blindrid

On 11/2/2023 at 5:55 PM, Panhandle Couple said:

But we have been approved on our 2nd cruise in December. And we used a TA for both.  

Don't assume everything you read here is correct.

100% correct. Got mine just fine. Just filed the form and got acknowledgment back next day!

From experience, the daily charge should be for 1, not two

Not very helpful. Needs to be sorted by ship…..

Regardless of line on domestic cruise - it’s pretty much 9:00 ish

On 11/27/2019 at 8:35 AM, ColeThornton said:

I find most of that to be overkill.  In all my cruises I've never done anything more than perhaps wash my hands more than I normally do on land.  If I were to be that paranoid and did all of the things suggested I wouldn't even consider stepping on to a cruise ship.

 

I appreciate your thoughts though.

 

Absolute overkill. Before I get that OCD,  I’ll quit cruising.

The list above is helpful as I believe the package is good for drinks up to $15.

If I remember right Bulleit is included if you like a Kentucky Straight. Not a bad one. I’ll see if I can find the list. 
 

Randy

Nic6318: thank you - we typically use local excursion companies but our friends booked this one,

All: ladders are no issue. As to extended periods not touching bottom, we normally wear our snorkel vests especially if the water is rough. I consider us OK swimmers.
 

I’m thinking that I may be taking the challenging part to the extreme. Also, I may be underestimating our conditioning reacting to our desk jobs. We’re not unfit just not what I remember being in good condition. zqvol: I’m thinking like you are. If it’s rough, it’s rough. If not, probably easy. 
 

I think we’ll book it. If it proves too difficult I guess we’ll watch with a cold soda in our hand 😎. Thanks for everyone’s input. 

Nic6318: thank you - we typically use local excursion companies but our friends booked this one,

All: ladders are no issue. As to extended periods not touching bottom, we normally wear our snorkel vests especially if the water is rough. I consider us OK swimmers.
 

I’m thinking that I may be taking the challenging part to the extreme. Also, I may be underestimating our conditioning reacting to our desk jobs. We’re not unfit just not what I remember being in good condition. 
 

I think we’ll book it. If it proves too difficult I guess we’ll watch with a cold soda in our hand 😎. Thanks for everyone’s input. 

NCL Excursion: Stingray City & Barrier Reef Snorkel

Where: Grand Cayman 

Ship: Breakaway 

When I read “Tours with this activity level involve physical exertion for extended periods of time; can involve uneven or steep terrain or swimming in a light current. Recommended only for physically fit and adventurous travelers.”. 

We’ve snorkeled before and don’t consider us total novices but as we age (early 60’s) we don’t consider ourselves “physically fit”. Obviously Stingray City is rather benign - no concerns there. Your thoughts on whether we pop $200 with our concerns? We’re not vegetables but don’t consider ourselves fit either. When the activity level is “Challenging “ it’s a concern. Maybe I’ve never noticed.
 

Anyway, opinions are welcome especially if you’ve done the Barrier Reef Snorkel. Thank you all in advance. Randy 

To Flamingos: I’ve certainly been exposed to chair hogs but not to this extreme.

To Brit: I’m glad you enjoyed it. It was certainly not for me by comparison to other lines / ships. As mentioned, Andreas was certainly not my style bot to each their own. 😀😀

Scenario: 

1) First RCL after about a dozen cruises on other lines.

2) OV cabin, deck 3 - friends had balcony, deck 7 - some of these opinions below were also shared by them.

3) 12 night including Christmas and New Years.

4) I typically avoid mega ships.

5) Bought beverage package

First of all, my opinion of cruises is “no such thing as a bad cruise, just some better than others”. To make this short, some comments:

1)  I was disappointed in the lack of comfortable bedding. They were horrible. 

2) MDR reasonably good. 

3) Service was good by most

4) Virtually impossible to get chairs near pool area, either level. Chair hogs with no RCL “towel police”.

5) As a Makers Mark drinker, it was in short, almost nonexistent supply. I heard some complaints about it when I inquired so I wasn’t alone.

6) Cruise Director - not impressed.

7) cabins were smaller than expected. Great storage though.

Anyway, I could go on but I believe you get my point. I’ve done other ships on a repeat basis but will not on Serenade regardless of it going into dry dock or not. For the price paid for a Holiday cruise, the value was not there.

anyway, my 2 cents - have a great day.

Just got off Serenade. We uploaded our pics from a iPhone. It worked fine and one less to do when checking in.

On 10/20/2018 at 8:42 PM, Domino D said:

I have no problem with that provided the same happens to drunks who throw up in public spaces.  I have never seen dog poop on a cruise, and have never been on a cruise and NOT seen the crew cleaning up vomit. 

🙄

On 10/20/2018 at 9:30 AM, cruisefan0110 said:

If I am reading your post correctly, we are not discussing "muffy".  I believe everyone here believes that the emotional support animal policy has been terribly abused.  I am talking about trained/certified support animals.  Yes, some people would not have travelled 25 years ago.  I, for one, am glad that we now understand emotional needs more clearly.  And I will gladly share my cruise with those.    

🙄

On 10/17/2018 at 4:35 PM, cruisefan0110 said:

Once there is required valid documentation, then they could ask for it.  I truly feel sorry for those that have a valid need for emotional support animals but are no longer able to use them due to the others abuse.

I truly don’t. As harsh as that sounds, everyone worries about the “emotional support “ and forgets about those seriously allergic...... God forbid they would have travelled 25 years ago without “muffy “ 😡😱

Here’s my take (even though unpopular):

you knew rules. You exceeded / broke rules. Now you complain them enforcing rules. 

.????

R

The Lyft driver will have experience. relax.

We must be on the same cruise. I emailed a lady I know in SXM. According to her, I’m not planning on much. Not a lot of shops there that has ever interested us anyway. We’re planning on a beach day.

we spent a week there 6 months ago and I’m sure the storm damage is still pretty brutal anyway.....

I stand corrected - for our Christmas / New Years cruise. I paid $51(x 1.18 x 12 days) or $722.16 each. My wife, though not a big drinker, will make up hers in sparkling water and her fancy coffees in the morning. 

Heres how I look at it from her perspective:

1) morning coffee 1@$5+

2) 3 Perrier (or whatever at lunch, dinner) @$5+

3) 2 still water ( while taking her walk) @$5

4) 2 cocktails by pool @$10

5) 2 glasses of wine at dinner @$10

Thats roughly $70 + 18% or $82.60 a day. Unfortunately, at a cruise line’s inflated individual prices, it’s not hard to get to their number. 

14 hours ago, blindrid said:

I’m booking and keeping an eye on it. Just bought today on SOS, Christmas/New Year s cruise at $61+. We’re 66 days out. 

R

I’m booking and keeping an eye on it. Just bought today on SOS, Christmas/New Year s cruise at $61+. We’re 66 days out. 

R

Travel insurance is for things like cancellation and delay. Medical coverage, including evacuation, is usually separate. We use GeoBlue for that. You can also look at sites like Insuremytrip and others which you can easily search.

Your trip insurance would have covered it. Check your policy or call Steve at Trip Insurance Store. I always buy primary coverage to avoid hassles.

When I have bought the package, I've bought onboard. The bartender gets a pretty good spiff when they sell one. You've made an "instant" friend!

You asked about seeming to be rude if you chose to eat Specialty 6 nights out of 10. Once we did something similar - 5 nights out of 10, and we could tell our tablemates felt uncomfortable with us doing that, and frankly somewhat miffed. It gets really awkward when some of them would do a specialty here and there, and sometimes there were only 2 people at a table for 10. We didn't intend to cause discomfort, but would never do that again.

I would say the problem was with the other table mates, not you. I would suggest that it is your cruise to do as you wish. I would let them know you would not be there to avoid them waiting though.

And, order as you see fit. It's not a problem.

The Equinox is one of my favorites.

I would think the game would be on. I've watched NFL / KC Chiefs before on the big screen.

Tuscan has always been good to us so enjoy. I rarely tip extra unless beyond the call of duty.

Bev package should include virtually everything but a little iffy on smoothies though. Just ask before you order.

Casino unsure as I'm a table games guy, dice / blackjack.