Traveling with the Jones

When traveling between Kansas City, Missouri and Amsterdam earlier this week we got to experience the new United Airlines Polaris business class service on a flight between Chicago and Frankfurt.

Introduced last December, the Polaris service replaced United BusinessFirst service on the carrier’s international flights. Described as a “reinvention of the international premium cabin travel experience,” United Polaris service is designed to offer travelers “elevated comfort and service from lounge to landing for a restful night’s sleep in the air.”

We boarded the flight already impressed with our brief layover visit to the new United Polaris lounge in Chicago O’Hare.

In our seats we found the new custom-made Saks Fifth Avenue luxury bedding. The pillow proved to be soft and comfortable, while the blanket was one that we’d like to have at home.

There are also other upgraded Polaris business class amenities available on request. Mr. Jones liked the cooling gel memory foam pillow while I appreciated the slippers.

The Polaris amenity kit contained upgraded eye shades as well as spa-quality Cowshed products from Soho House & Co. One of the more unique items is the Cowshed “sleepy cow” relaxing pillow mist.

As we settled in, we choose sparkling water as our pre-flight beverage. The water was served in a fun little cup holder with a chocolate on the side. What’s not to love?

After take-off, I was intrigued to try a wine flight. The flight offered six different wines – three whites and three reds. I choose the whites for my flight. Note my slippers at the top of the photo.

The wine flight made things a little crowded once the meal service started; regardless, I think the wine flights are a fun idea.

The food is part of the “reimagined” dining options that United Airlines created in partnership with chefs from The Trotter Project.

I chose the poached cod entree, served with lobster sauce and vegetables.

Mr. Jones had the beef short rib.

There is one more part of the United Polaris service that we’ve yet to experience: the new United Polaris seat. It is now only on United flights with utilizing the new Boeing 777-300ER – also known as the 77W.

The new United Polaris seat features forward-facing, direct-aisle-access seats that recline flat, providing sleeping spaces that are perfect for Mr. Jones in that they expand up to 6 feet 6 inches long. In locations where two seats are next to each other, there’s a powered privacy divider for privacy from other travelers.

United is phasing in planes with the new Polaris seats during the next few years. Currently, the best opportunity to experience the Polaris seats on new Boeing 777-300ER planes in when flying United to Asia out of San Francisco.

Have you experienced the United Polaris business service? 

Interact with us on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram.

Yesterday, we had a layover in Chicago O’Hare Airport on our way to Europe. Since we were flying Business Class on United Airlines, we got to experience the airline’s new Polaris Lounge that’s located near Gate C18.

In December, 2016, United Airlines replaced its BusinessFirst and Global First service with the new United Polaris business class and first class service on all international flights. New United Polaris lounges — exclusively for international travelers flying in business or first class — are part of the Polaris re-branding effort.

While the Polaris lounge at Chicago O’Hare is the first, United says it will open eight additional lounges during the next few years. Other airports slated for Polaris lounges include Houston Intercontinental, Los Angeles International, Newark, San Francisco, Washington-Dulles, Hong Kong, London-Heathrow and Tokyo -Narita.

When we entered the United Polaris Lounge in Chicago we immediately noticed the spacious check-in area, and the lighting fixture with tiny blue pin-lights. The lighting is a nod to the Polaris (or, more commonly known as the North Star) – the point in the nighttime sky that travelers have long used as their guide.  
The United Polaris lounge has numerous work cubicles for business travelers trying to catch up during international travel.

Our flight layover in Chicago was during peak time in the club — between 4:45 to 5:45 pm — as many are waiting for their evening flights to Europe.
While many of the seating areas were full, we finally found two seats at the bar.

There is a wide selection of complimentary beverages in the United Polaris Lounge in Chicago. Rather than being self-serve like many international business class lounges, friendly bartenders and servers take your order in the Polaris lounge.  You can also offer food from a menu, or visit a buffet.

Due to our relatively short visit, we stuck to having a drink.

The lovely champagne glasses continue the Polaris theme. We toasted the start of what we hope will be a great vacation.

We took time to check out the bathrooms — which are unisex and located down a dark “star-lit” hallway. An attendant helps direct you to an open bathroom.

Each bathroom is comfortably over-sized, with plenty of space for resting your carry-on luggage. There is a toilet, sink and a small bench, all helpful for changing clothes and/or refreshing yourself after a long flight.

Each bathroom has a full-length mirror in addition to the well-lit mirror over the sink.

There are also shower facilities, sleeping rooms and conference rooms in the United Polaris Lounge.

So, if you are flying Polaris class on a United flight, there is a strong incentive to connect through Chicago. (In addition to the excellent city view from the window of United Airlines flight on approach into Chicago O’Hare Airport.)

Have you visited the Polaris lounge at Chicago O’Hare Airport?

Interact with us on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram.

We are sailing on Holland America Line’s 14-Day Celtic Explorer cruise on the ms Prinsendam in early June. In addition, we will be spending five days in Amsterdam before boarding the cruise ship. We’ve been working to finalize our packing list for this trip.

What to pack for this British Isles cruise that visits Wales, England and Ireland, plus Belgium and the Netherlands ?

Whenever we are thinking about packing for a cruise or any vacation, we start with four questions. 

1. What might the weather be like? What are average temperature ranges for the time of year?

• June average temperatures and average rain days:
  • Amsterdam, the Netherlands  – High 66°F/Low 52°F Rains 9/30 days
  • Liverpool, England  – High 61°F/Low 50°F Rains 16/30 days
  • Dublin, Ireland – High 62°F/Low 50°F Rains 21/30 days
  • Galway, Ireland  – High 61°F/Low 52°F Rains 7/30 days
  • Antwerp, Belgium  – High 66°F/Low 52°F Rains 16/30 days

2. How easy will it be to do laundry or get out laundry done?

• Laundry will be easy for us while on the Prinsendam:
  • The ship offers laundry and pressing services by the piece, by the bag or unlimited during the cruise which you can book in advance or on the cruise. (Neptune Suite guests and 4-5 Star Mariners receive complimentary laundry service.)
  • The ship also offers self-service laundry (detergent provided, bring softener sheets; get quarters from front desk.) This cruise is port-intensive with only 3 sea days, hence the laundry room will be crowded.
  • There is also a clothes line in the cabins’ bathroom for drying items you hand-wash.
  • Dry cleaning is also available on-board the ship.

3. How many bags can we check on the flight without paying extra, and what is the weight limit?

• In general, if flying in business class between the US and Europe on United or Delta, each passenger may check two bags weighing up to 70 pounds each free of charge. For American Airlines, business class passengers can check up to 3 bags per person, weighing up to 50 pounds each.
• In general, if flying economy between the US and Europe, each passenger may check 1 bag each free of charge, as long as it weighs less than 50 pounds.
• In addition, each passenger flying from the US to Europe can carry-on 1 small roller bag (that fits in the overhead) plus one personal item such as a backpack or briefcase that fits under your seat. NOTE: If you are connecting to a European carrier in Europe, you may have more limited carry-on options.
• Each airline has specific size rules for carry-on bags. For example, United Airlines:
  • Maximum dimensions for a carry-on bag are 9 inches x 14 inches x 22 inches (22 cm x 35 cm x 56 cm), including handles and wheels.
  • Maximum dimensions for your personal item, such as a shoulder bag, backpack, laptop bag or other small item, are 9 inches x 10 inches x 17 inches
• DO CHECK with your air carrier for specifics for your flight.

4. What kind of activities and/or events do we need to dress for?

• We will pack for:
  • day time exploring in port – casual clothes, comfortable shoes and dressed in layers prepared for rain
  • evening dinners – resort wear for most nights, i.e. slacks and a collared shirt for Mr. Jones and slacks/sweaters/casual dresses for myself
  • gala nights – there will be 3 during our cruise. Mr. Jones will wear a sport coat and tie or suit; I will wear cocktail dresses or black pants with a dressy top.
  • exercise – clothing and shoes for workouts in the ship’s gym, and swimwear/cover-up/flip-flops for swimming/hot tubs and sauna/spa use on the ship
  • personal items such as under garments, pajamas, jewelry, medications
  • misc. items for communications, photography and entertainment such as iPhone, tablets, computers and associated charging cords

  Our packing list for this British Isles cruise

  First, the bags we’d take:

  
  1. Two extra-large wheeled duffel bags, one each. Ours are from Patagonia and Eddie Bauer — we’ve traveled with these all over the world. They hold a ton of stuff, are easy to maneuver, and are light but tough. We would check these bags on flights, weighing them with our Digital Luggage Scale to make sure they are not over the 70-pound limit (this would be 50-pounds if we were in coach), either on the way over, or for the return when we invariably have acquired more stuff. To help organize items in these duffels, we use packing cubes, mesh bags, quart-size plastic bags
  

  2. One carry-on size roller-bag. Mr. Jones’ is from Briggs & Riley. Even though we are flying in a few days early before our cruise departure, we don’t want to get caught without a change or two of clothes if are checked bags don’t arrive with us. So we carry one roller-bag with our essentials to cover us for a few days. This bag expands, if we get crazy buying stuff and need to check it on the flight home.

  
  3. Our carry-on backpack and Expandable Briefcase to hold our computers, tablets, phones, charger cords, key travel documents, medicine, and for Mrs. Jones, her make-up in quart-size plastic bag and a small Cross-Body Purse.

  
  4. A lightweight, Stowaway Packable Daypack for carrying camera, water bottle, maps, etc during day trips and shore excursions. (I don’t want to carry a purse most places, but if I do I can stuff my cross-body purse in this daypack.)

For packing, we think about the clothing and shoes we will need by how we will be spending our days. 

• 1. Day-time active wear: clothes to wear each day as we are exploring in ports.
• For June in the British Isles we will follow the adage to “Dress like an onion – in  layers so you can add-on or peel off as the weather of the moment dictates.” We’ll plan for three layers that can mix and match:
  • • A t-shirt or light top (take 7-10)
    • A sweater, sweatshirt, hoodie, a button-down type shirt and/or a vest. (take 5-7 to rotate)

  

  • A waterproof jacket, shell or raincoat with a hood (take 1)
  • A rain hat and umbrella.

  With these toppers we would wear jeans, khakis, or other comfortable, casual pants. Perhaps throw in 1-2 pairs of walking shorts.  (We’d take 4-6 pairs each.)

  2. Evening dinner wear which we would get laundered/pressed as need as rotate during the 14 days:

  • I would take 6-7 dresses and 2 pair of black dress slacks with 3-4 tops. At least three outfits would be suitable for formal nights.
  • For Mr. Jones, we would pack a dark suit and/or sport coat and trouser, 2 dress shirts and ties, 3-4 pair of dress slacks or khakis, 3-4 long-sleeved button-down shirts and 3-4 polo shirts.

  
  3. Other Clothing/Toiletries/Electronics/Misc.:

  • • Exercise wear for workout on the ship
    • My Fitbit, with charger cord and alternate wristbands
    • Underwear, hosiery, sleepwear (the Prinsendam provides robes in each cabin)
    • Belts, jewelry
    • 1 swimming suit each, plus a cover-up and flip-flops or other shoes to wear to the pool/hot tub.
    • Sunglasses
  • • Packets of sunscreen, Insect Repellent Towelettes, and sanitizing hand wipes (by carrying the kind in foil packets, they are lighter and don’t count as liquids in your flight carry-on bag)
    • Foil packets of Shout Wipes to remove stains
    • A Travel Power Strip with USB Charging Ports as the plugs are limited in the cabin, and we need to charge our phones/cameras/tablets/computers overnight. (Be sure to bring a power strip that does not have a built-in surge protector – the ship’s don’t allow those.
    • Two Dual Port Travel Power Adapter that allows you to charge to devices with a single electric outlet
    • Two Collapsible Travel Trays (we each have one to keep items such our keys, jewelry, etc. organized in one place.)
    • Travel size packets of tissue and cloth handkerchiefs for Mr. Jones
    • Each of us packs our laptop computers, mouse, computer power cord, iPad and iPhone and dual charge cord — we tend to keep up on work even when traveling
    • For camera’s we use our iPhone but if you take a camera be sure to include chargers, back-up batteries and photo cards.
    • We used to carry books, puzzle books, DVDs for entertainment on flights, buses and trains. Now, we load our iPads with games, movies/television shows from Apple and Amazon Prime. If you don’t have Amazon Prime, you can Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial we access our favorite guidebooks and other books we’ve bought via our Kindle app. If you have a tablet or smartphone, you can try Kindle Unlimited free for 30 days with this link:Join Amazon Kindle Unlimited 30-Day Free Trial

  

  • We each take two sets of tiny inexpensive, earbud headphones . (We find this item easy to lose or misplace so we keep one with our phone and one spare packed in our carry-on bag.)

  4. Shoes

  I have a hard time limiting my shoes. I would take these:

  • • 2 pair dress shoes
    • 1 pair of dress sandals
    • 1 pair of black flats (wear on plane)
    • 1 pair of tennis shoes suitable for gym /exercise

  

  • 1-2 pair of comfortable daytime shoes such as my Clarks Women’s CloudSteppers
  • 1 pair of flip-flops for pool/spa

  If either of our bags are overweight, this is where I will edit.

  Mr. Jones is a shoe minimalist.

  

  • 1 pair of Clarks Men’s Armada English Oxford for daytime wear
  • 1 pair black slip-on dress shoes – he wears these when flying and for most evenings including formal dinners
  • 1 pair of Teva Men’s Sandals (pool,spa, or rare warm day with shorts)

  What would you pack for a 14-day British Isles cruise in June? 

  Interact with us on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram.