In Retirement

I am trying very hard to get RC to answer a question: I am (as of 4 years ago) a frequent cruiser, among others RC and Celebrity and a stockholder.  Watching the political competition in Florida and Texas, we are seriously looking to (family) fly to San Juan and participate in a December cruise (many advantages).  My question is will these cruises require all passengers 12+ to be fully vaccinated?  All of us are and medically sophisticated.  If we can't get a all-vaccinated cruise, we may be planning a week in California or Hawaii instead.  All advice greatly appreciated.

In Retirement

Greetings,

My approach has often been to locate objectives and then contract with private transport that allows me to offer to others at 1/4 the price. I spent a great deal of time at Olden looking for what would be perfect. We ended up taking an "excursion" privately from a local entrepreneur that included a boat ride on a lake (I remember that the boat had been manufactured in the Netherlands) that also included a snack at a lovely lodge halfway through the boat ride. To say that this could have been purchased through the cruiseline at 1/3 greater cost is pretty good and our "group" that went between two ship-sponsored tours was pretty much a group that participated in several other ports together. My memory is that we participated in a late summer cruise RT Amsterdam that was wonderful and concluded other efforts including a week Rhine cruise and several days in Belgium via train. After the cruise we spent the night at the Sheraton at the airport and took several hours to visit the college town of Leiden before sleep. Cruise ports in Norway were filled with a mixture of options found on the internet and a couple of really wonderful experiences based on rental of a coach to include another 3 dozen passengers! Anyway, let me know if you want me to locate my notes to give you specifics. DL (balticports@yahoo.com):)

Looking for information on Carnival Vista cabins 10208 10212, 10216 10220. These are actually for the Horizon but figure to ask about the Vista since Horizon is not here yet. Looking for any information good bad. Never had a balcony so wondering a lot about this. Thank you!! Sent from my iPad using Forums

As close as I can get to your situation, I once (never again) sailed New Year's Day (never again) on the Magic, which had made maiden voyages in the Mediteranean and now was at our home port for first Western Hemisphere cruises. I was attracted to age of ship (it had to be better!?) and was greatly disappointed. "New" basically means additional attractions to attract your money. Because ship cabins are essentially metal boxes, and metal does a great job of conducting sound, your job MUST be to search for possible sound and avoid it! The space above and below you should be cabins. If you have never been in a balcony cabin, you will love the difference if just to open the drape and allow the light in! Selecting the location of the balcony has to do with the itinerary (if you want to see the land you will pass) and the issue of location on the ship (front cabins may attract vibration) and the size and type of balcony (need to look at discussions of balconies on CC for specific cruise line). Good luck.

DL:)

Just curious if anyone has any information about the Ruby Princess Caribe deck Balcony 231? It's a forward cabin. Anything would be appreciated! Thanks!

I have fond memories of this ship -- you should look at when/if she has been in drydock. Also look at the map of sailing to determine which side of the ship you want. Specifically, all things being even, we love Caribe balconies (and like to be easy walking distance from stairs/elevators and laundry rooms). Hope this helps,

DL:)

Asking about a specific cabin on a specific ship is pretty iffy as all that take multiple cruises may remember something about the ship, certainly a lot good and bad about specific ports, but not their cabin numbers! There are basic engineering facts that we should all agree: (1) the problems in older ships are still alive and well in the new ones; cabins are basically metal cubes in which sound travels really well. (2) look above and below each cabin in question. Worry, worry, worry about activities in public spaces either above or below you. Several years ago we took a local holiday cruise on a very new (2 months) cruise ship. First it was a central front balcony (one of six). The balconies were giant and quite fun (even though no privacy, we could share our problems with our neighbors and plan our "revenge." Well, below us was a comedy showroom in which speakers were attached to their ceiling (our floor). We learned about passenger service and how well they lie. Every time I look at my Citizen watch I remember that cruise and the lessons I learned. Please learn them as well. Every time I see that a ship comes out of dry dock with more cabins, I remember how easy it is to lower these boxes onto public space. All you can do is select a cabin with the same above and below and then hope for the best. DJ

I'd suggest those still focused on this consider reading about this port and the difficulties associated for a large cruise ship? Last year my family participated in a Busybus tour from Liverpool and found this to be a wonderful, professional organization. I'd expect I'm with the majority. Would be great if Holyhead could provide a competent docking arrangement for cruise ships (no wonder it is used by very few companies).

DJ:)

We have been offered cabin a603 on britannia has anybody stayed in this cabin and what does sheltered balcony mean . It is below Horixzons restaurant

Sometimes it is better to post such questions on the specific cruise line forum, especially after reviewing deck plans.

Good luck, DJ:)

Make certain that Princess is docked at Cobh (no kidding!). Printed schedule was Cobh, but we docked at the ferry port on the other side of the harbor and for those people who were going to walk around museums and then take a taxi, was quite a problem. We rented a van for 24 from Butlers and had quite a day! Unfortunately, this takes plenty of effort in terms of finding places that fit into port times as well as people on your roll call to split expenses. Best of luck, DJ:)

Does anyone have any suggestions for us on Norwegian Pearl? We are first time cruisers and don't want a bad experience.

I think that you will be a lot more successful if you post on Norwegian Cruise line forum. Maybe include the cruise(s) being considered and maybe specific or classes of staterooms? For myself, I've only heard of general considerations regarding informal nature of service. I'd look at all cruiselines that share the same general itinerary. My best,

DJ:)

1. Am looking at cruises that start at Auckland and end at Sydney, with the logic I could arrive early for a local or regional tour and extend our visit at Sydney to do the same. Anybody have such experiences?

2. Looking at size of ships and considering sea/weather conditions: Is ship size a consideration for either port visits or dealing with poor water conditions during the summer (January/March)?

3. Comparing two such cruises next year (February 18 2018 Diamond Princess vs. February 15 2018 HA Noordam), both visit Tauranga, Akaroa, Dunedin, Fjordland Park, Hobart and Melbourne on the way to Sydney, but Noordam also visits Napier, Wellington, and Picton. What should I consider in making this decision?

4. It appears to me that there is a robust tourism industry in NZ and Australia, both for independent tours and port excursions. Any experiences from Auckland or Sydney? I figure a 3-5 day experience before and after cruise would be ideal. I know that everyone talks about "once in a lifetime" experience, but unlike Europe, Alaska, etc. that we have revisited, we honestly expect this to be our only visit.

All observations and advice most appreciated,

DJ:)

Greetings,

What a wonderful response!

I am basically trying to accommodate a wife prone to worry. The alternatives are Israel + Italy or a repeat of our Norway RT Amsterdam (wonderful). Latest concern is two days of significant bad sea weather and a missed port reported by friends now sailing Australia/New Zealand?

Current ideas include, for an Auckland to Sydney February 2018 cruise (including stop in Tasmania and Melbourne) is a 2- or 3-day stop in Hawaii, arrival in Auckland for a short (2- or 3-day?) guided tour from this departure, and a comparable tour from Sydney. It seems that tourism is very well developed in New Zealand and Australia and would love some February possibilities. The cruise takes up 13 days and my goal would be to stay within 4 weeks.

My very best and with much thanks,

DJ:)

It sort of determines how much of a discount is significant for you and whether you can and like to make arrangements versus having them made for you? I am ex-military (just a regular service once I completed university) and my insurance company has a travel agency and I have used this agent for several years. Obviously I compare prices and nobody is upset when I go with the best price. Viking uses travel agents as its price includes agent commission. It depends on the agent in terms of how much is shared with the customer.

I would also suggest that the same effort is necessary with air travel. So far I've never found a provided fare is both less expensive and of equal time to the one I come up with myself. Indeed, I met a retired pilot on my Viking cruise (Basel/Amsterdam) who lived in Jacksonville Florida -- you would think that they would fly out of the country at Atlanta? But they first flew into Minneapolis (as Viking obviously uses the least expensive seats they can find).

Our first Viking cruise represented the first week of our 2014 summer vacation that was followed by a train visit into Belgium and then an extensive Norway cruise RT Amsterdam (absolutely wonderful). My logic was that I selected a short river cruise and balanced it out with visits to Ghent and Brugges and then a wonderful cruise (hope to repeat fairly soon).

I could also note that we are retired and have plenty of time to select/design vacations, including internet, Cruise Critic, and Trip Advisor. I also found that doing pre-vacation research on river cruise ports did NOT improve this experience as incorporating that "additional art museum (etc.)" was often a problem and Viking made no effort to accommodate such activities (i.e. you miss lunch time, there isn't even a plate of sandwiches provided for your arrival). If you have never researched your own vacation, you may not want to start with a river cruise (I'd suggest spending a week in an exciting city using a rental apartment). (I have always wondered about folks who reach our age without making hotel and air arrangements: Some vacation-planning is a challenge, but many people are motivated to be helpful!

My best,

DJ:)

Greetings,

Its never too early to ask and learning from the successes and problems of others is a great value, so: Winter 2018 the two of us (then 71 years old) intend to take a Auckland to Sydney cruise with some additional time in Australia. My wife is determined to break the long flights with at least a 2-3 day stay in Hawaii and maybe something similar on the return flight. Anyone have experience in making such air arrangements, perhaps even a different airline for each direction? Would really enjoy a substantial exposure to New Zealand, but also for sure a stop in Tasmania and perhaps Melbourne. What have been your memorable experiences and what would you not repeat if you could help it? Our previous experiences have mainly been on Princess, Holland America and Celebrity and we see the ship as a convenient floating hotel room. Can anyone recommend a company for day tours out of Sydney or some Australian company comparable to Globus/Trafalgar for a several-day outing near Sydney/Melbourne?

DJ:)

All of you with previous experience: I understand all buildings are serviced by a shuttle service so that long walks are at your desire, not necessary? Have also read that some residential buildings are two-story? Does this mean that there is a chance of being assigned a second-story room? If climbing stairs can be a problem, need for prior arrangement?

Much thanks,

DJ:)

Greetings,

We are seriously considering a NZ cruise and Australian tour in 2018. Its hard to determine where to start vacation planning. We are a couple 70 years old, who have developed European vacations that include at least one cruise most summers. We are quite tired of the Caribbean in our winters (as Houston winters are usually quite mild). My wife, especially, is worried about the very long flights to/from Houston. We would consider a RT Sydney cruise of NZ, or a cruise that starts in Aukland and finishes in Sydney (especially if most ports are the same). Also, this way the flight to the cruise would be a few hours shorter? We would consider at least one flight with a break of 3 or 4 nights in Hawaii (anyone done this and can advise how to go about it?). We've done an "open jaws" vacations but have never arranged, a 3-day break in say Hawaii (would Air New Zealand market a 3- or 4-night break?). After I gather information, I guess the next step would be to make some phone calls.

As we have aged, we have begun to incorporate guided or partially guided coach tours (I'm not renting a car, although I continue to spend days in an urban setting taking local transport and one-day tours). My thought is to include a 5-12 night coach tour RT Sydney and wonder who the local tour companies are and if any recommendations? Thinking a day in Tasmania would be a treat as we both enjoy wildlife/nature. Beyond the library and Trip Advisor, can you suggest any resources to guide us between tour options (like writings and videos from an Australian/New Zealand Rick Steves)? Thank you very much,

DJ:)

Greetings! Hope that many of you are still "listening" to this thread.

In tying up a couple of loose ends for our July vacation, a lovely lady at Princess told me that on board port excursions will no longer be automatically charged to your credit card, period. For example, our Anchorage/Vancouver cruise has prepaid gratuities, as well as $150 OBC. I also pickup $100 for military service and $100 for stockholder. We are not drinkers nor look forward to a specialty restaurant, so our only alternative is to have a serious look at watches? No, not necessary! Just booked a really expensive boat tour out of Ketchikan that will cost just $50 instead of $400 (thank you Princess). Anybody in a similar situation can adjust your finances (I hope). Specifically, OBCs are the first to be "spent" with any captured expense, others then go on your credit card (on file).

Really hope that I have been clear enough and that this information helps.

DJ:)

We are seriously considering a NZ cruise and Australian tour in 2018. Its hard to determine where to start vacation planning. We are a couple 70 years old, who have developed European vacations that include at least one cruise most summers. We are quite tired of the Caribbean in our winters (as Houston winters are usually quite mild). My wife, especially, is worried about the very long flights to/from Houston. We would consider a RT Sydney cruise of NZ, or a cruise that starts in Aukland and finishes in Sydney (especially if most ports are the same). Also, this way the flight to the cruise would be a few hours shorter. We would consider at least one flight with a break of 3 or 4 nights in Hawaii (anyone done this and can advise?). As we have aged, we have begun to incorporate guided or partially guided coach tours (I'm not renting a car, although I continue to spend days in an urban setting taking local transport and one-day tours). My thought is to include a 5-12 night coach tour RT Sydney and wonder who the local tour companies are and if any recommendations? Thinking a day in Tasmania would be a treat as we both enjoy wildlife/nature. Beyond the library and Trip Advisor, can you suggest any resources to guide us between tour options (like writings and videos from an Australian/New Zealand Rick Steves)? Thank you very much,

DJ:)

Greetings,

Am starting our planning by considering ways in which USA (Houston)/Australia (Sydney) flights can be made more tolerable (17 hours). Saving vacation days are not an issue, in that we are retired and can manage a 3-4 week vacation. Would consider breaking up flight (stop in Hawaii or elsewhere?), fly on an airplane that has been configured to promote tolerance of long flight (we are pretty use to a direct flight from Houston to London or Amsterdam, for example). Really would rather use money elsewhere than business class?

DJ:)

What can I say? When is a promotion not a promotion? We are most interested on the large-boat experience out of Ketchikan, so in the next week will try and then otherwise will wait til we get on the boat. This reeks of possible dishonesty. I know, they want to fill specialty restaurants and have you grow a bar tab. Will report back if I have any different experience.

DJ:(

Have been fortunate in being veteran and stockholder (Carnival, Royal Caribbean) and have for years put this money towards gratuities. This year picked up free gratuities on a July Whittier/Vancouver. What to do? Figured at least one "shore excursion" where these OBCs would cover most or all expense. I called Princess and was told when we have picked excursion paid with OBC, to call back and make special arrangement for reservation with OBC payment. Hope everyone who reads this note takes advantage when its possible? My very best,

DJ:)

Let me add my current 2 cents: I usually apply OBC to gratuities, but thought as our current booking includes gratuities, I'd apply OBC to a shore excursion (certainly don't want it to be immediately applied to a credit card and then not used). Just called Princess and had a discussion. Was told that when I want to reserve a shore excursion that would be paid (or mostly paid) with OBC, I should call directly to make this arrangement with Princess. (We will have prepaid gratuities and $350 OBC.) Hope this helps any confused reader (OK, or maybe further confuses the reader!).

DJ:)

Hello,

Post-retirement I've had considerable travel experience including arranging private port tours, including British Isles and Norway. Previously have done Norway in a Nutshell from Bergen. I can say that British Isles (twice) and Norway were absolutely wonderful. This next year we are staying somewhat closer to home. Probably our 5th Alaska cruise.

 

Basically, Alaska can be rt Seattle or Vancouver (both wonderful cities, though not London) or one-way from or to Vancouver from Alaska with or without a land tour (private or cruiseline-sponsored). My expectation if you are from UK spending the day at Skagway is that you have more planned either stateside or Canada?

 

(1) Seattle and Vancouver/Victoria are wonderful places and worth extra time (we are adding Globus Wonderful Rockies Vancouver/Calgary, and other RT Vancouver options are available: maybe compare to Switzerland?)

 

(2) The closest an Alaska cruise comes to a fjord is Glacier Bay.

 

(3) The rail to Flaam and rail travel out of or to Skagway are quite different with different histories. I think both Flaam and Skagway are only open for tourists. You probably have three port calls and if you have never visited, you will want to say hello to whales in Juneau, have some rail experience in Skagway, and consider some experience in Ketchikan or visit Misty Fjords. Sort of depends what you have going on for the rest of your vacation? Skagway options include seeing Emerald Lake and various combinations of rail and van/coach.

 

(4) I'm not a car rental guy as I want my vision available not reserved for the road, and I like some reassurance on a port day versus a multi-night city visit. I also believe that you will find fewer private tourist options in Alaska and price savings significantly less than in Europe.

 

Hope this helps. Feel free to ask here or at my travel email (balticports@yahoo.com).

DJ:)

It seems the Flaam segment of rail travel is quite short, although an engineering achievement. The basic rail is Bergen to Oslo, and the Flaam segment available for mainly tourists. Last time in Flaam we visited the tourism website and spent the afternoon on a fjord cruise and a scenic coach ride.

DJ:)

Hello,

Post-retirement I've had considerable travel experience including arranging private port tours, including British Isles and Norway. Previously have done Norway in a Nutshell from Bergen. I can say that British Isles (twice) and Norway were absolutely wonderful. This next year we are staying somewhat closer to home. Probably our 5th Alaska cruise.

Basically, Alaska can be rt Seattle or Vancouver (both wonderful cities, though not London) or one-way from or to Vancouver from Alaska with or without a land tour (private or cruiseline-sponsored). My expectation if you are from UK spending the day at Skagway is that you have more planned either stateside or Canada?

(1) Seattle and Vancouver/Victoria are wonderful places and worth extra time (we are adding Globus Wonderful Rockies Vancouver/Calgary, and other RT Vancouver options are available: maybe compare to Switzerland?)

(2) The closest an Alaska cruise comes to a fjord is Glacier Bay.

(3) The rail to Flaam and rail travel out of or to Skagway are quite different with different histories. I think both Flaam and Skagway are only open for tourists. You probably have three port calls and if you have never visited, you will want to say hello to whales in Juneau, have some rail experience in Skagway, and consider some experience in Ketchikan or visit Misty Fjords. Sort of depends what you have going on for the rest of your vacation? Skagway options include seeing Emerald Lake and various combinations of rail and van/coach.

(4) I'm not a car rental guy as I want my vision available not reserved for the road, and I like some reassurance on a port day versus a multi-night city visit. I also believe that you will find fewer private tourist options in Alaska and price savings significantly less than in Europe.

Hope this helps. Feel free to ask here or at my travel email (balticports@yahoo.com).

DJ:)

Hi Cincicouple, Have you returned from your cruise; if so I hope you had a terrific time. We will be cruising the Norwegian Fjords in early June 2017 and am wondering how you went with your research into this new company. I note it's now showing on Viator and trip advisor; seems just started up this year. Did you book with them & if so, what are your thoughts? I am unsure that they are offering the Troll tour so early whilst the other company is not; possibly their vehicle is smaller maybe. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks

Suffice it to say, Norway is a wonderful experience and the climate, the geography, and the people all contribute. Found in 2014 that specific ports have developed their own websites where you can purchase seats for your day. A couple of ports required working with Norway Tourism for that port and reserving a coach (driver speak English and our two were quite talkative and had experience with our plans). Often you purchase for yourself, otherwise its useful to go on Roll Call and ask for private email discussions to form a group if that is necessary (sometimes someone else will have started this process). Also found that Norway Tourism was a great source of multiple location-specific booklets? Two fjord locations have each a website where boat and coach experiences are "discounted." We found a great deal was at Stavanger, where a standard fjord cruise was half the cruise rate. My only mistake was posting this on Roll Call (not privately) and I found out subsequently that this specific comment and our Roll Call was being followed by the ship's program director! Beware. We also had a day at Oslo (used a senior's tourist ticket for the day) and Bergen where we have been several times, so took the opportunity to shop for stainless gifts for family on sale and also walk around for the day. Let me know if you have specific questions and I'll look up our 2014 data.

My best,

DJ:)

You would think that the companies that own cruise ships would understand the noise problems on board and would attempt to rectify these problems. How difficult would it be to read some of the complaints and then require their engineers and architects to remedy the situations. To consistently allow passengers to be disrupted, and to neither solve the problem nor advise passengers prior to purchase, is deceptive practice. I suggest that the cruise lines, in lieu of correctly taking care of the problem, identify cabins on board each ship, that are in locations where noise is a forgone conclusion, and give those cabins to "Guaranteed" purchases only. Those guaranteed purchases would come with a disclosure that noise may be a problem where these cabins are located.

Great to hear a measure of common sense!

Lets understand that cruise ships are put together metal boxes and that metal really carries sound? Seems to me that when a ship goes into drydock what often happens is that people find under-used spaces to tack-down another of these metal boxes in order to generate more money!

A short story tells us that the profit motive and just lack of care continues these problems: A couple of years ago we were attracted by a brand-new Carnival ship that would use our home port and that an aft balcony cabin was available on New Year's Day (another mistake). What we discovered was that just below these four cabins was a comedy showroom with speakers attached to THE CEILING!! (Can you imagine?) So we basically had a vibrating floor each night and the cabin sounded like a band was in your bed! So from this we learn that the people who design public spaces aren't too bright. I also learned that Passenger Services folks learn to be pleasantly dishonest. Not too bright, as the passengers in these cabins also talked to each other and shared our experiences with Passenger Services. I think of this experience each day as I enjoy my wristwatch provided from the substantial OBC provided in compensation! All you can do is minimize problems by studying deck plans, not just asking a question with a ship's name and cabin number, as all we can do is look at deck plans (you can't expect anyone to remember a cabin number?). Knowing your tendency to seasickness and noise, give first priority to cabins with the same passenger cabins above and below. We are just addicted to balcony cabins and I spend time trying to determine which balconies will be the most favorable for a specific cruise.

Would be great to hear from engineers, but (as above) doesn't take that much sense to relocate speakers from room ceilings that will reverberate into the passenger cabins above! Good luck,

DJ:)