Charleston an expensive cruise port and not welcoming

 I have been to Charleston 3x before this and I noticed that the sidewalks and many of the grand houses are in disrepair.  It’s a walkable port but be very careful on the cobblestones. Lots are broken.

I typically walk on Meeting street to church street as this street has beautiful houses all on historic registry. They have signs re the original owners. Walking on the sea walk offers great views of fort sumpter and the bridge.

Near the ships dock watch for the dolphins.

Don’t waste your money on the horse drawn carriage. It 50 usd per person. Instead take the free dash bus.

Most of the historic houses that have been turned into museums and are over 15 usd to enter and no discount for seniors.

Food and souvenirs are expensive and most made in China. The local sweet grass baskets are over $100, and painted oyster shells are $50. 

For me Charleston has lost its shine. Perhaps that is why they are trying to ban cruise ships.

Hope this helps

Marcia

Why I like Norfolk as a cruise port

 I had never been to Norfolk on a cruise. I really liked it. It’s a very quiet and laid back city.  Almost Everything is free to see. Must dos

- no need for a tour

- get off the ship early as it’s hot in Norfolk

- walk the cannon ball trail. It is easy and flat but in the historic district be prepared for cobblestone and uneven pavement. Lots of historic homes. Go into the Hunter house . It’s free and interesting 

- go to the Chrysler art museum. Again free and 2 floors of great art

- go to the Mcarthur memorial. Free and interesting

Skip the mall… very few stores. 

I did not do the Wisconsin ship nor the harbour cruise. But both were recommended by those who did.

Watch the sail in or out to see all the navy ships

Hope this helps

Marcia

Boston cruise port Is it walkable?

 From Flynn cruise port it’s walkable but long and confusing. Here’s some suggestions 

Take the free SL2 bus when you leave the port building.  It is a 2 minute walk

to the stop. It is free from the ship to south station. Note it is not free on the way back. It’s $2.40 a ride.  

From south station it’s a 15 minute walk to Quincy market  on Altlantic ave or if you want same distance to Boston common going north on congress or Oliver street.

Shopping for souvenirs is everywhere but mostly in the Faneuil hall market. 

Regular stores are on Washington st.

I didn’t like that the water is now blocked by condos and hotels.  Columbus park still has the best views of the harbour.

Mikes pastry on Hanover street still has good but not great Cannolis.  They are $7 each and while still good, the one I had limoncello was not great.

So yes you can and will walk all over Boston, but take the free sl2 bus to save your steps for downtown Boston

Hope this helps

Marcia

I was sad that 

Newport Rhode Island what to do in port

 Newport is a tender port so get off early to avoid a long wait 

There is a free trolley, number 67 that goes from the harbour to the mansions, cliff walk and old town. It begins at 8:40 am and run about 12 hours. It’s every 10 minutes starting at 10 am.

The cliff walk is free, paved and great views of the water and mansions. 

The Newport art museum is small and $10 for seniors. I felt like I gave a donation as it took less than 30 minutes to see everything . The building is beautiful and the exhibitions change frequently 

Newport is extremely busy on weekends so you will knock elbows with lots of people

Shopping is expensive with tee shirts starting at $30 usd, and it’s not a souvenirs stop

The harbour is terrific with multiple sail boats and yachts. Just sit on the ship or on a bench in the harbour parks of which there are many. You will see sailboats racing 

The synagogue is worth a visit as is St Mary’s church where JFK married Jackie 

Lovely port to visit

Hope this helps

Marcia 

Island princess review June 2024

 On an 11 day Canada and colonial New England cruise out of NYC.   Here’s  my review

Overall a nice, but old ship. Very comfortable ship, and so small that it’s easy to get around. Note given its age the layout is very different from all the newer princess ships. There is no international cafe and you cannot print out your statement from a kiosk. Their financial system doesn’t work. If you have a refundable credit it shows it as non refundable. There front desk says they can’t fix it but won’t give you the refund. They say it Will be fixed by there finance department and a check sent. I don’t believe them.

Other things to know

- old ship that is clean but frayed carpets, lawn chairs on balconies needing to be replaced, lots of rust and stains, rusty mirrors in bathroom and toilets that will likely need to be repaired multiple times. It’s been repaired once already.

- Sheets are discoloured and mine had holes

- has the smallest shower I have ever been in

- staff not communicative but gets the work done

- food is tasty but the most limited variety in the buffet of all Princess ships. The air conditioning is poor in the buffet so I was worried and rightly so as I got stomach issues.

Note I have enjoyed the food as compared to the Regal princess, this is really good especially in the dining room. 

- a mix of ages with lots of multi generational families 

- beds on Princess are really comfortable

- cabin stewards very efficient but not particularly talkative 

- if you want to do sea crafts go a half hour early as they limit supplies. Very annoying that they turn passengers away instead of opening up another box of supplies

- tender service slow, so go early

- cruise director disappears after 8 days and all of his team useless except for Robbie

- entertainers ok with the  4 Production shows different, but the cast familiar from other ships. Note the theater is quite small and you can only access it from deck 7. Go about a half hour early for an aisle seat

I would not take this ship again

Hope this helps

Marcia

Is there a way to get an upgraded cabin on a cruise ship?

 I have taken about 40 cruises (stopped counting so am not sure) and have gotten lots of upgraded cabins. Why?  Here's why I think I have gotten upgrades:

1. I typically take a guaranteed cabin in the cabin category I am willing to live with during the cruise. I prefer an ocean view or balcony and am not bothered if either are obstructed. If picking an obstructed cabin number I check on cruisemapper.com to see if they have pictures or videos of the view.  If I take a guaranteed obstructed ocean view I have found that Princess, NCL and HAL have given me a "within cabin category" upgrade. This means I will get a better location on the ship or often an unobstructed ocean view.  I only once got upgraded on HAL to an balcony from an ocean view guaranteed cabin.

2. When I have taken an inside guaranteed cabin I have also gotten a "within category" upgrade but never and ocean view or balcony as I have paid a low price.

3. As I get to higher levels in the loyalty programs of the cruise lines I think they have taken into account my level as recently I have gotten upgraded from ocean view to balcony but I also think this is due to the two other things... the ship being older and the sailings have not been full.  This is key as you will not get an upgrade if the sailing is popular.

4. Cruise lines definitely take into account how much you paid for your cabin. The more you paid the more likely you will get an upgrade as long as the ship isn't full. As I typically use the cruise lines' air, buy an internet package and do the transfers and one or two shore excursions, this also adds up to the total spend.

5. I own the cruise line stock (100 shares), and this gives me onboard credit and I think might be in the mix for the upgrade decision. 

6. I use a travel agent and the cruise lines like to keep them happy. I have not gotten an upgrade when I booked directly with the cruise lines. I wonder why as then they keep all the money?

7.  Don't try asking for one, just have your travel agent tick the box that your open to an upgrade. I have never gotten an upgrade by asking for one.

Hope this helps

Marcia