LocoLoco1

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.

What is so wrong with Booking and $Paying$ for an Airplane ticket on your home computer directly through the Airline with a Credit Card?? Methinks all this ‘Middle-man’ mumbo-jumbo is oftentimes self-inflicted misery and stress. I have found the fares usually quite similar; usually not enough to get upset about. (But then again I cook my own food…MY way.)

There IS an Umbrella group of very select Travel Advisors/Agents that are called Virtuoso Agents, their staff usually are seasoned Int’l travellers. Excelsior, MN has one, and I have seen that badge on certain agent’s front entrance door. We cruised with a Bird-watcher group aboard who had such an agency to handle everything for them. I guess there’s 100’s worldwide. Maybe start there..??

OK

Hi, What of those onboard ‘Hand-holders’ I often see on longer cruises? Don’t they usually work for Agents that $charge$ for handling every little detail if one is willing to pay?? I’ve met a few ‘Mother Hens’ onboard who travel with small groups, often with Asian clients and more mature clients as well, but I don’t know how such a service is arranged. Do you??

Search for ESCORTED cruises, that is probably what you need. Often considered an ‘onboard hand-holder’ service, these cruise organizers/agents cater to people who need/want more info. GOOGLE up ‘Escorted Cruises’ to find out what’s out there; (there’s one out of Seattle that’s well-known), More $expensive$, but some cruisers think it’s worth it.

I can tell if I am on a Cunard or a HAL ship. Cunard’s a cut above. However, HAL ships like the Koningsdam have a nicer pool area and Cunard would be a better choice if one likes to dress up.

LEFT WONDERING: Will HAL do what certain other lines have done?? Re: Drawing a bright line or Velvet Rope between the Tux’d and un-Tuxed guests. I think it’s coming back, as my [Attach] indicates it being done elsewhere.

I trust my abilities and instincts; therefor I typically eliminate any/all Cruiseline middlemen for most occasions to simplify, simplify. UBER App or a simple call for a Taxi have never failed ME.

I have lately only seen wrist corsages on Cunard cruises.

Howevermuch the gangplank $covercharge$ may become for the Basic Cruiser, the ones availing themselves of all the extras of Butler, Corner Suite and Fine Dining on Lobster and T-bones nightly, Hydro-pools and private tours etc. have always paid Triple, Quadruple, 10X and upwards of steerage fare for THEIR experience.. not the others. My opinion is that is fair, but nonetheless it harkens to 1stClass/2nd Class arrangements from the previous 2 Centuries. If that is so.. then methinks I shall simply carry on Un-tuxed and perhaps a bit ruffled; for that is what it is becoming once again. It could be far worse I assure you; as my $99/Dollar Chandris cruise to Singapore in ‘73’ was no gala affair!!

Methinks here is how in the next several years cruising will evolve further: No more Tux’s on the Big 3’s Mega-ships. Cruisefare$ (As advertised) on HAL, Princess, NCL, Celebrity, et al will simply get one aboardship. Lido buffet food gratis; but Omelet Sta.& Gelato, no. Poolside Burgers & fries.. $Extra$. Poolside chaise loungers/Cabana shade…$Extra$. MDR afternoon Tea, any meal with cloth napkin & Waitstaff.. $Extra$. Happy Hr. Cashews, turndown chocolate & towel animals.. $Extra$. Corporate TA’s/PCC’s will squeeze out the independents. Lenders will keep the pressure on and the industry will trend to either floating Plain Vanilla Mega-ships or Premier service smaller vessels even moreso than it is now. I will, however continue to cruise, as it remains a pleasant way to see the larger World even without the donning of formal attire.

I have a ‘Microfibre’ Black sportcoat from D. Fine, which I pair with a near identical pair of slacks. That’s been my go-to outfit lately, and probably forever, for weddings to Euro-cruises.

Compared to 1955..🤣

Need I even keep my Tux? Seems HAL/Princess have moved to a MUCH more informal ambiance. Wife & her Gal-pals report nary a Tux on their recent Princess 10-day. During Covid we dined exclusively Lido/Poolside on a HAL 15/day Carib. Q: Where’s Tuxes? Cunard? Seabourne? Or has the entire industry moved on??

Souvlaki. Good stuff…

Casino Offers are often $Free$. $100/pp is quite common actually.

Stay on board. Stroll the open decks and be amazed while having a cool one, grab a bite. OR get trundled into a group onshore event and be prepared to be HOT!!