SargassoPirate

There's nothing wrong with "self insuring" if one is willing to take the risk. Our annual policy has certain limits, we are well aware of those limits and for any loss above those limits we consider ourselves as "self insured". Insurance is a real money maker for the insurance industry - or they wouldn't be offering it.

For me, the best seat in the house for production shows is anywhere in the back where I can leave easily if it's overamplified or if the show sucks. AND, if I do stick around for a show, I can bolt immediately before the cruise director starts his/her entertainment.

No. This is what your daily "tips" are supposed to cover: CREW APPRECIATION PAYMENT INFORMATION To simplify the tipping process for our guests, a discretionary crew appreciation payment will be automatically added to your shipboard account.Crew appreciation amounts will increase starting with voyages sailing on or after 2/20/23 to USD $18 Suites, $17 Mini-suites, Cabanas and Club Class, $16 for Interior, Oceanview, and Balcony Staterooms per day (including children). This crew appreciation payment will be shared amongst those staff that help provide and support your cruise experience, including those in the Bar, Dining, Entertainment, Housekeeping, Guest Services, Galley and Onboard Revenue areas.

Even if that "upgrade" is right under the Melanoma Deck or the gym?

It's easy. Just drape a pool towel over the seat and you're all set. The staff will treat them just like they do reserved loungers on the Melanoma Deck.

She Who Must Be Obeyed and I have carried an annual travel policy with AIG for years. It runs just over $500 per year and covers us for all travel - not just cruises - more than 150 miles from home. Train trips, road trips, motorcycle trips, air travel, etc. I figure the money we've save by not buying cruise line insurance over the years has been money best used elsewhere.

Are the lifeboats seated by class?

All the more reason to check your booking every day.

I see you are in Germany, but you can also check the US State Departments information for each country you'll be visiting for safety and security information. Personally, if the country where the ship stops is a little sketchy, I stick to ship sponsored excursions only or I enjoy a day on the less crowded ship. I have felt perfectly safe wandering around a port city on my own in Japan, for example, but wouldn't dream of doing so in Mexico most South American countries, and some big US cities. Also, be ever vigilant and don't act like one of the sheep. Exude confidence, be aware of your surroundings, look people in the eye when you meet them on the street, don't flash your cash, put away your cellphone, and be aware of your surroundings at all times. Don't be afraid to cross the street or turn back if you notice someone or something that looks a little sketchy up ahead. And yes, PROFILE. The crooks are profiling you, so don't present yourself as a target.

Ditto

Just remember there's a reason those cabins are available for assignment. Could be they are in a less desirable location, such as right under the Melanoma Deck or above a nightclub with late night disco. Could be a connected cabin where you can hear the folks in the next cabin sneeze. All depends on what's important to you on your cruise.

She Who Must Be Obeyed doesn't drink, so I maximize the value of the Plus beverage package by not purchasing it and going a la carte for my two or three wee dreams in the evening. Or I enjoy a couple of drinks in the P&E lounge. I come out way ahead. I do the same thing when I cruise solo and still come out ahead.

I've got a couple of cruises booked, one this fall and the other in the winter. I have an excursion wishlist for both. I was checking excursions for the fall cruise and most of them show "sold out". Sailing is still about three months away. Do we now need to book excursions before we even make final payment?

Sounds like quite a show at the next table. People who act like that are bullies and are showing their insecurities and other character flaws. The guy has probably never heard that you don't abuse people who deliver your food/drinks and your mail.

Yeah. I chuckle to myself at some of the so-called health precautions. Can't fill my own coffee cup, but that crew member can wear the same plastic gloves for and entire shift. Can't pickup my own silverware burrito, but the crew can "clean" a table with a used cloth napkin. We are smart enough to protect ourselves and we don't touch food or anything going in our mouth unless our hands are clean - and clean doesn't mean I washed them as I left my cabin. At least we are seeing those plexiglass communication barriers coming down in stores and medical offices. Interesting times.

I guess I''m some sort of medical oddity. Still haven't had covid. Only worn a mask when required by an authority. Got vaxxed as soon as I was eligible and have been boosted so much my shot card is full. Been on 5 cruises since the restart. Had four flights within the past three weeks. Still not so much as a sniffle. Everyone's physiology and immune systems are different and everyone should take whatever precautions they feel are necessary. I'll be first in line for the next variant booster and will keep on traveling.

I avoid cabins that do not have other cabins above, below, and across the corridor. That being said, I would get my TA involved and find another balcony cabin in a better location.

With call centers, I figure it's the old "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." Why bother if you can't understand what the other person is saying and why bother when it's clear they don't understand the issue or the solution? I let my warehouse club travel department deal with the cruise lines. Their agents are all articulate in English and get the job done.

Save some of your old negative test results and use them. My second cruise after the restart I accidently pulled up the test results from an earlier cruise, showed it to the shoreside staff and was waved on through. Only when I put my phone away did I realize what I had shown. They didn't even notice that the test was over 30 days old. At this point in the pandemic, requiring testing is more about political theater than public health - otherwise they would be testing for norovirus and the annual flu.

What????? Are they testing for the annual flu virus and coronavirus as well?

There's nothing like a hard copy to prove what you've purchased. I enjoy the OCD lifestyle and carry a soft three ring binder with a copy of every detailed description of an excursion. It's come in handy a few times for excursions when I did not receive the excursion promoted and has resulted refunds, when otherwise all you can expect is a blank look.

We are D+ with Royal and Elite with Princess. Let's say I'm looking for a cruise to a particular venue and/or itinerary. All things being pretty much equal benefit/pricewise amongst RCI, Celebrity, HAL, or Princess - our favorite lines - my first choice is Princess.

About the only thing I use my smartphone for on a cruise is to take photos. It's a nice compact camera. But for that, it would stay in the safe. When I want a drink, I can always find a server willing to take my order, and check back later for a refill. As with lots of things in life, old school beats whiz bang tech most of the time.

How worn? I usually save my newer shoes for dress up and relegate my worn ones to yard work. 😜

I recall a sign on the college cafeteria entry that said "Shirts and Shoes Are Required To Eat In the Cafeteria" under which some wag had added "Socks May Eat Anywhere They Want"....this was in the 60s and the height of the hippie era.