epixx
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Posts posted by epixx
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4 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:
Perhaps if these types of issues are of great concern, you should purchase insurance that allows you to cancel for any reason?
I would suggest something different. People who would like reimbursement for itinerary change but would be willing to sail on an alternate itinerary should purchase cruise insurance that specifically reimburses for itinerary change, rather than expecting the cruise line to pay for compensation. There is no reason for the cruise lines to pay customers for itinerary change, when this possibility is already clearly documented in the cruise contract and when this type of insurance is readily available.
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I wonder whether the "emergency" declared in Hong Kong will affect embarkation/disembarkation or docking in Hong Kong.
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20 hours ago, floridafolks said:
I would like a local's advice---how would one use public transportation (train/bus) to travel from Haifa Port to Jerusalem?
Our cruise ship arrives 6am April 1 and departs 9pm April 2, so there is plenty of time for the trip---thinking of either staying overnight in Jerusalem or returning late April 1. We have been to Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Dead Sea, and Galilee before on tours- we enjoyed the tours, but there was so much more I would like to see in Jerusalem. We would like the freedom to visit on our own time. Is it feasible for a tourist to attempt this? If so, what is the easiest itinerary to take- station names, etc.
Any help would be appreciated.
Stay overnight in Jerusalem due to the time (about 2.5 hours each way) required for travel.
Take the train from Merkaz HaShmona Station, which is just outside port terminal, directly to Tel Aviv HaHagana Station. From there take the direct train to Jerusalem Yitzhak Navon Station.
Timetables: https://www.rail.co.il/en
From Yitzah Navon Station either take the light rail, walk, or take a taxi to your destination.
The trip is very easy for a tourist. Enjoy.
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25 minutes ago, hallux said:
Free & reduced air T&C's are on this page - https://www.ncl.com/termsandconditions/promotions
The line that matters to you - "Reservation must be made more than 90 days prior to sailing to qualify; excluding Africa and Hawaii/French Polynesia itineraries which have 60 days prior."
Thank you. This is exactly what I wanted to know.
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We're interested in the Spirit from Hong Kong, via Shanghai, to Tokyo at the end of June, with reduced air fare offer from NCL. However, because we're concerned about the Wuhan coronavirus and potential restrictions on travel in China in the coming months, we are hesitant to book the trip immediately. We would like to wait a couple of months, possibly until after final payment at the end of February, to get further information about spread of the disease.
Does NCL usually continue to offer reduced air fare after final payment, or is this unlikely?
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We're planning to sail on Spirit for China and Japan in an oceanview cabin. Is there significant anchor noise in forward or mid ship cabins on decks 4 or 5? Which area would be best to avoid anchor noise, or should we upgrade to a cabin on a higher deck for this?
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We are five people, including 3 who are in their 20's and enjoy kayaking, SUP, boat rides, swimming, snorkeling. We would like to do a beach visit with some water activities but do not want to pay for an all-inclusive that includes alcoholic beverages. Do you have any suggestions for how we can spend the day? Ship is in port from 0900 to 2200.
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We would like to park for 9 days with flight departing JFK to Europe. Please recommend off-site parking at less than $20/day. We are open to lots near public transportation rather than lots with a shuttle, but we have four passengers so that cost might be a consideration.
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I'm surprised that the Viking Sky "parked" in Ashdod today, given the rocket attacks. Here's a hope that the ship and all passengers and crew remain safe.
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We have an inside triple for 7 days on the Sky in January. The offer is for $398 (total, not per person) for a balcony or $458 (total) for a deluxe balcony. Would you do the upsell or not?
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We booked an Inside Guarantee for January and were assigned a slight upgrade over our original category. There are still numerous cabins available on the same deck and in the same category as then one to which we were assigned. Have you had success changing the Princess cabin assignment for a Guarantee to one of the same category without additional payment?
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I urge you to abandon the idea of a day trip to Jerusalem and the Dead Sea. Travel from Haifa to Jerusalem alone requires a minimum of 2.5 hours each way, and it will take you another hour from there each way to the Dead Sea. You will spend the better part of the day sitting in a vehicle looking out the window, and you will be lucky not to miss your ship's departure.
If you have a minimum of 12 hours in port, you could consider just going to Jerusalem on your own with public transportation, as long as your arrival day is not Friday or Saturday, using bus and/or train. However, realize that you will still have minimal time on the ground in the city. We did a private tour from Haifa port to Jerusalem, but we left the port at 0730 and returned at 2000. As the round trip travel time was 5 hours, I thought this was barely enough time to make the trip worthwhile.
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On 10/1/2019 at 5:42 PM, Lambchp22002 said:
Little known fact - if you take a cruise on Princess and you leave out of a US Port and intend to hit a few other ports in the US, and if your plane is delayed, even if you book it through Princess in advance as well as transfer to the ship - there is a maratime law on the books from 1886 that prevents them from boarding you on a different port. So your cruise is TOAST.
We booked the Sept 29 cruise out of Seattle along the Oregon and California coast then back up to Victoria BC and back to Seattle. Mechanical problems on Delta caused us to arrive at the luggage claim at 3:35pm. Boat was set to sail at 4pm. I'd been on the phone with them all day, but it didn't matter. They had me call again only to tell me that I should file insurance and there was absolutely nothing they could do to help us. Our cruise was over.
Thank God we have insurance. Sure didn't feel like Princess had any customer service at all. They didn't even seem sympathetic.
I can find it in the paperwork or fine print - its a corner case most of the time for them - but if you fit the criteria, fly in the day before.
Shari
who is sitting at home not on her cruise with her husband...
Shari: The information is clear and readily available on the Princess website, not hidden in any way. Did you read the "Late Arrival Protection" section? It clearly states that they must consider the PVSA:
"Princess will work with the airlines to find a reasonable alternative to provide flights to the next appropriate* port at no additional air cost to the guest.
Factors taken into account in determining the appropriateness of a port of call include, but are not limited to:
- visas and other legal documentation that may be required
- application of the Passenger Services Act to the new itinerary
- airport/port infrastructure
- comparability of cost, flight connections, and travel time required (note, any refund due on the unused air ticket must be used to offset the cost of the new air ticket)
- where in the original itinerary this port is located"
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5 hours ago, Cruise Junky said:
the ship didn't go to Vancouver, it went to Victoria and then back to Seattle. Hence turning her Seattle return into a one way. She could of however got to the next US port and disembarked in Victoria. This should have been presented as an option to her.
I believe it was not "presented as an option to her" because she did not have advance approval to disembark in Victoria, as would have been required.
Several years ago we went on a round trip Alaska cruise from Seattle, and our only option was to fly to Seattle from the East Coast on the day of embarkation. Knowing the potential consequences of missing embarkation, I requested and received advance written permission from the cruise line to disembark in Victoria so that we could catch up to the cruise at the next US port if needed. Fortunately we made it on time for embarkation in Seattle, but I think the OP would be on the ship now if she had also planned in advance.
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With kids ages 3-8 and your cruise departing from Seward, I see no reason to trek to Whittier. Furthermore, the Kenai Fjords Tour is known more for the wildlife, while the Whittier glacier cruises are known more for the scenery.
However, will the younger kids (like the 3 year old) enjoy being on a boat for 6 hours, which is the minimum time to reliably reach the wildlife areas?
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I suggest you look for a different activity, as New Zealand recently banned swimming with dolphins due to its detrimental effect on the animals:
https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-49507901
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We have a minor schedule and equipment change for a flight in early January on AA. The plane is now scheduled to be the 737 MAX 8 (rather than 737 as originally planned). Is it likely that this plane will be flying in early January? Is there any reason to request a different flight? These flights are cruise line flights, so we have not paid for them yet and can change them without incurring a fee. However, the times and prices are good, so unless there is a significant reason to change we would prefer to keep them.
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Many, if not most people will tell you to stay in Cadiz and enjoy the lovely port city. However, having gone to Seville with Spain Day Tours one day in the summer when it was 39 deg C, against the recommendations of others who said it would be too hot, I would say that I definitely would have felt like I really missed something special if we had skipped it. One option would be to go with Spain Day Tours but skip the walking tour. The guides will inform you when and where to meet the group. Another simple option is to take the train. If you do so, you would probably need a taxi from the Seville station to main sights in town. I am sure you will love either Cadiz or Seville.
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1 hour ago, tabprincess said:
I have been searching other airlines of course, but none are that much earlier.
I agree with above and would add the following:
What's wrong with the Delta flight (DL2085) that departs MKE at 0600 and connects in ATL to DL542 arriving in FLL at 1215?
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We had two fantastic wildlife tours in December 2018.
In Akaroa, we went kayaking and saw many seals and blue penguins:
https://www.pohatu.co.nz/Sea+Kayaking.html
In Dunedin, we were fortunate to see the Royal Albatross, fur seals, sea lions, and a rare mated pair of Yellow-Eyed Penguins with this company:
https://www.elmwildlifetours.co.nz/our-tours/peninsula-encounters/encounters-tour
I highly recommend both of the above-mentioned tour companies.
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1 hour ago, John Bull said:
I've just checked - the OP's T/A review has disappeared
JB
I believe that the reason it disappeared is that TripAdvisor's policy is that it only publishes reviews from people who have taken a tour (or stayed at a hotel or eaten at a restaurant). In this case, the poster did not take the tour.
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We had two fantastic days with CJays Tours in December 2018, as our ship spent overnight in Tauranga. First day we visited Waitomo Glowworm Caves and Hobbiton. Second day we did Redwood Forest Tree Walk, Blue and Green Lakes, and Te Puia in Rotorua. I highly recommend them.
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Creating a mock booking, I get a lower price with two one ways (departure only and return only) than I get with a round trip. Is it possible to book two one ways on EZAir?
HAL's Poor Response to Corona Virus
in Holland America Line
Posted
I don't know if this was the case, but most CFAR policies require the traveler to cancel at least two days before scheduled departure. Perhaps the passenger canceled less that two days before scheduled departure??