Thanks for responding, guys ^

cosmo74 ... despite our ages, we tend to prefer just 'getting on with it' on the homeward trip. But, several days on, we're still both bloody tired and waking at stupid hours in the 'dawn's early light!! we're still convinced this is the way, rather than breaking the homeward journey, although we did succumb to a night in DUB ex-HNL as we were bouncing around LHR/LGW on the way home!

MrMutton ... we're DUB-addicted on price [allowing us MORE holidays] but it's a PITA to do it from JER. Ahh, of only EI wasn't seasonal!

JamieABZ ... we were staggeringly lucky with the weather. We actually got more of a tan in ANC than we did in PHX, mainly because in PHX you tend to hide from the sun! But ... you wouldn't have wonderful local guides as we had!

Iamnotlost ... Smoking rooms aside, Homewood offers you a decent 'home base' for your holiday, with good kitchen facilities and somewhere comfortable to collapse at the end of the day. See also my SAV TR [in my signature]. They're bloody good value, and give a lot for your money ... they're just not up-market or flashy. We are totally persuaded by the product, having done 3 of them in the last year. Oh, and I ran a Sorento for several years in UK and JER - 9 years, and it never even popped a lightbulb!

Stez ... Yes, but you have restless feet and much more energy than Elders! A fair comment, though ... big Cruise ships are