ChutChut

I took my then ten-year-old daughter on the Celebrity Silhouette several years back and she loved it. Celebrity is not an adult-only cruise line. There are lots of things to do for kids and adults.

I'm so sorry it happened to you. I understand the humiliation. I should have raised it at the time but was afraid the Irish authorities (onboard a Princess ship) would find some reason to prevent us from entering the country. Looking back, I should have done what you're doing - address it with the cruise line and inform others that this practice is taking place.

True - they are contracted. But if they're wearing a uniform reflecting the cruise line, then the cruise line must ensure they are trained properly, etc. I had a port authority person intentionally separate me from my then 8-year-old daughter as she descended the escalator into a crowd of hundreds of people disembarking a cruise. He refused to allow me to descend with her as he claimed I didn't have two free hands to use the escalator (I did have two free hands but envisioned both of them being around his pencil neck). He detained me for 10 minutes and threatened to call the cops. When I finally caught up with my kid, a kind couple was waiting with her. However, someone could have lured her away, etc. in that time. Needless to say, Princess compensated me for that debacle.

They demanded ORIGINAL adoption docs??? OMG - I have those in a safe deposit box. I always bring copies - just in case some id*ot gets off on authority crap and racially profiles us again. This racial profiling really is getting old. If they have reasonable suspicion of trafficking based on non-discriminatory indications - that's fine. But to single out multi-racial families and - essentially - shame them - isn't okay.

Yep and it makes the kids (and the parents) uncomfortable and feel like second-class citizens. I understand the whole human trafficking concerns, etc. but it seems that authorities have decided the way to detect it is to single out multi-racial families. When it happened to me and my daughter on Princess, I didn't pursue it because I didn't want any blowback that might impact our ability to enter the various countries we were visiting.

It happened to me and my Asian daughter (I'm Caucasian). Multi-racial families are but a small percentage of families but it seems we get this treatment a lot more often that families of one race. Unless there is some evidence or reasonable suspicion to implicate trafficking, etc. it is inappropriate and, basically, racial profiling to subject our families to this without subjecting ALL families to this.

I would bet it happens a lot more with multi-racial families though. It happened to me and my different-race daughter although we had all necessary documentation. There's a huge racial element going on and it's not okay.

Nah - not an inkling of trafficking to justify this. Pure racial stereotyping and discrimination.

Doesn't justify it in this situation as all the papers were in order. Seems entirely based on race with no inkling of trafficking.

I had the same thing happen to me on Princess when we had to present our passports to the Irish custom authorities. My daughter is Asian (I'm not) and they asked me to step aside and privately questioned me about whether my daughter was actually mine. They actually asked my daughter if I was her mother. She was 6 at the time. She and I live at the same residence and share the same last name. I had my adoption docs with me and showed them to the individual. I understand the sex trafficking issue, but I felt this was completely based on race. Given I'm white and my daughter isn't. I didn't make any "waves," but I felt singled out and uncomfortable that they asked my kid if I was her mom. Other passengers had kids, and I didn't see anyone else have to endure that type of scrutiny as they all were the same race, etc.

I guess the cat's "out of the bag" so to speak....

Yes. Jump on it if it's only $180 in total.

And it appears you're blaming the cruise line? It was your nephew's fault.

Just came on to say that I love the title of your post. I feel that way every - single - day. Hope you can book a great fare.

Thank you for your well-balanced review. I've stayed in one of the great window view cabins in front on the Sun deck (Sky Princess) and we loved it. Never heard any banging, etc. but the seas weren't rough. I, too, have gotten sick on the last days or right after a cruise (several different cruise lines). I thought I was the only one cursed with this. I guess I'm not. Hope you feel better and Merry Christmas!

If the additional money spent and the hassle of recouping it is more than the loss, don't do it.

Tipping was a "thing" long before the Civil War. As such, it did not come about as a result of the 13th or 15th Amendment. Southern Democrat business owners (e.g. restaurants, railroads, etc.) took advantage of it to pay - mostly black - workers a low wage and reap greater profits for themselves. Southern Democrat politicians attempted to ban tipping in several southern states because they felt whites shouldn't have to "lower" themselves to tip blacks. Those laws were either deemed unconstitutional or overturned for other reasons. The ability to tip was then codified into federal law in the 1930s (I believe) and allowed. I tip to reward great service. If I were to stop tipping now, it would be hurting the very people who need it the most. It's fine to lobby the cruise lines, etc. to do away with tipping (increasing fares) and just pay their people more. But how do we know any increase in wage (with no tip) will be greater than what they have now (lower wage with generous tipping). I guess it's up to cruise employees to make their opinions known.

Tip if you desire. Don't if you want. It's all up to you. That's the beauty of "discretionary."

yes. enjoy.

So sorry you've encountered ignorant, indelicate people. One of the problems is so many people abuse the service dog situation that a lot people are callous to it.

Walking 4 minute miles??????? HAHAHAHA. You'd win a gold medal!!!!!

I had one of the large window cabins up front on the Sun deck. Absolutely my favorite cabin of all time and sooooo quiet. However, it's a longer walk to most things. If your mom has mobility issues at all, I would pick a cabin closer to mid ship.

Always deadbolt your door!

I know it's a small amount, but I would dispute the $11 on my credit card. You are able to dispute an amount smaller that the total charged to your card. I did that with Princess once and Princess couldn't substantiate the incorrect change and the credit card company credited me for the amount. After that headache, I always check my onboard totals every day.

Looking for to your cruise post. Love the Sky. Beautiful ship!