Bungus

Thanks for the review. We can only hope it gets better by the time we sail :^). What did you do at the places you didn't take a ship excursion? Did you or did anyone take an independent they lkied?

Can you tell us first-timers what the in and outs of MSC are? What have you learned in 10 tries?

Usually means you get less for more.

Also interested in any independent excursions you have chosen!

We will be joining in Barcelona - We are also curious about independent shore excursions. Anyone?

In checking with National (Enterprise) rental car - they have not started backup doing shuttles to the cruise ship dock on any of the stops. However, someone said Avis was on Hilo.

We have WiFi on our next Princess cruise. It gives us one device. We will be using our phones. Is there anything that prevents one from tethering their laptop to their phone?

I was surprised to learn of things that are free that I maybe didn't know. I am speaking about regular cruise with no status (although that doesn't mean much any more) What list of things can you come up with? I am not talking about dining room or buffet and I know the entertainment is free. Unless you purchase a package , most drinks and specialty drinks cost. Yes, towels for the pool are free or the ones in the room to take off the ship.. If you don't turn it in I am not sure if they charge you. I think you have to pay for the adult only places - correct? Someone said that it was free to do your own laundry. I was surprised at that and I know they now use the medallion - so maybe they paid but didn't notice it. Also, I hear some lines are charging for room service that used to be free. Is it true that the cafe' type place in the middle of the ship with deserts/soups/sandwiches and coffee is free/

You can be openminded and still not think vulgar and crude language is acceptable. With all the words in the dictionary and "funny" people want to focus on a handful - mostly for punch lines or in daily conversation. I am not naïve enough not to know that cruise ship comedy acts are the only ones with limited vocabulary. It continues to be more prevalent in TV, Plays and Movies. I just think it is too bad "Adults" have to hear it also. I find it so unnecessary. Yes, someone is going to say that is life in todays world. How unfortunate - IMO. If you disagree - great I get it. To each his own.