alohayall

If the “dueling pianos” are on, playing in Times Square, they do a nice job of working through the music of the decades. Three different shows each night they are playing. It lasts about 45 minutes. Some decades or songs are better than others, but they do put on a show.

I matched Disney > Diamond. Disney is not known for great perks, either (they do not even have any % off offers on cruise fares). A free specialty dining meal is enough for me to get the status. Butcher’s Cut on Seashore last December had one of the best filet dinners I have had in my life.

In December in Miami, they were taking multiple photos of passports, results… on a mobile phone for each guest. I had paper copies of everything but passport - and got processed much quicker. I hope that was just their starting up the season in an unfinished facility. Nevertheless, I am taking paper copies again for my next cruise. I am more interested in getting on the ship than trying to drag them into the 21st century. 😅

…At least you had your car and weren’t trying to catch a flight home. Sounds like a great time was had by all - including the crew who enjoyed the children. Hats off to you for taking the (last minute) chance on a trip. Thanks for taking us along.

Cruising solo is great for people who are okay with doing any activity solo - dining out, movies…. And I would agree that the best cruise for solo is a ship / itinerary in which you are interested.

The Binax with AG card test kit you will receive has only ONE test in the box, unlike the non-monitored kits you buy at the store - or receive from the US government. So one kit per person. I like having a back-up kit (ie, get three kits for 2 people) in case it is a faulty kit or you drop it while performing the test. It is actually straight forward to do as long as you have internet connection and a mobile phone or computer with camera and microphone capabilities. I am not extremely tech savvy, but had no difficulties. It might help to watch a YouTube video of performing the test. (Now I see above poster said the same thing!) Nice plus - You can do the test in the middle of the night two days before your cruise or whatever time it’s convenient to you. I think people have used HSA $ - but don’t hold me to that. I’ve done three types of testing - big money (did it outside in the heat at a private lab), drive-through at CVS, and online proctored. The last was the easiest; at home and immediate results (that’s the big clincher).

Don’t try to change things after you book. Actually, I’m having better luck with this fall’s cruise than I did for last December. I’ve already got my luggage tags available - before PIF deadline; last time it was within the 20-day mark of sail date. I’m hopeful that things continue to go this smoother way. Good luck and Bon Voyage. Leave some pizza for me!

It is definitely an uphill walk to the forts. Perhaps take a taxi there and work your way downhill. People fly kites at the fort. Wide expanse of open grass - not even necessary to pay to be on the fort campus. Could a 4 yo control a small kite, with assistance? At least could get some unrestrained running around on grass. Streets and sidewalks are narrow and sometimes uneven. Your kids (and you) may enjoy seeing a town of cats. There’s an organization that feeds them. I saw a lot of them as I walked up the street on the farthest left (west) side of Old San Juan. (Dec 2021 - and it was hot).

They ask for your loyalty level card from qualifying cruise line. Many of us do not have a card (or have lost it). I used a screenshot from the cruise line that showed my name and status - attached it to email as a photo.

Here’s restaurant info I found on the MSC website: You can get a dining package for Galaxy (Asian / sushi) and Butcher’s Cut (or special menus at Butcher’s Cut).

Mea culpa; US-centric here, thinking others are the Special Markets - like how Daily Service Fees (gratuities) are included in cruise fares for Brits but Americans pay it in addition. (Like we pay sales tax on a bill, but VAT is already in the price of goods. Thanks for widening my perspective. (I’m not being sarcastic).

Port fees are refunded for anyone who is a no-show.

Sounds like your first AK cruise? Then you shouldn’t be let down by either cruise. Both will give you the standard experience. What you chose to do for excursions will make the biggest difference. I am not a fan of Ketchikan, but enjoyed doing a float plane trip to a glacial lake in the Tongass Forest with Island Air. Sitka is on my To Visit list; it’s the last of the most-visited AK ports that I have not seen. I consider AK to be an itinerary focused on scenery and getting outside and doing something (not necessarily high intensity, but often unique). Helicopter rides, glacier walks or viewing, whale watching cruises, rafting, biking, animal observing, or zip lining. Or just watching from the deck (I have always gotten off the ship while in every AK port - but routinely stay onboard in Nassau; didn’t leave the fenced port area in Falmouth). This is different than the Caribbean where people get off to swim in the ocean, relax, or have some drinks. I would pick the lower-cost cruise, then apply the savings to shore excursions. I sailed NCL Encore Sep 2021 from Seattle and have sailed from Seattle and Vancouver and have been fortunate to have no significant weather on the seas. So I wouldn’t base my decision on that. Check out excursions for Sitka and Ketchikan. Compare Specialty dining options on the two ships. I think Ovation holds more people - does that matter to you? Otherwise, throw a dart at a decision poster or read some tea leaves - it’s pretty much even if you don’t have specific wants - it’s Alaska and either would be great. Have a great visit to the Last Frontier.

Sorry that you have met one of the problems of dealing with MSC. The Status Match program sign-up seems hit or miss - with no clear reason why it doesn’t get processed.

I just did a random search. A Bella ocean view cabin with drinks and WiFi shows the Easy Plus package. If you can access MSC US page and select your cruise and cabin category, on the bottom left will be “Summary” tab. This will bring up the pricing details and drink package type.

And positive press for cruising solo. 😀

On the Seashore, interior cabin (and from pictures, it seems applies to balconies), the electrical outlet was at the desk. I took a 3 ft extension cord that has a cube- shaped end with 3 outlets and USB ports. The cord on my CPAP was several feet and the tubing was 6 feet. Sailing solo, it was not in the way - I used the opposite side of the bed.

And wouldn’t that be sad if you thought you were getting a normal balcony?

Is it possible that Handicapped rooms are not offered as GTY due to the small number available?

Odyssey did its TA on April 23, 2022. If not the Odyssey in 2024, some ship will head to Europe to avoid hurricane season and cruise the Med.

Insurance - you may want to check out an annual travel insurance policy. They can cover a lot of trips. Or might be cheaper if doing one expensive trip. Are you looking at a Transatlantic cruise? Or a specific ship? You can look on this forum, Roll Calls, to see info from past cruises.

Never mind.

We started cruising with Disney. My latest cruise was with Disney. My next cruise is on MSC - principally for the price. Only one RC cruise (Allure) so far. That was 8 years ago. Will be trying RC again in the next year or so. (They have my money from a cancelled cruise, so not a matter of if, but when). Price is the hardest thing to swallow for Disney. All things Disney, including a theme park vacation. But I also don’t routinely book Suites or Concierge. It’s even hard for me to pay extra for a balcony. I always look at the extra cost as “that could be a whole extra cruise - or more.” What something is worth is so individualized. If I had a six yo who was into Disney characters, possibly enjoyed hanging out with other kids (or really, just spending time together as a family), I would pick Disney. The ship is kid friendly. But it’s not adult unfriendly - depending on what kind of adult you are. I love the main theater production shows. But I also spent money to see The Lion King on stage. I enjoy new movies put out by Disney and Marvel. They are shown in a proper movie theater. The decor of the ship is beautiful - more like an upscale hotel than the shopping mall look of the Allure. No drinks packages, no adult parties by the pool (they show Disney movies all day on the Jumbotron above the kids pool.). There is an dedicated adult pool area. There are plenty of bars. No casino = no wafting of smoke into the Promenade (this could have changed since I sailed on Allure.) The private island is very much a private tropical beach. No plastic water park. Sand, clear water, one water feature. A dedicated adult beach. Peaceful. Plenty of free loungers and umbrellas. …But I would recommend the Magic or Wonder if the price is better. The small ships are cozy but big enough. Less walking for little legs. I’ve got 19 Disney cruises under my belt. Will consider doing more when I am in the mood for another beach vacation.

Typically, when the first cruise is over, you meet in a designated area (or wait in your cabin, whichever they tell you). As a group, all B2B cruisers exit the ship, go through Customs and then check in for the new cruise before arriving passengers are processed. You return to the ship and enjoy the empty space (like pool area) before the masses board. Definitely easier to keep the same cabin, but your room steward will be very helpful if you do have to move. (All this while turning over all their assigned cabins. What sports these hard workers are.) (Testing rules are only as certain as what they announce for your cruise. Most cruise lines have tested B2B cruisers onboard before the end of the cruise, before the next leg.)

Thanks for the clarification. That is certainly not the way it reads - or maybe I just read it the way I wanted it to be.