Speaking of visas…Important news for cruisers and other travelers…

Ten years ago, we traveled to Kauai to stay for four months. Known as the “garden island,” Kauai is exceptionally lush and green.

When we first began cruising in 2013, the cruise booking company we used provided some, although not all, visa requirements for countries we’d visit along the way. Many countries require visas for cruising foreign visitors whether they get off the ship or not. In many cases, in the past, the cruise line would have local immigration officers board the boat, and we’d receive visas, one by one, in lines formed to accommodate this purpose.

Since the pandemic, a lot has changed, and neither cruise lines nor cruise booking companies are providing information about required visas for any ports of call. It is entirely up to the passenger to figure this out on their own, although some travel agencies, as a unique service to their customers, may explain the visas needed for the cruise to their customers.

To verify if visas are needed (for US citizens) to any country worldwide, click here for the US Department of State.

For citizens of the countries, check with your embassy or Department of State.

Cruise lines typically don’t assist passengers in obtaining visas for the countries on their itinerary. Still, they may provide the name of a travel document company to help get the required visas for various countries in the itinerary. However, these companies are costly, and what might be a $15 fee for an ETA (electronic travel authorization) if a person applies on their own suddenly costs almost $100.

Many cruises with multiple ports of call may require four or five ETAs, resulting in extensive fees when using a travel document service. On occasion, when it’s been challenging and time-consuming to obtain a specific visa, we have had no choice but to use such a company.

When boarding a cruise, your visa documents (ETAs) will be verified, or you won’t be allowed to board the cruise. This disaster could result in lost cruise fares, added air travel costs to return home, and other related expenses.

Here’s why cruise lines operate this way and how you can prepare:

Why Cruise Lines Don’t Handle Visas

  1. Individual Requirements Vary: Visa requirements depend on the passenger’s nationality, the countries visited, and the type of cruise. Handling this complexity for every passenger would be a logistical nightmare.
  2. Legal Responsibility: It’s up to travelers to comply with international travel laws. Cruise lines cannot be held accountable if passengers are denied boarding or entry into a country.
  3. Timing and Process: Visa processing times and procedures vary widely, and some require in-person appointments or specific documentation that cruise lines cannot facilitate.

How Cruise Lines Support You

  • Pre-Departure Communication: Cruise lines previously (before the pandemic) provided detailed information about the required travel documents for each destination. You can try to get this information, but most often, you will be referred to a travel document company. Thus…
  • Partnerships with Visa Services: Some cruise companies work with third-party agencies to assist passengers in obtaining visas, though this comes at an additional cost. Using the recommended company doesn’t ensure discounted prices.
  • Onboard Immigration Support: In rare cases, cruise lines might arrange for visas on arrival in specific ports, but this is usually limited to certain destinations and itineraries.

How to Handle Visa Requirements as a Passenger

  1. Research Early: Check visa requirements for every country on your itinerary as soon as you book your cruise.
  2. Consult Experts: Use services like VisaCentral or your local consulate for detailed advice and processing help.
  3. Allow Extra Time: Start the application process months in advance to account for delays or additional requirements.
  4. Carry Copies: Bring digital and physical copies of your visas and travel documents during the trip.

A Pro Tip for Smooth Sailing

If you’re unsure about visa needs or processes, join online forums or social media groups dedicated to your cruise line or destination. Fellow travelers can provide firsthand insights and tips based on their experiences.

Have you encountered visa challenges while cruising, or are you planning a trip where this might be an issue?

The proper preparedness and handling of the visa process is crucial for a good cruise experience.

Thanks for stopping by!

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, January 8, 2015:\\

A map illustrates how tsunamis wiped out the city of Hilo near the bay. A notice at the Lyman Museum, which we also visited in December, is at the top of this page. For more photos, please click here.

Important news about visiting and flying to the UK!!!…Even if only a layover…Even for cruise ports…

Any angry-looking bull we encountered upon arrival in Kauai from the Big Island ten years ago.

It’s good to keep an eye out for current travel news. A few days ago, I read an article about the UK requiring all travelers to apply for and receive an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for the UK. We have a layover in London on our upcoming trip to South Africa.

Our layover is only five hours, but the ETA is a requirement, even for only a few minutes. Without it, the airline won’t let you board your originating flight, or the cruise line won’t allow you to board, which would be a nightmare.

As a result, we felt we needed to share this information with our readers, many of whom may be traveling through or to the UK in the future. The ETA payment (IS $12.50) and process are required for travel after tomorrow, January 8, 2025. This also applies to any ports of call visited in the UK while on cruises. Airlines and cruise lines do not help provide this information.

What are the new visa requirements for travel to the UK in January 2025?

Starting January 8, 2025, travelers from visa-exempt countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and Mexico, must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before visiting the United Kingdom. Check with your country’s State Department to see if this is required.

Key Details about the UK ETA:

Purpose: The ETA serves as a pre-approval for entry, enhancing border security and streamlining the entry process.

Eligibility: This is required for citizens of visa-exempt countries traveling to the UK for tourism, business, short-term study, or family visits for up to six months. This includes travelers transiting through the UK.

Application Process:

  • When to Apply: Applications are open now for travel on or after January 8, 2025

How to Apply:

  • You can apply online via the UK government’s official website or the UK ETA app. The process involves providing personal and passport information, uploading a photo, and paying the application fee.

    You can apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for the UK online at GOV.UK or through the UK ETA app:

    Link to apply at UK government site: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta or use their app…
    App: Download the UK ETA app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store 

Processing Time:

  • Decisions are typically made within three working days, so it’s advisable to apply well in advance of your travel date

Cost:

  • The ETA application fee is £10 (approximately $12.50).

Validity:

  • An approved ETA is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, and allows multiple entries into the UK during its validity period.

Exemptions:

  • UK and Irish citizens and individuals with a valid UK visa or residence permit are exempt from the ETA requirement.

Please note that possession of an ETA does not guarantee entry into the UK; UK Border Force officers make final entry decisions upon arrival.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, refer to the UK government’s official guidance on the ETA application process.

Wow! It’s a good thing we caught this. When we booked our flights with the London layover a few months ago, this requirement was not mentioned.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, January 7, 2015:

Clouds obscuring a pie slice of last night’s moon from Big Island, Hawaii. For more photos, please click here.

Beware of Cruise Scams on Facebook…How to Avoid Being “Taken for a Ride”…Six days and counting…

An exquisite sunset on the Big Island.

This morning, while preparing for the day, I was listening to a cruise podcast on my phone; the main topic was a couple who purchased a cruise from a person on Facebook who claimed to be a cruise travel agent. They were told to pay using CashApp, an online app that allows the sender and receiver to deal with cash, not credit cards.

The unwary couple sent the entire cruise cost over some time, even receiving a cruise confirmation number and documents. When they arrived at the departure port, they were informed that no such confirmation existed and that they had been scammed and were turned away. Fortunately, they got their luggage back, which they’d turned over to a porter at the pier, and were left to find a way home.

Unfortunately, Facebook, a hub for connecting with friends and discovering new opportunities, has become fertile ground for scammers. Cruise scams have gained traction among the many schemes circulating, preying on the dream of an affordable luxury vacation. These scams are more sophisticated than ever, often disguised as giveaways, contests, or too-good-to-be-true deals. Understanding how these scams work and how to avoid them can save you from losing money, personal data, or both.

The Allure of a “Free Cruise”

One common tactic is the “free cruise” giveaway. These posts often feature enticing images of luxurious ships, serene ocean views, and extravagant amenities, promising a dream vacation at no cost. To claim your prize, you just have to “like,” “share,” or fill out a short survey. It sounds simple, but the goal is far from innocent.

When you click on the link, you’re typically directed to a site requesting personal information like your name, phone number, and email address. Some sites ask for credit card details to cover “processing fees” or taxes. Instead of earning a cruise, victims deal with identity theft or unauthorized charges.

Fake Cruise Line Pages

Another strategy involves creating fake Facebook pages impersonating legitimate cruise lines. These pages often mimic the branding and style of well-known companies, complete with logos, professional-looking images, and engaging posts. Scammers lure users in with promises of last-minute deals or heavily discounted cruises. Clicking on the links leads you to counterfeit booking sites where you may inadvertently provide sensitive information.

Group Scams and Influencer Fraud

Some scammers infiltrate travel-related Facebook groups or create their own, posting as travel agents or influencers. They share “exclusive deals” with group members, asking for deposits or full payments via untraceable methods like wire transfers or apps like Zelle and Cash App. The scammer disappears once the money is sent, leaving victims without their cruise and out of pocket.

Signs of a Cruise Scam

To protect yourself, it’s crucial to recognize red flags:

  1. Too Good to Be True Deals: It likely is if a deal looks unbelievably cheap or claims to be free. Legitimate cruise lines rarely, if ever, give away free trips without significant eligibility criteria.
  2. Urgency and Pressure: Scammers often pressure you to act quickly, claiming limited availability or time-sensitive offers.
  3. Suspicious URLs: Always check the web address of any link. Fake sites often have slight misspellings or extra characters in the domain name.
  4. Unsecured Payment Methods: Requests for payment through wire transfers, gift cards, or untraceable apps are significant warning signs.
  5. Lack of Direct Communication: Legitimate companies provide clear contact information and never hesitate to verify details over the phone.

Steps to Protect Yourself

  1. Verify the Source: If you see a cruise deal on Facebook, visit the cruise line’s official website to confirm its legitimacy.
  2. Avoid Sharing Personal Information: Be wary of surveys or forms asking for sensitive data. Reputable companies don’t ask for personal details through social media links.
  3. Report Suspicious Activity: Use Facebook’s reporting tools to flag scam posts or pages. This helps protect others from falling victim.
  4. Check Reviews: Before booking, research the deal and the seller. Look for reviews and complaints on trusted platforms like the Better Business Bureau.
  5. Use Credit Cards: If you make a purchase, always use a credit card. These offer better fraud protection compared to debit cards or other payment methods.

Why Scams Work

Cruise scams succeed because they exploit human emotions: the thrill of winning, the urgency of an exclusive offer, and the desire for a luxurious experience. Scammers rely on victims acting before thinking, so it’s essential to remain vigilant.

Final Thoughts

While the dream of a perfect cruise vacation is appealing, don’t let it cloud your judgment. You can protect yourself and enjoy genuine travel opportunities by staying informed and skeptical. Remember, the ocean may call, but scams are just noise—don’t let them steer you off course.

Have you encountered a cruise scam or know someone who has? Share your story—it might help others avoid the trap.

We usually book through Costco, the cruise line, or Vacations-to-Go to book cruises, comparing prices and perks before we commit.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, December 8, 2014:

Apparently, these plants withstand saltwater on the Big Island and flourish in their constant moisture. For more photos, please click here.

Part 4…We booked 4 cruises!…Here are prices, itinerary and details…Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate…

The skeleton of a humpback whale at the Whalers Village before it was destroyed by the fires in 2023.

This morning, I prepped the stuffing for tomorrow’s turkey. What a lot of work! Without a fully equipped kitchen, it was incredibly challenging. We have one large tinfoil roasting pan and not a single oven-safe casserole dish. Instead, I placed the stuffing I had prepared in three tinfoil pie pans, lining them with parchment paper and covering them with tin foil.

I’ll bake one pan of dressing each day, leaving the other two pans for the leftovers we’ll have after roasting two whole turkey breasts. Since I don’t eat any of the carby sides, only turkey, veg and salad, Tom will be on his own, eating all the leftover side dishes. He won’t mind a bit.

We’ll have plenty of turkey breast meat to last for several days, and I’ll freeze any leftovers we can eat in the next two weeks. With 17 days until we depart, it will all work out well, and I won’t need to order any more meat during our remaining days. We’ll use whatever we have left in the freezer.

To continue with the information for the four cruises we booked with Royal Caribbean, please see below:

Royal Caribbean_map

royalCaribbean_Logo

24 Night Cruise from Brisbane to Seattle

Royal Caribbean
Voyager of the Seas

24 Night Cruise

Departure Date: Tue, Apr 14, 2026

Embarkation Port: Brisbane

Return Date: Sat, May 09, 2026

Disembarkation Port: Seattle

Non-Refundable Deposit

Date Port Arrive Depart
Tuesday, April 14 Brisbane, Australia 4:30 pm
Wednesday, April 15 At Sea
Thursday, April 16 At Sea
Friday, April 17 At Sea
Saturday, April 18 At Sea
Saturday, April 18 Cross International Dateline (Cruising)
Sunday, April 19 At Sea
Monday, April 20 At Sea
Tuesday, April 21 Papeete, Tahiti 7:00 am 11:59 pm
Wednesday, April 22 Moorea, Society Islands 7:00 am 8:00 pm
Thursday, April 23 At Sea
Friday, April 24 At Sea
Saturday, April 25 At Sea
Sunday, April 26 At Sea
Monday, April 27 At Sea
Tuesday, April 28 Honolulu, Oahu, HI 7:00 am
Wednesday, April 29 Honolulu, Oahu, HI 8:00 pm
Thursday, April 30 At Sea
Friday, May 1 Kona, Hawaii, HI 8:00 am 7:00 pm
Saturday, May 2 Hilo, Hawaii, HI 7:00 am 5:00 pm
Sunday, May 3 At Sea
Monday, May 4 At Sea
Tuesday, May 5 At Sea
Wednesday, May 6 At Sea
Thursday, May 7 At Sea
Friday, May 8 Seattle, WA 6:00 am

Cost for two $6947.66   $495 Digital Costco Shop Card

Tomorrow, we’ll be back with a short post with Thanksgiving wishes.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, November 27, 2014:

Restaurants line the boardwalk at Kaanapali Beach, Maui. For more photos, please click here.

Part 3…We booked 4 cruises!…Here are prices, itinerary and details…Excitement for the future..

Sadly, the formerly beautiful Whaler’s Village in Lahaina is no longer operational after the 2023 fires.

The days are flying by. In only 18 days, we’ll be on our way to Nevada, arriving on December 18. It will be Tom’s birthday only five days later, which we’ll celebrate by heading out to dinner. A few days later, it will be Christmas, which we won’t do much to celebrate. We don’t mind at all.

This will be our 13th Christmas since we left Minnesota in 2012. We don’t put up a tree or decorations since it’s neither practical nor necessary in our unusual lifestyle. The meaning of Christmas is always in our minds, and we have been able to observe the holiday season in our hearts.

Following is the information on the third cruise we booked:

royalCaribbean_Logo
Royal Caribbean_map

12 Night Cruise from Singapore to BNE

Royal Caribbean
Voyager of the Seas

12 Night Cruise

Departure Date: Mon, Dec 01, 2025

Embarkation Port: Singapore

Return Date: Sat, Dec 13, 2025

Disembarkation Port: BNE

Non-Refundable Deposit

Date Port Arrive Depart
Monday, December 1 Singapore 4:30 pm
Tuesday, December 2 At Sea
Wednesday, December 3 At Sea
Thursday, December 4 Benoa, Bali, Indonesia 7:00 am 10:00 pm
Friday, December 5 At Sea
Saturday, December 6 At Sea
Sunday, December 7 Darwin, Australia 9:00 am 5:00 pm
Monday, December 8 At Sea
Tuesday, December 9 At Sea
Wednesday, December 10 Cairns, Australia 8:00 am 5:00 pm
Thursday, December 11 Airlie Beach, Australia 9:00 am 6:30 pm
Friday, December 12 At Sea
Saturday, December 13 Brisbane, Australia 6:30 am

There’s not much on the agenda for today. The workout is going well. Each day, I increase either the time on the treadmill or the elevation. Today, I did 17 minutes on the treadmill with 7 minutes of elevation. Once I get to 20 minutes, I’ll focus more on time and elevation rather than increasing the time.

I’ll miss five days while we travel to Nevada, but once we’re situated in the condo in Lake Las Vegas, the next day, I’ll start up again, hoping to pick up where I left off. If not, it should only take a day or two to return to my previous level. I keep track of each day’s workout stats on my phone’s calendar app, attempting to improve daily.

Thanks for staying with us through this long and less exciting period.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, November 26, 2014:

At the Whalers Village Museum, destroyed in the horrific Lahaina fires, ship masthead rings held the sailors to the mast. For more photos, please click here.

Part 2…We booked 4 cruises!…Here are prices, itinerary and details…Excitement for the future..

A cattle egret at a local golf course. These birds are frequently seen in Hawaii.

The following is information on the second leg of the triple back-to-back cruises on which we’ll embark beginning next October. We are thrilled to be able to do back-to-back cruises, but unfortunately, we couldn’t get the same cabin for all three of these cruises. The fourth cruise we booked is at a later date, which we’ll share in Part 4 in a few days.

We’ll have to change cabins twice, but the crew usually helps with this process. We don’t unpack everything when we cruise; we only unpack those items we know we will wear during the cruises, plus necessary toiletries. We’ve moved to other cabins in past back-to-back cruises, and usually, we can accomplish this in less than an hour, including packing and unpacking.

There were a few options to stay in the same cabin, but none were balcony cabins, and the cost was at least another $2000 per cruise. It wasn’t worth the added expense to us. We are comfortable with what we’ve chosen.

royalCaribbean_Logo

17 Night Cruise from Cape Town to Singapore

Royal Caribbean
Voyager of the Seas

17 Night Cruise

Departure Date: Fri, Nov 14, 2025

Embarkation Port: Cape Town

Return Date: Mon, Dec 01, 2025

Disembarkation Port: Singapore

Non-refundable

Date Port Arrive Depart
Friday, November 14 Cape Town, South Africa 7:00 pm
Saturday, November 15 At Sea
Sunday, November 16 Port Elizabeth, South Africa 7:00 am 8:00 pm
Monday, November 17 At Sea
Tuesday, November 18 At Sea
Wednesday, November 19 At Sea
Thursday, November 20 At Sea
Friday, November 21 Pointe des Galets, Reunion Island 7:00 am 5:00 pm
Saturday, November 22 Port Louis, Mauritius 7:00 am 7:00 pm
Sunday, November 23 At Sea
Monday, November 24 At Sea
Tuesday, November 25 At Sea
Wednesday, November 26 At Sea
Thursday, November 27 At Sea
Friday, November 28 At Sea
Saturday, November 29 At Sea
Sunday, November 30 Singapore 6:00 pm
Monday, December 1 Singapore Disembark

It’s been a busy morning. I worked out first and then started prepping for tonight’s dinner of Keto Tuna Patties, which I made enough to last through Wednesday. Then, on Thursday, like most people in the US, we are having a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, mainly for Tom, since I’ll only eat turkey, veggies, and salad. Tom doesn’t like cranberry sauce or sweet potatoes, but I’ll make the remaining traditional items. More on that later.

We hope those who celebrate have a safe and pleasant Thanksgiving week. In tomorrow’s post, we’ll be back with Part 3 Cruises.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, November 25, 2014:

Sadly, this is no longer there due to horrific fires in Lahaina, Maui, with considerable loss of life and property. For more photos, please click here.

Part 1…We booked 4 cruises!…Here are prices, itinerary and details…Excitement for the future…A weird glitch…

Quaint little coconut shop in Maui.

Yesterday afternoon, after Tom’s considerable research, we booked four cruises at Costco Travel. Over the next four days, we will present one cruise and all its information, including prices, itinerary, and miscellaneous details.

It took us most of the afternoon on the phone with Costco, especially when we ran into a glitch. Since we have a Costco Citibank credit card we use primarily for Costco purchases, we wanted to use the card for the four deposits totaling $3900 since we receive 3% cash back plus more credits on our annual Costco rebate.

When the Costco Travel rep tried to use the card, which we’ve used many times, it kept getting declined. We didn’t want to use another card and miss the perks associated with this card. We didn’t owe a balance and had never had a late payment. While on the phone with the Costco Travel rep and later with Royal Caribbean also on the call, there was nothing they could do to get the charges to go through.

Frustrated, we called Citibank while the two companies were on the line. Citibank insisted something was entered incorrectly when attempting to process the charge. To make a long story short, we used another card after trying to figure this out for over an hour.

Costco assured us once we figured out the issue, they’d reverse the charges on the second card and charge the Citibank card. Tom called Citibank and got nowhere. I went into the bedroom to work on it alone and resolve it once and for all. I asked for a Citibank manager or supervisor. Once someone took the call, I explained the scenario once again.

After checking and checking, precipitated by my relentless persistence, the Citibank rep figured out the problem was due to our billing address’s zip code. The four-digit number at the end of the main zip was on their system as our billing address, but it wasn’t used when Costco or Royal Caribbean tried to enter the charges.

The Citibank rep removed the four digits, after which we called Costco back, and they could process the four transactions. In the next few days, we’ll see the $3900 credit on the second card we used and get the perks we were entitled to. What a hassle!

Only our enthusiasm for booking these four cruises got us through this laborious, time-consuming process. We were anxious to wrap it up before sharing the information in our posts.

Thus, here is the information for our first of the four cruises, all of which we are with Royal Caribbean, Voyager of the Seas:

Itinerary Map

18 Night Cruise from Barcelona to Cape Town

Royal Caribbean

Voyager of the Seas

18 Night Cruise

Departure Date: Mon, Oct 27, 2025
Embarkation Port: Barcelona
Return Date: Fri, Nov 14, 2025
Disembarkation Port: Cape Town
Non-Refundable Deposit
Total Package Price (for two): $3,582.62
Your booking includes a $210 Digital Costco Shop Card Shop Card Tooltip - Opens a dialog
Date Port Arrive Depart
Monday, October 27 Barcelona, Spain 5:00 pm
Tuesday, October 28 At Sea
Wednesday, October 29 Tangier, Morocco 7:00 am 6:00 pm
Thursday, October 30 At Sea
Friday, October 31 Grand Canary Island, Canary Islands 8:00 am 8:00 pm
Saturday, November 1 At Sea
Sunday, November 2 At Sea
Monday, November 3 At Sea
Tuesday, November 4 At Sea
Wednesday, November 5 At Sea
Thursday, November 6 At Sea
Friday, November 7 At Sea
Saturday, November 8 At Sea
Sunday, November 9 At Sea
Monday, November 10 Walvis Bay, Namibia 6:00 am 10:00 pm
Tuesday, November 11 At Sea
Wednesday, November 12 At Sea
Thursday, November 13 Cape Town, South Africa 8:00 am
Friday, November 14 Cape Town, South Africa Disembark

When we arrive in Cape Town on November 14, we will stay aboard the ship for the next leg. We are doing a triple back-to-back. We wouldn’t want to stay in South Africa so close to the holiday season and during the hot summer months in the Southern Hemisphere, and thus, we’ll continue on.

Other than the $210 Costco Shop card, there are no special perks. Tips, at $37 per day for two of us, totaling $666, and drink packages and WiFi services are not included. These costs could easily add another $1500 to our cruise bill.

Tomorrow, we will be back with the next leg of our triple back-to-back, and on the fourth day of posting, we’ll share the details of the 2026 cruise.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, November 24, 2014:

We spotted spam-flavored macadamia nuts on a visit to Lahaina, Maui. For more, please click here.

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Interesting news about 3½ year world cruise, after a 4 month delay…What are the costs for this cruise?…

Villa Vie Residences’ Odyssey ship awaits setting sail while repairs are completed.

For some odd reason, I’m fascinated with the status of the Villa Vie Residences’ Odyssey ship, still in port in Belfast waiting for repairs to be completed to set sail on its 3½ year Villa Vie Residences’ Odyssey world cruise. Here is the article:

Passengers set for world’s first continual cruise after repair delay in Belfast

BELFAST, Sept 30 (Reuters)—Cruise passengers are to set sail from Belfast on Monday on a three-and-a-half-year world voyage after being stranded in the city for months as the ship underwent unexpected repair works. Some plan to make it their forever home.
Passengers of the Villa Vie Residences’ Odyssey, described as the world’s first continual cruise, can either buy their cabins for the entire operational life of the ship or rent them to travel segments of the journey. The ship, which can carry 650 passengers, was originally scheduled to depart from the Northern Irish capital in May but was delayed for repairs due to issues with its rudders and gearbox.
After a series of sea trials, the Odyssey announced on social media on Friday that it had received approval from Britain’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and Public Health and was looking forward to welcoming passengers aboard.
“It has just been dragging on (for a) long time,” said John Frim, from Canada, who, together with his wife Monica, opted for the cruise to mark their 50th wedding anniversary. “(But) we’ve never lost faith in the concept.”
Monica added, “We’re not happy about the delay… but when you think about it over three-and-a-half years, what’s four months?”
The cruise company blamed the guests for the unexpected delay by paying for their accommodation in Belfast and elsewhere in Europe.

VOYAGE TO ALL 7 CONTINENTS

The inaugural voyage will last 1,301 days, visiting all seven continents and stopping at 425 ports from Rio de Janeiro to Singapore. The ship has restaurants, a pool, a spa, a business center, and medical facilities.
Even though passengers have been stuck in Belfast waiting to board, they have tried to enjoy their time in the city.
“I will always have a fond place in my heart for Belfast,” retired American wealth manager Holly Hennessy said. “Meeting so many different kinds of people, living in an urban environment, being careless, and being away from American politics has been wonderful.”
Some passengers hoped to stay on the cruise for the rest of their lives, such as Melody and John Hennessee, who were also from the United States and told the BBC that the ship would now be their home. Others fell in love as they waited for the repair work to be completed. Canadian Gian Perroni and American Angela Harsanyi met at the Belfast hotel, where some passengers stayed, and announced their engagement last week.
“It probably couldn’t get any better than that, right?” Harsanyi told Sky News. “We’re getting married between the Panama Canal and Costa Rica.”
The cost for a 3½-year world cruise on the Villa Vie Odyssey varies depending on whether you rent or buy a cabin:
  • Renting
    Prices start at $89 per person per day for an inside cabin, $119 per person per day for an outside cabin, and $199 per person per day for a balcony cabin. This includes food, biweekly laundry service, weekly housekeeping, and internet service. Shore excursions, spa treatments, and bar services are available at an added charge.
  • Buying
    Prices start at $99,000 for an internal cabin and $249,000 for a balcony. There’s also a monthly fee ranging from $21,000 to $48,000 per year. Buying a cabin guarantees it for 15 years, which is the estimated life of the ship.

Could any of you see yourselves renting or buying one of these cabins? Undoubtedly, many passengers have sold their homes and are using their equity to purchase since leaving one’s home for such an extended period may not be practical. Others may rent their homes to family members or a rental agency. Others may tap their retirement savings or other assets to pay the cost.

And some more wealthy individuals/couples may pay the entire amount in cash or on a credit card (for the points).

I suppose passengers choosing to embark on this type of cruise may not consider it any more outlandish than what we’ve done for the past 12 years. However, they’ve had the advantage of not having to move their luggage any more often than every 3½ years. Interesting, eh?

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, November 9, 2014:½

As we stood at the cliff, the ocean swirled at the shoreline. Although it was difficult to see here, the color was a beautiful aquamarine. For more photos, please click here.

US Government health warnings for cruisers…Are hot tubs at travel venues dangerous?…

Cruising Hot Tube Cruise Ship Passengers Enjoy Hot Tub Travel — Stock Photo, Image
A cruise ship hot tub. Not our photo.

Over the past many months, we’ve been posting “news-type” stories of information that may (or may not) interest some of our readers, especially those who travel, whether seldom or frequently. For those of our readers who don’t travel often, don’t cruise, or travel internationally, much of this information may be dull and unappealing.

For those readers, we apologize for continuing to post stories that may only impact traveling readers. However, as we spend this quiet time in Cleveland without recent photos and stories to tell, we are using these morsels of information to fulfill our goal of preparing a post every day.

As you’ve noticed, we’ve been taking off about one day a week, most recently. This is not due to my lack of interest in writing to you but rather the lack of fodder that can be sufficient for a new post. Most of you have figured this out. Of course, we can’t wait to be on the move again and to be able to share exciting and engaging real-life stories with photos.

Thus, we continue in hopes of holding onto our readers, both new and long-term, for the next 120 days until we can leave Cleveland, Ohio, and recommence our travels to more exciting venues with less focus on my health, medical tests, and procedures.

We thank all of you for staying with us during this lengthy stay in the US. By leaving in early March 2025, we’ll have been in the US for 15 months, which is way too long for world travelers like us.

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In the past 12 years of world travel, we have sailed on 34+ cruises, all of which had hot tubs, except for river cruise ships. We’ve also rented several holiday/vacation homes with hot tubs. In either of those situations, we have not used the hot tubs. The only times we’ve used a hot tub are part of a swimming pool at a private residence we’ve rented.

We have not used hot tubs at community pools, condos, townhouses, apartments, or hotels we’ve rented along the way. Not once.

Here’s a new story we received by email last night from this publication:

Come Cruise With Me

US government issues serious warning for cruise passengers

Veronika Bondarenko

While many turn to cruise ships for a relaxing and luxurious experience, having that many people in an isolated and, except the deck areas, the primarily confined environment creates a heightened risk of disease outbreak.

That is why outbreaks of norovirus, measles, and different types of gastrointestinal illness are more common on cruise ships. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regularly warns about contagions that may be a small and calculated risk for healthy travelers but pose severe dangers for more vulnerable populations.

Related: This cruise line officially has the most unsanitary ships

Certain parts of the cruise ship can also carry higher risks. The latest report from the CDC found approximately a dozen outbreaks of Legionnaire’s Disease tied to private hot tubs aboard ships between November 2022 and June 2024.

Legionnaire disease is a term for a specific type of severe pneumonia that causes severe coughing, high fevers, and risk of lung damage.

Hot tubs offer favorable conditions for growth and transmission.

While not naming specific cruise ship companies, the CDC said that various “sampling results identified private hot tubs on selected cabin balconies as the most likely exposure source” on the outbreaks it studied.

Private hot tubs are those within the cabin or on a suite’s balcony. While viewed as extremely luxurious and a major upgrade of one’s cruising experience, the CDC warns that they may not always be cleaned as thoroughly as public hot tubs in the deck and pool areas, which many fear are disease carriers.

“Hot tubs offer favorable conditions for Legionella growth and transmission when maintained and operated inadequately, regardless of location,” the national health agency writes in the report. “Private hot tubs on cruise ships are not subject to the same maintenance requirements as are public hot tubs in common areas.”

One analysis found six of the ten samples from private balcony hot tubs on a given cruise ship contained Legionella bacteria. On a different cruise ship, 10 of the 12 passengers who fell ill from the Legionella bacteria experienced symptoms so bad they had to be hospitalized.

You need to know this about cruise ship cleanliness and hot tubs…

The study authors who examined the outbreak numbers warned that it is “important” for cruise ship staff to “assess and adapt public hot tub maintenance and operations protocols for use on private outdoor hot tubs.”

A running list from the CDC also identifies cruise ships based on cleanliness examined over the last two years; last month, Carnival was identified as having the most cruise ships at the bottom of its cleanliness rating.

The cruise line’s Elation, Miracle, and Breeze ships scored a respective 89, 88, and 86 points, while anything below 85 is considered non-satisfactory by the agency. That said, the ratings are still relatively high considering that Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ Hanseatic Inspiration ship received the bottom score of 62 — Carnival’s Panorama and Spirit ships also scored a perfect 100.

In response to these scores, Carnival issued a statement saying that it “continually strives [s] for the highest sanitation standards and implements [s] immediate corrective action [from] the outcomes of these inspections.”

We hope this hot tub warning to our travelers, especially those who have used hot tubs on cruise ships, will heed this potentially life saving information.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, November 1, 2014:

Plumeria flowers are often used to make leis. For more photos, please click here.

Rough seas for cruising friends now and for us many times on past cruises…

The Norwegian Epic has an unusual design which contributed to its difficulty in handling the rough seas we encountered in 2013.

Our friends Rita and Gerhard are currently on a 24-night cruise on the Westerdam, Holland America cruise line from Seattle, Washington, stopping in Hawaii and then sailing on to Sydney, Australia. They are experiencing rough seas at this time, which brought to mind questions many potential cruisers have asked us: “What is the likelihood of experiencing rough seas resulting in seasickness and gross discomfort?”

There’s no particular number or percentage of times this may occur on a cruise when weather conditions that produce rough seas are unpredictable. After 34 cruises since 2013, we have experienced no less than five cruises that come to mind, but only one was considered terrifying by many passengers.

We were on the Norwegian Epic during an April 2013 cruise, experiencing rough seas. A major storm system in the Atlantic created turbulent conditions that affected the ship, resulting in a challenging and memorable experience for passengers. Reports from the time mentioned strong winds and large waves, which caused some disruptions to the ship’s itinerary and onboard activities. The crew had to take precautions, and stabilizers were deployed, but even with these measures, the ship’s movement was still noticeable, especially for those unaccustomed to rough seas.

The captain initially announced the waves were 30 feet (9.14 meters). He later admitted they were 50 feet (15.24 meters) with 65 MPH (104.6 km) winds. He hesitated to alarm the passengers further when many were in their cabins, lying in bed, attempting to mitigate seasickness.

Fortunately, neither of us was seasick and never spent daytime hours in our cabin. Instead, we wandered about the ship, hanging on to whatever we could grab to maintain stability. There were a handful of other passengers out and about like us. The three nights were challenging, with the loud creaking of the ceiling in our cabin, the sounds of the ship heaving in the storm, and the sliding glass shower door banging. We tried, unsuccessfully, using towels to reduce the sounds from the shower but nothing worked. We had little sleep those three nights.

Read our post about that event here.

Guests have shared mixed feelings about the experience; some found it thrilling, while others were uncomfortable with the ship’s movement. Events like this can remind us just how powerful the ocean can be and the importance of an experienced crew and a well-prepared ship in handling such conditions.

Encountering rough seas on a cruise ship can be a concern, though modern cruise ships are built to handle challenging conditions and prioritize passenger safety. Here are some risks and what you might experience if the seas get choppy:

  1. Motion Sickness
    This is one of the most common discomforts of rough seas. You’ll feel movement on a cruise ship even with the most sophisticated stabilizers. The combination of large swells and ship movement can be disorienting for those prone to seasickness. Many people prepare by bringing motion sickness medication or using acupressure bands.
  2. Injury from Slips and Falls
    When the ship rolls, losing your balance is likely, especially if you’re walking around. Cruise lines advise passengers to hold onto railings during rough seas, and you may see crew temporarily close areas where movement is more likely to lead to slips or falls.
  3. Delayed or Altered Itinerary
    Captains usually receive early warnings of approaching rough weather, allowing them to change course to avoid the worst of it. However, this sometimes means missing ports of call or rearranging the schedule. While disappointing, these detours prioritize safety.
  4. Potential Seasickness in Cabins
    While midship and lower deck cabins are generally less affected by the ship’s movement, rooms in the front and back may sway more. During rough seas, some passengers find themselves confined to their cabins to reduce symptoms.
  5. Dining and Entertainment Restrictions
    Some onboard dining options or entertainment venues may close temporarily during rough conditions. Buffets and activities that require standing may not be available for safety reasons.
  6. Cabin Movement and Noise
    During rough seas, you may notice creaking sounds from the ship’s structure, which can be unsettling for first-time cruisers. The cabins can sway more than usual, making it feel like sleeping on a rocking hammock.

Fortunately, cruise lines are highly prepared for unexpected weather. Their advanced monitoring systems and experienced crews work to minimize discomfort and prioritize passenger safety. If you ever encounter rough seas, you’ll likely receive updates from the captain and staff to keep you informed.

We hope this information is helpful for you and answers some of your questions.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, October 29, 2014:

A park at the beach on Honoapiilani Highway. For more photos, please click here.