Markanddonna

We disembarked from the Constellations on May 2. We had quite a bit of onboard credit to use, so we decided to try the ship's transfer service. There were eight ships at port that day, and we were concerned about the availability of UBERs or taxis. It worked out very well and cost $$29.95 pp. We made it to the airport for our 1:00 flight with time to spare.

I am currently at the airport on our last leg home on a flight we had to change for a medical emergency. Celebrity air has been great with their help, especially arranging wheelchair assistance at all four airports. I know there are some complications with cruise air, but this experience has us very pleased.

Listen to Fedic. Ir is important to follow advice from people who give relevant help.The season makes a difference. I sailed on April 17 this year our of Tampa with only a drizzle. Fog is more of a colder weather issue.

I have only one prescription. All the other supplementals and vitamins are unique. I tend to travel for about a month and carry a seven day organizer and reload each week. We also carry an extensive medical kit. I have recently added a oxy pulse monitor.

I didn't book with the offered perks. I can't imagine a $900 pp for 15_days with those perks and $200 pp obc. It obviously got coded differently when the agent gave us the free upgrade. The drink package is wasted on us since we drink maybe one a day if they are free.

A few months before the cruise, I called to see if I could pay for an upgrade. The cruielune agent said we could have a complimentary upgrade. Nice! Inside to an ocean view free. Then, I noted we had an onboard credir of $400 on the booking. iq wasn't going to question it. When we boarded, we found out we had the beverage package, free gratuities and free internet. How did ths happen? The 15 day transatlantic was only $1800 to begin with for two. So, we got all that for $1800. It was a great cruise, only half full. I'm not going to reveal the more upscale cruiseline's name because I don't want my fellow passengers to be upset. And the ship was only half full! We met another couple who experienced the same thing but they were upgraded at check-in to a concierge balcony! The other couple also had no idea how this happened. This has never happened before. It was our 25th+ cruise but first time with this cruiseline.

We filled out the form to give our credit to our servers and stateroom attendant. Then, Celebrity billed my charge card for that exact amount. I put in a complaint, but once you are off the ship, cruise lines tend to forget you.

We got a free upgrade and several wonderful bonuses were added. We originally booked a basic inside. I guess I am magical. All at zero extra cost.

I didn't know we had the classic beverage package but see that we do now that we are on board. Are the gratuities included?

Neither is Israel but the OP is a smart lady and knows that.

My DH got very sick after eating scallops on an MSC cruise. He loves them but that experience teaches you a lesson. One being don't say, "I never...."

Many people tour in Europe before or after their TA and don't want to schlepp heavy luggage around. Most leave their tux, ballgowns and tiaras at home. You will see in casual clothing on dress up or formal nights.

I noted you want to go to Israel. You may find it hard to interest your kids after three days in Jerusalem. Consider taking them on a day trip to the Dead Sea and Masada. Swimming should be a highlight. I hope your kids are interested in history because the Israel Museum is fantastic. You should do some prep on the basics of Israel's history. We also took a two-day trip to the Golan Heights to see Caesarea Philippi, which was ground zero for evil in ancient times. We stayed in a kibbutz up there, which your kids might enjoy. There are some great companies that do these day trips. My favorite was Guided Tours Israel. I've used them four times.

Your kids are the major factor here and you said they were good travelers. I went on a two week cruise and traveled extensively with an 11 year old and her two wonderful parents. The girl was the best traveler EVER and knew how to entertain herself very well. I enjoyed her company. Before we met them, her parents proactively assured me she was a great traveler. I'd say if your kids want to, go for it!

The best videos are shot very early in the morning when people aren't around. I would suggest that to any influencer who is intrusive.

Poland Under *** Rule, 1939-1941, War and Resistance in the Wilderness, The Young Partisans, to name a few books plus several articles.

And watch the IRS come for a visit. I did a WWII research trip to Europe for two books and articles. The important thing is to be able to prove you are making money because of this business (writing or influencing.) Thus far, I haven't been visited. My accountant advised me that you can only do this every few years unless you are making huge royalties, which few do.

Roman Catholic-oriented travel to Israel is usually arranged ahead of time on tour groups while still in the USA. You can do some research to see which sites have a common interest/understanding with the Protestant groups (Christian travel.) For example, most Christian tours in Israel go to the churches that are Roman Catholic in the Galilee region. The Mount of Olives has several Roman Catholic churches that are visited by both. Protestants and Catholics differ on the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. I personally don't believe either that or the Garden Tomb is accurate (Helena was an incredibly bad archaeologist.) We toured with Catholics in our regular "Christian" groups with GTI and had no issues either way. The only RC site in the Holy Land that is very difficult for me is the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesus. Even the Catholic church believes there is not enough evidence but it is a big tourist site. The Apostle John didn't go to Ephesus until 70AD, and Mary would have been a very elderly person 85-90) to have made that arduous trip. There is a church in Jerusalem that claims she died there. I tend to think that has more validity. I am writing a book on cruising to the Holy Land, but it won't be out until this summer.

I second Guided Tours Israel. I used them for four different ship excursions. Very efficient, reasonable prices, small vans, etc. and great guides. I used Bein Harim for two days, and there were SO many problems, including the worst tour guide we have ever experienced.

I sailed for 17 days in Jan and Feb 2023 on the Divina MSC ship Styles27 was talking about. Before you criticize her, please realize that her comments (IMHO) are entirely accurate about the rude and surly passengers. The violaters were NOT the Europeans but passengers from central and south America and the Miami crowd. The Europeans were equally aghast at the behavior. I saw my first pool deck fight where security was called, and also was bullied twice by people who wanted my table and chairs! (we were SITTING in them!) Like Styles27 said, the crew was overworked but pleasant, all things considered. That experience prompted us to ax the western Caribbean, Mexico, central and south America off our future travel plans. We sailed for a short cruise three weeks after that one on the Meraviglia out of Port Canaveral, where the passengers (mostly USA and Canadians) were the nicest, most pleasant group I have ever sailed with. The cruise experience with MSC was fraught with cutbacks on both ships. I have sailed on the Divina three previous times, and these cutbacks were significant. It used to be my favorite MSC ship.

In January and February of this year, I was on a sailing where a pool attendant vigorously controlled chair hogs. I witnessed it early on in an adult area where he confronted a man who was ready to put down five towels early in the morning. The crew member won and I noted folded towels and books at the side of the pool on other days. He was a big dude. The main pool area was not monitored. While you might think this is great, it turned many of the passengers very surly. It was the worst, rudest group I had ever traveled with (mostly central and south Americans.) I witnessed the first fight at the pool and experienced hostility from those who wanted our chairs- the ones we SITTING IN, not saving! It was unreal.

We have cruised to Israel twice and gotten off in both of these ports, as recently as Nov 22. No one ever asked about insurance.

We also worried about Israel being removed from our itinerary when we first went there. It can happen but the problems aren't in most places you would go. We walked the Kidron Valley last November and would do it again. Just don't wear a yamake and stay away from mosques and synagogues. These problems are pretty predictable and as a tourist, all these problems give you insight into what the people there worry abour daily. We have seen several protests in Europe, two violent.

The ship is booking it across the Atlantic, so the wind chill enters into our perception. We generally have had nice crossings six times but it isn't the Caribbean.

I like watching youtube videos for researching our cruises and land trips. What I avoid or discredit: - bloggers who spend 45 minutes chattering excessively when 15 would be sufficient - youngish bloggers (almost always young women being videoed by their boyfriends) who spend much of the video seemingly posing for future modeling jobs - bloggers who fawn over everything