Ride-The-Waves

Flight Ease is a consolidator bring ing together and offering options from multiple airlines. These cruise line consolidators can provide a excellent options on both round trip and one-way airfares. We use them frequently especially on one-way flights to Europe to accommodate the reverse leg of a trans-Atlantic cruise. Their best deals are in the premium categories (Business and Premium Economy classes). A good place to start looking at airfare is google.com/flights. That said, flights are usually not available for research/booking until 330 days out. We have flown to/fm Europe out of Miami, Orlando and Tampa. Orlando and Miami offer good options for flights and airlines offering non-stop routing with major European cities. We have also flown TAP (Air Portugal) which has direct flights from Miami (and NYC and Boston) via Lisbon to major European cities and good business class pricing.

Royal is thinking for charging anyone wearing green on St Paddy's day $10!

A third-rate action for a fourth-rate cruise line. True bottom dwellers. And we use ti like Royal. No more.

Today traveling in Egypt is as safe as traveling in Europe or North America. Because of the time/distance I would opt for a private tour by a reputable tour agency. Actual drive time Alexandria-to-Giza is just over 2 hours going around Cairo. Definitely worth it. And, yes, if claustrophobic I would advice against the inside climb of the Great Pyramid. For those who can that is another unforgettable trek. And suggest staying away from the camels...

We receive hard copy solicitations but not emails. Some of it large glossy brochures for cruise lines we would never consider sailing. It is not easy to get off their mailing lists. Must be less expensive to creat and mail a brochure than to delete an address...

Correction: the "O" ship was Marina.

WOW! These board offer opinions, not facts. Facts on a specific cruise question is much better answered by the cruise company, not some random commentary on CC. Especially on a thread created to praise "O" - you will not find an unbiased answer.

Lets don't oversell O to those who have not experienced an O cruise. We have cruised for decades and enjoy nice cabins, good food and great itineraries, and not "loyal" to one cruise lines. Last year we did a TA on Riviera followed several months later by a Panama Canal transit on HAL Zaandam. Similar sized ships. We found Zaandam significantly better to include food especially in the specialty restaurants. "O" has coined the advertising slogan of "best cuisine at sea." It is not, especially when including ambiance of the restaurants. "O's" specialties are crowded, table to close together, compared to Zaandam. And the noise levels in the specialties is nearly unbearable, so bad that we did not return to one for a second meal. Tables in the buffet are also too close together miming access and forcing diners to walk circuitous routes to tables. We found the suite cabin adequate but nothing special. Dining room crew were even a bit "uppity" to guests. "O" is not a panacea. Azamara is much better and friendlier. Even HAL's Zaandam is superior.

In past years before the hiatus we would bring a small container of CoffeeMate to breakfast, usually doing a decent job of killing the taste of the syrup RCI uses for coffee... Only problem is remembering to take the container back to the cabin...

We were on one once - years ago. Had been complimentary upgraded to the biggest suite and remember that the crew constantly reminded us that the next "guest" was important and not to touch anything... I'm sure El Presidente will have little or no connection with day-to-day activities or experience anything like a "normal" guest. His suite will be cleaned 4-times a day!

Hilarious! Its called "Marketing" and companies, including RCI, lie through their teeth. RCI caters to "bottom feeders" so they know that no one will sue over "marketing" transgressions. In thee olden days we started sailing with RCI. Good ships then, and good crews. Today RCI doesn't care about legacy passengers. It all about enticing newbies to make one cruise, and get their money. Much harder to pull the wool over an experienced cruiser... Haven't cruised RCI in a decade or so - last time was horrible with dining in the MDR being so loud you could not hear the person next to you. then ad in bad food and service. Spouse's friends have enticed her back onboard a TA this Fall and, ugh, I'm going. Intend to spend my time reading in the overpriced cabin. RCI has definitely destroyed the concept of elegant cruising.

Think about this. Crew are professionals. Just as you consider yourself a professional at your place/vocation of work. Do you want to be paid in "candy?" I sure don't! Give them the extra gratuity in currency!

We are seniors and when traveling factor in business class in our costs to get to/fm cruises. There are several good airlines flying across the Pond which offer good options, to include Air Portugal (TAP) and Turkish airlines. Also check co-share flights. Several years ago who booked an Antartica cruise and discovered that flying on a US carrier was triple the cost of flying Aerolineas Argentinas code-share on the same airplane/flight between MIA-EZE-USH.

Just another effort by Royal to nickel and dime passengers. Soon they will be charging for water to drink and every flush.

Welcome to Florida! Hotel rates can nearly double during winter months when snowbirds head south for warmer climes. Has nothing to do with cruising. Its just greed.

Last 7 months we have sailed Oceania Marina and HAL Zaandam. Similar sized ships. We found HAL's offering superior to Oceania: better food, friendlier crew, and more amenities. Marina's specialty restaurants were terrible, too crowded, far too noisy, poor service and so-so food. Not what we expected when we booked Oceania. For us, sailing Oceania is a suite was not an upgrade.

Of course. Always get the best investment tips off the pages of CC...!

HAL also offers elegance where others focus more on gimmicks. I can recall cruising the Atlantic between the US and Europe in the 1950s (first crossing was in 1949 on a HAL ship). That was the way to travel distances as jet travel became prevalent. I also recall a 1957 Amsterdam-Houston flight on KLM of 17 hours non-stop. At my tender age I don't want or need roller coasters, water slides, bumper cars, zip lines and other attractions during a cruise. Nice ambiance, good food and decent entertainment works well. HAL offer that in abundance. We were able to directly compare Oceania (Marina) with HAL (Zaandam) this past year. While Oceania advertises itself as upscale and the "best cuisine at sea," we found their ambiance lacking: food as better to us on HAL, the crew friendlier and fellow passengers more engaging. HAL has a nice niche. Keep it.

I think what you are seeing is that few, if any, care. It is what it is. At some point people will become more pragmatic and will not cruise with price above a certain point. Cruise lines, especially ones in serious financial trouble, are struggling to price just below that level. HAL offers a good product and will likely be able to stay afloat (pun intended). That said, a HAL cruise advisor informed us that HAL does not have any new ships on order. That is both a positive and a concern. Positive is that it doesn't incur new expenditures and concern in that CCL may be readying to dispose of HAL.

As did we - stationed in San Diego '78-'83. Bought a diesel Rabbit and added a 10-gal tank in the spare tire well. Diesel was 19 cents/gal in Tijuana and we would fill up once every three weeks - the car would go well over 900 miles on its 20 gal. Always best to fact check before you post. Back in SD in April for a HAL Panama Canal transit. Rented a Tesla 3 - gas prices $5.50-6.00 gal. Ouch. "Lost" our trusty 2013 SUV to flooding while parked in Fort Lauderdale during that cruise - totaled by insurance as water was over the door sills. Have a hybrid on order - 50 mile electric range with all the newest safety options.

Best check. The odd/even license plates for gas was 1973/74 during Nixon and Ford. Home interest rates during Reagan were as high asa 18 percent.

Reagan 1983 the rate was highest at 15.8%.

Last two cruises, a TA on Princess and a canal transit on HAL, the preponderance of walkers and scooters was on Princess...

Do it! Both knees replaced. Second one was 3.5 months prior to an Antarctica cruise with Zodiac landings on Antarctica south of the Antarctic Circle. First two weeks after surgery are the most challenging. The rest is PT and gaining confidence. Age 73 at the time.

Current cruise prices are NOT affordable in the long run. Cruise lines, especially CCL and RCL, are still trying to capture the backside of the COVID epidemic where people stayed away from ships and much travel for fear of contacting COVID. Created pent-up desire/demand which we see with higher than normal future bookings despite higher prices, and the higher than normal pricing of just about everything related to cruising. RCL is charging $130-150 for three dinners at specialty restaurants. That is just nuts. Just because one is "on vacation" doesn't mean that sanity no longer prevails. Prices will come down - we are already seeing that with several of the mainstream lines. We cruise to visit new places, meet people from different walks of life, and enjoy ourselves. We also enjoy returning to places of yore. We can do that on a cruise ship or by air/land. If cruise lines continue to what "our" business they will adjust. Always remember that its a business and NOT a family.