Bliss - Live 4/21

[LrgPizza]

I wasn’t correcting you, just trying to explain.

 

 

No worries. I always enjoy your things. I especially like that you don’t feel the need to title them in your own name. Those make me cringe. [emoji16]

[welove2cruise2014]

I think I got lost when Will started to appear each night. Because for some reason I thought he was a bartender on the ship!

 

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[derek005]

A big THANKS to Doug, his wife and his parents for the best Cruise Critic gathering ever!

 

R/S,

 

Derek

[nancydow]

Nancy, thanks for sharing your experience in the casino, sorry it wasn't a winning cruise, been there done that. Did you get a chance to go into the "smokers" section, and if so, was it tolerable or horribly smokey? Best of luck on your next cruise.:):):):):)

 

 

I actually spent most of my time in the “smoker’s box” and found it to be quite tolerable. That being said, there were usually only 1-5 people smoking at any time. The dealers and supervisors said they expect it to change in NY.

 

One thing that I enjoyed was that it was quite cool in the smoking area tables because of the air exchangers. I usually run so warm that I have to wear a fan; wearing a sweater or jacket in the casino was a refreshing change!

 

 

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[ChicagoBarb]

Nancy - thanks for the casino info. I'm usually cold so I'll be prepared.

 

Sailing on May 10 and looking forward to seeing familiar dealers and supervisors!

[CruisinHarvey]

Doug,

 

We've considered a TA in the past, but never taken one. From your photo's it looks like no one used the pool deck most of the trip. Out of the 12 days, how many was the pool deck really usable/comfortable? Since you were cruising later in the spring than most TAs, I'd assume most are as cool or cooler than yours was.

 

thanks again for the live!!!

 

Kerry

[LrgPizza]

I think I got lost when Will started to appear each night. Because for some reason I thought he was a bartender on the ship!

Me, too! I thought the same thing! I think it was a shirt he was wearing once. Ha! Well, and the shots.

[Megan_Strick]

Doug,

 

Can you please do a "Live" wedding? We would all appreciate that!

[HBCcruiser]

Doug,

 

 

 

Can you please do a "Live" wedding? We would all appreciate that!

 

 

 

Yes, and a destination wedding cruise too! 🥂[emoji898][emoji898]

 

 

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[TheDougOut]

You never explained what was weird about the Farwell dinner?

 

 

I will share this and then ask for it to be the last-word on the subject (within this thread, at least).

 

This roll call was a monumental undertaking. From the very beginning, everything was done with the group in mind. I incurred a lot of expense along the way, and likely committed hundreds of hours trying to pull all the pieces together. I did all of this because I’m a fan of the brand, and wanted to add to the build-up and make the experience more unique for the participants once on board.

 

On the flip side, I absolutely despise the ugly side of roll call organizers. I’ve experienced several examples of this first-hand over the years. There are many people out there that try to take advantage of the CruiseCritic platform for their own personal benefit (special onboard treatment). Let’s just say... I met the queen of this ugliness.

 

But we went to the dinner... in support of the roll call participants that weren’t aware of what they were walking into.

[San10s]

And then there was one: Red Hook ESB.

 

Red Hook Brewery - two operations Seattle and the other one is in Portsmouth, NH....7.8 miles from my front door. I go by it almost every day. Too bad I don't like beer!! ;p:beer-mug:

[TheDougOut]

Too bad I don't like beer!!

 

 

We all like beer, but were really struggling to polish off the last of the Red Hook ESB. Even Aled.

 

Aled was, by far, the beer champion of the week. He kept track of which he had consumed, and made a point to knock them all off as the crossing progressed. There were rumors of the contest starting, but it never materialized. I’m not sure if Aled received a growler trophy, but the man certainly deserved one.

[CruiseGal999]

I will share this and then ask for it to be the last-word on the subject (within this thread, at least).

 

This roll call was a monumental undertaking. From the very beginning, everything was done with the group in mind. I incurred a lot of expense along the way, and likely committed hundreds of hours trying to pull all the pieces together. I did all of this because I’m a fan of the brand, and wanted to add to the build-up and make the experience more unique for the participants once on board.

 

On the flip side, I absolutely despise the ugly side of roll call organizers. I’ve experienced several examples of this first-hand over the years. There are many people out there that try to take advantage of the CruiseCritic platform for their own personal benefit (special onboard treatment). Let’s just say... I met the queen of this ugliness.

 

But we went to the dinner... in support of the roll call participants that weren’t aware of what they were walking into.

 

In addition to ALL of that (as if that isn't enough) there were 300 or 400 people that instantly 'imprinted' on you like little ducklings & goslings. You are now their instant best friend. WOW ... the stress is almost palpable.

[LrgPizza]

In addition to ALL of that (as if that isn't enough) there were 300 or 400 people that instantly 'imprinted' on you like little ducklings & goslings. You are now their instant best friend. WOW ... the stress is almost palpable.

I keep picturing that everywhere Doug and Sue went, there was a merry band of followers who just wanted to feel like they were part. That would drive me nuts, but they seem to have handled it well.

[LrgPizza]

LCR #2 starting up...

 

 

The winner gets to nap.

Sue looks like the only happy person in this picture. LOL!

[TheDougOut]

In addition to ALL of that (as if that isn't enough) there were 300 or 400 people that instantly 'imprinted' on you like little ducklings & goslings.

 

 

The people made this cruise - and we loved interacting with everybody throughout the week. It’s because of these interactions that so many of us are committing to Encore.

 

Sure, being a small-time ringleader creates some funny moments along the way. On embarkation day, it became a running joke that I could never actually make it to a bar. We even would turn around and try a less-popular venue. Nope - the reception line continued.

 

But in all-seriousness, it was perfect.

[LrgPizza]

The people made this cruise - and we loved interacting with everybody throughout the week. It’s because of these interactions that so many of us are committing to Encore.

 

Sure, being a small-time ringleader creates some funny moments along the way. On embarkation day, it became a running joke that I could never actually make it to a bar. We even would turn around and try a less-popular venue. Nope - the reception line continued.

 

But in all-seriousness, it was perfect.

Would love to do the Encore Transatlantic, but it's just too many days to be gone when we still have a kid in school. On the Escape, I enjoyed the way everyone seemed to know everyone by the end of the cruise. We seemed to recognize everyone! And this was without having attended a M&G, or even discussing CC. I think it just happens when you're on a boat that long with hardly any stops (ours had none.) It's my favorite kind of cruise for that reason.

[$hip$hape]

I heard that NCL is discontinuing straws in their drinks and notice no straws in these drinks. Is this true?

 

Not just NCL but RCCL has discontinued them also (at least on Symphony of the Seas). I purchased a set of stainless steel straws on Amazon to take with me...gotta have a straw, especially for my iced coffee and frozen drinks.

Straws are optional.

Just ask.

[$hip$hape]

Can you let all of us know if the pools and water slides are heated for the Alaskan cruises?

Water in the water slide is heated.

Edited May 4, 2018 by $hip$hape

[$hip$hape]

I can tell you that Starbucks has straws.

Last night at Food Republic my first drink had a straw but my second drink didn’t and I don’t have much memory after that.

Inside info...

If you like Coffee & Baileys, go to the Atrium Bar.

The wait staff will walk over to Starbucks(close)

and serve you a Starbucks & Baileys (no extra charge)

[kathieepler]

Thank you Doug and Sue for all your hard work to make this cruise so much fun! Can't believe it's already over. On to the next one.

[kroozbuddy]

My wife and I have been discussing an event from this cruise, is it normal for DB to run out of beer at the end of the cruise? or was it a TA thing?

[TheDougOut]

My wife and I have been discussing an event from this cruise, is it normal for DB to run out of beer at the end of the cruise? or was it a TA thing?

 

 

It’s a TA thing. Regular sailings may run out of 1 or 2 drafts, rarely more.

[$hip$hape]

Thank you Doug and Sue for all your hard work to make this cruise so much fun!

Can't believe it's already over. On to the next one.

 

As a late person to this thread, I'm only up to page 20 out of 81 pages (?)

It's reading like a novel, and I'm taking time to enjoy.

(WE chose to totally disconnect from our phones and internet during the cruise.)

DW Catherine and I agree that, this TransAtlantic cruise was near perfect!

Thank You All again,

Michael

Edited May 4, 2018 by $hip$hape

[TheDougOut]

(WE chose to totally disconnect from our phones and internet during the cruise.)

 

 

And here’s the blister on my pinky from where my phone rests...

 

 

Michael - running into you and Catherine throughout the week was one of our many highlights. Whether you like it or not, Sue and I consider you our friends from here on out.

 

But I still hope to meet $hip$hape someday. :)