JoeyandDavid

:grin: :grin: :grin: see this is why i love it here...so much first hand knowledge..WITHOUT the attitude.... Thank you Mr. Jbond

I certainly hope so..Joe I do want to thank you for ALL your help. To tell you the truth I am most excited about visiting the olive region..I love olives and olive oil

Dan you are oh so right as to seat assignmentswe leave at 8:40ish pm and we have seats 24 a and b Karen they tell me a taxi is 25e from the airport to our hotel, but they also say .....CONFIRM with driver before getting in! PLUSwe have 90 minutes between flights in LHR Thanks guys... I am feeling a little more comfortable

Hi Welcome to Cruise Crazies!! Hope to see you posting often!

Cruise Travelers Often Don't Know Risks Thursday March 23, 6:29 pm ET By Laura Wides-Munoz, Associated Press Writer Cruise Passengers Unaware of Risks in International Ports of Call MIAMI (AP) -- Cruise ship tourists often can't wait to get down the gangplank to see the stark mountain cliffs and white sandy beaches touted in vacation brochures. But experts warned Thursday that passengers who take onshore excursions like the one that killed 12 people in Chile need to think about protecting themselves. That's because the cruise ship company may not be liable for injuries suffered on non-affiliated tours -- and those tours do not undergo the same vetting process faced by tour groups associated with the cruise ships. Passengers need to be particularly careful when they choose tours that aren't affiliated with the cruise line, said Paul Ruden, senior vice president for the American Society of Travel Agents. That appears to be the case in Chile, according to the cruise line. Ruden acknowledged some people choose local operators that don't coordinate with cruise lines because they may offer cheaper tours. "If you're comfortable being out on your own, that's fine, but you're taking the same risk of being out on your own that you would anywhere," he said. Four others were injured in Wednesday's crash in northern Chile. Local authorities said the group was returning to a Celebrity Cruises ship when the bus swerved to avoid a truck and plummeted 300 feet. Celebrity Cruises President Dan Hanrahan said the cruise line, owned by Miami-based Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., did not work with the tour company. This week has proved a tough one for the cruise industry. On Thursday, a fire broke out aboard a Princess Cruises ship in the Caribbean in which one person died and 11 were injured. Michael Crye, head of the industry group International Council of Cruise Lines, said Princess Cruises could be liable in the fire incident, but those injured in the independent onshore excursion face a different situation. "Before every port visit, there is a briefing provided by the cruise line about the experience and about the things you should avoid and the things you should look forward to," he said. "It is a matter of balance, how far you can go and be responsible." Miami-based maritime attorney Brett Rivkind, who frequently represents passengers with claims against cruise lines, believes the companies could go further. "The passengers rarely have visited these ports. The cruise lines frequently visit these areas, and they have agents who know the different operators," he said. While some risks may be inevitable, travel insurance can minimize many of them, said Jonathan Ansell, president of U.S. Travel Insurance Association. Ansell said about 35 percent of all U.S. cruise passengers buy insurance, up from 12 percent before 9/11. He pegged the cost of insurance from 5 percent to 8 percent of a trip for a comprehensive package that covers risks including trip cancellation, supplemental health insurance and personal property loss. Travel insurance can pay to fly a person to the nearest hospital or fly doctors into a remote area. While insurance can't prevent death, it can help families retrieve the bodies of their loved ones from far flung destinations. "It's not a pleasant thing to think about, but the issue of organizing that and getting through customs is a major issue," Ansell said. http://www.ustravelinsurance.org

well i took no joy in being right on that call...no doubt you will find stronger policies when it comes to smoking in <]cabins.... Im just glad it wasnt more serious.

Hi Welcome to Cruise Crazies!! Hope to see you posting often!

Jbond, We fly American from lax to lhr.. then BA/Iberia from LHR to BCN Out of VCE we fly BA to LGW and American from LGW to home. I had planened on taking 200 euros in cash that should do us until we get on board or to a bank .. we spend 2 nights in barcelona (but the first night we get in the evening)

David and I are both dancing with you!!

I wonder if someone fell asleep with a cigarette burning? My heart goes out the heart attack victums family and friends.. It has not been a good week for the cruise industry has it?

Joe and Skipper thank you both so much ... I get a bit antsy when trying something new for the first time... we use lhr going and lgw coming home. Im sure it will all be fine.. and Joe your explanation made me feel a whole lot better thanks I really do appreciate it. :grin:

Having NEVER flown to europe I had a couple questions Our I flight for our Mediterranean cruise flies out of LAX to LHR and then arrives At BCN at 7:30pm. My first two questions are these: 1) What should we expect once we leave lax in regards to changing plains in London? I.e. security etc. 2) If we arrive at 7:30pm Approximately what time should we expect to have cleared customs and be on our way to the hotel? Does it take hours??? Thanks

mamalady, Welcome to CruiseCrazies....... What a great anniversary present!....I know the excitement.. aint nothing like it.. I am sure the Regal Empress will just wet your appetite for more cruising…please make sure you stop back and give us your thoughts on vacationing that has gotten us all to become the CruiseCrazies we are!

Hi Welcome to Cruise Crazies!! Hope to see you posting often!

Hi Travelbug, I beleive there are some sites like expedia and travelocity that have an email alert feature for airfare, I am not sure if it also can be customized for cruising. Im sure some of the other members will have some ideas

Joe the way I read it it is designed to be a finger print authorization for entry...instead of the ID card its the finger print...The company is now ready to "market it to" both sides of the shipping industry......in other words they have it but just have'nt sold it yet. At least thats what i got out of it

Hi Welcome to Cruise Crazies.... I too want to wish u a speedy recovery.. If in fact you do need an attorney.. you will probobly need one that can work out of the home office city..ie Miami area..(just keep that in mind) I hope it wont come to that

Hi Welcome to Cruise Crazies!! Hope to see you posting often!

Hi Welcome to Cruise Crazies!! Hope to see you posting often!

Hi Welcome to Cruise Crazies!! Hope to see you posting often!

Hi Welcome to Cruise Crazies!! Hope to see you posting often!

Chris excellent review thanks ......fake boulder huh! :grin:

Hi Welcome to Cruise Crazies!! Hope to see you posting soon!

sounds like a fun time Jeff :grin: :grin: :grin: all that for 50usd!