CPT Trips

My experience with GCT and the Program Diectors differs from the post above. Yes, you have the same group the entire trip. But, - local guides are used for most, if not all, group tours. The PD is on the tour, often as a “herder” bringing up the rear. -All PDs are available to you for advice on DIY activities during free time. - on most cruises, one or more PDs will organize a group activity during a day’s free time. The slowest person in the group rules, like just about every group tour I’ve ever been on. My experience has been that the PD is usually proactive in dealing with a significant outlier, even to the point of suggesting that they don’t participate in certain activities.

Take Vantage out of the equation. They no longer exist. One thing I like about GCT is that there are multiple program directors on onboard instead of just a single cruise director.

I had to search for this, to justify

And a few days later also NE, Sugarloaf during the eclipse. Not mine, found on Reddit.

There’s more. It’s something much different than “friendliness.” Maybe that the smiles and loud greetings seem superficial. And the cruisers are much more homogeneous.

Cruises out of the Port of NY/NJ have a very different vibe than that of TX based cruises.

This . . .

We enjoy Grand Circle. Their cruises are typically longer duration (~2weeks) and the price point is comfortable for us. They break the cruisers into several groups, each with Program Director, that you stay with for the entire cruise. The included tours utilize local guides and the PD stays with the group. Frequently the PDs offer additional tours/activities during the afternoon or, if a late departure, after dinner. GCT provides future cruise credits (~5% of trip cost) after 2 or 3 trips. It increases to ~7% after more tours (8-10?). All trips with GCT/OAT count, not just river cruises. They also offer a discount on multiple trips in one year. As we enjoyed our first trip an as GCT/OAT also offer land tours and small ship cruises, we kept coming back.

Tickets go on sale April 1 - https://philamuseum.org/calendar/exhibition/mary-cassatt-at-work?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dcon_events_news_19Mar24_look_ahead_to_April&utm_content=dcon_events_news_19Mar24_look_ahead_to_April+CID_2a5111988e9170db94af440cfc0a7c8c&utm_source=email&utm_term=Mary Cassatt at Work

Back when I worked with people with disabilities there was a word often used to describe people without disabilities, TAB. Temporarily able bodied.

Here's one to consider. https://visitworldheritage.com/en/eu/rheinisches-landesmuseum-trier-archaeological-museum/7848fdcd-c7d4-408b-a74a-d9c3b4709c83

The ship’s WiFi should be available whenever you are aboard. When you are in towns you can find a lot of hotspots. Assuming you have the ability to use WiFi for voice, there may not be a need to activate an international plan. As an aside to people who have this same question, T-Mobile’s regular plans include free data and messaging and voice is $0.25/minute. We switched carriers to them several years ago and only wish we had done so years earlier.

Just be aware that some of these TAs charge a non refundable “agency fee” and keep it if you cancel. Others charge a “ booking fee” over and above the cruise fare.

DD’s roommate suffered appendicitis on a spring break trip to Punta Cana. Local clinic wanted a sizable deposit. As they had been bargaining with beach vendors for a few days, they decided to try bargaining with the clinic. It worked.