paluni

A month ago the Emerald had it in anytime dining, and I was quite surprised. I didn't expect it at all. I thought it was neat. I ordered the baked Alaska for dessert, and it was quite good. Not melting. The only other time I saw this on a ship my piece was melting. Another guy at my table ordered it - he didn't know you could, since it wasn't on the menu. So it was a nice experience for him. And others ordered it. I was surprised they would do this in anytime dining at all, and it was a real treat. I didn't know the baked Alaskas about 20 waiters carried were plastic. Oh well. Maybe that's why my piece this time was firm. And it wasn't small. Everybody seemed to enjoy the event, including the waiters.

This requires a car or Uber, but Filoli is a mansion south of San Francisco in Woodside. Right up there with English mansions and amazing gardens to tour. It's the site of many movies too. You can google it and find out all about it. And I always recommend the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose too, if you have that car. Google that too. Be sure and see Beach Blanket Babylon in San Francisco for a lot of laughs.

On Princess cruises, they often have a dedicated time and place for sewists like you to meet up, called "knitters and knatters". I was there once when I had some beading to do. I see them in what seems like a congenial group working and meeting each other. It's a good thing Princess does, I think.

In the funny movie "My Cousin Vinny", here is a clip when Vinny encounters grits for the first time in the deep south.

https://www.google.com/search?q=my+cousin+vinnie+and+grits&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

I saw this in my brother's family. They couldn't do anything because these tin-god coaches would always take holiday family times (like Thanksgiving) to have the kids practice or play their sports. The threat was the child would be cut from the team if they didn't go along. The heck with them. Take the cruise or do whatever you want. I'm amazed your son's sports stuff is taking over Christmas vacation! Wow.

I have often thought of this cruise company as breaking the golden rule, and that's one of the roots of their customer dissatisfaction/loss. The golden rule is, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." In the cruise business, they are selling joy/happiness/relaxing time. If room service is free, that is a fun, joyful experience that you don't get anywhere but on a cruise. Start charging for it, the customer experiences disappointment/annoyance/unhappiness/resentment. If a cruise executive went on a cruise as a cruise customer, the cruise executive wouldn't like it either. And cruising sells an experience, not a product, like a TV set or a bicycle. The idea is to pamper the customer, make him or her feel like they were well treated for the money they paid. Not chiseled here and there.

I also think of that for the crew. Is staff reduced, working the remaining crew to the bone? Try to keep them happy too.

If everybody's happy, won't customers want to come back?

This is again an argument for arriving to the port a day early! They could have driven back to Georgia to get the wallet - problem solved! It's taking a chance to drive day of. What if the car breaks down? What if a road is closed? You are stuck somewhere? You could say they were cutting it close to begin with, no room for a problem to occur. Which one big one did.

And yeah, I said before, leave him and everyone else cruise! He had family nearby. He I assume had a phone. The Princess officials would have helped him some with making some arrangements. It's not like he would have died or slept in the street if he was left alone. And when the family gets back, they all drive home together as originally planned. And for the rest of his life, that boy will check his documents carefully. At least I hope so.

My daughter was flying to Ireland to work for five months. On the drive to the airport, a block from our home, I just jokingly said, "Do you have your passport?" Well, she didn't! Luckily it was easy to get. All that preparing and anticipating for weeks but she leaves her passport!

As far as the OP here leaving the boyfriend at the port, I would have left him, and the rest of the family go on the cruise. As long as he has a phone, he can handle it. If only by contacting the adults in his life who can make the decisions for him to take care of him. Like, get the hotel to overnight his documents/wallet to where he is staying in Tampa with the other relatives. He would have muddled through. It wasn't like he was five years old. He would have learned a lesson, and it would have been a better outcome for everybody. Including Carnival who would have made money off the OP's shipboard purchases, etc.

I wonder if the relationship with the daughter will survive this mishap.

Not Illinois? Just joking.

Hi guys!

 

We are off on our first cruise for our honeymoon next year. When we dock at Salerno we are going to take one of the Royal carribbean trips - either Sorrento "on your own" or Capri "on your own". But we are having a hard time deciding which to choose having never been to either place and both looking so amazing! Can anyone who has been to both give us some advice - we are in our mid twenties and don't necessarily want to sight see just shop, go to different bars, grab some lunch, maybe visit a beach (not the be all and end all)

Thanks

:)

Sorry, I didn't read your post well enough! If you don't want to sightsee, then Sorrento might be better for the activities you describe. There was lots of restaurants and places like that. I don't know if there is a beach.

We were in Sorrento, didn't spend too much time since we saw other sights, but it didn't seem there was that much. It was a nice town. The cathedral was lovely. But it seems that Capri had a lot more to offer. We didn't have time for Capri, but I still want to go there. There seemed to be quite a bit in Capri and it's very famous.

If you care anything about the marine environment, please don't use anything but the ocean safe detergent provided by the cruise line.

I really care about the marine environment. I have never heard regular detergent should not be used, only use the cruise line detergent. I searched the internet and couldn't find anything saying to just use the cruise line detergent. Can you cite anything about that? Today's laundry detergents have been modified from years past to help the environment, I know that.

Magnets to hold papers on the (metal) walls. My own detergent for the laundramat (on Princess cruises). I like to do that.

You seem to be over 10 years older than this guy, who some might call a "boy toy." That's something to think about. Men's brains aren't even supposed to be fully mature or set till about age 26 or even older.

Since NCL won't reimburse you, get your credit card company to reverse payments you made to NCL? You certainly have a valid case for a successful dispute, with all your documentation.

I really like the old mission in Solvang. It's kind of at the end of the main street, and just like that you are back in a different world. It's very evocative of old Spanish California and the mission times (whatever you think of that - I know it is controversial). It's very historical and peaceful.

I grew up in Stanford's town, Palo Alto. Millionaire Leland Stanford, who founded the university, put rules in place that no liquor could be sold a mile and a half from the university. That rule was not fully repealed until 1971. Just outside of the boundary was an area where there were bars and liquor stores. It was known locally as "Whiskey Gulch." My friend said you could tell where it was by all the people running toward it.

My daughter was charged $85 for an evening do with her "long hair." Extra charge for long hair, which was midback for her. She didn't expect that. Another lady I met was charged extra for long hair, and her hair actually just went to her shoulders. Best to clarify what they are going to charge you for before they start.

So I'm following the EZ check thread, and it reminded me of something that happened on our last cruise.

 

The first night we headed to the Passenger Services desk with a question. There were a couple of gentlemen talking to the agent at the elite line for a very long time. I asked what happened and apparently, they still didn't have their luggage (about 11 pm). The agents didn't think they were on the ship.

 

I later caught up with them, and they told me they'd found their luggage - on the Celebrity Solstice!

 

Apparently they were going to be reunited with it when we were in Skagway with the Solstice. (I didn't see them afterwards to find out if they got it).

 

We are trying to figure out how it could have happened. I think it was all their luggage.

 

Any theories?

Disembarking on May 6, 2016, was a horrible experience. Three ships there at once was too much for the facilities. I bet it was just one more thing that got fouled up in the chaos.

I think tropical print men's baggy swim trunks are really good. I really like them. I don't think they're as common or come in as much variety on the mainland as you see in Hawaii. They're the antithesis of a speedo of course, thank goodness.

Also, flicking a butt into the air could land in someone's eye below, or anything. It's terribly unsafe. Smokers should know, the butts are not biodegradable either. Very bad for the environment and wildlife on sea or land.

We are a family of about 12-14 either flying in or driving for a cruise in October on NCL. Currently booked at Doubletree @ 209. This rate includes free parking for the 2 cars of those driving. Just found Crowne Plaza at 109 for regular rooms and 179 parking for those with cars. By looks, Doubletree looks relaxing and the way to begin vacation but also we will need dinner that night before cruise. Hotel dining (heard) sound spendy, and only walking distance 22nd st. landing seems high also...need comments on both and restaurants in area within walking distance from both??Not looking for fancy dining, just something that works for large family in various age range.

 

We all thank you in advance for any comments!!! Michelle

In 2013 we stayed at the Doubletree and they had a free shuttle to take you places, like to an area of lots of nice restaurants that was not in walking distance. Then they had the free shuttle to the ship the next day. A nice feature. I don't know if they still have the free shuttle.

I think this is cruel of management - putting the poor workers in a position where they have to beg and grovel for a high rating. Management lets them know they might be let go with anything less than a 10. I learned that about my car dealership - anything less than a 10 was horrible for the guy who checked you in. I felt bad that maybe I didn't give him a 10 then. But then the survey is meaningless.

I would like to rate these lofty people who design these surveys for the poor powerless workers! Like whipping the galley slaves to row faster. I'd like to give them a rating for what they're doing and see how they liked it!

When I worked before retiring, I don't think anybody would give me a 10 for my performance. Thank goodness I didn't have to go through this survey misery.

Princess cruises has laundry rooms where you can wash and dry your clothes for a small charge. There are ironing boards and irons in the room. I am really glad they are there and I have ironed things and was glad I could do it. Being able to do my own laundry is one of the reasons I am loyal to Princess. It would be hard to not have that facility on a cruise, for me.

I am definitely worried. Probably Regent took you at the worst time...and possibly there is no good time. I am hearing stories all over the board, but sadly the bottom line is the USA and not having enough agents to screen the passengers, like TSA. I am plenty worried!

 

C

We disembarked at 9:30 a.m. on May 6. I remain appalled they designed their terminal with one elevator to take a thousand people with luggage up one floor. This had nothing to do with TSA, as we did that at the airport. This was a three-ship day. This apparently always breaks the system. So if you are the only ship in port that day, I guess it will be better. There are about 300 ship stops during their summer season. Check and see what it is likely to be for your day.