notscb

If you have the AA app, you can sometimes (YMMV) check to see where your bags are in the app as well. I've never had a bag problem at Charlotte, especially as Charlotte has one of the largest AA operations on the east coast and runs pretty smoothly.

That's what key west is known for! You've gotta check out Schooner Wharf Bar if you can make the walk (it's not that far). It's got a great view of the marina and water plus has a really neat vibe overall and has money stapled to every surface (dollar bills). We also always enjoyed Irish Kevins, although it's loud. Poke in the Rear is a great pit stop for nourishment as well.

Um, they were commenting on a specific disaster where the captain was found to be grossly negligent. It has nothing to do with the muster system, and everything to do with who gives (or didn't in that case) the order to muster.

Was on Freedom (4 day) in May and they didn't have it as a regular offering. I chose to upgrade to it one night in the MDR because I had an OBC, and I wasn't super impressed with it either.

This alone tells me that you paid attention to them somewhat if you remember the experience of them. You remember that part of the deck where you all had to cram together to learn about safety- which is something we forget about because we're in "vacation mode." Let me be clear- in person mustering works if you can tell me about it in this way. As others have commented, it's as much about the crew practicing with the crowd as it is about passengers getting acquainted with where they're supposed to go and how to get there. Adults (and children) learn in many ways- it makes sense to have mustering happen in multiple formats (but definitely in person as well).

I disagree. How many times do folks completely ignore video based trainings in their everyday lives or jobs? In my experience, it's most of the time. When I was on RCL recently, the muster was in the app and you just had to keep scrolling down a certain amount and pressing "next." There was a video that I could turn my volume all the way down for and completely ignore if I wanted to. I feel like the muster drill isn't taken seriously enough with the new version of it, leaving gaps in knowledge and preparation should a real emergency arise. I've also noticed crew being more lackadaisical about it, which is concerning considering their primary job onboard is safety.

I was just thinking about how we've had a lot of threads about things we do pre-cruise to prep ourselves and make the most of our time cruising, but we haven't talked as much about what some of our post-cruise rituals might be! I know that coming down from a vacation can be challenging for folks (especially me), and was wondering if anyone had some things they do post-cruise to help with bringing their vacation to an end or remembering their time onboard. Things you or your family do (does) on debarkation day counts, too!

It looks like (based on the photos) that you could easily hit your head while using some of those elliptical machines. It's such an interesting layout for a gym space- understanding that those ships weren't designed for the "modern" gym specifically.

Based on your own response, it sounds like there's some real systemic issue from the corporate side against customers and against their own employees. The airline doesn't care. It's nice to hear of employees who still do, though, and thank you for going above and beyond where you're allowed and able to.

So you agree with the original comment we were responding to as well it seems. Glad we're all on the same page now 🙂 >But they don't pretend that they can operate at 100% capacity, and they never have. Without getting too into it, they've been "pretending" this since their covid-comeback and it's caused massive amounts of delays and cancellations over the past few months. You can't ignore that. *the same way cruise lines have been doing this and sacrificing guest experience as a result.

I've noticed that- and wonder if it's because security isn't empowered to actually touch passengers or something? Or if they're directed to try to de-escalate in other ways before engaging? With everyone recording these days, the actions of the crew could get the cruise line in deeper water than the fight itself.

Now I'm confused. you're saying you agree with the original comment then? Or do airlines "care"?

I'll have to say, the fitness center on the Pride looks super weirdly laid out and cramped based on the photos I was just looking at, but I think I found your answer. It looks like there's at least one rowing machine. edit: maybe 2! link to second in a different photo/area

On another live thread on this forum the reviewer had mentioned how they booked a starboard cabin so they'd be in the shade for the most part on a TA crossing- which is also why I'm happy you posted this question. It's really interesting to see if/how people make these decisions. I'm going to go against the grain and say "forward," as forward and center as I can get. I love those ocean view cabins that give me a direct look at where we're going.

100% agree. It's a safety issue for everyone around them and the crew trying to separate the fight as well.

I totally agree. I'd be only partially satisfied with an OBC vs lounging in a hammock on my private balcony all week. I think that's the downside of Virgin- consistency. Based on a lot of youtube reviews I've been watching, it seems like their product is not always on par with itself, especially in the staterooms. Still want to try them, though!

That's so interesting! I wonder why they wouldn't just use a stand for it in those situations (although I imagine space on those specific balconies is also smaller or limited).

Genuinely excited for you 🙂 Of all of the lines I want to try, Virgin is at the top of my list (did you see those amazing hammocks everywhere, it looks like a dream).

It's definitely there as an alternate on the dry slide that goes through people's balconies- a surprise eject into the ocean. /s

arguably the best part of the charlotte airport- those rocking chairs and apron views 🙂

This is an unrealistic question, as we all live our lives based on our own perceptions of feelings and reality. It's always both- like it or not. Your distinction between "don't do well enough" and "couldn't care less" is closer than you think it is, especially when the staff in the airport are the one's responsible for showing customers that they (the airline) do care about irops. Not only that, but if airlines were truly incentivized to "care", their call centers wouldn't have 4 hour wait times where you get hung up on when your call does get answered. If we were to think this through- take your "reality based" approached- if airlines did care, why would they pretend they can operate at 100% capacity when clearly that's not the reality in any industry (especially the cruise industry, where we've been seeing reports of lack of service on every major line). I stand by what I said- putting down the original commenter's feedback because it was based in feelings doesn't negate what they said. Go to a major airport, cruise port and terminal, restaurant, [insert any service related industry here] and tell me that they care about anything more than their balance sheet, I'll wait.

I suspect you'll find similar problems with service at every line right now (which is why I suppose most people didn't pick up or comment on that*). Post-Pandemic, every corporation is trying to recover what they lost and are doing so at the expense of their own customer base. No business should be operating the way they were pre-pandemic, but you see many of them pretending like they can to appease their shareholders. Not to say that you shouldn't try another line- but if service is your ultimate reason I'd do what the other commenter recommended and check out some of the other boards and live reviews on here. The service problem is not limited to CCL.

Feelings offer useful information (it's kind of what makes us human). From an economic and business perspective, you're right. Airlines don't have any real added value in having us hanging out in their hubs for hours on end or making a scene or throwing something negative up on social media about them. YET- at the same time, passengers are often left in these exact situations and the airlines don't do well enough to make sure folks are treated as if what you said is actually true. In this case, their "feelings" paint a bigger picture, especially when reality doesn't match the business or economic argument.

I didn't really give a strict reason why they're doing it, other than my own view. There's very, very clear economic reasons for doing it as well (from the cruise lines perspective). Every decision that's made in this (and every) industry is for their bottom line- in this case, ordering less (possibly), storing less and having to throw out and process less.

Most things are still open while onboard (albeit with some exceptions like the Casino depending on where you're docked at). I find that a port day onboard feels luxurious in that you can get an entire hot-tub or pool to yourself, or an entire half of the deck to yourself to relax, lounge and read without any interruption. I spent two port days on a RCL ship on the ship and had the best time.