Roz

When I saw the emoticon, I thought it was going to be a negative review, but aside from the major smoking issue, it seems like you enjoyed many aspects of the cruise. I'm sorry you weren't able to enjoy your balcony after paying for a premium stateroom.

About the staffings levels, there's something I've never understood. On more than one occassion I've not ordered a drink or glass of wine simply because there was no one to take my order. Alcohol generates revenue, so you think that having more wine stewards in the DR and bar waiters would not only pay for itself but result in profit.

Roz

Last year on Princess we got into Ft. Lauderdale and had a Coast Guard inspection and extra scrutiny by Customs and Immigration. The lines were long and slow and there was nothing the cruise line could do about it. My tablemates bragged to me about their 9:30 am and 10 am flights, and chided me for being such an idiot for booking a 12:45 pm flight. After all, they had better things to do with their time than sit in an airport.

I had the last laugh as I watched them leave the immigration area at the same time that their flights were leaving FLL. The airport was worse than the day before Thanksgiving. I had to stand in a line in order to be admitted to the official TSA line.

Roz

I'm on your cruise. I got my cabin assignment yesterday (Nov. 25), and I was the last one on my roll call to be notified of those that booked guarantees. With the holiday approaching, I'm thinking Seattle will have things pretty well firmed up by today or tomorrow. I wouldn't expect many more offers at this late date.

Roz

The folks over in the Family Cruising may have some ideas/advice for you.

Roz

Gary,

I'm not KK, but both turkey sausage and turkey bacon are on the breakfast menu in the dining room. Also veggie links. Don't know about the Lido, as I avoid it like the plague during busy mealtimes.

Roz

I'm not a beach person (don't even bring a bathing suit with me), but I still enjoy the private island. I take a stroll down the beach to enjoy the water and scenery and fresh air, then grab a drink and enjoy the band before I head over to the bbq buffet. I think you should try a private island at least once. I was pleasantly surprised when I did.

Roz

I've only been to Half Moon Cay, and didn't find it Americanized at all. The beach and landscape are beautiful, and people are pretty spread out. The buffet can be crowded, but I must wait until the initial rush is over and then eat. A lot of people who don't like tendering just stay on the ship. If you've never been to a private island, you may be in for a pleasant surprise.

Roz

Overall I think I prefer the Eastern Caribbean menus, but I guess I'll just have to make do with the Western since that's the cruise I'm on.

Roz

The politics of food....

Roz

Prefer Dover sole to tilapia any day. Guess that's because I'm an old classic. :D

Roz

Something I've noticed on HAL, Carnival, and Princess is that in order to keep down costs, they will use less expensive cuts of meat and offer an entree or two that's more in the "comfort food" category, such as meatloaf or turkey and dressing. The food still tastes good, in my opinion. Don't know if that's what you mean by quality.

Roz

A la mode means it's topped with a scoop of ice cream - yum!

Thank you KK. I'm sailing the NA on Dec. 1, so this will whet my appetite.

Roz

If your mother is a US citizen, Marym933 hit the nail on the head - Medicare is no good outside of the US. You can use in the US territory such as Puerto Rico, USVI, and Guam. Medivac is also not covered by Medicare anywhere.

Roz

The business center is behind the front desk (near gift shop) and is a separate room that you access with your key card.

Roz

It's better than nothing, and beats lugging a laptop with you. I've used it a lot. It's not that bad.

Roz

I'm staying at the ES Nov. 29 - Dec. 1. I'll post about what's going on with the renovations.

Roz

I can't answer your specific question, but I don't see how a Neptune Suite could have any negatives. I've sailed in insides and outsides and Neptunes, and I don't think there's such a thing as a bad Neptune suite. That said, I'll be interested in seeing what others post about why those particular cabins were re-classified.

Roz

I've noticed that ever since those Mother of the Seas ships starting sailing from FLL, the hotel room situation has become very tight.

Roz

I've never been "herded" and "dumped".

Roz

I've used the ES shuttle, but you pay for it.

Roz

Gordonchick, I hope you never grow old. That was a harsh assessment of the passengers on the Oosterdam. I've never been on a HAL cruise or any other cruise that was "overrun" with mobility aids.

Did it ever occur to you that maybe the folks that pushed your son did so accidently due to poor eyesight or hearing? I try to give people the benefit of the doubt.

Roz

In Ft. Lauderdale, with the port being so close to where I stay, I don't check out until I have to. I take the hotel's shuttle, but if it was delayed or not running, it would be easy to take a cab and not be in any danger of missing the ship. In the event of taxi and shuttle drivers strike, I could walk if I had to. :D

To the OP, you will be fine with the noon shuttle.

Roz

The Embassy Suites books up fast. If there's a big cruise group staying there that was booked by a TA or by a cruise line, forgot the price going down or there being any availability. Sometimes the only way I've been able to book there is because I'm a Hilton Honors Diamond member.

Roz

Sorry for the double post; didn't look like it went thru so I clicked post reply again.

The Embassy Suites books up fast. If there's a big cruise group staying there that was booked by a TA or by a cruise line, forgot the price going down or there being any availability. Sometimes the only way I've been able to book there is because I'm a Hilton Honors Diamond member.

Roz

I was 48 when I took my first cruise, which was on a HAL ship to Alaska. There were people of all ages, but it definitely skewed to over 50. That said, after walking around ports all day in the cold rain and having early shorex, I wasn't up for much nightlife after 11 pm. I agree with the posters who said Alaska is more about the sights and itinerary than shipboard activities.

Enjoy your cruise and report back to us on your experience and how it compares to NCL.

Roz