#@&%!!! ... TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES ON THE BLOG

I just logged on to our cruise blog and came across a couple of technical difficulties that will hopefully be temporary? I gave it the old school girl try to rectify the problem but of course no avail, what a surprise! It is a computer after all...

The issue is not that you can't access the information but you will have to use your cursor and scroll through the blank area to attain the information so you can see it! After you ID it and can see the written information just double click it and the link will take you there.

For your information, the two areas I found this to be a problem was in the 'Blog Article Archive' ladder. Under each date there should be the title of the blog article. Some have it and others don't. The other issue I found was in the blog article 6/18/12 Princess Cruises' Ports of Call. If you scroll down to the bottom of the article under Ports of Call - Asia, there is a blank area. Scroll your cursor downward and you will come across a number of our Ports Of Call. Again, just find the port and double click to access. One might call this a game blog ... a "Hide and Seek" article?

Sorry for the inconvenience but I'm at wits end to figure out a solution! I am hoping its temporary
and by the time you sign in,  you'll be good to go with the correct view! Or perhaps if I'm lucky, Google and Blogspot will reboot and miraculously fix this issue...ah now you know the unfortunate downfall of having a retiree who tries to be a cheap attempt at being a webmaster who does this for free! Go figure...Thanks for your understanding!

Diana aka "Technically Challenged"

A Must Do....Your Passport Requirement!

With all the security and regulations these days our passport might as well be our Driver’s License. And to the international countries and cruise line it is certainly that and more...it is your key travel identification. I can’t help but to encourage you to DOUBLE CHECK your passport expiration date TODAY and make plans to schedule to apply for a passport if you don’t have one. Or renew your passport, if your passport is not valid with a minimum of six (6) months after the day you are scheduled to arrive home.

Here’s a true story, I had to assist my girlfriend’s college daughter in getting a new passport because her passport did not have the valid 6 month window for her travel period. The waiting period was unrealistic for our needs (long wait) and the last minute ordeal & stress was truly not a way to start off a trip. There are agencies that can expedite your passport process. But, it will COST YOU. So, my suggestion is GET IT NOW and save your dollars for that fabulous shopping excursion in port!

PASSPORTS are REQUIRED FOR CRUISE TRAVEL to all International destinations. Again, Passports must be valid for a minimum of six (6) months after the day you are scheduled to arrive home.

For information about obtaining a passport for the first time, or about renewing a passport visit the U.S. Department of State's Web site. 

Photo provided by Flickr.nathanborror

Two Visiting Countries Need Visas

Alex has informed me that we will need two Visas on this cruise. One for Vietnam and another for China. Below are information that I had taken off of “My Princess” of the Princess.com website.

Additionally, Alex has informed me that the Vietnam Visa will be issued upon arrival in Vietnam for all passengers and a Visa fee will be charged to our shipboard account. However, Alex noted since we will be entering, leaving and re-entering China. It is imperative that we get a double entry visa. This must be done either directly with the Chinese Consulate or with ZVS Visa Service. This cannot be done until we are within the 90 day of our travel.

The process takes about 30 days , so you should start end of January 2013. Please make sure your passport is valid for a minimum of 6 months after the day you are scheduled to arrive home. Since we are so far out, the exact cost and application form is not yet available. 

Currently, if you were leaving in a couple of months, the Chinese consulate charges $140 per person plus any shipping charges. UPS or Federal Express is highly recommended to avoid your passport loss. ZVSVisa Service currently charges $50 per person for this service. 

Those of you that live in the Los Angeles & Orange County area and can get your passport to Alex. She has graciously offered to coordinate a big bundle send out to save on Fed Ex Charges. More details will be following, but keep this in mind as a need to do!

Below are information from Princess Cruise Website:

Vietnam Visa Requirement

A visa will be issued upon arrival in Vietnam for all passengers. Therefore,you are not required to obtain a Vietnam visa in advance of the cruise. A visa fee of $31.00 per person will be charged to your shipboard account. For those participating in an overland package in Vietnam, the visa fee is $45.00 per person and a passport-size photo is required. Please note, for both visa types your passport must contain at least one unused page for entry/exit endorsements. Please note, the prices quoted above are in USD and are subject to change. OnDawn, Sea and Sun Princess voyages operating in Australia, the visa fee will be converted to AUD.

China Visa Requirement 

A double-entry visa is required for all passengers on this voyage. This visa must be obtained in advance of your voyage, cannot be obtained upon arrival and is required regardless of whether you choose to remain onboard or go ashore.

Visa Service Information

Visas may be obtained directly from the consulate of the countries visited. U.S. and Canadian passport holders may also obtain visas from Zierer VisaService (ZVS). Please visit ZVS at www.zvs.com/home.aspx?login=75009 or call 866-788-1100 in the U.S.

Photo provided by Flickr: HelenK