azevedan

It's a perfectly reasonable question to ask to provide input into decision making.

Oh, but then the opportunity to righteously lecture would be missed.

There are some catamaran excursions, if you like being out on the water and viewing scenery. There are also little towns to walk around, or inland national parks on at least one island. There was a nice cultural and cave excursion on Barbados the final day.

Personally, though, I can't imagine doing the Caribbean if I didn't want to snorkel and go to the beach (where I could use the paddleboards that Windstar provided). To each his/her own, though.

Has anyone walked up to the top? I notice there was a mention of walking down. How long is the walk (miles or klicks)?

<edit> Ok....I found this after I posted

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1453143

WN does not have a no-seat-saving policy.

Huh. I was about to tell you "I think you're incorrect" (as I could swear I've heard the announcement for "no seat saving"), but that's apparently the case

http://forum.elliott.org/threads/southwest-saving-seats.2758/

In any event, you probably don't want to start a flight annoying your future seatmate by sitting in a seat she's saving. OTOH, it's definitely uncool if you do it in a primo position.

Departed SEA this past Thursday (6/30). Zipped through TSA pre-check at 4:30 a.m. at checkpoint 3 (so yes, it was open that early, but apparently that varies). There was already a long line for regular security.

Whoa, horsies....whoa!

I was simply positing a reason people would like to board early in response to why waiting for their boarding time would be an issue for some.

I will politely point out that there's an awful lot of generalization about people's motivations in your replies. (Honestly, why do people always impute the worst possible intentions when they don't know what's going on?) Also, getting a dayroom (and dealing with multiple transport logistics to hotel then to port, especially since a lot of ports are not close to the city of alleged departure (Rome, Athens, etc.)) isn't as breezily simple as you imply, nor is the cost something to discount (yes, I know what an Oceania cruise costs. Some people *may* need to economize as much as possible to take one). Additionally, I'm confused about the comment about the passengers being adults. Certainly...and a lot of them (judging by the clientele) are rather superannuated.

Really, honestly, it's nuts to waste part of a vacation sitting in a terminal, but sometimes that's the best option. Also, *as I said*, I do support staggered boarding times. But, like everything in life, sometimes circumstances call for a little consideration and commiseration rather than blanket condemnation and refusal.

:)

IDo you think I care if I or someone else gets on board 2 hours earlier than me? Why is this an issue for some?

Doesn't matter to me, either, but I can see how it might be a complaint if you arrived straight to embarkation from the airport, tired from flying overnight, and were told to wait while others boarded.

I can understand a methodology for sorting boarding times and agree that makes sense, and that it makes sense to give preferential times to higher fare classes. However, if I'm told I can board at 11 and choose not to come until 2 because I want to explore, I'm not going to have any trouble boarding right away at 2. So, likewise, I think there should be consideration for those told to board at 2 who arrive early and tired. Maybe separate check-in lines, like at airports? Yes, you're not supposed to board now, but here's a clerk or two to process those out of sync. (And I'm not saying anything about their cabins. I'm just talking about getting on the ship, to sit in comfort and a breeze and be able to grab some grub.)

We are now 0 for 2 in our cruise attempts to get to [E]gypt....maybe the third time's the charm?

If you want to be much more likely to actually get to your desired location, take a land trip. Tour groups are still operating (and not cancelling) land-based trips to Egypt.

We went to Egypt on a (very) small group tour in 2012 and had a wonderful time with no issues. We had booked an Eastern Med cruise because of its Egyptian ports. They were pulled before we departed. Even though Azamara gave us the option of no-cost cancellation past final payment, we took the cruise anyway. Enjoyed it, came home, and planned a land trip to Egypt (and Jordan). As a benefit (for us, not the Egyptians), tourism was way down so deals were to be had. (Probably the only time we'll travel with A&K.) We ended up being very glad we had NOT been limited to what we could see during a port stop or two. We spent 2 days in Cairo, visited Abu Simbel, spent 3 days cruising the Nile and touring the fabulous sites of Luxor, Karnak (probably my favorite), Valley of the Kings, and many others.

Only you can judge whether your comfort level and sense of safety would make visiting any given country a desired trip. I will add that I think a small, private tour group represents a much lower profile than a cruise ship with hundreds of passengers and large tour groups. In any event, if you really want to see a place - to have enough time to see it, and to have it be much more likely that the trip won't be cancelled - plan a land trip.

My $0.02

Said it downthread a bit and it bears repeating given the latest "you get what you pay for" posts:

In my observation, some people aren't happy unless the higher category/class cabins get something better/faster/more often in every conceivable situation.

Personally, I think that there are certain amenities that ought to be universal, especially when even the lowest classes of service on lines such as Oceania cost plenty...the unavailability of hot breakfast room service below concierge or penthouse level. Seriously? Even mass market lines give you that perk.

Adding to the issue is that Oceania doesn't make this clear in the wording of the stateroom benefits (unless they've changed it lately).

In my observation, some people aren't happy unless the higher category/class cabins get something better/faster/more often in every conceivable situation. Personally, I think that there are certain amenities that ought to be universal, especially when even the lowest classes of service on lines such as Oceania cost plenty. My personal nitpick is the unavailability of hot breakfast room service below concierge or penthouse level. Seriously? Even mass market lines give you that perk. Adding to the issue is that Oceania doesn't make this clear in the wording of the stateroom benefits (unless they've changed it lately).

On a separate note, it is incorrect to say "it's not a class system; if you pay more, you get more". Umm...that is exactly a class system (not saying it's wrong). Fare paid is simply how they establish the classes. Higher classes are available to anyone for payment, no social references required. :)

Relative to which excursions to do on your own ahead to time vs. when you're on the PG:

3 coconuts hike - do this one with a guide ahead of time. It's a nice hike that gives great views. If you do it with a group, you'll be stuck going at the speed of the slowest person (and some people vastly overestimate their ability), and may not even get up to the saddle.

We also did an evening catamaran ride when staying on the island and had the boat to ourselves.

If you're interest in the Dr. Poole dolphin watch, that likely will only be offered through the ship.

I filed a claim to my Sapphire card for a missed excursion due to a medical issue. The usual documentation was required (including proof of charging the trip to the card; the insurance is handled by a third party). But my and my husband's excursion costs were refunded.

Go up to the summit to look down on the city.

Walk the walls of the city.

Wander around the city.

Interestingly, the woman in that video *was* flying in the day (or, at least, evening) BEFORE the cruise...

http://abcnews.go.com/US/frustrated-traveler-berates-american-airlines-workers-12-hour/story?id=38319404

We cruised with Azamara RT from Venice in September 2014. Stayed at the Hotel Moresco. Quiet part of the city; very nice. We walked everywhere, except when we did a circle of the island on the water taxi (and went to some of the outlying islands). We had scheduled a a land taxi from the airport (the Moresco can be reached via a short walk from the train terminal where a taxi can drop you), but there was a strike that blocked the bridge leading into Venice, so we took a water taxi. It was great fun. We were with others, so the cost got split. Same with the trip from the hotel to the dock (you can even walk that if you're only doing backpacks or light luggage...we didn't feel like dragging our rollies, and, again, we split the cost.)

we did Wind Star this past Dec 26-Jan 2. A few kids, all well-behaved. No screaming babies. Ship was pretty full, but not sold out.

I bought a Ricoh WG20 specifically for the trip. No leakage. Went down with it at least 10 feet. I used it as my regular camera, too. I've also used it since then dogsledding and snorkeling several other places.

True, but that assumes there are flight going (reasonably soon) to where *we* need to be AND that there are seats available. Especially at popular travel times, that latter is questionable.

Yes, of course. And the situation is getting worse with the reduced departures and increased load factors of recent years. I can, however, speak from my own experience from lots and lots of business and vacation travel. The only times I've been stuck somewhere were due to weather. (Of course, on only a couple of situations was the particular *time* I arrived an issue.) Like the main question under discussion here, the decision to accept the risk exposure using only the credit card insurance should be made by weighing the costs and potential losses.

BTW, I do generally fly in the day (or several) before a cruise, though I have risked day-of several times - once when I was returning from a business trip the day before and once when we had family plans the day before. Of course, those two both had flights with mechanical issues. Managed with different flight routing in one case and, in the other case, buying another ticket on another airline late the night before (when there were only 3 seats left) because our original flight had already been alerted to have a long mechanical delay. Both fairly nerve-wracking. Both were conscious decisions, fully knowing the risk and with contingency plans laid out for catching up in the event we lost the gamble.

We've been thinking of adding that Chase Sapphire card, just for the insurance perks, though there might be other perks of interest.

So this is VERY important information to know about.

And it seems rather strange, but if that's what their "terms" are, then that's what they are. (We'll read up a bit more, to check for other perks and/or gotchas, etc.)

Thank you for mentioning it.

I'd have assumed that a mechanical problem grounding/delaying a flight would have been covered, assuming one left "enough time" in the first place, etc.

Presumably, you'd have more options to switch flights with a mechanical delay/cancelled flight, as opposed to bad weather, which could shut down everything.

Just as an advisory - the credit card trip cancellation and interruption insurance (at least, the one on the Chase Sapphire) does NOT cover your loss if it's caused by a flight delay for anything other than weather or an organized strike.

Just wondering what your favorite things to do on Moorea & places to eat as we will be there for 2 days before our 6/1/2016 cruise, plus the 2 cruise days there. I am sure the OP would be interested as well. Thanks.

We spent several days on Moorea before our PG cruise. We stayed at the IC. Lots of nice snorkeling in a loop around the place right from our bungalow. We also arranged two excursions through the hotel - a sunset catamaran cruise (we were the only passengers on the boat). We also did the “3 Coconuts” hike (with a guide). We were the only people on that excursion, too. It left from the Belvedere, so we got those views, along with great ones from the top of the saddle where we found ourselves after several muddy, slippery miles. The guide also pointed out plants of interest. I am so glad we did this hike by ourselves rather than with a group through the PG. Never hike in a group. Too many people slow you down, degrade the experience, and there's always at least a few who have vastly over-estimated their hiking abilities. My $0.02.

On the cruise days, we did we did 2 ship’s tours. The first was a catamaran ride with snorkeling (mainly, it was a cat ride, which was lovely). Only 8 people on the trip. The 2nd day, we did the dolphin watching with Dr. Michael Poole – a great trip to take. Some rain this day, but nothing that stopped anything from happening.

So if the excursions on the Paul Gauguin web site say experienced or in great condition or very experienced snorkelers only and/or potential of strong ocean currents then that should be taken as extreme caution on any of their excursions they offer? Again the reason we ask is that we had an experience in the ocean close to Isla Contoy (cloase to Isla Mujeres) that both of us got caught in a current and could not get out and she ended up getting burned by fire coral in quite a few places. The boat captain had to dive in and pull us out. Yes we both wore lifejackets.

Yes, I would take it as caution.

Inside the lagoons is usually pretty calm, as long as you're not near a break in the reef where the currents come through. I don't wear a vest because I have a built-in Mae West, and I prefer snorkeling without one (it's easier to swim, and dive). The DH always wears one. Some outfits will require it; the private ones are usually ok if you choose not to wear one. When we snorkeled over the manta rays, we did have to wear the supplied vests because they don't want people diving down and disturbing the (manta) rays.

Pictures:

Pure Snorkeling was indeed a great outfit. Rannui, not so much.

For the most part, we did privately-arranged snorkel (or combo snorkel/sightseeing) trips. Most had multiple stops for snorkeling. Some spots were calm; several stops definitely had strong currents. Be sure to ask (they usually tell you). My husband isn't a strong swimmer, so there were several spots he (and several others) stayed in the boat.

The drift snorkel at Taha'a has a very strong current in places (especially getting out from the shore). Also, it's very shallow over the coral in places - be sure you're comfortable staying completely horizontal in the water.

The snorkeling in FP is incredible!

I'm sorry you didn't get a great display, but please do not make others think that a great display is not possible. We have seen incredible reds, greens and golds. Even a typical 'good' display is a lovely cream and green color that, yes, does darken the green in photos but is still spectacular in person.

We did 3 nights in Moorea followed by a 7 day PG cruise. Each of us had a small rollie suitcase and a small personal backpack. We even took our snorkels and shory fins. We did not use the laundry package. We spent the days in our bathing suits (I took 3) and/or microfiber t-shirts and shorts, which all rinse and dry easily. Linen mix-and-match separates for the evenings.