easyliving

Hmmm, no argument here … we dress a little more formally on formal nights because it seems appropriate.  Never shorts but that’s just us.  DH wears a black suit on the plane from NYC and loafers, which is what he wears when we have dinner in the City.  And then he has it for the whole trip.  But even NYC has become a lot more relaxed.  No more long dress for me, but a cocktail dress is nice. So, my advice, everyone should wear what they want.  Who cares, really?

I know about Amtrak but thanks for the reminder.  I guess we are "on hold" for a while.  It's fine for now.  I'm back to being reluctant to ever cruise again.  There are many places to travel and ways to do it.  But I will miss our Princess cruises.  This morning at breakfast my husband asked where did I want our first trip to be when we can travel again.  So we have thought about two.  Not going to Albany for Thai food in the mean time (an inside NY joke.) 😀

23 hours ago, npcl said:

You do know that Amtrak is also a relatively closed tube, that you are in longer than on a flight. Unless you are booking a private room that you don't go outside of, similar risk to flying.

L

23 hours ago, npcl said:

You do know that Amtrak is also a relatively closed tube, that you are in longer than on a flight. Unless you are booking a private room that you don't go outside of, similar risk to flying.

23 hours ago, npcl said:

What is amazing is the number of people that are still sending in deposits and payments.

On 5/14/2020 at 9:13 AM, easyliving said:

We have gone around and around on this.  At first, we felt we just have to be patient but now we feel cruising isn't safe any time soon, nor is air travel.  Since we live in NYC, we want to support theatre, restaurants, museums etc. when the City finally opens up.  We are also planning an Amtrak trip across the country and maybe a houseboat rental in Sausilito.  It breaks my heart because cruising has allowed me to see the world and I truly wanted to continue with that.  And I love those mid winter Caribbean cruises.  Right now, we are just taking a breather and planning other ways to travel.

While on this "hiatus", we're trying to suppport our local small restaurants by once a week ordering dinner for pick up  or delivery (we live in probably the last place to open up.). We've done some minor sprucing up at home that we would have done anyway.  This morning I readjusted my thinking and if Princess makes some major changes, we might be back.  The big one would be taking care of the crew.  If that means a more expensive cruise, so be it.  We'll just go less often.  We'll take an Amtrak to the port to avoid flying.  But in the meantime, there are other ways for us to take a little vacation break.

We have gone around and around on this.  At first, we felt we just have to be patient but now we feel cruising isn't safe any time soon, nor is air travel.  Since we live in NYC, we want to support theatre, restaurants, museums etc. when the City finally opens up.  We are also planning an Amtrak trip across the country and maybe a houseboat rental in Sausilito.  It breaks my heart because cruising has allowed me to see the world and I truly wanted to continue with that.  And I love those mid winter Caribbean cruises.  Right now, we are just taking a breather and planning other ways to travel.

What do you mean?

Thanks to everyone but I don't like the idea of the mess so I think I'll just succumb to Starbucks instant .

Thanks.  Problem solved.

Can we bring ground coffee on board and a French press?  Have tried all the special ways to get coffee and am never satisfied.

3 minutes ago, steelers36 said:

They should take them from you anywhere and get stored, but you might find it a pain waiting the next night in the DR for it to get to you.  If leaving elsewhere, at least let them know in which DR your dinner table is located.  I prefer to keep my bottles.  That way I have no issue or delay in them showing up again, plus if I want some in the room, there it is right there for me.

 

Thanks!

Just restaurants or other venues?  

If we bring two bottles of wine on board and want to consume them with dinner do we bring them and leave them with the dining room waiter?  With all our cruises we have never done this previously.  We know we will have to pay corkage fees.

Are ships bypassing Honk Kong?

All good advice - thanks everyone.

Phooey.  After many cruises we still can't come up with a coffee solution.  We are as fussy about our coffee as some are about their wine.  We get the coffee card but still are not crazy about it so think it's the water.  We can use bottled water but can't boil it.  I guess French Press is the best way.  Can we bring coffee grounds on board?  

Trying to find a way to make my own coffee.  Is this immersion wand permitted on board?

Oh please - tipping again?  Do what is customary in the country/city you are in.  Here in NYC standard is 20%.  My budget always includes tips for our cruises.

Sorry for your health issue but didn't you have insurance?

 

DON

Yes always take insurance but if you cancel with a non-refundable deposit you lose the deposit. Won't do it again.

Sail Princess exclusively and love it. Recently lost almost $500 on a non-refundable deposit because I had a massive heart attack right before final payment. Asked for possibly a credit but no go. Completely am to blame but learned there is no advantage to booking early.

took the transportation only tour to Edinburgh. We still talk about what a great time we had. We Spent the time we wanted at the Castle, walked the Royal Mile (lined with small shops) to the castle at the other end, and even had time to pop into the quaint Writer's Museum along the way. We don't care about the lunch so doing it on our own was perfect. Loved it.

We went on this canoe excursion a year ago May. I was a bit anxious (knee replacements etc.), 72 years old and my very fit husband 76 years old. Well, I was worried for nothing. It was absolutely wonderful and the guide terrific. I heartily recommend it.

We're on the Royal next week in the Caribbean. We live in NYC and have to get home ASAP. How do we get assigned a time to walk off? Thanks.

Thanks everyone. It's been more than a year for us so we weren't aware of the better coffee. If it's not what we like, we'll get a coffee card as we've done in the past.

We have a long drive home and wonder how early we can "walk off" the ship if we carry our own luggage?

Absolutely love Princess but not the coffee - sorry. Can we bring our own and a French press? Also this is the first cruise with our granddaughters. They don't drink soda but can we bring something like Snapple on board? And bottled water? Leaving in 7 days and can't wait for the change from the New York weather.