Pan Am Girl

We, too, pack light and walk ON and OFF with our luggage. It's a bit of a hassle.

We carry on on the "going" flights. On the return, we might check in the luggage. The last cruise, at Miami, we paid $30 each for two bags -- could have checked them at the gate for free but didn't stop to think about that -- and one was lost. It took 24 hours, with repeated phone calls, stories, and changed info to get the bag delivered to our home.

When we were on the Koningsdam, I noted, somewhere in the fine print, that they chose the nights for which restaurants in the package, and that it was assigned once you were on board. That was not acceptable to us and was worth the difference in "savings" to make the restaurant reservations in advance for the specific dates and times I selected (due to excursions in port for example, or which night to do a "special" dinner). Additionally, I cancelled our "kitchen" dinner, as it really didn't seem all that appealing once we were onboard. Also, there was something about dining in a specialty for a first night, I later learned after disembarkation, that it would be discounted. This credit was never offered to us, and by that time I learned of it, I didn't bother with it, but still think of this as being quite annoying that they didn't credit us. We did definitely enjoy the specialty restaurants on the Koningsdam, but the main dining room not so much (due to it being so large and crowded). We also enjoyed the extended balcony (a few cabins on the 4th deck, I believe).

We've missed just one port that I remember -- Cook Islands on the then Tahitian Princess. It was the exact day for our 40th anniversary. We had along five other couples, long time friends celebrating 35 or more years of marriage. I had arranged with the Bishop of the Cook Islands to have a blessing at Mass for all of us. I thought it would be so great for my friends to experience this and the beautiful music in St. Joseph's Church (we had been married in St. Joe's in NYC). Well, it didn't look rough at all, but the Captain called it was too rough to tender. We could see the church -- talk about disappointment!!

As soon-to-be newbies on Windstar, we are taking notes. Thank you.

To the several people who answered my query regarding whether or not a mini suite is a suite for amenity purposes, thank you. I appreciate it. It is a coastal cruise on Thanksgiving weekend -- SU to TH -- and I am sure we will enjoy it, a covered one on the Emerald Deck, I believe. So much to be thankful for.

Definitely walk the wall. We were with four others, two of whom had walked the wall before. My DH would not have climbed up the stairs, but our friends INSISTED. It was one of my all-time favorite views. We had a gorgeous day, not too hot. So happy we did it. My husband loved it too.

We've arrived into that port three times, so we thought we had it all figured out, to walk over to the Hertz car rental, which is adjacent to the train station. No problem, right. Well, we didn't realize they MOVED the port! So it was a VERY long walk, and it was very hot. We made it, but some lessons learned: there were now other car rentals directly where we came out of the gate; there were taxis, too, AND we learned we could have called Hertz to come pick us up. Yes, live and learn.

Very nice and very interesting. It's exciting to see information come to fruition. I know on your side and on our side, there is so much more to the story. We live in San Diego, but have been to Australia. We'd love to go again. We did Sydney, Cairns, Port Douglas, and Great Barrier Reef. My husband had work in Singapore for almost a year. We met in Sydney for our 30th anniversary. He had work in Melbourne as well. Would love to see it and Tasmania.

Hello Tuffydog. It is ok to post my comments elsewhere. At the museum, you "select" a person's life and story to follow as they emigrated. I chose a woman who departed around the time of my mother.

Some more to the story: For fifty+ years, we have traveled to my mother's very large family in the Schwartzwald (Black Forest) region in the south of Germany. This tradition continues down to my children and their children My father had NO family (his mother had been an orphan, no siblings, and his Dad died when he was nine). But at some point in time, I wanted to go there, so a year and a half ago we did (and loved it). I had envelopes with return addresses over a hundred years old. I could not find these addresses, but we did see the fish market building where my father worked for coins when his dad died. The museum in Bremerhaven, a short train ride from Hamburg, was on my bucket list.

Prior to this same trip, I had decided it would be fun for my husband to see where his Italian-side grandparents had emigrated from. He is half German, and my family is long his family. He remembered his Italian granddad as he lived til my husband's high school years. I wrote to the mayor of this very small village in the south (way south) of Italy and no answer. (It was by regular post.) We had only found out the actual name of the village through a fluke because they always said Salerno which is really about two hours' drive north.

A few weeks before our trip, I cut and pasted the letter into an email to addresses I had found online. Then came a response from a gentleman, married to a woman, born with the same last name as my husband, saying they would like to meet us and would be there in the village when we were there. We exchanged photos, phone numbers, and on the appointed day, we followed them to have "lunch". When we walked in, we had not even sat down yet, and, mind you, did not know if they were related, when my husband saw a picture of what looked like his grandfather. He became emotional and he mentioned his grandfather, had also brother and sister that went to NYC. We know no Italian and they knew hardly any English. But saying the name, this woman's sister went into her mother's bedroom and came out with an envelope from 1974 from my father- in- law's Aunt (one whom I had met several times early in the marriage). So this was proof! We all started jumping up and down, laughing and crying, excited to have found relatives. We proceeded to have a home cooked four hour, six course lunch -- the best meal we had in Italy! We did this (they and us) on a lark. We keep in touch. The picture was the nephew to my husband's grandfather -- a brother who had not gone to America's son. This village has 350 population, yes, 350, and both my husband's grandparents came through Ellis Island, very early 1900s. We made our way to the "city hall" in this tiny village, and found his grandparents marriage certificate, on my husband's birthday 1900!! An angel (an Italian, speaking English, and just happened to be passing through) interpreted for us for an hour and a half.

That, too, was very exciting for us. We have always felt so blessed to know my mother's big family (my generation had 24 cousins, and I am second youngest, so many gone). Now we know the rest of the story, and when I take my young grandchildren to NYC to the Statue of Liberty, the Ellis Island emigration museum, we also go to Little Italy from my husband's youth. I must say this is a fabulous one- on- one time with the grandchildren.

My last example -- my parents were married in 1930 in the German parish, my husband's parents by the same priest in the same church in 1938 and we in 1967 (so 50 1/2 years ago). When I explained all this to my second granddaughter, last year, she was so overcome with the HISTORY (having just visited my grammar school next door, where my mother- in- law graduated also 1928), that she just went up to the altar and ? prayed? thanked God? I didn't ask, but CLEARLY she was impressed. She was full of her heritage!!!

My parents were both born in Germany, my father in Hamburg and my mother in a small village near Baden Baden, and met in New York City. After our first visit to Hamburg, DH and I traveled to Bremerhaven, especially for the Emigration museum which I had heard about. This museum was phenomenal for me, as it so personalized the experience my mother had in November, 1926 when she left there for the journey to NYC. As her brother was already there in NY, as her sponsor and holding a job for her and a place to live, she did not have to go through Ellis Island (location of a famous immigration museum) but got off in New Jersey. Ellis Island is always emotional (especially the movie part showing the people leaving Bremerhaven). When the grandchildren are ten, I take them to New York for their heritage tour to show them about where we the grandparents grew up and where the great grandparents lived, were married, etc. Bremerhaven was a lot of fun -- things to do, etc. We even took a public bus to an outdoor concert. Fabulous museum -- wish I could take the grandkids there. We found the ship's manifest (when my parents went to visit her family in Germany in 1932), in the computer room there.

We were awakened on a cruise with the alarm blasts and then the Captain sounding very nervous and reporting a fire, telling certain personnel where to report. My first reaction was to jump out of bed, be glad it was daylight, and get our stuff ready (warm clothes, meds...what they tell you at the drill). We were then apprised every ten/fifteen minutes (locating the fire), found the fire, contained the fire, etc. It DOES get the adrenalin rushing. This was the second day of the cruise and a sea day. I would like to say we went back to sleep, but we didn't. We got up then, happy that all was resolved.

Dumb question, perhaps. Is the Princess mini suite considered a "suite" for purposes of suite amenities? Eg, breakfast in Sabatinis, etc.? Booked a mini suite on a coastal cruise as a surprise for DH. Just wondering. Thank you.

Basic question. Is a mini suite on Princess actually considered to be a "suite" with amenities as outlined in this thread -- a complimentary dinner, etc.? Thank you. I've booked a mini suite on a short coastal cruise -- just to try it and surprise my DH. Your input is appreciated.

Ok, time for me to enter my input. We travelled to Tahiti in 1969 while on a return trip to Hawaii. (We had gone to the four main islands of Hawaii for our honeymoon in 1967.) I am happy to say we returned with our children 30 years ago and now in August with our family of ten for our 50th.) We heard about the men landing on the moon via ticker tape while we were in Tahiti, July, 1969. . We rented a car and enjoyed a very beautiful Tahiti. We did a day trip to Moorea. It was rainy and stormy and the "ferry" went to the Bali Hai. An elderly woman in her 60s helped me before our return -- I was so seasick. Getting back to my job at Pan Am in the offices at NYC, the gal who headed the Legal Department's file room, asked me if we went to Bora Bora. "What's Bora Bora?" or No.

Well I thought she would have a heart attack. So for our 25th, we returned to Moorea and Bora Bora. We enjoyed the church with singing, etc. For our 40th, we took a Princess cruise with five couples, friends -- all married over 35 years. I had arranged with the Bishop of the Cook Islands to have a blessing at a Mass for all of us, but, alas, it was not meant to be as the seas were too rough to tender. We could see the church!!. We cruised through the FP, and enjoyed it so much.

For our 50th, I looked into going back with our family, but for a family of ten with little ones, it was just too pricey and too long of a flight. So we went to Kauai again which filled the bill and the budget, renting an estate with a private beach. We have travelled all over the world. French Polynesia is still one of our favorites. That is why I am on here from time to time. We were so LUCKY to go when we were so young -- and to be able to return a few times. I guess it is time to surprise my husband with a trip back either on the PG or ???

For YEARS, I said Bora Bora was my favorite, but after the last trip ten years ago, I realize I really love Moorea best. I am still hoping to treat the family when the little ones get a little older. I loved reading these posts and seeing the pictures. We may be married 50 years, but we are very young still in spirit. We have a couple of trips planned for the next six months, but it is time to think of surprising my husband. We had stayed at the Hotel Bora Bora (I'm not sure who owns this property now, but we had a garden/beach room -- I didn't want over the water if I could see other cottages). We had a beach, a mountain and a sea view. The snorkeling was phenomenal and there was a huge drop off. I would like to stay there -- whatever it might be now. In reality, we would probably do a post cruise stay on Moorea (to check it out for the family). We also stayed pre-cruise at the IC on Moorea for a night -- and yes, the show was great.

One last comment, for our 25th, we rented a car on Bora Bora and went around one way and then around the island the other way. My husband always veers off the beaten path. A very young girl in a residential neighborhood ran up to our car, saw our bread and requested Pan, Pan (bread) pointing to my loaf -- she traded us a flower. She ran off laughing -- no doubt thinking she got the best end of the bargain. But it is we who will always remember that moment. I still have that flower, pressed, into my album of pictures. Life is great!!!!!

There may be more than one ship -- cruise line, even freight. Come in, as poster said above, go around, (it may look confusing, but just keep going), drop them off as close to your ship as possible with luggage, then go park. Definitely ask for the assistance; you will not have to wait on the line that snakes around. Definitely go earlier as also mentioned. Once inside, and through the process of checking in, there will be seating until they let you board. It is fairly straight forward. We just take carry on luggage, so I am not clear about the porters, but I am sure you will see them.

Has anyone had experience with Windstar, specifically in France, with getting off ship one day and reboarding the following day in the next port? We would like to disembark, drive a rental car to a specific destination, and then reboard the ship in the next port where the ship will be for two days.

Our travel agent has inquired twice and we are waiting to hear from "the government". Obviously, I will call Windstar myself, but just wanted to be armed with any individual 's information before doing so. Has anyone had this experience and were you able to do it? (We have done it in Egypt, with Oceania cruiseline, disembarking in Alexandria to do a private tour with two other CC couples from ship and then reboarded in Cairo after having spent the night in a hotel in Cairo.) Thanks in advance for any input.

You can get a bus to Southhampton, right from the airport's bus station for a mere "fraction" of the cost. What you would do with the luggage if you stopped in Winchester, I don't know. Perhaps ask to leave it at a hotel for a few hours?

You can see the schedules online. As I recall the bus went right through Winchester, making a stop. We went direct to Southhampton, and since we stayed overnight we met up with CCrs for dinner, after taking a long walk along the water and across a small footbridge to explore the area. After the cruise, we took the bus back to the airport and from there took train transport into London.

We like travel. Period. Ideally, we combine a land trip before, use a cruise to transport to a different area (while seeing an overview of new areas) and finish up with a land trip after. Typically independently and renting a car, although we have been known to hire a car with driver in an area like Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Ideally, for us, seeing most cities requires four days, three nights to really get the flavor, "know it" and see the highlights. On a cruise, however, you get sense of a place and see a highlight or two. Plus enjoy the experience of the ship.

On land, we enjoy all types of accommodations, exclusive and high end, but even more enjoyable, often, are bed and breakfasts -- quaint, living more on a "local" level and establishing rapport (and also stretching the travel budget for longer trips) and enjoying great breakfasts.

We love the water so we do try to incorporate a cruise, but last year on our 6 1/2 week trip to Germany and Italy, we only did a seven day cruise. (Using the aforementioned concept of "before and after".)

Travelling is work and, often, a challenge. I do all the planning, in detail, while remaining open and flexible to change as warranted.

For me, I love the research part and then seeing the trip come to fruition. My husband "just goes" and drives. It works for us. Being so detailed has resulted in our not having had a bad trip yet. We have had adventures and unexpected happenings, and feel a real sense of accomplishment when we have to figure things out -- say a roundabout with the signs in a foreign language, going around again to try to determine the most likely direction. We use old-fashioned maps and, yes, have gotten "lost". Who is going to ask for directions -- using hands and feet, and smattering of different languages. Then having the helper answer in their language and straining to try to understand what is being said.

We have done many land trips without cruises, but I think doing "combinations" -- cruises and independent land travel is really the way to go.

We tried an inside on a 7 -day Alaska cruise, for the price, and to experience inside. After that, the only time we did inside was for a four day cruise to Mexico, because we got such an extremely inexpensive deal. I would never do longer than three or four day cruise inside, if ever again. Just personal opinion. And our stage in life.

Typically, we do a balcony. On our Norway soujourn up the coast, we booked ocean view since we thought it would be cold and we wouldn't use the balcony. The upgrade fairy shined its light on us and we had a balcony on Caribe deck of the Crown. We wound up spending a LOT of time on the balcony and were so happy to be sailing by the thousands of waterfalls. I was constantly out there taking pictures, etc. On a more expensive line, for the difference in price I might choose deluxe ocean view to save $ (to be able to cruise more, of course). It boils down to whatever works for you at that particular time. I agree with the sentiment to just go -- inside if necessary and only use your room to sleep.

On another cruise to Mexico, on HAL, we were also upgraded to balcony from OV. For an upcoming cruise in the Med, we booked OV, to save $ since we will be on an extended trip in Europe. I am sure OV will be fine, as it is a port intensive trip. And who knows, perhaps the upgrade fairy will call again. If not, it is ok too. Choose the least category you think you will be happy with. If it means putting money toward the college education, then by all means do that. We did that and our children are self sufficient. What goes around comes around.

I just came across this thread. I only read the first postings (before deposits), but I so admire him and will look forward to reading this from time to time. I have dealt with elder care for four parents for 21 years. So I know a thing or two. I am looking to this thread for inspiration and will comment again when I am done. Unfortunately, I am in the throes of busyness, and cannot read it through, so it will take me a while. I am sure it will be a great read.

Based on reviews on Trip Advisor, we stayed at The White House. (Not your Ritz nor IHC). However, the location was not to be beat! It is in Sultanahmet. We were able to walk, manageably, to all the major sightseeing attractions. Our Oceania cruise ended in Istanbul and so after four nights, The White House arranged for a complimentary taxi and took us TO the airport (normally they only pick up) at our request. The staff was very welcoming, very accommodating. The breakfast was very good. Restaurants were just half a block away. The Cisterns were just one block (one of our favorites , quite interesting, and we were able to be photographed in Turkish garb; touristy, yes, but such fun). We also walked a longer distance downhill from The White House to the Bosphorus/port/spice market and took a taxi back. Staying at that hotel, we could also see the monuments at night lit up. The area felt safe and lively.

By contrast, we also took a HOHO (hop on, hop off) bus to go around the whole city. We got off at a stop for a off-the-beaten-path Chora? museum. This very long walk was memorable. I did feel isolated (away from other tourists). Clearly, people could see we were tourists, but it was quite interesting to window shop in the locals' area, stopping in a bakery, etc. Then a long walk back to the bus. Somehow I recall we went around twice to really get a feel for the city structure and neighborhoods. This bus we were able to get just a couple of blocks from The White House hotel. Our bus passed the area of the Ritz and, while obviously lovely, it was very far out of the way.

When down at the port, we walked across the famous bridge and took a ferry (filled with locals) down the Bosphorus and it was a delightful ride showing beautiful homes along the shore, with Asia on one side and Europe on the opposite bank. Istanbul was wonderful. There was also a locals' market near the Spice Market and a great Turkish coffee place with lines around the block. We got in line and voila it moved very quickly. We always try to take coffee home as a souvenir. Last year relatives visited "our coffee place", brought us some, and it was memorable to feel like being there again.

We normally fly in a day in advance, or for very long distance flights, several days in advance. That was ironic, though, for the people flying in the day before and not making the flight, but on the day itself would have made it! We have driven on the day of the cruise to San Pedro, which is still taking a chance with a certain notorious freeway (91) and we have flown up to Seattle VERY early on the day of the cruise. It was to save the hotel fare. We had so much time, we played the Amazing Race; held up a sign to share a taxi to the port. Actually kept asking people. We found our other couple and shared the expense. Our two ships were at the same finger of the dock. That trip they were on Princess and we were on HAL. Thought we would see them later in the week on shore but didn't. I REALLY would hate to miss a cruise.

As this terrible news unfolds with confirmed loss of life, including I Just heard on the news, a British woman, I do wonder how these people must have felt yesterday morning, all excited going off on their excursions, to maybe somewhere that was a long time wish to visit - and then this ....... this could have been any of us, on our shore excursions from any cruise ship.

 

Thoughts and prayers to all those affected by this tragedy.

I read on Travelmole, apparently it seems more than two dozen passengers are "missing". The MSC Splendida waited until midnight, I believe, and the Costa also waited for its thirteen passengers but then left. Both companies have representatives liasing with the authorities. I am not inclined to be dissuaded from travelling to problem areas, but I always had an ill feeling regarding Tunisia. These attacks were targeted against the tourists. Keep them in your prayers if they are alive. Can you even imagine how frightening it would be? You set out in good faith to enjoy the day. Life is short, and difficult enough. Why can't there just be peace?

We arrived and were able to park without problem. Picked up the health form and proceeded to check in via the preferred line. Sat in a preferred waiting area for all of twenty minutes or so. Upon boarding we proceeded to DaVinci dining for dinner; it was just after five. We were at a two top with two congenial couples on either side. Service was great. The whole three days was great -- food good. No one sick. Beautiful weather. The absolute smoothest cruise we've ever had. Enjoyed everything - Vines Bar, Cafe, Crown Grill -- all delish. Ate a LOT. Attended the shows. Met nice people. The check in desk for the restaurant offered to hold our luggage. We were told rooms would be ready at seven thirty. We proceeded to our cabin. Rudolfo introduced himself. He was excellent. Didn't forget any special request we made. He was pleasant and our cabin was the absolute CLEANEST we have ever seen. We have been on the Crown twice before; it looked maintained well. Everything in the room went well. For the price we couldn't have been happier. Enjoyed breakfast in the dining room.

Dunno, but I called Princess Cruise Lines yesterday to verify my Future Cruise Deposit record, and they answered the phone and subsequently my question in less than a minute. Additionally, the rep, very politely, told me how I could find it on the website. The way it should be. Just saying.