SargassoPirate

Should somebody let them know they are advertising the plowman's supper?

Maybe I can help a bit. It's my understanding that "High" tea is not as posh as it sounds. "Afternoon" tea is what you'll find on a ship in the afternoon when tea is served with little sandwiches, scones, and merengues. High tea is traditionally served late in the day, at a "high" table with high chairs, and includes an assortment of breads, cheeses, and meats. It serves as an evening meal for the working class. I had it explained to me in Bermuda when a traveling companion went into a big hotel there and asked for "high" tea. He was looking for the snooty, posh, afternoon tea and thought that high made it highfalutin when he was really asking about the plowman's supper.

Maybe they should be required to do the Sheldon Cooper knock.

I find it fascinating to observe others at dinner, but I am also dismayed at the numbers I see sitting through an entire meal without conversing with the partner or, even worse, their kids. Some folks are raising a generation that does not know how to converse or look at someone when they are. I've even seen two couples out for dinner and all four spend the time together on their phones, not conversing, not enjoying each other's company. Why even bother to go out for dinner? "Mirrors on the ceiling, pink champagne on ice, we are all just prisoners here, of our own device"

I'm on the OCD spectrum, although I consider it a lifestyle and not a disorder, so I'm sure my steward can do a quick tightening of my sheets and a quick whip around and be out of my cabin in five minutes. They should share some of the tip pool with me.

Yes. Glad you recognized the reference. I've read every book and watched the series on PBS and the DVDs. I use SWMBO with the utmost affection instead of DW. SWMBO loves it. We had the privilege of meeting John Mortimer and he signed her SWMBO coffee mug. For the groundlings, SWMBO stands for She Who Must Be Obeyed.

Ditto on the best crew. While we sail for the itinerary most of the time, with all things being equal we choose Princess.

I cruise with the standard/steerage booking mostly because I can't make the math work for the packages. I pay the standard gratuity once I'm onboard as part of my daily expenditures. I don't use the app on board and prefer to order my evening drink(s) from a human. If that human has it on the ball, I'll tip them a little extra - especially when my butt and my drink start getting to the table at the same time. It's low stress, old school cruising and I enjoy it.

Is there any actual enforcement?

I was tethered to landlines, bag phones, and eventually cellphones during my working days - on call 24/7 at times. That could be the big reason I like to eschew technology. SWMBO and and we're recently out for dinner in a nice restaurant. Seated next to us was mom, dad, and two preteens. All four were on their devices before the meal and even during the meal. Next to no conversation. Saw sign a few weeks ago.

Thanks. Is there still a printed daily schedule of some sort? I eschew technology for the most part while cruising. I do use wifi to keep in touch with SWMBO when she stays home, do my airline checkin at the end, and take the occasional photo. That's about it. If I can find a shady spot on the promenade to read, someplace to get something to eat when I'm hungry, and a wee dram in the evening, I'm good. Throw in a good lecture series and I'm over the moon.

CruiserBruce, I am enjoying following your posts. I've booked the 2025 Amazon cruise on the Zaandam with the Have It All package. Thanks for your observations and insights.

"Almost required". Why?

I never hear foghorns, Melanoma loungers, or BB King's from my Luxury Inside Steerage Suites. And one I step outside my door, I'm on the same ship as everyone else.

I too tend to book early and watch for price drops, although they are becoming rare. I did manage to take advantage of a couple of price drops on a world cruise and my final payment fare was just over $10K less than when I first booked - which was as soon as the cruise was announced. In both price drops, my big box TA took care of it. No calling the amateur call center in the Philippines.

Gotcha. We checked into a hotel several years ago and were given our key cards. We went to the assigned room, opened the door, and the room was occupied by two couples in various stages of getting ready dinner. They were as surprised as we were. The front desk had assigned us the wrong room. If those folks had used the deadbolt, we would not have walked in on them. Just sayin'

I couldn't care less about the effort put into either app. All I know is when an app serves my purpose and works for the benefit of the consumer, I'll use it.

Isn't there still a deadbolt that you can control from the inside? I haven't been on a cruise since January, but our habit is to use the deadbolt anytime we are inside the room whether it be a cruise ship or a hotel.

As one of the complainers, I use all sorts of apps for travel - flights, tours, hotels, Uber, etc. But I won't waste anymore time with a wonky Medallion app prior to the cruise. Disappearing personal information, disappearing reservations, screen locking up. Why waste my time when I can just print out my booking sheet and show up. If it ever works as seamlessly as Amazon, for example, I may give it another try but at this point the time cost/benefit does not impress me.

Yep. It's still a free market economy and we can vote with our feet and dollars. Don't harangue the working staff on board, but let the ship's officers know, especially the loyalty ambassadors or whatever they call them.

Exactly and that's why one should not advertise that you are one of them. Crooks, by nature, will go for the easy pickings.

I was on the Sky just before the big shutdown due to covid. Lovely ship. One of my favorite spots was to get up early and enjoy morning coffee on the aft section just outside the HC. I also loved the International Cafe in the Piazza. Back then, at least before their current nickel and dime method, every so often the cafe would do a batch of monkey bread in the morning. As a regular there, the server would alert me the day before so that I would sure to get by before it was all gone. If memory serves, there was a Starbucks coffee on board also. Have a great cruise.

Spot on. In any port or in any city, there are several things to keep in mind for personal safety. The first is to be aware of your surroundings and always be scanning the people around you. Second, be one of the wolves, not one of the sheep. Make eye contact with those around you so they will know that you are aware of their presence. Third, don't advertise that you are a tourist, don't wear your tour number sticker after the tour and don't wear your ship card/medallion for everyone to see. Fourth, leave your jewelry at home or in your cabin safe. There are many more steps, but I'll leave you with this - profile as you walk around. If someone or someplace looks sketchy, cross the street or turn around. I have spotted thieves watching tour groups in several instances just by watching those around us and profiling. When that happens, I make sure to make eye contact and usually they will nonchalantly move on. Safe cruising.

Just because you posses the technology to do something doesn't mean you should. I agree that the medallion is handy to unlock the cabin door, but they can keep the rest of it. I don't have time to waste to try to make a wonky app work when I can show up at the pier and be able to board the old school way. If Amazon rolled out an app that worked like the Medallion app, Jeff Bezos would be back to selling books out of his garage.

Ever notice that most of the angst is about how the men dress for dinner? I recall a line from "As Good As It Gets" where, after being turned away for dinner because he didn't have a jacket, Marvin says to his date something to the effect "They make me buy a new outfit and let you in in a house dress"