KeepCalmBearOn

Taxi or Uber, it is darn near walkable, a little more than 2 miles.

I don't know why more of the all-inclusive lines don't do that. "Drink your own stock, not ours". Seems a good deal for them.

San Pedro has four berths, 92, 93, 46 and 50. We are on the Majestic in October out of Berth 50. The point wasn't that San Diego needs more terminals, but better management and a better customer experience to keep the companies wanting to come. It is great when Disney shows up and I'd like to see MSC come in.

Not sure where that pool is, but in California, vomit might be 30 minutes, but feces would close the pool for a day.

Would you bother with pools not in the YC? Was there anything you thought worthwhile? Did you try the main buffet besides that first day? (I don't remember if you said you did) Was the YC poolside buffet varied enough to not have to venture to the main?

The best Chinese tends to be in Richmond, but there are several good/decent places by the Pan Pacific, including Jade Dynasty, Victoria Chinese Restaurant and Jingle Bao.

Coming in at 7:30PM, I might just stay at the Courtyard by Marriott Anchorage Airport. I love the Hotel Captain Cook, but you wouldn't have much time to enjoy it.

What is “not to be missed” in Vancouver? Chinese food, especially dim sum.

There is a beach right where the tender drops you. You'd walk past it heading to the shops. https://maps.app.goo.gl/UL3DG3XFxbZVSCT18

We like Captain Andy in Port Allen and if we were on a cruise and wanted to use them, we'd rent a car from Avis or Budget, who sends a shuttle to the cruise terminal.

Oahu has some of the best Japanese food in the world outside of Japan. Kaiseki was highly disappointing.

Martinis are supposed to taste awful so you don't have too many.....

Cruising is capitalism so MSC gets to decide how to maximize resources and you are free to stop using MSC if it bothers you.

I like Robert's since they are a local Hawaiian company, been in business since 1941 and have a local presence on every Hawaiian island. https://www.rhshorex.com/big-island-excursions/ I like doing business with people in the same time zone as I am in. I don't use Airbnb or Vrbo, I use local realtors and I engage local tour operators directly. My favorite thing to do in Hilo is visit the Kuhio Grille, Home of the 1 Pound Lau Lau. https://www.kuhiogrille.com/

As I said before, it has been at least 10 years since my last Regent cruise and I laid out why I abandoned them, but it sounds like the line has really deteriorated since my last time and that is sad. Dang near criminal at the prices they charge. I used to hate the idea of the exclusive areas on bigger ships (Haven, Retreat, YC, etc) because it seemed so class-est and elitist and the egalitarian in me rebelled at the thought. That was of course until I actually booked The Retreat... I was like, okay, I put aside some principles for a bit. Never looked back.

Robert's Hawaii is on every island and it is a local company, started on Kauai in 1941. They are the longest lasting, most trusted tour company in the islands. My issue with "tours by locals" is that it is not local at all, but based in Vancouver BC.

YES. EVERYONE. There are only 70 Ubers on the entire island and that is to serve the North, South and East Kauai. If you want to get someplace without a rental car, pre-arrange a driver/shuttle to get to Eleele. And I would REALLY not plan on easily finding an Uber easily at 6PM at Port Allen/Eleele. That is way South/West on Kauai. And I'd also say the drive is closer to 45 minutes, maybe a bit longer. If the ship is overnighting at Nawiliwili, rent a car from Avis. They send a van to the port.

Look at Robert's Circle Tour. https://www.robertshawaii.com/oahu-tours/grand-circle-island-tour/

We tip $10-$20 total, depending on how many bags we check.

I've only sailed in the Yacht Club on MSC, so it isn't a fair comparison to the standard NCL experiences I've had. MSC feels very much like Carnival, except with much better food. I got the drink package once because it was included, but I drink so little, it wasn't an issue. My take on MSC is, it is a MUCH better value than NCL and with much better food. The beer, wine and drinks were all reasonable. Entertainment and activities are a draw. Ships leaving a U.S. port (Miami, Brooklyn, Port C, etc) will be mostly Americans and the food will cater more to American tastes than a cruise originating in Europe would.

I assume the poor weather kept you from enjoying the JW's water park? That would be a shame. The water park is a bonus add-in on a vacation.

Nice place, bad location up on Cortez Hill. Not much close by and lots of walking up and down a big hill to get anyplace.

Bon Voyage.

Start with the InterContinental San Diego on booking sites, then the SpringHill Suites Bayfront, Best Western Bayside, Wyndham San Diego Bayside, Holiday Inn San Diego Bayside and maybe La Pensione. Depending on exact dates, they could all be inside your budget.

KFC (Korean Fried Chicken) is one of the hottest foods in So Cal right now. Outlets are popping up all over the place.