rkacruiser

That is correct. Carnival's stock price has long been higher than RCI's when the cruise companies prices went into the tank in 2008-2009. Less capacity + more demand = higher prices What's the surprise with this news? ALL of the cruise lines have a similar problem. TOO much capacity to meet the demand. Yet, more capacity is on the order books. Maybe with a couple of new CEO's in the corner offices some re-thinking will occur. There are many reasons why we are finding our economy in the situation that exists. Many mistakes have been made on many issues by well meaning people as well as by a few who made decisions based on what was best for them and not "We, the People". During my lifetime of some seven decades, I have seen the economy go from "boom to bust to boom to...." What we are experiencing is just one more chapter of the story. No one has yet to write a successful formula to write the final chapter of this book. Will we endure? Will the Sun rise tomorrow morning?

FCC are a gimmick to encourage those who have them to use them--sooner or later--with the hope that the guest will spend more money that will help the company's bottom line. (I have some. Gee, do I really want to loose that "free money" if I don't use them?) Extending there expiration dates is a smart PR move. As prices increase, that "free money" isn't going to go as far in 2023 and beyond and it did when the FCC was issued. FCC needed to be issued when the cruise lines had to start cancelling cruises. If all of the cancelled guests had wanted cash refunds, where would the cash have come to pay all of those refunds?

When the tray presentation disappeared, the desserts were displayed on a cart at the front of the MDR. Then, that disappeared. You are correct, it has been a long time since those days. It's a diminishing of the HAL cruise experience. As I learned, when I insisted that I wanted a presentation of breakfast pastries, it could be done. As I think I posted, what irritated me the most was seeing a tray of the pastries sitting on a counter and there was no effort of that tray being offered to any of that Steward's guests.

A wonderful itinerary on an excellent vessel! Ending in Singapore, are you considering a day or more there after the cruise? Flight home on Air New Zealand?

It is wise to have a small amount of Canadian currency. Most businesses in Canada will accept American currency, but, the exchange rate you receive will be poor. Best is to use a credit card with no foreign transaction fees for most purchases.

This does not make any sense to me in my experience. Who were the Concierges during my cruise on the Westerdam? Their "other job" during the day was at the Front Office. A Neptune Suite guest: whomever the Concierge is can usually get the job done. A non-Neptune Suite guest? "We have not been told. I don't know. I will report your concern. It is difficult to contact the Night Auditor. Etc."

That quote ranks in the category of one of the most insulting comments I have ever read online.

As I have read others responses, while I said--and still think I would try to do if PCH made me a visit--I'm happy where I live. I have friends whom I would loose contact if I uprooted myself. I live where there are two major interstates intersect, three international airports are within a 2 hour or less drive, the cost of living is reasonable, ample intellectual and arts events to attend, traffic that continues to increase but is not like a major urban area, and a state-wise political climate that has changed more than once in the decades in which I have lived here. Is it lacking? Yes. No one wants to dredge the Mississippi, Ohio, and Great Miami Rivers sufficiently to permit a -dam ship dock in downtown Dayton. 😀 I will stay where I am while dreaming of the "what ifs".

I have no experience on Quantas,, but, I have a very well traveled friend who has flown on Quantas to/from Sydney on a 747. His wife and he were pleased. I have flown on Air New Zealand from LAX to AKL and on Singapore from Singapore to SFO, both in Business Class, both on a 777. Both were excellent flights, service and seating comfort was excellent, with Singapore's "Book the Cook" option available for Business Class passengers being unique, at least for me. (I pre-ordered more than I could eat.) Flyertalker suggested other airlines you might want to consider. Delta does have a non-stop to Sydney. I have flown on their Delta One product to Europe and South America and was pleased with all aspects of my flights. Since you are using Princess air, I suggest that you ask for some Business Class pricing. The cruise lines often can provide better pricing than one can find by yourself.

I saw this thread yesterday and have been thinking about your question for 24 hours. I thought this afternoon that I was ready to reply, but, as I typed a post, more thoughts occurred. I erased what I typed and want to do more thinking/remembering. It's a great question!

Maybe he didn't like cleaning the bathroom. Not my favorite job, either. 😀

If someone would order such a concoction in Naples, can you imagine the reaction they would receive!

The wine and table service was needlessly showy with an attempt to make my dining experience more formal in feeling in my opinion. The ambiance of the restaurant had a "chill" feeling about it that other such specialty restaurants that I have patronized did not have.

rincewind, What an interesting contrast of ships you will be experiencing! I hope that you will return to the Message Boards, particularly the HAL Board, and post your observations, thoughts, and a report of your two cruises.

☺️ This comment made me smile.

That first cruise after New Year's Day is a great time to cruise. I have found that the pricing is exceptionally good and sometimes there are still some holiday decorations remaining. The demographics will be as varied as will be on other 7-10/14 days cruises.

And fill the bathtub with water---just in case?

Yes, there are many Breakfast pastries listed on the menu. What I was objecting to was the lack of the presentation and availability of a pastry tray when I could select the items that I wished. Just as I had been previously able to do. These delights are good reasons for patronizing the Lido for Breakfast.

There are many benches along the cruise ship docks and, if I recall correctly, a small pavilion near the start of the Boardwalk with picnic like tables. Those might be areas to consider for a take-out like picnic meal. (The Ravens and other birds will be most appreciative of your crumbs that are left behind.)

WOW!!!! That's a great beginning to your trip!

Another example of a HAL "Oops" by whomever is in charge of scheduling such a situation.

Particularly if you are Open Seating guests, the night of Embarkation Day ought to be considered. The restaurants are likely to have fewer guests and it is a pleasant way to begin one's cruise. If you are a First or Second Seating guest, you might not want to consider that time so that you may be able to meet your tablemates as your cruise begins. (This assumes that your tablemates will appear. Sometimes they do; sometimes they don't.)

😄 That's a cute memory. Thanks for sharing it. I don't know how my friends felt after they moved to Fort Pierce, but, the wide circle of friends that they had here seemed to have forgotten them when they left town. Two couples had moved to Florida and lived elsewhere than Fort Pierce and I know that there were infrequent visits with them. A very small number of us who knew them well kept in touch with them and an even smaller number of us visited them. A few years ago, the surviving member of my friends returned for a visit. She stayed with me and I arranged a reunion. Well attended and a good time was had by everyone; just like the olden days. Even that did not precipitate others to visit her. I was saddened by this. Moving to an entirely new community can be a major sociological change for some that may be dealt with well--or not--by people.

I have not experienced--yet--the "don't bother message from my credit cards banks. But, I have experienced over the years the amount of detail that the banks wanted about where the cards might be used. From listing every single country/state the card may be used to a general region to simply that it may be used somewhere different from its usual usage,

I think Symphony of the Seas itinerary is better than the ones the OP posted for Mardi Gras. I am not anti-Carnival Please look at my signature and compare my experiences on Carnival and Royal Caribbean.