crystalspin

On a side note, Josie: the roll call for Jan 7-14 is here: (quite a few staying on for HI): https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2838139-january-07-2023-january-14-2023-mexican-riviera-cruise-on-koningsdam/ We don't have a lot of things planned, but will have a M&M on Sailaway Day.

Welcome to posting on Cruise Critic! All tour shares need to be posted to your Roll Call (where people on your cruise meet up and arrange things!). Here it is:

What port?

I checked the second leg of my B2B, sailing 7 Jan '23, yesterday and was quite surprised. 9-day Sea of Cortez+Mex.Riviera on 29 Dec has no vaccine nor testing requirements but the 7-day (to three of the same ports) has both! I don't know if that might change, or if it is that way because the second leg can also be booked as a Collectors Cruise going on to Hawaii. The testing can be self-administered (!) so we will just bring our vaccine cards and two extra self-tests.

RCI practices "Dynamic Pricing" and prices go up and down all the time! If you see something at a price you like, jump on it.

Here: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/119-princess-cruises/ But, I would think the "tour" description would be clear about the airport arrival time as it is so important!

Each sailing is specific: https://book2.hollandamerica.com/protocols/

Suggestions?

You would sign in or register for a free account, then click AARP Rewards, scroll down and select "View All Rewards" then scroll to find Holland America.

I think you should pack a hoodie! And plug your ports into https://weatherspark.com/

For a 26-day transAtlantic/Mediterranean, I took one each of these: a coral-n-bright-border THICK cardigan that took the place of a blazer, a teal merino mid-weight cardigan that went with everything, and a tissue-weight black wrap for evenings. I wore the thick one to and from the cruise bc so thick. Where's the sport in that???

We have T-Mobile service specifically for their world-wide service.

Hi Vibe! Unlimited laundry on HAL is $7/day PER CABIN on US cruises, $9/day European. DNK about other regions. I am not an expert on Club Orange or priority boarding, being the type that shows up when we're told.

You will need to post here: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/64-norwegian-cruise-line/ And you might need to say what class of cabin you're in -- some cruiselines provide umbrellas but only for upper suites!

I see you have found your Roll Call, that is the place to meet people on your very cruise!

These are not exactly collections (nor specifically for travel) but my discoveries this past year or so are the 7/8 length summer-weight leggings from 32-Degrees, currently only in stock in XXL in black and taupe-gray: https://www.32degrees.com/products/womens-active-7-8-legging? Hoping for some new colors in the spring. For winter I lucked onto some 7/8 length brushed fabric Danskin leggings on eBay. Then for spring or fall, look into PopFit leggings -- they come in full length, ankle-pants, or "capri" length. I get them on eBay as well, and most sellers do not differentiate between full length and ankle or 7/8 length. You might want to buy from PopFit themselves. FWIW, all of these options have hip or thigh phone pockets!

A Painkiller AKA Pusser's Painkiller (a trademarked name!) is sort of reminiscent of eggnog, thanks to the Cream of Coconut and nutmeg garnish! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Painkiller_(cocktail)

The sofa probably does not pull out but rather flip lengthwise. That way is does not have much deeper of a footprint as a bed than sofa Also it it much more comfortable than a home-style fold-out with the metal bars. That was the sort of sofa bed we have had on the old Statendam inside (!) and on the Zaandam Vista Suite. ETA: I could not find a photo of any aft-wrap Neptunes made up as a triple, but plenty that show the sofa is long enough to make up as we've experienced.

Oh, now you have hit on a good plan! I will keep that in mind for the longer (expensive) cruise coming up in 2024.

@deliver42 You did fine to ask on the board. No one is reading the 4-yo pinned thread that got started when there was a big change in smoking policy. You would have waited a long time for a current answer!

If you are counting on travel insurance or protection from your credit card -- the amount paid via AARP cards will NOT be covered! This from my Chase banker in re to the Sapphire credit card. Not sure about the HAL gift cards. The AARP cards come through as something like "Charity", not travel...

Phone or Kindle chargers! Don't leave them plugged in where you were topping off your devices! ETA: Best wishes for a good cruise and a happy life together!

Do note the bottom right item in my "gallery" -- STURDY shoes with heel-and-ankle support! Mine were ugly but oh-so necessary on cobblestones and other precarious footing.

No I came up with this on my own! Attaching your room number/name lets them or their supervisors check the source (YOU) against the gratuity list. I have no inside knowledge about the enforcement of this widely disseminated practice of tips of pax that cancel the Crew Appreciation having to be pooled.

We took an upsell on the Zaandam (where the Vista Suites are the lowest class with a balcony) in 2014 and did NOT get the additional 14 points... but we did have a lovely cabin for three adults!