Donder1

Skagway: look into renting a car from Avis. Way more fun than train and follows the same route. Less expensive by far.

Kechikan: Dungenous crab feast!

No brainer.

Bonaire!

Take a local watercraft to Klein Bonaire. Snorkeling is amazing.

I was pretty disappointed with Curacao. Bridge is OK. that's about it IMHO.

The cheapest way is to walk :). It took us about 40 min. And if you take the Seaport Blvd route, as soon as you cross the bridge you will pass by James Hook & Co....which has the best lobster on earth.

 

Hank

James Hook is great. But, Maine lobster is the greatest of all.

You are wicked close. Just take two cabs:)

Totally agree with cruznjan. This is an odd question to begin with.

Be friendly and polite, have fun and if a long term, true friendship blossoms, that is great. Just don't expect it or force it. And, be somewhat cautious if a fellow cruiser wants to do everything with you. You don't have an obligation to be their buddy. Most cruisers are wanting time to relax and spend precious time with their ones. But, always demonstrate respect and kindness.

We have sailed to Alaska twice on Princess. (Diamond and Grand). These are both large ships. We have never had to tender. My advice re: Alaska is look at prices and itineraries. But, go with Princess or HAL as they are the big players in Alaska. You won't be disappointed.

Please, don't.

I'll try those, thank you!

 

I love mysteries with a specific setting so I can feel that I am right there. My latest 'discovery': Inspector Cao Chen novels, setting is Shanghai, author is Qiu Xiaolong. He lives in St. Louis and writes in English.

 

If you like specific settings (hers are set in a small village near Quebec City) and great recurring characters, I can assure you that you will love reading award winning Louise Penney's.

I love Louise Penney's Detective Gamache series. Read in order.

Has door decorating become more popular on cruise ships? Have you done it and/or been in a contest? It seems to me that wall decorating is more prevalent on today's cruise ships.

 

Personally, I don't like to see public spaces such as doors facing the corridor decorated. Tacky, IMHO.

 

We have thankfully seen very little of that on recent cruises we have taken.

Just call your doc and they can likely prescribe an anti nausea med if Bonine, etc doesn't prevent it in the first place/ Also, green apple, plain crackers, ginger ale are good to try as nausea sets in. Stay out in fresh air if you can.

You missed the boat in 1915:D. I recommend that you check the web sites of the cruise lines you'd like to use. We did a TA on the Royal Princess that was just perfect. We went east to west in the fall.

Discover Scotland is a wonderful company. We enjoyed our tour with them.

On our TA in September, I read Louise Penny Armand Garmache Series. read them in order. Could not say enough about how interesting her characters are. Believe me, you will love her books.

Even if your older cards are NOT from the CB, they can be used. In fact, they can be used on any Princess ship.

 

However, the free brewed coffee feature is only offered on they voyage on which the cards were purchased so if you want a brewed coffee using the old cards, it will require a punch.

We just recently sailed on the Royal TA from Copenhagen to NYC. We used our old cards from a prior cruise with no difficulty at all. Brewed coffee, specialty coffees and gelato. All were accepted with our older cards.

While not cruise mysteries, I have found the books of Louise Penny (Armand Garache Series) absolutely hard to put down. Start with #1. Well written mysteries set in Quebec.

Lots of good tips here. My rule of thumb is to ask myself three questions first:

1. Do I really want this item?

2. Would anyone else want this as a gift?

3. How much am I willing to pay?

Perhaps whoever monitors this site could move this to Ports. Thanks!

This is my hometown and I am often down in the Old Port when the ships come in. That's where I walk my Great Dane.

Here are the highlights IMO:

Portland?

Walk and shop and eat in the Old Port. Many boutiques and many restaurants. Very quaint.

Lobster roll and clam chowder? Go to Gilbert's on Commercial St. (Boone's is next door.) Nice, but pricey. my fav is Walter's. just ask someone for directions. All of the Old Port is very walkable.

Fried clams? DiMillo's, a little further up on Commercial St.

Duck Tour is fun. And, many boat tours to the various islands in Casco Bay.

Forget the Narrow Gauge Railroad.

Our museum is lovely, especially if you like Winslow Homer.

Don't miss Portland Head Light when you sail out of the harbor.

Freeport? (1/2 hour drive north)

LLBean is the star there and the store is amazing! They will ship any purchases free. The rest of Freeport is outlet shops for the most part. Yes, if you like shopping. But, it is very crowded in October with leaf peepers and bus tours.

Kennebunkport? (1/2 hour drive south)

Beautiful seaside town.

Bush summer home (you can get a look from the road but can't get near it.)

Leaf Peeping? Rent a car and head up Route 302 towards North Conway, NH.

Ogunquit Beach? (1 hour south) and doable with Kennebunkport. Great seaside town, very gay friendly. Lots of shops and restaurants. Beach is one of the loveliest in Maine. Walk Marginal Way. http://marginalwayfund.org/

Assuming this is an average length cruse, and your mother in law isn't immediately terminal... I say go on the cruise anyway, don't cancel it. Make it miserable for the nanny, then find a reason to fire her when you get back. What a selfish, self entitled brat to try to take advantage of such a grim situation.

Well, after this situation, I would first explain to her that she is responsible for the full amount of her cabin should she and her sister go on this cruise and not cancel. If she does not reimburse you immediately for what you have paid on the cabin thus far, I would tell her that you will take her to Small Claims Court. Then, I'd definitely fire her and contact the agency she works under (if she does). There is no way I'd let her anywhere near my kids ever again. She showed total lack of integrity.

This is not a Princess or credit card issue in my opinion.

Cross trainers for walking/hiking

Birkenstocks (1 pair)

One dressy pair of comfortable sandals, no more heels for me on a cruise.

Oh, an a pair of slippers for the cabin,( the small, easily packed type).

I also bring (Bandaid brand) blister bandaids. They are expensive, but worth it if you tend to get blisters as I do. They are specially designed to cover blisters and aid healing. Much more effective than regular bandaids.

On another note, did you hear anything about Aft balconies and the soot issue?

We have always booked balconies and, in particular, the aft corner balcony if we can get it. I love to have coffee out there in the morning, read in solitude, enjoy a glass of wine in the evening and check out every port coming and going.

We have seen whales and dolphins and birds. And, the late passengers hoofing it to make embarkation. :D

Mostly, I just like looking out to the vast ocean. It reminds me grateful for all that I have been given in my life.

Some things to remember, if you book a balcony, be sure to bring binoculars and a flameless candle for the evenings. And, don't leave your balcony light on when you retire at night (as a courtesy to your neighbors).

We have tried all the usual sites, so maybe someone on this

board can help. We have added pages twice to our passports,

they still have 4 years left and now we need more pages? Can you

add pages more than two times? Thanks for your help?

I would ask this question at an official Passport Office.

Sad, indeed. I found this online.

http://www.cruiselawnews.com/2014/08/articles/maritime-death/passenger-drowns-in-swimming-pool-on-sapphire-princess/