Mary229

If your travel dates don’t coincide with spring break there should be very few children. It is too soon to predict the future entertainment and even though the music walk is undergoing changes it has been so popular I am sure there will be some incarnation of BB Kings.  The HAL crews are superb always.  The ships are clean.  The K has many modern amenities.  The only shortcomings I found on the K was the wait for anytime dining.  That can easily overcome by now signing up for fixed dining. 

@2LoveBikes  I feel your pain.  Every post cruise survey I mention what I call the popcorn issue.  Why on earth they don't have snacking popcorn on the ships - an inexpensive, healthful snack is beyond me.  The Pinnacle ships have the deli serving it but only for evening hours and the other ships USED to have it only on movie theater showings.  Sadly the last movie showing I went to this month offered no popcorn.  It is just tragic and sad and I definitely feel your pain as I, too, am a dedicated popcorn muncher.  Sprinkle some cheese and tabasco and I have a meal.

I understand not having a microwave in the room but how about coffee pots in all rooms or at least the availability to rent one as RCCL allows.

45 minutes ago, screwsmcernst said:

We always eat at set dining times, whether early or late, so I am going to pose a question because I genuinely do not know the answer.   

 

If you make a reservation for anytime dining, how late can you be before they give up your table?

On Holland they will hold your table 15 minutes, I have never seen a reason to make a reservation for anytime dining unless I discover a really excellent waiter 

9 hours ago, EatonDoolittle said:

 

I think the poster was responding to my (incorrect) naming of the giant cream puff.

Still not sure what it is called, but you can just point.

 

Giant cream puff works for me!

There is a large book at guest services.  Pick a back up since your first choice may not be available 

Just now, chengkp75 said:

Which leads me to why I would disagree with a statement of the "health of the industry" without a mention of the unusually large debt load that the major lines are carrying.  The need for "immediate" economic benefit is of course due to the need to make interest payments on their huge debt load.

 

And yet while they cannot afford to invest in a long term benefit, they can invest vast sums in new tonnage, that will need the increased demand to fill, and pay off the capital cost.  Ship owning, being a cyclical, and long lead time, industry in terms of building new tonnage, more conservative ordering, to keep demand high would also help with the bottom line.

I clarified that comment in a note to Heidi.  It does speak to the health of the industry - whether that health be good or bad.  Of course without financials the report is not all encompassing but it does provide interesting data points.  
 

Being able to expand into a younger demographic is a promising development, they have a longevity and no preconceived notions. They are also more likely urban raised and more comfortable with the higher population densities of big ships - after all many of them now live in high rises and other multi family domiciles.  As to build out I expect them to continue to build large resort ships which deliver the most dollars per transport costs.  
 

59 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

You never know. On my last cruise I actually was seated with someone who was actually a rocket scientist. 🤣

We were once on a ranger led hike to see that oldest bristlecone pine in Utah. There were 5 attendees, the two of us - geophysics, two volcanologists, the ranger was a bit intimidated.  We all assured him not to worry that we knew nothing about botany and well it could be worse that one of us could be an astrophysicist.  After a big laugh the 5th hiker pulled out his Los Alamos ID - sure enough he was an astrophysicist. 

36 minutes ago, chengkp75 said:

Why don't the major cruise lines invest heavily in the most advanced technology?  Because it costs, a lot, up front.  Don't kid yourselves that the mass market lines are looking at fuel technologies like LNG as anything other than a cost saving investment.  Why are there no LNG powered cruise ships in the Med, Near East, or Far East?  Because the cost differential between LNG and residual fuel is much smaller, or non-existent, in those places, as compared to the US/North America market.

As usual it takes a while but you and I find solid agreement.  It is all always and ever about cost, they don’t have the luxury of adopting technologies that don’t produce immediate economic benefits.  
 

We sit alone in assigned seating in the evening and we inform our wait staff of our schedule.  I have been told I have the table for 2 hours and can be up to 15 minutes late before losing my reservation.  Simply informing them of what I intend works well for them also -IF THEY Are Informed.  They can set up their other tables, grab some drinks and know exactly when I am coming in, they also know once seated I am not in a hurry. Communication is key.

If I intend to sit with others I am on time.

32 minutes ago, Heidi13 said:

 

With the exception of @chengkp75  I probably have a better understanding of the multiple levels of regulations facing this industry than most.

 

When the World's ports increasingly ban/restrict both the number and size of cruise ships, and CLIA member cruise ships are restricted from docking, I hardly consider that as muting regulations. All businesses should conduct regular SWOT Analysis - strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

 

As part of the threats analysis, mega ship owners should be concerned by the ever increasing trend of ports restricting the size and number of cruise ships. A quality ship owner will address these threats by developing plans, of which building smaller ships is only 1 of many options. Based on the report, the CLIA club do not appear interested in building smaller tonnage, as they continue with economy of scale. Therefore, I can only assume the mega ship owners are accepting they will be banned from an increasing number of ports, with their ships becoming little more than destination resorts. This may appeal to the younger generations, but I have always cruised for the destinations.

 

Private companies such as Viking, who are building 8 ocean ships in the next 6 years and a number of river cruise ships, must acquire financing for the capital expenses from somewhere. Viking's Chairman is a billionaire, but even he doesn't have $4 to 5 billion sitting in the bank to pay the shipyards. With a little research you can find who is investing and often the rate of return. Might not be audited results, but better than nothing. Another key factor is comparing how the crews are treated, contract lengths, wages, benefits, crew retention rates, etc.

Those port decisions and build outs are economic decisions and will have to be made in the board room.  I do believe there is a trend to the destination resort ship.  That is what may drive the financial engine that lets us others continue to cruise traditionally.  Then again decisions made may end our variety of travel.  It is all about the bottom line.  Even if it doesn't suit you or me it does not preclude a healthy industry.  (As a business person I have always held the firm conviction that each company in a free society is entitled to succeed or fail by their own hand)

Private companies are what they are, that is you try to discern and if you use their product you hope for the best.   That said I still find it interesting the esteem that is given to stock price.  As someone who has successfully maneuvered through the investment labyrinths of Wall Street since my youth I find that concept that Wall Street knows something you and I don't very amusing.  Yes, there are individuals who are worth paying attention to but the herd not so much. 

2 minutes ago, newyorker123 said:

So the aft-facing are generally just regular veranda rooms but with a nice view?

They have larger verandas and if in center may  have more sqft 

14 minutes ago, Banditswife said:

My comment was about a couple who kept criticizing the cruise we were on & comparing it to their extensive exotic travel.  This had been our 1st longish cruise through the Panama canal which we had saved for several months to do, to us it was the most interesting cruise we had been on thus far & the longest.  They just spoiled our enjoyment by their comments.  The bad thing was, they were on our roll call & we ended up seeing them a lot on our roll call events. 

I avoid naysayers onboard.  I may have criticisms but i write them on a pad and include them in the post cruise survey.  Complaining vocally just makes it worse.  You can’t imagine how many times I have excused myself to go to the restroom- people must think I have a problem 😊

Although it only covers aft facing rooms it is nevertheless informative 

Perhaps if you name the cruise lines of interest you could get more specific advice.  

17 hours ago, jcl410 said:

The first question is "are you a US citizen?"

 

If so, then I am unaware of any Caribbean destination that requires a Visa (or electronic substitute). 

 

The EU has announced the US Citizens (along with 29 other countries) will be required to obtain an electronic visa waiver starting in 2024; I don't know if that will have any bearing for cruises.

 

A good place for information for visa requirements  is the US State Department's web site:

 

travel.state.gov

 

Aloha,

 

John

 

 

You are exactly right about which country you hold citizenship.   Though many US and EU citizens can enjoy the ease of a digital visa that is not the case for all citizenships, regardless of where you reside.

1 hour ago, Honolulu Blue said:

Something I neglected to mention, and I'm surprised that someone didn't remind me of, is that sometimes you don't have a choice of taking your passport with you in port because sometimes the country or countries involved wants a closer look and so instructs the cruise line to hold your passport.  And some cruise lines will hold the passengers' passports for all ports.

 

I was inspired to post this by a FB post in Carnival Brand Ambassador (fancy name for a cross between a cheerleader and a town crier) John Heald.  He posted some customer complaints about Spain making Carnival take the passports for all its embarking passengers and promising to withhold their lock on them after they leave the last Spanish port on this cruise.  The passengers who Mr. Heald highlighted were understandably upset by this, but Carnival's hands were really tied because this requirement was sprung by Spain at the last minute.

It is a common procedure in South America and, by the way, the one which led to my difficulties.
 

I also want to add to @Charles4515 good advice and add that leaving a copy at home will also help your family and friends aid you if things go awry.  Maybe this is overkill for a 7 day Caribbean cruise but if you venture further and longer it becomes more important 

10 hours ago, Heidi13 said:

 

Couldn't be further from the truth.

 

The quality ship owners implementing alternative energy for propulsion not most definitely not marketing initiatives. They are addressing real issues that are already being faced by the cruise industry, with the planned 2026 closure of some Norwegian Fjords being the next. Once Norway implements this closure, I don't expect it will be long before other jurisdictions follow suit. As the Chief so aptly posted previously, an increasing number of cities are banning cruise ships, so these non-CLIA members are building smaller ships and embracing technology to address the concerns. Hardly a marketing initiative.

 

Marketing is about selling your product, the quality ship owners are implementing these technologies, not to sell cruises, but to keep their ships sailing in the regions their pax wish to visit.

 

The old technologies mentioned in the CLIA report are cost saving, as I have experienced with the operation of my last command and managing a shipyard. The current technologies being implemented - fuel cells, batteries, solar were not available prior to my retirement, so I have no real data on costs. However, I expect they are not cheaper than LNG/Bunker Fuel, so potentially have higher capital and possibly operating costs.

 

If the cruise industry is so healthy, as per the CLIA report, why is Carnival's stock price plummeting. It has dropped about 25% in less than 1 month. I'll suggest a company's stock price is a vastly superior bellwether, as to a company's financial health, than a glossy marketing report from CLIA. 

You do understand that the lines have the option to mute the regulations by no longer sailing to certain ports.  That is an economic decision that can override engineering.  Lines are not building smaller ships to comply with various port regulations. Business planning far more complex than engineering.  
 

i never said that they were healthy, I said it demonstrates the financial health, no matter the condition of that health.  Gauging a line by stock price leads to the question of how are those lines without audited public accounting and no stock price gauged?

15 hours ago, Banditswife said:

bragging about their extensive travel, t

I enjoy engaging with those who have traveled extensively.  Sure they might be bragging but many are also very helpful in planning my time in port.  One of the wealthiest couples I ever met onboard gave us so many unique suggestions on how to travel independently once on shore.  They were delightful (and they enjoyed showing their wealth). It takes all kinds and if I start ignoring people who are quirky I will be a nation of one😉.  

What are you trying to pay for?  Things off invoice, that is, things in your cart must be purchased with one method or the other.  You cannot, for example, pay for shore excursions with both a gift card and a credit card.  

4 hours ago, Kristelle said:

 

 

I disagree

 

it isnt single minded and short sighted, just because it doesn't suit tourists. Or in the case of big cruise ships, hordes of tourists

 

Your post sounds rather patronising really.

 

Not everything can just be managed to make it work for tourists and there are people who prefer maintaining their way of life and their sacred sites  to being over-run by tourists and their money.

 

I am a tourist too of course and I love travelling - but I hope we are all aware we are intruding on other people's lands and lives and we try do so in a way that suits them, not expect them to suit us or think we are doing them a great favour by being there

And more basically the cost  to build new waste, water, utility, road, transportation and health systems may exceed the benefits tourists bring.  There used to be a concept of appropriateness (appropriate technology)  which is little used in public discussions but it does underly economic planning. 

3 hours ago, john2003 said:

We will do it in the ship. We are 4* so get the discount. I only asked as we like a bottle in the cabin and aren’t going to pay to carry it on. 

And you can buy that package from the first restaurant/bar personnel you encounter.  Anyone who sells the package gets some form of “reward” so if you have a favorite bar you can get it there as easily as the MDR

I nabbed a very sweet deal on one of my cruises a few months back and it is being honored.  I bought it quick!  Sunday seems to be the day to check

TripAdvisor used to send me all kinds of swag for writing reviews.  Now that they have their audience and we’re able to sell themselves to the highest bidder they don’t  have to do that anymore 

No, I haven’t ever had any pushback from locals especially when walking around independently.  Occasionally I will get on a transport bus where they drop you off at a remote location for some hours to walk around independently and it may overwhelm a small town.  No local has ever been rude but of course there may be stares.

Last time in Bar Harbor we were on a small group tour and the guide freely complained about the local and federal government hindering his business. 

On 10/21/2023 at 12:16 PM, crusinthrough said:

I would love this.  You use your cell phone for GPS information on Amtrak.  Honestly, it's the economy version of train travel.  

You can, just switch your map to public transportation.  Google tells me when my stop is approaching.  The best I heard of that should be included on the ship’s app is walking directions - at my sister’s workplace, a hospital, their app will tell you exactly where to walk to.  Like go straight, turn left in 100 feet, take elevator to 3rd floor, turn left and so on - that is great!