POD49

We are currently on the River Voyager with Gate1.  We boarded in Regensburg going to Budapest on Sunday, September 25th.  Water level has been fine.  When we passed under the 2nd bridge in Regensburg they took down the canopies and lowered the wheel house.  I was on the top deck and had to squat down or lose my head.  We have had some light rain.  Currently in Vienna heading downriver early Friday.  Great ship, crew and passengers.

We were booked for a May 15th sailing to and from Venice.  After Holland America canceled the trip, we requested a full refund on April 16th.  We received a 100% refund for the trip including extra air and transportation.  Refund showed up on our credit card overnight.  They said up to 60 days for refund, we got it in 67 days.  I would have rather had the trip than the refund but these are not normal times thanks to the Chinese Virus.

2 hours ago, puppycanducruise said:

We should be boarding the Zuiderdam in Venice to start our cruise.

Oh well, maybe next year.

We should be there too but thanks to the Chinese virus we are safe at home waiting for our refund.  Maybe next year.  This is the second time our Mediterranean cruise has been canceled.  First one was on me.

We should be flying across the Atlantic for our cruise from and to Venice.  Thanks to the Chinese Virus we are still at home but safe and sound.

We got the email at 7:01 tonight from Holland America.  Our cruise was from and to Venice in May.  Last night I was looking at our trip and the "Flight Ease" was showing that the flights had been changed but I could not see what they were.  I figured that this message from Holland America was coming.  This is the second time we had our Mediterranean cruise cancelled.  Maybe next year if they get a cure or vaccine.

Thank you for this information.  We have a Med cruise booked for May 15th.  I have been trying to find this form.

eqj60.  Which river boat will you be on?

We are on the Monarch Duchess, Budapest to AMS.  October 24.

Yes it us hard to get good information.  Not like a Carnival cruise, where there is a lot of information.  Size does make a difference.  Not even close to being apples to oranges.  More like ripe watermelons to carrot seeds.

We are sailing October 24th thru November 7th (Budapest to Amsterdam).  Would like to hear your comments on your whole trip.  First time river cruising and looking forward to it.

Thank you.  

How do you contact John Herald on Facebook?  Do you just write a post on his page for a request or is there a special place for visitors request?

14 days until the Legend to Alaska with the whole family, three generations 11 members.  You can not take it with you so you should spend it and enjoy it while you can.

On ‎1‎/‎8‎/‎2019 at 4:01 PM, cruiseguy1016 said:

How about an Ulu (a native Alaskan knife)? Make sure you buy one made in Alaska. I bought one last year and it is one of the handiest knives I own.

If you do buy an Ulu, put it in your checked luggage.  You can not bring it back in your carryon if flying.  I saw a couple lose two knives at the Vancouver airport four years ago.  In a fight it would be one mean weapon.  It is a nice gift and they do vary in price. 

Two weeks ago, I used 12 $500.00 Carnival gift cards to pay the balance on three bookings/cabins for our family cruise next year.  I used a TA.  Had less than $8.00 balance left on one card after that.  10% saving equals $600.00.

On Carnival you can save 10% when you buy the AARP gift cards. You do not have to be 55 or a member to buy.

I recently bought 16 $500 gift cards for our family Alaska cruise in June of 2019. It cost $450 (plus postage) and 5,000 AARP points for a $500 Carnival gift card. Points are easy to earn. I used the gift cards to pay off the balance on three cabins and had $7.60 left over. I plan to buy more for service charges, pictures and excursions.

I learned about this from the "Cruise Critic" community.

Just bought two $500 cards. They also had the $100 cards. 10% tax free is a good quick return on our money.

Thank you for your great review. We will be on the Legend in June of 2019. Did you see anyplace in the Seattle cruise terminal to buy cans of Coke or soda?

Thank you for all of the replies. I just wanted the whole family to eat together for 7 nights in a row. I like to look out and see our legacy. This was part of my bucket list. I can live with two tables next to each other. We cruised last year on MSC and had two tables. Just thought Carnival had larger tables.

If you are flying home with the knives, put them in your checked luggage not your carryon. Two years age at the Vancouver airport, I saw a couple loose their two sets at security. Our three sets were already in our checked luggage. They would make a wicked weapon in a fight.

In June of 2019, we will be on the Legend with a family group of 11 in 3 cabins. Will we be able to sit together at one table for the evening meal in the dining room? Should we plan on two tables? Thank you for your knowledge.

Which terminal/dock did you leave from? We are on Orchestra in January 2018. Thank you.

Thank you for your replies. Just wanted to be legal to help keep my wife and myself stable between meals. Some times the tours go long or late. Will want to try the local menus too. We have shared packaged food with others before. We can all help each other.

Can food be legally taken off a cruise ship in the Mediterranean and consumed on land? Do some ships pack a lunch for you? We are on the Orchestra in January 2018. I know you are not allowed to in the Caribbean.

We are on Orchestra in the Med during January 2018. I just signed up for the package #601W17 "Mineral Water in Dining Room" for $0.00. We are from the USA.

I tried to book this package earlier but I could not get it out the "Shopping Cart". Today I booked a Malta excursion and paid for the excursion. The water package now shows up in our bookings page with our other prepaid items. The charge show as "Included", so no charge.