Nebr.cruiser

We rarely drink and I have never bought a drink on a ship. The Plus plan has never made sense to me if you don't drink. I also rarely drink pop and can get along fine without specialty coffee, mocktails, etc. I do usually buy a water bottle package, which is very cheap. I do the math and so far we are way ahead to just pay our gratuities and wifi--which is 50% off for us as Platinum cruisers.

Yes, all available free on board. Juice and lemonade not at dinner, but available at other times. Princess water package is really cheap; I usually get the 12 bottle package and it has been under $15. The free water on board is fine but I like to have a bottle with me without always having to go to a bar, etc. to get a glass of water.

We like NCL and don't feel that they nickel and dime any more than other major lines, but it does depend how susceptible people are to all the extras offered. (We also like a lot of other lines and have cruised on many. Never had one we disliked because of the cruise line). Otherwise, just don't buy the extras! Unless you really want them. We rarely drink, but be aware that on NCL the gratuities are not included on the drink package, if you get that. It adds several hundred dollars to your bill for the tips that you might not be aware of. Usually you can opt out of the drink package, but once in a while you can't. So we never book if that's the case. Tips on specialty restaurants aren't included either, but amount to very little, compared to the drink tips.

We've cruised the Med in May and weather was nice, from 70's to high 80's, as well as good seas. Of course weather and seas are variable. Crowds weren't too bad I would not want to cruise in summer because of crowds and heat. I'd love to try late September through October..

My sister sent in a renewal (expedited) in Dec. In early April she got notice that it was processed. As far as I know she hasn't received it yet.

My sister applied for hers in December and expedited it. (Renewal). Two weeks ago (early April) she got notification it was processed. As far as I know she hasn't received it yet. We were going on a long cruise/tour to Australia and New Zealand in late February and this would have prevented her from going. She had to cancel anyway for health reasons, but obviously you must plan far, far ahead if renewing a passport, even if expedited. If you can possibly get an appointment, or are close to, a passport office, right now I think this is the way to go.

I do, but then my husband rarely goes in the water. Even if he did, I'd feel fine leaving it in my beach bag on a chair, maybe covered with a towel or something, and in an area where obviously other cruisers are. I might glance over there a time or two, but wouldn't worry unduly. It's also not real new and my only big regret if it was stolen was losing the books because I go nuts if I don't have reading material. Of course I can read on my phone also, if I have an internet package. Ship libraries are ridiculous any more with hardly any books at all.

I had posted earlier about our concerns with strict medication policies in visiting Australia and New Zealand. We've been traveling and cruising for 50 years and have never done this before--just pills in a pill sorter box. We took our original bottles with Dr. verification letter, labels, declared everythiing, etc. Not once did anyone ask to see our meds, our paperwork or give us any hassle. I guess I'm still glad we did it, but the chance that you will be challenged must be very small indeed. We even tried to use the line where we were supposed to declare everything and employess routed us to a much shorter--well, really no line--line and whisked us through. All a relief, but I did regret all the room those bottles and sprays took up.

We are heading to Australia/New Zealand nest week. I've never taken my meds in their original bottles, but I am for this trip as well as doctor's letter, etc. And I willl declare everything. Since I take some bulky nasal sprays for allergies (prescribed) it's taking up a lot of space, but I'm not flying all that way and then chance not following the rules.

Thanks everyone. It's still an ongoing problem of course, with no clear path forward. The travel agent is not being too clear either, or helpful. Other aspects of this long trip are being cancelled/refunded fairly rapidly. It's the cruises that are the problem. Note that she is also booked on a RCI cruise to New Zealand that leaves in March, with the rest of us,. So it's two cruise lines we are dealing with. More advise always welcome!

the lotion was a large size on our recent Ruby cruise, and a great product for me.

I really liked the body lotion on our recent Ruby cruise. I don't like the shampoo/condition combo either. I bring my own conditioner, which helps.

Thanks for all the advise. It really is a quandary. Mostly just hoping for the best outcome for our ill sister and that we can still enjoy, even in a sad way, our amazing adventure.

Yes very complicated. Both sisters have insurance through their Chase cards. We have tried to think of someone else to go, but unlikely because we are cruising Australia, land tours in Australia, cruising New Zealand, land tour to Uluru. 5 weeks total. And who can do a trip like that, even if one of the cruises, at last moment. I'd think since the cruise is so close and the cabin has been paid for, double occupancy, that Sis going on cruise could just go and not be penalized. The one that can't go is willing to eat the cost, if necessary, but is hoping for some help from insurance. Other expenses aren't too much of a problem as almost everything can still be cancelled or changed. We'd really like to know if it is best to actually cancel her cruises or just be a no show. That is, get to boarding and tell them that the other person in the cabin did not show up, or something. We will call the travel agent, of course. And insurance--not sure if that should be before or after the cruise (es) She has 20 days from cancellation to start on the insurance merry-go-round. Sad news for our bucket list family vacation.

Yes. Cruise is 7 days away. Sister with medical problem does not have cruise insurance specifically, but her Chase Sapphire Preferred does have coverage that we believe would fit her situation. I am sure her doctor can verify this, as she knew about it a few months ago; but the problem did not develop before the cruise was booked. Doctor thought condition would clear up and it hasn't. Sister needed to be more proactive about this, of course, but she's been dealing with a lot lately. I too believe the sister who is going will be fine on the cruise, that is, won't cost her more. Hotel rooms they are sharing will of course not be split as to expense. Almost all other expenses are either able to be cancelled such as a land tour and excursions, and she bought flights that can be changed or cancelled, and paid more to do that. We're just hoping she can recover most of the cost of this trip. I am not clear if she needs to call and concell now or just be a no-show. She'll want to do what is right but causes the least hassle.

My sisters are going on two cruises, one leaving Feb. 24th and the other March 11. Because of a health problem, one sister has to cancel, leaving the other alone in the room. What is the best way to handle this? Call the cruise lines, just have her be a no-show, other ideas? Of course the sister who is still going would love not to get stuck with the whole cost of the room. The sister who is ill may be able to recover some of her cost through insurance, but of course there are no guarantees on that. We will be on the trip too, which is 5 weeks in total. Thanks for any advice; such a disappointment after months of planning this bucket list trip to Australia and New Zealand.

Thanks, I appreciate the thought! I was being facetious when I used the word Survive! I'm not even that fond of the sweet coffee concoctions, so I won't feel deprived at all. Of course I will buy one if I feel like it though.

Well, I'm cheap so I almost never buy coffee from shops, except sometimes when out with granddaughters, who are addicted to Starbucks, etc. So I'll probably never buy a specialty coffee. It's really not a big deal to me. I mean, I get along fine with instant! Or the ships regular coffee. We'll enjoy our pop and water!

After much difficulty and too much money, we have our Australian and New Zealand visas--I think. I printed out the paper version. Is that enough. I can't seem to access our visa on the Aus. ETA app: it just says enter your passcode. I don't have and don't think I ever had a passcode. I haven't downloaded New Zealand app. Do I need it? As stated, I have paper copies of each. Hope that is sufficient.

Thank you. I was pretty sure they wouldn't trade for one coffee card and pop. Since my husband doesn't drink coffee and I've managed to survive over 40 cruises without specialty coffee, guess we'll go with water and pop. They will be getting buy cheap with us--doesn't feel like a good trade.

Of course this letter is a rant and too long; unlikely to get a response, but he does make many valid points. We've been on two Princess cruises within the last year, with another coming up, our first as Elites. There have been many down-grades, mostly in food quality and variety. Also, on our last cruise, the entertainment was pretty bad, in the theater. Two very old and outdated shows, one really mediocre comedian, one better comedian duo--but they were on twice--and one Prince imitator--who was also on twice-- and not everyone's cup of tea, for sure. Far less quality in entertainment. The medallion worked well for us, but we only use it for boarding and cabin entry, basically. Hated the cabin lights that went on automatically, and the closet light would only go on if we opened the bathroom door and then only stayed on for a little bit; then we'd have to open the door again. Staff was very good, but I assume the cabin stewards have been given a lot more cabins as ours didn't get done until pretty late in the afternoon.

The only time we did a waitlist--it was on Princess-- we did get an email that we had cleared the waitlist, but the room price was considerably more than what it was when we entered the wait list. I too thought we would be getting a cabin at the price that the cabin was when we went on the waitlist. At least for that sailing, not true. You get whatever is the going price at the time you clear the waitlist. The price was almost double. We didn't accept.

Our first cruise at Elite is coming up. I'm mostly looking forward to the laundry service, as we will be on a five week trip (11 days of it on Princess) and it will mean just that much less laundry to do. We rarely drink, so never buy the Plus package. I know we can trade the mini bar set up for pop or water or coffee cards. Can we do half pop and half water, for instance? Or one coffee card and pop? I'm a big water drinker and my husband doesn't drink coffee, although he will drink pop. And do we just ask the steward to change it out on the first day? Being priority on tenders would be a plus except that this cruise (Queensland coastal) we are doing all Princess tours --extremely unusual for us--because there just wasn't much we could find to see the GBR even having priority tenders, due to the time it takes to get to the reef. Princess tours pick up at the ship. 10% off on tours and 50% off on wifi is good. Although we normally don't do ship tours.

We will be on this ship Feb. 24th. I'd be so happy to learn about the entertainment, especially main theater shows. Enjoy your cruise!

Usually the day before. I have a comprehensive list of things to do before the cruise that I start checking off in the week prior. I also start setting things aside in a separate area of the closet that I know I will be taking, and washing anything that needs it in the week before. We are doing a 5 week tour to Australia with two cruises and about 10 days on land and I hope to take one carry on size and one large personal item only. So, I will do a trial pack to see if I can actually do this. I just don't want to lug my larger suitcase around airports, to and from hotels, on tours, etc. I've done about 3 weeks with the above luggage, just not sure about 5.. I will try to do laundry, of course, when possible. Since I'm not a big person, re shoes, etc., clothes are possible, I think. It's the misc. things such as toiletries, meds, devices, chargers, first aid, OTC supplies, etc. that make it harder.