Luvcrusn

2 hours ago, CruiseRQA said:

The main complaint this season seems to be the nickel and diming as it applies to the pricing of wine and cocktails.   And understandably so.  Pricing ordinary wine and spirits outside of a pricey "premium" drink package is annoying and seems petty.   Especially if you are paying big bucks for the suite life.

 

However, we the travelers are responsible for much of this.   Take airlines for example.   90%+ of people just shop for the lowest fare.   

As an airline how do you get to the lowest fare?   Remove stuff from the fare, advertise a low fare and then charge back stuff like seat location and luggage as an add on.     These boards are replete with stories of how to get the lowest fare or canceling a reservation to book a different one at a lower fare.    Cruise lines must advertise low fares to attract bookings and then have to find ways to make up for the lost revenue.  Like airlines they then charge you for stuff that used to be in the (higher) fare.    Then just like we complain about lousy airlines (but scoop up their low fares) we complain the same way about cruise lines.   Would we pay $1000 more for a Celebrity cruise that didn't charge for an additional lobster tail or 2 bucks extra for a glass of wine?   Or would we take the cheaper HAL or Princess cruise.

 

I think the market has spoken. 

The problem with this thought process is that X is now charging higher fares than ever before and still "nickel and diming."

My summary of the webinar: if the words exciting, awesome, amazing, incredible and cool were omitted the webinar would have lasted less than 1/3 the time. Thanks for the 5 Captains Club points though!

On 12/20/2023 at 7:12 PM, overlake7 said:

The join webinar button does not work for me . I’ve tried to register 3 times and no results!

You have to check the small box just above the watch now button for it to work

I use a multi port USB charger and an adapter and plug it into the European plug and that frees up the 2 US outlets at the desk for other things like a curling iron and hairdryer. 

2 hours ago, Essiesmom said:

The new locks may appear more technologically advanced, and the collecting ponds may be, but the operation of the lock gates is the same as the locks on the Kiel Canal, which date from 1895-1914.

The abandoned French canal is on the starboard side if entering from the Atlantic.  The channel used for the new locks was originally started by the US during WWll and abandoned.

 

On a full transit, unless you overnight in either Colon or Panama City, there will be no excursions.  EM

You are absolutely correct! Apparently I should have gone to sleep earlier. I mixed up port and starboard! Thanks for the correction. I knew it was on the right side of the ship (starboard) going from Atlantic to Pacific. Happy sails and smooth seas.😊

The transit through the PC is likely to be hot weather and we spent quite a bit of time forward and then went up to the sky lounge when we had had enough heat. We could hear the narration there about what we were seeing which you'd not be able to hear in your cabin. Being forward on the ship you'll be able to see how the ship transits through the locks and you'd miss a lot in a sunset verandah. If you are transiting the canal from the Atlantic side to the Pacific, I'd suggest a portside cabin and you'll be able to see the abandoned French passage (vice versa if doing the opposite).  If you're a reader try getting the Path Between the Seas by David McCullough before you go. It's really interesting and tells the story about the construction of the canal. Unless you're a weight lifter you might want to read a digital edition of the book! 

You only need to go to one and you can book all five at either the same or all different ones.

What are your thoughts about the CD? He's one we've never sailed with and we're curious. On second thought he'll probably be replaced before we sail Silly at the end of March. I wonder who will replace him.

55 minutes ago, galveston gal said:

I have a suite guarantee now.  The ship departs 12/3/23.  There are lots of open high end suites available.  Can I bid?  I went to the location which indicates my reservation isn’t eligible.  I have contacted the department to find out why.  It was just paid in full to my TA so maybe the funds haven’t been received.

If your TA is the big box store with the $1.50 hot dog special, they don't participate in MoveUp.

8 hours ago, it's5o'clocksomewhere said:

Thank you! I’m not certain that his palate is experienced enough to know the difference. Lol

 

Would it be available in the elite breakfast options?

Yes

54 minutes ago, BAYA said:

I recently bought a non-surge protected extension cord on Amazon for home and (hopefully) cruise use. It has USB outlets in addition to plug outlet on it. If I bring it in my carry-on in the original packaging that states non-surge protected will it be confiscated anyway? This is the one I bought: Power Strip with USB C - Extension Cord with 3 Outlets 4 USB Ports (22.5W/4.5A), 5ft, Addtam Flat Plug Desktop Charging Station, Non Surge Protector for Cruise Ship, Dorm Room Office Home Essentials.

I'd appreciate any responses even though they may be opinions. 😊

I've used a similar one for years without issue. The one I use is rated for any power type so I use a European adapter. I plug it into the European outlet to free up THE US plug at the desk and keep all of our devices charged.

If you are Elite or above in Captains Club and eligible to partake in the Coffee House Breakfast, they also have the lox platter available there. Happy sails!

Yes they have lox and bagels. The bagels are only eh, but they are there. We like to take some of the lox to the omelet station and have them make lox omelets or salmon benedict. Yum!

46 minutes ago, Oceangoer2 said:

Shouldn't be hard to enforce if the parents did so.

Key word above.

1 hour ago, phoenix_dream said:

Interesting no one else has reported getting the survey.  Wonder if the ones who got one have sailed with kids recently?  

Anyway, my opinion is that except for cold or otherwise inclement weather when a designated family time is reasonable, the solarium should remain adults only.  And for that matter, during the family time it should be required that parents be present (I know, even harder to control).  

I got the survey and haven't ever sailed on X with children or grandchildren. 

I think it's so odd that no one else has yet to post that they received this survey yet.

7 minutes ago, JDPCruisers said:

We have not received the survey. If we do, adults only! One of the reasons we book X is the ambience and experience. If we wanted it a different way, we'd have stayed with RC or go to a similar line. 

That is almost exactly what I put on my survey!

I received a survey today about my feelings about having family hours in the solarium and how it would affect my likelihood to book future cruises with X. Did anyone else get this? My DH did not. The survey inquired about our use of the Solarium, what we liked about the venue, how often we frequented it and feelings about allowing children > 18 to use the space. Thoughts?

8 minutes ago, CaroleSS said:

Why do they need secret shoppers......they have US!

Because based on the changes they are instituting and continuing, they aren't listening to us.

I wonder how many guests they met who thanked them fo removing gratuities from the AI.

44 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

I doubt that.    LOL --- Maybe they allocate them according to when one listened.   I listened first day.

 

The fact that many of us are speculating about the modus operandi of the X IT department indicates that many of us have too much time on our hands lol. Perhaps it's time for another PUP opportunity? Then we could be commenting about the + or - of the info or production of the video or maybe another quiz that we could share answers to the multiple choice questions. (Tongue planted firmly in cheek).😁

Use an Incognito or InPrivate window when using the X site. It solves most of the problems with the website. I've been doing this for years. I just logged in to check using Edge and Chrome and had no problems.

They do hold times for those who've purchased multi-day dining packages.  Those reservations cannot be made prior to embarkation. 

Here's the menu. The five senses menu at the top is an extra fee in addition to the Murano cost.

sorry error loading menu