bcd2010

From just looking at a person, how do we know they may be carrying a vape battery in a pocket? I have visions of everyone keeping their distance from everyone else----just in case. :D

Wreaking chaos and havoc for the emergency drill!

I have done this on many cruises, at least 7 or 8, the last being on the Oosterdam last Thanksgiving (Nov 16 - 27). I have never been asked to register a card. I will see what happens in April when I leave again. This may just be another case of different ships, different policies.

This was a first for us, too - we got in the practice of doing this a few cruises ago after post-cruise charges kept showing up on our credit card accounts. I don't know why things were different this time, but they were - we never did provide the CC numbers and they did not put us off the ship!:)

If you have OBC that exceeds, or at least comes close to the $840 you do not have to register a credit card at all.

I've read this here on CC many times but on the Eurodam last November, we got letters in our cabin part way into the cruise telling us to come to the front desk to register our credit cards. No amount of explaining that we had booked all our excursions, PG meal, soda cards, etc. before hand and still had in excess of the $420 each in gifted and pre-purchased OBC would satisfy them. They said they weren't saying we would run up any charges on the last day but this was just to protect them - ???. We told them we were honest and wouldn't do such a thing and never did give them our credit card info.

Ironically, DS was under-charged on one of the Lido deck sales (2 shirts for $20 and another for $10 - they only put $20 on his on-board account) and he brought it to their attention because he's honest. They were quick to investigate the mistake and set it right, of course, but still wanted our credit card numbers.

And, oh, BTW - at the end of the cruise we were refunded over $350 between us in unused pre-purchased OBC.

I think they have the standard, most popular sodas in the fountains. However, if you order something non-standard and they have it in a can, that's what you get - supposedly 1/2 a can - if it's the 2nd half, the can may have been opened hours ago and the soda may be flat - that's what I've read here a lot.

However, on the Eurodam last November, DS drank orange soda (Fanta?) and he got a large glass, as did I when I ordered diet Coke - mine was from the fountain, his was from a can. On the last night I asked for a caffeine-free diet coke, he ordered a Fanta - they brought us the same size glasses we had been getting all along, with ice in them, opened the cans in front of us and poured the entire can into the glass, over the ice.

So enjoying your blog! You do many things in port that you set up on your own (vs. HAL excursions) - any chance you could add another section to your blog with links and other information re: your sources/connections, especially when it turns out especially good?

Great posts!

 

Is your January 20, Day 15 post on your blog OK? I can't click on the link for "more". And I want to see more!!

I was able to get more, but only the first paragraph - it looks like it didn't upload completely.

I took this tour (Mayan Ruins at Izapa and Chocolate Tasting at Tuxtla Chico) 4 years ago - best tour guide ever! Here's my write up to give you an idea of it: http://www.bcdenterprises.net/PCcruise/PDFs/921PuertoChiapas.pdf

I know that FCC is future cruise credits and OBC is on board credits, but what do HSC and SBC stand for?

HSC = Hotel Service Charge, which, for 21 days * 2 people = about $500

3 years ago, we took a private tour from Mr. Emerald, an ex-pat who trains tour guides - one of the best tours and best tour guides ever! See my Cartagena blog post for photos, narrative and info on how to contact him.

I would hope that a gentleman inappropriately dressed would feel some measure of discomfort;

Eurodam Nov 15 cruise -

Lined up at MDR on the second gala night. Couple (middle age) in front of us were dressed "differently". She: short mesh over-skirt (mesh = 1/8", openings - 1/2" wide by 1" high), underskirt covered a bit more than daisy dukes. He: jeans, sneakers, sport shirt sans tie, jacket.

As we sat waiting for our entrees, DS (dark suit, white shirt, tie) said quietly "I'm overdressed" - this from someone who doesn't pay attention to such things. I looked around, saw few suits, no tuxes, lots of sports and tropical shirts, dockers and less.

Sad that the discomfort is felt by those adhering to conventions appropriate to a nice restaurant and specified/suggested by the restaurant's owner but "overlooked" by the restaurant's manager.

You say that as if it were a bad thing.

A hundred million thumbs up, Ruth!

On our recent (11/15 Eurodam) cruise, DS & I each had a soda card. I drank diet or caffeine-free diet coke or club soda, he drank Sprite or orange soda (Fanta). When I asked for either of my diet cokes in a can (even paying extra) they said I could only buy fountain drinks on the soda card or use my room card to get the can - which I did occasionally because the fountain drinks weren't all that satisfying (too diluted?). Once, in the Lido, they asked if diet coke would be okay instead of caffeine-free diet coke (no, I drink a max of 1 caffeine drink/day).

On the last night, the lounge steward brought my club soda in a glass, and a glass of ice and can of Fanta for DS - the Fanta filled the glass (with ice) to the brim. Both were paid via the soda card.

I figured DS had been getting cans of soda all along and probably my caffeine-free soda was from a can (which is why the Lido steward tried to get me to agree to the substitution) and it was probably whole cans because the glasses were always the same size and filled to the top. If you think about it, it's unlikely that they would have every kind of soda in the fountain but you can buy every kind of soda they have via the soda card - many of them must be from cans.

We used up my card first and ended up never using his card - he got the $25 cost refunded at the end of the cruise. (This is a tip - they subtract the amount used on a card from the $25 cost and the difference is refundable. If we had used both cards, we'd have pretty much exceeded the costs of both cards and "lost" the amount of credit over $25.)

The biggest problem I had with the soda card, though, was availability of soda in the morning in particular - most of the lounge bars seemed to be un-staffed. I'd have to go up to the Lido to get anything to drink. For this reason alone, we will bring some of our soda and water on board with us.

Hmm... The Eurodam seems to have food problems everywhere. We were on the 11/15 cruise.

• Ate in Tamarind once (free as part of the Dine Around package), first time for us. Glad we tried it but that kind of food doesn't really appeal to us. DS tried the duck but, as said, this was new to us and he had no way of knowing whether it was good, no previous experience with Peking Duck.
  
• Ate in Caneletto once, only because it was part of the Dine Around package. Service was slow, food was okay.
  
• Ate in PG twice, including LeCirque one night (first for us). Enjoyed the food, the service and the experience – it was actually a calm, peaceful, welcoming environment.
  

But the MDR – omigosh! E.g., we both ordered roasted chicken with stuffing. I asked for a little polenta on the side (it was on the menu for a different entrée). We got what looked like chicken marsala (lots of mushrooms which we don't like and so wouldn’t have ordered) and no stuffing - I got the polenta, DS got what appeared to be potato fries. When I ordered Chocolate Caramel cake with crushed honeycomb, I got Chocolate Mousse cake with a sprinkling of chopped walnuts. Another time I ordered something with strawberries and got one raspberry (no strawberries). We ended up just ordering and hoping we got something close enough.

On a side note, because we knew we'd be eating in the MDR only 3 times, we tried Open Seating for the first (and last) time - chaotic, noisy, understaffed. Couldn't get whoever was setting up reservations on the first day to understand we wanted the same (2-top) table all 3 nights and ended up in 3 different sections with different stewards each time, at tables meant for 4 but with no tablemates. Actually, at first they told us we didn't need reservations for open seating and were "resistant" to explanations/requests. We ended up with nothing different than if we hadn’t bothered to try. Next time we won't.

Just got off the Edam. Just FYI, cabin 7018 (quite far forward) is small - I don't know at which point they start to get larger. We felt cramped, but it has a Plexiglas veranda, which was my main criteria. People next to us smoked but it was noticeable only 3-4 times - that's something that's just the luck of the draw - we were relatively lucky.

Be very careful what you send out to the laundry.

Our white undies came back light blue (I think this will wash out).

Best tip ever (got it here on CC) - the last 2 times (out of a total of 4 - unlimited) we sent out laundry, we asked for it folded, not on hangers. Wow, easy peasy to just transfer it from the basket to the suitcase - saved hours when packing!

Barbara,

What a wonderful post.

Sounds like you are doing really well. Your attitude is the best.

Hope your cruise gives you restorative rest and cheers you as you continue to recover. Wishing you the Very Best. :)

 

Thank you. One thing I have an amplified appreciation for is kind &/ thoughtful words - they mean more than I ever thought possible.

I couldn't take my annual long cruise this year as I was recently diagnosed with cancer. Having surgery today' date=' and I am very scared. Please keep me in your thoughts. Thanks, Marnie[/quote']

 

Oh, Marnie, sometimes I think some questions are meant directly for me. I had surgery for cancer in April, chemo over the summer. Not a good oncologist but lucked out with my new primary care physician who was not only informative, she went through it last year (and she had hair, something that meant a lot to me as I was about to lose mine). She told me I would "lose this year" and I immediately thought "No I won't, there will be at least one outstanding good thing." Within a week I booked a cruise - and although there were several times I thought I would have to cancel, I leave Sunday - and I decided I would not cancel but reschedule (I know HAL and insurance would not necessarily see it that way, but that was the thought I kept in my head).

 

It's a short cruise, rest/relaxation/recovery for me and a reward for DS, who rose to the challenge and saw me through it, even when I didn't want to. Every time he drove me to chemo, I told him I didn't want to go through it again, and every time he said "We'll get through it." We. An amazing word, no?

 

Another thing I did was enlist a friend to help me put a "light at the end of the tunnel" - she owns a salon and spa in another state (I created and maintain her web site) and I will be going to visit her for "the works" (including a new hair style) sometime next year. In fact, she's in the northwest and I'm thinking of adding an Alaskan cruise to that trip.

 

I am still very tired/fatigued and won't be running around on shore excursions on my cruise next week. I have barely any hair and will be wearing a wig (hate it), hats or scarves. Eating at a 2 top because I really don't have the stamina to socialize (different strokes for different folks - some people would thrive on it). This cruise will be different, for sure. And this year will not be lost.

 

What I hope I am giving you is some strategy and strength (everyone said I was so strong and I felt so weak...). Figure out who you can count on, set up a light at the end of your tunnel, find your strength (it may find you), and remember, like so many on this thread have told you, you will be in my thoughts. Best wishes for you.

[/b]I think he better be careful that one of these days, around the corner, is a scooter with any of our names on it. But for the Grace of God anyone may need one of those scooters to get from bed to bath. :eek: I am totally able bodied but so respect those who travel and cruise and get out and about despite their limitations and disabilities. I find no humor in anyone's disability.

 

JMO ....

Thank you - one of the best posts ever. Scooters (and wheel chairs, rollators, walkers, etc.) enable people to enjoy life and activities they would otherwise miss, leaving them pretty much house bound. I don't know anyone who uses an ambulatory device that has an easy time of it, and so agree with your kudos to them.

You'll be fine either way. I wear a jacket, but nice slacks and a collared shirt will be fine. Enjoy yourself.

Thank you for this specific info. I'm actually asking for DS and as a ripple effect, I know what to wear.

A related question - if Le Cirque is not on a formal/gala night, do most people dress up anyway or do they wear what they would for non-formal/gala nights. In particular, for a man, would a long-sleeve dress shirt be okay? With tie? Jacket?

Here's another photo, closer up - can't remember where I got it in March 2013 (I didn't take it) but it may have been off the web cam web site:

OP here - thank you for the replies - you convinced me - I just booked PG for the last night.

This is the first time we've sailed on a Signature class ship, so first time to try Tamarind (and Le Cirque, for that matter). When we booked we got the Anniversary package = OBC and free meals at Tamarind and Caneletto. So we'll end up in the MDR a max of 3 nights, the first night and the 2 gala nights.

I'm a little worried about the Tamarind. I don't like spicy foods and am not very "experimental" but with so many positive comments about it, I expect to enjoy it - and I know I can count on the wait staff to steer me in the right direction.

From the Dessert Extravaganza thread:

...the International menu on the last night is long gone as well.

What are they doing instead? Anything special?

OP here - thank you for all the replies - quite enlightening. I have mixed feelings about the presence/absence of officers at M&G events. For me, a M&G has to do with meeting other pax on the ship, specifically those where the connection is primarily via CC - officer attendance is a nice bonus, to be sure, but I never personally saw that as an opportunity to "dump" on them.

The person organizing the M&G for our November cruise on the Eurodam said he called HAL about officers attending it and was told the officers no longer attend them. Bill & Marianne, in their thread, reported that no officers attended theirs (Amsterdam, South Pacific). Are recent travelers experiencing the same thing?

The person organizing the M&G for our November cruise on the Eurodam said he called HAL about officers attending it and was told the officers no longer attend them. This is FYI, no intention of hijacking your thread - I will start a new post to see if others are experiencing the same thing.

(Here's the new thread for this discussion: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2266030)