Nebr.cruiser

Exactly. The new menus are such a downgrade from previous menus that it is very disappointing. I don't see much that appeals. We have one cruise on Celebrity booked; it may be our last if the menu doesn't improve. I guess we'll see in May.

Let's hope! My sister applied for a renewal last December and didn't get it until April! She was going with us on an extended six week trip to Australia and New Zealand, which included two cruises. Because of a health problem that popped up she couldn't go anyway, but otherwise would have missed because of no passport.

Tough question! Loved our very first ship back in the 70's, the old Regina Magna, long defunct. We don't sail RCI often, but they do have great entertainment and other venues. Loved the Navigator and the Harmony.

Very glad to hear that, as from our experience, without the paperwork we would not have been able to go on the cruise. Sorry it's so darn expensive!

I can pack in a carry-on if necessary and would really rather do that. Especially as we have aged it's harder (more meds) and also harder when gone from two to sometimes six weeks. I do admit to having trouble with shoes! Lucky I have smaller feet.

And enough for a few days extra. We were stranded in McAllen Texas for 4 days last year due to an ice storm in Dallas. At least, being in the states, we could have gotten our prescriptions filled if needed. Not so with international travel.

Awesome! We would have had to have someone either drive to Omaha (2.5 hours) before our flight, probably not possible, or take a last minute flight to Miami to give us our passports. Almost a costly mistake!

Yes! And double check for the passports before your car leaves the driveway. One time, we were just about to leave the garage when I (Obsessively, I thought) double checked our passports. By mistake I had picked up an address book that I kept in the same area and was the same size and color as my passport. Extremely lucky I checked as it is a 2.5 hour drive to the airport, plus we were going on a Transatlantic. Even flying in one day early, no way would I have gotten my passport in time. Needless to say, I no longer use that address book and no longer keep them in the same drawer! All of my travel docs are in my small carryon bag.

I'm the same way, only for me it is sinus infections. After dozens of them, or more, I know the signs and symptoms and the only thing that stops them are antibiotics. I, too, am concerned about overuse of antibiotics, but it can take weeks, even a couple of months, for me to kick a sinus infection on my own. And I do take several other prescriptions for allergies, which seems to be what brings them on. Luckily, after starting the generic for Celebrex (for pain) almost all of my allergy symptoms, especially the awful chronic coughing, are gone.

That's more or less what we're doing, except we are doing a local tour from Oia because we have a specific town we want to see. It will drop us off at Fira, then we'll use the cable car ticket from our 'On Your Own' tour. Since we are in port until 10, I don't expect big lines when we get back to Fira. The last time I was there our tour stopped between Oia and Fira for the sunset. There were no lines that late in Fira. Also, we're the only ship in port, at least as of now.

We were so astounded in February to open our balcony curtains and see the opera house right there! Almost felt like within reaching distance!

At least 8--9 if you count a Nile cruise. We like trying different lines, but have cruised with Princess the most. Finally reached Elite with them--yay!

Notaries are usually free here. That said, we once took seven grandkids on a cruise (RCI)--some time ago--and we did get all the parental permission forms, all notarized, went through all the required bells and whistles. At check-in, they thoroughly scrutinized and checked out each child separately, matching them with their forms. We would not have been able to sail otherwise. I know it's a real pain--one of grandkids had an absent father who no one even had an address for (we eventually got that figured out)--but it was a necessity. They also did a much less thorough check at customs coming back. Maybe they aren't always this particular, but in our case, they certainly were. I think, especially since you are also crossing the border, I'd be afraid to chance not getting it all done.

We've never taken any prescriptions in their original bottle until our trip to Australia and New Zealand last winter. Because requirements there were very stringent, we went to all kinds of lengths to have original packaging, doctor's letter, list from pharmacy, etc. Not one person or agency asked to see all this stuff. But at least better safe than sorry! I just regretted all the time all this preparation took and all the space in luggage for a six week trip. I always have a small zip lock bag with pain relievers, cold or allergy meds, bandaids, antibacterial gel, and other common first aid supplies. After trying to find pain relievers in Portugal in an area English was not commonly spoken and bandaids in Africa, (they're not called that in Kenya!) I bring the basics.

We used credit cards only on the various and many forms of travel in Sydney last winter (their summer), taking ferries, trains, subway, buses, etc. I was amazed at how little we actually ended up paying when I got home and checked our credit card bill. It was amazing. And easy, even from us 'country' folks in rural Nebraska.

Yes, I am. Our best status is elite with Princess.

I think Princess *has* been one of the best for single supplements, at least on some sailings. For example, my sisters were able to each get their own balcony--they usually share--on our upcoming South America cruise at only 10% single supplement. I realize this is partly because this sailing is often quite discounted due to various factors, but they are barely paying more than the two of us sharing our cabin. Hopefully they still do this on selected sailings--usually longer ones. Doesn't help of course if you need a specific date or itinerary that is popular. It pays to be flexible and shop around.

I think the two things that made me apprehensive were elevator wait times (my husband finds stairs hard) and smoke smell in many areas--yes, there are areas on all ships that are for smokers, but we've honestly never noticed that smell in other areas. It doesn't bother me too much--although I've never smoked I grew up with parents who did--but husband is very sensitive to it.

Yes, I've read all about the Yacht Club and it sounds great. But at least four times as expensive. We can afford it, but that's not how we choose to spend our money. We just want a nice experience for a cheap(er) price.

Thanks. Hardly ever drink, so drink package unimportant.

We've cruised a lot of different lines and really aren't picky--have never had a bad cruise in over 50 sailings, and don't expect luxury or perfection. We've been curious about MSC and have read some of the negatives and positives before. We got almost to the point of booking a 7 night on the Seascape in January, just to try MSC out--until I read the reviews here on these board. I have never seen so many 1 and 2 star reviews in my life. I normally take reviews with a grain of salt, but the amount of negativity was astounding. Things that really gave me pause was slight smoke smell in many areas (my husband is very sensitive to smoke) terrible waits for elevators and poor food and shows. I guess there is a reason they are so cheap compared to many other cruise lines?

Thanks! Yep, hoping we will stay the only ship in port!

I do realize this. However, at least as of now, we are the only ship in port and we don't leave until 10pm. When I was there before, cable car at about 7 had no line. I know having a ticket doesn't save time, but it was included in the price of the tour.

We have cruised from LA to Santiago before and are doing a similar cruise again in December. It's been 12 years, I think. For La Serena on our previous tour we took a shuttle to town, walked around and saw the sights. It was fine, but not spectacular. We'd like to do something different at this port this time. We do see tours to the Elqui Valley; unfortunately we are there on a Monday, when apparently some things are closed. The Princess shuttle to the city has gotten ridiculously high. I think $69pp. For those who have been there more recently what price would taxis into the city be? Or Uber? Were there tour operators offering tours dock side that could be booked that day? Thanks!

Of course it also matters if you are flexible and date and itinerary and cruise line. If a specific cruise is almost booked than the price normally goes way up. If you have to have this particular cruise, it is still worth it to browse travel sites.