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Not really. It's more to do with your statement ... 'I see an itinerary that I like for October and wonder if it makes sense to book such a cruise at this time. ' To me, this would usually imply a desire to actually book the thing but, in this case, I don't believe you have any intention of booking this and that you started this thread solely to draw out commentary. Bravo! You've succeeded but that's it for me on this one.

Yes, absolutely. I think the 'proposed booking' is more on the hypothetical side than the realistic one.

I don't think it would be a good idea and, additionally, I think insurance companies would take a dim view of coming to your aid if you start booking things ina and around a region with a war in progress.

Do whatever you like. Big tips, no tips, 0%, 100%, $1, $20... it's no business of mine. It's just the way you rationalize it all that grates.

The whole idea of making a separate trip to NYC and what that may entail as far as time, expense and hassle is what makes me suspicious of these sort of arrangements. If it works for you (and your brother), that's great.

I'm usually a bit suspicious when people talk about 'hopping' across the border to Buffalo (or Burlington, VT), taking a 'cheap' flight to a major US hub then changing airlines and flying from there. In your example, how much extra time and $$ do you think it would take to do what you're suggesting compared to traveling from St. Catherines (for example) to YYZ?

Agree with *Miss G*... Porter is much more likely to get backed up on their flights, especially if the one you're planning on taking out of YOW originated in a US airport.

This pretty much echoes the Princess advertising - Save On Things You're Gonna Do Anyway. If the things are worth $20/day to you, great. Me, I'd run the risk of a bit of nickling and diming.

Yes, but it's more fun to make things confused and difficult for this poster.

Maybe so. I usually go to an airline website to do ky bookings; Air Canada is part of Star Alliance and I wouldn't trust or use the United site to locate and/or book AC flights.

Looks like they do. Bookable at their website.

You can't. You pay the service charges and ask NCL for reimbursement after completion of the cruise.

There is no DSC bill to be paid to individuals.

Have a look at Cathay Pacific and Korean Air out of YYZ.

100% of what??

I think you're likely to have plenty of kids onboard.

I don't know about Oceania and Seaborne but I have never seen Princess or Celebrity advertise fares with gratuities included. Packages don't count.

Funny. Then the discussion will move on to lack of transparency on how cruise lines allocate overall fare payments, how do you know whether the stewards are being fairly paid, etc.... Exactly the same stuff as this and countless other threads go on about.

You haven't answered the bigger question about how these lines (in certain countries) compare to the overall industry practices.

Yeah, I'm fully capable of adding up the numbers too.

Which cruise lines advertise their pricing this way? What percentage of the CLIA member cruise industry do these lines represent?

You'll be in Canada. The local currency is Canadian dollars. If you want to hand the operator USD, go ahead, but don't expect to get any change back.

I've never used Uber so cannot comment on that. I've taken dozens of taxis from the cruise port to the airport and local hotels and have never had a problem. Just ask the driver to take you to the car rental centre at the airport; he'll start the meter and away you go. Should take less than 15 minutes.

This is a Princess site; you're not allowed to fabricate Cunard stories here.

See post #218. Typically, this is the point at which you'd be admonished to 'read the whole thread'. In this case, I think you can be forgiven since there isn't much of consequence to learn by doing that.