Treasure Hunter

The concierge printed the New York Times crossword for my husband every morning.

Why is the Prima getting such bad reviews? It looks so pretty and I think they might base it in NY year round!!!

Same here. We are still in our starter house ( added on a family room 30 years ago) and our cars are 2009 and 2015. We accidentally found out about the Haven about six years ago. My daughter was in an elevator and was invited to see a room by another cruiser. Now unless we are traveling with a big family group, that’s what we book. We are closer to the end than the beginning . Just walking past the long lines at debarking is worth it to us. And yes I charge everything I buy to accumulate airline miles and go business class if the flight is longer than three hours . We sacrifice in other ways. I cook a lot at home. Buy very few clothes or jewelry and have given up broadway shows . I’d rather go on NCL and see Choir of Man. And the Haven restaurant is terrific ( I also love the Ruebens at O’Sheehans.) To each their own.

Also Sthrngary when you are in Athens we went to a wonderful restaurant called Zorba's ( what else) in Mikrolimano ( Little Port) on the water a short taxi ride from downtown. The food was terrific and then strolling around the harbor for a gelato after dinner was memorable.

We were in Ephesus on the Celebrity Constellation in July . We did not need a visa because we arrived by ship and not by air. And it was for less than 48 hours. Check the fine print.

How far is this new dock from downtown Barcelona? From the airport? Too bad it was so convenient before.

We received our yellow fever vaccine at ages 72 and 74 each. Needed it when crossing from Tanzania into Kenya. They looked at the cards. No problems at all although the nurse kept us for 15 minutes as a precaution.

Hopefully there will be a new casino installed for my September 2024 cruise

And entertainment ( The big shows) are often arranged in the pre boarding lounge by an assistant concierge. One reason that I come to the pier on the early side.

Yes, Oceania cancels excursions. We went on a Med cruise specifically because of an unusual excursion out of Monte Carlo (the art colony at Saint Paul de Vance). They canceled the night before ( most likely because not enough people signed up). We were terribly disappointed as it was too late to find a private tour. But if you book a small ship with 650 passengers it has to be expected. So we wandered around Monte Carlo ( having been several times before) and watched them set up the Monaco Grand Prix. Not so bad.

NCL is already trying it out. Last February school break from New York we had 1800 kids on the Breakaway. We had our two grandkids 1O and 7 in a two bedroom family suite in the Haven. The pool and hot tubs got heavy use by the kids but I never saw them ( and certainly not our kids) on the sundeck. Adults complained that the kids in general were too rambunctious. That’s what you get for booking winter break. This winter there are no one week cruises that time of year round trip from NY. Only 10-12 days so we are flying to Miami to take the Encore. The flights are costing $1,000 a person round trip on Delta that week for coach! I guess NCL determined that those 1800 kids didn’t gamble, buy drink packages or anything in the shops but my grandson ate steak almost every meal.

No kids under 16 on the sundeck. I don't care how well behaved their parents think they are. Abide by the rule or I will make a stink. Any other part of the Haven is fair game except actually sitting at the bar ( which I have seen).

Yes. We love the Regal. But this cruise left from NY and in every other way was great.

I made the Love Boat theme my ringtone.

I think the average age on HAL is dead.

Try NCL. We think it falls in between Celebrity and the pre covid RCCL. We cruise a lot. Celebrity, NCL, Princess, Oceania and even two on Regent. Love Celebrity but NCL has better entertainment and is livelier.

We just got off the Emerald and you had to go to the customer service desk like everyone else. There is a sign for suites and elites. There used to be a red roped line. The personnel does not favor suites and in fact is rude. Next time we will only take a Princess cruise that has a suite concierge and lounge.

We have 35 cruises on Princess and our Princess to Alaska was from Vancouver. Princess does Alaska better than any other cruise line. You will have a wonderful time. If you can go try to see Victoria. If you take the railroad to Canada excursion, sit on the left side for the best scenery.The train reverses but everyone is asleep on the way down. Bring layers even in July.

We like the Hilton at the Marina

When out by the pool we order chicken BLTs for lunch and they always accommodate us. It is a delicious sandwich

Always ask. Look for someone in a dark blue jacket that looks professional. Then go straight to the Haven line ( there won’t be much). It’s what you are paying for.

Yes she sat down next to me to play. She was just being polite and didn’t stay long. I think she had the drink package. The problem was that there just weren’t enough slots in either section.

I didn't ask her not to smoke. She volunteered. I understand the rules. Often there are smokers hanging around who do not play. But as I said it seemed less than years before. We had a blast as many people were jolly and having a great time. I man next to me was playing 88 cents and hit for $10,000. We were all screaming. He nearly fell off his chair.

Just got off the Emerald. I’m a non smoker and hate the smell, my eyes sting and my hair seems to absorb it. There were few smokers that were also players. There were not enough slots and the casino was jammed most nights. I hit four hand pays so for sure I wanted to be in there all possible hours. One lovely lady who smoked asked me if I minded if she smoked. I said Idid ( but I didn’t have a leg to stand on as I was in the smoking section ( my favorite machines) but she should go ahead anyway. She decided not to smoke. I was thrilled at such kindness. I notice few smokers than years before. Hopefully the habit will just die out.

We upgraded from a mini in a great location to a Reserve Class mini a little farther from an elevator. We love club class ( reserve) dining and we’re treated like Royalty! So for us it was worth every penny