shipgeeks

Back in the day, we regularly saw trays loaded with plate of food, glass of lemonade, cutlery, plate of salad, bread......tilt, slide, and crash. Then that area had to be closed for cleaning, and diner had to start all over. No thanks.

Here's an enhancement that didn't exist more than 20 years ago: towel animals. Personally, the first time or two I thought they were cute, then I really did not want them cluttering up my cabin every night. But if a cabin steward misses doing one, there are lots of people who will complain on social media. I guess they have become an essential part of cruise satisfaction. I wonder, sometimes, who did the first one.

We've always enjoyed a leisurely dinner, usually at a shared table, with time to enjoy the food and the conversation. Two hours in the dining room would not be unusual. Now, more and more frequently, I see posts complaining that MDR dinner took almost 50 minutes for three courses. "Just not acceptable!" And the most recent one: asking about Chef's Table (a specialty meal with wine pairings, for a small group at a shared table), and how to make sure it doesn't have to last over an hour. Do you still prefer an unrushed dinner? Has this changed for you since the shutdown? What would your ideal dinner be like?

My analysis of this ongoing question leads me to the conclusion that the passengers, and their expectations, have changed more than the cruise lines have. Changes by the cruise lines are, for the most part, reflecting pax demands. For example, when we started cruising in 1990, all pax were assigned a dinner time and table. Dinner was leisurely. Food and conversation were enjoyed. There might be a small buffet at breakfast and lunch, but MDR provided a much nicer meal. Now there is Anytime Dining. A big buffet is always expected. There are many who loudly complain that MDR dinner took almost 50 minutes for their three courses. I do agree that the quality of the food has declined to some extent, but more striking to me is the decline in the Experience: waiters have to rush to get food to the vocal ones, kitchen must have plates ready for instant pickup, many pax have a different waiter at every meal, less opportunity for a personalized meal. And did the dessert cart become extinct because it took too long? As to nickel-and-diming, we've never had pressure to buy extras in the past, and we don't now. I know the extras are available, but we don't feel any need to partake. I really can't think of anything that was included before that is missing now, apart from the camaraderie and the overall Experience. Honestly, I would not take a cruise in which beverage package, excursions, and wi-fi were included. I would not use them, and I believe they do cheapen the experience overall. We still think a cruise is the most magical way to spend our leisure time. But we cruise to be on a ship at sea, so as long as we can see and feel the sea, we are happy.

Oh, yes. Just as a favorite can be sitting at the bottom of the ocean somewhere.

??? "from guest"..."incident"... No real info here, IMO. And crew are human, too; they can be subject to rumor and inaccuracies.

Usually I don't care at all. However, I discovered recently that the CD who was to be aboard my next cruise was someone we had sailed with - and had dinner with - 23 years ago, on a different cruise line. We have a photo of that dinner. I really wanted to show it to her.

After my distaste with his site a few years ago, I decided to never pursue again, no matter how curious I was. I just came across the fb post by mistake, and it doesn't say anything helpful; less than what has been written above. Even he says he has no idea if there is anything to the story.

Do you have a cruiseline preference? Have you sailed on either? I can vouch for the fact that Baltimore is an excellent port to sail from. But I cannot explain the price differences, unless it is just a temporary fluctuation, or supply and demand factor. Do either or both include port taxes, gratuities, drink package, or other? Our preference would definitely be RC, apart from the price.

Meridian! The most fabulous ship. We sailed on her in '97; what department were you in?

Oldest: Empress, sailing from Philadelphia Newest: whichever is the newest among Grandeur, Vision, or Enchantment No interest in anything bigger than those, especially if there is a central promenade. Does having a vintage poster of Song of America on our wall count for anything??

I don't think this pertains to you, but we saw a young man in a tank top turned away on a casual night. Apart from that, we see a full range, as noted above, from formal to neat but casual; I agree that the AC is chilly (I now always wear sleeved garments, and DH is always comfortable in a sport coat or similar); and Med cruises tend to draw more pax who dress up.

It is! I highly recommend it.

So, what is the story? I have no interest/patience for watching a YouTube video. Is this story any different? Injured too badly to reboard the ship? Missed departure? Told to pay up front for hospital care, like in much of the world?

Casco Bay Ferries is warning of the possibility of severe weather on Saturday, September 16, with possible disruptions to service.

On our June cruise, we received an email a few days before sailing, and that was the first of several questions regarding our preferences.

Thoenix, I can see you are doing your homework very well! Oh, and welcome to cruise critic! I hope you will be a regular contributor.

A further note to the above: When I returned to the US 12 years later, I was returning by myself, and I flew. Some days prior to that, I had three of the steamer trunks picked up by a shipping company, for transporting back. That was in February. They finally arrived around August. I'm sure they had to wait to fill a container, ship them to NYC, then have them transported to my city. But everything did arrive in good order; just not quickly.

Just hand the server your card when you order. You will be recognized as eligible for a D drink.

Keep it long.

Thoenix, another thought while you are making the big decision of which ship.... Re drinks onboard: There is coffee, tea, iced tea, lemonade, fruit juice, ice water available free. Beer and cocktails can be purchased individually, so that might be the best option for your group. I like your idea of not doing specialty restaurants. Dinner each evening in the dining room, especially if you are at a set time with the same waiters, can be a fun and very "traditional" element of cruising. The three of you could request your own table, or, if you'd like a bigger table with a few other passengers, that's a possibility, too. For breakfast and lunch, there is dining room and buffet options.

I vote for Vision! Your mention of your obsession with ocean liners was the first thing that caught my eye (we are shipgeeks). Vision, and Enchantment, are much more like traditional ocean liners; Adventure, with a promenade down the middle (ugh) is not. We like the ocean views all over the ship, on promenade (outdoor) deck, big windows in public rooms, and from the wraparound Viking Crown Lounge, on deck 11. The port facility is one of the smallest, and easiest to navigate, with very helpful staff. The crew onboard are fantastic. The passengers are usually pleasant and friendly. There are hotels between BWI airport and the port that provide shuttles and other amenities. We sail out of Baltimore every winter. We usually board in a winter coat, but by the next day it is getting warmer, and the coat goes under the bed til the last day. And being the longest of your choices, it makes the flights and other expenses feel better. Those 8 days will be gone in a flash! Please keep your thoughts coming, pro and con and otherwise.

How would bread products and eggs be prepacked and sealed? Not from the buffet, for sure. I would ot expect to be able to take any foods ashore unless it was something like a sealed granola bar from home.

$3.50 on the MDR menu a couple of months ago, on Vision. (I think. As I noted, I just use one of my Diamond drinks.)

Some local foods include beaver tails (pastry), poutine, donair; available from kiosks along the boardwalk. Seafood, breweries.