gsrunyan

Vancouver is very close to the US and lots of American travelers. Tipping in US dollars is common and today the US dollar is at a 20% premium to Canadian. I don't think the recipients would feel insulted at all.

Montreal and Quebec are a different story.

Glenn:cool:

Norwegian offers 5% discount to AARP members and no single adjustment to singles.

Glenn:cool:

I used a Sony Hv-100 for a number of years. I don't think the 400 adds much in the way of features. You can get the 100 at a much lower price, if you can find one. the 200 was a failure and you can find the 300 at B&H.

An example of HX quality is at http://www.pbase.com/gsrunyan/image/154203615.

Glenn:cool:

Our experience a few years ago was that only government shops wanted rubles, all the outdoor stalls wanted euros or dollars. Stalls wouldn't take rubles.

Glenn:cool:

Because of my limited walking ability, last year we grabbed a cab just outside the pier (there were a bunch waiting for folks coming off the boat) who drove us to Honfleur, drove aroung the upper town and dropped us off next to the main area. We agreed to a meeting time and he was on time. The main shopping and restaurant area is the boat basin where fishing boats used to tie up but is now home to sailing yachts of wealthy Parisians. The basin has surrounded by 14th and 15th century shops and homes http://www.pbase.com/gsrunyan/image/154211910.

Glenn::cool:

If you have not experienced Cuban food, take a taxi to La Esquina de Tejas in the heart of Little Havana. There is a Basque restaurant in Coral Gables. I have had delicious Argentinian food in Little Havana (garlic soup instead of onion soup). You might want to find out if stone crabs are in season. If the jai alai season is still on, you must go: it is probably the fastest game in the world!

Plenty to do and eat.

Glenn:cool:

I can't believe you didn't stop at the Rijksmuseum-the finest collection of Rembrandts in the world! Not to mention Vermeer or two and at least one Hans Holbein. Closed for refurbishing for 10 years it is a beautiful exhibit.

Two blocks away is the Van Gogh museum-some of the finest impressionist works ever created.

Maybe you can visit those on your next visit.

Glenn:cool:

Any hotels in Ft Lauderdale have shuttles to the cruiseport? Lived in Miami for 15 years but know nothing about FLL hotels.

Glenn:cool:

I printed the luggage tags and when I went to fold them, step 1 is " fold on the dotted line." There is no dotted line!!?? What do you use to fold these things?

Glenn:confused:

Yes you can order but you don't get tickets. You get a voucher you turn in at the ticket office to get tickets.

Glenn:cool:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/10/travel/restoring-acadias-trails.html?ref=travel

Glenn:cool:

If your cruise stops at Bar Harbor, you might want to check out today's New York Times travel section: a major article, including a map, on the trails of Acadia National Park as well as the park itself.:)

Glenn:cool:

http://m7.i.pbase.com/g1/34/100534/2/116744117.prL7q8Vi.jpg

Glenn:cool:

Last year, my wife was recovering from a surgically repaired broken leg and couldn't climb up into the buses. We elected to either take tours in chauffeur driven autos driven by locals or taxis. We were on a transatlantic voyage that ended in Amsterdam. Our taxi took us on a visit to Delft as well as to the airport for our departure the next day.

You might want to consider this as an alternative to ship's tour offerings.

Glenn:cool:

Our experience on our Baltic cruise is everybody takes Euros and stores take Master Card and Visa. In St Petersburg, no one wanted rubles!!

If you run out of Euros, find an ATM to get more. They take debit/credit cards marked with MasterCard (MAESTRO) and Visa. Make sure your pin is at least 4 digits long: anything less will not work in European ATMs.

Glenn:cool:

I also use Pbase. Allows me to make all the galleries I want.

Glenn:cool:

My wife and I are too old to take the bus tours of Europe (although we have taken plenty in the past). DW loved Scotland and I love Wales and we might like Northern Ireland.

Are there any cruise lines that offer cruises in and/or around the British Isles?

Thanks

Glenn:cool:

I have never used a WIFI option but I wouldn't need it: I just carry a bunch of SD cards. Plus, my smartphone is smarter than me!!

My previous camera had GPS but I rarely used it: I mostly remembered where I took the images.

Glenn:cool:

Does anyone know the breakfast menu on the Maasdam? Or a photo thereof?

Glenn:cool:

I guess life is too good in Seattle for IT folks to work at night or on a weekend like the rest of us!!?? :rolleyes: LOL

Docked in Amsterdam last May off of Celebrity Constellation. IT WAS A DISASTER!!:mad: For 2500 people there was fewer than 15 porters.:eek: The line for a taxi was several hundred long. My wife was recovering from a surgically repaired broken leg was in a wheel chair and couldn't get help.

Any other port has to be better.:eek:

Glenn:cool:

My wife and I and the boss and his wife on a visit to New Orleans has breakfast at Brenan's on Easter Sunday. We are all Jewish so we got there before the church going folks. In the reception area milk punches and Bloody Marys were being handed out for those who needed one for their hangovers!! Food, as always, was fabulous. Make a reservation for after mass-the kids will love the meal. Be sure to get Bananas Foster, invented at Brenan's.

Glenn:cool:

THE Hermitage alone could take a week. Best done by land not on a cruise.

My wife and I were on a Princess Baltic cruise two years ago. Spent the better part of a day at the Hermitage. It was a disappointment. Most of the art was second rate, whether Masters or Impressionists. Much better would be the Ryksmuseum in Amsterdam with the Van Gogh collection across the street. We didn't get to see the palaces and that would have been a better choice.

Glenn:cool:

Check out ONE SIM CARD [http://www.onesimcard.com]. I have used them in the past. Include an 800 number family and friends can use to call you at no cost to them.

Be sure the phone you are going to use is unlocked.

Glenn:cool:

I always use a TA to book the cruise but I book the airline and hotels myself. My TA doesn't even book airfare:eek: On our up coming trip, we are flying Southwest-the cheapest nonstop from from Denver-and booking sites don't even list Southwest flights!!

Glenn:cool: