sfaaa

22 minutes ago, Horizon chaser 1957 said:

It’s not surprising that demand is declining. For the last two decades, cruise lines have been building ships less and less like ships and more and more like land based amusement parks. The target market has shifted away from travelers and towards those wanting a stationary vacation.

Post Covid ( if we’re even at that stage yet) travelers still want to travel and have come back to the ships. The amusement park vacationers are suddenly aware of the difference between being on land and being at sea are more attracted to resorts they can drive away from any time they choose.That big new megaship market they’ve developed is falling away.

Not to mention they misread the China market which turned out to be less profitable than originally anticipated.

Dang. How come I don't get emails like this?

I concur with the inflation part. Comparing to prices earlier this year, cruise, airfare and hotel room rates have all gone up in 2023 and 2024. I am now holding back and taking a wait and see approach on my future cruise bookings.

Eclipse. Like you said, we will both have a nice cruise move up or no move up.

My low bid also expired this morning. Sailing is for this Sunday. When I checked, there are still 6 cabins available which begs the question. Why would X prefer to sail with those cabins empty than making  more money by accepting my bid. Just don't get it.

Mongolia wok

OBC is basically equivalent to free tip for two. Nice but prices are still pretty high for 2023. I am taking a pass.

Love the blue sky in the pictures. You were so lucky to catch such good weather in Alaska.

A totally wise decision on the part of Princess.

6 hours ago, jetsfan58 said:

The Dive In movies are really relaxing and the night stars in the sky just adds to the excitement. 

Agree. Just like going to old time drive in movies in the bygone era. And it is free. 

49 minutes ago, Tree_skier said:

Except the data says they don’t. Hong Kong had one of the highest mask compliance ratios but still suffered one of the worst outbreaks. 

Nothing to do with mask compliance. It has to do with local government choosing to administer subpar vacinne to its population for political reason.

4 hours ago, FlaMariner said:

Could you open the window?  

 

(AC was not an option for buses until probably the 1950's or 60's and somehow folks could survive.....how did they do it?)

 

 

No COVID to worry about back in those days. Those old buses were like a sweat box on a hot summer day.

An electronic device may be worthless or outdated. Still, some thieves don't know that or just don't care. Take first and if so, throw it in the trash or overboard.

2 hours ago, Tennessee Titan said:

Unfortunately, we may be faced with the aiafares exceeding the cost of the cruise....

Already happening. The airfare I was checking a few weeks ago has since gone up $400 pp.

3 hours ago, zitsky said:

Of course the name tags are Filipino!  You don’t expect Israeli security to use their real name do you?!

 

 

May be those were Isreali Filipinos.

I am sure there are blind spots where security cameras can't see around the ship. Professional thieves probably know where they are.

A few years ago, there was a case where two thieves stole someone's luggage left outside the door for pick up on last sea day, took whatever they deemed valuable and threw the suitcase overboard.  Luckily, they were caught by ship camera and arrested.

Don't be complacent. Thieves are everywhere.

No to NRD. A lot can happen between now and 2024. Too unpredictable.

Promos come and go. Book refundable and you can always switch if you see a better deal up to final payment.

Remember the saying 'everything on board the ship is free?' Go ahead and say Yes. No cash needed. You only need your sea card. Same logic.

4 hours ago, wayne_trisha said:

I think it is going to be a rude awakening to RCCL. 

It will depend on whether RCCL competitors will be following RCCL's lead and do the same. I hope not.

More reason to take extra desserts and fruits from buffet to eat later when all the food outlets except pizza are shut down for the night.

Every cruise line is doing this fake sale game to fool the uninformed. It's the new normal in cruise industry.

5 hours ago, CruiszBug said:

Just got off the Wonder TA followed by first Alaska Cruise of the season on Ovation. Things that made me cringe:

1) The number of people that coughed outright without covering or protecting their mouth/nose. (One guy standing at the DL Espresso machine facing me sneezed!)

2) Saw someone touch their face then grab the end of the cappuccino machine that dispenses the coffee to raise/lower the spigot. (If I hadn't seen it I wouldn't have thought twice about getting my coffee, but it made me think about others...)

3) Saw someone with their finger stuck inside their ear (itch?) in line for the DL continental breakfast, who reached out and grabbed a pastry with that same hand...

4) The number of people that tried to squeeze into the elevators when they were already shoulder to shoulder.. 

Welcome back to the old normal before COVID. Saw some of the same behaviors on my April cruise. Simply disgusting.

2 hours ago, Bostwick girl said:

. Sure hope Carnival comes up with something for those affected by this!

 

Bing Bong. This is the captain speaking. Everybody heads over to Margaritaville. Drinks on the house.