pris993

When you live on the west coast, it takes all day to fly to Florida, not that much further to Europe. LOL

One has to pace themselves, we learned that along the way. I remember, getting off in Barcelona after a 12-day cruise, staying at a Ritz Carlton on the Mediterranean for 2+ days and all I wanted to do is sleep. I said to myself, something is wrong with this picture. After that we did a better job of pacing ourselves. We were lucky because we knew we would be coming back again and did a least another dozen times. We did not need to see everything in one trip or go from dawn to sunset.

We are like you, 60+ cruises on 9 different lines over 40 years. Have family in middle east and Europe, so had a good reason to visit and add a cruise to many places on either end of our trips. Can't afford first class air but do enjoy mini suite cabins. Now we are 90/75 so content to go out of our home port of San Francisco, love being at sea.

Some cruise lines allow you to order liquor directly from the cruise line for your cabin. We have done so on both Princess and Holland America for example. You may check with your Travel Agent regarding the cruise line you are on, to see if available. I have ordered Rum for my brother-in-law, all lines have beer.

We have cruised NCL a few times, none of the other lines you mention. Last time on NCL, we eat at the buffet entire trip we were in Mediterranean. Felt buffet on NCL hot food items were mostly what I call comfort foods, something like stews. We loved the salad bar at the buffet on NCL, we made salads and sandwiches the entire trip. The newer Princess ships, Royal class have excellent buffets, lot of choices far more than what I experience on NCL. NCL is noted for entertainment. Princess has a variety of entertainment on board, not sure if it will compare to what you are looking for, some comedy but changes daily. Casual attire will work at buffet and around the ship any night.

Agree, like the walk around decks too.

Monkey see, monkey due, model seems more like Celebrity with modern furniture. I am elite on both Princess and Celebrity, when Celebrity built new designs tried them, did not like at all and stopped cruising Celebrity. HAL has eliminated bathtubs from their new builds except for suites, I like a bathtub so don't plan to cruise HAL anymore either. For now I will stick to Grand and Royal class Princess ships, prefer Grand over Royal. Seems cruise lines designs going in the wrong direction for my taste.

We booked the first European cruise back in l989 or so, from Rome to London on the Royal Odessey - Royal Cruise line, no longer around. At the time it was expensive for us, $7000 for limited view cabin, no air included. It was so fabulous we just kept going, each and every port amazing. Did about 15 cruises over the years on Princess, Cunard, Celebrity, Crystal, NCL, Holland America lines, never got tired of going. Glad we did, because now at 90 and 75, no longer want to fly to get to a port. We went out of Istanbul, Venice, Rome, Athens, Barcelona and Southhampton. Now days, cruises do offer a lot more for less cost by comparison. If we were younger, we would go in a heart.

I am leaving 12/22 for 15 day holiday cruise. final payment due 9/23. I would suggest you start looking now to see if cruise lines have any deals on cruises you want to do.

Have you tried to goggling Holland America cruise line corporate office phone number? I just did, several numbers come up. Don't know what numbers you have tried already.

If you feel the need to ask, you already know the answer, No.

Agree, no matter what cruise line, we used taxi in NY from JFK to Cunard. Last time we used a ship transfer was when we were in Rome on one of our first European cruises on the Crystal Line back in l994. Never used another cruise lines transfer again. Booked many private transfers and used taxis in other cases. Always worth the extra expense if one can afford it.

Being a TA today is not an easy business to be in for sure. I think back before the internet and access to so much travel information, it was not easy to make travel arrangements on one's own. Now the reverse is true. For those of us who do our own bookings directly, we understand how easy it is to do and are obviously satisfied doing so.

I did not see the comment as snarky. To each his/her own personal choice. I prefer to be in control of my bookings with cruise lines, hotels, airlines so book them all direct. Works for me. Like you say we all have different approaches and objectives. Do what works to meet whatever goals one sets.

No, that must be something new. Will try next time. Thanks. I will look for on the app.

This is why I book a mini suite, more room in cabin, enjoy cabin more and can easily avoid crowds on sea days.

I check my account daily, because it does take about 3 days to get mistakes corrected.

no

Rita Moreno, Mickey Gilley, Pat Boone all years ago.

Have you checked the difference between the two packages? The reason I say this, I would guess you would be just as happy with the Princess Plus. Why fight about something that may not make a difference to you? Plus coverages all drinks up to $12, plus tips, special coffees, water. I found the plus is more than adequate, doubt I would order any differently, even if I had the premium package.

I do think it makes a difference. Your booking info and photo ID must agree. I have never tried to correct such a problem but if you have a travel agent I would seek help there. If not, I would call Princess again, hopefully you get someone that is more helpful.

Our son and daughter in law had no interest in cruising at all. We invited them on a Princess ship for lunch before we left, with our grandson. Grandson loved it, guess who cruises now? Grandson sealed the deal, we even went once with us.

My sister books club class because she can get cabins mid ship, being handicapped that makes it easy for her to get around the ship. She often travels with others who do not book club class so she joins her friends and does not use the CC dining. I am planning to travel with her, was consider booking club class to have a cabin near hers. Compared price difference for two pps, Club Class was $500 more. Have decided I would book my regular mini suite and use the extra $500 to go to the Crown Grill. Really depends on what folks want or need. We are all elite on Princess, so obviously cruise line works for us at this point in our life. I have cruised 9 other lines over the years. Elite on both Celebrity and Princess, still prefer Princess, now because it has a ship going out of my home port. I don't care to fly anymore anywhere.

Do your parents have a cell, have them contact you when the ship docks in SF. usually around 6 am and let you know what time they are assigned to get off. Usually takes about 30 minutes if they group gets off at time scheduled to go thru customs and pick up luggage to get to curb. I do agree later is better than first thing. Folks getting off at 7:30 am and part of early groups much be able to carry off all their luggage. Which I would guess your parents can't do. We are usually off by 8:30 am or 9 am at latest. We request these times as passengers with personal independent pickup arrangements. Have gone in and out of SF many times in the past 20 years.

Not really. I have seen some adults dress up when I was on a cruise in Egypt, they were at the disco late at night dressed in sheets as mummies having a great time. Have done a few Halloween cruises, generally the wait staff in MDR does dress up.