 Its 7:00 AM and you start hearing the movement in the hallway, you look out the window and discover, you are back in your port, the cruise is over.As sad as it is, all cruises must come to an end so here are some tips to make debarkation day easier. On that last day when you are leaving, a lot is happening. The luggage is being removed, passengers are exiting the ship and the crew is preparing for the next group of passengers boarding that day. A lot of people do not realize the ship will debark passengers in the morning by 9 AM and embark a whole new group of passengers for the remainder of the day and push away by 3 or 4 in the afternoon. For you as the passenger, there are steps you need to take to make it smooth. On the morning of your last full day on the ship, you will receive debarkation paperwork including instructions and luggage tags. Also on that last day, they will typically have a debarkation talk, which is recommended for at least one person in your party. Study all the information as ports can be different and cruise lines can vary in their process. Most cruise lines will have the same options for luggage including self assist or can be called express and the porter can remove the luggage for you. Self Assist. With this option, you will carry your luggage off the ship with you as you leave. This allows you to leave the ship really at any time after they have released you and you are typically the first to get off the ship. This can be great if you have a flight to catch or just want to get on the road. But remember, if you choose this option, you will be responsible for getting your luggage all the way to the terminal through immigration with no crew assistance so be aware of your capabilities. Porter Assist. When you just have too much luggage or not in a hurry to debark the ship, this is a great option. The night before, you will place the number of luggage tags on your luggage and place them outside your stateroom during the advised times, usually before 10 PM. Keep a carry-on with items for the next day including your passport. On the morning of debarkation, they will call numbers associated with the tag numbers and when yours is called, you can head to the gangway and to the terminal. Now, do not try and get off the ship before your number as the luggage with your tag number is not ready to pick up.  When you arrive in the terminal, you will be directed to an area with signs displaying the luggage tag numbers. There you will find your luggage and move on to Customs and Immigration. There should be porters there to help with your luggage so have some cash to tip. For Miami, Port Canaveral, and Fort Lauderdale, most of the terminals have facial recognition for passport holders. You will have two lines, one for those using a birth certificate and state-issued ID and one for those using a passport. You will notice, the passport line will be much shorter so another reason to get a passport. Once outside the terminal, signage will direct you to your transportation choice or to the parking garage. I recommend having your transportation arranged ahead of arriving back in port as it will make it less chaotic. Lastly, start planning your next cruise.
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 Cruising, in my opinion, is one of the best vacation options. You board the ship, unpack and visit fantastic destinations all while eating great food and enjoying fun entertainment. Whether you want to destination focused cruise, fun filled party cruise or just pure relaxation, there is something for you.
Cruise can be different than a land vacation as you are boarding a ship to sail on the ocean so there are different things you should know. Check out my list of 8 things you should know.  In January I had the opportunity to sail my first Celebrity Cruise Line cruise on Celebrity Silhouette to Key West and Nassau, Bahamas. Today I review my experience with the good and the bad, not a lot of bad. I do have a review of my stateroom already posted. Celebrity is considered a premium cruise line and it's reflected in the amenities, service and design of the ship. From marble floors, to comfortable seating throughout the ship. An example of something that stuck out to me was at the pool. If you have sailed on Royal or Carnival, you have to check out the towels for the pool but on Celebrity, they are waiting for you on the chairs. And if you need more, there are always plenty at the stand. Lets talk about my favorite parts of Celebrity Silhouette.
 For my first voyage with Celebrity Cruises, I opted for the Prime Verandah Stateroom on the Celebrity Silhouette. Choosing the right stateroom can greatly enhance your cruising experience, and I was eager to see what this selection had in store.
 Recently on a Facebook Cruise Group I read the question, should I use a credit card or cash when making purchases while in port. Its a great question and I am sharing my thoughts in this weeks travel tip.
 On one of my cruises, I visited one of the most beautiful islands I had seen, Curaçao in the Southern Caribbean. If your next port of call is the picturesque island of Curaçao, get ready for a delightful blend of vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and exciting activities. This Caribbean gem has something for every type of traveler, ensuring that your stopover is nothing short of memorable.
 On December 23. the brand new Carnival Jubilee will make her debut in Galveston Texas. Jubilee will be the third in the Excel Class ships and will feature all of the favorites from Mardi Gras and Celebration including the rollercoaster BOLT.
 Tuesday, my last day in Boston was expected to be the best weather of the trip so I was up early. One of the places, of many, I missed was the Public Gardens near Boston Common. So I made a coffee in my room and headed over early.
 On Monday I had planned on taking it easy as the forecast had more rain. After a visit back at Bruegger’s Bagels, I headed across the street to the Old South Meeting House.
 Boston Common with the State Capital in the background Sunday was probably my busiest day but the least amount of walking as I took the Old Town Trolley. This is one of the best ways to get around Downtown Boston as you get a fully narrated tour along with the ability to hop on and off at 14 different stops throughout the day. I started my day with a cup of coffee and a bagel sandwich from Bruegger’s Bagels and it was fantastic. The only thing is, I had to just go back to the hotel to eat as they had no seating for some reason. After that, I went for a walk at Boston Common just a couple blocks from the hotel This is such a beautiful park framed by Tremont St, Boylston, Charles, and Beacon. People were out walking their dogs, running, walking and just enjoying the park. Made me wish I lived near something like this.
 Boston Faneuil Hall Over the past couple of years, I have read some books about the creation of our country including the Revolutionary War and the patriots in Boston. I quickly added Boston to my bucket list and recently crossed it off with a visit to Beantown.
Almost everyone has a bucket list of travel destinations they want to visit and most include places like Paris, Rome, New York and other major cities around the world. Why not at some nature and include some of the beautiful National Parks. Here are six do not miss National Parks in the US and Canada.
In 2024, you if you intend to travel to Europe you will need to apply for a acquire a European Travel Information and Authorization System or ETIAS for short. This will be required of citizens of the United States and Canada to be granted entry.
The allure of European river cruises lies in the seamless blend of history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes. Sailing through iconic waterways such as the Danube, Rhine, Seine, and Douro, these voyages offer an unparalleled opportunity to explore the heart of Europe in an intimate and luxurious setting. As the gentle current carries you through charming villages, ancient castles, and vibrant cities, a European river cruise promises an unforgettable journey of discovery and relaxation.
Princess Cruise Line has a pricing structure different from most cruise lines. They allow you to choose your experience where you can purchase the perks ahead of time at a reduced rate.. In recent years they introduced, Princess Standard, Princess Plus and Princess Premier with varying perks with each pricing category.
This week they made some changes worth noting. Up until now the OceanNow Delivery was free but for Princess Standard will now be $14.99 per person for the entire cruise. In addition, restaurants like Alfredos and Gigis were included but now have a charge. You can move up to the Princess Plus to get these items included now. Below I have broken down the different packages. |