mexico8

Thanks for the info. Appreciate it.

I will probably need to use oxygen for a 9 or 10 hour flight in November to Athens. I had issues last year with a long flight from Chile and the altitude when we stayed a few days before the long flight caused me issues. My doctor wants me to use oxygen for the next long flight. I won't need to use it on the ship so I wonder what I will need to buy or rent for the plane trip? Are we able to rent the items we need for a flight? The cruise is 27 days and then the flight home will not be a long flight (only 4 hours) so I don't think I will need oxygen for that flight duration. Any advice or information appreciated.

I also have a Travelscoot and it is my second one. Very sturdy and problem free in about 6 years of ownership. I got the second one just to make sure I would not have any problems. I sold the first one to someone else. It even fits into our smaller Kia Soul SUV without having to fold it down. I can lift it myself when I have to. I have travelled all over the world with the Travelscoot and in India I drew crowds because they had never seen a scooter like mine. I highly recommend it for travelling. As someone else said it is not as comfy as something bigger. I can drive my scooter to the door of the plane and it gets taken down below to the hold with the wheelchairs and strollers and brought back to the door of the plane when we land. I can drive with my right hand and roll my carry-on suitcase beside me with my left hand. I can also put a small suitcase underneath the seat Check out the Travelscoot web site. Lots of good info.

What a great idea to do a search on Google. I will definitely try that. We have hundreds of cruising days with ocean cruising and now want to try a River cruise. So many companies and we didn't know where to start. I will definitely try to do that comparison on Google. Thank you.

We use the laundry service frequently on cruise ships. At first I was worried that cotton items would shrink because of hot water washing or dryers but I write on the bag that it should be cool wash and cool dry and have never had any issues with shinkage or problems. It sure is nice getting the clean clothing back all folded and neatly arranged with tissue paper. Like opening a Christmas present....

I totally agree with your last paragraph. We had an issue and having met personnel at the Meet and Greet they fixed the problem for us promptly. They give out cards with their contact info and it sure comes in handy when you need assistance from them (as you pointed out as well).

I didn't know that they discontinued the luncheon in the dining room on embarkation day. Not happy about that at all. The buffet is so busy and congested and luggage all over the place. I have a scooter and it's hard to get around with so many people and the chaos.

We have the "Free at sea" for a cruise in November but we declined the beverage package because we prefer to order wines that we enjoy and not only what they offer in the package. We can have the other free at sea options without the beverage package.

You make a lot of good points that I had not thought of. So many "coincidences"!!!! I did enjoy the first two episodes because they were in Puerto Vallarta where we spend many winters the past 30+ years and it's our second home so enjoyed seeing all the sites that we know so well.

If you are referring to the mother/son who were last because they were maid to wait for the "crew" who got lost, then I am also annoyed with this format and what was done. I have been a fan for a very long time of the Amazing Race but was very annoyed with this tactic and felt it was very unfair.

Thanks again. Great advice.

Thanks for the info. We will decide once on the ship depending on times available to disembark. If we can't get earliest time off the ship then we will do what you suggest and do the self-disembark.

We are docking on NCL Jewel at 7;00 a.m. on Sunday,Nov. 24th and wonder if booking an 11:40 a.m. flight is advisable? I would guess there would not be too much traffic on a Sunday morning?

With the way it's going not sure if my hubby will be going to Egypt. We are definitely watching the news for updates on the situation there. Only about 12 days until he is supposed to be going on the trip. No nails left to bite..........

He went to the Ottawa embassy (we live in Gatineau so that's where he was supposed to go). I think you are right about why they were closed

What problems do you foresee to get the Visa? Bob got his in 5 days. I guess because of your being in Vancouver it's a little harder? (Once he gets back I will let you know how the Nile cruise was).

Sounds like my scooter - mine is a Travelscoot and fits the description you mention. Hope it all works out for you. I think you made a wise decision. Enjoy your cruise.

My husband got his Visa in 5 days. He brought it there in person on Monday afternoon and they called that it could be picked up on Friday. He went on Monday and they said they would be closed for the rest of the week. I don't know why but we were happy he got his so quickly.

I agree with some of the posters here that there are some unanswered questions about this whole issue. I do feel sorry for the people left behind and not having credit cards etc. Very unfortunate for all of them. I sure hope that those without any funds will replay the couple who did have their credit card.

IN Puerto Vallarta we find the Guadalahara pharmacies chain very reliable and doctors here usually recommend that we fill our prescriptions there. They are numerous ones around town and any taxi driver would be able to bring you to one for about 100 pesos. There are 2 near Plaza Caracol and perhaps even closer to the port area. A taxi or Uber driver would be able to find one for you. As others stated there is a Walmart across from the cruise port area also.

IN Puerto Vallarta we find the Guadalahara pharmacies chain very reliable and doctors here usually recommend that we fill our prescriptions there. They are numerous ones around town and any taxi driver would be able to bring you to one for about 100 pesos. There are 2 near Plaza Caracol and perhaps even closer to the port area. A taxi or Uber driver would be able to find one for you. As others stated there is a Walmart across from the cruise port area also.

I think the bus stop is not far from the port entrance. It is a main street and you can see the buses coming. Look for a bus sign and people waiting for the bus. There are designated stops along the route. You ask the driver to announce your stop. If you are going to the Marina then ask the driver to tell you when they get there. Might be quote the hike to get to where you want at the Marina. It is a big area. Might be better to take a taxi to be sure you get to the right place. The marina is confusing. There are a couple of places called the Marina. There is one where the tour boats leave and another where there are stores and restaurants. I think it would be better to get a taxi or Uber to go there. Much simpler if you are going to centro and the Malecon to take a bus

For others cruisers you can get a yellow taxi at the port in Puerto Vallarta and if you pay in pesos you will probably only have to pay about 150 pesos ($8 US) to go to the Malecon. They charge per car and not per person (the white taxis seem to charger per person). Always best to ask the price before getting in the taxi. You can also take a regular bus that only costs 10 pesos. Look for sign in the window that says "Centro". The bus stop is close to the port.

Bus fare in PV is 10 pesos and no transfers.

Yes in PV. The white taxis seem to charge per person but the regular yellow taxis are total cost - could be 1 to 4 people. The bigger cars (SUV) might ask for more. That's why it is best to verify the cost before entering the car.