kirtihk

1 minute ago, Kay S said:

Me, too, but some "not-anti-dog people" hereabouts would be terrified of the thing biting, or worse, spraying fleas all over.  😄

Oh, yes!  Who is better than a dog! Not any human being!

On 4/8/2024 at 2:37 PM, pilot said:

Had a first last night in the dining room on Nieuw Statendam. Saw a couple leaving the dining room with a dog in a stroller. Have been on previous cruises and have seen working service dogs, but never have seen one pushed around in stroller through the dining room. 

I would love to hug that dog!

2 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

I'm not interested in the IV's so we booked a Deluxe Ocean View which is a forward facing stateroom with a faux balcony set up...at least that's what I'm calling it.  The drinks package is the classic and the wifi is the basic.  Grats were not included but we prepaid them.  The deposit of $900 is nonrefundable.  All totaled, with prepaid grats and the aforementioned inclusions for 2 people is $4000.  Oh, and we are getting $350 refundable OBC, which more than covers the gratuities.  I've paid a lot more for higher categories and on E class, I feel like there is so much included in the regular experience that I didn't feel compelled, nor would I pay current prices to book a suite...

 

That’s really good.  It was a typo in my text: parts should be switched in my first question.

We have a very similar situation with booking for 12-day Millennium cruise from Singapore to Tokyo (March 3, 2025).  We paid $5,264 total (cruise fare, port charges, tax, included classic beverage package, wi-fi, included gratuities (we booked this trio combo before Celebrity removed gratuities from it), refundable deposit), the lest expensive Aqua category (free upgrade to the next category) and $200 (book onboard) OBC.  It was a group booking with our cruise agent.  The regular price through Celebrity at that time was $8,600.  A few days ago I looked and saw over $13,000 fir the same category with the same other items!

On 4/1/2024 at 3:57 PM, DaKahuna said:

 

 Not to mention omelets. 

 

Seriously, it is not and was not meant to be a replacement for the Ocean View Cafe breakfast buffet. 

 

And you are not allowed to bring any food from the Ocean View Cafe.  One time was walking with a boiled egg in my hand, and they stopped me from entering (it was so funny!!!).

On 4/1/2024 at 1:45 PM, Ex-Airbalancer said:

It is a  good place for second breakfast 🤣

And for Champagne (or Bellini) if one doesn’t not have a beverage package.

On 3/29/2024 at 2:21 PM, Georgia_Peaches said:

I'm a big fan of focusing on the positive so thank you!  And I think there are still deals to be had...even in this current market.  We just booked a 10 night cruise on Beyond with drinks and wifi for less than 4 grand.   Not in a suite but still an amazing deal, IMO.

So many variables: Per person or for 2? Balcony or other category?  Refundable or not deposit?  With pre-paid gratuities or not?  If answer is the former for all questions (especially for the first and second), then it's great!

10 minutes ago, tonit964 said:

I knew/got what you were saying about the validity being less than 10 years.😉

I've just made another post (# 102) about this matter (in backward direction this time).

10 hours ago, 2 cruises a year said:

Yes 10 years is arbitrary, the State Department can chose whatever time the want, but your passport is good for 10 years, no if's ands or but's  You do get your moneys worth.  It is other countries that arbitrarily require the 6 month rule.  It is not practical for the State Department to try to satisfy the requirements every other country in the world.  It is up to the traveler to follow the requirements of the country they are traveling to.  As far as the U.S. is concerned, your passport is good for 10 years when in the U.S., and leaving or returning to the U.S.

Yes, correct.  However:

Passport, a mandatory requirement for travelling to the USA for non-US citizens:

Regardless of the purpose of your trip, whether for tourism, study, or work, a passport is a necessary document for travelling to the USA that you must have with you, as your National Identity Card will not be valid there.

Similar to many other countries, your passport should remain valid for at least six months after you enter the USA and should have at least two blank pages for use by American authorities.

_______________________________________________

So, in the end it's all the same.  Therefore, the base of my thinking (as a world traveler so to speak) still has a foundation (excuse my tautology).

9 minutes ago, bassmk said:

Because people will still wait until two weeks before it expires to renew it, no matter how long it is valid. Procrastinators gonna procrastinate!

That's fine as long as a person doesn't travel for next couple (few) months from "two weeks before it expires" time.  That's (potentially) actually, the best situation.

3 minutes ago, OldSalt73 said:

I translated perfectly. The expiration date is 10 years. It is valid for most purposes for that long, including returning to the US.

 

https://hk.usconsulate.gov/u-s-citizen-services/passports/less-than-six-months-validity-left/
 

The six month requirement is NOT a US DOS limitation, rather it imposed by host countries. Therefore airlines and cruise lines almost universally require the six month from end of voyage. Applying your logic, a four month world cruise would penalize 10 months from the passport. Point being, there will likely always be the six month penalty regardless of statutory validity. Just something to live with.

Yes.  There are too many so to speak something's to live with.

9 minutes ago, OldSalt73 said:

You do realize that applying logic to bureaucratic dictates is a manifest waste of energy? The 10 year valid date, or 10.75, or 12, will not change other countries’ six month “cushion”. The cushion is imposed so that you don’t expire while there and then have trouble being repatriated.

Perhaps, you didn't "translate" a meaning of my post properly.  It was about the fact that 10 years expiation is truly <10 years.  So, people pay for 10 years when in reality they pay for 9.5 years or potentially even less.

42 minutes ago, tonit964 said:

Well, at least now you won’t have to think about it again for 9 1/2 years. 
Enjoy your cruise!

I always wonder why it is 10 years; it should be 10.5.  Then real number of years would be actually 10 years.  Currently, last 6 months are meaningless for people who travel within that time.

In reality it should be 10.75 years, so people would be able to apply for renewal in 10 years and get a new passport in about 3 months or less.

9 minutes ago, Harters said:

Laugh? I nearly pissed myself

sounds like a (kind of) proper British joke, doesn't it?  On our recent Azamara cruise we met a very nice British couple, and I learned a lot!  My both posts, nevertheless, are my own "creatures".

On 3/18/2024 at 7:36 AM, Harters said:

On the other hand, I have COPD and have a "rescue pack" (antibiotics and steroids). At an early stage of thinking I've got a chest infection, I use the pack. My self diagnosis is usually correct and the drugs help to prevent a bad flare-up. But the diagnosis isnt always correct which does mean I've taken the drugs pointlessly. Such is life. 

The other hand? - Oh, boy (see my previous post # 71)!

On 3/16/2024 at 6:56 PM, clo said:

What is the substitute for a cloth towel???

a hand?

On 3/15/2024 at 5:55 PM, Fang said:

I think it depends on location. Alaska yes. Others no 

Caribbean only shorts

7 minutes ago, 2and2 said:

  That was bad.  Wow seventy cruises and they are not interested in at least trying to make you happy. 

     I do not like how they tell you one thing then they say they didn't say that. Such as when I booked the cruise, they told me that I would have one complimentary specialty dinning on the first day. I went to make the reservations as sone as I got on board and and they told me I didn't.  Not even close to what you were told,(the ship will be ready to sail) but anytime you are lied to it really is upsetting.  Turned out the Main Dinning room was better than the specialty dinning anyways. Especially the waiters.

oh, those yummy restaurant attendants (waiters)!

Positive attitude (leaving negative energy behind).

On 3/13/2024 at 8:22 AM, masonchar said:

I booked a 14 day Alaskan cruise directly with Princess back in January.  Final payment was three days ago.  We couldn't afford an oceanview cabin or better, this time around.   But, we decided to book an obstructed view cabin.  There weren't many left, but we found one with a pretty good view. ( I used a website that shows pictures of the views).  Last night I got an email saying they are moving us to a cabin beside the one we had booked.  They said the reason was that the one we booked could accommodate 4 people and there are only 2 of us.  The new (they call it an upgrade) does not have as good a view.  The one we had booked was between two tenders.  The new one is blocked by the front of the tender.   We aren't happy about this change at all.  Before I get on the phone today, is there anything I can do?

Actually, you have a supporting case in your favor now (especially, if you can prove the "upgrade" verbiage).  If not that, the cruise line has a right to do what they did.  However, since (and if) they consider it an upgrade, now you may request a real upgrade to any available cabin in the closest category up (since the actual new cabin is technically verse than your original).

PS.  When we try to book a 3/4 berth cabin for 2 about, our cruise agent always warns us that a cruise line might move us to a different cabin in the same (or above) category at any time, if someone will try to book a cabin for 3/4 people, and none is available at the time of that booking attempt, and even a higher category cabin might actually be worse (location, configuration, a smaller balcony size, obstructed view like in your case, ...) than our booked cabin.

8 hours ago, Snaxmuppet said:

There are but I am not convinced that any of them are much better in this regard.

Exactly.  They are ALL alike in such a matter (from Carnaval to Celebrity to Azamara to Regent), ALL.

On 3/15/2024 at 8:44 PM, CU64 said:

The original poster must have had travel experience with 70 cruises, which is why I would ask a simple question: Why? Why did you need to go now…knowing any inaugural cruise problems…and supply issues for anything, especially since Covid. Then to add 3 cruises. What were you thinking? And to use EZ Air in this era of flight problems. Now you want Princess to take care of your lost money? I am in disbelief.

If this matter is true, all inauguration cruises shall sail without paying passengers for first 2-4 months to justify your input.  From the other hand, based on this reading, it appears cruise lines sell inauguration cruise by targeting first-time cruisers.  Otherwise, they assume all mature cruisers are fullish by nature.

4 minutes ago, NMTraveller said:

In orchards of dawn, where sun-kissed branches sway, Apples blush crimson, their secrets tucked away. They whisper tales of crisp mornings and dew-kissed skin, Of orchard dances, where the wind joins in.

Oranges, bold and vivacious, burst forth with zest, Their laughter echoing through citrus-scented quests. They roll down hills, chasing sunbeams with glee, A vibrant tango of sweetness and mystery.

Asparagus, the quiet poet of the soil, Emerges from earth, its green tendrils uncoil. It weaves verses of spring, of renewal and grace, A verdant ode to life’s tender embrace.

Now, behold the Cadillac Escalade, regal and grand, Its chrome curves cutting through landscapes like a command. Leather-clad seats cradle dreams of open roads, As the engine hums stories only nightfall knows.

Yet not far behind, the Kia Sportage humbly strides, A nimble companion on life’s winding rides. Compact and spirited, it navigates with ease, Through city streets and forest glades, under moonlit trees.

And there, on the horizon, a tranquil reverie, A river cruise unfolds—a voyage to set hearts free. The water’s gentle lullaby cradles weary souls, As landscapes unfurl, painting tales on ancient scrolls.

So let us raise our glasses, a toast to this blend, Of fruits, cars, and rivers—their harmonies transcend. For life’s symphony plays on, a sweet, savory tune, Where apples meet Cadillacs, and asparagus meets the moon.

That’s a some piece of poetry!

21 minutes ago, jelayne said:

That to me is comparing apples to green beans.  Been on both river and ocean and the similarities are they both travel on water and make multiple stops.

That’s a tough one…  Nevertheless, I prefer a nifty noble asparagus.

17 hours ago, Liao said:

apples and oranges

“In the end, they are all fruit”.

20 minutes ago, NMTraveller said:

I have an AMA Waterways river cruise coming up.  Afterwards I will do a comparison with Celebrity.

We have the Seabourn Pursuit in 4 weeks, Tahiti to Solomon Islands (been on Venture exactly 1 year ago - March 17, 2023 Brazil coast and Amazon river).  The Seabourn is definitely better than Celebrity, but Celebrity is actually very good, too (we had 11 Celebrity cruises, and the next one is in March 2025, Millennium from Singapore to Tokyo).  Seabourn is simply a 2-level up.