Thejuggler

Once you get your head around the fact the subway runs on route numbers and not lines (so each line runs a number of different routes) it is as easy to navigate as the London underground.

Just ensure you use the entrance for the line direction you want as many entrances only serve one platform and entrances for the different platforms may be some distance apart. You then need to check the route number on the train before getting on,

If you want to pay contactless by iphone or android you need the OMNY app.

Taxis are plentiful, but don't expect drivers to have 'the Knowledge'.  You need to tell them the junction you need to be dropped off at, eg 5th and 53rd street as apart from the very popular sights drivers may not know specific buildings, hotels etc 

A great youtube resource for all things NYC is 'Here be Barr'.  I watched most of his vidoes before visiting.  What to see, what to avoid, how transport works etc,

Email from Manchester Airport with parking and lounge discounts landed in my inbox just this morning.

You also need to ensure any app updates will only be done when there is wifi coverage and aren't automatically done when the phone is connected to a mobile network.

My phone updated 11 apps this morning, that could be many megabytes of data to pay for!

On ship turn data roaming off, or use aircraft mode.  Alternatively you can keep roaming on, but turn off automatic network selection so you have to choose the roaming network before it connects.

As regards non EU countries check your provider.  I'm with Smarty and free Norway roaming (up to 12 gB data) is included.

Generally no because unlike a scheduled business class or first class ticket none of your premium fare is going to the lounge operator.

Sign up to Manchester Airport email alerts and you may get offers for lounge access.

Child places are limited by age and the discount changes.  

Jet 2 online check in opens 28 days before departure. Having done two  flights with them this year and one more to come it is 28 days to the hour!

Either take an inflatable toddler bed, or an adult sleeps on the pullman.

We have had double bed and pullman berth,  they prefer singles due to ladder access, but you can use the ladder on the end of the pullman on some ships.

The time to change trains will be in line with the maximum required at each stationo change platforms.  if they are giving 11 minutes between changes it is probably a 10 minute connection time station,

Rather than manage this yourself by taking other trains if you want longer connection times you can add time when searching for tickets and alternative timings will be given.

15 minutes ago, newbie cruissy said:

So if it's been booked as club, they can only use Bay Tree? And not the other 2 MDRs?

Correct.  The freedom restaurants are midship, above each other on different decks,  Bay treet is at the rear.  Food is the same so it doesn't make any difference.

Vigo and Lisbon both walkable from the port.  Research Vigo and find something to do.  Not much going on in the town, there are attractions within short distance but if they aren't doing a tour they may need to research transport options,

Lisbon.  Lots to see, but having been for an extended stay following a cruise visit it is spread out and very hilly.  Belem is a long way from the main centre, similarly the Oceanarium area with cable car along the river is a long way the other way, but both are worth visiting.  The statue of Christ is across the river so a visit there also needs some planning.

Trams, train and metro are all available, easy to use and not expensive.

As the Lisbon stay is overnight it does mean time to see a lot, but not everything!

One way long haul tickets are always expensive.

You can sometimes find cheaper flights by accepting some inconvenience.  For flights to US and Canada look to go via Dublin, Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris or less popular hubs such as Stockholm etc.

Cheap flights to mainland Europe should be available, but we are now in main school holidays in Scotland so prices won't be as low as earlier or later in the year.

It can sometimes be cheaper to book a package and not use the accommodation.

Google flights would be my go to and I'd only book through the airline website, not via an agent thrown up by Skyscanner or other similar sites, especially if a transit is required.

Issues around crowding on sea days demonstrate the low space per passenger on the Grand class ships with the extra deck of cabins.

Pre book.  If possible A good  time to go on is just before sunset when the buildings are being lit up.

In September sunset is around 7pm.  

The main downside with all Grand Class ships such as Azura and Ventura is the lack of a crows nest bar and not many public areas with a view to sit and watch to world go by.

In the Med it may not be as much of an issue as sea days can be spent on deck, but if the weather is poor indoor areas are limited.

Whilst I noticed the river in Rome and crossed it by foot, it wasn't an attraction as say the Seine.  I can't see what you would see from a boat trip.

If you want to do justice to Vatican and St Peters Basilica you may not have time for much else.  Even with skip the line we were there about 4 hours and didn't do the climb up St Peter's as it was close to closing time.

As above.

Its due to you not going through any passport check on leaving the US.  You will note in airports all passports are scanned on entry and exit.

This is not your fault, but the passenger manifest should be provided to US Homeland security by P&O who should then update the records.

Not much scope for failure in that process is there?!

Limited advanced tickets on Heathrow Express are available for £5.50.

Otherwise the new Elizabeth Line service is the one to take.

We cruised regularly from about 2010 with our daughter.

At all ages (pre school to teen) we came up against 'no children spaces left' on a regular basis.  It worked in our favour as we moved to choosing cruises which were less family focussed.

Three essentials for an app.

It has to be useful

It has to be simple to use

It has to work every single time

If any of these aren't met an app becomes a hinderance.

Its MSN. Not known for their in depth analysis.  

We have generally looked at Premerinn map and chosen the cheapest within 60-90 minutes drive from Southampton.

Sign up to Manchester Airport website and you may receive offers for discounted access to the lounges.

I've had codes many years ago and considering the price of food and drink and lack of seating away from gates it worked out good value.

14 minutes ago, cruising.mark.uk said:

Its very strange how often cruise lines seem to forget to mention free port / city shuttles!

 

PS I'm very impressed by your ability to seemingly produce a port / environs map for everywhere which comes up in conversation.  Do you have your own library of those from your own research or is there one particular website you're obtaining them from?

open street map is the site I use for such info.

Our first cruise was very much about ship life, the ports didn't matter.

We then chose cruises for ports as it was a good way of seeing places where cruising made sense, especially the Fjords, or places we would probably never see,  Faeroes in particular.

i did know someone who had done a number of world cruises and she rarely left the ship on any of them.