment. :(

Did you try Travel Guard? They have two different levels of insurance, and you must buy your insurance within two weeks of booking travel. We had to shop around for me. I have been at stage 4 for three years, and I have no trouble buying insurance - well, maybe paying for it! It does cost a bit more. Of course, if you doctor says "No flying", no one will cover you. On one occasion, I did get a doctor's note just to be safe. I was fully covered in August when - surprise - they discovered a nasty tumor in my intestine. Good thing it was found here at home and not overseas!

I am sorry for your loss. I have had breast cancer for ten years. We were booked on a cruise on another line to Japan last August. Nine days before leaving, I was in the hospital having major abdominal surgery to remove a large surprise tumor. So much for our cruise.

We had purchased travel insurance from Travel Guard, making sure that pre-existing conditions were covered. We got back every penny. I am sorry that you didn't realize that this was an important part of cruising.

This happens all the time to cruise lines. They are upfront with you that you need to buy travel insurance, and any travel agent will tell you the same thing. Why didn't you buy it?

We have more cruises booked, and for each one we have purchased cruise insurance that covers everything from a recurrence of my cancer to my death. Yes, it costs money, but not as much as losing your entire fare and air travel.

I think more women than men use lanyards. Since you don't need to carry a purse around the ship, they are handy to keeping track of your card when you don't have pockets. I have a glittery rhinestone one that I like. I have been on 24 cruises. Only a snob would criticize someone for wearing one.

Be prepared. You will be required to get off the ship during the second boarding time for a few hours. No staying cozy in your cabin all day. They offer shore excursions for B2B passengers, or you can take a cab downtown and walk around.

The Veendam has 14 day itineraries that do not go back to FLL until the end of the cruise. They are budget friendly.

We have sailed to Hawaii twice in Princess, and once on HAL. The reason for the Hal sailing was itinerary, as it stopped in Kona. All three trips were enjoyable. Love those quiet sea days!

Entertainment and food is slightly better on HAL, but if you are a chocolate lover, Princess has fabulous chocolate desserts on Gala night. The "Loveboat Dream" is their signature chocolate mousse dessert, and not to be missed.

HAL has better cabins, with a tub in cabins above the inside grade and a sofa. On Princess, be prepared for the Mini-me shower unless you book a mini-suite or above. Service is better. I think Princess has cut back and given their staff too many cabins to work. The Lido buffet is better on HAL, with more hot food selections.

I do enjoy the Crows Nest retreat on HAL for reading. Entertainment is better on Princess bar far. HAL has cut back, substituting a piano-violin duo for the string quartet. The canned production shows on both ships come from the same outfit, but the HAL shows seem to be geared for a much older audience, and the Princess shows seem to have more energy. I am a retired musician, so I am picky. Princess also features interesting entertainment in the atrium lobby. Nice, while you are drinking coffee and munching a pastry from the International Cafe.

Princess is pushier about seller you things on board. The "art" auctions are a joke, and a waste of time. The cheap merchandise (chains by the inch, costume jewelry, etc) hawked while the ship is at sea are not worth your time, and they look tacky. If you want to buy Swarovski, try Ebay for better prices.

Do you want to spend a few days in Rome before the cruise, or are you just looking for overnight accommodations? Big difference! There are less expensive hotels neat the Leonardo DaVinci airport, and you can take a fast train into the city for a day.

Well, I am disappointed and I am not ashamed to say so. I have been to St. Thomas countless times, and I was looking forward to St. Croix.

Hi Everyone -

Thanks for your support.

My mom is the sweetest, funniest older person you'd want to meet. That's why I vacation with her - she is just awesome.

 

More Details -

We were at muster - we always get places early so we can have a seat (we've both cruised before many, many times - so we know what to expect). Anyhow, we were seated at the front and there was a railing in front of us. An "idiot" stood leaning against the railing with his butt in my moms face - she kindly asked him to move and he was extremely rude in his response to my mom so I told him to "Be nice that is my mom", he told me "Shut up Fat A**". The conversation descended from there. It was awful - both my mom & I tried to forget this experience but it's been hard. There were other encounters too. Simply awful.

 

Thanks for the support - much appreciated.

Muster is a high stress time. Many experienced and self-important passengers resent having to do the muster. I am handicapped and on chemo. I have been traveling with cancer for 10 years, and until my last cruise, there was no problem. At muster, there were no handicapped seats available because most of them were full of able bodied passengers who didn't want to descend the stairs. I pleaded for a seat. Some one told me where to get off. I passed out cold. It took three crew members and a wheel chair to get me back to my cabin. Really upset the staff.

This cruise I have a cane/seat so I can sit anywhere.

The big internet travel agencies can often get you a great deal. Their websites are easy to navigate, and they book all cruise lines. Problem is, some of their agents are newbies. I have been using the same agent at a mega-cruise travel site for many years. Unfortunately, rules here prevent me from giving you his name.

I am a musician. I want the string quartet back. Some of the string/piano duos that replaced it are very amateur! I have heard better in my high school classes.

We have been on the Veendam twice, and realizing that it is an older ship, we had no issues. We were very impressed with the staff and service. If you want a huge ship with buzzers and whistles, go on RCCL, but that isn't our style. We are interested in unusual itineraries, FOOD, and comfort. The Veendam suits us perfectly. Do wish they had a more comfortable movie venue, but we can see movies at home.

We were on the first cruise ship to dock at Granada after Hurricane Ivan destroyed the island's economy and buildings. Our ship brought some emergency supplies. I was proud to donate and spend money towards that island's recovery. Salvation Army and U.M.C.O.R. were both busy helping people.

Grab it and run! Princess isn't stupid. Those prices won't go down until after you have made your final payment, and then you cannot change it. If you do the math, you will be getting a good deal. Those tips really add up!

We did a Med cruise on October 30, many years ago. It was hot, but not uncomfortably so. Summer clothes with sweaters for evening work well. Remember, shorts are not cool for visiting historic churches, or in Muslim countries like Turkey. Loved Dubrovnik!

If you plan to dine with the captain, I hope you speak fluent Italian. Most Princess Captains do not speak English as their first language.

Honestly, wouldn't you rather that the captain be doing his job, commanding the ship?

The last three times I have been in Juneau, there were little tram carts, like in the airports, to help people who had walking issues get to the end of the dock. No charge.

Sorry Double post.

We did not buy insurance all those years because we often changed our mind on what trips we booked... booked and cancelled and rebooked cruises... if we had bought insurance we would have lost the money we paid on the insurance when we cancelled

We never pay for our insurance until we make final payment on a cruise and the reason being exactly what you stated....we don't want to lose the money. You don't lose it if you haven't already paid for it. So you pay when you are sure you are taking the cruise!

Unless you have a pre-existing condition, like CANCER? I wouldn't have been covered if I hadn't booked that insurance within two weeks of our initial booking.:(

Hmmm...the casinos must stay closed while any ship is in Hawaiian waters, and I don't see fewer ships sailing to Hawaii.

We have done this cruise three times. It is one of our favorites. Very relaxing. I am a reader, and I enjoy the time without distractions. DH is a doer, and he runs around the ship finding many different things to do and people to talk with.

Thanks everyone. I see the laundry room not far from our cabin. Think I'll take a couple of pods and fabric sheets with us. I'm thinking the laundry room won't be busy at 5 am. I'm an early riser!

No, it will be locked and empty. The laundry rooms are kept locked at night to avoid bothering the passengers in the adjoining cabins. I believe they unlock them around 8:00 AM and then lock them at 10:00PM.

Dressing suggestions on Princess are about the same as on Holland. There will be a variety of ages on board, including some kids. Longer cruises will tend to attract an older crowd since they can take the time to do the cruise easily.

There are different bars with different styles of music. The production shows are a little better IMHO, but similar on style. Food is OK, with options for extra-cost restaurants. The Lido buffet is not as extensive as HAL, but it served us well. One thing I love is the Princess desserts! HAL can't touch those chocolate masterpieces!

Usually the "party 'til we drop" crows doesn't do Princess. I've never really had a problem with any other passengers. The MUTS (Movies Under the Stars) are fun for a different experience. They provide popcorn and blankets for you to sit out and watch a movie.

I think you would like Princess.