SargassoPirate

2 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

Some of the attitudes expressed here are a bit....offputting.

 

Funny how your actual comment is quite at odds with your signature quote. 

Funny, and a good point but I don't consider feral children an imperfection since they are not easily overlooked.  Same with drunken idiots.  

Most other things one can overlook or work around on a cruise.

15 minutes ago, Hllb said:

When I see a bar, I equate that to loud drunken idiots, especially on a cruise ship. It only takes one or two. They should quit serving alcohol on cruises, or at least in specialty restaurants.

That's funny.  I've run into more feral children than drunken idiots in bars on cruises, but I have sometimes ended up at a table next to a large table of loud, shouting, drunken idiots in the MDR.  

On 3/17/2023 at 2:14 PM, CruiserBruce said:

As long as it fits through a standard airport sized xray machine.

And you can lift it into and off of the x-ray conveyor.  

When I see anything Family Friendly I equate that to  unfettered feral children accompanied by clueless parents.  It only takes one or two.  

My easy breezy solution is I don't answer the phone unless it's someone in my contact list.  If it's not, I silence the ringer and see if they leave a message.  More often than not, they don't.

On 3/19/2023 at 10:29 PM, damiross said:

Thanks. I don't see how that light could affect someone sleeping.

 

I remember on our previous cruises I had to walk slow because it was so dark.  I'm glad they have put night lights in for us old un's.

 

The clothes on hangers swinging back and forth seemed to be setting it off on my last.  I pulled some painter's tape out of my tool kit and covered the sensor. When I needed the light, I just reached up and twisted the tape and the light would come on.

35 minutes ago, HotRoot said:

I believe yellow fever is now only needed once - no boosters.  

Yes, for most people and depending on where one is traveling.

From the CDC:

For most people, a single dose of yellow fever vaccine provides long-lasting protection and a booster dose of the vaccine is not needed. However, travelers going to areas with ongoing outbreaks may consider getting a booster dose of yellow fever vaccine if it has been 10 years or more since they were last vaccinated.

When I'm at sea, I am totally immersed in the experience.  I leave the day-to-day world behind and I am easily satisfied with most any ship with a real promenade since I can always find something to eat and a wee dram in the evening.

When I'm not at sea, I'm always planning my next cruise.

I avoid the MDR for the evening meal.  Too loud and too long.  I was on the Caribbean Princess in January and ate every evening meal in the HC.  I would load up my plate, grab another plate as a cover, get a drink, and go out to one of the tables at the Outrigger bar and dine while watching the ship's wake and sometimes the sunset. The crew back there was very attentive and refill my glass, etc.

12 hours ago, CeCe_ said:

Are you required to take health vaccinations to Asia Countries?  such as Hepatitis A, Malaria, etc...

Generally, about the only vaccination required by some countries is yellow fever.  I haven't checked to see if that has changed for quite a while because I'm not due for a yellow fever booster yet.

You can check the CDC website for recommended vaccinations for travel outside the US.  I tend to err on the side of caution and if a vaccination recommended for certain areas in a country, I'll opt for the vaccination whether I have plans to travel to that area or not.  Malaria carrying mosquitos do not observe political boundaries, for example. I also enjoy excursions that include a meal off the ship - such as at a beach resort or with a local family.  Therefore, I get a hepatitis vaccine.

My best advice would be to find a local travel medicine clinic/provider in your area, but go armed with the CDC information.

56 minutes ago, GJCruiser said:

You can bag up your laundry and send it out. Takes 2-3 days. For non-Elite, it will cost you. By piece. When we send out our laundry, we find a bag costs about $40, if full and of mixed items.

 

I prefer to do my own and the turn around time is about an hour and a half instead of 2-3 days. 

Plus, it's done right.  

16 hours ago, KKB said:

I am jealous--not sure I will ever convince DH to do it even tho he knows its my bucket list!

She Who Must Be Obeyed and I made a pact many years ago that we did not want to end up in the old folks home with regrets about things we didn't do when we had the opportunity.

Mark Twain said something like twenty years from now you'll regret more the things you didn't do than the things you did.

GO FOR IT!

1 hour ago, cr8tiv1 said:

 

This won't work since your room number shows up as caller ID.  

It works if you are an early riser - like I am - and can call from a house phone.  

She Who Must Be Obeyed and I are looking at the QM2 cruise to Tromso roundtrip from NYC for October 2024.

We are RCI and Princess cruisers, but did a transatlantic on the QM2 several years ago and loved the ship.  No country fare rides and no feral children.  Didn't see a single T-shirt or ballcap on backwards in the Britannia dining room for the entire voyage. 

13 hours ago, LB_NJ said:

Do you then tell Cunard you don't want to be upgraded?

 

We initially booked a standard inside, were moved to deluxe inside, and last time I checked we are in obstructed OV.  Hopefully they won't take any of the upgrades back.

Point is we didn't get to choose any of the upgraded cabins.

Yes, always on any cruise line.  Any cruise line's idea of an upgrade is an upgrade in category and not location.  You may wind up right below the pool deck or above a night club, for example.  And if you think about it, there's probably a good reason that "upgrade" cabin is unsold.  If the cruise line can "upgrade" you into a less desirable location, your old cabin is available for sale.

I've never been disappointed with cabins above, below, and across the corridor.

There are several countries that I refuse to visit out of concerns for personal safety and others that I refuse to visit because I don't want my tourist dollars to support them.  

Everyone has to make their own risk assessment or personal choice.

On 2/13/2023 at 5:45 AM, BamaVol said:

I don’t know which lines still offer traditional dining, but I think you’re more likely to make friends if you are assigned to sit  with the same people night after night.

I often cruise solo and never seem to have trouble meeting people in venues other than the MDR. On longer cruises one often sees the same people who are on a similar "schedule" or frequent the same venues.  A smile and raised glass by way of greeting goes a long way.

As I've lost more and more hearing over the years, the MDR atmosphere has become less and less pleasurable.  It's already a noisy environment and hearing aids just amplify the noise.  Couple that with getting assigned to a table with a low talker who will not or cannot speak up, and it's not for me.

10 minutes ago, Host Hattie said:

Yes, your table is waiting for you during restaurant opening times for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

You will have at least 2 gala Evenings where jackets will be required. 

Thanks, host hattie.  We are doing our due diligence with research to avoid surprises.

She Who Must Be Obeyed and I are considering a Britannia Club Balcony for a crossing on the QM2.  On the Cunard website it says:

"In the evening, you’ll be free to dine at any time between 6.30pm and 9.00pm, with a table reserved for you throughout your voyage. During the day, casual dress is welcomed, with smart attire (jacket optional) after 6.00pm. Dining at the Britannia Club Restaurant is included in your fare if you are staying in a Britannia Club Balcony stateroom. There is no need to book."

Does this mean that our table is there waiting for us anytime we decide to show up for dinner?

Thanks from a Cunard Newbie.

Passenger cabins above, below, and across the corridor, and no connecting cabins is the only way to go. I study the deck plans carefully before I book to ensure that She Who Must Be Obeyed is not disturbed.  Makes for a more pleasant cruise for both of us.😁

I love the Costco Citi card for all sorts of travel.  That cash bonus voucher that arrives every February is a real plus too.

The only way to "beat" the credit card companies at their own game is to pay the balance every month and avoid interest charges.

If you are interested in such things, Netflix has a nice little series called 'Money Explained'.  The episode on credit cards is the one to watch.

37 minutes ago, TenneSea said:

Yes, probably the biggest spreaders are the chair backs and seat and the menus in the main dining room.  How do you wash your hands after you pull your chair in?  Hand sanitizer does not kill Norovirus.  It will kill Covid, but not Noro.  Masks are not effective in preventing any virus.  Virus particles are too small, plus when a person removes the mask to place it somewhere, the exterior of the mask is usually touched so the person now has any bacteria or germ that the mask "caught" on their hands.

I grew up during the pre-vaccine days of polio, so I've always been a good hand washer.  On cruises I wash frequently, on the way into the dining areas, and sanitize after I'm all settled in at my seat. THEN, I keep my fingers out of my mouth and I don't touch any food with my fingers - including pastries and rolls (which I don't eat anyway)

Beyond these precautions, there's not much else I can do.  I will add that I've been on over 50 cruises without ever getting sick.  I never get the flu, other than a mild case in the 1960s that may or may not have been the flu in, and the last time I had a cold that required the use of a tissue was in the late 1980s. And, I'm one of the minority of Americans who still hasn't had covid.

On 3/6/2023 at 10:59 AM, ontheweb said:

 

And the latest nickel an diming I now read about in these boards is charging people to be sent the medallion. They should be ashamed of themselves.

Just pick up the medallion at the port like you would the card or brass key.  No need to pay to have it shipped.  

We sometimes drive to Fort L to avoid flying.  When we drive we stay at a Homewood Suites near the airport and Dania Beach where we book a stay and cruise special.  Free parking up to 21 days.  The hotel arranges shuttles to and from Port Everglades or Miami Port.

35 minutes ago, Crew News said:

I remember three loungers, a big cabinet with blankets, stairway up to Deck 7, and a large air vent blowing warm air.

Perfect.  I hope they didn't remove them under the guise of "covid".

Thanks for your help.