antique sailor

though i respect that you may have been disappointed not to be able to choose "ancient mariner," i personally think antique sailor is much more creative, and very witty! and it goes perfectly with your photo... Errr, avatar? (whatever it's called...:confused:)

ahoy shipmate,

thank you, misson accomplished

AHOY SHIPMATES,

age 74, Retired, 23 YRS IN NAVY, Naturally I wanted to be "Ancient Mariner" but it was taken. (I have never seen a post from him ) so I thought a while and came up with ANTIQUE SAILOR. DW was watching that antique show on TV at the time.

gary

AHOY SHIPMATES,

Just returned from Carnival Fascination ( 3 times in Sept ) ESCARGO was on menu every time.

After reading this thread, (I have been a cook/chef for 50 years)

I decided to try them for the first time.

I like BUTTER. I like GARLIC. Bread crumbs are OK. The chewy lumps of "stuff" in the middle of it were not bad but rather tasteless. Would I order them again? YES! unless there were Shrimp on the menu.

Thank you for helping me lose my Escargo virginity at my age.

I think it depends on the ship. We had an OS for two weeks on the AOS and did not have chocolate on the pillow the first week. However, I did ask about them, and they appeared every night of the second week......

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk -

AHOY SHIPMATES

CHOCOLATES ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ON ALL PILLOWS EVERY NIGHT.

They are donated by the ADA and considered great for business LOL

gary

I do not mind prepaid gratuities with two exceptions.

 

I tend to book with a travel agent that gives as an incentive prepaid gratuities.

Because of this - I can not pre- book my time dining because RCCL requires that to be paid at time of booking and the prepaid gratuities are applied once I am actually on the cruise.

Twice I have been unable to get in my time at embarkation because it was sold out.

 

My second gripe is that I will and have tip additional; but, now I feel like I am getting hounded by the dining and stateroom staff for additional. That should be my discretion and I have had several instances now where it seems expected - I find the prepaid process awkward because I like having something to give the person on that last night -and now I feel obligated to give more.

Thats all I am saying-

AHOY SHIPMATES

It's not TIPPING or a GRATUITY any longer. It's cleverly applied EXTORTION.

MY FOUR ROLEXES some real-some fake.

AHOY SHIPMATE,

one of many suggestions you will receive; apply for a CC from one of the cruise lines that you are likely to sail on. Be sure that you get some perks for getting it. Use it for everything you spend on that cruise line. Set it up for AUTO pay electronically from your Credit Union or bank and pay off total EVERY month. Be sure to know the cut- off

date from the company and plan to make any big purchases after that date. Then you will have almost two months before the payment is due. After a few months call and ask for a raise in your credit limit on the card. NEVER use card for cash advance or ATM, don't even get a pin number for it.... All this will help you get a better number on your credit report. After a yr. apply for another card from a second source that gives a bonus on your first purchase etc. Always cash in your accumulated pts. for CASH credit on the account when they reach the best amt. ratio. Don't be afraid to ASK questions when you are not sure.

AHOY SHIPMATE,

IT's never too early to start; sold fishing worms at 7, had a paper route at 12, was life guard at 15, joined NAVY at 18 took out a $25. saving bond each mo. played a lot of poker, always had a hobby that made money ie. detailing old VWs, then restoring BMW MCs, Raised and handfed baby parrots, Built custom shaped bird cages . Was in navy 23 yrs and retired at age 41 so had lotsa time for the hobbies .

As my grandpa said... Don't drink, don't smoke, don't chase girls that do!

That was no fun tho so I didn't follow all the rules. WIFE and I both retired and are spending what we saved... from our annuities.

This may seem like a lot of BULL but the point is we didn't start cruising at an early age. and can enjoy it more now that 20 yrs ago(I'm 74) and have 5 more cruises booked for the next 8 mos.

AHOY SHIPMATE

First I heard about it....will check it out thanks

gary

AHOY SHIPMATES,

I enjoy your various comments but SHAME, SHAME, SHAME on some of you. This is cruise critic NOT facebook. The objective is to be helpful.

LOL

I've read it. Now what ????????

AHOY SHIPMATES

If you must ask, then you wouldn't comprehend my reply

AHOY SHIPMATES

I dont know how to bump so please read my post- 80 on page 4 of this thread

AHOY SHIPMATES

hAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF " Administrative fees" or

"" Maintenance fees"" ? They are hidden in "creative " book keeping.

GARY

AHOY SHIPMATES

Yes Master Chief........Although I remember discussing those things in the general mess, the CPO mess and occasionally in the Warrant's mess ...but never in the main Wardroom (the XO was a prude) LOL

Gary

AHOY SHIPMATES

I lead a very boring life when I'm not cruising so I spend a lot of

time surfing the threads ...overall pretty interesting.

In the NAVY we had a rule in the Wardroom. There were 3

Topics that were Taboo. Never discuss SEX RELIGION or POLITICS

I 'm beginning to think TIPPING might be part of the list here.

It comes up so often with all the same comments etc. Everyone

has the right to believe what they want ....and many good reasons

on both sides..based on past experiences, economic status, and

guliability

not meant to be critical of anyone it's a personal

decision.

Gary

AHOY SHIPMATES

My first cruise was on the HAZEGRAY cruise lines1958 USS Shangra La

but that was in another lifetime

In my next life ... QE2 NY to Southampton 5 days. It took me over

15 yrs to recouperate....There was no watertight integrity and most of the

below decks crew were stoned(1981).

In this Life (my final one) The wonderful Rotterdam V for the final 115 day World Cruise in 1997 .It was addictive as you can see from my signature.

Gary

AHOY SHIPMATES,

We've done a lot of cruising and many items we planned on collecting went by the wayside to avoid finding ourselves on the TV show about hoarders

Being Holland America fans there are a lot of nice amenities The 2 paneled living room walls are adorned with the Delft china plates from the World cruises.

On the kitchen wall I hung wooden coat pegs with the ships coffee mugs

from all the HAL ships.

When we got our Hot Tub I purchased 2 of the large towels that are in the suites( I have the receipts) and have them on a rack beside the spa.

All the foreign coins and a lot of other stuff we gave to the grandchildren

for show and tell at school.

The medallions awarded to Mariners(old system) I filed the back off smooth and gave to my poker buddies for card covers.

The extra nice shopping bags (old Style) I took apart and made vests/

jackets for pool/lido use, cumberbuns , bow ties ,string ties for formal nights, etc.

The clothing items create a conversation starter and have gotten us

several bottles of wine from various senior officers on the ship as well as the CEO of HAL.

I do have a question for those who collect sand.....Do you have a cat?

Gary

,

AHOY SHIPMATES

It's difficult not to sound negative(maybe a bit sarcastic) but I love cruising and shall continue to do so. If it were't for some of these changes I wouldn't be able to afford to do so.

I miss the 180 staff and crew who disappeared from each of the HAL ships.

I miss the cruise directors who used to attend the sail away parties

I miss the beautiful young ships hostesses who were PR people that told the truth and attended all the major functions and served as the Capt's

escort if his DW wasn't aboard.

I miss the Capt's gala dinner in the Kings room on the HAL ships.

the free Quality shopping bags to each passenger each cruise.

the Drambuie and other liquires at the ice cream bar

the cruise staff who organized the activities and mingled with the passengers(now replaced by Assistant cruise directors who only handle one

event and are unionized.

Flambe was prepaired tableside in MDR still available in extra $$$

restaurants

remember when you didn't have to pay extra for a good steak

the casino was liberal with the free drinks even if you were't a high roller

the entertainment wasn't recruited from saturday am kids TV

Again I still prefer Holland America and do not blame the staff

The exes in Seattle make the changes with the approval of the

CEO who doesn't pay for his cruises.

GARY

AHOY SHIPMATES

Never and Always are so prone to restricting freedom of choice. I prefer to say seldom or rarely and frequently or often. Mostly it depends on the ship and length of the cruise. During my 1100 days on board I've developed habits that eliminate some activities but then my DW gets me to try new activities in my weaker moments.

I understand that past experiences can cause one to narrow their scope of things to do....sense of adventure can be enjoyment enhancing....GO FORTH AND SOAK IN THE

PLEASURES OF THE HIGH SEAS!

gary

AHOY SHIPMATE, Shuffle up and deal. On Holland America Blinds are $1. and $2. no limit with $100. max buy in. Rebuys are $30-min and not to exceed the $100. max including your stack.

It may be higher on NCL. They are very cutthroat compared to the other lines I've been on.

AHOY SHIPMATES

1958

first time at sea FLEW to Japan and reported aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Shangra La. It was preparing to return to US. About 3 days at sea and we were hit by a typhoon . I have pictures taken from the bridge of waves breaking over the front of the Flight deck 70ft above the waterline. All the catwalks were torn off as well as the roller curtains on the hangerdeck. All hands were ordered strap in their bunks and stay there unless on watch. We were given powdered juice and crackers for two days then it was back to work and headed home to Alimeda

1997

first Grand World Voyage on the old Rotterdam 5 end of the cruise somewhere between the Azores and NYC we encountered a storm we could not avoid.All passengers(avg age 74) were told to stay in their cabins, however safety lines were rigged throught the ship. people are curious to see ; all the liquor fell in the stores. The entire atrium smelled like a frat house the AM after. All the LLadro figurines were shattered, elevators were shut down for a few days to be repaired they were old and tired to begin with. Worst of all.. there were over a dozen broken bones

3 arms a leg and several wrists and ankles and numerous black eyes and bruises. Most of the same people were back on the WC the following year

2000

Grand World Voyage on the (new) Rotterdam 6 somewhere between Japan and Midway Is. during the night; a very loud thump and jolt throwing many passengers out of bed to the deck in all areas of the ship. It was a huge rogue wave not seen in the dark by the bridge watch

About 6am one of the engineers whom i knew took me below deck in crew area to see the damage. Only place affected was the crew gym

the wave had crushed it from about 15 ft to 4 ft lucky no one was in there at 0330 in the am. From the outside onlyy a large dent showed in the hull.

this ends my sea stories for now

Gary

AHOY SHIPMATES

HOLLAND AMERICA ships have live tex hold em if they dont have the (hardly ever works) computer table. usually not many experienced dealers but can be very pleasant game if there arent any self proclaimed "experts" in the game. The rule book is about the size of a Bible and has a few variations in table proceedures but nothing to get very upset over. Max house drag is 10% up to $5. Watch them closely if they are new

The asst manager or host is always avail to settle any disputes They will start a game with minimum of 4 players. Best way to attract a full table. When it's a fun group its not uncommon to get a round of free drinks etc In my experience RCL runs a terrible game=high drag no dealer control etc.

Hope to see ya'll on a future cruise on a long cruise this fall on Maasdam or Princendam

Max buyin is $100 so every one can afford it within reason

GARY

AHOY SHIPMATEs

past n future

Was browsing the posts and discovered this one. Had to read it all

Thoroughly enjoyable especially those from .. TOPSHAM.

My first partial WC was in 1958 on the Hazegray cruiselines. It was very inexpensive but had a lot of rules and was very crowded. The occasional

ports were very interesting but we all had to dress up and be back to the ship by midnight. No sleeping late in the AM Breakfast opened at 0600 and over at about 0730. Generally the same menu. We could order almost anything but got scrambled eggs and minced beef on toast (sos ) most

of the time. No spa or gym but we got a lot of exercise frolicking on the

top deck in our colorful shirts. Some days we could leave before dark.

There was no lounge so no liquor was availabe. The staff was so jealous of any pasengers who snuck any aboard they would confiscate it and punish the guilty persons.

I continued with this cruiseline off and on for 23 trs and enjoyed a lot of it. Then I retired. My DW who was in the Navy received orders to Naples Italy. We had aaa choice; take govt. transportation or go on our own and get reimbersed minus the gov cost. In a moment of weakness we chose the QE2 ,5 days from NY to Southhampton in the cheapest class they had. must say not a good way to start civilian cruising.

My DW served 20 yrs and ret in 1993 In all her travels she never been to Australia. Somewhere along the line I had promised her a vacation trip to Sydney. Finally she put pressure on for the trip and I started looking at airline prices from Jax Fla and hotels etc. Being a cheapskate at heart there was no way...The sunday paper had an add for the Final WC on the S.S. Rotterdam . I spent hour with travel agents and discovered it was the least expensive way to see Sydney and everything else. We did it!

I remember all the Staff listed and still see some of the once in a while The avg age of passengers on 1997 WC was 74 in 1998 it was 73 because someone had their son aboard with wife n 6mo old child.

I remember some Cliques but most of them died off and a lot moved to other cruise lines after the way we treated on the 2002 cruise. We went again in 2011 and really enjoyed it HAL has definitely been "Carnivalized"

but it is still the overall best in that $ class

sorry for the long speech.. I could write a book...but nobody would buy it

GARY

AHOY SHIPMATES

MY DW (20 yrs) and I (23 YRS) are both USN RET and WE CRUISE A LOT

SOME CRUISELINES OFFER A MILITARY DISCOUNT BUT WHEN YOU CHECK PRICES THEY ARE THE SAME AS EVERYONE ELSE. CARNIVAL HAS A MIL PRICE BUT WHEN THERE IS A PRICE REDUCTION BEFORE THE CRUISE YOU DONT GET IT BECAUSE YOU HAVE THE MIL PRICE AND YOU ACTUALLY LOSE $. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE BUT THE 2ND TIME OUR AGT TOOK IT OUT OF HIS PROFIT

WE HAVE HAD THE SAME TRVL AGT FOR ALL OUR GLOBETROTTING BUT STILL INVESTIGATE SEVERAL ADS MOST OF WHICH ARE NOT TRUE WHEN YOU GET TO THE BOTTOM LINE. IF YOU DONT HAVE AN AGT THE ONE ON BASE IS USUALLY GOOD PLACE TO START SHOPPING

GARY