CruiserBruce

I don't recall any notable breezes.

No. It's a separate package.

The "real Inside Passage" is east of Vancouver Island, meaning sailing out of Vancouver. Sailing out of Seattle almost always means sailing in the open ocean, with no real scenery, west of Vancouver Island. Certain Princess ships are under powered in relationship to their steering abilities, thus they can't sail in the true Inside Passage.

Take Uber from your hotel to the port. That is the most efficient. Secondarily, look at the hotels that a shuttle like SAS picks up at...your hotel or one nearby might be on the list, so returning to the airport to catch a cruise line transfer would be pretty silly, and certainly not the cheapest option.

From Ft Lauderdale airport to Miami airport? Or from Ft Lauderdale airport to PortMiami? For the latter, very commonly mentioned here are SAS, QLS, GO Shuttle, Jiffy Jeff and a couple others. Just takes looking around the board.

Crab legs and lobster, when offered on HAL ships (not currently, from my experience) are a mixed bag on the topic of being offered in the Lido. About 50-50 on available in Lido or not.

It was hot and crowded. I don't mind the heat, but others in our party were uncomfortable. And there is some humidity involved as well. Crowds were a mild to moderate problem...particularly at places like the Acropolis and Santorini. We are looking at cruising the Med again in 2025.It will be in May, most likely.

Wow...this will be a fun day. First, taking a train from San Diego station to the LA Union Station, then getting from there to LAX is one option. Take a look at the Surfliner (the train line that runs San Diego to LA...the station is about 4 or 5 blocks from the pier)schedules...that might work. I don't know the current best way to get from the train station to LAX. The other way would be renting a car. So getting over to San Diego airport car rental facility, and driving up 5 and 405. 405 can be a problem any day of the week, any time. Yes, I think you can make it. But what a complex hassle. I would rent the car.

There are some downtown...check when you make your reservation to re-confirm they are open. There are none at the port.

Plan on a 20-25 minute drive, as traffic will build some around the port and airport. I would talk to Delta, see what they can offer you. Be blunt...the flight change is very tight for you. I don't think I would try the 10:30 flight. You might make it, again, if you can get off the ship in the first few people, and grab a taxi immediately. Immigrations and Customs has been reported to be a bit inconsistent at Long Beach. Do you have TSA Pre?

The Lido will not typically have the nicer items from the MDR. Nicer cuts of meat, fancier fish dishes, escargot, things like that, aren't typically offered in the Lido.

You are arriving where? Can you carry off your bags? Can you assure you can be in the first few off the ship? Most importantly, have you accepted the flight schedule change? If not...don't yet! Its going to be a very stressful day if you stick with that flight.

The Spain board is here: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/465-spain-ports/

Is the airport in London Heathrow? It's code is LHR.

Thanks...already booked at the DoubleTree Centraal.

Ships can dock with either side to the dock,,depending on the needs of the ship that day. There is no "always" rule on docking.

I would definitely fly in the day before. Nobody can answer your questions about driving over flying. Generally, I would say things are improved over the summer period, as now airlines are better in alignment with staff availability versus scheduled flights. You are flying in the dead of winter...delays and cancelations are ALWAYS possible, and it doesn't have to be bad weather near you...planes get hung up elsewhere due to weather, and can't get to CLT to pick you up. Fact of life...it happens.

Beer buckets are available. Don't know if you can substitute something else.

The Behind the Scenes tour we did before Covid was only 12 people, and was excellent. Remember, pre-Covid, anyone could, and did tour the Galley, usually on the first sea day at 10am. Far more people went through the galley on those tours than ever on "Behind the Scenes" tours.

Can't recall any Terminal where separation by Mariner status has taken place outside the Terminal building. Always inside...

Just down the board:

I am certainly not seeing anything "nuts" about it.

@pickle11, you may not be aware @Heidi13 was an officer (perhaps a Captain?) on cruise ships for a number of years.

They wouldn't sell a cruise that didn't have a reasonable chance of selling out. Just looked a few minutes ago at a HAL cruise on the same route, at the same time...the suites are sold out. There are a good number of people who will swear by booking last minute...so it does work. But does it work every cruise? I doubt it. Are you picky about cabin category or location? You may not get your choice. You will have a chance of a good deal, but I am not sure I would bet on it.

3 star and above.