Scandi, Nordic, Baltic - A trip with a lot of firsts!

[Seat0B]

Things that are challenging me for this trip.

1. Twin 1 is a very early riser. She wakes naturally at about 0500 each day and likes to be in bed by 2030. I, on the other hand, like to go to be at about 2330 or even midnight, and get up at 0830. I know from 40 years in the family that neither of these patterns is likely to change. How will we manage a week of road tripping in Iceland on these quite opposite schedules. I know the pressure of society is that I am the lazy slug and that I should just go to bed earlier and get up earlier, but honestly, it does not work for me. When I do that, I end up feeling like I have permanent jet lag. Twin 2 is much more moderate in her circadian rhythm - she normally goes to bed about 2230 and up at 0730. I will miss her on this trip.
2. Twin 1 and Hubby are definitely Jetstar style travellers. I am not. "Oh look, I got an airfare to Melbourne for only $59! Oh, plus $59 for a bag, $20 for IFE, $20 for a snack and drink, and I didn't want to pay $xx_ for seat selection and it didn't matter to me that I was in Row 39E and hubby was in row 74B." They selected the cruise line - NCL - which seems to be the Jetstar of cruising. We got a very good fare on the cruise itself. Also got the more at sea package - free alcohol package, $50 credit per port for excursion, on free laundry service for the 14 days (no self laundry available) and 300 minutes free internet. Sounds good right.... 300 minutes internet for 14 days = 21 minutes per day. OK I will buy some internet - that will be USD$285 plus 20% gratuity. And both pax in the cabin must take it. I'm not drinking much alcohol at all these days, so maybe I'll just get a coke instead. Oh no, that is on the soda package madam, which you have not purchased. The soda package is USD220 plus 20% gratuity. Guess I will be ordering a lot of rum and coke, hold the coke. Or perhaps I could just get some water. Certainly madam, did you purchase the water package (USD120 plus 20% gratuity). I kid you not. And as for proper coffee - - nope, that's also extra. To be fair, ship's water is free, and so is the Kona coffee, stewed all day, that Americans love so much. And the excursions- they wanted $285 plus 20% gratuity for a walking tour in a port where I have arranged a Guru walk that is tip based. Even if we tip EUR50 that is a substantial saving. I just hate being nickel and dime'd. I can afford it, but it makes me feel like everything I do is a grudge purchase! I'd rather pay in full up front and then just relax and enjoy. Fell like a coffee or two - have them. Drink all the fancy water you want. And wash your own clothes so that they are not destroyed by the industrial clothes dryers. I definitely prefer an all inclusive approach to my travel.
3. I don't know if I am going to like turning up in small towns with 2,000 of my new best friends. This is not how we usually travel.

On the positive side, the cruise itinerary is from my dreams and will take me to places I would otherwise never visit. And I have had plenty of time to think about these challenges so I go into it all with my eyes wide open. I have decided to just chill about it all. To the best of my ability.

 

[Seat0B]

And we are off to the airport. Seat Daughter will be here in a few minutes to drop us off on the way to work. She was laughing about that the other day, remarking how the tables have turned since she was the one being dropped at the airport to travel while we worked. The circle of life, eh.

 

[RooFlyer]

I just hate being nickel and dime'd. I can afford it, but it makes me feel like everything I do is a grudge purchase! I'd rather pay in full up front and then just relax and enjoy. Fell like a coffee or two - have them. Drink all the fancy water you want. And wash your own clothes so that they are not destroyed by the industrial clothes dryers. I definitely prefer an all inclusive approach to my travel.

So do I! OK, so treat this cruise as your first flight on Jetstar. Necessary lesson and you'll then know what to avoid. If the cruise was a good price, then just buy all the packages and pretend it was part of the base fare

To see how it should be done, next take SilverSea to Antarctica. It may cost you a skiing trip to Japan (or two ...) but you'll love it, guaranteed.

 

[Pushka]

And we are off to the airport. Seat Daughter will be here in a few minutes to drop us off on the way to work. She was laughing about that the other day, remarking how the tables have turned since she was the one being dropped at the airport to travel while we worked. The circle of life, eh.

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Are you sure about the soft drink and water on that package? It seems to include everything. They no longer have bottled water but it's spring filtered via a vero machine. We are on NCL in a month, and then again next year.

My sleep patterns are in the middle of yours and Twin. But on holidays I will move more towards yours unless there are specific things to do next day. Don't think I've ever slept past 7,30am though.

More importantly. Safe travels. And enjoy.

https://www.ncl.com/sites/default/files/more-at-sea-beverage-package-flyer-ncl.pdf