mkcurran

2 hours ago, luckiest1cruise said:

My friend & I are getting on the Panorama on Saturday April 27 so I'm enjoying your review & pictures and look forward to more!

See you there!

6 hours ago, KmomChicago said:

Well Tribe I have been quiet here as the mid-May Alaska cruise approaches. I had asked everyone’s thoughts about live reviewing it as a Friends of Bill W. Cruise. 
 

That’s not going to happen. Bill’s friend isn’t his friend after all. I still intend to take this cruise because it is our only child’s high school graduation present. It’s maybe 50/50 whether Bill’s former friend will be in any condition to travel. Probably won’t decide until it’s time to drive to O’Hare. Game Day decision. 

 

Instead I might be sharing the experience of figuring out exactly what kinds of health cancellations are covered by my cruise insurance. I always buy it but confess I just get whatever plan the booking engine offers and never read the policy. 
 

For once I actually booked travel insurance on both the cruise and the flights, two separate policies. Should be interesting, I guess if that’s the word for it, to figure it out. 

 

Go, have fun. 

1 hour ago, odie1024 said:

I am sorry to hear that. I returned from my 18 day cruise on Saturday and it was my BF who had suffered seizures from drinking while at my house at the beginning of December. He went to about 8 AA meetings and decided he didn't need the meetings that he was good. He had gotten a letter from his DR which I was going to use so I could remove his drink package and keep mine.( Actually I am the one who asked for the letter not him) As soon we sat down for lunch in the main dining room I ordered my Prosecco and he ordered a Bloody Mary and said it was his vacation too and he was going to enjoy it. From then on he drank Black Russians and of course complained he could not taste the vodka or they did not give him a big enough drink. Unfortunately, he does not know when to say no. Only one night did he drink too much that he was slurring his words when we walked out of Teppanayki. 

 

I had to go to the medical center on the ship as came down with bronchitis and still not feeling well after visiting my PC on Monday so really need to figure out what I am doing next in my life.

 

Take your trip and celebrate your child's graduation as it only happens once and then figure out everything when you return.

Hugs. Hope you find the signs you need soon.

Where can I leave my car for the week that's not the cruise terminal?

And expect it to be there in one piece when I get back? 

I'm heading south out of Long Beach on the 27th, but I'll catch up when I get back! 

It's Monday. I've decided to go ahead and take all of Thursday off to start my vacation. I still need to pack. I work from home. Can anyone guess exactly how much work will actually get done today? 😆

6 hours ago, Saint Greg said:

I’m just sitting at a stop sign waiting for this car to pass or turn…and boy was I surprised when she turned right into me.

 

You were looking for a sign to buy the new Car? Right?

Craziness.

22 minutes ago, kwokpot said:

We're doing a second cruise but not on the Panorama. On the 27th we're flying from LAX to Honolulu,staying three nights,then boarding the Anthem of the Seas for a 9 nt Hawaii to Vancouver cruise. 

I'm glad to hear about Fuego Restaurant. The reviews are both ends,either great or overpriced and bad,lol.

I'm not going to say it isn't overpriced--that's relative. I just figure if it's California and roll with it. It's also been a few years since I've been there. We stayed there in 2019. They had a happy hour on Friday then, so we ate $3 tacos and I drank $5 margs. The buffet the next morning is possibly the best breakfast buffet I've ever eaten at. Didn't mind the $30 price tag at that time.

Sounds like a fun trip! Enjoy!

14 hours ago, kwokpot said:

I hope you're not on this Saturday,April 20th sailing. The Long Beach Grand Prix is taking place starting tomorrow and it's going to be gridlock in this area. I'm staying at the Residence Inn on the same island as the Carnival cruise terminal and planning just to walk to the terminal. We're making backup plans for dinner by reserving a table at the restaurant in the adjacent Maya Hotel,which is actually even closer to the Carnival terminal. While we can walk across a bridge to the LB downtown waterfront area that's where the Grand Prix is located and there will be thousands of people here all day and night starting tomorrow.

Any chance you are doing a B2B? I board the 27th. Otherwise I'll wave to you on my way in. 🙂

I've eaten at the Mexican place in the Maya. It's pretty good, margaritas weren't bad either. 

2 hours ago, Funsince1983 said:

Looks like we're going to need surgery (AGAIN) also. Soft casting to wait for swelling to go down and surgery to set and put in pins early next week. Same exact break my 10 year old had when she was around the same age. All 3 have now broken some part of their arm.

Yikes! Hope it heals quick!

57 minutes ago, Funsince1983 said:

Thank you! 
 

 

Yes, however said child has already let me know that she still needs to support her teams, which honestly, I'm proud of her for even thinking about. I'm not taking her to practices but I'll take her to her games to cheer on her teammates. 

More free time? 🤷‍♀️

2 hours ago, Saint Greg said:

 

Well darn. I booked that one originally. So close, to seeing the elusive face.

Then they turned it into a premier casino cruise. Then I didn't get a bonus, so I didn't want to spend money on airfare. Then the friends wanted to join us, so another Mexican Riviera cruise it is.

Single digit dance time!

I've had them at La Palapa in PV. They also have shrimp bacon tacos, that I still dream about.

On 4/11/2024 at 6:33 PM, mitsugirly said:

We have already went on our cruise last week. I won’t need suggestions (of course this doesn’t mean you can’t keep suggesting for others to read going here) 😁

What did you end up doing?

55 minutes ago, Hogladyrider said:

@TravelE I agree Amtrak travel would only be for scenic shorter trips.  I was researching taking Amtrak from Vancouver to Los Angeles.  I think we have pretty much opted for Amtrak Vancouver to Seattle and then fly Seattle to Arizona.

 

I am not sure I would be able to sleep on a train.

 

Be sure and check out some of their other You Tube sites, pretty informative.  I only wish we had started our RV lifestyle when we were their age ILO at retirement.

Wait....he agreed to fly? Woohoo!

35 minutes ago, Hogladyrider said:

Happy Monday Tribe!

 

Question - anyone familiar with the "Whats App" and if so do you recommend, is it user friendly, even for a senior gal?

 

I am hesitant on what I download in today's world, for many different reasons.

 

Thanks!

I use it for work. I use it to reach out to excursion vendors in other countries. A most useful app.

Let's play, what would you have. Going to this place before our cruise:

https://www.kaisergrille.com/menu/

On 4/9/2024 at 5:55 AM, kpwhalen830 said:

We sailed the 4 night, disembarked yesterday. It was by far the worst cruise ever. We last sailed carnival in 2009 and that was not very good either. We gave the line one more shot and will not cruise again on carnival.

1.The embarkation process makes no sense and takes forever. In the last 24 months we have sailed royal Caribbean, celebrity and Virgin. Their process is fast and streamlined. 

2. The water on the ship smelled and tasted like sewage. It wasn’t bad but noticeable. Very annoying since I could not get more than 1 bottle of water or a drink at the same time. 
3. Lines, lines, lines and more lines. What is the deal with lines for all food? We waited 45 minutes for pizza during dining hours. My daughter waited in line 3 times over a half hour for pizza. I wanted pizza more than once but I refused to wait in the line. Guys Burger joint? Forget about it. 
4. Do they put the newbies in the my time dining room? It took 30 minutes before we placed an order for drinks on the first night. They fumbled our orders for food around. It was just a mess. The 2nd night our service was great then it was garbage again on the 3rd night. 
5. why can’t I order a alcohol drink and a bottle of water at the same time? Some servers/bartenders were cool and let us do that but a majority did not. They received handsome tips and continued visits from us. 
6. the elevators suck, why the long waits all the time? I used the stairs more than ever. It’s not always cool doing a ton of stairs with a 5 year old. 

7. the wine list for the drink package is lousy, 2 Cabernet Sauvignon are available.

8. The food was not good, maybe ok. This seems to be a trend over all the lines. 
THE Short list of good stuff:

1. Our room steward Julius was probably the best we have had in years.
2. When the line for tacos wasn’t long they were good. 
Flame away or ask away. 

If you do another one, do a longer one that's not during spring break. It's almost like cruising on a different line.

I took a 4-day cruise once. I'd never do that again. Just a total different vibe from the crew to the passengers.

2 hours ago, Funsince1983 said:

I have a stomach virus and I want to die,

I've been awake, uh evacuating, since 2am. 
 

I also got called for jury duty in May. 
 

What a day to be alive. 
 

Also, I think @Jamman54 and Patti forgot to pick me up because I'm still sitting here on my couch. 🤔

I'll send you my Jury Duty vibes. I showed up, got dismissed after an hour. Easy peasey. It was so brief I forgot about it, until they mailed me a payment card for the mileage. 

59 minutes ago, MeganGC1983 said:

Formal night on both is nicer than Carnival. I saw a few ladies in pantsuits on Celebrity but not jeans. 
And yes, I’m working on the casino comp situation. 

I am impressed you have those powers. I was explicitly told no suits yesterday. lol. This was a concern, right behind the availability of lobster. 😆😆

@Hogladyrider or others, how is the dress on formal nights on HAL?

Anyone know about Celebrity?

Not asking on the regular boards to avoid the drama. My friends want to step up from Carnival. But hate the idea of having to wear anything more than nice jeans and a good shirt to get at the lobster.

I'm trying to steer them towards Princess. Ahem, @MeganGC1983. 

But wanting to get them the best match. The non-smoking casino on Celebrity makes that line a huge draw for them. But they like good food above all else.

Falcon 9 rocket launch tonight. With bonus pics of my back yard.

3 minutes ago, TxTeach79 said:

 

a person can. I definitely can't. I can't recall if I paid to check my bag with BA last summer from JFK-LHR. They definitely charged me $79 to check it from LHR to BCN. Then they lost it. And wouldn't refund the $79. 

I got some sort of tracking tag the other night at a bank dinner. Will be breaking those out and figuring out how they work.

2 hours ago, TravelGirlinDallas said:

I've flown to Europe on British Airways (once) and Lufthansa (multiple times). BA was amazing. Lufthansa was fine. I liked BA better. I have only gone coach; I'm sure business is much better.

 

My strategy on the way over was to try to go to sleep shortly after dinner. Sometimes I took a Tylenol PM or something like that to help me sleep. It was hard to go to bed for the night that early, but it's the best way to try to reset your inner clock. Of course, it's also hard to sleep with people kicking your seat from behind or babies crying, but you do the best you can. 

 

I never recline my seat on domestic flights, but I do recline on international flights - everyone does.

Can a person get good sleep in coach?

Also, from what I've seen if I book with BA then a checked bag is free. But if I book the same flight with AA, they charge.