rkacruiser

Agree. And, based on my experience, New Year's Eve will be a Gala night. New Year's Day: no. It would be a smart casual night.

There remains a basic misunderstanding on the part of North American MSC guests, I think, that the crew's European guest expectations are different than those who reside on the "other side of the Pond". Why is anyone surprised that a period of adjustment is needed when a vessel resumes cruising out of a North American port? Why do you suppose that this first cruise after the TA was a 3 day cruise? And, maybe at bargain rates? The first cruise of a ship out of drydock always is a possible one that has issues. A repositioning of a ship from one region to another fits in that same category, I think.

Would these people behave that way at Ruth's Chris or Fleming's Restaurant? Even at "top drawer" restaurants, dining perfection is not always 100% to a guest's satisfaction. But, such behavior of guests on not only MSC but other cruise lines when "they are dissatisfied" says a great deal to me about them and not about their dining experience.

And with the water temperature and the pressure! It is a testimony to living creatures being able to adapt to their environment.

I recommend a vineyards tour with wine tasting and maybe a local cuisine lunch.

Hopefully, CC contributors who were aboard Star Princess when a fire began will respond as well.

I suggest that you Google for a recipe. It is a round Dutch croquette that is usually served with a Mustard for dipping the round balls. (It does not taste "like chicken"! 😁)

I do remember, thanks to your post, of a young person who wanted to be my guide. I declined. Not a bad idea, I think, for those who visit Boca Da Valeria.

One of my favorite Hawaiian memories during a cruise was having lunch at the Royal Hawaiian at an outdoor restaurant that overlooked the beach. I was unaware that the hotel has changed brands again. I stayed there during the '80's when it was the Kauai Surf. Photos of the property show it has expanded quite a bit. It was a delightful and elegant hotel as a Surf Hotel property!

Yes! As well as adults. One is left alone until the good people realize that you have some gifts to distribute. Have lots of dollar bills because a dollar is expected if you take their photo--particularly if they are holding an animal. I took a few items, mostly school supplies. It is an interesting travel experience is this situation. The people--whatever their motivation/need may be, however--were welcoming and kind.

Is the cruise dress code going to be like a pendulum on many other issues--cruise related or not--that will swing from one extreme to another? Personally, I am pleased to learn of this "announcement". How well will it be enforced?

Bitterballen that is served--once in awhile anymore--on a HAL ship. Usually at HH as one of the hors d'oeuvres. I believe that are available daily at the Grand Dutch Cafe on the Pinnacle Class ships. Never have had anything like these delicacies. For me, it is an evocative food.

This is the reality when cruising on any line, on any ship of that line. My recent cruises have been consistent in one aspect: the inconsistency of the experience from cruise to cruise. It didn't used to be. But, micro-management from the Executive Offices and the increased size of the fleets has made it more of a challenge for consistent cruise experiences to be delivered, in my opinion.

When I visited Tasmania, our port was Burnie and I did that tour. Yes, it is a long drive, but I enjoyed seeing the countryside. At sailaway, there was a wine and cheese party on the aft pool deck with the Tasmanian cheese being served. The cheese was delicious. I tried to get it when I returned home and was unsuccessful. (The cheese shop manager at my upscale grocery asked me: "Why do you want that?" I think he thought I was a bit odd.)

Thanks! I had no idea that there were that many!

Correct and that is what the local Occupancy tax is supposed to be doing.

Correct and that is what the local Occupancy tax is supposed to be doing.

Much confusion among us peons about what this means. "Carnival Bermuda" was news to me. I was unaware that such an entity existed. What does this then mean about the Registry/flag for those ships? If a change takes place for those ships, what does this mean? Carnival ended today's Market session slightly over 11% which exceeded RCL and NCLH. Is it not a fact that we have an irrational Market at this time?

Are you aware of what the citizens of Key West have tried to do in response to your question?

I appreciate your kind words. I have learned so much from participating on CC and am very pleased to be of help to others.

On the Florida Forum, there have been many posts about this. The conclusion that I have drawn is the off-site companies are not recommended by Port of Miami cruisers much more experienced than me. The safest, not the most inexpensive, option is to park at one of the garages in the Port. If there is one benefit to the chaotic traffic that I found on the street between the terminals and the garages was the volume of traffic required--absolutely required--slow driving. When one is leaving the drop off area for luggage at the terminal, turn on your turn signals, and begin to "inch by inch" into the proper lane for the Garage. I found that other drivers were courteous enough to allow me to do this.

Will the charge include a bottle of wine and canapes? 🤣 Perhaps retired Junior High/Middle School teachers could be employed to conduct Muster Drills? 🤣 Agree. The Crew Shows are always enjoyable, even though it is the same one type that I have seen umpteen times. On HAL on Christmas Eve, their International Chorus that sings Christmas songs is simply wonderful. Agree. Some of that entertainment greatly enhanced my cruise and made such a favorable impression of the Port. Examples: the Japanese Drum Assembly on the roof of the pier as the Volendam was docking in Tokyo that had been preceded by a fire boat spray welcome and repeated helicopter passes over the ship. Sailing from Aloha Tower, Hawaiian music playing as the ship pulls away from the pier and, on one sailing, the CD and the main female vocalist on the pier singing the Hawaiian Wedding Song with the music group as the departure whistle was sounding and then watching them rushing to the gangway.

Will the charge include a bottle of wine and canapes? 🤣 Perhaps retired Junior High/Middle School teachers could be employed to conduct Muster Drills? 🤣 Agree. The Crew Shows are always enjoyable, even though it is the same one type that I have seen umpteen times. On HAL on Christmas Eve, their International Chorus that sings Christmas songs is simply wonderful. Agree. Some of that entertainment greatly enhanced my cruise and made such a favorable impression of the Port. Examples: the Japanese Drum Assembly on the roof of the pier as the Volendam was docking in Tokyo that had been preceded by a fire boat spray welcome and repeated helicopter passes over the ship. Sailing from Aloha Tower, Hawaiian music playing as the ship pulls away from the pier and, on one sailing, the CD and the main female vocalist on the pier singing the Hawaiian Wedding Song with the music group as the departure whistle was sounding and then watching them rushing to the gangway.

I am embarrassed because my community prides itself on being a "welcoming community" and then charges Occupancy Taxes for someone who wants to experience our "welcome". Local government spends much effort (and dollars) to attract conventions to fill our ever growing glut of hotel rooms. And, then, when successful: "sock it to you" with the Occupancy Taxes which some parts of our community "discover" reasons to increase what had been charged. I have no problem with Sales Taxes being charged. But, when I get my hotel bill at check-out and see an itemized list that includes Sales Taxes, City Occupancy Tax, State Occupancy Tax, etc., what do you think my "feeling" is when I see that?

Chicken livers are delicious. I also like Gizzards. When I was in Australia, I did have a filet of Kangaroo. Frog legs are a delicacy. (As a Senior Zoology Major, my Senior Seminar class and professor went Frog gigging one Spring evening. We returned to the professor's home where his wife cooked the frog legs in butter. Delicious and couldn't have been any fresher! Sauted brains and sweetbreads: even more of a delicacy and are good. I am not fond of Okra, either. I don't care for Grits or Parsnips.