alc13

Interesting, I assumed they used a bigger model. We have the Timeless, and it's okay with a few drawbacks. The cartridges only last for 8-10 uses, as I recall, and get used up faster as the bottle gets emptier. It pours really slowly and you have to repressurize the bottle sometimes to get a full glass. And Coravin advises against using it with plastic corks, which are so common nowadays. (I guess the plastic doesn't heal as well as cork? - although on the other hand I can't imagine such a tiny hole would allow much air to pass, so maybe this isn't a big concern.) Those caveats aside, it does seem like a great solution for open bottles that will be stored for long periods.

Oh, I will be so sad if the cheeseboard isn't good. It's a real pleasure when I'm traveling. Still, I'll have to give it several attempts on our upcoming cruise to be sure it's really declined.

You mean that small Coravin? Seems they could manage that for you if you brought one along. I think the $250 minimum for Coravin is steep, by the way. A $100 wine is a splurge, in my opinion, and worth the extra bit of care in storage.

I wasn't concerned until I got to cheese AND pud!

We had a good experience with Twelve Transfers last year. Heathrow to Southampton.

Very sensible. We have these small paper cards of the sort commonly used in the previous century.

I talked to a Cunard representative today, who told me the language about a vaccination record card was meant for UK passengers. (Does that make sense to those of you in the UK?) It was not meant for US passengers, though, and the CDC card will be fine.

I put a call into Cunard just now, too. I do believe this is just bad wording somehow, but it would be good to get more clarification.

What?!? We haven’t received that email. Bizarre. As you say, the CDC card is all we have. Have you called Cunard?

And safe travels to you, as well!

I know, no boarding times yet, and 24 hours is a narrow window anyway when you're en route to the port! We arrive the day before and will get to Yokohama that afternoon. We'll take the tests that evening or the next morning. We are being more careful than usual to avoid covid risk for the next 2 weeks. It's almost as bad as quarantine.😷

I've used Google maps for this. Shuttles (or cabs) should be available to get you into town and back.

Thanks for finding that notice, clears up some confusion. Note that the exemption is for the K-ETA form, not visas (which are not required for those countries anyway).

Right, we’ll be on the 2nd itinerary after the refit.

We're using a car service to go from Haneda to Yokohama. The price was ~$65 when I booked it a few months ago. I found it on one of the booking sites. In the other direction (Yokohama to Tokyo), we'll take the train.

Definitely good business. Okay with me. Maybe they'll use some of the profits to provide better and cheaper wifi.

This looks like a smart move on the company's part. People might bid more than what they would accept for a fixed price upgrade offer; or they might bid on an upgrade when previously they'd have been happy with their original purchase. So either way, more revenues for the company. Customers will like it because they'll have more chances at upgrades. Popular upgrades may end up going for close to the rebooking fares, though.

Hmm. I’d want to know a stateroom number before bidding.

Akita sounds more interesting that I thought. We might catch the cherry blossoms there, too. Definitely worth wandering there. Thanks for your posts!

Oh, I'm with you on that. The best travel is when you see and experience new things. I started a roll call. Would you mind posting your thoughts about some of the ports you've visited?

I think you're right -

Agreed!

It is! And no, no roll call that I can see. We're planning to be on our own except in Yatsushiro and Akita. If we can't catch a shuttle into town I'm assuming there will be taxis at the port, and we'll call an Uber if not.

Thank you, @maybealexislost! I hadn't seen that information. Are you excited about the cruise? I am. We booked it originally for early 2020. I told Mr ALC that if we have to cancel it I will immediately find another, and he said it's my white whale. He's got a point.

Sounds like the cruise we’ll be on. I can’t answer your question definitively but am very much assuming a shuttle to town will be available. Uber is another option.