LocoLoco1

Lake Mille Lacs- Brainerd. I drove BNSF trains to F-M weekly,’Oh, look!! a Tree!!’😹

Snow today here in N. Minnesota. Cli-Fi Day is a new one for me; I defer to my Geology Reference books for the historical Climate facts. Saucy Scallops…Yes!!

Been on a long HAL cruise lately? Trans-Atlantic Med cruise felt quite ‘spare’. Fellow guests offered this; ‘Is it just me, but THIS isn’t HAL.’ We agreed.

I disagree. Seems HAL is headed for a ‘WalMart’ business model while pretending it’s something loftier. Booking a Penthouse Suite and dining in Pinnacle still doesn’t provide that guest the fuller experience of what it COULD be. In my opinion, they tipped their impoverished hand when they sacked the Librarian and the ‘Yum-Yum’ boy.

Family & friends currently on one of the newest vessels report the Post-Covid guest experience aboard ship is noticeably diminished as regards Piano players, Poolside activity attendants, lecturers, smaller dining entrees, $Pay-to-Dine$ upsells, etc etc. Is parent CCL still that $Broke$ or is the competition pummeling it with Fare cuts?? Somethings afoot, but WHY??

So… WHY has HAL cut back so drastically on things such as Piano Players, Poolside attendants for Water Aerobics…skimpier Dinner entree, etc. Are they still that $BROKE$ or are competitors forcing Fare cuts?? Post-Covid HAL is anemic once you’re aboard and forego Pinnacle Dining and Penthouse upgrades. Whyso??

IXTAPA: I note Zaandam will dock there (and certain other line’s vessels), but not at Acapulco. My son is now in Acapulco area and reports it’s 2023 hurricane damage remains severe and extensive. Heavy police presence in Ixtapa tells me that region has ‘issues’. I used to enjoy Acapulco both as a cruise stop and for extended stays. Hmm.

I have been to those islands. I don’t know your group demographics or abilities. I snorkel & SCUBA and hike. Bora-Bora great for a local 15-16 Pax outrigger boat for a 6-hr day to paddle over coral reefs and swim with Manta Rays then BBQ lunch. Moorea is mountainous and more hotels/developed so is moreso better for getting a coupla locals (Alberts Tours maybe??) w/Vans to go around the beach ring-road and jungle peep and/or laze on a local beach. On Rangiroa, No island tour possible, it is unique as it has no roads per se. It is a narrow ring of sand around a 20/mile lagoon and flat as a board so you will be having local skiffs (Rangiroa Plongee??)take you to a quiet lagoon spot to snorkel near Tiputa inlet with (maybe) Dolphins. No actual urban area there. Don’t go to it’s ‘Pink Sand Beach’ ?? too far(2/hrs) across the lagoon from the pier. I went directly thru the locals…no Viatour, no Expedia. ps I’d skip sunset any tour…’cuz no snorkeling!!Enjoy..

Been there several times. Tenders from ship/shore shuttle back and forth most all hours of daylight at Captains discretion if there’s no storms.

It was a couple from Ohio, USA.

We have 2 Cabins. My 4-star will be for getting table wine. Nice to know I can keep the wine in my Cabin. Our HIA will cover pool-side cocktails.

Thanns. That explains things…

Thanks. So..if we order bottles of lower-tier table wine for meal must it be one of the ‘wine packages’ to get that discount? How about bring glasses of wine into the Dining Rm. every evening?

Upcoming 15-day with 1 4-star and 3-Zero Stars. We All have the HaveItAll deal. What 4-star perks will be usable to us… aside from laundry for the 4-star stateroom?

Well.. It’s gang violence, not a Coup. We motorcycled Ecuador mere days after serious gang issues a while back. No issues if one keeps to daylight activities. Much like sketchy areas in Chicago, Philly, Detroit…don’t wander around at night. Using hire-cars instead of walking, etc etc.

Because it’s for Men

THE VERDICT: Going with 4/gals in 2 adjoining Veranda Cabins. Why? 2 bathrooms.

Haven’t decided which ship. We think we will be happiest by getting a 4th friend to join us and get 2 adjoining Veranda Cabins.

We are now thinking adding a 4th bestie friend and getting 2 adjoining Veranda cabins (ie 2 bathrooms) will work best. 1 with a Cocktail $Pkg., 1 without.

What works for 3 bestie gal-pals when booking a Caribbean cruise other than a Neptune Suite. Or should we convince a 4th to join and simply get 2 adjoining Balcony suites and be done with it? BTW, I’m 4-star, others Zero stars. TIA

QUESTION: If we 3 ‘bestie gals’ share a Signature or Vista Suite on a 15/day Caribbean must all 3 of us have the same Beverage Pkg. or HIA add-ons? 2 of us like our cocktails & 1 doesn’t. If it matters, I am 4-star for laundry etc. TIA

ANSWER: Yes. Starboard (right) side will be sunshine/warm. Port side will be shade/cooler.

Nowadays, a FULLY charged smartphone with Photo of your Passport plus a paper copy is the way to go. (We’ve had to surrender our Passports to the ship on occasion, so going without seems reasonable.

Methinks HAL’s marketing algorithms and/or ‘Fill those beds’ Dept. have periodic tussles amongst themselves; so I agree with you…somewhat. My experience on longer cruises (14/day +) is that when the stars align and one can cruise on a moment’s notice on a poorly received itinerary AND HAL’s final drop dead payment date is imminent THAT is when a cruise can be 1/2 price or nearly $Free$ with a Casino offer. I’ve booked cabins Trans-Atlantic for $800/pp when our dinner companions paid much much more. Wife and friend sailed recently on a nice cruise that was barely 60% full and their late booked fare reflected the Computer’s desire to ‘Fill that bed!!’

Just had Alaskan Halibut from July cruise; on the Grill with a coconut-lime sauce.