rmalbers

Thanks, that's what I thought.

I just got off EQ and I agree with, basically, all the comments that people have made that have cruised since Jan 1. I agree that the staffing issues are having the most impact. The bars and MDR are definitely not staffed with as many people as before and that is very, very apparent. One bright side is that the nightly entertainment in the theater seemed to me to be just as good as ever and it's the typical, 'there will be some acts that people like and some they won't' type of thing. As has been shown and talked about many times the dinner buffet is cut back for sure. The new MDR menus are also one of those things that some will like and some will hate. Anyway, on staffing, it's really a question of are they trying to hire and can't or is covid taking out crew, I'm fairly sure it's a little of both. One of our servers disappeared after two days and a couple of others were wearing masks for a day or two then not wearing them. Personally, my next cruise is on VO this summer and I'm not sure when I'll be booking a x cruise again, but it won't be until RCG gets out/mostly out of the financial mess they are in.

I thought that was just that one fjords area, is it in the sort of southern part of Norway. It is a large area but I thought it was an area that contained a lot of national parks or something?

Duh, I was just answering the question, duh.

The small cruise ships, like Viking expedition ships for one.

Had the lobster, a nice small eight bites but I just wanted to put this out there: I'm thinking it had to be a screw up but that butter they put over it had so much salt in it, well, it was just crazy. Before you think that I'm not used to salt I very much am and over salt, mostly everything. It was just crazy how salty that butter was. Anyway, if they are really going to make it that salty be sure and have them pour a bit on your fork or something and try it before you go for the full dump on. (This was in EQ MDR a few days ago.)

I think that covid is a bigger issue for the crew. Just got of EQ and a couple of MDR crew were wearing masks for the first couple of days then they weren't. These were not new crew either so I assume they were coming off covid. The MDR staff was reduced which really caused issues with serving.

The pork was dry, overcooked, and the port knuckle, well, not my favorite cut. The picture does not do it justice, LOL.

On the cruise (10 day) that I just got off of the 7 and 9 shows were: two nights - 'broadway style' shows, one night - Sax. player show, one night - comedy show (best comedy show on a ship I've been one), one night - female music variety show, one night Irish 4 person music, etc. It does vary but that's the type of stuff they have in the theater at night. A house band, that is excellent, whenever, needed.

Not sure if this has been posted before but I thought in the name of 'research' I would try the pork and beans. Summary, I'm not a fan but here is what you get: (actually, it looks better in the picture than it was, LOL)

Someone mentioned it before but I think it has at least some merit: With the downsizing of the dinner buffet they might heave expected an uptick in dinner dining in room and this is one way to reduce the impact. I'm sure there is more to it but I think this might have 'something' to do with it.

If it's still the same as several years ago it's dark blue leather, that is slightly bigger than your sea pass card, that it can hold along with a spot for a credit card. I use it on every trip, it just makes it easier to find the sea pass card in my pocket. I can't say as I've seen them give them out in a few years. I'll find out in a few days if they still do it.

Wow, that's great. I was in the same 'boat' with the 12:30 time and was wondering about how I was going to get there, MDR.

My first thought is that there is some kind of size/passenger numbers thing to it but it looks like the Dawn is just a little smaller. I guess there must be a 'permit' available for purchase that X hasn't paid for and NCL has.

It is really interesting. The big three have a lot of debt to payoff and they got terrible rates to start with, if they have to refinance they are really going to get screwed. I keep wondering about a few things, the new mega ships coming online, the amount of FCC that still has to move thru the system, all the baby boomers in the US with RMD's coming, there are just a lot more people with more disposable income, really all over the world. (I've got two cruises booked.)

I can't help but wonder if this won't spread to all the islands in the Caribbean. I wonder how the mega ships are handling this in GC. This might really be the start of a real change in Caribbean cruising, especially for Carnival.

It's basically all about cabin location on the ship. The other stuff may or may not be important to you.

I think they've changed the process. When I get into my reservation, on the regular website there is a "Uppgrade your stateroom' option below the 'Dining option', etc. If you go there they have the options for moveup. At least that what I am looking at right now for my cruise.

Wow, I never noticed that in AK but after I first saw this, I'm sort of thinking, what if all the cruise port towns start doing this, that would suck. It's one thing if they're just trying to 'extort' X out of some 'permit' money, but it's another if there's no 'permit' available for 'sale'.

You should check out Viking Ocean pricing for that route, they also go 'around' Iceland rather than just to Reyk.

My impression is travel insurance is getting so complicated that you really need a very good TA to handle/understand it for you.

I breezed thru the comments kind of fast and didn't see this mentioned but: I have to think that X really didn't have anything to say about any of the cuts, I'd bet they were given numbers that they had to reduce by RCG and they had to figure out how to do it, within the 'guidelines'. Not that it makes anyone feel any better but I think most of the blame for these changes is misdirected and needs to be placed a little higher up in the RCG org chart.

Yes, including liquor. No corkage fee with wine. You really could get by without a drink package but then again the package isn't not that much. (In the past you could do that with RCCL, I carried on a case of beer years ago on RCCL. Years ago I also carried on a case of beer on the plane to Grand Cayman, land based vacation. At prices there that beer was worth it's weight in gold. )

Bottled yes, just bring a refillable bottle. Everyone has options, but the water on the ship is fine.

Be sure and price out the Viking expedition ships also if you're researching this. I think this is only their second year so they don't get the press but they are really nice ships. They do have a ice 'rating' and aren't a drive by.