I_r_a

Thanks for sharing, L.

Great report.

Ira

Hi C,

>..... the delicious food you get on board is higher in calories than what you eat at home........ please tell me how you do it<

When we go to France we pig out, yet lose weight.

When we go to Germany we have to watch our diet.

Ditto for a cruise. You can eat well without loading up on humongous calories (well not every day).

Ira

PS, Alcoholic beverages on board a ship are metabolized in a different way from on land. You can drink as much as you want. Really.

>Will there be mixed ages and enough to do to entertain us?

Can we expect a fun vibe at night ?<

Would you please be more specific about what you require in the way of entertainment and fun vibes? :)

Ira

> Letter carrier for the one who delivers your mail directly....<

Is a "letter carrier" permitted to deliver a brochure? Newspaper? Magazine? Package?

Shouldn't there be specific titles and persons for each of these specialties?

Ira

Hey BM,

I recall an overnight train ride through 3 European countries where one passenger refused to give his passport to the steward.

He later complained that he was awakened at about 02:00, 04:00 and 06:00 by border control officials.

Fortunately, they didn't delay the train.

Ira

> Tantrums are a performance that require a receptive audience to succeed. <

Excellent advice.

Ira

Hi JD,

Sorry to hear how shoddily you were treated by "customer service".

Have you checked the rules for bringing animals into the UK and other parts of call on the "Path of the Midnight Sun" route?

Ira

Insofar as everything you have tried to keep secret is already known to someone who has bought it from someone who has hacked into a website that you have never heard of, you need only keep in mind that IN THE US you are liable only up to $50, even if the fraud was your fault.

Don't worry, be happy. :)

Ira

Hi TR,

The cruise industry is a very closed shop. You need a friend in the business.

We always book our cruises through a TA.

OTOH, when we do land visits we DIY.

Ira

Thanks for sharing, CP

Ira

Thanks for sharing, RG

Ira

From the article,

>Then it didn’t cover his entire medical bill — instead, he had to split the difference between another insurance policy.<

This is standard practice, otherwise a customer will be paid twice, or thrice or ... for the same claim.

As for not covering the shore excursions, ......

sometimes one has to read the fine print.

See http://www.oceaniacruises.com/documents/insurance/OC-Travel-Protection-Program.pdf

it specifically refers to "Covered Cruise", over and over again.

MORAL

Don't rely on what some salespereson tells you.

Ira

Hi edg,

If you have one, you can take it off if necessary.

Ira

Hi Ron,

Thanks for sharing.

> I taught the boys and girls at the Ice Cream Bar how to make an authentic black-and-white malted, NY style.<

How about an egg cream?

Ira

Hi WAM,

Thanks for bringing us along.

Ira

Hi LH,

Thank you for a reasoned review.

Ira

>How has becoming a senior changed the way you travel?<

We travel more often.

Ira

Hi PC,

>I hope HAL's not an 'old Fogey line' as is often mentioned but is a nice mix of ages. <

We found it to be so when we sailed on the Prinsendam a couple of years ago.

I don't recall anyone under 14.

Ira

Hi Rod,

Thanx for sharing.

Ira

Hi Kia,

>Is there any place (O website) I can get an idea of the per bottle pricing w/o the discount? <

I have this from a 2012 cruise report:

"Bottles of wine start at $35-40, then add 18% on top of that. Glasses of wine are about $10 without gratuity. Beer is somewhere around $7.50 per glass...cheaper for draft....again add 18%. Not sure about cocktails but some where around $12. Happy hour prices are 2 for 1 from 5pm to 6pm in either Martinis or Horizon".

Ira

Hi All,

Re maps: I am about to get a tablet that can access maps on the internet as well as being used for GPS.

Does anyone have experience with such things?

Ira

Hi Cop,

My first cruise was on the Queen of Bermuda - 1967.

Because of an airline strike, the only tourists on the island were on the Queen.

We had a front-row seat at the Princess Hotel, where Viki Carr sang to a group of 4 of us at separate tables.

I stepped outside after the show and snapped my fingers - a cab pulled up.

We found all of the cold beer on the island (1 six pack of Heinekens) and had a sandy cove all to ourselves.

At a shop, we had two assistants holding baskets as we walked around buying souvenirs.

I have never gone back to Bermuda.

Ira

Hi J,

>Would it be appropriate for me to post the info (NOT including the URL) so that passengers who'd be offended or have kids would/could be forewarned???<

Of course. I see no reason why you shouldn't post the URL for the article you cite.