John and Diane's Amazing Adventure - Part II

[Johnny B]

As far as visas go, we had to have them for India and China before we board. I guess most people get them through Zierer, the visa service, but we use this requirement as an excuse to go to San Francisco and get them there - and that's cheaper, too (just about cheaper enough to pay for the hotel). If you don't have the visas, you may not board the ship.

 

The same is true of a yellow fever inoculation. We had that locally and have the lovely yellow booklet to prove it. For the last world cruise, we got Hepatitis A & B and some boosters for other older vaccines, like DPT. Yellow fever was not required for that one. On the last cruise we were going overland in both India and Cambodia, so we took malarone for Malaria and had no side effects from it.

 

Regarding bills, if we had brains in our heads we'd have autopay, (and because our credit union recommended against it) but instead we just access the accounts online and then do online bill pay through our credit union, the same way we pay at home. We also have our mail forwarded to John's brother, who keeps it for us until we get home. Both of those things worked pretty well last time. We also have our CPA file to do our income taxes late.

 

Hope this helps. If you have other questions, just ask.

[sanibelsandals]

Diane & John,

 

So excited that your once in a lifetime trip is now going to be a twice in a lifetime! Your journal of your travels got me thru the long, cold, northeast winter 2 years ago, and I'm looking forward to hearing about all your adventures this time around. Many new exciting ports of call await you...wishing you a safe journey!

 

Hope the weather warms up quickly for you!

[DesertDogs]

John & Diane

 

Did you ever post pictures of your previous World Cruise? We were interested in your overland tour to Alexandria, Egypt. Would love to see pics.

 

Dittos for a safe journey!

[hylasgirl]

As far as visas go, we had to have them for India and China before we board. I guess most people get them through Zierer, the visa service, but we use this requirement as an excuse to go to San Francisco and get them there - and that's cheaper, too (just about cheaper enough to pay for the hotel). If you don't have the visas, you may not board the ship.

 

 

Can you tell me how much the VISAs run? I am curious as to going to San Francisco? Do you have an appointment, or do you just show up? I would love to know the savings and the actual cost.

 

For China, did you need a multiple entry VISA or how was that worked?

 

Thanks so much.

[Johnny B]

Regarding visas, you can apply by mail to San Francisco for the Indian visa, but for the Chinese visa, you must apply in person. Here are the fees:

 

India 6 months $73.00

5 years 163.00

10 years 163.00

 

You can drop the visa app off at the India consulate in the morning and pick it

up at about 5:00. The pickup takes awhile and reminds me of "A Monsoon

Wedding."

 

China - any length of time $130.00

(we got one year, multiple entry,since we're going to several ports.

We paid an extra $20 to get it the next day)

 

In many ports, the ship gets the visas and puts the charge on your onboard bill.

Hope this helps.

[Johnny B]

Regarding visas, you can apply by mail to San Francisco for the Indian visa, but for the Chinese visa, you must apply in person. Here are the fees:

 

India 6 months $73.00

5 years 163.00

10 years 163.00

 

You can drop the visa app off at the India consulate in the morning and pick it

up at about 5:00. The pickup takes awhile and reminds me of "A Monsoon

Wedding."

 

China - any length of time $130.00

(we got one year, multiple entry,since we're going to several ports.

We paid an extra $20 to get it the next day)

 

In many ports, the ship gets the visas and puts the charge on your onboard bill.

Hope this helps.

[hylasgirl]

Regarding visas, you can apply by mail to San Francisco for the Indian visa, but for the Chinese visa, you must apply in person. Here are the fees:

 

India 6 months $73.00

5 years 163.00

10 years 163.00

 

You can drop the visa app off at the India consulate in the morning and pick it

up at about 5:00. The pickup takes awhile and reminds me of "A Monsoon

Wedding."

 

China - any length of time $130.00

(we got one year, multiple entry,since we're going to several ports.

We paid an extra $20 to get it the next day)

 

In many ports, the ship gets the visas and puts the charge on your onboard bill.

Hope this helps.

 

SO... if you are going to China (in any form) you must go to San Francisco to get the visa? You cannot pay a company to do this for you?

[hylasgirl]

Regarding visas, you can apply by mail to San Francisco for the Indian visa, but for the Chinese visa, you must apply in person. Here are the fees:

 

India 6 months $73.00

5 years 163.00

10 years 163.00

 

You can drop the visa app off at the India consulate in the morning and pick it

up at about 5:00. The pickup takes awhile and reminds me of "A Monsoon

Wedding."

 

China - any length of time $130.00

(we got one year, multiple entry,since we're going to several ports.

We paid an extra $20 to get it the next day)

 

In many ports, the ship gets the visas and puts the charge on your onboard bill.

Hope this helps.

 

SO... if you are going to China (in any form) you must go to San Francisco to get the visa? You cannot pay a company to do this for you?

[Johnny B]

You can get the visa many places, including any Chinese consulate or through a visa service. This is just what we chose.

[hylasgirl]

You can get the visa many places, including any Chinese consulate or through a visa service. This is just what we chose.

 

 

Ok... good to know. So you don't actually have to go to San Fran. We have a great Visa company here in Salt Lake City, but it's all so confusing. Thank you so much.

[Sage]

John, I'm so excited for you. Thanks for taking us along again.

[TENNCruisers]

Bon Voyage John and Diane,

 

We are looking forward to following your adventures again. We have enjoyed them in the past.

 

In regards to the wine at dinner, we found that buying a wine card worked out well for us because you can use it anywhere and anytime.

 

Orlin and Barbara

[Johnny B]

It's almost here! We know because we're at the Westin in Ft. Lauderdale and last night was our wonderful cruise agent's bon voyage cocktail party and dinner (you know, those specialists). Two years ago, on our first world cruise, we watched people greet and hug each other and wondered why everyone was so darned friendly! This time, we're in the greeting and hugging group, seeing people we got to know in 2008 and seeing again for the 2010 WC. We were downstairs for a couple of hours yesterday and saw lots of old friends come in for the festivities.

 

We're all packed (how did we ever get everything in those bags at home?) and ready for our cruise agent's folks to pick up the luggage in our rooms and transfer it to the ship and then to our room. Of course, they're nice enough to transfer the spoils of our trip to Total Wine, also. We just LOVE our cruise agent! (Hi Shannon)

 

At 11:00 we're to be in the ballroom where last night's dinner was held to be transferred to the ship. When we get there, we know we won't get access to our stateroom for a couple of hours, but we'll get to see even more people we remember from 2008 and we'll have lunch, too. We have a feeling of amusement and annoyance when we watch people who will be on board for 114 days pushing and shoving to be first in line for their first lunch on board. I'm sorry folks, but no one is going to go hungry.

 

In all the excitement, our only complaint is the cold down here. It won't even get up to 60 today (remember, we're from Central California) and right now it's in the 40's, a 25-year record. We just know it's our fault, but we're not telling anyone.

[cccole]

As I did with your WC in 2008, I will be anxiously watching for your posts on CC. I can't even imagine the feeling of stepping on a ship for a WC, I get excited when I board for a 7 day cruise. Bon Voyage!!!! Cherie

[earl_m]

Have a great cruise!!! I will be looking forward to reading your journey here!!

[Johnny B]

January 7 – Day 1 (as HAL counts it)

 

Why is it that every good thing comes at a cost? This cruise certainly is a good thing, but boy, yesterday was sure the cost. Our luggage was to be picked up from inside our room at about 9:00, and our shuttle to the cruise dock was scheduled for 11:00. This sounds easy, doesn’t it? Believe me, it wasn’t. There were about 180 cruise agent clients running up and down the elevators, some getting irritated that a luggage trolley in the elevator filled it up too much and then getting irritated that it was taking so long to load the luggage.

 

John was worried that if we had to leave before the luggage was collected it somehow would “miss the boat” (literally, I guess), but I was sure that there would be no problem. As I checked email in the lobby (the only free place to do so), he stayed in the room to supervise the loading of 3 suitcases and 5 cases of wine. I don’t know what would have happened if we had had to leave before it was collected, but fortunately for my mental health and John’s, the porter came at about 10:15, freeing us to turn in our keys and give up on worrying.

 

The bus ride to the cruise terminal (I hate it when they call a place a “terminal”) was smooth, and the wait in line to check in was not too bad. We knew we wouldn’t be able to get into our cabins, but it was fun to watch the pushing and shoving at the Lido for lunch. ( Starvation must be right around the corner.) They were pouring Champagne like it was the ocean water surrounding us, and we were seeing and catching up with friends made on the 2008 cruise.

 

About 2:00 they opened up the cabins, so we took the bags with computer, medications, makeup and other essential items to the cabin. The luggage started dribbling in, one or two bags at a time, and we began putting things away. John is a list-maker, and that’s how he packed. I just started going through the closet and drawers and put what I thought would be useful into the suitcases. It was suggested several times (by you know who) that I should make a list, but I just laughed and said that my way would work just fine. Oh my – where is everything going to go? I really don’t remember having so much “stuff” last time. OK, OK, next time (if there is one) I’ll make a list!

 

We met in the Crow’s Nest for pre-dinner wine (or whatever) and then went to our huge table for 10. What a congenial group – I’ll go into details soon. We laughed all the way through dinner and, as usual, were the last group to leave the dining room. Then it was to our incredibly comfortable HAL bed – I swear I’ll buy one off the web one of these days.

 

The day started out crummy, but it ended just great – a good omen for the next 114 days.

[RuthC]

And they're off! :D

Looking forward to traveling along with you again. Thanks for sharing your adventure with us.

[imacruizer]

Thanks for letting us cruise with you. I look forward to your reports from the ship. Bon Voyage!

[judithbiggs]

Have a super trip. I will miss traveling with you all this year. Can't wait to read your reports. Say hi to Tom, Henk, the Captain, Bart and Daephnae for me. Oh, I forgot, also Ellen and Tom! I already miss so many people that I met the last two years.

 

Judy

[PaganView]

I've followed your threads previously and am looking forward to this one. My 9 yo son is studying for the National Geography Bee so I'll add this thread to our study material.

 

Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences. With three young children at home, it will be a LONG time before my husband and I get to try anything longer than a 7 day.

[Cruzin Terri]

I am so looking forward to reading your reports. I remember reading your adventures two years ago and enjoyed them.

Bon Voyage.

Terri

[Johnny B]

January 9, 2010 – Day 3 (or 4, as I’m not sure how HAL is counting now)

 

If there’s anything that can ruin a cruise in a hurry, it’s a dining table with difficult tablemates. Overall, we’ve had good luck, but once, on a cruise to Alaska, we were put at a table for four (even though we had requested eight) with a couple whose main fear in life seemed to be that somewhere, somehow, someone might be having fun. Because HE didn’t drink, his wife (who enjoyed wine) was not allowed to buy any. When we offered her some of ours, he glared at us like we were offering her poison.

 

On this cruise, we think we have the best table on the whole ship. Two years ago, we knew we did, and this cruise is shaping up to be just as good. There are eleven people at our table, with not a dud in the group. The “alpha dog” and table organizer is Susie, who lives in Georgia and travels with her husband Woody. Then there’s Barbie, a retired IRS employee who worked on the team that developed online filing. Barbie just LOVES to dance. Bill and Joan are the bridge instructors on the ship, taking their 17th world cruise, and a funnier man and more of a lady you’ll never meet. Bill was the one on the last cruise who invented “cork forking” (more later) and “Baba Ganoush.” Eloise is from the gulf coast of Florida and is elated that Alabama, her alma mater, just won their football game. Greg and Heo are from Sydney, Australia, and when you get them going are really funny – and extremely nice. Sky lives in New England after living many years in Oregon, and there is no physical activity or challenge he doesn’t enjoy. One of the really good things about our table is that we all sit wherever we wish each night – not in the same seats, and not necessarily even with our “significant other.”

 

One of the nicest things about the table is that, not only do we laugh a lot, but we also talk a lot and there’s not a person at the table who isn’t a good listener. No one dominates the conversation and we all enjoy each other’s company. Greg and Heo are hosting a cocktail party for the table this evening in their suite – I can hardly wait.

 

Last night was our first formal night and we were just ever so elegant. It was the Captain’s cocktail party, but because of fears of illness (they had a norovirus scare on the last cruise), there was no handshaking and the captain and his top tier of officers were introduced on the stage. However, the “natives” weren’t too restless since there were full trays of drinks and hors d’oeurvres making the rounds for a full hour. We usually get an officer on formal nights, and last night was the First Engineer, Mr. Jost. He’s Dutch, like most of the officers, but he married an American nurse 25 years ago, so he and his family live in Illinois.

 

After dinner, the show was Doc Severenson (from the Johnny Carson Show, for those of you who remember) and his band. They were amazingly good and we found out later that a lot of people from first seating watched the early show and then came back for the second show. It was that good.

 

Better go – we’ve got that party to prepare for, and tomorrow is the Panama Canal.

[Jo-Bob]

Is it just me, or did anyone else get that sort of sick pang...a longing, almost a home-sick kind of feeling reading Dianne's (?) last post?

 

Oh..... the longing for the enthusiasm, excitment and pleasure in meeting and spending time with so many fun sounding and gracious folks. And to think they are to be on the same sailing for so many days! You are going to have a fabulous time. Enjoy!

 

I need to book a cruise!

[SweetpeaOne]

Thanks for sharing yur great adventure with us. I will be following every day..

[plannermargy]

Hi Diane and John,

We're missing the World Cruise this year (did 2003, 2008 [with you], and 2009), but we're on the Prinsedam with Mary Ann and Bill this year - couldn't pass up the chance to see the Falklands for the first time.

Please say hello for us to Barbie and Bill and Joan, all long-time cruiser friends. Have a great trip - we'll be reading about you all along the way!

Margaret and Keith