Baron Barracuda

Not sure where you are in Iowa but doubt you're looking at a direct flight. Did you check Delta which flies non-stop to Eppley in Omaha from LGA?

In recent years X eliminated several long time 14 day itineraries including Canada from Bayonne and our favorite, the Southern Caribbean from Miami. The longer itineraries were relaxing and always showed firm pricing.

4k escaped prisoners represents only 0.03% of Haiti's population. Now free why would they desire to remain in one of the poorest nations in the world? More likely looking for a boat. Those who stay are now facing Haitian army as well as national police. Kenya has offered 1k police and Haiti's Caribbean neighbors are willing to assist too. Feel much safer in Labadee than some of the other Caribbean ports we've been in, notably Jamaican and Mexican.

Was there back when the boat protests were going on. Everything was peaceful. Small boats with folks looking for publicity holding up signs protesting Haitian politics. Kept off to side, no attempt to get in our way. No animosity towards cruise passengers.

That's 3k prisoners escaping into a population of over 11 million. Not exactly an army.

Been there many times, never felt unsafe. Given that Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world Royal's contribution to the local economy is a golden goose that locals need to protect at all cost. One violent incident and it's all over. Therefore expect locals will work to ensure a safe environment for cruise passengers by adding their own security measures and / or buying protection from local crime bosses.

Read in a news piece a while back that VO is looking to double size of fleet, adding 10 new ships and VR is looking to add 16. Article said the first 4 VO are on order at a cost of around $1.3B. So total cost for all 26 VO & VR is likely $4B - $5B. That's a lot of new debt to add. Makes a $500MM IPO a drop in the bucket.

Visa and Mastercard have no credit risk. Balances are carried on books of issuing banks. Visa collects interchange fee from payment processing. Their earnings are driven by $ volume charged,

So refinancing only 5% of LTD reduces interest expense $60 million thereby increasing EPS $.20 annually. Lots of further upside ahead as they work to de-leverage the balance sheet.

Back on Zenith and Century thanks to chef Roux dining in the MDR was so special we didn't need specialty restaurants.

The Olympic (as well as the other Ocean Liner restaurants on M class) once provided an exquisite fine dining experience which could last three hours.

Same with us on Star Nov/Dec sailing. Viking was very happy to assist. Very well attended by both cc members and ships officers.

DW went ashore in SD with chef at 10am. Returned a couple of hours later. Believe dinner was around 5pm and lasted 4 hours. Only negative is it was held on last night of cruise so she had to rush back later to finish packing.

I personally find this concerning. Recently completed my first post-covid VO cruise where I was extremely relieved to find standards had not slipped from pre-covid days. Can't say the same for most other lines. Reading through CC threads for the various CCL, RCL and NCLH brands I see endless complaints about cutbacks and cost cutting as they seek to satisfy the demands of shareholders (of which I am one). Back in the '90's I was a very happy, satisfied customer of Celebrity when they were privately owned. Ever since their sale to RCL which brought them under public ownership their brand has deteriorated in the interest of maximizing near term earnings. I wish for Viking to avoid a similar fate.

Don't know your embarkation port or where you live but is it possible to return home retrieve US passport and try to join ship at next port?

Government of the Bahamas plans to extend their value added tax (vat) to cruise line private islands effective 3/1/24 according to attached article in The Tribune. No idea of potential impact on Coco Cay but Royal will certainly look to pass tax on to passengers. Private cruise islands set for VAT reform hit | The Tribune (tribune242.com)

Before you book auto train suggest you run the numbers. Friend just took it and said never again due to cost. Flying would have been much cheaper.

Just returned from 33 nights Nov/Dec on a Viking sailing round trip from LA that covered both Hawaii and French Polynesia. Wonderful experience on a smaller (940 passenger) ship. Viking does this itinerary regularly and by Viking standards pricing can be very reasonable. Ignore brochure rates and watch for promo codes.

If she's paying a 100% single supplement are you able to add yourself to reservation as second guest in cabin at no extra cost.? Then since you have another upcoming sailing the fp date on this one should be eligible for 6 months out. After fp you can either have yourself removed or become a no show at embarkation

Had 6am coffee regularly in the living room with a guy from California who booked dv two weeks out as a single for $4k including SS bev pkg. Was very jealous. Thinking back it made sense ship wasn't full. 33 days including Thanksgiving plus competition from two following 17 day Hawaii sailings and another 33 day Polynesia. Hard to find that many cruisers over the holidays.

We were on Nov/Dec with you. Weren't sure what time we be at curb, bags in hand so didn't contact ride share in advance. Reached benches at 9:10, called LYFT and driver picked us up within 15 minutes. Watched airport shuttle pull out while waiting. Later passed it on the highway. A bit of traffic but reached LAX a little after 10am. Cost was around $50. Definitely the way to go.

Last summer we cancelled and rebooked the Grand Hawaii & Polynesia and saved $6k, same sailing, same cabin. The one downside was Viking wouldn't roll our Tripmate policy from one reservation to the other. Replacing policy with another insurer cost me $2k. Still saved money but taught me never to book Tripmate again. Just something to consider when doing price drop calculus.

We actually enjoy late traditional. No need to rush back from shore. Less crowded, better tables available and allows us to see the early show. Then we change, enjoy a couple of cocktails and head off to dinner.

Have been monitoring flights for segment of world cruise in July. EWR to LHR, returning CPH to EWR. Air to Sea is quoting me $1k round trip pp with non-stops both ways. Booking direct with UAL and SAS is over $2.5k. Multiply that for 3 people and it's a big savings.

Royal hasn't built a ship with capacity under 4k since Jewel in '04. No X ship is over 3300. They clearly believe each line serves it's own niche.