islachica62

Thanks for sharing your experience.

 

I know it's an ancient thread. But I figured some of the participants in it may still be subscribed to the thread and could be willing to share their experience. No hurt in trying. Haha. Thanks again.

I was upgraded in March on the Panama Canal trip from a Guarantee ocean view to a V2. I think it depends on how full the ship is and your Club Voyage level. This time I haven't been as lucky -still an inside cabin but on 8

Sometimes they even upgrade you when you check in on the ship.

I have not yet cruised to Europe, but in general we avoid ship-sponsored excursions, both to save money and, more importantly, to have a more personalized, small-group experience.

 

Your best sources for information are the port boards on Cruise Critic, and your roll call, to find other people on your cruise who might want to share excursions.

 

I see you are new to the boards - if you need help finding the port boards or your roll call, let us know what ship, date, and ports, and we'll be happy to help!

I have had great luck with small group tours through United Airlines Cruises. I book all my trips through United and the excursions they market are very carefully selected. Cheaper than the ships and much smaller groups.:)

This is more of a travel packing secret on any cruise. I buy clothes at thrift or resale shops specifically to take on international cruises--especially TAs. I generally leave them on the ship with a note to the room attendant to use/share as appropriate. I then have an extra bag to pack gifts etc or not have to pay an extra luggage charges when returning home.

Agree with all the posts about bringing conditioner and other speciality items. The shampoo on board is awful--you hair will be straw by the end of the cruise. Also bring travel wipes and hand santizers for excursions. And plenty of ziplock bags for cameras--phones etc to keep them dry.

Pack your meds and a couple of days clothes in your carry-on and whatever you plan to wear to dinner the first night on the ship. You may not get your luggage until after dinner or later.

Well I can assure you that in the majority of cases, here in the UK, lines do exist. If all of your fellow citzens took your approach, it is no wonder that some American people are portrayed by some as boorish, rude and loud. I can assure you that queue jumping is certainly frowned upon here in the UK.

 

Furthermore, it is perhaps not a wise action to be 'aggressive' in some parts of Europe.

 

Certainly on my many trips to the US, I have noted that the concept of queuing does not exist for many Americans, but please note, I am not criticising, it is just an observation.

 

If I had a dislike for the Americans and the country, I would not visit as frequently as I do, - love the country and their people. Certainly I would not show a dislike for US citizens just because they jump a line now and again - we have enough a**holes in our own country to worry about other nationalities minor indiscretions!

 

Someone jumping in front of a queue may be deemed rude in other countries, but by being 'aggressive' and jumping a queue will only compound the anger of the people who are in an orderly line behind.

 

Only last month while waiting for the check in desk to open at LAX, there were about 20 people waiting to enter the line once the tape had been raised, however, despite the obvious waiting queue, an American couple decided to do a 'limbo dance' under the tape in an attempt to get to the front.

 

Rude or just clever because by taking this course of action, they would get checked in first? You decide - I will keep my own counsel on that one.

 

Some may say the end justified the means!

 

As an aside, rather than be 'aggressive' to avoid missing a flight, many would suggest arriving at the airport in time would be a preferable option rather than annoy your fellow travellers.

Americans' cultural habits differ greatly from one geographic region to another and also where one falls socioeconomically. The general rule of thumb is that those of us raised in the South by professionals would never dream of cutting in line, sitting down at a table uninvited etc. Common courtesy and civility is a learned behavior and some of my Northern fellow Americans were not raised in the genteel South!!!