DoulaAnn

On 6/8/2023 at 11:17 AM, Redtravel said:

I always got what I requested. The products provided are good.  They are more like a gel, not oily.  If you like unscented products, bring your own.  
we are also on Marina 6-21

I was able to get unscented products by requesting the in advance. 

@Zoey123 when are you going? Artist Loft is sometimes available in a non-permanent space. One voyage this summeer, there will be cooking demonstrations (not a participatory thing -- usually done in the lounge (not Horizons). So depends on which cruise. I can probably find out if there's going to be an Artist Loft on your cruise.

Martinis also has a drink (I don't remember the name of it) but it's a chocolate type martini, and I LOVE it. The pina coladas on the ship vary in their taste, but I've found some I really like. Unfortunately for me, I can only have them occasionally, so I spend a lot of time being envious of those are drinking these.

If your niece likes things like trivia, name that tune, bingo, casinos, lounging by the pool, bocce or shuffleboard, or just reading, she shouldn't be bored (some ships also have artist lofts -- where there is painting, acrylics, or photography-- and culinary classes -- which have to be booked WELL in advance, like when they open up) she will really be fine. Some people her age actually like talking with elders and hearing their experiences (and the elders -- at least some of them and we're among them) love talking with younger generations.

On 2/24/2024 at 8:58 AM, pinotlover said:

Martinis is right there and convenient! Putting in a crepe place or other food and beverage joint in the main atrium would make the ship look like a shopping mall and detract from the elegance of the ship. Just imo.

I'm a big fan of Martini's and would hate to see it go away.

On 2/20/2024 at 7:55 PM, CruisingIGo said:

On Allura, the new Creperie will be located near Baristas on the port side (same location as library on Vista).  Allura’s library will be moved upstairs near Horizons.

Looking at the Allura Deck Plan on O's site, Baristas and Horizons are on the same deck. I wonder if they are taking out the Conference Center or maybe merging it with the LYNC room.

@Harter what a fascinating family you have. I tend to like the fruity oils and just tell the oil person to give me the balsamic that goes best with it. Some day I may get adventurous and try some other combinations.  Thanks for the interesting information.

On 4/13/2024 at 4:42 PM, Hlitner said:

Thanks to your post, we learned about the ability to dim that mirror light :).

 

Hank

I had no idea it could be dimmed. Will give that a try.

On 4/17/2024 at 10:09 AM, Harters said:

Is this a specifically American thing? Or does it happen in other countries? 

 

It's not something done in Italian restaurants in the UK, nor can I recall ever coming across it in Italy.

 

 

I haven't experienced it in the US either. It's lots of fun for me to try different combinations. I had no idea there were differences in the oils and balsamic vinegars.

7 hours ago, DrHemlock said:

Actually, yes.  Some of us not only have a 2-top reserved at 6:30, but we want to sit in a particular out-of-the-mainstream location (e.g., all the way aft and around the corner on R ships).  We're not the only ones who prefer not to be in the middle of foot traffic, etc., so we like to be among the very first in the door.  

Also, happy hour ends at 6:00 so we're finished with our drinks by 6:15.  Not gonna go back to the room, so why not head over to the specialty and join the starving souls outside the door?  We've been sitting -- and we're gonna be sitting some more -- so standing up for a few minutes gets the blood flowing again and lets some of the alcohol process before ordering a nice bottle of wine.  Besides, some of those souls are kinda nice to talk to.  

I can see your point, but, again, being there at 6:40 does not make you late in this instance.

I've even seen (once) a chef call a waitlisted person just as the class starts when there is a no-show.

Martini's can go until midnight, but rarely does because most of their clientele aren't late night people. It is usually piano music with an occasional singer. Had one guy who played a trumpet for one song (though there were repeats of it one evening). I don't even think he was loud enough to be heard.

On 11/16/2022 at 3:10 AM, ToxM said:

8000 was prefect,

Was there any noise from the thrusters or anchors during docking or casting off? We had issues with that in 7130 on Riviera so just wondering.

21 minutes ago, SATaxman said:

How much smaller? We booked 7135 whap around balcony PH1 for a 14 day cruise. I saw a video of the Riviera one and the closet looks more than adequate for me a very overpacking kind of person. Just wish there were 2 sinks in the bathroom.

It's more the size of a concierge room. It's been a long time since I was in a concierge, so can't compare the closets. I would say about 1/3 - 1/2 smaller.

17 minutes ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

The four “inside corners” extended balconies on Marina and Riviera (e.g., 7108) interior cabin size is exactly the same as the regular B cabins (recently changed to Concierge) next to them.

You are correct that there are Concierge big balconies. But the question was about PH vs. Concierge and that was what I was addressing the PH large balconies and siting 7130 vs. 7128.

17 hours ago, Lastdance said:

I am still hoping to snag one as I am a balcony girl, not for sunbathing though, but just to relax, nap and enjoy the sea air.

Booking a big balcony usually means booking the minute the cruise opens for reservations. We've gotten them before doing that. What I don't recommend (at least in our experience) is taking one with the wrap-around balcony. It makes for a smaller room and a smaller closet (and the big closet is one of the perks I REALLY like about a PH).

On 4/13/2024 at 11:21 PM, DENIE said:

We had him unpack for us (very nice!)

What did he do in terms of unpacking? I feel a need to know where my things are in drawers and not everyone organizes that like I do. If he just hangs things that need hanging and puts shoes in the closet and bathroom items in the bathroom, I might take advantage of that (never have before and we've done PH a lot).

6 hours ago, miscstuff1 said:

The only time we were ever late for a dining reservation on a cruise is when the tour we were on came back late.  In that instance, nearly all tours were late; when we showed up at the restaurant, we weren't sure they would accommodate us, but the restaurant was basically empty, so we were able to get a table.

When tours have been late coming back, they definitely give some leeway for reservations. We have tried just walking in (it works many times) and have been told in the above situation that they aren't taking walk-ins since people will be coming in late and they don't know how many are coming.

21 hours ago, clo said:

I don't think being late for ANYTHING is okay 🙂

I agree with you. But arriving at the first reservation time means you are still being seated with everyone who has 6:30 reservations. Arriving at 6:45 or 6:50 would be actually late, but 6:40 is on time. Early is no advantage.

On 4/6/2024 at 5:55 PM, clo said:

I've said many times, if I'm on time I feel like I'm late.

Only time that isn't applicable is a 6:30 reservation, since the restaurants don't open until 6:30. We've found going around 6:40 or so makes the line shorter (not necessarily short).

Seems to me that there is a difference in bathroom new buildout and cosmetic refurbishment. My perception of what it says is that the footprint of the bathroom won't be changed (tubs were eliminated in a lot of cabins on Riviera and turned into showers -- which are amazing-- and the small shower eliminated to add storage. 

We'll see what it looks like when it is finished. Hopefully people will post photos of what changed (will take a few people to show the different levels of cabins).

I can see this issue has had my opinion expressed, but I'm going to chime in just the same. My husband frequently takes a glass from the dining room to the show. We never have the drink package, so we have bought the bottle in the dining room. It must be okay, because the waiter will get him a different glass (the dining room ones differ from the bar ones) to take it in. I don't know how I feel about a glass if it's in the package that only includes it at lunch and dinner. Guess it depends on when it was poured. If one got it right before the show and hadn't drunk much of it, I think I would say no.

There was a lavender one I liked and one with bourbon in it that sounded intriguing, but I can't remember if I had it or not. Quality was very good -- equivalent to O's. My favorite O flavor (that rarely appears), is a mocha-sea salt caramel one. SO delicious to me.

1 minute ago, Kay S said:

Mine takes a jacket because he is always cold (and he likes his pockets.)  

I like pockets in my slacks and wish to goodness manufacturers would put in some inconspicuous pockets in their pants. 

My husband typically wears a long sleeve woven shirt (similar to a dress shirt, but more casual) and long pants. He takes a jacket to wear occasionally only because he likes the look. He's frequently one of only a few with jackets on. I typically wear dressier pants than chinos and a nice top. I wear flat dressy type shoes unless my feet are hurting too bad, at which point I wear a nice dark tennis shoe type shoe or sandals (depending on the weather and the outfit). Supposedly, O is starting to enforce the no jeans or grungy look thing better.