pseudoware

I once spent a couple of extra nights by myself in Hawaii after my family flew back to the mainland. I thought it would be cool. I was wrong.

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You can wear khakis and a polo shirt. You're likely to see someone (or a few) in “nice" jeans. Maybe even shorts. At the end of the day, it comes down to whether or not someone at the entrance decides to enforce anything. With that said, there will be passengers, possibly quite a few, not strictly adhering to the recommended attire. As long as you look "decent", it shouldn't be a problem.

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Somewhere on this site is a hotel breakdown by the number of footbridges needed to cross to get to Piazzale Roma, where you can access the People Mover.

https://europeforvisitors.com/venice/mobile/articles/venice-cruise-terminal-hotels.htm

We stayed at Hotel Canal & Walter. Not the most luxurious accommodations, but reasonably close, and most importantly for us, they let five of us in a room. I got the impression we could have added another. We originally booked for four, and they charged an additional 10 Euro per night for the other person.

Again, if high-end/5-star is important, might want to keep looking. But, my 70-something MIL was with us, and she was fine with the place and walk to PR.

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It's a novelty that wore out fairly quickly for me. I prefer a white sand beach with crystal clear water.

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Keep in mind - a tattoo is basically an open wound that requires deligent after-care to ensure proper healing and prevent infection. There are obviously differing opinions, but having gone through the process, this is not something I'd want to be burdened with while on vacation.

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You can export any trip from the Tripit website as a calendar file (.ics) and import that into whatever calendar you use. You can also open .ics files directly in Excel and save it as an Excel file or other format.

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Not a roll call, but Rome in Limo has a site for organizing or joining tours with "strangers". RIL handles logistics, payments, etc. We wouldn't hesitate to use it again.

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Unplugging and locking the phone away are not the same thing. Too many people use their phones as cameras. So unplugging is good, but locking up the phone is not necessary to unplugging.

It's nice to have your phone handy to snap pics, message someone, etc., but while at a meal or enjoying a show, it stays in my pocket. Our family has always enforced a "no personal electronics" rule during meals (any meal, not just vacation), so we all pretty much "get it."

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It's with me 24/7, always connected. It's 2018. When will we be able to unlock our cabin doors, order food/drinks brought to our current on board location, live stream the muster drill, get real-time personalized notifications, bio-recognition and location-based features and suggestions, etc. while on board using our phones?

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I was at the top of Lombard Street trying to muscle my way through the pack of Asians (not sure the nationality) with their selfie sticks. These people were completely oblivious to anyone around them or the traffic jam they were causing.

 

I also remember the bus trip from the parking lot to the Hearst Castle. A large group of Korean tourists descended on the waiting area just prior to the bus boarding. When it was time, the group popped up and surged to the front of the line without regard to who had arrived first. The tour guide had been watching and herded the Korean tourists to the back of the line.

 

Then there's the eating of everything with the fingers, including pulling food out of the mouth after it's been chewed and dropping it on the plate or the napkin.

 

I lived in Japan for 5 years and don't remember any of this behavior. Maybe we were all more polite back in the '80s.

Or maybe a bunch of Asians just decided to jerk with some dude they sensed to be ethnocentric and judgemental, and play up to his stereotypes just for kicks.

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As mentioned, that board is the resource. Just to add - it depends on what and how much you want to see & do on each island. In general, renting a car is the best option for making the most of your time at each stop.

Also, don't exclude public transportation, especially on Oahu and Maui. Again, it depends, but a public bus can be a cheap and viable option.

Aloha!

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1. "Mandatory" picture taking

Dude, go ahead and take my pic as I'm walking off the gangway if you want, but no, I don't want to pose with some guy I don't know in a silly costume.

2. Lipsyncing performers

I get that finding singers who can dance or dancers who can sing is difficult. Please, give us real singers who suck at dancing instead of dancers who suck at lipsyncing.

3. Slow internet

They really charge for that crap?

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Those in Aloha and Polo shirts will already be more well-dressed than several other diners in the MDR, so yes, perfectly fine.

One's food will taste the same regardless of the attire of other passengers. Your dining experience will only be affected if you allow it to be.

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Not a bad idea to include in your layers a waterproof shell or other rain outerwear, preferably something thin for greater climate flexibility.

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Mea culpa!

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The province is Puntarenas, which is a compressed wording of the city/town where the cruise dock is located, i.e., Punta Arenas (Sand Point).

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The first time I visited Acapulco I thought it was 40-50 years past its prime. Saw lots of armed army and police officers. The second time, I wouldn't leave the pier just off the ship. I don't feel safe in Acapulco.

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1st time Europe cruise - definitely Western Mediterranean. Barcelona, French Riviera and Rome make up a great first time European cruising experience, imo. You'll likely get an itinerary w/multiple French and Italian ports, and possibly Greece, but I would want those three for sure. Again, imo for 1st timers.

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...I've read a number of threads where people seem to be angry that not everyone likes to dress up on their vacations.

Thanks!

And you better get with the program around here!

Pro tip: Lose the lanyard, don't decorate your cabin door, and get that post count up if you expect to be taken seriously.

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They were lucky no one watched them putting those items into the sand and helped themselves to it lalll while the couple was in the water.

 

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While in Hawaii, I saw a couple return from the water and search for their cellphones, wallets, etc. they had buried in the sand in zip lock bags.

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Would like suggestions & reviews on excursions for Road to Hana. Thanks

https://www.tourmaui.com/tours/pride-of-america-hana-shore-excursion/

If you decide to rent a car as suggested, here's a tour guide:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.shaka.guide.maui

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For non-T-Mobile customers who travel overseas frequently, you can keep a T-Mobile prepaid acct open for $3.00/month. Maybe use it as a burner or a # to give out when you don't want to give your real number.

When it's time to travel, you can easily switch to the lowest post-paid plan for the free int'l text & data as well as voice in several countries. Pop the sim in your unlocked phone and you're set.

I like how you receive a text msg when entering a different country confirming the T-Mobile partner carrier, free sms & data roaming as well as the voice rate per minute.

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Maybe too much effort or not practical for some, but if I have a specific itinerary and dates in mind, I check daily myself, often multiple times a day. Just a suggestion.

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You need a T-Mobile postpaid plan to take advantage of the unlimited text & data abroad.

When I was with AT&T, I kept a T-Mobile prepaid acct open for $3/month (used occasionally as a burner) and would convert to a postpaid plan for a month when traveling abroad. $50 for the month, same sim and phone number, and convert back to prepaid when I returned home.

onesimcard works, but there are some nuances to that service. Do your homework and read the fine print. If you understand how it works and what you will and won't get, it can be a worthwhile sol'n, or an option to smartly pass on, depending on your needs.

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