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radiationman

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Posts posted by radiationman

    When do you start packing?

    in Cruise Rituals

    Posted

    Answered this post a long time ago: Night before

    Let me clarify night before for one week Caribbean cruises, which we do with carry on bags only. Other longer cruises (so far for us 2 weeks max) maybe a few days before especially if visiting a locale with variable weather requiring multiple types of garments usually only 1 checked bag for both of us.  We only bring meds and minimal toiletries, otherwise we use what ships/hotels provide and sunscreen etc we buy. 

    How do you cancel an excursion that you have booked?

    in Windstar Cruises

    Posted

    we cancelled and or exchanged several tours in the past,  we knew ahead of time and called, no problem. Only time we cancelled on board was because of a change of port (Antiqua docked in St. Johns rather than the usual English Harbor) cancelled same day no problem.  Not sure about cancelling less than 24-48 hrs. while onboard under normal circumstances.

    Baggage Storage Reykjavic

    in Iceland and Greenland

    Posted

    Cruise ending at the Midbakki cruise terminal in Reykjavik. Does anyone know of a place to store bags for a few hours either near the port or downtown? we have a late flight and would like to walk around the city rather than sitting in the airport all day.

    Chefs Table Not Blown Away

    in Cruise Foodies

    Posted

    Recently on Island Princess for 14 day search for the northern lights cruise. Though we have been on many cruises we thought we'd try the chefs table.  First off let me say that most of the dinners in the MDR and lunches at the buffet were very good.  The evening began with a meet and great with  the head of food services, and the headwaiter in the atrium. When the entire group was assembled we were escorted to our table at the back of the MDR. Champagne was poured, with a detailed explanation of the vintage given by the head waiter. Photos were taken. At various points during the meal we were introduced to the chefs.  We were then given the menu which was also read to us. We were then treated to an extensive description of the wines to be served with dinner by the head waiter, interesting no sommelier.  We were served six what I will call amuse bouche. Some were innovative, delicious, and way off the menu/standard preparations such as beef tartare, and an oxtail bon bon. Others were standard fare for example a coconut shrimp and a samosa with mint chutney.  The actual appetizer was an asparagus risotto which was very good but quite large. The plating of the amuse bouche and appetizer was quite nice. Following the palate cleanser the main course was served, this is where the ball was totally dropped.  It consisted of a large thick slice of chateaubriand,  a small poached  lobster tail, and grilled scallops. While prepared well non were anything special. We had chateaubriand in the MDR which was just as good.  Lobster tail was available in MDR again nothing special in the protein itself or in its preparation.   Scallops grilled on a wood skewer, overly salty big deal! Vegetables were steamed veggies and pommes Anna (a scalloped potato item which was served twice in the MDR) so not so special. Wines were good. Plating was pedestrian at best, with all the proteins on one plate, and potato and veg on another, I get the same presentation at local diner!  Ultimately the food did not certainly did not live up to the pretentiousness of the event.

     

    What have others experienced? 

     

    • Thanks 2

    Camera Observations on Cruise

    in Photo & Camera Discussions

    Posted

    For me it all depends on where I'm going and what I plan to do with photos.  For puttering around the Caribbean I ight just bring my cell phone. I have an older model Samsung (S20).  Obviously easy to carry anywhere and good enough for casual photos around the ship or at the beach, which will be mostly viewed on a computer monitor or cell phone.  Occasionally I'll bring a "serious" camera because I like to shoot sunsets, but I will not carry it to the beach or to a touristy town.  If we are going on a cruise for "sightseeing" I will bring a "serious" camera, with appropriate lenses, and if needed a tripod and flash unit. we also take many non-cruise trips either to national parks or other cities/countries and I will definitely bring a "real" camera.  

     

    I have been using a  Nikon D750 with excellent results for years. Lenses 28-105mm zoom, 70-200mm zoom (sharp as a tack but an absolute brick to carry), and 28 mm prime. Benro tripod, third party flash unit, UV, ND, and polarizing filters, power pack. This line up feels fine weight wise when shooting at a single location, or when driving from spot to spot and shooting from a point near the car. However this line up is getting heavy when walking around cities and parks.  Was thinking about trying out a mirrorless system, and was able to acquire a Nikon Z7II with a Z mount 24-200mm  zoom, as a retirement gift from my Company (instead of an expensive watch). Have used this camera and lens on my last two trips with excellent results, very sharp images. Comfortable to use both with respect to weight and control placement. 

     

    One item I don't think was addressed in the above posts was weather and light.  When visiting a location for a short duration one is at the mercy of the weather. Cloud cover, fog , rain, smoke etc. can make for dicey shooting conditions, and possibly limiting photo quality. Lighting drastically affects photo quality, sometimes I will be shooting around mid-day with direct sunlight., because that is when I am at a specific location. As I assume for most of us travel photography is an avocation, and one doesn't have the luxury of spending an entire day, or at least many hours in one location waiting for the shot.

     

    Just returned from  week cruise to Norway for Northern lights. Link to photos.

    https://img.gg/li99WfI

     

    shot aurora photos with D750 and others with Z7II

    Mdr

    in Holland America Line

    Posted

    Interested In a comment from anyone with recent experience finding in the Holland America main dining rooms. We were on thw Nieuw Amsterdam last November and thought the dinners were horrid, Not up to usual Holland America standards.

     

    Sent from my SM-G960U using Forums mobile app

    What is the most disgusting thing you have seen fellow passengers do?

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    Any way Just some thoughts from my germaphobe Cruising comrades and those who might want to stay healthy and avoid food Borne illness. Some rules that my family and I follow possibly overkill but we have never gotten ill.

     

    Assume no one else on the ship washes their hands properly, Assume everyone else is carrying germs , and therefore Assume all surfaces And utensils that are not in your room are contaminated.

     

    Try not to touch any surfaces such as handrails etc, if you must use a towel Piece of clothing To protect your hand, use an Elbow to press elevator buttons. If you touch surfaces with your hands wash as soon as possible.

     

    When Washing hands use a clean towel cloth or paper to shut off the water and open the door, If no trash can drop the cloth on the floor.

    Purell Does not kill a significant amount of bacteria nor those remove bacteria from your hands. It is insufficient and you should wash your hands prior to eating and Drinking (could use Purell after hand Washing).

     

    What worries wash hands before dining in any venue, do not touch anything on your way to your table. Eating in the MDR or other sit down venues with service I would wash my hands after reding the menu.If sharing a table with those that are not in your party I Would wash again if I shook hands. I would also request a separate Breadbasket and butter And not eat from anything that was passed.

     

    When eating at the buffet I wash my hands before sitting down after Handling tongs etc. Many times we take a Clean pool towel or several napkins and make a table cloth.

    Never touch and uncovered table surface, Don't touch chairs , don't use salt and pepper Shakers that are on the Table, handled by many people, recently saw someone take the top of a sold sticker and stick his fingers inside.

     

    We take several pool towels and cover all surfaces of deck chairs before sitting down.

     

    I could go on but you get the drift .

     

    Also regarding many people and their "bed behavior " I think for them It is a matter of entitlement, they are so important and can do whatever they want complete disregard for their neighbors.

     

     

     

    Sent from my SM-G960U using Forums mobile app

    What is the most disgusting thing you have seen fellow passengers do?

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    After many many cruises many things come to mind. Obviously th we re are the folks who just can't keep their hands off of the food at buffet and insist on grabbing items.

    On a HAL cruise recently, at buffet they serve first 2 days and there are no tongs, no one is to touch. Woman in line in front of me touches every chafing dish with here hands. I had the staff replace the entire station.

     

    While we all see non toilet trained kids in pool, I saw a mom and grandmom change their baby's highly soiled diaper on a table in the Lido dinning room (near the buffet) How gross and selfish. We pointed this out to staff who "reprimanded" the parents. Father threatened us, unpleasantry for the rest if the week.

     

    Guys who bring drinks into the mens room and rest them on the urinals, ugh. I always hope that dude w that drink doesn't show up at my dinner table

     

     

    Sent from my SM-G960U using Forums mobile app

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