schmoopie17

Is your real-life name Tom?

TAs are typically the least populated cruises...due to the length, as well as most TAs are "off season" it's primarily retirees or people with lots of time to kill. Very few, if any, kids. Our TA last November was probably 60% full and I recall seeing one toddler.

We have found the best steak on NCL to be in LeBistro (the French place. The filet, without exception, was better than anything else we had in any venue. And, after all, Filet Mignon is French, so it makes sense). We have LeBistro booked for our cruise next month. Now I have to see if I can get the filet without the nasty fois gras liver thing sitting on top (and also avoid the upcharge).

We've always seen these types of charges. On our first NCL cruise I went into our onboard account and nearly pooped my pants when I saw them. (Figuratively, not literally). I'm old, but not that old. Apparently they're CC preauth charges (aka "fake" charges that are sent to your credit card to make sure "real" charges will go through.) Goofy, I know...but they never end up sticking and always fall off before we disembark.

Escape also has one of the more entertaining Captains and Cruise Directors we have seen.

I don't think they're abandoning New York. April 2025 shows both the Pearl and the Prima doing transatlantics from New York to Southampton. We're currently trying to decide which of these to book.

I've signed out towels at the pool and I've also seen some towel carts when you get off the gangway at the pier. Problem is, not all port stops have the cart and you won't know if they have them on the pier until after you've checked out and gotten off the ship. If not, you have to check back in (going against the sea of humanity exiting the ship) and go all the way up to the pool deck. Best strategy is to check (at the CS desk??) before any port stop in the Caribbean (or anywhere else with beaches) to see if towels will be provided at the pier.

Unless one is a solo traveler, there will be more than one suitcase. Maybe several.

But yet they want you to put your luggage outside your door the night before debarking.

Still more convenient than taking up valuable luggage space with beach towels.

I thought of that, too. But they're booking the Encore. It has a Q.

I suppose it will be a bit more breezy if it's angled toward the front. But as I said, it's always breezy on a balcony, so it's not an issue. I also suppose some would say you don't see out the front as well if the angle is aimed to the front. Again, not a big deal, since we tend to sit on the balcony and watch the scenery as it goes by, rather than standing and looking to see what's coming. People on aft balconies don't see what's coming, either...and those are the most expensive balconies.

We pretty much like every specialty restaurant...except for Q. I'm pretty sure Q stands for Quite Bad. I'm sure you can find much better BBQ in Kentucky without having to waste a specialty dining credit on Q. I'm sure many, including @ChiefMateJRKwill agree.

Gotta love tipping threads. Oh wait...no you don't. Carry on, tipsters...

Lots of discussion/info on this board... https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/114-disabled-cruise-travel/ And from yesterday on this thread...

We always angle for an angled balcony. Doesn't matter to us if it faces forward or backward...all balconies have a breeze.

If you spill in your lap while eating a peanut butter and jelly, you'd have PBJ pants. I suppose the same principle applies to BLT pants.

Thanks for the mention. By the way, the correct term is "ogle". I should know, I'm an expert. ogle /ō′gəl, ô′gəl/ intransitive verb To look or stare at, especially in a desirous manner.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollonia_Kotero

If they can get Apallonia to reprise her role, I'll be in the front row.

Small world. Mrs. Schmoopie fractured her tibia plateau at the end of July and is just now able to hobble around the house without a walker. She still uses a cane in public, but I can tell you from first-hand experience, her recovery has been slow. Supposedly a tibial plateau fracture is one of the worst there is, with extended recovery time. We canceled an early December cruise because she wouldn't have enjoyed going around in a walker or wheelchair (which we were considering at the time). We rescheduled for next month, thinking that limited mobility would be better than hardly any, We shall see. Naturally, excursions will be the toughest part. Luckily we only have one tender port, which could present a special challenge getting on and off. And since we're going to several Caribbean islands, traversing a beach may also be quite challenging. Not to mention walking long distances. I still think we should bring a folding wheelchair, but she won't do it. I've seen You Tube videos of people using scooters on cruise ships. You might want to check those out. Although storing the scooter and maneuvering in the cabin is tough, especially in non-handicap cabins. As stated above, check out the Disabled Cruising board. We found a lot of valuable info there. Good luck and hang in there. It can only get better going forward.

As an old fart geezer Boomer, I can't tell the difference between a Millenial and a Gen Z. What I can tell you is they better not do away with "Choir of Man" on our fall Escape cruise. Or I'll be an even grumpier old man...

Our Escape cruise this fall is scheduled to arrive in Civi at 6:30. We'll be doing self debarkation and hope to be off the ship by 7:15 (and hopefully sooner) in order to get to the airport asap.

I started a thread about surprising friends on a cruise a short time ago. It's a great idea and a lot of fun for all concerned. We're doing it again next month to two long-time friends. Well, the wife knows. But nobody's telling the husband...surprise!

Still trying to figure what what an Oceanview with balcony is. Have never seen or heard of such a thing before.