Travel talk: How to cruise Alaska, navigate California

Q: We finally have a consensus month for perhaps a last big family vacation (parents mid-60s and two mid 20s-daughters). Unfortunately because of everyone’s job issues, it’s has to be soon – preferably June. I know. That’s already in the high cost season. 1) Do you have any recommendations for cruise-lines and/or specific ships for a family trip to Alaska – seven days that goes a bit inland would be nice. Probably a one way trip would allow us to see the most. 2) Also best way to find a good priced last minute deal – online site or directly through a cruise company? Do you recommend Sherman’s or Vacations2Go online sites? 

A: Just about every cruise line offers Alaska cruises, although most of the seven-night itineraries travel round trip from Vancouver or Seattle. I’m fairly certain, however, that Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Princess and Holland America offer one-way itineraries. Airfare will be pricey for those type trips. There won’t be huge price differences between those lines. I’d consider the age/type of ship as much as the line. Look at Cruise Critic and Cruise Compete for pricing. And compare to the cruise line’s offers. And remember that weather may be cold, especially in early June.  

– Carol Sottili  

Q: We are considering a family trip to San Francisco, maybe Yosemite or Sequoia National Park and Los Angeles. I’m not too concerned about driving a rental car in the first two, but I have no interest in driving in Los Angeles. Can I get down the coast by train or should we fly? Should we stay in downtown Los Angeles and use their limited light rail?  

A: The Coast Starlight, from Oakland to Los Angeles, takes about 12 hours and costs about $51. A flight from SFO to LAX costs about $70 and takes about 75 minutes. But, as you noted, Los Angeles’s light rail system is limited. This city is best seen by car. Even though the traffic is bad, it’s easy to drive there. Maybe fly or take a train to Los Angeles and then rent a car once you get there?  

– C.S.  

Q: So about three weeks ago, I overslept and missed a 6 a.m. flight for a vacation. I found another flight for two days later. The original itinerary consisted of two one way flights. The first, Jetblue, charged me $150 for essentially a “reshelving fee,” while the other flight, Southwest, charged me nothing. Does anyone know which airlines are the best and worst in regards to policies with missed flights, cancellations and getting some of the money back?  

A: Southwest is the only carrier that does not charge a change fee, which is essentially what you did. However, it all depends on who answers the phone. A sympathetic agent might rebook without the charge. But the policy is explained on every reservation, so you don’t have much leverage. You might have better luck at the airport. The agent could possibly place you on the next flight. But you might have to pay a stand-by fee.  

– Andrea Sachs  

Q: I am booking my first international flight in almost a decade, and the landscape has obviously changed much since then. How much time would you recommend between my return flights connecting at Chicago Midway, given the need to go through customs? Also, does TSA Precheck work on the first leg of my departing flight, which would be a domestic layover?  

A: Airlines calculate minimum connect times and factor them into your itinerary. When you return to the country and go through customers, you’ll have to get screened by the TSA again for your next flight.  

– Christopher Elliott  

Q: My wife and I will be traveling from Washington to Frankfurt, Germany, arriving at 6 a.m. on April 28. Our next flight does not depart Frankfurt until 3:10 p.m. Is there anything that we should see in Frankfurt during the layover? Also, do you know a travel agent either there or here who can help us during our layover?  

A: You have enough time to spend a few hours in the city. But make sure you get back early enough to get through security: Frankfurt is a very busy airport. If you want to do an escorted trip, take a look at Viator’s layover tours. Or just take the S-Bahn and do it yourself. I enjoyed the Cathedral and Goethe House.  

– C.S.  

Q: My family of four is going on a Caribbean cruise in mid-April. I think we can fit everything into carry-on bags, but then I guess we buy all of our sunscreen and the four bottles of wine we can bring in Florida before we depart? What do people usually do – just check one bag with liquids and carry on whatever they can? I don’t want to pay to check bags and I’m worried that they will get delayed and our swimsuits wouldn’t make the ship.  

A: If you’re taking a cab from the airport to the cruise ship, you can always get the driver to stop somewhere to buy sunscreen and wine. That may be a better option that checking wine unless you are bringing in boxed stuff or you have packaging specific for protecting bottles.  

– C.S.  

Q: So how bad is street crime in Rome and Pompeii? I’m going with a group that has read us the riot act about the possibility of getting mugged, getting your bags slashed, and as a woman, getting rude comments if not assaulted. Frankly, I’m not looking so forward to this trip anymore (and I’ve traveled elsewhere in Europe and Asia so I’m not a newbie traveler). Truly, it sounds as if I will be spending the entire trip focusing entirely on my person and not looking around, which sounds unbelievably stressful and not so much of a holiday.  

A: It is not that terrible. Just be smart about how you carry your money (wear a crossbody bag under jacket or a traveler’s pouch) and be hyper-aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded tourist venues and on public transportation. You are in a group, so you have comfort in numbers. Ignore the cat calls.  

– A.S.