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I don’t know for sure, but my guess is a senior citizens nudist club 🙂

36 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

The first show on the first night was headlined by some comedian who started his show with "welcome aboard to all the seniors and their parents!" 

I hope to god there was a drummer to give an appropriate badumtiss. That joke needs it. Sadly, that’s still how a ton of people see HAL. I have a hard time seeing the brand survive, at least not under Carnival. Why do you need both them and Princess. 

18 hours ago, navybankerteacher said:

Are you against the concept of giving people compensation related to their performance? 

I don’t believe that voluntary tipping is a good way of doing this. 

Hmmm. I’m sensing a plan for when I want to sail on one of them fancy cruise lines, but don’t want to deal with the dress code. 

21 hours ago, Gatordad1967 said:

 

 
I see your Danny Noonan, and raise you with Lacey Underall

30 minutes ago, Gatordad1967 said:

their pizza is the bombdiggity

 

Is that a good thing, or bad? 

3 hours ago, ldubs said:

But I do like the current process so much better.  I remember Mrs Ldubs setting aside the combinations of  bills to make sure we had the right amounts for each envelope (envelopes and stacks of bills spread all over the bed, Haha).

Now if we can just take it to the next level, where ships pay their employees, prices go up a bit to cover, and gratuities are outlawed. 

20 hours ago, Nashna said:

and the wine steward was non-existent.

I hate it when that happens. Though it’s worse when you call over the captain and just want them to bring you your wine. And he comes up with some lame excuse about it not being around since 1969. 

Apparently the wife-and-mistress plot came up multiple times on Love Boat. For example:

. While on a cruise in the Netherlands, Vicki (Jill Whelan) hooks up with a new crew member (Patrick Cassidy), who is being sought by Interpol. A man (Pat Harrington Jr.) who is with his wife (Eileen Brennan), discovers his mistress (Teri Copley) is also on the ship. The Captain (Gavin MacLeod) is taken with a woman (Elke Sommer) who, for some reason, tries to keep him at bay. 

Loves: Mungojerrie

Hates: Runpelteazer 

8 hours ago, davekathy said:

And today is national tequila day. 🍹😎

I thought every day was national tequila day. 

10 hours ago, mtempelaar said:

my husband (formerly a non-believer until we lived together) is convinced I attract spirits.   

You aren’t the only one. Why just the other day I was minding my business when suddenly - gasp - a glass of gin was in my hand. 

On 7/23/2022 at 9:16 PM, Jingerwoppy said:

Anyone ever hear any tales about someone running into a ghost on an RCI cruise ship?

I’m sure it happens. We don’t  hear about it often because, as they say on Disney, dead men tell no tales. 

7 hours ago, rodiond said:

Is it not the right observation? at least that's what I saw around me late in the evening 🙂 Not everyone, of course, but a fair number of people.

/raiseshand/

It was me. I was drunk. 

5 hours ago, rodiond said:

I am also surprised they didn't decide to change the itinerary for the rest of the cruise to make sure the glacier is covered.

I totally agree with you here. There was another situation this year with a ship having engine problems - it couldn’t maintain proper speed. The line (RCI?) choose to skip a glacier viewing day rather than a port day. I suspect 90%+ of passengers would have preferred to skip a port. 
 

Apparently landing a helicopter on a ship at sea is much riskier than teevee would have us believe. 
 

Missing a glacier day seems to come up a few times each season. Legally, you are entitled to nothing. If you ask, you might get some symbolic comp, but don’t get your hopes up.  And yes, missing glacier day sucks and no compensation sucks. 

You know, this does open up a possibility. Sorry kids, you can’t be checked it. Have a wonderful time at Grandma’s while your dad and I go cruising. 

I enjoy the food on MSC. But if “great food” is a priority, MSC might not be the line for you. 
 

As for dress code on formal night - don’t show up to the MDR in jorts. But as long as you’ve got the basics (pants/shirt/shoes) you are fine. If you want to participate, think sparkly rather than look-how-much-money-I-spent. 
 

I’ve got a Red Sea cruise booked for the week after thanksgiving. Many things need to be done before I go. I put some time in tonight preparing (pats self on back). Any guess what I prioritized?

- learn some Arabic

- increase alcohol tolerance in anticipation of alcohol beverage package

- figure out all the various visas I’m going to need

- get contacts or a prescription snorkel mask

- book pre/post cruise hotels

- make sure my Uber account is in good standings

- etc etc etc

Sorry I can’t offer advice, but those both sound wonderful to me. Have a great trip. 
 

Note: This may seem silly, but I’ve always dreamed of sailing across the equator and having a King Neptune ceremony. I don’t know if HAL goes in for such silliness, but if they do I’d definitely head South to Indonesia. 

10 hours ago, sparks1093 said:

We certainly can't tell them sotto voce "this is just for you, don't share it with anyone"

When I catered in college, I’d occasionally get the “this isn’t a tip, it’s a person gift from me to you. Capiche?.” I’d say I understand and thank you. Then share with my crew at the end of the shift. Because that’s what we did. 

Get the upgraded internet if you have a must zoom call. 
 

I like not having to think when ordering drinks, so I get the drink package if I think it’s going to be even close to break even. Especially on MSC where I don’t get hounded for tips on the drinks.  And then I don’t count. I have friends who have to count and drink to get their money’s worth.  I wouldn’t recommend the package for such people.

You can only get anytime dining if you are at Aurua level or higher. 
 

None of the speciality restaurants are worth the money to me. For dinner.  Sometimes I’ll get an appetizer in the afternoon while drinking. 
 

If you get a package that included “free” WiFi or drinks, you can pay to upgrade. No idea how they calculate the cost. 
 

if you get a more expensive drink than what’s covered by your package, you pay the full price of the drink, not the difference.  
 

I love MSC, but wouldn’t count on a can’t miss OF anywhere. Not saying you won’t, just don’t count on it. 
 

Casinos are smoke friendly. Which keeps me out so I can’t comment on craps or Holdem. 
 

White night is entirely optional. MSC is much more of a do your own thing clientele than a judge you for not complying. Well, maybe up in yacht club they care more. They don’t let riff raff like me in there. 
 

I’ve never used a TA for any cruise and see no reason to use one for MSC. Unless you want to of course. MSC has a reputation for longer hold times on the phone (true? who knows) which may, possibly, maybe be a reason to TA. 
 

No idea if you can get a bottle of booze for the room. 

You aren’t going to find a ship that feels like an intamate nightclub. But you will find venues on the ship that do. I don’t know if any ship that doesn’t have a quiet “classy” lounge. 

Unpipular opinion around here, but the specific company doesn’t matter much for your first trip. Go in a cruise. Find what you like and don’t like. 
 

My one advice would be to stay under your budget. Even the most all inclusive cruise can surprise you with things to spend money on. It sucks when you see something that sounds great, but you are already stretching the limit of your budget. 

I’m a huge fan of visiting cities on long layovers. Even with potential problems lately, seven hours is more than enough time to get into London. See a famous site or two, have a cup of tea, then get back to the airport. However, it all depends upon why you are doing this.  
 

Option 1: I’ve always dreamed of seeing London and this is my chance. 
 

Option 2: A seven hour layover seems painfully long. Maybe I’ll leave the airport to avoid boredom. 
 

If you are option 1, I say go for it. If option 2, there is lots to do in the airport. Me? I’d make the rounds of every duty free area and whatever booze tasting they are offering. 

1 hour ago, Beamafar said:

When those same Celebrity snobs could no longer afford X’s inflated prices

Interestingly, I’ve actually seen some incredible prices for last minute X cruises lately. Of course, those were down in steerage, not in /false whisper voice/ the sanctuary. Or whatever they call their yacht club.