rkacruiser

If I was in my stateroom, my first objective would be to make a restroom visit, then, empty the mini-bar into my pockets, put on my life jacket, and, if there was a bar still open en route to my Muster Station, I'd join you, if you are there.

My opinion: icebreaker games are neither necessary nor desired. If the group is not too large, having people introduce themselves by giving their name, their CC name, and where they live is sufficient. If the person wants to add a bit of a travel history resume, that can be interesting as well. If the group is large enough where some may not be able to be heard, a microphone passed among the group would be desirable.

The Class of HAL ships makes no difference as to the food prepared and served. The difference is who is in the Galley: the Executive Chef for your cruise. Menus come from corporate; recipes come from corporate; the plating of the food comes from corporate. But, the Chefs have the ability to "tweak" the recipes, if they choose to do so. And, those that do "tweak", some are better "tweakers" than others.

Thanks to chengkp75 for his informative contribution to this thread. The S. S. Savannah was designed to carry a small load of passengers, but, that was an experiment that went no where on a commercial basis. The cruise industry's new entry into the LNG fueled ships needs to be proven before any possible consideration of nuclear power for a cruise ship.

Agree with Essiesmom's recommendation. Probably for better entertainment, Celebrity might have the edge. For diverse music venues, Nieuw Statendam has the edge.

Good wishes for a safe and pleasant cruise!

There is, in my opinion, some belt tightening needed on the corporate level that does not impact the guest experience. Aging of the customer base? Not sure that makes a difference, but your analogy with GM is valid. I learned that when I purchased a Chevrolet many years ago. Then, visited the plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan where my car was assembled and saw models of other GM brands on the same assembly line as where mine had been! Chrysler has done the same. There is no news that justify this. Please, day traders, get the heck out of the market!

Not the same! I am a Protestant. I have experienced Priests and Protestant Ministers performing Interdenominational services. Some do well, some do not. A Minister/Priest/Rabbi of one's faith will offer a better service most of the time.

This is what I enjoyed when I was a YC guest on Meraviglia! The choices! Yet, the ambiance of YC which, at this point in my life, I really like. As to the type of music, you overlooked (maybe wasn't offered when you sailed?), a mini-performance of La Boheme with a male and female performer who had voices that did the music justice. Your questions are the same as mine. There is, or at least once was, a market for a cruise line that was marketed as an "Italian" brand. Sitmar and Home Lines were well liked and did well during their times. MSC is "Italian" and is doing well, as far as I know. Costa has never done more than "tip-toe" in the North American cruise market and has had mixed reviews when they did (just as MSC received when they entered our market). Perhaps, a more "vigorous" marketing attempt by Costa, with some of their best ships, would be worthwhile? I don't want them to compete with Carnival or Princess just because many of the Officers on Carnival or Princess are Italian. Carnival's and Princess' vibe is not Italian. Costa could--if done correctly--be "Italian".

DRO is a new "name" for me! Is this person really the Maitre d'? Or the Culinary Operations Manager? If COM, no tip. If Maitre d', and he/she performs a special service for a guest, a small gratuity is appropriate. Agree with those who say that the individual is one of the Senior Officers whose photos are usually posted, no gratuity is expected nor is appropriate.

I have two pots of CCL, one smaller than the other. The larger one: will I sell? No. The smaller one: Yes, I plan to sell before the end of the year for the tax loss, not whatever is done with the shareholder's benefit. Depending on what happens after I sell, my intent will be to buy the same amount of shares (or somewhat more) that I sold.

I wore a long sleeved shirt, Cashmere cardigan sweater, a Land's End water-proof hooded coat designed for such conditions, gloves, scarf, and a hat that the hood easily covered. I was warm. I did much "in and out" type of sightseeing when we were in scenic cruising areas. I sailed on the Zaandam and using the Crow's Nest for a few minutes of respite from the cold was welcome.

If you don't care for this type of show, I can understand that. But, in my opinion, the show that I saw on Meraviglia that was a Cirque show was far superior to the same type that I saw on Celebrity Eclipse. The Bahama Mama was my choice of the ones offered for the show. Someone must have waved a bottle of Rum over the top of the glass, but forgot to put much--if any--in the glass.

What was Mr. Weinstein's response? If he made one.

An odd topic, I know. But, I am curious. My grocery shopper bought a bag of Thomas' Blueberry Bagels for me that I did not request. (I wanted their Blueberry English Muffins.) I have never cared for other bagels that I have eaten, but, these are good. I am buttering them after toasting them. (Trying to discover the proper setting on my toaster for the desired "doneness" of them.) Many use cream cheese as a spread. Why? What does this add to the bagel that butter does not? Thoughts and opinions would be appreciated. Thank you.

🤣 A great suggestion! Stuff your pockets with the bottles/cans/packages! Please leave your carry-on in your cabin. (As I know you would.)

I remember and I agreed. Executives were being but in place of some of the operating companies who had wonderful resumes, but, lacked the cruise industry experience. This began at the President level, and at least for HAL, those executives who had long served retired, that's when decisions were made that impacted the guest experience in negative ways. (And, according to the Officers on the ships with whom I have spoken, the micro-management began.) In these days of Zoom, etc., I disagree. Not to pick on P&O and P&O Australia, such a combination of executives could be done with Princess and HAL. Some of this has already been accomplished, I think. I am in favor of the concept of "full employment" when "full employment" is warranted. Like many aspects of national and state government, there is "corporate fat" that ought to be excised and the cruise lines' are prime examples of that. In my opinion.

I am as well pleased with this news. Whomever is employed, I hope, will be worthy of their position. Most have been, but, there was a couple employed for a Christmas/New Year's cruise when I sailed the Prinsendam who were dreadful. Attendance for their services began well; dwindled; dwindled; my traveling companion and I stopped attending. They performed a nice Communion Service, but, for each service, even on Christmas Eve, with no message at any of the services?

Canadian Thanksgiving Day, I think.

When there was a dedicated librarian, the system worked much life a public library. (There were no complaints of which I was aware.) Since that position, which before elimination also included someone who could help with computer issues. it has been an honor system. I am also one of those who "leave one and take one", but have never left the ship with one of those books. I have left more books than I ever "took one" during a cruise.

If we shareholders only knew the financial statements of the individual operating companies, we might have some inkling as to the thought processes of the executives in Miami. I really question, at a time when belt tightening on the corporate level might help, if all of the operating companies need an Executive Vice-President (and associated personnel) for "this, that, and the other". What harm would be done if such jobs could be performed, let's say, by whomever in charge of P&O and P&O Australia rather than by separate executives?

There is so much to experience in this city and its surrounding area. Each visit that I have made, there is always something different to do.

Your posts would be "funny", but, sailing on a "luxury cruise line", they are not! Your service experience was not even worthy of dining on a Carnival "Fun Ship". Carnival's steak houses provide a significantly superior dining experience than what you did on this evening.

Wonderful photos! If one has not sailed the St. Lawrence to/from Montreal, one is missing an interesting experience from a cultural, geographic, and scenic aspect. Starting in Montreal, which I did, watching as the River gradually, slowly, widens as it one's ship approaches the open ocean, I found that to be fascinating.

Pier 35 is historic, yet remains functional. There is a different "vibe" about it that does not exist at the new cruise ship pier.