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I think handicapped needs to go first before ANYONE! If and when you ever have a issue with standing for long periods of time you will understand. If they need to wait their turn fine, give them a number, let them sit and then when their time is called stop everyone in line make them clear the way then let them board. It's ridiculous for anyone to begrudge a handicapped person priority boarding. That's heartless at the very least it's respectful for the handicapped person, like holding the door for them getting on the elevator or holding open a door so they can walk in. Geesh the "me me memememememe" "I'm just as important as anyone else, blah blah blah" is underwhelming to me. Be thankful you aren't handicapped because one day most of you/us will be.

Sorry but if they can't stand of course they should be given a seat right away...and they can sit there until it is their turn to board.

Just like they should be given close in /disabled parking but NOT free parking. I have seen that abused a lot and it is no wonder port of Miami stopped it

Would you mind telling me the port where there is free parking? That would be helpful in our planning. I know of Charleston and have heard of Miami. One other (Port Canaveral perhaps?) offers it if the vehicle has special equipment, I understand.

 

Many thanks.

 

Kathy

Miami no longer offers free parking for the regular handicapped permits but still does for the "modified van" = call them to find the details. Actually Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades) offers this also but never offered the free parking for all disabled.

They all have disabled spaces - close in etc. that you pay for

I have OsteoArthritis in my left knee,had it in the right knee too, just had a total knee replacement. I have Systemic lupus which affects almost all my joints. In order for me to enjoy cruising I must rent a scooter. Sometimes because of the way some people are I feel very self conscious using the scooter. I am able to walk short distance, but my knees give out on me. When at the elevator I wait my turn and if elevators look all very pack I just push away and continue waiting eventually I am able to get in. I don't want any special attention,at the lido I ask my daughter or husband to get what I need. Having said all this what I do at embarkation is that I order FTTF and I go in a suite. Yes it is very much more than what my husband and I need but we do it out of necessity. It is very hard for people with disability to get around I have learn this the hard way. Your mind wants to do so much but your body says something else. People without disability just have alittle patience with us we mean well we just want to have alittle fun as best as we can..

Why would you pay for FTTF if you are booked in a suite?? Suite already gets VIP embarking. If you are not in a suite I can see why you might purchase the FTTF but NOT if you already paid for a suite - hope this helps

They do give those who need it special assistance, wheelchair, assign someone to push wheelchair if needed etc. But...the line wait - as others have said, if you are well enough to go on a cruise, how will sitting hurt you?

No priority need there = pay the Faster to fun fee or wait till you earn Platinum.

Oh- Miami cruiseport used to give all handicap stickers free parking = but that changed in November - now only free for those who have a true "mobility" van/like with a lift. Seriously there are simply tons of people with handicapped stickers here in Florida - do they all deserve free parking and priorty? For a cruise they chose to purchase?? IMHO - ummm....NO

If they are too "sick" to wait in line - well aren't they too "sick" to cruise?

I understand your frustration, however you do realize some of the crew does move to different ships? The same people you dealt with on the Conquest could be on your future cruise.

Very true - not to mention that Conquest made her major move - was based out of Texas for years and now in Miami

JMO - I think that the best solution is to check your account daily, the kiosks make that pretty easy

While vast majority of the staff are honest and hardworking, I don't doubt that there could be a few "users" on board - sounds to me like this particular bartended was helping himseld. I do think the front desk person should have shown more concern and removed the drink tips from that particular bartended. I would have asked to speak to the bar manager right on the spot. Getting anything fixed after you get off the ship is a pain

First you want lifeguards and now you want other passengers to step up and tell an abusive passenger to stop their interaction with a staff member.

 

NCL doesn't need lifeguards, they need a non-tipped person (or a staff member will enforce the rules knowing they will lose tips) at the pool to enforce all rules for all ages. If a passenger gets abusive with the staff member, it is the staff's responsibility to take it to his supervisor, it is not the responsibility of other passengers to get involved....that will only start fights and make matters worse.

 

Since there are two lines (Disney and Princess) that have lifeguards, if someone's vacation depends on a ship with a lifeguard, then I would suggest that they try one of those two lines.

Very valid points.

However, as far as I know only Disney has lifeguards and apparently limited at that (and remember all the cruises with slides do have a slide attendant)

Princess has a "youth security stuff" - not part of security and not part of the kid club but seem to be hooked up to them (I guess to find out stuff?)

they enforce the kid rules - curfew, running around, pool stuff, in the adult area. Take kid back to cabin or page parent if needed.

Parents do argue with them I guess BUT not the way they would if it was the friendly bar waiter telling them their kid was too young to be in the pool

IMHO it would be well worth a "try" for the cruiselines to do this - without all the liability of lifeguards, and all the "hassle" as you have aptly pointed out. Kid security (for lack of a better word) are there to prevent other dangers - running, climbing on rails, whatever ...and ..yeah make it nicer for adults too haha

Kids need a chance to grow up in order to be responsible for themselves. Adults have had that chance. Adults that can't swim can take swimming lessons. A four year old who can't swim needs someone to sign them up and take them there. That's a huge difference to me is it not to you?

The people responsible are the kid's parents /guardian and when in the kid club the employees of the cruiseline.

The pools say "at your own risk"

That pool said "12 and over,parental supervision" etc

so who is negligent? Oh my people are afraid to say it but it is pretty clear.

While I agree that it is gross to just reopen the pool, the fact is that NCL was not negligent.

Where does it end if they have lifeguards?? Will the room stewards remove booze from any cabin with kids? sharp objects?

Put a net around the ship so kids don't fall off?

More sensible would be to have rules and enforce them with some sort of sub/kid security. There are other ways kids can get hurt and this would prevent that too. Kid running on slippery deck could hit their head without even getting in a pool, or fall over a railing, fall down the steps etc

JMO- As a career teacher, mother, and trained lifeguard, I agree with those who say we need more security by the pools, including lifeguards. Lifeguards can be identified as security guards or youth security guards.

 

One drowning of a young child, on a cruise ship or anywhere else, is unacceptable. Two drownings of young children and one near-drowning- on three different cruise lines- is reason, IMO, to step up security around the cruise pools. Pool rules need to be enforced.

 

Parents & other caretakers need to be supervising 24/7- however, if they are not doing this, the cruise lines need to make sure they do -as the drownings of young children in cruise ship pools is just unacceptable.

 

Teachers do not look at children as statistics. Children should not become

accident statistics on cruise ships. This is quite different from adults falling overboard. Adults are responsible for their behavior, children are learning

behavior. It is a long process for some children-as we all know. Parents are responsible for the behavior of their children under 18. (This is stated in most cruise documents.)

 

Children drowning in cruise pools and adults falling overboard are not in the same category for comparison. Neither should happen- but young children deserve to be protected if their parents are not protecting them.

 

Whatever it takes to prevent another child from drowning on a cruise ship should be done.

Sorry but we do NOT need lifeguards...we just need stricter rules, enforced by NON tipped employees. Lifeguards give false sense of security and only cover the pools. If ever a tragedy occurs - the legal liability would be huge because they had lifeguards

Kid security - for lack of a better term - would solve the problem and other dangerous things kids get into. Put in a curfew - have the kid security stop and hold any young kid on their own and page/call the parents - give a warning...if not followed - limit their access to stuff on ship or confine to cabin or put off the ship

Let that happen a few times and you won't see more tragedies occur -

there have been other things too - a molester in a spa area - kids fall down a staircase, kids drinking booze etc

Lifeguards and "kid security" are two different concepts. Along with "kid security" - make strict rule about age in certain pools...haul the kids out of there, don't let them in - that would have solved the whole problem

well the shows on Poesia and Divina were different

I was on Poesia 3x and didn't mind the same shows because the cast changes

they have the most amazing people - acrobats, contortionists, people on silk banners, or on trapeze , strongman, jugglers, all sorts of unusual stuff

and they seem to change from year to year...and from ship to ship

the same people will be in various shows during the week so they must have different sets of these amazing folks on all the ships

I still remember one - a quick change artist couple - wow they were something I never even thought of haha

I don't think they have changed much for the US...the shows are still not spoken words - except for maybe one night they have an American comedian/impressionist or whatever

MSC seems to have several major full scale production shows, a night of opera, a night devoted to one singer *Mimi with Divas on Poesia , and apparently lead singer with Frank Sinatra on Divina

we had Michael Jackson tribute show that was wonderful

Wow...some of the European stuff they do seems unfair??

Maybe MSC has special US options cause of so much huge competition here??

I know I have had the wine package/s on 4 cruises now ..3 on Poesia, 1 on Divina and will have on Divina again and we always prebuy and get the tickets first night - waiters bring over our wines to choose (5 choices) and we use other tickets after the first wines are gone. Then they just ask which we want

Only problem ever was my first time on Poesia (I call it my "Euro" cruise) when we had more language problems and we had to get the maitre d over to help cause the waiter thought we wanted to buy a more expensive wine package

what a shame - our way is very easy and you can mix and mingle your wines, and we split the packages (like I buy 2 or 3 tickets, friends buy 2 or 3, a light drinker might buy 1, heavier drinker might buy a whole 7 bottle for a week etc)

Hopefully MSC will improve that website and customer service and let you guys have a choice of the house wines !!

But for a lot more.

 

Our cruise on the Allure of the Seas had jaw dropping, mesmerizing and professional entertainment. But we paid more than twice for that cruise than what we paid for our Carnival Dream cruise the same year.

 

Budget cruise lines like Carnival still give you the option of charging less for your cruise and giving you the option of paying extra for what you want, instead of charging you more for the cruise and including things that you may or may not enjoy. I don't know why that's such a hard concept to understand.

 

 

 

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I have not been on Oasis or Allure, Epic or the 2 newest NCL ships - those all have the totally great shows I hear - tho you must reserve and some are paid - like cirque on Epic is a paid dinner show

I have been on NCL Pearl - great shows, great "fly on group" Frankie Valle tribute, great production shows, lots of music....I have been on Navigator of the Seas - great ice show, pretty good production shows....live entertainers were ..ok not great

MSC which is often cheaper than Carnival and new beautiful ship has some of the best entertainment at sea IMHO - fabulous shows - and bands, duos, dueling pianos, classical trio and more all over the ship, music every night

I liked the old Carnival shows - have you seen the new ones? They are really sad and pretty much the same on all ships with 2.0 now

Thank you for the reply. So when a spa package says it has 'access to the thermal suite for the duration of the cruise' that just means access to the steam and sauna that anyone onboard can enjoy?

Yup...apparently they charge for the sauna/steam in Europe but not in the US

In Europe it makes sense to buy a Package...however in the US, they run a lot of spa specials - especially on port days, last day - so you might want to wait for a deal - check daily paper

The spa girls have tables set up first day and on various days/times to sell specials/etc

>>>???? May just be the way it is worded

In the US, we have a choice of 2 reds, 2 white and 1 rose...

we get vouchers/tickets at our first night at dinner...we sign for them...use one , pick a wine and hold the rest. You can also use two of them - like one white, one red the same night

the waiters put your name/table on them and bring them back out for you (assuming you have wine left haha)

if white they chill it for you

the wording and the details on MSC site can be confused...I have had many in my group try to "order" a white/red....I have to explain over and over...you are just buying the package, you decide which you want when on board

The selection is not extensive but it is Italian and good....Merlot or Cabernet for instance. I like the Merlot

Now..I don't want to mislead you but I think you should call or write your UK office and clear this up. hth

Poesia had totally different shows - one was the Diva show with Mimi.

Opera night - maybe all MSC has a version of that?

Poesia had a show called Little Italy....and a sort of French/Louie the 14th show...Baroque something or other?? All the shows are pretty memorable

Oh if it includes the use of the spa then booking some package is a good deal (in Europe)

I agree about the nail services - maybe ok if on a long cruise but I guess many of us prefer our "own" place/s for that - and something like "gel" nails etc may not be available on the ship

hot stone massages are popular - and very relaxing

JMO I would NOT do something like microdermabrasion on a cruise - your skin may react, need to stay out of sun, go for a regular/"spa" facial

A funny thing : poor MSC must put little disclaimers on the steam/sauna in the usa warning people that they must keep their bathing suits ON , LOL....even tho the rooms are segregated by the sexes. LOL

My first .."Euro" cruise - on Poesia we did have European ladies who would be topless or naked in the sauna/steam, us poor Puritans didn't know where to look or what to do LOL....we also saw speedos on the lido..a few topless....ohh la la. Well I have been to St Martin and I only saw some very old French guys strutting around totally naked - eek!

Hey maybe a young/hot guy would be umm...interesting LOL

don't know how it is in Europe but Europeans are amazed we would wear bathing suits in a sauna or steam LOL

Divina has the warnings - LOL...maybe they added them on the way over on the Transatlantic just for the USA? <grin>

It seems as if all the cruise lines are doing this - you pay your money and you take your choice

What other people do doesn't bother me - what does bother me is the huge cutbacks in entertainment on Carnival

the "pay concert" has zero interest for me - some has beens, some country people I have no idea what they sing, not my kind of music

Other cruise lines still offer really good entertainment included

Good trip insurance.....get in town a day or two ahead of sailing..should cover you

Look at the people missing cruises during ice/snow storms! There is no way to predict weather that far in advance but I have cruised during hurricane season various times

and yeah, missed a port....and yeah went to tee-totally different ports - but it was all fine

The ships can divert

one thing however - ships leaving from the gulf ports mostly only do western ports (look at a map) ...ships that leave from Miami and Fort Lauderdale are in a much better position to truly divert and completely change up - they can go east/west/south or just to Bahamas...heck they can even go NORTH to Cocoa Beach or whatever

Gulf port cruises can miss the storm but you may be a sea for lots of days

(cue the music from Martha and the Vandellas - "Nowhere to run to Baby"

<grin>

The group perks, especailly for the leaders seems to have dried up.

 

That's why this page is no longer overrun with OFFICIAL GROUP CRUISE threads.

>??? I don't know but Carnival has not changed the "tour conductor" perk....different sailings have different amenity points (used towards group cocktail party, bottles of wine etc)

one thing is Carnival has gotten more strict about the 60 day cut off...you have to book 8 cabins in 60 days or you can lose your group rate/points/

so that might affect them

Early saver can be a huge pain for groups - I know someone who had people book on his "number" through Carnival and some got the early saver without understanding it and a lot of hard feelings. I know another guy who ran a group and said never again - LOL> It can be more work than you think

Oh - one big change - if you want to "buy" a cocktail party the price has about doubled - no more $11 or $12 all you can drink for an hour. That is one snag. The "all you can drink" cheers program is yet another snag....some in the group may decide to buy that and then they no longer want the perks of cocktail party, 2 bottle of wine with dinner

Once again - let the travel agent handle the hard stuff, that frees you up to handle the fun stuff. <grin>

If you can swing it a good precruise party can get the group happy and you can go over details with them

Interesting... Just to emphasize your second point in red, both the PVP I spoke with, and the group department told me that the group rate was more than the early saver rate at that time. The PVP was under the impression that you had to book under the group rate in order to get amenities. Although the groups department corrected that, they still quoted me a group rate that was higher than the early saver rate.

 

Perhaps the early saver rate is an exception- meaning that it may actually be cheaper than the group rate?

Early saver can be rolled into the group BUT someone hopefully will tell those who choose it what the "rules" are regarding cancel, and no name changes etc. I have found groups to be more apt to want to change their mind, booking, etc. So that is another way a travel agent can be of help - let them explain it haha

I believe that is what I said.

you advocated letting other cruisers choose what rate to book...through carnival groups directly

when you do that, they can mess up...the group dept can mess up as some are more knowledgeable than others

you yourself said someone did not give the correct info....a good travel agent can help your group find the best fare for them, and also give them vital info on early saver etc

For instance - my TA and I have found early saver only works for a small percentage of my groups - it does not work well for anyone with any "unstable/variable" circumstances.....be it job, health, family or even relationships :)

One problem with a group is that if some get a better deal than others - which more likely to happen if they are left to their own devices - the others will know about it and then you (right or wrong) get to "hear" it

The other thing is that often groups have some total newbies or people who have not cruised in years - a good travel agent can also be a big help there

The Disney Cruise lifeguards are contracted out from a company that specailizes in training and providing lifeguards. If the other cruise lines put lifeguards on their ships they would surely do the same.

They apparently are NOT at all pools all the time .

Charles you have not responded to the fact that lifeguards will raise the liability and insurance costs for the cruise lines - and may do no good as parents could use them as "babysitters"

not to mention - there are other hazards on board

Several "empowered" (non tipped) Kids security staff to enforce the rules (like on Princess) , a curfew....maybe more rules about age/height of kids in the deep pools - that would go a long way to helping.

Lifeguards won't stop kids from a hot tub/sauna predator, or stop them from falling over a railing or down stairs, or slip and fall while running etc

I saw a young teen on Carnival who was fall down drunk = in the teen club - he passed out -= we only saw him cause his new pals came running out of there at 2 am....we called security and they got him out of there, got medical staff up

there will be other accidents and incidents....lifeguards won't solve it

Enforcing some rules....the first time a family is "denied" use of the pool....or put off the ship - then you will see some changes IMHO

I guess it depends on the security at the different ports, and /or how busy or non busy they are or their mood on a particular day

Practical solutions

- get NON child safe/easy open bottles for your pills/medicines

and/or get a weekly/monthly pill box and put the pills in there before you leave home.

- precut the bandages and put them in plastic bags

put a multi tool if you wish in your carry on (they way you said you always do don't know why you changed this time?)- even if it doesn't make it through you will be ok with the other "practical solutions"

I personally don't think of a multi tool/swiss army knife as a "medical tool"...

especially the "bottle opener" haha

While it is a pain, and sometimes doesn't make sense, this is the "law of the land" ever since the days of 9/11, on cruises they can/may enforce it strictly or not I guess

Hi,

 

I am considering booking a spa package for my cruise on Fantasia in April as a treat to myself however I have never even had a massage before so I have no real idea what packages are. So here are my questions: What would you recommend for a spa newbie? and what are your must have spa treatments?

 

Also what exactly does the thermal spa access include? (I seem to have been going round in circles trying to find an answer to this)

 

Thanks

 

Pam.

Hi Pam.....I don't know much about the Europe cruises or Fantasia, in the US we can use the "spa" rooms at no cost - lovely steam and sauna, and on Poesia they had hot tubs in the spa area

Regarding a "package">> if you have never had massages/facials/body scrubs etc will you like it?? Most people do - some don't

Realistically prices on a cruise ship are more expensive than on land....however they do discount the prices and run a lot of specials. Generally specials for when in the ports, and a special the last day/s It may be a good option to just check out the spa when you board and wait for some specials. I think they have spa tours and a drawing the first day, some win, but eveyrone who "enters" gets a phone call from the spa manager offering a deal/special <grin>

My (nick)name is Esty cause I am /was an esthetician (tho have not practiced hands on in many years, I do marketing, consulting) so I do know a bit about the prices. For instance, most cruise lines lease out their spa Steiner and get their spa staff from English Speaking countries other than USA - British Isles, South Africa etc.

MSC has it's own spas staffed by Indonesians and they are quite good I hear, the spas have nice tranquil Indonesian ? music pumped through them

I will say - here in Fort Lauderdale we can get Steiner treatments at a fraction of the cost LOL>> as they have a beauty academy here to train both USA students (basic) and to train their techs for the cruiselines

I also like a good "groupon" or living social etc deal for an occasional massage <grin>

JMO - most people enjoy a massage, some don't like a body scrub or wrap ,especially if you are claustrophobic. A "general" or cleansing facial should be pretty relaxing - anything more may be too much time for your first time, and/or too invasive. Remember - you will also be in the sun, you will want to take pictures - you don't want your face to be all red

Oceanseagle -

while that works well in theory as I stated a good group agent can get all discounts "into" the group - and make sure they are in the group for points/perks/ and the tour conduction credit

~~~~~~~~

Seems others with "experience" are backing me up - groups can be truly complicated and a good travel agent makes it so much easier, one that has lots of experience in groups

There are many things that can and will happen - cabin changes, someone drops out, etc. Travel agent handles so many things.

While all the rest of your advice is great, advising someone to go ahead and start texting and calling while on board is some of the worst advice I've ever read on here. Texting could end up costing most people a fortune.

Sorry I only meant when you first get on board - you are in the US and it is regular rate or me doesn't cost anything, I have a one cost, unlimited plan :)

Of course once you are at sea - phones off but that first day to find people it works well :)

I am excited though that MSC has a free app - free access to facebook and twitter - and now they added free texting on board so that will be super for a group :)

IMHO most of the cruiselines will have this feature in the next few years and we will be able to text on board - great to find family/friends/group