rmalbers

I was in OSJ a month ago and was pleasantly surprised how much better it was looking and fixed up than when we were there in 2013. So many more small restaurants and bars were open. I really want to go back and drive around the whole island next winter for several weeks.

On my last VO cruise they announced numbers for the excursions and it seemed like around 2/3 of the people took the included excursions, not sure if that is typical or not. I was sort of surprised by the numbers. It seems like they add to the included excursions if they 'sell out'.

That is a good point that I'm not sure has been brought up lately. There are even more megaships coming online each year from different brands that require a lot of crew. Maybe that is part of the problem. I still say that people's perception is a lot different between people that cruised X a lot before and after the 'changes'. and people that have only cruised during/after the changes.

From talking to crew members on Viking. I'm not saying they came from X, their backgrounds were from all brands of big cruise lines.

Wow, what a mess. You can bet that if there was an easy fix this problem would have been solved a lot time ago.

The staffing levels described in that youtube link posted sounds like what I saw in Feb. It was very noticeable. The thing is, if you had not sailed X a lot before you would not know or notice the difference. The workers that do want to make the cruise industry their career, migrate to the smaller ships like Viking, etc., over time. It is a much better working environment on the small ships, even though it is still long days and work, of course.

There wasn't on our great lakes cruise, I guess they've added more. They are good quality.

2022/Aug - one pair

FWIW: It seems like there is a lot of excitement about the SNUBA at Pigeon Island (which isn't an island, anymore). If it takes place around/near the only dock at Pigeon (point) do more research and check reviews out because I'm not sure you are going to see much. Anyway, if you've snorkeled on reefs you will probably be disappointed. If you are doing it just to be in the water and experience SNUBA you will be fine.

They still had that up a month later.

If you want to see birds take one of the mid season great lakes VE cruises. I was on the late season cruise so I'm not sure about special birding excursions but I'm sure there are excursions where you will see birds, during the right times of the year.

It seems like late/early is a compromise. Early you will probably have some ice issues but there will be more birds, etc. Late you might not have ice issues but most of the birds will have migrated.

I was going to ask about TV, from what I've seen. I'm fairly sure TV is still using the regular geo sats, nothing to do with starlink.

I thought all VO ships had it. I saw the starlink antennas were on VO Sea last jan.

Yes, that's it, and part of the Carlsberg group, that makes since.

That would be great. They did have a porter (beer/bottle) on VO Saturn a month ago that I REALLY liked, a lot. I don't even remember what brand it was, I had never seen it before.

I've wondered about ES vs PV myself. I've been thinking the only benefit for me for a ES would be for in room dining, having the table would be nice. In certain climates, the larger balcony would be nice, I think, but for the price difference on cruises I've done and looked at I can't really justify it (for me).

Yes, that's what a lot of people do. I want to say I've seen it more with martini's than other stuff. The bartenders on VO are VERY GOOD and after the first day or so they know what you want and you don't have to repeat it. Drink orders at dinner/lunch are a different story because of the regular staff.

That's so funny.

From what I've seen they cruise in about every region of the world, except Africa. But I'm sure you know that right? So why would you ask that?

Ok, fine, for others, if you want to make sure you get what you want. on really any cruise ship, give the bartender a hint of what you want for main ingredients in your drink order.

What I was 'trying' to point out is that even with Mai Tai's, there are regional differences, just like with a LOT of drinks. The 'recipe' for purist's changes depending on the region you are in.

I can see why there is a problem with commonly named drinks from different parts of the world having different ingredients. What I've seen people do is ask for the drink and give the bartenders the common ingredients that are in it so there is no confusion. I've also seen the bartenders ask about ingredients before, I think they might 'know' about some of the 'problem' drinks. From Wiki: "In the years thereafter, pineapple juice, orange juice, and a dark rum float became commonly used in Mai Tais produced in Hawaii.[11]

That's funny, we really had the same thing happen, the two very young ladies that handled our room knew absolutely nothing about anything 'alcohol' related. It all worked out fine using, 'four more of these please'. (showing what we wanted)