rkacruiser

Sometimes, s%*t happens = guests' unhappiness. That's part of the "travel adventure": the unexpected. If one does not want to possibly experience the "unexpected" during one's travel, one ought not be traveling.

No saltines? Such an inexpensive item? I don't believe that there not some aboard. Sorry, I don't believe this. What do they serve with a cheese plate? If crackers/saltines are not being served, it's time to make a visit with the Guest Relations Manager, the Food/Beverage Manager,, and maybe the Hotel Director. I'd bet there are packages of crackers in some storeroom that someone on the ship is too lazy to locate.

17 knots is not exactly "poking along". Azipods are beneficial to the maneuverability of a ship. But, as mechanical objects, just like one's car, issues develop. There is no reason for those who may be "stressing".

The Chef, at least in YC, prepares some unusual and delicious Risottos.

I agree and parking at the Port helped to make it a very good experience. I enjoyed my 4 day cruise on Carnival Liberty.

The hotel's restaurant is very good with an excellent breakfast buffet, A lighter menu is available in their Lounge area. An upscale restaurant within the hotel is called 5 Sails. I have not tried it and it may not even be open. The Fairmont Waterfront's hotel restaurant is a good hotel restaurant. It's right across the street with a subterranean connection between the two hotels. East of the hotel, there is a pub type restaurant that has harbor views that I enjoyed. I can't remember it's name, however. The hotel's Concierge will be able to offer additional suggestions, I am sure.

Teaching is a very rewarding career. What one feels when a student "finally catches on" to what you have been trying to teach the youngster is priceless. The profession is like any other job. There are the "highs" and the "lows". If one remains in one community as I did, those "highs" and "lows" regarding one's students and the parents whom we encounter are cyclic, just like history. One year, I would have some classes "from hell" with parents that matched. The next year, totally different. Patience, believing in what one is doing is what one is called to do, thorough preparation of one's lessons with a solid academic background in what one is teaching, and a willingness of try to understand and successfully work with others should lead to a successful teaching career. I wish your Son much luck as he prepares for an education career.

Mitchner's Alaska is better read prior to leaving for your trip. Loved the book, but, you will be spending so much time sightseeing, I think trying to read the book during the cruise, the book would be "getting in the way" of the sightseeing. A good Alaskan tour guide might be helpful for you. For other things to read, select an author or a type of book you enjoy and download that. I like Tom Clancy or The Gray Man type books.

HAL is the cruise line with the longest continuous time sailing Alaska cruises. They have their own rail cars, buses, and hotels in Alaska. Their on board Alaska program is very good and their ships do have a covered mid-ships pool when the weather is not good. Princess has sailed Alaska cruises for many years as well and they have their own rail cars, hotels, and buses. I am unsure if their mid-ship's pool can be covered or not. Their on board Alaska program is also very good and, in some ways, different from HAL's (good different). If you can find a Princess Patters and a When and Where programs for Alaska sailings, you may find it interesting to compare the two. Food and service is very good on both. Princess has, I think, a better entertainment program, but, HAL's new Music Walk is enjoyed by many. One HAL advantage is their Crow's Nest Lounge above the Bridge. A great place for sightseeing when the weather discourages one from lingering on an open deck. My opinion: select a cruise based on your desired itinerary. For me, Glacier Bay is a must; if the itinerary includes Hubbard Glacier, that makes the itinerary even more desirable for me. Enjoy your planning/researching!

Thank you for an interesting story. Unfortunate that the waiter was dismissed; I don't see any reasonable grounds for the passenger to threaten to sue.

Comments with which I can agree! "Fresh" is always better than its opposite. But, why has it come to the time when one has to ask for such? On some cruise lines, is fresh squeezed OJ even available?

At the start of the transit, there is a mad crush of people lining the rails in the most forward open decks that are available. Then, after the heat/humidity/and the "gee, we have already seen what we are seeing" thoughts take hold, those spots are vacated; leaving room without a crush of humanity around you. The same holds true for the Crow's Nest. Interest wanes after awhile for many.

If there is football--college or NFL--in satellite reception is available, the games will be shown. In cabin? I don't know. May depend on the vessel's electronic set up to do so.

An interesting discussion with many good points being made. Yet, Morningstar is more optimistic than many of us investors that are not specialists. Morningstar's last rating of CCL is 5 Star. On my MS account report, their rating is 1. Read their report. Yes, debt is a major concern and their share price will not rise (according to their report) above the mid-upper $20's until some/all of the present issues are resolved and, of course, any "left over cash" that can be used will not be used for share repurchases or dividends. It will be used to pay debt.

You are in for a treat! Observe the geology along the Sund. You will see the effects of the tremendous past interior forces of our Earth.

Not to my knowledge. Children were welcome in the YC Restaurant on Meraviglia and, if I may say so, received extra attention from the Stewards and the Maitre d'. Please understand that the children that I observed were not toddlers, but, were in the 7 years old+ range. They knew how to behave in the circumstance in which they found themselves.

German Chocolate or Carrot Cake are my preferences. I think I have heard of this during the 2008-2009 economic crisis. History is so cyclic! Yet, we are so good, as a society, at failing to learn. But, what would have happened if those incentives had not been available?

The Cruise/Travel Insurance Forum under Cruise Discussion Topics on CC may also be of help for you.

I understand! Even as a regular faculty member, there were times when I needed to sub for another teacher during my planning period. My favorite story about one experience was when I was substituting for Mrs. W. While conducting a lesson in the same subject that I taught, one student blurted out: "Mrs. W. doesn't do it that way!" I responded: "Do I look like Mrs. W? We are going to do it my way!" And, we did. Successfully.

I think you are correct regarding supplying sufficient lighting for guests to move around safely at night. But, to ensure visibility to other ships? No. That's why ships have running lights. It used to be easy to find a really dark area on the upper decks of a ship that is accessible to guests. One of the best spots that I ever found was on Rotterdam V. Mid-ships, there was an observation area at the very top of the ship that could only be accessed by a steep ladder from the deck below, near the Sky Bar. Few guests ever found it, but, those of us that did had spectacular views of a clear night sky. One could commune with nature and God.

There is absolutely no need for one to bring plastic ware on board. If one would take a Behind the Scenes Tour and learn how concerned the cruise lines are about cleanliness and sanitation, see how the preparation for dish washing is done and the dish washing itself, one would gain confidence that one is probably safer dining on a cruise ship than at a fast casual restaurant ashore. (Try reading some of your local health department's inspection reports of restaurants.) Besides, the USPH makes unannounced inspections and a poor score gets widely reported. During this period of time when cruise lines are encouraging Covid-hesitant guests to sail, such reports would be very, very bad PR for them.

My post to which you are referencing concerns dining experiences on ships well before QM2 and QV. The original Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth, Ile de France, Rotterdam V, Andrea Doria and Christoforo Columbo, Bremen and Europa, Gripsholm, Oslofjord, America and United States: these are just a few examples that represent different national ships where dining was an important part of the cruise experience. This is true, but, they are not found at fast casual or casual restaurants. Most of us do not dine at Fleming's or Morton's, etc. on a regular basis. In my opinion, foods such as Beef Wellington, Escargots, Crepes Suzette, etc. are special and, when I order them during a cruise, they help to make my cruise special. Try herding early adolescents. And, I retained my sanity when I retired. One either "loves 'em or leaves 'em.

Thanks for your post because it confirms what I have had others tell me. One reason why I have not made that investment and because my hearing, while not perfect, remains good enough to carry on a conversation as long as others don't speak too softly.

Your choice to be sure. But, historically, the MDR experience is what helped to make ocean liner and cruise ship travel significantly different from other types of vacations. I have read Tourist Class menus from RMS Queen Mary that offer items that, I think, many of her guests would never have tried or even seen on any land based restaurant's menu.

I was on a cruise where this happened to a gentleman who boarded wearing a lime green suit. He wore that throughout the cruise.