Milaandra

On 6/26/2022 at 6:25 PM, Aulanis said:

 

I anticipated most of the problems and sent this "chat"   

 

Let us know if you ever get a response.

I'm from just outside Glasgow and we took the train...by the time we docked, we had no way to get home.  I tried to get us on a coach, but no luck.  So we ended up taking the train to Birmingham, and spending the night at an overpriced hotel to continue our travel the next day.  I checked with my travel insurance, but there's a £75 per person excess, so we're still out of pocket.  To make matters worse, I started feeling poorly on the Sunday, tested myself when I got home and yup!  I got Covid, despite being pretty careful about masks.  This was our first Princess cruise, and I'm pretty certain it will also be our last.

1 hour ago, NavArch64 said:

Kaliningrad is a Russian enclave ... it is legally part of Russia. It serves as the operational base for the Russian Baltic fleet ... up to 75 naval vessels, including a destroyer, a frigate and many corvettes.

Thanks...and EEK! 😨  

26 minutes ago, wowzz said:

The UK government has just advised British citizens not to travel to Russia,  therefore the decision has been taken out of the hands of the cruise lines.

As an aside, the Royal Navy is now so small that I'm not sure it is in a position to respond! 

Thanks for letting us know.   At least we know now where we stand.

What is that little Russian enclave between Poland and Lithuania?  On the map it shows as Kaliningrad, but I don't know if that's the name of the city or the area.  Anyone know about that?  Does Russia have rights in the Baltic near that?

I'm just wondering if the conflict could affect more of our scheduled ports.

At this point, I'd be perfectly happy with fjords...or Iceland & Ireland...

5 minutes ago, PrincessLuver said:

 

A port they could easily add is Kristansand, Norway. <snip> It was a great stop on one of the several Baltics cruises we have done with Princess.

It is one of our stops already, but it's great to know more about it.  Thanks!

It would likely affect other ports, too.  I'm guessing that it isn't as simple as a single port change, but an actual reshuffling of the itinerary.  I don't blame the cruise line for taking their time.  If I were eliminating the Russian port, I'd add another day in Stockholm, and maybe a new port at the beginning or end of the itinerary...or just add a couple of new ports, but geographically, it's a challenge.

Don't you wish you could email Princess with a list of potential ports you would like to see 😊

1 hour ago, majortom10 said:

I am amazed at how some people think that without the visit to St P that there are no interesting other countries on the Baltic cruises of interest. Having done Baltics a few times have had very good and interesting ports of call in Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Estonia, Poland and Germany.

I can't travel as much as I would like, so I try to see new ports if possible.  If we miss St. Petersburg, I don't know when I would get a chance to do another Baltic, and then it would be a repeat of all the other ports...you know?  Having said that, when this situation first came on the radar, my husband and I decided that we were okay with a floating hotel if it came down to it...but it would be disappointing to miss this exceptional port in what might be our only opportunity.

11 hours ago, jacksmom09 said:

Haven’t cruised in 2 years, now booked a cruise 2 weeks in advance (1rst time ever, normally have months to plan) just wondering on a 4 night just how formal people get? Thankfully cruise clothes still fit, but wanting to travel light! 
I have managed to buy a new swimsuit and cover up, though I have many! It’s fun to buy a few new things !

Cruise line?  Destination?  Embarkation port?

On 2/13/2022 at 7:27 PM, CielG22 said:

 

This is the problem we have for 1 stop (Pisa/Florence). The type of excursion in Livorno we'd like to do (go to Pisa, take a photo or 2 of the tower and visit Florence) mentions nothing about wheelchairs. Every other stop (aside from Cannes where we're staying onboard due to it being a tender port) I've been able to find wheelchair accessible excursions. Livorno seems to be a case of wheelchair accessible is pay £400+ for a Bocelli excursion, which isn't something either of us would enjoy, no wheelchairs or nothing mentioned either way.

Just FYI, the last time we were stopping in Livorno, the excursion we planned to take was cancelled.  Not knowing what to do at that point (without reliable internet), we got off in port on spec and discovered many private tour companies/taxis offering small group excursions. In our case, because we wanted something different (Tuscan hill towns), we had to wait for something like a half-hour until enough other like-minded passengers signed up.  They are drivers, not tour guides, but in a mini-van with one driver for 8 passengers, I would think the wheelchair would be easy to deal with.  And I think they can get a lot closer to the Leaning Tower. So I would consider either a private excursion through your roll call where you can get answers directly, or rolling the dice when in port.  Also, Pisa and Lucca is a nice alternative to Florence, and so much closer...a more relaxed pace, fewer tourists and Lucca is so pretty (and you can still get nose-to-nose with original Bronzinos).  Our first Livorno stop we did that DIY by train, which was easy-peasy, but I wasn't paying attention from an accessibility viewpoint.  A google search should help with that.

I would give yourself a break.  If you make a decision that you're going on this cruise at the size you are now, that gives you time to prepare, take care of your skin and hair and not stress about trying to lose weight on a tight deadline.  Try on your stuff to figure out what still fits and buy just enough to make it all work...from clearance if it bothers you to spend cash on something you'll only wear a few times.  Deep condition, do a gentle exfoliation, moisturize, maybe get a humidifier going, and look forward to your holiday 🙂

Hi there!  A couple of months ago I got my waist-length pandemic hair cut into a longer pixie cut.  Now I'm looking for ideas of how to spiff it up for elegant wear. I have some natural wave, if that helps. (but I try to avoid flat irons and the like)

How do you style your pixie for dressy nights?  

I'll join in 🙂  Chiffon is your friend.  Whether poly or silk, chiffon weighs nothing and rolls up tiny.  So if you use, say, a base of black pants and a black camisole, you can put a variety of chiffon tops over and completely change your look.  Even with a lining, chiffon dresses are also so easy to pack.  I agree with the single pair of heels...my go-to at the moment is a pair of Lotus pumps in bordeaux.  They go with every colour!  And leopard print flats...same thing and I can use them in port.  All the standard things, of course...wear your heavy/bulky stuff, stuff your shoes with socks, etc.  And get out your kitchen scale to weigh everything individually. It can be an eye-opener.   Even underwear can weigh significantly more depending on the brand. (I refuse to wash underwear on a cruise...I bring enough for the whole trip)  

Our next  cruise is no-fly, and I'm letting myself bring some heavy formal wear.  But I once did a 10 day winter Mediterranean with carry-on...including cocktail dresses! 🙂 

On 8/16/2021 at 11:52 AM, 2BACRUISER said:

 

Most years i take the same holiday wardrobe away with me which is evident when you look back at old holiday snaps!!

 

 

I have one particular top that ends up in at least one pic from every vacation...now it's a tradition! I bought it for my honeymoon 19 years ago! 😁😁😁

For sunny destinations I wear a crushable straw with a rolled brim that doesn't make me look like a walking mushroom and still provides enough portable shade. 😁 For cusp seasons, I've been experimenting with newsboy and baker's boy caps paired with a cotton scarf to protect my neck...they go great with jeans and no hat hair!

For the Maldives I went full-on mushroom with enormous straw hats...can't mess around with that much sun and pale skin. In Morocco I actually wore a pith helmet! (solid shade and air circulation) 😁 

You should check your insurance, too.  My policy won't cover me if I travel when and where the UK government says not to travel.  At this point, the UK government isn't saying anything, really.

9 hours ago, capriccio said:

 

Added: @Milaandra - I just notice you are in Scotland. I don't know your itinerary but the information I posted above is for sailings from the US.

We're doing the Baltic for the first time, and I'd really hate to get stuck with shore excursions ($$$).  I know St. Petersburg already requires an official tour, and Poland is currently still on a quarantine situation, but the other ports are only requiring negative tests (if anything at all).  And, of course, everything is changing quite quickly, so who knows what it will be in May.  I'm glad to know that it isn't a company choice, per se, but just a way of getting people off the ship where they otherwise couldn't.

I just stumbled across something on the Princess site that said passengers would not be allowed to leave the ship in port unless they were on a ship excursion...say it ain't so!! Has that been happening?

On 12/7/2019 at 2:32 PM, milolii said:

https://st-petersburg-tours.ru/premium-saint-petersburg-small-group-tour/

I have been chatting with TJ tours this morning.  The premium tour allows for the subway visit and St. Catherine’s Palace. This tour is advertised as intense walking, so definitely not the slower tour.  

We booked this tour for July.  It has changed from the 2019 tours. It appears more comprehensive.  

But I would ask your questions  for sure. 

 Were you able to take the tour, and if so, how intense was it?  Do I need cardio training or just a comfy pair of shoes? 🙂 

I'm 59 with very fair and sensitive skin. I use Sleek Makeup CC cream (SPF 29) on bare skin, wash it off with Simple Moisturizing (not 100% thrilled with the cleanser) and Bioderma H2O for eye makeup. If I feel dry after cleansing, I use a little shea butter. I wear a hat for extra protection if I'm out in the sun. I find if my skin seems dull etc, it means it's been too long since I've taken liposomal vit C (internally) I use a brush and just couple of dots of concealer or I find it creases when I smile. Being a whiter shade of pale, I always wear colour on my lips.

As I understand the wording, if you cancel after final payment, you get FCC.  Unless that cruise is afterwards cancelled by NCL, in which case you can get a refund, despite the fact that you had earlier cancelled.  Anyone else read it like that?

9 hours ago, HMR74 said:

 

By the way, Vitamin D looks to be rather important for ones immune system. When did the CDC say its advisable to take Vitamin D, or when did the media say it. All those experts.

 

You are your own best advocate.

 

Just for the sake of saying it, the NHS (UK) not only told us that, but sent out free tablets in the mail to the vulnerable. 🙂  

Thought I would share a picture of a dress I received for my upcoming cruise from one of the lovely ladies on this site. ;-)

Very pretty! I keep wanting to see a narrow tulle petticoat under it...a bit of fullness at the hem would balance everything so nicely and draw even more attention to your waist.

Good dance shoes are very soft and supple and you will be amazed at how comfortable they are. They give great support too.

I forgot about dance shoes...if I recall, they are a more consistent fit, have more room in the toe and come in wide sizes, don't they? I think I'll start looking at those for the next cruise (I'm thinking May)

Thanks for the idea!

Hi Milaandra

 

The lace over the shoulder is a jacket so can be taken off. The dress is a UK 18 so bust around 107cm.

That might work...I'm a Bravissimo girl...but they squish a bit :D

I have had the best day shopping, really didn't think I'd find anything I really liked or that really liked me, alas no shoes but Im working on that.

 

Ive attached pictures of the dress I've got so far and these will be on this site after my cruise as I couldn't allow them to sit in a wardrobe when another lady will love them.

 

Still thinking I'd like to wear pumps or very low heels?

Excellent shopping score!! I particularly love the first one with the lace over the shoulders. What's the bust measurement on that? <wiggles her eyebrows with evil intent, knowing it's going up for grabs later>

I'm getting good at US/UK sizing differences, because I've had to learn it in reverse...I was raised in Canada and have only been here a couple of years now.

"Pumps" in the US are "court shoes" here.

Marie that's very kind of you, I think a uk 5 1/2 is a USA 8 so maybe as you have such a slim figure I'll assume you have slim feet. I would have to go up a size for slim fit shoes.

Would love a pair of your shoes

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi there...a UK 5 is a US 7...sorry!