jeh10641

5 hours ago, bucfan2 said:

In your opinion and/or attempt to stir-it-up.

Not facts, opinions as to taste.

5 hours ago, Georgeny said:

 

Jim,

We sailed the Liberty Seas in June after the RCL menu had just changed there. I wonder if your October Anthem cruise was the old menu or the new menu? I don't know if they staged the change.

 

Looking at your history of sailings you started cruising when I was 9 years old. I have to think that you were cruising with parents in 1959? The Dam ships use the same names over and over. I sailed the newer Nieuw Amsterdam October 2023, a whole different ship and experience I am sure.

 

I was raised in Rye, now in upper Westchester.

Hi, George,

Pelham and Larchmont (Mamaroneck High School '59). Seattle area since January 1975.

1959 sailing was part of a student tour of Europe for 55 days. Think "Grand Tour" of yore but on a budget. Nieuw Amsterdam had three classes then - first, cabin, tourist (seems like cruise lines are reverting back to that). We were in the middle class. It had a ROUND porthole about 15 inches in diameter, on a lower deck. The seas got so bad that the room attendant had to lower a steel covering over it and lock it in place for 2 or 3 days. The waves were over the porthole.

I was not yet 18 and on my own with 29 other kids who were either going to be high school seniors, or like me, were going to start college.

Jim 

16 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

And it will all be handled with great care. You may even get a note from the person who did your laundry.

We have utilized HAL's laundry program in the pasdt and have always been more than happy with the results. We even send them a gratuity via a laundry bag/envelope.

Jim

2 hours ago, Georgeny said:

 

First allow me to compliment you on one of the most comprehensive reviews I have ever read, thank you. I am happy that you were happy with the food offerings, maybe transatlantic was better? I am afraid though reading the reviews before and after your happiness with the food is the exception not the rule.

 

Though it is obvious that in the area of food there are a wide range of opinions currently the thoughts that the RCL food quality and menu selection have been diminished seems to be a constant note now.

 

Again, enjoyed reading your review and thank you for taking the time to encompass so much information.   George in NY

Hi, George,

Thank you for the compliment. I appreciate it. When i write a review, whether for a cruise or a book, I try to an honest appraisal based on my experience. I am not sure why negative reviews seem to dominate Cruise Critic's boards on RCCL food. Our experience, albeit only two lengthy trips 15 years apart, has been very positive. Fellow cruisers with whom I spoke on Anthem felt the food was very good but somewhat limited in selection. WEe felt there was more than enough choices for each meal.

We are displaced New Yorkers ourselves. My wife from the Bronx and I from Westchester County.

Jim

29 minutes ago, Charles4515 said:

I spent 8 days in the UK and never got any pounds. Stayed in the West End saw four shows. Didn’t need any money for tips as I didn’t take any tours but if I had needed any cash I would have got some from an ATM as needed.  Very simple. Plenty of ATMs. There are ATMs at the airport if you think you must have some pounds. Much better exchange rate too. I have been getting cash at ATMs for years. My bank charges no fees. Make sure though to use a bank ATM for best exchange rate and press no if it suggests converting transaction to USD. 

Hi, Charles,

You make very valid points about ATMS and banks at home for getting foreign currency and in other countries. i do have a question though: if you get Euros for travel why not pounds as well? Most European countries, like Great Britain, are more credit card intensive than the US.

We arrived by train in London from Amsterdam. I needed small bills for tips for porters, etc. Most ATMS give tens and twenties which are too much in my opinion. In case you are wondering, my wife and I are in our 80s so lugging baggage is not our thing anymore.

Jim

I purchased a laundry package for my Hawaii cruise in January 2025. It came to $8.50/day, whether or not it will be one item or 10 pounds.

Jim

34 minutes ago, Charles4515 said:

I do like to have a modest amount of leftover Euros because there are so many countries that use them and I know I will likely travel in the furture to some of them. I have even used leftover Euros on the french side of St. Marteen in the Caribbean. Other currencies I don't want. 

I was in England in October 2023 and was glad I had Pounds in hand when I arrived for tips. I even took a Winchester personal city tour that did NOT take credit cards (very worthwhile by the way).

Jim

As exemplified by this thread, food is very personal. My wife and I loved the MDR on Navigator OTS on our first cruise in 2008. We loved the MDR food on Anthem OTS in October 2023 (transatlantic). I left a review of Anthem on Cruise Critic where you see my entire multipage review.

JEH10641

The reason I travel with foreign currency is that when I arrive in a foreign country, I will have cash for immediate use for tips, snacks, taxis, etc. Never more than 100 units (Euros, Pounds, etc.). After settling in, then I can look for a bank ATM recommended by my bank to further reduce any fees.

17 hours ago, Pboyd said:

 

Thanks so much!

We always buy the laundry service in advance. That way we can pack less. We always have anywhere from a few days (FL, NY, CA) or a few weeks (Europe) before we cruise. being able to send out those clothes on the day after boarding is a blessing. We pack for four or five days. Our cruises are never less than 11 days.

Jim

You guys have great memories. I do not remember the name of any performer I have seen on a cruise except for Cantare and Boulvevard.

Jim

14 hours ago, Blackduck59 said:

 

Because you seem to like bold font I will use it for you. You missed my point entirely, my post you quoted and disregarded was "how did the thread about music start a big back and forth about the friggin' casino. Does the C.L.I.A. have rules about the entertainment in "Billboard on Board"? After all this thread is about the change in format in Billboard on Board. Just sayin.

I use bold fonts because I find it easier to see at my age (82 and counting). I did not raise the issue of casinos but I was just responding to a previous note. I am looking forward to seeing to what Billboard on Board actually is changing, if it is changing.

On 2/3/2024 at 10:31 AM, Blackduck59 said:

How did the billboard thread suddenly become a big conversation about casino "rules" and whose standards they use. There were grand casinos in Europe when Las Vegas was some desert town with dirt roads. I'm not sure why there seems to be the need to assume that Nevada sets the "standards" for the world. Considering the casinos on all cruise ships don't operate anywhere near Nevada, and most of them spend very little time in American waters.

Many of C.L.I.A.'s rules are strange but cruise lines voluntarily sign up for them.

5 hours ago, John Bull said:

 

 Worst than that - when I was a kid, my mother decided she couldn't properly clean the house as well as holding down a job, so she arranged for a lady to come in every friday to clean and tidy.

But she was house-proud and didn't want the cleaner to see us in a bad light, so every thursday we had to clean and tidy the house to make it presentable for the cleaner.🙄

 

JB 🙂

My wife exactly.

13 hours ago, TRLD said:

So basically a voluntary standard.

 

Note the language. They need to follow standards for equipment and practices. That does not mean that they have to follow the Nevada rules for payouts. Only that the equipment must meet standards, the games follow the same rules, and they generally need to follow other rules, but it does not say that the slots must meet the Nevada rules for payout percentages on slot machines for example.

Not to belabor the point but I think "Payouts" would fall under "Practices".

21 hours ago, roamingrn said:

Do you buy it once you’re on the ship or can you do it before that?

Hi, roamingrn,

We purchased a laundry package for our January 28, 2025 Koningsdam cruise to Hawaii about a month ago, well over a year in advance. It was US$153. I figure we can pack for 4 or 5 days and send out our laundry as often as we want. Less is more in my opinion. We used the Navigator app for our cruise. Hope this helps.

Jim

22 hours ago, TRLD said:

Do not believe so  No reason why they should. The rules of the country in which they are registered maybe.

 

The company might choose to meet those standards but they are certainly not required to.

If I remember correctly it was a C.L.I.A. rule. Since HAL is a participant in C.L.I.A. I think that qualifies. This is from C.L.I.A.'s website.

• Gambling

  CLIA’s members have adopted a policy that all equipment purchased and installed on cruise vessels will meet the regulatory standards of the Nevada Gaming Control Board or other licensed jurisdiction for payback and internal software.

  Rules of play

  The policy is that each line will provide a gaming guide setting forth the rules of play for their casino, and that these rules of play shall generally follow those established for casinos in Nevada, New Jersey, or England. To comply with CLIA’s policy:

  • These house rules must be made available in every casino.
  • Each member is to post at every gaming table minimum and maximum betting limits for each game.
  • Only adults are allowed to play the slots or the tables.

  Internal controls

  CLIA’s member-approved policy is that all shipboard gambling operations be inspected by each member through its internal audit department on a regular basis, not to exceed 12 months.¹

  Further, all casinos are directed by the policy to have detailed internal control procedures concerning the cash and coin counts, casino cage procedures and other processes, similar to licensed jurisdictions.

  To comply with the policy each line must employ some form of surveillance to assure operations are fair and equitable for all parties.

  The policy states that each line should separate the operation of the casino from the financial aspects of the casino as clearly as possible including specific duties for cashiers and table gaming staff.

  Customer service

  CLIA’s policy is that onboard casino operations are the overall responsibility of the Hotel Manager or Director, or similar individual(s) charged with ensuring the highest level of conduct for casino staff.

  In case of a gaming dispute, any passenger who feels he or she has an issue that cannot be resolved by the Casino Manager should be able to bring it up to the Hotel Manager, and CLIA’s members have agreed that every effort should be made to resolve the problem. If the issue is not resolved on board the vessel, the policy is that each ship have at the casino cage a current list of contact information for their home office or casino operator where the passenger can pursue their dispute.

  CLIA’s policy is that cruise vessels have onboard comment cards for the inclusion of any comment, concern, or means to improve the gambling system on board the vessel. Gambling is strictly for the enjoyment of the passengers who choose to avail themselves of this form of entertainment.

  ---

  ¹Inspection provision applies to shipboard gambling operations as a whole as opposed to individual ships.

This thread has given me a lot to think about. I post my name and cabin number on Meet and Greet spreadsheets. I may be having second thoughts about that. Cruise Critic forums always give me a lot of information even though I think I am a pretty savvy traveler.

Jim

missadventure85,

I have never been on a Princess ship, but they do have more "adult entertainment" (not a "bad" adult) in the evening than HAL. I cannot speak to kids' clubs but I think HAL is taking more interest in families than they used to.  Both companies have been doing Alaska for a long time and their land/cruise options are well done. Pinnacle class ships top out at 2600 passengers and to me that is a perfect size. I have been on larger ships (RCCL) and feel they are "too busy". I have been on Westerdan, Oosterdam and Rotterdam (the latter being a Pinnacle class) and loved them all. 

I will be watching your reports as I am on this cruise in 2025 (01/28).

Jim

I never thought about this. It is something now to think about. One reason I do not use any social media except for email and Cruise Critic. I live in a town house condo complex. I have three neighbors in my building (all are 4 plexes). We watch out for each other when traveling.

2 minutes ago, njkruzer said:

Cousins in Nashville?  We live just off West End Ave,  not far from Vanderbilt. 

My cousins live in Brentwood.

6 minutes ago, njkruzer said:

Left Plano in 1983, though still visit friends in Dallas.  Manhattan 1969-1973.  Tiny apartment in Inwood.

I am not sure when my friend moved to plano. He came from Minneapolis where he had bookstores and a publishing company. He still lives in Plano.

Jim

Just now, njkruzer said:

NY was Queens growing up, LI at SUNY SB for college.  Dh went to graduate school at City.  Left NY in 1973.  Then Atlanta,  Plano, TX, Pittsfield,  MA, Parsippany,  NJ.  Nashville since 2018 is home when not traveling. 

I had an uncle who had a dental practice in Stonybrook in the 1950s. I grew up in Manhattan, Pelham and Larchmont.  I have a former colleague/friend who lives in Plano and cousins in Nashville. Sounds like you are living my life.😊

Jim

59 minutes ago, njkruzer said:

No, change occurred more than 7 years ago.

Okay. Where in NY were you from? We lived in Hackettstown and Green Township before we moved to Seattle. I taught in Newton and had a bookstore there (long story).

Jim