lcand1923

I was scheduled for an Atlantic Coastal on the Polaris starting in Ft. Lauderdale from mid-April through the first week of May. I have received an email notice that my flights (booked with Viking Air) were moved up a week. When I went on MyVikingJourney, I see that my booking was moved to the Octanis. Neither my travel agent nor I have received any official information from Viking.

My Grandfather and Uncle worked at different breweries in Baltimore, MD. I grew up looking at, and drinking from, beer cans. They have really changed through the years. Craft brewers are producing delicious brews and canning them in beautiful cans. I appreciate Beer Cans. I want to Compliment all of the contributors to the Daily. I hope I can give at least One Belly Laugh to someone today.

In 2020, EU and US were readily accepted. In many places, the signage actually showed three currencies — Egyptian, US and EU. I do not remember seeing Canadian dollars posted on any signs.

Thanks, Roy, for doing double duty. I don’t post often, but read daily. Prayers and Blessings, Everyone!

Rich, Thank you so much for taking the time to do these posts. I am really enjoying your cruise!

I am getting more and more excited for you as I read your posts. I now believe that someone at HAL reads CruiseCritic since they chose YOUR old cabin for a contractor and gave you the upgrade. Seattle knows how much you do for them with your Daily and other posts about their product. ENJOY!!!

Bob Voyage and Safe Travels, Rich! Thank you so much for taking us along on your great adventure!

From what you’ve said, I don’t think HAL would work for your teens. HOWEVER, how long is the cruise? How many port days vs sea days? Could you tolerate X number of days without “action” at the pool? If so, AND the price is that good, I would give HAL a try. Entertainment other than music is not a “biggie” on HAL, but the food is good and the cabins are nice. The vibe on HAL does not match what you have described as what you like, but you may find it is acceptable if the price is right.

I was part of a small group put together by my Travel Agent that did a Uniworld Egypt cruise that ended in March 2020, right as COVID hit the mid-Atlantic area of the US. Egypt had been on my bucket list for years and I was familiar with the Uniworld product so thought this trip would fit. All I can say is, it was FANTASTIC!!! I cannot think of anything that could have been better. Out group had cabins throughout the ship and all were satisfied. The excursions were well-organized. The food was good. Our trip had a very large group from the MMA in New York that wanted to be separate. Uniworld handled that by giving them a separate section of the dining room and lounge area, but this did not negatively impact the rest of us. Since my trip was pre-COVID, I cannot speak to any impacts. HOWEVER, I did do a Uniworld trip to Venice September 2021 which was post-COVID. Uniworld followed the protocols for the area.

The Willie Nelson quote is a wonderful thought to take into 2023, so I am writing it on my nice, new calendar. I cannot thank EVERYONE involved with the Daily enough for the love, prayers, thoughts, pictures, caring and sharing that is expressed each and very day. I cannot remember when I first discovered it, but do know that Rich and Roy are the mainstays and deserve the biggest thanks, but I see so many other regulars that make it the wonderful place that it is. Have a Happy, Healthy, Blessed 2023!

Thank you, Rich, for posting about your First World Cruise. I’ve always appreciated the time and effort it takes for you to post the Dailies. It will be great to see your point of view about a World Cruise. Safe Travels!!

Re rollators vs canes — I cruised for many years with my Dad. He suffered from chronic pain due to many years working in construction. At first he used a cane when cruising. After his second back surgery, I suggested that he try a rollator to distribute his weight better. I talked him into taking it on his next cruise. He was back to walking his laps on the Promenade deck. He did a couple of Ship Sponsored Shore Excursions. He ACTUALLY enjoyed himself! I do want to suggest that you “test drive” a couple of rollators before buying one. You will find that some are more comfortable to use than others. Also, ones with large wheels work better on uneven surfaces like grassy areas, cobblestone streets, etc.

Not on my Hilton Honors American Expree.

I normally give my “extra” tips on the second or third to the last day/night of the cruise. If it is a 14 plus day cruise, I’ll divide it into two parts. Several times the crew has changed and I want to make certain the proper person gets the extra. Who do I tip? The Cabin Steward/Assistant Cabin Steward, favorite bar tenders and servers in the MDR/Specialty Restaurants. I do not normally tip on the first/second day of the cruise and/or each time I dine in a Specialty Restaurant. Do I ALWAYS tip? No.

No cruise line is perfect. What needs to be done is to find a cruise line that “fits”. HAL fits me.

A full transit of the Panama Canal is my favorite cruise. (A Sunfarer cruise of the Panama Canal is a Partial Transit with a turn around in Gatun Lake.) I would lean towards a Full Transit early in the year. That way, you may just get another “free cruise” offer later in the year. My second favorite cruise is any to Alaska. Pick whatever cruise is the longest.

Wrap around Promenade Deck and The Crew!!!

So very, very sorry to read the bad news! This latest strain seems to be “strange”. I cannot tell you the number of friends that have caught it. Try to stay sane!!!

I’ve booked cruises on my own, have used a brick and mortar travel agent and, eventually, found a PCC with HAL that I really like. The PCC has changed many cruises that I wanted to reschedule due to COVID. She has learned what I do, and don’t, like regarding pre and post cruise stays. What I REALLY like is she is very responsive to emails and, if I see a promo on HAL’s website, will run the numbers and either adjust my booking or tell me to stay with what I’ve got.

It hasn’t shown on my Hilton Honors American Express.

I’ve done one Celebrity, one Princess and numerous HAL cruises. Since food (speciality dining) and wine are your two requirements, I would go with HAL. I try to visit each of the dining venues on whatever ship I’m on and was not very impressed with those offered on my one Princess cruise.

I had to smile when I saw the wine today. Many, many, many years ago I was on my first business trip. I went to a restaurant for dinner. I decided to treat myself to a 1/2 bottle of wine to go with the meal. It was Berlinger White Zinfandel. That wine has had a soft spot in my heart every since. Stay Safe, Everyone!

I’m not the OP, but thank you so much for the tip about notifying the housekeeping manager about not requiring daily cleaning on turn around day or certain port days on a long cruise. I’ve used a tip that I read years ago on another board often, too. If you are intending to give your cabin steward/stewards a “little extra”, give it to them a couple of days ahead of time or on port days when they are allowed off ship. Turn around day/embarkation day is a super busy one for them. If they have the money ahead of time, they will be able to go to their favorite store and/or send the money home when they aren’t as rushed.

Sorry for providing another bit of advice, but I learned this the hard way. Write your CLAiM NUMBER on top of every piece of paper that you send/fax/scan/email to every insurer. Papers seem to get separated once they hit the Claim Adjuster’s Desk. That missing number can delay a claim for months.

Better than a walker will be a Rollator. That way, your husband can sit if he tires on an excursioon. Dad successfully managed getting on an off the riverboat, going between boats when they were tied together, etc. If he tired too much, he sat and waited for the group to circle back and/or we returned to the vessel. Due to the cobblestones in many ports, a cane isn’t that safe.