ceeceeDee

Yes, banking is really impersonal these days. I remember back when I was around 18, I was shocked when I walked into a bank to open an account and I was immediately shown into the Manager's office and he personally opened the account!!! My jaw still hits the ground whenever I think about it.

And to put the shoe on the other foot ................. Most cruise ship crews are international which results in a lot of unpronounceable first names. I remember on our last cruise one of our cabin stewards had a name beginning with 'M' followed by a lot of seemingly unrelated letters on his name tag. Turned out it was pronounced Moses (I asked his fellow steward the correct pronunciation). Much to my embarrassment I was calling our lovely waiter 'Gaven' for a few days until I discovered his name was actually Gayan.☹️😯 Bless him, he never corrected me. I discovered my error when I overheard other wait staff addressing him as Gayan.

Well, a person's name is their personal identity. I totally get the OP's point. She identifies with her 'nickname' rather than her legal name. That is her prerogative. My first name has been mispronounced by just about everybody all my life so I generally go by my nickname (CeeCee). Honestly, these days if someone calls me by my legal name I feel like I'm a kid in trouble about to get a lecture from Mum.😆 However, so far as worrying about what cruise staff call me, they can address me as Miss Rumpelstiltskin for all I care. It doesn't affect the service provided and it is only for a relatively short period. And btw, I do correct people over pronunciation, but it doesn't always work/stick. Whatever, just don't call me late for dinner.😁

Those lovely bank staff looking after elderly ladies, bless them. Wouldn't be a certain 'big bank'. I've been reading how some of their branches are going 'cashless' and not dispensing or accepting cash over the counter!!! Really?! Not my idea of a bank or customer service!!!

My account is still labelled 'cheque account' but I haven't had a book in years. Just use it as a savings account and do any transaction out of it on line.

Know what you mean about sour pusses.😆 On our recent cruise there was a very outgoing middle aged lady who would talk the leg off a dead donkey (donkey probably expired simply to get away from her. Nah, she was nice). Her husband on the other hand had an expression like 5 miles of bad road, responded in grunts, if at all, and just was a complete downer (talk about opposites attract!). Sad to say, we tended to avoid them simply because we couldn't handle husband's negativity.

Haven't done that cruise or sailed with Celebrity, but we had an excursion cancelled (storm damage) in the Caribbean and Royal Caribbean refunded directly to our credit card.

We sailed on Symphony of the Seas for a 7 day cruise in the Caribbean in September 2019. Hurricane Dorian was threatening Florida when we flew out of Australia en route to Miami. Even when we landed in Houston we were unsure whether or not the cruise would go ahead so were prepared to spend time in Texas instead. We were fortunate that the storm veered away from Miami and the cruise went ahead. The only activity we couldn't do was the balloon ride on Coco Cay as it was damaged when the storm passed through.

And frankly I wouldn't travel without comprehensive international insurance. Have never had to make a claim, but it's just not worth the risk. Doesn't matter how healthy you are, accidents do happen. I do think $800 is a bit excessive, but I'd rather pay that then be in the position to have to pay for expensive medical care and/or repatriation back home.

Smoking in Australia is even more expensive. How about $45AUD for a pack of 25?!!! That could have a lot to do with the younger demographic not taking it up, which is a good thing.

We tend to prefer sailing on smaller ships (2600 odd pax - and some of them are decidedly odd!😆) so we do interact/see the CD quite a bit and enjoy the experience. When we sailed Symphony of the Seas I don't remember seeing the CD at all. Not that that was a problem, just interesting in that I haven't even thought about it until now.

The CD on our last cruise was an absolute gem. Always up for a chat if we encountered her around the ship and a fantastic sense of humour.

We used AUD when last in Vila and didn't have a problem.

Yes, I've read in other threads that Qantas insurance is reasonable. Might be worth checking out.

I always just factor in the cost of insurance with the overall cost of the cruise when I'm crunching the numbers prior to booking. I agree that for the over 70s, even those without pre-existing conditions, the cost of insurance is getting a bit ridiculous. But then again, so is everything else these days.

On our last cruise (domestic, Australia) hubby attended a Scotch tasting seminar (which he obviously enjoyed! 😉). We've come across the barman on previous cruises and he is extremely knowledgeable. The cost was $20 and hubby estimated he had about $60 worth of Scotch so it was something of a bargain and kept hubby out of my hair for a good hour!😂

Hubby goes to work after midnight, which means our large dog and I have much more room in the bed!🤣

Can you ask your yearly insurance provider to furnish a letter stating you are covered for both cruise and COVID? I've read other threads where people have been supplied with such a letter.

I have to wait an extra 500 days to you, Mic! 😬 Unless the planets align and we go on one sooner. Probably not as we have two land based getaways booked in the meantime

I agree gaffer is a better option. However, eucalyptus oil or coconut oil will remove gooey mess left by tape or stickers if you are left without a choice.

That's disappointing. ☹️

Great your embarkation was smooth. Please let us know how your cruise went when you get back. Happy Sailing.

Haven't done Christmas, but did do a New Years to South Pacific. From photos I have seen on facebook, cruise ships are usually beautifully decorated for Christmas and I believe Christmas food is on the menus. Our New Year cruise was a hoot. Because of various time differences we ended up celebrating the turn of the year about 4 times!!! Local time, ship time, EST and Daylight Saving.

So glad you managed to get a cabin. Explorer? Did you mean Encounter? We sailed on Encounter at the end of May and it didn't appear they were strictly adhering to the assigned boarding times. Because we don't trust the Highway from Gold Coast (traffic delays) we always leave with plenty of time up our sleeves and arrived about 50 minutes early (and prepared to wait). To our surprise, Staff at the Brisbane Terminal sent us straight through and it is not as though the terminal wasn't busy. Heaps of passengers waiting to be processed. So, if you are prepared to wait, take the chance and arrive early and see what happens.

Absolutely, Marion. Get well soon.