Going on a Cruise?

[Ksyrup]

We got home about 1am Sunday morning. Spent Saturday visiting some of my wife's family's old friends around Ft. Lauderdale before flying home that night. Debarkation was OK, but what was really surprising is that we didn't have to go through customs or even show a passport to leave. There were 2 lines - US citizen and I guess non-US/immigrant and we just walked through and all they did was scan our ship card. They provided all of the customs info prior to leaving about when and what you had to declare, but there was nothing. In-laws had more than a 1 liter of alcohol each but weren't asked to declare anything. Is that the norm?

[Swaggs]

We just did one a few weeks ago and the experience was much different than those that we had done in the past. They literally just had each of us (wife and two children) look into a camera and let us through - it took no longer than a minute for the four of us and the other family we were with. We had rationalized that it was because the ports we stopped at were all run and operated by the cruise company (this cruise was only 3 day/3 night over a long weekend), so there was not a lot of opportunity to acquire things other than what was on the ship and on their private resort.

Our previous cruises, we had to wait in line with our bags for at least an hour and go through security again. We went with friends that have also been on multiple cruises and we all just kind of looked at each other when it was over. We had booked a car and were early enough that we could cancel it without getting a charge.

This was in Miami. Other cruises have always been at Port Canaveral and once in San Juan, PR.

[Ksyrup]

Yes, this was Miami as well. Carnival scanned our faces as we left the ship and then scanned our cards which had a picture of our faces as we left the terminal, and that was it. I'm not sure I actually ever saw someone from "customs." No one looked in our bags and even if I had something to declare that was clearly beyond the limits of what we were allowed to bring in duty free, there was no opportunity to do so.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Doing some reading since this made me curious, it looks like you're supposed to fill out a declaration form -- either on paper or electronically at a kiosk -- as part of your return.

Those forms are most of it at this point it seems, although your bags (moreso flights than cruises) may have been x-rayed or otherwise scanned and the presence/suspicion of contraband has already been determined before you start walking off a ship.

The not showing ID, etc and just scanning is probably connected to the fact that many busy ports (including Miami & most of the Florida ones) have gone to biometrics and facial recognition cameras, which are tied to all passports issued in the past several years. With some cruise lines also using similar methods, it's really all happening without you even thinking about it.

[Ksyrup]

From what I read while we were on the ship, you only have to fill out forms if you are above the limit of whatever you are bringing back depending on the applicable exemption for where you are returning from. For us, in the Caribbean and since we did not visit a US territory, it was 1 liter of alcohol per person and $800 (it's $1600 from US Virgin Islands, Guam, Samoa, etc.).

We had bags x-rayed returning to the ship from each port and the alcohol was taken and brought back to us the night before debarkation. However, none of our luggage was inspected, x-rayed, or anything as we left. And we were not asked about what we were bringing back or given forms to fill out, even if we wanted to.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

From what I read while we were on the ship, you only have to fill out forms if you are above the limit of whatever you are bringing back depending on the applicable exemption for where you are returning from. For us, in the Caribbean and since we did not visit a US territory, it was 1 liter of alcohol per person and $800 (it's $1600 from US Virgin Islands, Guam, Samoa, etc.).

We had bags x-rayed returning to the ship from each port and the alcohol was taken and brought back to us the night before debarkation. However, none of our luggage was inspected, x-rayed, or anything as we left. And we were not asked about what we were bringing back or given forms to fill out, even if we wanted to.

I haven't a clue since I don't cruise, but the stuff I read said the forms were required for anything, but if you were under the personal exemption amount (whatever that's properly called) then it basically triggered nothing.

{shrug} who knows.

Odds are it's simply governmental slacking if you really wanna know my expectation.

[Ksyrup]

So... A post-script to our cruise.

On the day we got back to port, we had almost 12 hours to kill so we visited some friends in FTL. While there, we had lunch which included bottled water that had been frozen at some point and then put back in the fridge. My bottle was definitely new but my wife said hers seemed like it might have been opened already and when it warmed up some, she thought it tasted funny so she stopped drinking it. It's possible they filled some bottles to freeze and they got mixed in with brand new bottles, not sure.

A couple hours later before we board the plane, she starts having stomach issues. I don't know how she made it through the flight and a 90 minute drive home, but she did. And she's just barely recovering now, having lost all her cruise weight and then some from constant toilet visits. Her doctor had her do a stool sample and she's got shigella which is all over the news right now and has prompted a CDC warning.

We're not sure if it was from the bottled water or the cruise, but she also started getting sick (like allergy symptoms sick) at the end of last week. Today when she lost taste and smell, she tested positive for Covid. So, it's entirely possible she got both from the cruise.

I tested negative so far, which is really pissing her off. But that's not a great way to end your first cruise, especially when you've got a couple more already scheduled.

[JonInMiddleGA]

okay, having now Googled, that sounds VERY unpleasant

But now I'm curious: the bottled water part of it, etc. Was that at the friends house or dining out? (I'm reading it like the former). Do they have kids in potty training or something? Or do they not wash their hands much?

Cause the reading makes it sound like this stuff is usually contracted in some pretty limited situations. And I don't think FtL is known for unsafe/unsanitary water or anything so it seems more likely unsafe handling rather than bad water outright.

[Ksyrup]

Friends house. They are an older couple (60-70) and a 50-something cousin living with them temporarily because the wife broke her hip. I'm guessing it was from the cruise but she mentioned something about the water tasting funny before she started feeling bad, so she linked the two right then and there.

[Ksyrup]

It could have been from anything on the ship really, but if I had to come up with a specific instance, it would be the hot tub. We spent a total of 3 hours sunbathing and never got in the pool, but after returning from an excursion one day, Michelle and I spent about 30 minutes in the hot tub by ourselves. Shortly after that, I happened upon an article about ways to stay safe on a cruise and one of them was avoiding the hot tub. The hot water allows bacteria to survive and of course, multiple people are in and out of them all day.

So that means I'll be lucky if my wife even packs a bathing suit from now on ...

[Flasch186]

Yeah NEVER use their hot tubs…. Ever


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[sovereignstar v2]

You just have to pee in it. Kills all the bakteeriuh

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[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by sovereignstar v2

You just have to pee in it. Kills all the bakteeriuh

Sent from my CPH2451 using Tapatalk

Don't shake hands with Moises Alou?

SI

[QuikSand]

I really just don't get the appeal. Even more so now that I'm more learned about communicable diseases and the like. But even before, not really.

We got talked into one 7NC several years ago and the high points were fine, the downside felt ever-present, and I think we would have enjoyed five legit days of any of those activities (beach, pool, casino, shows) far, far more than the weak versions of each jammed onto the whatever-of-the-Seas behemoth we were on, and that was a fairly high end cruise.

Just fly to St. Maarten and spend 4 days there, hang on the beach, pay for your meals, and fly home. Just has to be a better experience.

[Lathum]

You either like cruising or you don’t. I love it.

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

I really just don't get the appeal. Even more so now that I'm more learned about communicable diseases and the like. But even before, not really.

We got talked into one 7NC several years ago and the high points were fine, the downside felt ever-present, and I think we would have enjoyed five legit days of any of those activities (beach, pool, casino, shows) far, far more than the weak versions of each jammed onto the whatever-of-the-Seas behemoth we were on, and that was a fairly high end cruise.

Just fly to St. Maarten and spend 4 days there, hang on the beach, pay for your meals, and fly home. Just has to be a better experience.

I'm not a "party boat" sort - that just doesn't interest me. However, I think there are a handful of places where it's the best way to get around. Alaska is definitely one - do the cruise for 7 days (and maybe tack on Denali and surrounding area after - we didn't get a chance to do this).

I could see doing Hawaii that way, going between the islands. Then again, it also cost like $100 to fly between islands and a day or two is too short on, say, Oahu, Maui, or the big island. So I think it's better to spend a few days on as many as you have time for. But if you want to do the sampler platter, I could see that.

Similarly, I've considered there are a few ways to do a sampler of Europe that way. The while river cruise northern Europe thing. Or the Mediterranean, since I've already been to Italy - hit up parts of Spain, France, Italy, and/or Greece - just to sample. That could be fun. I suspect there are parts of Asia like this, too, but I've never looked into it.

Lastly, and, unless I win the lottery, this isn't happening ever or maybe not until I retire - but I'd love to do an "around the world" trip with different modes of transport: boat, train, air. Cruise would be a part of that.

SI

[Lathum]

Just popped up on Twitter.

CDC issues warning over an increase of drug-resistant bacteria | CNN

[flere-imsaho]

Originally Posted by Lathum

You either like cruising or you don’t. I love it.

Yeah, it's never been for me, but I've known enough people who have done it and love it that I can totally understand the appeal.

[Ksyrup]

Originally Posted by Lathum

Just popped up on Twitter.

CDC issues warning over an increase of drug-resistant bacteria | CNN

Right, that's exactly it. My mom saw something about it last week but didn't know the name. My wife got her test results back Sunday and this pops up yesterday.

Great timing!

[PilotMan]

That sounds awful Ksyrup. Sorry to hear that for your wife and family.

The Mrs and I did our first cruises last year, a pair, in March and November and they were really great. Sounds like some terrible, terrible luck.

[Ksyrup]

Originally Posted by Lathum

You either like cruising or you don’t. I love it.

Despite the issues, we really enjoyed the cruise and will be going again.

I'm someone who does a ton of vacation planning and when we go on vacation, we usually go everywhere we can. We do not sit still. However, as we get older - and especially as my wife has started having numerous physical issues (hip and feet mainly) - I can't push her to go all-out anymore. We did that last year and she's still recovering from it (our hiking wasn't the main cause but it made it worse).

But, we still like to see places. Cruising gives you the best of both worlds - visiting multiple places without having to personally do the travel part while also having time to relax and spending just enough time in a place to get to see it without killing yourself (at least in our case).

So, that's what I got out of the experience. And it makes sense that older people enjoy cruising. This summer, we're doing the exact opposite - we're driving from Kentucky to Quebec City and back. I will never do a vacation where I travel somewhere and just sit in one place for a week staring at the beach or the pool. Even last summer on Kauai, we basically hit every inch of that island except the naval base and parts of hikes that are a much younger person's game.

We'll just skip the hot tub next time!

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

This summer, we're doing the exact opposite - we're driving from Kentucky to Quebec City and back. !

That will be a nice drive.

[Ksyrup]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

Similarly, I've considered there are a few ways to do a sampler of Europe that way. The while river cruise northern Europe thing. Or the Mediterranean, since I've already been to Italy - hit up parts of Spain, France, Italy, and/or Greece - just to sample. That could be fun. I suspect there are parts of Asia like this, too, but I've never looked into it.

These are definitely on my list. I'd love to do Norway, Greece (for family reasons), and several years down the road, I want to do a Rhine river cruise in December to visit all the Christmas markets. I think that would be really cool.

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

Despite the issues, we really enjoyed the cruise and will be going again.

I'm someone who does a ton of vacation planning and when we go on vacation, we usually go everywhere we can. We do not sit still. However, as we get older - and especially as my wife has started having numerous physical issues (hip and feet mainly) - I can't push her to go all-out anymore. We did that last year and she's still recovering from it (our hiking wasn't the main cause but it made it worse).

But, we still like to see places. Cruising gives you the best of both worlds - visiting multiple places without having to personally do the travel part while also having time to relax and spending just enough time in a place to get to see it without killing yourself (at least in our case).

So, that's what I got out of the experience. And it makes sense that older people enjoy cruising. This summer, we're doing the exact opposite - we're driving from Kentucky to Quebec City and back. I will never do a vacation where I travel somewhere and just sit in one place for a week staring at the beach or the pool. Even last summer on Kauai, we basically hit every inch of that island except the naval base and parts of hikes that are a much younger person's game.

We'll just skip the hot tub next time!

We've joked about doing the same trips, but, in a lot of ways, you and I really are similar travelers.

SI

[PilotMan]

I think I would kill you guys if we vacationed together.

I like to do one thing a day, if that, and the rest of the time I'd rather just be wandering here or there, stopping for a drink or to just watch the day go by and enjoy good food and company.

[Kodos]

Originally Posted by PilotMan

I think I would kill you guys if we vacationed together.

I like to do one thing a day, if that, and the rest of the time I'd rather just be wandering here or there, stopping for a drink or to just watch the day go by and enjoy good food and company.

I'm like you. I prefer an emphasis on relaxation on my vacations. I don't need to maximize everything.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by Kodos

I'm like you. I prefer an emphasis on relaxation on my vacations. I don't need to maximize everything.

I like a mix which is why cruises are fun. You have days at sea where you drink, eat, gamble, see shows, etc...then you have port days where you do an excursion then wander around a bit.

On the rare occasion we do an all inclusive type deal we are bored a few days in.

[Ksyrup]

I don't really like to relax. Or, my idea of relaxation is different than the norm, I guess. Relaxing for me is listening to music, but I could be doing that in rush hour traffic and be in my own world. Or, playing a computer game. It's definitely not sweating in the sun by a pool. I'll do that every now and then for a short time, but it can't be the main activity of a vacation.

When we go to Canada, it's going to be all about exploring. We're going to do Niagara Falls from the Canada side, explore downtown Toronto and Montreal, hit some of the stuff outside those cities and probably go to a Blue Jays game and the hockey HOF, spend a couple of days in the Mount Tremblant area so I can piss everyone off on a hike up the mountain, then finish in Quebec City for a couple of days. On the way back, we're even going to try to arrange a short family reunion in the Detroit area. Everyone can relax in the car while we drive 2100+ miles in 11 days.

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

I don't really like to relax. Or, my idea of relaxation is different than the norm, I guess. Relaxing for me is listening to music, but I could be doing that in rush hour traffic and be in my own world. Or, playing a computer game. It's definitely not sweating in the sun by a pool. I'll do that every now and then for a short time, but it can't be the main activity of a vacation.

When we go to Canada, it's going to be all about exploring. We're going to do Niagara Falls from the Canada side, explore downtown Toronto and Montreal, hit some of the stuff outside those cities and probably go to a Blue Jays game and the hockey HOF, spend a couple of days in the Mount Tremblant area so I can piss everyone off on a hike up the mountain, then finish in Quebec City for a couple of days. On the way back, we're even going to try to arrange a short family reunion in the Detroit area. Everyone can relax in the car while we drive 2100+ miles in 11 days.

Lol - In the vacation copying vein, we went to Toronto and Niagara back in 2018, if you want to compare notes.

We splurged for 2 expensive hotel views but both were worth it in their own way.

We stayed at the Embassy Suites overlooking the falls. That was an amazing view, from when we checked in, at night, and when we woke up. It's a crowded hotel that's a bit of a zoo if you're not a Hilton Gold member, though (breakfast, etc, can be tough).

We also paid a good chunk for the Toronto Marriott City Centre. But that was awesome, a birthday present to myself that year. It's attached to the Skydome and if you pay the big bucks (it was like $500 a night) for a stadium view room, it's like staying in a skybox. Your room is in CF and has a floor to ceiling window to watch the game from and a smaller window inside it you can open up to hear stadium sounds. There were 7 of us, just sitting in there watching the game. Then, after the game is over, you can watch them clean the stadium (which takes all night) and then the next morning see them prep for the next game. It's a really unique baseball experience.

There are a bunch of crazy rules around it - like odd check-in and check-out times and security to get into the hotel around gametime and limits on visitors and food from the outside (tho we did get 2 pizzas delivered). At the time, you would never give a free upgrade into the stadium view rooms if there was an event going on, but would occasionally do it if the team was on the road, no stadium event, etc - no idea if that's still true. Also, you can't use points (boo). But, yeah, with some planning, it's definitely a once-in-a-lifetime baseball experience if you can stomach the costs.

Other stuff
Niagara Falls - take the boat ride but be ready to be wet and have a plan to deal with it; do the hikes behind the falls, too - totally worth it; we did the boat one afternoon, stayed the night, and then did the walks the next morning before coming back to Toronto. Also, Niagara is kindof a weird town - there's like a number of casinos,
Casa Loma - This was pretty cool for a morning visit. We don't have a lot of castles or palaces in the states - only estates like Mount Vernon or mansions like Newport. This is kindof like that - a big house with cool grounds. Has a decent bit of history and, hey, it's the X-Men mansion from the movies.
Royal Ontario Museum - would like to go back but was there with a barely 3yo kid, so there was a lot of "here, occupy the kid for a while I go look at this exhibit" passing off for 15 minute chunks. Not the best way to enjoy the museum, I suppose, and I don't have a ton of memories because of that.
Hockey Hall of Fame - Feels small and intimate, but definitely a cool place. Don't miss the Cathedral - that's beautiful and we almost missed it, somehow.
CN Tower - I like going up in tall buildings and looking at cities opening up before you so that was cool. There's a section of glass floor you can lay on and my son and his cousins enjoyed that a lot.
Centre Island - Was a fun little day away, if the weather is pleasant. We took the ferry to the island, spent a couple of hours walking around a central park/amusement park island, and then headed back.

SI

[flere-imsaho]

Quebec City is great, one of my favorite cities, but be advised that it's quite hilly.

[sterlingice]

As to the whole "adventure while on vacation". Our lives are just too short and people's stories are good (generally) and, in our lifetimes, we're not going to get to see or do or experience as much as we want. So I want to do the most I have with the time I've got. Plus, our home is (mostly) relaxing. It's not that I don't have work stress or that my son doesn't cause stress. But, generally, home is a relaxing place so I don't often need to go somewhere to feel unstressed.

I swear, during the pandemic, we found out just how restful some people's home lives are. For us - there was (is) absolutely stress, but the majority of it was external. It was still us, in our little castle, up against the world, most of the time - even if sometimes the house felt a bit cramped. I had a number of coworkers who couldn't wait to get back to the office to avoid their family or hang out with coworkers or just do something different and I just don't get that. If home isn't a refuge, something needs to be fixed at home.

Though, yeah, home doesn't have giant palm trees, a beach, and drinks being handed to me whenever I want. Actually, our city does have all of those things but the palm trees are filled with roaches, the beach has brown grey water from oil refineries, and I have to go to the fridge and make the drinks. I mean, when we went to Hawaii, we spent a couple of days just swimming and hanging out in our hotel (or airbnb) - but we also wanted to go see volcanoes and black sand beaches and history and sea turtles, etc. Vacations are awesome and I like some resting - but I also want different things other than just relaxing or my little frantic mind gets bored.

SI

[Swaggs]

Originally Posted by Lathum

I like a mix which is why cruises are fun. You have days at sea where you drink, eat, gamble, see shows, etc...then you have port days where you do an excursion then wander around a bit.

On the rare occasion we do an all inclusive type deal we are bored a few days in.

This is me, too.

I am bored silly when we go to the beach or a resort. I like going swimming at the beach and it is beautiful with pleasing sights and sounds, but I am always amazed when people go sit on the beach from morning until sunset for a week at the beach. When I go to the beach, I have to have day trips sprinkled in and find meals and other entertainment.

Cruises are sort of a sampler of the things that I like, in reasonable sizes. I like spending a day in a foreign country or random city, seeing shows or bands, eating different foods, talking to fellow travelers, etc. A few times, we have stopped at ports that I have later visited or wanted to visit, but for the most part a cruise gives me exposure to a ton of different things that I mostly enjoy in a short period of time (and the things I don't enjoy, I don't have to tolerate for too long).

[Ksyrup]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

Lol - In the vacation copying vein, we went to Toronto and Niagara back in 2018, if you want to compare notes.

We splurged for 2 expensive hotel views but both were worth it in their own way.

We stayed at the Embassy Suites overlooking the falls. That was an amazing view, from when we checked in, at night, and when we woke up. It's a crowded hotel that's a bit of a zoo if you're not a Hilton Gold member, though (breakfast, etc, can be tough).

We also paid a good chunk for the Toronto Marriott City Centre. But that was awesome, a birthday present to myself that year. It's attached to the Skydome and if you pay the big bucks (it was like $500 a night) for a stadium view room, it's like staying in a skybox. Your room is in CF and has a floor to ceiling window to watch the game from and a smaller window inside it you can open up to hear stadium sounds. There were 7 of us, just sitting in there watching the game. Then, after the game is over, you can watch them clean the stadium (which takes all night) and then the next morning see them prep for the next game. It's a really unique baseball experience.

There are a bunch of crazy rules around it - like odd check-in and check-out times and security to get into the hotel around gametime and limits on visitors and food from the outside (tho we did get 2 pizzas delivered). At the time, you would never give a free upgrade into the stadium view rooms if there was an event going on, but would occasionally do it if the team was on the road, no stadium event, etc - no idea if that's still true. Also, you can't use points (boo). But, yeah, with some planning, it's definitely a once-in-a-lifetime baseball experience if you can stomach the costs.

Other stuff
Niagara Falls - take the boat ride but be ready to be wet and have a plan to deal with it; do the hikes behind the falls, too - totally worth it; we did the boat one afternoon, stayed the night, and then did the walks the next morning before coming back to Toronto. Also, Niagara is kindof a weird town - there's like a number of casinos,
Casa Loma - This was pretty cool for a morning visit. We don't have a lot of castles or palaces in the states - only estates like Mount Vernon or mansions like Newport. This is kindof like that - a big house with cool grounds. Has a decent bit of history and, hey, it's the X-Men mansion from the movies.
Royal Ontario Museum - would like to go back but was there with a barely 3yo kid, so there was a lot of "here, occupy the kid for a while I go look at this exhibit" passing off for 15 minute chunks. Not the best way to enjoy the museum, I suppose, and I don't have a ton of memories because of that.
Hockey Hall of Fame - Feels small and intimate, but definitely a cool place. Don't miss the Cathedral - that's beautiful and we almost missed it, somehow.
CN Tower - I like going up in tall buildings and looking at cities opening up before you so that was cool. There's a section of glass floor you can lay on and my son and his cousins enjoyed that a lot.
Centre Island - Was a fun little day away, if the weather is pleasant. We took the ferry to the island, spent a couple of hours walking around a central park/amusement park island, and then headed back.

SI

Thanks. I've got a ton of points and status with IHG so we're staying at the Intercontinental in Toronto and Montreal and few Holiday Inn Express-type places along with way on a mixture of points, discounted rates and room upgrades to make it a more manageable trip. Those are pretty expensive places but not so much when you've got free nights. The one splurge is that we're staying at the Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City. I think that will be pretty cool.

I'm also happy my obsessive planning made me lock in rates last summer because everything has shot up in price in a big way since then.

[PilotMan]

Regarding Niagara KSyrup

I would recommend taking a detour up to Niagara on the Lake after the Falls. For a day or so. Very nice, older, more quiet, lots of wineries in the area. Very nice drive up there too. We did it after a couple days at the Falls.

We stayed in a room overlooking the falls, worth it, 100% worth it. The behind the falls tour was outstanding. Maid of the Mist was a blast. If you want to really experience it, front left of the boat.

I wouldn't waste much time on the US side, since you'll be on the Canadian side.

Too bad Frogman isn't around here anymore, you'll be right in his back yard going to QC.

[Ksyrup]

We did the US side when we did a NE trip in 2021. Even while we were on the boat, we could tell the Canada side looked better than the US side. So, we're going to check it out this summer since we're passing through.

[Lathum]

We lave in about 5 weeks for an Alaskan cruise. Leaving from Seattle we go to Icy Straight Point, Sitka, Juneau, and Victoria. Plus a glacier day. Wife and I have been twice. Bringing the kids for the first time. Going on Royal Caribbean. Really excited. Just arranged to have my dog boarded while we are away. The person who rebranded kennels as pet resorts is a genius. $1700 for 12 days.

[Ksyrup]

Enjoy! I can't wait to go. We are exactly 100 days from our Alaskan cruise, leaving September 8th. Curious what is going to happen with the Skagway stop because there have been rock issues and I think they are limiting the number of ships coming in (or some lines are refusing to dock underneath or near one particular rock that is in danger of falling), so some sailings are replacing Skagway on their itineraries this year.

Before Alaska, though, we're doing our Canada driving trip in 3 weeks.

Next January, a cruise with my parents on Norwegian to the eastern Caribbean.

May 2024, the wife and I are planning a trip to the UK that will likely include a 4-day Celebrity cruise out of Southampton with stops in Netherlands and Belgium. This trip is going to be a test of everything I've learned for getting the most out of points and miles. I'm hoping to pay for the flights and hotels mostly in points and miles.

[PilotMan]

I was just shopping for cruises this morning. One option on the table for our October break. I think we'll pass on Alaska for now. I think I'd rather hang on the beach or in the Caribbean.


I know the Mrs wants to do a Mediterranean cruise, but I think we'll need some more time away than a week to pull that one off the right way.



Your trips sound awesome though. I hope you both have a blast.

[Ksyrup]

We definitely want to do a Mediterranean cruise, but the combination of paying for college for the younger daughter and what we think could be our older daughter's potential engagement/wedding in the next couple of years is keeping me from pulling the trigger because I think I need to plan for a significant cash outlay by 2025 or 26.

And you're right, I'm definitely guessing close to 2 weeks for that type of cruise, even if it's a 7 day, because you want to get there in plenty of time before the cruise just in case of a worst-case scenario of flight delays/cancellations, plus the time needed to get back home.

[Lathum]

Mediterranean is on our radar. Maybe for our 20th. Are you on royal Caribbean for Alaska? We were supposed to do Skagway and it got cancelled and changed to icy straight. We’re bummed because the train is awesome and a must do. That being said we’ve done it twice and our kids and the other family were going with don’t know what they don’t know so excited for icy straight.

[Ksyrup]

No, Celebrity. For a brief time, a number of Celebrity 2023 Alaska sailings lost Skagway off their itineraries (including ours), but they came back a couple of weeks later. So I don't know what we'll get by September. It might be that amongst the cruise lines, they all horse traded different ships getting to go to Skagway and others diverting to other ports.

[Ksyrup]

It's interesting because there are a number of articles out of local Alaska papers about the rock situation, including one I read about them hiring "watch guards" whose entire job is to hike up the hill, sit around all day and watch the one big rock in danger of falling and, I guess, alert authorities if (or when) it falls. But some cruise lines are concerned not just about their ships, but passengers who could get hit by debris before anyone is alerted.

[Lathum]

I think our issue was size of the boat. We’re going on quantum which is gigantic.

[Ksyrup]

Could be. We're on the Solstice, which is only about 2850 passengers, I think. I know RCL has some mammoth ships. Maybe the way they are reconfiguring the dock situation didn't allow for your ship to make that stop. We're on the railway excursion, so I hope it still happens.