shipgeeks

Our invoices/receipts always just say "late dining", never a time.

Are you sailing in Europe?  US?  I imagine that dining times, overall, might be later on European sailings.

But still better than someone who posted something she heard from a lady at the grocery store, who went on a cruise once, or at least someone's brother-in-law did, and they said.......

The two shows are timed to coordinate with the traditional dining times.  Our Late seating is 7:45. I believe the shows were 7 and 9:30, so we could have gone to either.  CD mentioned that second show was usually less crowded.  Lots of people like Early dining.

16 hours ago, Theosprey247 said:

The best place to get information is most often the cruise line's website.  Often you'll hear what people wish were true on forums.

I can see why people get confused about dining. When I look at my current booking, to browse excursions, there is a large section encouraging me to "book your dining package".  So that one is on the cruise line.  But, yes, regarding what one can take aboard, what is included in the fare, and much more, the cruise line website should be believed rather than "someone" who posts on a forum.

Guest Services, on your ship, should easily be able to trade your bills for you.

12 minutes ago, Engineroom Snipe said:

Absolutely delighted to say I was wrong and will happily eat my words with humility.

 

How would you like me to do so?.

ES, I'm just sorry you won't be on the June 13 cruise with us. I think we would enjoy your company.  We'd even treat you to a nice dinner in the MDR.

A couple from today's browsing:

"If you don't take your passport ashore with you at the private island day, you will not be allowed back on the ship. There's no other way off the island, and no food, no hospital, nothing."

"If you have dinner in the main dining room, each person in your party has to leave $18 cash as a tip."

Vision is on her way to the dock at Baltimore.

18 hours ago, Zmanjz said:

Interesting. Now that the Key Bridge no longer sets a height cap, will Baltimore be eligible to upgrade from Vision class to something newer than the mid 1990's?

There is another bridge between the port and the ocean, so there is still a height limit. Personally, I'm glad. Vision class is perfect.

15 hours ago, markeb said:

I looked briefly at the Royal page here on CC. Is Vision dropping off passengers in Norfolk and sailing crew only to Baltimore? 

No passengers aboard at the moment. Vision has been in drydock at Freeport. She is on her way to Baltimore for her cruise beginning on Saturday.

Sometimes it's fun to read a story set in a place I'm going to.  Any recommendations for Bermuda books?

46 minutes ago, ldubs said:

 

It is kind of sad to think someone needs to intentionally mislead.  I'm sure many folks, myself included, have unintentionally provided bad info.  Especially with those hearsay type things that seem to take on a life of their own.   

I see a lot of those hearsay things.

And then there are those who reply to "I'm so excited; I just booked a cruise on XYZ" by saying "That was stupid; that's the worst ship in the fleet!"  Some people are just mean.

I remember being in line at the terminal, behind a couple who each had a bottle of wine in their carryons. The bottles were inspected so rigorously, holding up everyone behind them, that it made me feel like there should be a wine line and an express no-wine line.

Cabin telephone from other cabin or public phones all over the ship. The number to call is the cabin number.

The tap water in your cabin bathroom is probably more reliably hot than a carafe.

1 hour ago, Tatka said:

This is why we love cruising from Bayonne… Only some cruises are 5 dayers ..

 Majority is 7-12 days 

Same with Vision, sailing from Baltimore. A few 5-nighters to Bermuda, but most cruises are 9 or 12-13 nights.  And not many children, although increased numbers in the summer.

I should mention that most of the misinformation I read is on "another site" rather than CC....but it is very popular, and followed by millions rather than thousands.  I always said I would never take part in that site, but I got sucked in by becoming aware of some truly bad information, and took on the role of teacher/advisor.  Now I can't stop.

We sailed on Regal Empress in 2000; one of the best cruises we've ever been on.  Beautiful ship, just the right size. Excellent food, including the best duck (Mr. Shipgeeks ate the whole duck), the best pasta, and the best orange sherbet.

For an unknown reason, we were invited to have dinner with (the late) Captain Gavakis.  We met in a lounge, as directed, and chatted with the other invitees. Captain Gavakis came in, happened to talk with us, then the Social Hostess asked us all to follow her to the dining room. Captain and hubby both stepped into the Men's Room on the way.....we waited, and waited. When they both eventually came out, they admitted they had been talking about ships.

We were seated next to him, and had a lot of interesting conversation. At the table, along with a couple who were on their 17th consecutive cruise aboard, was the Cruise Director, Clo, her husband, and his parents who had flown over from the UK, sans luggage. Several months ago, we sailed on a RC ship with Clo as CD again. We were able to share the photo from that dinner with her.

The last full day of the cruise, we got a flyer under our door, offering the next, short, cruise for $99 each. We were unable to take advantage - although we would happily have done so - but we could see how the 17-cruise couple had been enticed to stay aboard for so long.

We miss that ship, and that elegant style of cruising.

I have no patience for watching anyone's cruise videos.  Tried it once or twice, never wanted to again.  But I can happily read all day long, at my own pace.

First Time Cruisers: I started this post to point out the fact that many of you seem to be very worried about things that should not be a concern! Any of us can be misled or misinformed, but I see so much wrong information that I'd love to be able to set a few things straight. Remember, it's the internet!  Anybody can post anything.

Some of the things I read this week:

"Only the newest and biggest ships have stabilizers."  "Our stabilizer broke off during our cruise."

"I made the mistake of booking a Guarantee cabin. Now I know that means my booking will probably be cancelled, maybe even as late as sailing day."

"My travel agent said food was included, but now I know it's not. How do most of you pay for your meals?"  "Is it cheaper to get all my meals in the buffet?"

"I booked an OV cabin on Deck 3. Now I'm terrified!  Is Deck 3 under water the whole time?"

"I know everyone gets seasick."

So, how is a first-timer to know what's true and what isn't?

Unfortunately, as well as misinformation, there are people with agendas, and there are mean people.  Some people love to follow up an innocent question with rude replies, and with stories of their own "extreme" experiences.  It reminds me of my younger days, when one might say "Guess what, girls, I'm pregnant!"  First friend says "Oh that's great, by the way, did I ever tell you that my labor lasted for twelve days?"  Another friend says "I'm so happy for you, by the way, I had morning sickness for six months."

I'm not sure what the remedy is, except perhaps to take everything with a grain of salt...and remember, It's The Internet.

On 5/13/2024 at 4:13 PM, latebuyer said:

That's ok. I'm canadian and i was looking in US dollars so that cruise isn't cheap. I'm also wondering if its rough and if i need to be concerned with staying in a mid ship cabin.

Midship is the best location if seas are rough.  Lower is better, too.

It appears that Vision's cruises, when she returns from drydock on May 25, will all sail from Baltimore.  

A month or two ago, we dropped our provider, and got an antenna. That totally changed what stations we get, but Dream Cruises was one of the new benefits.  (Plus, we are saving a lot of $$, to use on real cruises.)

JVes, The port we regularly sail from is a shell, too, with no character apart from a couple of travel posters on the wall.  But it is functional, and probably easy to clean.

I hope your cruise, from now on, goes fabulously well, and will again make you feel healthier and happier!

Thanks for the updates.