billslowsky

I prefer to book directly with the cruise line in the event there is an issue; it can be handled more directly than going back to the TA. I've had good experiences with the person they assigned to me (Monique) so if I can get her a little bonus for letting her handle the booking, I do it.

I prefer the bigger room as well. Compared to the Sailaway rate the UBP is completely unaffordable; just plan to spend $20-$30 for a few drinks each day and really don't worry about it.

Figure out what you already have first. Travel insurance is not unlike the extra insurance rental car agencies try to coerce you into buying. You may find that you want additional coverage, especially for medical evacuation. If you carry health insurance already, ask about foreign coverage already included.

Less than 50%. As noted above, just do what you prefer. Your trip.

Don't be ridiculous...

I don't think you can fly from BDL to EWR non-stop. Bayonne is not on any Amtrak line. You could take Amtrak to Newark and then Uber from there to the port. Since you'll probably have to change trains in New Haven you could take the CT train to save a few bucks and then switch to Amtrak. It's going to take some additional time with the stop in Penn Station, not the 3.5 hours. If you took the 7:08 am itinerary on a Saturday, you'd get to Newark Penn Station at 10:51 am. Then to the port at around noon. One way fare (advance purchase) is $39 per adult. The return trip isn't so good, not a lot of trains if you can't make the 10:27 Vermonter. Maybe arrange for pickup in New Haven; more trains available because you skip the leg through Hartford. If you drove, it's $20 per day for parking, plus gas plus tolls.

Too true.

You could do it with your phone and forward it to your email. You could. I won't bother.

The photo is supposed to look like you do when you board the ship. If your appearance never changes you can upload the same photo each time. Otherwise they want it to reflect your current look.

No restriction like that. You are free to even smile.

I was on the Gem this past January... the ride back was pretty s l o w ... not enough to do, particularly the last two days when the temperatures were too low to spend any time poolside. The sea was pretty rough and we felt it. That was last year's weather... but you'll have sea days to fill without the anticipation of the beginning of the trip. It was much better than being at home! But I would opt for the bigger ship.

I prefer to wait till I get there. That way I can photobomb my wife's picture. And I did. And they accepted it.

Items that put out heat, like hair dryers and kettles - not much chance of getting those on. Electric razor and electric toothbrush shouldn't be a problem.

Yup, and it's not a bad model. I did a sailaway rate last year, paid a really low fare, had a little envy for the UBP, but completely understood my decision. I drank less than I would have and paid less than I would have.

We followed Hurricane Sandy into Florida and we felt the rough seas, sickness bags placed on the stairwells, you felt a little unsteady walking down hallways. Not terrible. Up till then it was very smooth.