ebobh

ATN does codeshare with America Airlines (OneWorld Alliance, of which British Airlines and others are a part), so we booked through AA for our cruise later this month, and at least got the miles to our AA account. It is next to impossible IMO to get a business class upgrade on the codeshare, though (and I book with my Starwood AMEX and pile up more points that can transfer to AA 1:1 when I might want). Bob H

Thanks for the insight and useful discourse of your time. We're booked for next March, so I'm prepping the specifics now. One question (that you and many others can no doubt answer...) re dinner at Le Grill or Le Veranda...

Do they do the reservations day by day, first-come-first-served for both venues, or do folks generally ID the night/s they are after, and then do multiples when they board on the first day? If you decide to try for a reservation the same evening, did they generally have room, or is it more of a Regent or Oceania-style once per cruise evening? We're not getting to the ship until after the initial groups, and I didn't want to have to worry/hustle/whine/moan any more than usual (to the great relief of my DW if so).

Thanks for your help, and for taking the time to post your reviews. Everyone on this board has been very helpful, and we are looking forward to the experiences so many rave over on our cruise.

Best Regards, Bob H

Hi, Emdee,

We just booked the PG for next March, so I'm collecting info; saw the offer if your tips, so it would be great if you would send them to me when you have a moment (realizing that this may have become your part-time job with so many requests). Thanks in advance for the offer. The e-mail is:

bobharrison@cox.net

Best Regards, Bob H

I also have used my middle name my entire life (its a southern thing; at least they didn't push both names together, which was the other option...). In general, I've found the discomfort on the first day at school (where my formal name was announced at roll call, thus resulting in several days of anguish on the schoolyard) has been more than compensated for by the advantages it presents as an adult. For instance, if I receive a phone call, I know immediately if the person is a friend, acquaintance or bothersome stranger merely by who they ask for at the outset (anyone who asks for my first name is tagged as a stranger, thus usually receiving the "I'm sorry, he's not available...lol).

Of course, as noted by Jimandstan, the TSA rules in our unfortunate post- 9/11 world require specific adherence to what your government document states re name. Since the OP has changed their passport, the issue may be moot since that is the name sequence that should appear on their card the next time around. For me, other than to check the name when I first receive mine onboard, I can't recall that anyone ever paid attention to it or used it in an onboard setting (maybe I don't get out enough on the ship, and it is an issue for others).

Also agree that adding a preferred name shouldn't be too much of a hassle for those of us with lesser-used first names; I appreciate when I don't have to strike and scrawl my name on conference nametags, etc. Seems they could do it, unless it is considered a necessary document to board and re-board, and thus would have to agree with the gov't document, etc.

Best Regards, Bob H

Most ships (cruise types included) have the hull as the outermost item on it; helps minimize accidentally hitting things when close to objects such as piers, channels, locks, etc. On Marina, a couple of the extended deck rooms (like 7108/7111) could have a better straight-down view (or straight ahead and down), but for the most part, the "lean out and look down" views are at various points under the lifeboats and a few other spots on the lowest public deck.

The cruise line would also probably not be inclined to encourage leaning out (brings to mind the image of your partner holding onto your belt so you can take that picture of a lifetime...).

Generally, with rare exception, not much interesting is happening right along the waterline where metal meets liquid, unless your belt breaks and you happen to get there yourself...now, if you still want to see something, the view at the stern is actually pretty cool. With the square derriere of the Marina, you can have the added bonus of vertigo if you look straight down and lose your reference points...(also not encouraged because of the usual outcomes of a loss of orientation, including canceling your dinner reservations at Privee due to nausea & walking as though you had spun in circles during aerobics). OK, I'll stop now...just having fun having more posts than Stan and Jim for awhile.

Bob H

Some options on the web, and also with our trusty Rick Steves' Scandinavia guidebook with a couple of options for ferry & old town independent tours. You can also look at http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/places/places-of-a-lifetime/stockholm-walking-tour-1.html for a Nat Geo Gamla Stan map and walking tour.

Bob H

OK, not going to pay so much attention to random posts...some kind soul finally told me how to access the Zebrugge-Bruges schedule, and for those showing up on Sundays (through September as far as I can tell), the train leaves Zebrugge Strand on the hour at 33 after the hour( e.g., 0833, 0933, etc.). The return trip from Bruges leave for the port on the hour at 09 minutes after the hour. Note certain about winter sailings. Sorry for any anxiety...

Bob H

Hi, I bow to your magnificence (really). I have referred dozens of folks to your travel page describing the Baltic cruise last year, and applaud the time and energy it must have taken to create such a descriptive, complete travelog.

I have loaded the walking tours on my laptop, and only regret I'm not savvy enough to download it to an iPhone to take with me (the PDF's run pages and pages, as you know, and I didn't want to look too much like the disoriented tourist i will be...).

We are taking the same cruise this year (leaving in a couple weeks), and I appreciate the preview of some of what we might expect. If we travel together in the future, you can be our leader...that is, of course, if I survive the various busy roadways enroute to train stations.

Regards, Bob H

Thanks for the effort to check on the trains. I looked at the schedule and related info, but the byzantine nature of some of these things is a testament to bureaucracy...as you said, if there is no train, there will be lots of folks looking for taxis, so we can match up with a few and cut costs that way, etc.

Bob H

on another string, one post suggested there is no train on Sundays from Zebrugge to Brugge; the train schedule is not necessarily clear on that point, although it indicates the train does not run every day. We will be there Aug 23rd on Oceania Regatta. Anyone out there who can help clarify? Thanks for any help you can provide.

Bob H