NorthCoastCruisers

Just off Marina and there were no electrical outlets in the bathroom.  Electrical outlets were at the desk and then some European outlets bedside. 

New to Oceania and have been wondering about how meals are served at Red Ginger.  I am used to family style so we taste several items.  Do they do this, will be on Marina in May.

12 hours ago, GeezerCouple said:

 

Thanks! 

We might well hit that, given the number of port days on this cruise.  (Whew...)

 

GC

We hit it for the same reason, so many ports and since this is our first time to Europe everything is new to us.  Maybe we will see you on one of them.  We decided to do one of the expense OE tours and that 25% savings was great. 

7 hours ago, GeezerCouple said:

 

Ah - thank you, very much!

I did not realize this!

 

And they are refundable up until a couple of days (48 hours?) before the excursion, IIRC?

For a 14 day cruise, how many needed, beyond the "included ones".

 

(Thanks again!!  )

 

GC

You need 3 more excursions beyond the 4 "free" for a total of 7 booked excursions to get the 25% off.

Does anyone know if you can get Diet Tonic - I like gin and tonics but need the tonic to be sugar free?

It you are sailing Feb. 17 you only have days to book your excursions and get them free - they must be 14 days prior to sailing.

So much great information. Thank you everyone - we will keep what you have said in mind as we select flights and transfer planes.

IF you go via Canada you'll have to do immigration twice , once in Canada and then in Europe.

I'd not bother with that if any other route was possible.

The Canadian airports have a handy tool where you put in your citizenship, the flight country of origination, the airline(s) you are using and your final destination and they gave you the steps you take for customs/immigration. There were no screenings required and we would stay in the same terminal. I was going by the tool, maybe you experienced something different than what the tool was showing.

Immigration (AKA Passport control) deals with your legal ability to enter/leave a country. That's where your passport comes into use. Customs deals with the money you may owe your country of citizenship based on how much you bought during foreign travels. In post #7, I describe the only circumstance where a US citizen might be expected to pass through Customs entering a foreign country. The circumstances are specific and you're highly unlikely to need to do this. But returning to the US, you'll fill out a declaration of purchases on a form you'll receive while on your flight to the US. (If your US gateway city is one other than your final destination, you'll deal with Customs when you first touch down in America.)

 

When you return to your own country, you'll go through both Immigration Control and Customs although those two different activities will be somewhat separate steps. Arriving in the US at Dulles International Airport, for example, you would present both your passport and declaration of purchases to the officer at Passport control, he/she will scan your passport and stamp your declaration. Assuming you're under the spending limit, you would hand your declaration separately to a Customs officer as you exit the area. (There will be a detour to the nearby Customs area if you've spent more than a specific amount.)

 

You'll show your US passport to Immigration/Passport Control exiting a foreign country.

 

Is there a reason you've written FRA/MUC on both your outbound and return itineraries? Do you have the option to go to either airport for the same route? I certainly hope your itinerary doesn't include both of those stops within Germany.

Thank you for outlining all the steps really lets us know what to expect. I did FRA/MUC because we would go through one on the trip there and then the other on the trip back and I couldn't remember which was which.

Going it will be when you enter EU (FRA of MUC); returning it will be SFO

Thank you for all your help and everyone else who answered my questions. Loving all the help on cruise critic.

I think you can call the airline and arrange for gate change assistance if you wish - some airports are more organized than others, but if a wheelchair and/or ride on one of the electric carts would help, definitely ask. Usually works pretty well even if you mention when you get to the first airport. Spouse has a foot issue that crops up from time to time so we don't know when we'll need assistance, thus I haven't called ahead.

Thank you.

Generally speaking, you are better off with PE or business on longer transatlantic segments - like SFO to LHR or FRA/MUC and then have a shorter flight in Europe. The flights you mention have a long “domestic” segment (PHL & YUL). My preference would be changing planes in Europe. Times of the flights are important as well.

Thanks - I just found some through United (operated by Lufthansa) that go to FRA/MUC. I was avoiding United because their Economy Plus seats do not recline but looks like Lufthansa Airbus does have reclining seats. If we go SFO-FRA/MUC-BCN going - when do we go through immigration and/or customs? Same thing coming back FCO-FRA/MUC-SFO? Sorry for all the questions but out first time doing an international trip:confused:

Your best bets out of SFO are either BA to BCN via LHR or UA/LH via FRA/MUC. These are flights with one connection only.

I'd vote for the latter as LHR is a ZOO and MUC is easier than FRA.

JMO.

I have never been to Europe so not familiar with the different airlines. We opted for the premium economy upgrade. I found American Airlines SFO via Philadelphia and Air Canada via Montreal. Of these and the ones you gave me do you have any preferences? My husband has some mobility issues which slow him down, so I am concerned about distances to Gate changes.

If you want your outbound flight to be nine months before the cruise, then you would need to book your Air Independently, .

 

Something about the Airline contracts requiring that the air arrangements be for the purpose of getting the passenger to and from the ship specifically..

 

If you just want to reserve your flights 9 months in advance, for flights concurrent with the cruise, then you are fine using the Deviation, but be aware that ticketing does not take place until the cruise is paid in full. .

We just want to reserve our flights, not very many options out of SFO - no direct flights and many with multiple plane changes, we are trying to keep it down to one plane change.

You pay the deviation fee once you accept the flights

You pay the airfare with final payment for the cruise

 

Penalties will apply if you cancel after final payment

You can read the T & C's

 

https://www.oceaniacruises.com/legal/ticket-contract/

 

get travel insurance to cover your needs

Thank you for the information. We already have the travel insurance (we need the pre-existing condition waiver) and using comments on these boards found out about incrementally increasing the amount of insurance as we make our payments - very valuable information.

We are going next year in May from SFO to Barcelona. We can request a deviation starting August 6th of this year. If we end up doing a deviation when do we pay for the flight? If we pay for the flight when we accept the deviation do we get a refund if we have to cancel?

Janetz back from our cruise and wanted to let you know we did both - we spent some time up on deck and some time on our balcony. Weather was sunny and freezing cold. Dressed in thermals, smart wool socks, warm shoes, sweater, sweatshirt with hood up, jackets with hoods up, scarves, hats and it was still freezing cold up on deck (and we are not from a warm area). Our gloves unfortunately were still wet from the prior days excursion (raft trip down the river through the eagle preserve where it rained and sleeted on us) and the gloves that were for sell on the ship were worthless so our hands were frozen as we tried to take pictures. Our deck was warmer as we were out of the wind and could wrap up in blankets.

Here's some ways to get additional "Onboard Credit". If anyone has prior military service submit a copy of your DD214 for additional credit. Have at least 100 shares of Princess stock and get additional credit. Since December of last year through September of this year I will have earned $750 additional credit. Great return on my stock.

 

Tom:D

Tom thank you for this reference to prior military service. When booking our May 31 Alaska Cruise (our first cruise) the question about military service was active or retired (meaning 20 years of service) but no reference to veterans. After reading your post I googled Princess Military Onboard Credits and found the form to request the credit - it clearly states that veterans also get this credit. We got my DH's DD214 and submitted our request for the $100 credit!! So again a big THANK YOU.:D

My husband and I are going on our first cruise VS C750 on the Golden to Alaska May 31. This thread has answered a lot of our questions regarding suite perks but I do have a couple things I'm not clear on. If we do the specialty dinner on embarkation night do we need to leave a tip if so what is an appropriate amount? Are the specialty coffee's included with the breakfast at Sabatini's or is there a charge for them? And finally do we tip the staff at Sabatini's for breakfast and again if so then how much and when (each day or end of cruise)? Any help is appreciated - thanks!

Sorry Alaskanb I did forget to say were are on the Golden Princess and, alas, the mini-suites have uncovered balconies.

Thank you all for your wonderful posts - I learned so much, so quickly - just shows that joining this forum was a good thing. We upgraded to Vista Suite C750 - we want to be able to enjoy the cruise (especially Glacier Bay) regardless of the weather so did not want to take a chance it would be pouring besides, as I said, I may never get to cruise again.:)

Thank you Sea Gypsy that was my concern. My understanding is that you can tune your TV into the Ranger's talk and listen from your room/deck. If the weather is bad it sounds like a good option especially if we have a covered deck!

Thanks Cathy but the Emerald mini's are sold out. Am I right to be concerned about the uncovered decks on Dolphin for Alaska? We sail on May 31st.

Thanks for your quick reply. I know my husband will probably spend the time cruising Glacier Bay watching from our room so are the covered balconies on the aft Vista Suites a better choice than the uncovered Dolphin balconies?

We have never cruised before and may never cruise again. This is for our 15th Anniversary and I have been trying to get my husband to agree to it for all 15 years. We have booked a mini-suite on Dolphin deck but I am worried about the lack of a covered deck in Alaska. Should I be worried? We are considering upgrading to a Vista Suite on Emerald Deck or a Vista Suite on Caribe Deck(there are no mini suites available except on Dolphin Deck). Would we have a good view from an Aft Deck when cruising Glacier Bay or is the Port side a better choice? I know that Caribe Deck would be quieter but thought the view might be more obstructed. Thank you for your help.