rkacruiser

Being a guest in a Pinnacle or Neptune Suite will allow one to have breakfast in the Pinnacle Grill. Maybe, the Club Orange Restaurant, if one exists?

I have never received drink coupons when the invitation arrived.

Thank you for posting this. I am certain that I would like to see this presentation. Maybe it is a realization in the executive office working with entertainment that what goes on "behind the scenes" is of interest to some. The past programming regarding this topic has improved over the years. People have questions; people are curious. Maybe, such a program would make more "live" Behind the Scenes Tours" available. Such a presentation might increase the demand for more of those extra cost tours that must be money makers for HAL.

It is held very early during Embarkation Day. Whether one receives an invitation or not, if you can find where it is held, GO!, is my suggestion. Even President's Club members, on b2b cruises do not always receive an invitation at the start of a new new cruise.

The Concierge arranged a Butler escort to the Cirque show for me, stayed with me until I was seated. Questions were answered by both of them many times during my 7 days aboard. As I past by their desk, always a friendly greeting.

During my 2020 cruise on Meraviglia, the only YC Party during a 7 day cruise was one held in the YC Lounge towards the end of the cruise when the staff was introduced, the CD spoke (briefly), and there was light piano music. It was a Formal evening and people were so dressed.

As I have been able to do. Cash--not quaint when the credit card reader doesn't work or the ATM eats one's ATM card.

A milestone birthday celebrated with friends makes that day more special. Wine? Whatever it is, I'll drink it. Cake? Always appreciated, but, like you, looks good, tastes good, but never consumed as much as it ought to have been. Maybe, this is a time when "Have dessert first; life is short." 😀

As the meat in Eggs Benedict?

I don't recall tipping when I visited New Zealand and Australia. But, I do suggest that you have a small amount of each country's currency in case you may want to use that for a purchase and not a credit card.

Agree and the pricing for sailings then are bargains! One of those cruises that I sailed was when I was offered well priced upgrades from a veranda stateroom to a Signature Suite and, then, 48 hours before sailing, to a Neptune Suite.

If taking two pieces of luggage on a trip and checking them, put some of each kind of clothes in each piece so that if one bag is late arriving at your destination, you will still have some clothes to wear of each type. Don't book an early flight on your day of disembarkation from a cruise that causes you to become stressed whether you will make your flight or not. Book a later in the day flight so that you can enjoy a nice breakfast on your ship and and have a leisurely disembark.

Be an active participant in the Roll Call for your cruise. Since it will be a world cruise, there should be much chatter about plans, issues, questions, etc. Best wishes to you for a great cruise experience.

This was for me. I wanted to make a small purchase. I wanted to buy some postage stamps. Could not do so because I did not have local currency. What I saw of Argentina, it is a beautiful country. It was not, for this American tourist, a country that I desire another visit.

The first cruise after the Christmas/New Year's holiday cruises. The fares are wonderful and the ships are not full.

Thanks for your post. I am very dubious if any of these "luxury name hotel brands" ever have a significant place in the cruise market. Seabourn, Silverseas, and Regent are treading water currently from what I read. Crystal? How will this reincarnation go? Seadream Yacht Club? Still there, but..... As a Marriott International shareholder, I am not pleased that the Ritz Carlton name is being associated with a cruise line that is well outside the expertise of the Company's experience.

MSC is going to eat "HAL's lunch" for those of us who enjoy the Yacht Club experience if they don't make major changes to their upper level accommodations. Nothing wrong with the Neptune Suite experience whatsoever. It is good for what it it is. But, it does not well compare with the MSC Yacht Club guest experience.

Never owned any individual airline stocks, but I have profited greatly by my cruise industry investments over the years because of the dividends paid, the OBC received, and the capital gain that I have experienced pre-Covid. If I live long enough, those capital gains pre-Covid will return. I do believe.

Don't disagree with your thinking. As these new cruisers, hopefully, continue cruising, will they not be like many of us "experienced cruisers" who began our careers decades ago begin to have increased expectations of the cruise experience? The entire cruise industry--at whatever price point--is in flux at this time. Even Silverseas and Seabourn are trying to regain/maintain their footing. And, what will the new "Crystal" offer? Where does Virgin Cruises fit? Then, there are the new start-ups. Interesting days to be an observer; have a good supply of popcorn available? 😀

🤣 "Reality" seems to have a variety of definitions among our citizens.

I almost shed a tear when I read this. There are very few industries when I have been a "true believer" regarding my investments. The cruise industry is one. My investment in Anheuser-Busch proved to be significantly superior to the same amount that I invested in another company at the same time (these were my first tip-toe into owning individual stocks). Dividends received by either CCL or RCL? Not in my lifetime, I don't think. OBC for shareholders? I think that will be continued.

It is a "light tasting" wine.

When I sailed on QM2 during a Caribbean cruise, this venue seemed superfluous to me. What's enjoyable about a "picnic" setting when the deck is so windy where one is sitting? I am anticipating reading your thoughts and opinions about your experience on QM2 as a Princess Grill guest.

Probably freshly prepared, The buffet restaurant's offerings, if they have been sitting for awhile, can't compare well.

As a feature of my breakfast, lox or any smoked salmon will not be on my menu. I'd try it during a cruise. But, I would not purchase the Cream Cheese and the fish to make that entree. I am not really liking a plain Bagel. I butter them. I have tried Strawberry Preserves. I will try Orange Marmalade and I have an Alaskan wild berry jam that I will try. (I butter them first.) The Blueberry bagel variety? I did like that.