HERKIMER417

I've misplaced my old files that had the site.

Anyone out there have it?

  Thanks

Was on the same ship in May because the price was too good to pass on.

   And encounter lot of the same issues. 

 - Smoking was terrible. 

- The waits for a drink was crazy - one problem I noticed is the computer input system.

   Every drink would take 45 seconds to a minute to input - before they made the drink.  And it did appear that the entire bar staff was in training - concentrating and slow. 

 -   My biggest disappointment was the musical entertainment in the bars.   Not that they were bad - they never seemed to be playing.  It was very disappointing to me that there was no schedule. 

   As example:

  - The main area was jammed with folks getting photos on formal nite - yet the piano was quiet. 

-  On the way to dinner the bar in the atrium was having a language class.    

  - The piano bar seemed to only have karaoke. 

      I've been on several ships, on other lines,  and never encounter this. 

  The crew was great, they were friendly and helpful.

  But lots of other things will have me waiting to use MSC.

Reading the back and forth about champagnes, I may be in the wrong post.  I've got a Basic drink package - the plan that you get included.

   My partner and I are wine drinkers - mostly.   But there is no detailed list of what is available on the  basic plan.  We are not looking for top end things but a nice red, and a nice white. Does "basic" even have champagne - Andre' or even prosecco.?  We'd just like to know what there to be expected.  

I thought I was the only one thinking that NCL had missed something.  I'm on a 14 alaskan tourcruse.

On my actual sea days,  I can see my ports of call and review the excursions.  But,  when I look at the days I'm on the land portion the program just list the day number and says "AT SEA". 

  The trip outline says I can choose several excursions during my free time.  But none of these options are listed. 

    I'm not "at Sea" - I'm on land yet this wonderful program can't figure this out.  I'd heard that the tourcruse and the cruse folks do not talk but this is nuts. 

We land at 6:30am and do not have a flight until 7:30pm.  Booked the NCL excursion to do the 41/2 hour tour of the city.

   After we booked a couple of questions popped up. 

   1 -  Has anyone done this excursion and is it any good?

   2 -  Does anyone know if my luggage is loaded on the bus, and stays on the bus from the ship - to the airport ? 

8 hours ago, bluesea777 said:

When’s your cruise?

 

Ours is May 31 and June 7 (back to back from Seward to Vancouver and then back to Seward).

 

Another bonus with Spirit - longer port hours than the mega ships!

 

 Jack and Cathy here

We'll see you there

  We are doing a land cruise and ending on the sea portion. 

Does anyone know what shows are offered on the Meravigila? 

I find it amazing how a company can accept money so quickly - yet can't reverse the same action and send a credit to the payee.   I too was suppose to be sailing May 25 out of NYC and have not gotten anything - yet.  

I thought the initial options were great and would have loved to accept a rescheduled trip and take the $600 in onboard credit.   

But Carnival has dropped all itineraries coming out of NYC,  but a few beach day cruises.    The options available  we have visited several times and have no interest in seeing them again.    I regret that at least for the foreseeable future, if my wife and I want to see newer and less traveled places our only option will be to sail with other cruise lines.    

 Good luck all

  Jack

I'm in Central NY, closer to Canada then NYC.    Over all it's quiet.  The governor is all about NYC - and that's fine.  It's rare that he knows we exist. 

  I'm a retired college professor.  But not wanting to sit around I started teaching online classes a couple of years back.  The transition was fine for me.  But now with this total conversion to online classes, it has been very hard for some old hardliners.  They had been set in there ways are now having issues because they are true Neanderthal's when it comes to most electronics. 

    I expect a big change over in the college and primary teaching ranks once this settles.   This radical change was unexpected and having spoken to some friends it is causing a lot of stress.   Several are opting to push up retirements.  

Grocery stores are doing OK,  the toilet paper is getting replenished and thankfully liquor stores are considered critical.

  While I look around most are doing a great job of isolating.   No one even walking around with the kids or dog.   Locally, our current problem is escapee's from the city.   They are trying to avoid potential contacts - yet may already be carrying the virus and now by using their second homes are spreading things.    What makes us nervous is that more sick will come NYC to summer homes and the governors statement that he will transport the overflowing sick from NYC to outlining areas.      

I was on Miracle on the first cruise AFTER there last refitting.  A group of friends decided late to go on the cruise - 7 days out of Tampa -  I was left with an interior room.

Starting the second night I started to feel not my self.   I could smell something  but thought it was a disinfectant.  I was having trouble breathing and my tongue was like card board.   Each day it seemed to be getting worse.   When we were on land I seemed to improve, but once we were on board it came back and got worse. 

    It was finally on the last day and  was I found out about the refitting.

  Maybe my mind was not the best but finally,  I put the to together and understood the issue.   I had worked in a home manufacturing company and realized that it was glue they used to adhere the carpet.    I was having a bad reaction that was effecting my respiratory system. 

 I took no offense to Carnival or Miracle - I do wish I'd know about the glue because I may have been able to do something.  Two years later,   I took another trip on Miracle (outside window this time ) and it was one cruises of the best I'd ever been on.  Some in our group had interior cabins and when I visited - there was no odor like I'd smelled before.

   My advise - take the Miracle but wait for a few trips for it to air out. 

I live in Central NY now and drive to Albany.  I get on a bus from Yankee Trails and for $80 they take me to the side of the ship and pick me up when the ship returns.  I've done that for 5 cruises out of NYC.    I park my car in their lot at no cost.    No hassle driving and usually a movie.   For me it's a no brain'er -  It's a lot less then the tolls, and parking fees  - Not to mention it saves a lot of frustration.   

    I grew up in NYC and would hate to navigate the West side on cruise days, and park.  

Jack

  Using a scooter on a cruise is different for my wife and it's making both of us a little nervous.  But with your answers we are gaining a nice comfort level.

Thanks again for all of your kind input.  

Now long ago I was there.  It has lot's of sand, occasional reeds and very few fish.   That said, I was snorkeling near the rocks by the dock and almost swam into a barracuda.   He just smiled and I swam backwards, doing a "Phelps" impression until I got some distance between us.

    Jack

18 hours ago, coevan said:

do you own the Herkimer Cheese Company?

  No,  I do not own the Herkimer Cheese Co, but the original owners were neighbors of mine.  Now , the second and third generation are the operators of the store.

Thanks

    Your answers will give my wife comfort.

   Jack

Hi

   My wife can walk short distances and only stand for a few minutes.   Rather then using the collapsible wheel chair (our own) for more then just embarking and disembarking.    We are looking to rent a scooter for the upcoming cruise. 

I'm looking at renting form Scootaround, and they have a good relationship with the cruise lines.   I'd read that the company will drop the scooter at out cabin for our convenience. 

   But as this is our first cruise with a scooter we have some questions.   I have always found the folks on Cruise Critic to have the best answers.  So I'm hoping someone can help. 

  1)  We have a larger " assistance room"  220 sq ft.  Is that enough room for the scooter or are we going to be tripping over it?

  2)  I believe that I need to ask the room attendant for an extension cord - is that true?

 3)   How long does it take to charge?

 4)  How long does the charge last?   My wife is wondering if the scooter will need to take an afternoon nap when she does. 

  5)  Does it have the power to get up the gangway?

 6)   Are there any issues in the dining hall?

 7)  is there any difference between the two companies?

 8)  If we go up to the next size is it stronger?

 9) Is there a difference between Scooteraround and any other?

 9)  And, finally which is better the 3 wheel or the 4 wheel?

          Sorry this is so long

           Jack

I appreciate the feed back on the soda (and water ). 

   I can still get some Herkimer Cheese to go with the wine.   They have a nice store a few miles from me.   And with the Amish all around here I can get several varieties- cow, goat, even alpalka cheese.   

   Which bring up a different question.  Can I bring cheese on board to accompany my wine?

     Jack

I know we can take 1 bottle of wine each. 

 My question is - can you also bring a 12 pack of soda?

I'm totally confused about what is $ and what is included. 

   I watched a video ad about Sunrise and it offered that the Sauna was free.

   Jack

Appreciate the input

    How big are the cabana's and villa's?   How many can fit comfortably?   We are a bunch of seniors and like a little extra room.

I'm guessing you can reserve the cabana with the ship before you sail?

  Jack

Hello and thanks

    I looked at the schedule and noticed that while we are in Bermuda for 2 days the first day was already filled.  I'm betting the other ships in port filled that day slot.  So I was getting nervous about being shut out.   Until recently, I never paid attention to excursions and how accessible they were.  On our last cruise to Canada, we dallied looking for things to do in port and by the time a decision was made all of the accessible excursions were full. 

   So I promised myself not to wait.  Yesterday,  I did got a reservation with Island tour Centre.   After I posted this question to the board,  I continued to do some searching and found a chat opportunity with the company.  They were able to give me some assurances, suggesting that many buses knell and as long as the person can use one or two small steps, even with assistance, they can ride easily.  

Looks like Bermuda will be a good tour for all.

   Jack

I have not been there for several years and I'm sure that a lot has changed.   Suggestions for a smooth day would be appreciated. 

Has anyone seen it since last falls storm?

  Jack

I'm looking for a tour that has easy access and few steps because my wife has limited mobility.  I noticed the Minibus that starts and ends at the Dockyard.  It's listed as a 4 hour tour.

  From the web site and photo the mini bus appears to fit the bill.   Does anyone have first hand knowledge of this tour and the vehicle?   

I was on Anthem last week, returned (10/27) from a Canadian round trip cruise.  

    The loading was smooth but the disembarking was a disaster.

Because of a delay in allowing us to leave the ship, many were having fits about missing flights and transportation connections. 

  When we finally got off -  I, and about 50 others, waited over 40 minutes for a porter.   I learned that they do not allow you to use the carriers yourself - it must be a porter.  

While waiting I only saw 6 different porters.  The Royal Caribbean staff was frustrated and have no oversight because the porters are employed by a third party company - not RCCI.

    Our delay in getting off delayed the folks wanting to board  and they were stuck outside in the rain.  

When I finally got loaded and was departing, I could see there was a backup - of at least 2 miles - with folks waiting to park or unload passengers.  Because  of the poor traffic controls, roads under constructions, no porters, and no shelter from the elements - Port Liberty is not a port I want to leave from until they get their act straightened out.