Zacharius

And then there was that fun, awkward in between where SiriusXM wanted a portable device, so they released the Stilleto which was basically a portable satellite radio, not a streaming data-based device. I had one of those bad boys and it felt so damn cool and futuristic. EDIT: Just realizing I also bought it at Radio Shack. Everything about this is so old school looking back with 2022 eyes.

Sure, sure, Coast Guard...

Does the olive oil taste differently in Spanish than it does in English? /s

While it will be a bit of a pain for them to convert it, and there will likely be a little bit of a fee for them, it helps that the USD is actually stronger than the EUR right now!

Another vote for Pompei. Even as a history geek, I was surprised how much I loved it. It's huge, so set aside plenty of time. But it's a phenomenal visit. Capri is...fine.

I'm a beer drinker, but I am also a beer geek, and Royal Caribbean offers pure crap when it comes to beer. So, while that Bud was the only beer I had all week...I can tell you it was quite refreshing (and, in this case, healing). Bud Light, no thanks...Bud Heavy, I'll drink here and there on a hot day.

Also, funny story (I think) from the first time I got a drink package. We got on the ship at about 12pm, if not earlier, and went immediately to the pool (even before I had a drink...which means I broke the law I stated above, and paid the consequences as you'll see). As I was getting in, I slipped and sprained my thumb. So the very first drink I got with my drink package was a can of Budweiser so I could use it as an ice pack. It served double purpose - kept me from having to visit the doctor on the ship, and got the party going.

It's legally required to be the first thing you do upon entry to the ship, so make sure you don't break the law and wait for your first sip.

"Worth" is a very subjective thing. To me, it looks pretty easy, though I have never done it myself. And as someone who is very much not Catholic, I will say that I have absolutely enjoyed visiting the Vatican for the history aspect alone. But, I have only gone during off season when the crowds and heat were fairly low...during the busy summer season might make it less "worth it" to me personally. Purely going off of Google Maps, it looks like about a 15-20 minute walk from port to train station, then an approximately one hour train ride to Rome San Pietro station, then about a 25 minute walk. I would do it, as it seems worth it to me, but it also depends on someone being able bodied and being okay with doing some decently long walks, possibly in heat. So, only you can determine if that's for you or not.

Your best bet is to use a taxi to get in between Pan American Pier and one of two areas - (a) Old San Juan, which is filled with restaurants, bars, history, sites...not so many beaches, and (b) the Condado area of San Juan, which has more resort-type hotels and beaches. Both are close to the pier - no more than 10-15 minutes drive

Yes, there will be taxis at both. I have never actually taken one in St. Maarten, but I have in St. Thomas and they operate on a fixed per person rate - https://www.vinow.com/stthomas/getting_around_stt/taxi_stt/

I mean, the beer world has been in a Milkshake IPA trend for a few years now

I think it will be more than 45 minutes...looks like Google Maps is saying 45 minutes right now, which is the middle of the night. So during the day, in KL traffic, with a bus, it will be slower. I am just not sure if it will be 1.5 hours. Anywho, while I haven't done the private transportation thing at KL, I have in other places from the port, and do recommend it. Definitely do research, maybe try to set something up ahead of time (even if it costs a bit more), but it's worth it. Once you get in to KL, you also have the hop on/hop off busses which are a great way to see a new city in a relatively short amount of time.

It may not take quite 1.5 hours to get from Port Klang to KL, but of course it depends on traffic. Even five hours in Kuala Lumpur isn't much. I would absolutely prioritize your top one or two sites, and a place near them for some good local food, and call anything on top of that a win.

I'm saying this as an adventure traveler, someone who grew up in Africa and frequents various developing (and not-so-developing) countries, and...well...blends in in Jamaica. Falmouth isn't someplace I would just grab a taxi unless you really know what you're doing, and even then, expect to be taken for a ride as an obvious tourist. Find a private charter vehicle instead, not a taxi on the street.

We enjoy a mix - get off, walk around, grab some local food away from the touristy area, some local drinks, and then get back on and still have time on the quieter ship. It's a good mix.

This, 100%. I am a contractor (for the most part) and can set it up so any work I do on vacation is just pretty basic, self-sufficient work. I won't set up any meetings, Zooms, etc. But a lot of my work is reviewing paperwork, schematics, writing reports and approvals, and other things I can do with a simple Internet connection and it has worked fine for me most of the time. I don't have to do it. But I get an hourly rate for my work, and if I can do an hour each day of reviewing schematics, writing approval letters, etc. during a time when I would otherwise just be doing nothing (like when my wife is taking a nap or something)...why not? I love my job, and if I can work 5-10 hours during a vacation and not lose any of the experience (and pay for part of said vacation), I certainly will.

Sorry for the confusion - in my head I was saying "according to Hilton's website, where it's not listed, it's closed" because they would have listed it if it was open.

It is not according to Hilton's website

Sorry about that, it was a rough night

Dude walking around with a Flava Flav clock hanging from his neck, a drink in his hand (one of many, I assume), and kept going up to people asking them if they knew what time it was. He then jumped in the pool fully clothed, still wearing said clock. I laughed.

I connect through LHR T3 and T5 many, many times each year. It's not ideal, but it's not terrible in my opinion. There are tons of airports all over the world that make you go through security on International-to-International or International-to-Domestic flights, including all airports in the US and Canada. A six hour layover definitely gives you plenty of time to spend three hours (or more) in the lounge, so that makes it a bit more "worth it". Another option with six hours is to get out of the airport - use the Heathrow Express to get in to the city for a couple hours, for example, or head to Windsor/Windsor Castle. Just an option...I've done it with that kind of layover, but it does add the immigration component on both ends. Yes, you'll need to re-clear security even if you stay within T5.

I have not been to either of them, sorry. One thing to consider is that if your layover is three hours (not sure if you're saying your layover is three hours, or you would be in the lounge for three hours), the amount of time you would actually have in the lounge is quite a bit shorter. Between needing to transfer gates, re-clear security, and be at your departure gate a certain amount of time ahead of your flight, that three hours can easily become 1.5. These pay lounges tend to be pretty basic, and while I am not in the business of telling other people how to spend their money, I personally think $43pp for 1.5 hours in a very basic lounge after a short flight (from Rome, Athens, Venice, not sure) may not be the best use of money. Just food for thought...and it'll probably be better than the food in the lounge

Not for a cruise, but I had a one week trip where I flew Kansas City - Chicago - London - Dubai - Singapore - Hong Kong - Tokyo - Dallas - Kansas City. I practically live on airplanes doing longhaul flights, but that trip still haunts me 10+ years later.