albingirl

I met Marty and Gail on an Atlantic Adventure and he told me to buy the FCD! So, I do. Every single time. Thanks Marty!

I buy some FCD on the ship and it's the same every time. Quite painless. I wondered for the longest time why I was doing this, but I'd just grab a beer and go. Vaguely, I thought there would be some benefit down the road. As far as the consultants go, they seem a bit stand-offish to me really, and I'd rather do my own searching for my perfect cruise. This does sound crazy, I know, but I do alot of research before I plunk down my cash. Obviously, I don't do any research on FCD, since I have very little knowledge in that direction, lol. I just do it.

I love threads like this one. Gives good information to figure out our next moves. Thanks everyone.

I suppose they are for real. But, they are always last minute and for places I have no interest in visiting, at least right now. Plus, add all the stuff that makes life bearable, like HIA, gratuities, port charges, taxes, and a cabin that's decent, well, that deal went right out the window. I have a friend who travels and stays in hostels, and I can guarantee you that I will never do that. Traveling bare bones is so not me, haha!

Oh, remember the recipe cards from the cooking demos. So much fun! Loved all that humor too! I saved them too...too precious to toss. Remember Amanda, the hostess? We would share a blue moon later on. She was very talented and it was a loss when HAL discontinued those cooking show!

That depends on when the staff lines up the chairs.

Do it. Club orange is wonderful. Don't tell anyone. It's a secret.

It's all crazy, isn't it. I usually buy Fcc on my way out the door, like 300.00 last time. Tell me why..I don't know. But, it shows up sometime in the future, and it's like HIA, such a mystery sometimes. But it all works out in the end. Someone recently commented that I must be a newbie on cruising. Nah, it's been like a thousand years. Lol.

Haha!

Agree. But, you can just be unruly and ask for triple meat lol! Love it smothered in mustard like I am in a NY deli!

Yes! Just ask..

Pastrami sandwich with double the meat. I only get it once a cruise, since it's terrible for me, but it's a hands down favorite. Everything else is great...I'm not cooking.

Old thread with a happy ending. Good for you!

I'm looking forward to booking another. I've found the staff to be more relaxed, maybe since they don't have that hectic turnover. Also, the passengers seem to enjoy the long, lazy days. There is something quite magical about all those days at sea. It's a very different vibe.

Disagree. It might be that you are going to the MDR at a very popular time. I'll bet if you went quite a bit later, the dining room would be half empty.

How could anyone really tell? Just because the staff is busy does not mean that's an indicator of being understaffed.

All I really know for sure is that you need to get lobster when you are off the ship. Heaven on earth.

It's hot, hot, hot in Europe right now, so I'm not, not, not going there. Although, I sure do love it there. In the fall.

I like the wandering around part while getting fresh pours. Now, that's a perfect wine tasting!! We had that on our transatlantics. And the nap time to follow lol.

What? Nevermind. I still don't get why you sail Holland America, except it's convenient, right?

I get confused with your postings. What reviews? I read about people raving about Rudi's.

Plus, when the kids feel your anxiety, it only makes it worse. Stay calm and carry on.

There are a ton of bad cabins on any cruise ship. I'm not a toss the dice kind of gal, so no guarantees for me. I like a good night's sleep, and so many cabins are really compromised.

Triggerfish is one of our faves, and not often on the menu in Florida.

Bingo. I used to attend the wine tastings but the presenters got too talky. TMI.