CruiserBruce

In most cases it will be quicker and easier through SNA. Last time I was there it was very busy. But as it's smaller, still easier.

Ask me 3 weeks from tomorrow, when we arrive there. B-i-L and S-i-L connected SFO-AMS- Prague yesterday. Said the Immigration lines were long...over 30 minutes. They landed about 10:30.

US cards DON'T require PIN numbers in Europe. Never have. There is coding on the cards that address this...most US issued credit cards don't have PINs. Only one of our 3 does. Yes, a PIN number is good, but not required.

This topic is discussed here frequently. Yes...many consider SNA and LGB airports better because they are smaller and relatively close. I see you are from NJ, which might imply flying out of LGB or SNA would therefore require a connection somewhere, whereas flying out of LAX is more likely to get you a non-stop.

Never? How can you say that? Yes, they do try to get people to gate check bags before they board. But I can say many, maybe most, of our flights have last minute gate checking of at least a couple bags, because the overheads get full. United is installing slightly different overhead storage bins on their single aisle planes (think they have started with the new 737 Max models) that have 15-20% more space in them. They even have a training video they show at the gate how to properly store your bags in them to achieve more efficient use of the space, and it works surprisingly well.

Is this direct from HAL or from a TA? In either case, if they see a second cabin being booked, they might extend the rate to the second cabin without any dancing with whom is it what room. We used to do this occasionally with our TA and some family members. So, I would contact whomever you will book with and see if they will extend the special pricing to your parents.

So you are asking about small ship cruises, like Uniworld and others that are mentioned here?

They don't let people off in Baltimore until 10:30pm? That makes for some serious flight issues. The ship wants everyone off by 9:30, to allow the ship to get ready for the next cruise. While there can always be a possible hitch in the process, you should plan on being able to be off before 8am with little problem, if you are able to carry your bags off and catch a cab. Thus a noon flight is safe...if you are feeling confident, maybe 11:30, particularly if you have TSA Pre.

US. It's a running joke in the US.

That is a different issue. However, in the case of 2 separate 7 day cruises, its $100 per week for the stockholders credit. For one 14 day cruise, its $250 OBC. My public school math says that is a win for the 14 Collectors Cruise.

Hotels will hold your luggage if you can't check in.

As you are booking it as a single cruise...one booking number...the rules treat it as a single cruise, and you can book up to 48 or so hours prior to the start of the "single" cruise. Simple as that. That is actually consistent, not punishment. If you book the multiple cruises under multiple booking numbers, you would be allowed to book stuff in the individual segments up to 48 hours prior to each segment. That sounds consistent to me.

Been discussed here a large number of times...generally, yes, ignored.

It's not a conglomerate. The members are individually owned (yes, I know LH owns Air Dolomiti, but United doesn't own any of the other members, etc). It's an airline alliance.

Not involving United.

I have never heard of One Way. If you booked through them or Travelocity (keeping in mind we aren't supposed to name or discuss travel agents or agencies), me thinks you have an issue with them, not necessarily United.

Just an FYI, UA doesn't fly internationally from Dallas. So you could just book direct with Lufthansa....think that is who you are actually are flying. LH never screws anything up.

Again, Covid messed their regular schedule up. They probably abandoned the 30 month rotation to save money during the shutdown.

Yes. The ship meets any (doubt there will be any) Immigration and Customs requirements when it docks on the 25th. You will need to carry your bags off. You should tell the ship you are departing early. No reduction in fare.

There has been a flat fee for many years now, and no, you don't have to share. Most of their cabs are Toyota Prius (which have amazingly large trunks), which 4 people would be pretty crowded.

To answer the other question about when you need to be back on board, most cruise lines have the policy requiring you be back on board 30 minutes prior to scheduled sailing. Last tender is usually 30 minutes prior to scheduled sailing. This will usually be clearly posted and announced.

Your itinerary should be very indicative. If the schedule says they dock at 7am, you should be able to get off within a few minutes of that time, certainly no later than 7:30, unless there are unexpected delays. It is a misconception that everyone...ship's excursions or not, tries to get off within 5 minutes of the gangway opening. Ship's excursions are frequently spaced out, and some even have scheduled later departures, like 10, or noon or later. A tender port is a different issue. That is much more complicated. Tendering the bulk of the people off most ships can take 90-120 minutes.

The OP was asking about Luggage Direct. A program that HAL uses only in Ft Lauderdale and Copenhagen. A similar, but unrelated (and free) program, Port Valet, is offered in Seattle.

Probably just to the airport. Do you have a cruise booked and you looked at the excursions for the day you get off the ship?

Just 8 or 10 threads down the board: Hotels will hold your luggage until you can check in. VERY common process.