shipgeeks

Or exchange some at Guest Services.

We cover them with wide clear tape all the way around. Have not had a problem. Good idea to print an extra, though, and put it inside the bag.

We've had both; it's unpredictable. We just take our own wide-mouth bottles and fill them in the cabin or WJ (following hygiene instructions, of course!)

We have sailed on Enchantment twice this year; have three more booked in the months to come. The crew were excellent; we never felt like it was understaffed. Food was fine in MDR and WJ. The only areas in which crew shortages were noticed was in the entertainment. We heard that one production show cast member had covid, so all were isolated and not allowed to perform. Evening shows usually had single performers, or the occasional movie night. Music venues were fine. Both times so far we were assigned to an 8-top in the MDR. First cruise there was one woman seated with us (with a space in between); second cruise there were two men. So we were never crowded. I would not hesitate to book Enchantment.

Maybe within the same restaurant, without my noticing. Within my family and friends, no, never. Do you? Doesn't it make them soggy? Salt is my essential, although I enjoy a bit of malt vinegar if I'm also eating fried fish.

Do you use ketchup? What do you put it on? In spite of growing up near the original Heinz factory (I still have my pickle pin from school tour), my family only used ketchup for the occasional hot dog or hamburger. I have since learned that some use it on fries and scrambled eggs. I see huge dispensers in the buffet. I've never bought any for home use. If I enhance my baked beans, I use bbq sauce, onions, and peppers. I don't feel like I'm missing anything! Should I?? What does it enhance for you, at home or on a cruise?

We've had the Compass, and paper menus, given to us automatically on both our cruises this year. Cruise Compass has been available in a rack near Guest Services each day, as well. And I found it interesting that we did not receive any spa/excursion/art paper at all. Yay!

OP, Thanks for starting this. You have led me back to my journal, and to my cruise books from those days. Interestingly, although we sailed MSC in 2002, I just found in a Frommer's guide, 2000, that MSC expanded into the Caribbean market in 1998, offering 11- and 12-night itineraries January through March. Melody had been recommended to us by the social hostess on a Premier ship several years earlier. She was built in 1982, and had a passenger capacity of 1,076. Our OV standard cabin was roomy, at 185 square feet, with a tub in the bathroom. There were three pools, one with a magrodome. Some notes from my journal: Dinner was at 9pm. There was a very small buffet at breakfast and lunch, but I learned, several days into the cruise, that meals were expected to be taken in the dining room, at one's usual table. Lots of music and dancing throughout the day and evening. Enormous aft lido deck. My first hint that many non-Americans are aboard: a young man in a tiny Speedo, then a not-young man in a tiny thong bikini. Very few t-shirts anywhere. Crew show included a program by the onboard Flamenco dancers, followed by the Samoan crew (engineering department?) dancing, including a fire dance. Some of the foods were "the best I've ever had", while some were so-so.

We sailed on MSC Melody, out of Port Everglades, in early 2002. I can recall a lot about the cruise!

Melody, 2002.

For whatever reason, flying fish are my favorites. We have both spent many hours at the rail on promenade deck, watching for them. One time we were having lunch at the center front table in WJ, and DH noticed a lot of them right at the bow. One of the servers, a young Chinese man, asked what we were looking at. He became quite excited to see them, and called over all his fellow crew members to watch. Lots of gasps, giggles, and Oohs. While docked in Barbados, we were in the Lido, deck 14 I believe, when DH spotted a huge manta ray in the harbor right below us, as clear as could be. He mentioned it to a little boy nearby. The boy was ecstatic! After feasting his eyes for a while, he ran over to where his family was sitting, saying "Mom, Dad, you should see the big manta ray right below us!". Mom scoffed "Stop telling lies, Tommy". "It's there, the man showed it to me!" "There's no manta ray, stop saying that; now you have to leave. No more made-up stories."

Didn't Key West successfully limit cruise ship visits?

Is your first full day aboard a sea day? That would probably be a formal night. On any night there will be a variety of styles of attire. The only theme party we've seen so far is the 70s party; hardly anyone dresses to the theme. A white night deck party has been mentioned.

We are in our 70s, healthy but not as quick as we used to be. We have made the decision to only cruise locally due to our distaste with flying, especially right now with all the cancellations and other problems. The three times we did transatlantic cruises (our favorites), the flights back were so unpleasant that we vowed never to commit to a long flight again. Sitting still for all those hours, we find, is harder on the body than any other element of our lives. But apart from the flights, we would do it again for sure.

Pizza in the buffet is free. We frequently went there late in the evening, or late afternoon, waited for it to come out of the oven, and grabbed some right away. Yum! IMO, so much better than having it delivered (here at home, or room service on a ship).

You're right, I had forgotten about the foyer.

Robbies-Tackle, FWIW, the info that Enchantment's OV cabins are 126 square feet is a RC error; TA websites show them as 156, which, having stayed in OVs on Ench many times, I would agree with.

We had appointments with them last winter, but as they are not Rapid, we cancelled when we found an alternative that would give us quicker results. Up to two days wait would have been too stressful.

WJ on Enchantment connects directly with pool deck. There are tables and chairs right there for those who would like to eat outside.

Thanks! It looks like some schedules and boats are changing around. We might try to get to the wharf and have a look, or watch her come through the first lock on the following trip. Always fun to have the boats here. I hope you have a wonderful trip!

An article in the Portland Press Herald (Maine) stated that those towns have petitions going to limit the number of ships/passengers who can call at each port at any time, one proposed limit being 1,000 pax. Apparently the vote will not occur until November, so our current season is not affected. I'm sorry I don't have the ability to provide a link.

You might find it useful to read some of the previous posts about Saint John, here on the C/NE section. One of the options is the hop-on-hop-off bus there, that does a couple of different loops. It might be offered as an excursion, and/or it will likely be available to do on your own. The city itself is quite doable without an excursion, as well, if you are able to walk. The dock is right at the foot of the city. I agree with the posters above that it is probably way too early to have access to any information about ship excursions. I wouldn't expect any til just a few months before the cruise, generally.

Good to have you back! I hope everything will go well for you. Not too long now! Are you on American Queen? What date do you arrive in Pittsburgh?

I'm still curious what port the OP referred to. I would imagine the luggage handling is the port's longshoremen, not RC crew.

Indirect answer: To some extent, I wear my more form-fitting garments early in each cruise, as I know I will put on a bit of weight, AND be a bit more lax about exercising, as the days go by. I have tried a couple versions of faux-spanx. The problem has always been that the skin above and below puff out, so that is not an ideal look, either. Good luck! It's nice to be able to wear something you like, and have it fit well.