hal2008

On 8/15/2022 at 9:51 PM, Lane Hog said:

$127 per test is the going rate at CVS/Walgreens.  

Why wud you test at CVS.

PCR tests are no longer needed for many months now 

Tests are free.

Monitored testing is 15 USD

Home testing is lot less hassel than going through TSA line or even effort to do online checking 

But this is not about any cost or effort involved, correct? 

Seems like another thread screaming to be locked 

Yes, they know 

When someone go to service desk and remove them on the last evening, they get to know that too 

Some people like to pay something extra based on service received 

1 hour ago, LobsterStalker said:

Renee;

It's notable when you say that it is "some very simple test" to point out that you are living in FLL. When you aren't as fortunate and have to

A)fly 1000's of miles 

B)usually 2 days ahead of cruise

C)have extra hassle and expense to get your family of 4 (or more) to the appointment.... which can easily be missed due to travel delays etc. 

D)hope beyond hope the whole time that noone gets what could even be a false positive !! that Ruins your maybe once in a lifetime vacation . 

This "very simple test" you speak of can bring a ton of stress and possibly Totally ruin months of planning

 

Clearly you haven't thought this through from anyone elses viewpoint or than your own narrow minded one

 

Cheers

 

Issues on hand are no where as daunting as you seem to make out 

First of all, if they are, maybe best to wait out until situation improves to your likings (just matter of time as it soon will)

False positive antigen tests are very rare and if that happens, nothing stops from doing a second kit.  Test kits are free and all it costs in those rare cases is about 15 USD monitoring fee 

Only people who are genuinely concerned are whose lifestyle choices lend to higher chances of them testing positive 

Personally, I think current testing protocol are not that effective.  

But cruise companies are maintaining then not due any public health or govt regulation reasons at this juncture obviously.   They will stop/modify protocol whenever their internal PR/legal/marketing department gives feedback to that effect. 

On 8/14/2022 at 9:34 PM, smokeybandit said:

As I mentioned above, not everyone is loyal to a cruise line.

And the CDC has now admitted that asymptomatic people shouldn't be testing  just for the heck of it.

This 

This is so troubling 

"CDC has now admitted" implies that somehow they knew it upfront 

Time to watch more than one channel 

6 hours ago, eaflorida said:

I just checked Square Mouth for my upcoming cruise and their price was double that of insuremytrip. 

Both Squaremouth and Insuremyteip are just online brokers similar to Priceline and Expedia 

Underlying insurance policy will be almost exactly same price.

United ticket from Chicago to Dallas for exactly same flight cannot be twice the price on Priceline compared to Expedia.

There are two main reasons to buy insurance:. 

1. Cancellation

2. Everything else (interruption, missed connection, delays, evacuation and of course medical)

Filters on each of these two portals, help you shorten the list and then you have to read the fine prints which they halp zoom in 

It does take couple of hours to select the most appropriate policy for your specific needs for the specific itinerary.

Its worth time as you save a bundle compared to going to an agent who will never have time or inclination to understand your specific needs 

9 hours ago, Joseph2017China said:

we are talking today, not yesterday.  The exchange rate is almost even.  Last check, the dollar was $1.02

 

Yes., It is 1.02.

It hasn't gone below 1 since Dubya got lucky due to badly designed butterfly ballot. 

When 1 euro is 1.02 dollar that means euro is worth more .

To make it even more simplistic:

When you give 2 USD, crew receives 2 USD 

When you give 2 euro, crew received 2.04 USD (using your fx rate)

That's why your statement in post #52 above that 2 USD note is more desirable/valuable to 2 EUR coin is mathematically incorrect. 

For some strange reason, FX rate conversions  keep stumbling so many people.  It is simple second grade arithmetics. 

23 hours ago, raspberrypie123 said:

Hi.

 

We will be going to Stockholm with Princess on their organised “on your own” tour from the Nyanashamn port. Can anyone advise where the tour bus would stop in Stockholm and how long it should take to get to the Abba museum which my wife wants to visit? Would like to know ( by foot, public transport) so can book a ticket/ time slot at the museum in advance.

 

 Thanks in advance.

 

 

 

 

Someone on Princess forum or someone in your roll call might be able to provide definite information.

Usually, it is near Palace or near train station.  

You can either take Tram 7 or if you rather walk down Gamla stan first then Ferry 82 from Slussen can take you across (stops right behind ABBA museum) in 10 minutes 

VASA museum is next door which is the top tourist attraction in Stockholm. But it is about one particular ship which sunk upon launch.

It's unfortunate that you will miss out on the most attractive part of Stockholm port visit (sailing in and out through archipelago)

Personally, I filter out sailings that stops at Nyanashan and not go to Stockholm.  

11 hours ago, Anubi said:

If you can get two weeks away, consider this cruise from HAL.

 

This checks all major boxes 

1. Both top deep fjord (flam and Geiranger) included

2. Both interesting coastal cities Bergen and Alesund included. Trondheim is nice for excursions too 

3. Visits North Cape by crossing Arctic circle

4. True 14 day cruise (not like other HAL sailings which is actually 2 7-day sailings back to back involving unnecessary trip back to Netherlands

5. Hopefully, stop at Stavanger is long enough to allow for Pulpit Rock hike 

Please also look at post 148 above and subsequent comments 

On 8/16/2022 at 2:24 PM, flamingos said:

I disagree.  Why would it be OK to take something that is not yours?

What are you disagreeing about? 

S/he never said it was OK 

All s/he said was that it would be difficult to prove that as a crime unless clear video evidence exist of theft. 

Btw, RCL ship is not a court of law and RCL goal here is not of convicting someone.  Just pressure immoral party enough to fess up and hand over money to the rightful owner. 

OP shudnt be arguing with casino manager.  Security is the correct party

16 hours ago, Jam0610 said:

 

I am serious with this question. I don't think I have seen a $ 2.00 bill in thirty plus years. Where do you get them? Didn't even think Mint still made these. 

Mint never made them (at least not in last 100 years).  Neither the one in Philadelphia nor the one in Denver 

In fact, for many many years now, neither of the mints has been making ANY USD denominated bills or notes 

Paper currency that is used widely in USA are Federal Reserve Notes and for the last 100 years produced by Bureau of Engraving and Printing (not Mint).

And Jeffersons have been and are produced currently.  You can even buy an uncut sheet.

Coming back to the topic, cruise staff in European sailings are happy that they are getting additional tips (on top of 18 pct) from their American guests. Currency doesn't matter as they deposit them into their onboard account either way and lately they have similar values.  In the past, euro was preferred as it was worth considerably more than same denomination in USD 

12 hours ago, Joseph2017China said:

but if you gave $2 or €2 they would rather have the $2 because it is worth a few cents more. 

That has not been the case for the last 20 years or so.   

2 euro coin is almost always worth more than 2 USD bill 

On 8/16/2022 at 12:07 PM, PompeySailor said:

I was extremely upset that Papa John’s on international drive in FL didn’t take my UK £ 

Makes me laugh when some people think that USD can be used everywhere

Like it is the ONLY currency in the world.

 

God forbid that my local Publix don’t accept my Danish Krone 😳

 

Happy Days!

 

fact 

Only 44% of Americans have passports 

scary 🤣

Had initially thought that Europeans calling American tourists "Ugly Americans" was just a myth 

But found out that stereotype exists and is rather quite prevalent 

Unfortunately, they do get lots of evidences quite often to bolster their stereotype.

In genuine emergency, Philadelphia can renew your passport on the spot (about 45 minutes)

Appointments recommended but they are obviously not available for genuine emergency 

For all the criticism, govt agencies get, state department ALWAYS come through in case of genuine reasonable  emergencies especially outside USA

Doubt there are many other big countries who can renew passport without appointment on walk in basis in 45 minutes 

On 8/13/2022 at 1:26 PM, DragonOfTheSeas said:

Sorry--I know I did not give you any final thoughts.  However, DH and I brought home an unwelcome trip souvenir.  Covid 19.  Yes, we are vax and boosted. I am not sure where we got it, but I have a couple of thoughts on that.  

 

We are ok and isolating at home.  The symptoms are getting a little better.   So, this too shall pass. 

 

I will check in tomorrow and give final thoughts on the cruise and the various ports. 

Bummer 

Hope yours is mild case and you recover quickly 

On 8/10/2022 at 9:04 AM, Another_Critic said:

It was great having a contactless card on my May trip to France and England.  So much better than chip + signature.

 

I think every credit card I have is now contactless (Chase, Citi, BoA, AMEX, Discover, Barclays).

 

It's still a challenge with some kiosks that require chip + PIN, since very few US issued cards have PIN capability, and of those, very few are PIN priority (most are signature priority).

Join UNFCU

Their chip+pin  priority card is a godesend on European trips 

On 8/2/2022 at 7:46 AM, DragonOfTheSeas said:

Someone on the other social media site we can not mention says there are 1356 passengers. [thank you Kim Fridstrom].

 

I can't tell you the capacity.  But I know that is less than 50%.

This has been about the average count for this route this year.

It will be so difficult to go back to "normal".

On 7/28/2022 at 9:33 AM, DragonOfTheSeas said:

 

 

For those of you on the next cruise.  It might be worth a taxi ride after you get off the Arlanda Express depending on where your hotel is located.  I still think the transportation ticket is the way to go to get around for sightseeing.  But luggage and escalators do not mix.  

 

Second that 

We, from USA/Canada don't have much experience dragging luggage outside airports in city streets 

Europeans seem to be so comfortable with that 

The alternate to your suggestion is to get a hotel close to train station.  There are so many right at it adjacent to the train station of varying budget 

It may not be useful advice for future cruisers this season but cruising out of Stockholm is going to continue for many years to come and your wonderful LIVE report might be referred to in future years 

Found it 

Somehow I missed this thread 

Was checking roll call and your planning thread. 

I have just read first 2 pages and can't wait to go over the rest 

You have done such a wonderful job 

Feels like I am doing trip all over again.

:)))

Have learned that Europeans are lot more comfortable at dragging luggage on city footpaths for few hundred meters than folks from USA/Canada 

Don't know if it is the quality of the wheels or just something we are not used to do.

If you look at Google map, front of Arlanda express is where hotel Stockholm C is located.  But it is easy to roll bags on smooth floor of station upto main entrance (across from Scandic Continental)

After that you have to drag them on city sidewalks 

Doable but we prefer the other 5-6 hotels of varying budget that minimize dragging bags on city sidewalks 

US based cards may have issues loading in these apps due to chip and signature CVM used by them 

But almost all cabs will accept US credit cards in person (as chip and signature CVM of US cards will obviously work in F2F situation)

Unlike Stockholm, Coppenhaggen cabs are not allowed to rip you off officially. 

Taxi fares are somewhat regulated with total charge made up of

1. Meter drop, starting base fare

2. Per km charge (nyhavn to cruiseport will be negligible)

3. Per minute charge (most rides within center do not last more than few minutes)

"Taxi" arranged by hotel could be private car service

On 8/15/2022 at 9:18 PM, Kelownacruiser said:

Found this MSC cruise that seems to be a good week with both fjords and city ports. Thoughts? 

Some quick observations

1. No Bergen, Alesund or Stavanger

2. 2 days spent for Berlin but very short stay to do justice for 4 hours roundtrip

3. Neither Flam nor Geiranger 

1 hour ago, SeaCruiser52 said:

Our cruise ends in Bergen Norway on July 5th and we have a 3:40pm flight on the 6th and are looking for a hotel near the port and attractions any suggestions would be helpful.

Look at other posts on this thread with plenty of suggestions 

It is a compact town center.

Hotel Norge is centrally located (used to be Radisson and is now a Scandic)

It is right in front of Byparken.  Next to pedestrian zone leading to Torget fish market (walkable to both Flobann funicular and houses at Bryggen)

More importantly convenient light rail to airport starts from there. 

By the way there are two ports (one for big ships near ferry terminal and other near Bryggen for smaller ships)

Other options are Scandic Ornen next to station or Scandic Torget overlooking Bryggen houses or if arriving by small ships Radisson and Thon are located right next to Bryggen houses towards the castle 

Bergen gets drizzle type of rain about 200 days in a year.  But still enjoyable city

On 8/14/2022 at 11:57 AM, hallasm said:

I’m not an expert in US phone numbers or US credit card - but it is my understanding that you can configure the DanTaxi app with any foreign number - recommend using the app - and all major credit cards with chip and four digit pin are accepted. But alway make sure that credit cards are accepted before starting the tour. If using app you can add you credit card to the app and pay using the app.

Thanks 

For some reason, "verifying" text to different US numbers that we tried never worked 

Also, for some strange reason, most USA credit cards use CVM if chip and signature and rarely you will find one that has CVM if chip and pin.

In many countries, to survive the covid caused change in scenario (less taxi demand but increase food service delivery demand), many ride share companies (Uber, ola, bolt) have branched into and have grown in latter business.

So in many minds, these unrelated businesses are connected.

Slightly unrelated point:

When tourists are looking for Uber/Bolt instead of taxi, they are not necessarily hung up on unregulated cheaper alternative.  They want a reliable and convenient alternative to being scammed by local taxi drivers. 

Dantaxi is a workable alternative to Uber to some extent.   But not being able to send initial "veryfying" text to US phone number or not being able to load US credit card as an acceptable form of payments are unfortunate obstacles.