CruzeQueen2

@LACruiser88 is the expression...Great minds drink alike? Enjoy every sip and gulp. Love your reports. Thank you for sharing so much info.

Is Darko  the concierge with you?

On 4/14/2024 at 10:39 PM, LACruiser88 said:

We are trying a new Cab, to us, at Vines tonight.  At $17 per glass, we prefer the Silverado. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

@LACruiser88 Me too. I tried Silver Palm last night, not having another glass.... Happy to know my palate matches yours. I'm doing my best to keep up. I like Silverado too! On Ruby 😉 

Super Tuscan lunch April 24th. Cheers!

@cr8tiv1 I love maui (greasy) chips. Since I don't have enough food to eat already here on Ruby!

14 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

 

It's a really long bus ride (maybe 30 minutes), but I have never done it.  Maybe @Astro Flyerwould know.  There might even be a senior fare.   If you do this, give yourself PLENTY of time to get back to the ship.

 

Guri Guri has the small bags (not cheap).  Foodland is suppose to carry them.  You would think they would be in every store...not.  They don't have a long shelf life (eat now).  Greasy, crunchy, so good/so bad for you.

 

https://www.mauicounty.gov/609/Maui-Bus-Public-Transit-System

 

Looks like you can get the bus near the harbor (sample)

https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Kahului/Maui-Ocean-Center#r/Line-29-bus

 

Editted:  Looks like an hour each way.  Plug in your date and time.

 

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Kahului+Harbor/@20.8515868,-156.5763686,12z/data=!4m27!1m20!4m19!1m6!1m2!1s0x7954d32ec1dbca0b:0x9bec5dc1d580588!2sKahului+Harbor,+VGXF%2BQV,+Kahului,+HI+96732!2m2!1d-156.4752777!2d20.8994444!1m6!1m2!1s0x7954d130a0c031b3:0xad1cd589958ba5c8!2sMaui+Ocean+Center,+The+Aquarium+of+Hawaii,+Maalaea+Road,+Wailuku,+HI!2m2!1d-156.5121616!2d20.7926322!2m3!6e0!7e2!8j1713519000!3e3!3m5!1s0x7954d32ec1dbca0b:0x9bec5dc1d580588!8m2!3d20.8994444!4d-156.4752777!16s%2Fg%2F11txjns95m?entry=ttu

@cr8tiv1 mucho mahalo

23 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

Makai = Ocean side (toward the ocean).

 

There is a Whole Foods and CVS/Longs at the Maui Mall.  You can catch a city bus to a Foodland not far away (about a mile if you want to walk it).

 

My story about the people of the Maui:

 

I walked across the street to the Maui Mall for my Guri Guri fix.  Could not find big bags of Maui Potato Chips so called the factory to find out where I could purchase them (not at Longs or Whole Foods).

 

Nice person/owner? on the other end of the call asked me how many bags I wanted.  If I waited at the mall....she would deliver them in a few minutes.

 

I tried to give her more for her troubles...she declined and gave me back exact change. 

In Kahului on Saturday with memoak. Where should look for the  Maui chips? Please, and mahalo!

I'm thinking of riding a public bus to go to the Marine Centre from Kahului. Is it encouraged or frowned upon for tourists to ride the buses? So economical!

@Wabashmom Was forward on Marina deck, on Regal, with hot tubs directly above. Certain times of day I would hear lounge chairs being moved around...did not affect my sleep...However, I do prefer to have my cabin below other cabins. Cabin location was assigned to me after a "successful" bid!

@laynp Enjoy the lounge! The location is considered mid-aft, as noted, on deck 14. Entry can be from port or starboard side (on the Majestic, it was!).

ONLY for suite guests. NOT mini-suites.

@Ancon Travelling solo, you are charged for a single crew appreciation. Add whatever you wish - can easily give cash to your steward as you go along. For 32 days, you are feeling that the steward is "shortchanged" by the solo traveller? As with all things related to gratuities, do what works for you!

9 hours ago, cruisedoctor said:

@CruzeQueen2  Claudio is the Director Of Restaurant Operations on the Sun, and hasn't changed.  I would run into him in the dining room at 7AM during breakfast, during the day at various times/places, and then again during the evening.  The man is like the Energizer Bunny...and most importantly, very approachable.  He doesn't have his nose up in the air like some restaurant managers.

@cruisedoctor I like your description of Claudio, the Energizer Bunny. Your comments show me that you "know" him like I do! Glad to hear that he is there. I am sure that being on the Sun during these early days, however exciting it may all be, is challenging for everyone - especially staff! in restaurant ops all around the ship. 

@CanadianBurger Question about the DORO - Claudio Giuliani. When I met him on the Royal Princess in 2022 (sailed twice with him that year), he was everywhere, all the time, all at once. I had a few issues that he assisted me with in the most professional manner.

All of the restaurants on that ship at that time benefited greatly from his style of leadership. I notice that his name was on the roster for your ship and wonder if you have seen him around - doing more of the same. 

TIA for your observations on this one. 

@2011mom In February this year, on Regal, I heard the staff person at the Internet cafe tell a passenger that it was $30 per day. Single days can be easily purchased on the ship as far as I could tell. 

@Jeter02 You have inspired me to go to Norway this summer! Happy to see that you are still out there. I am reading and re-vsiting your reports to get prepared. I'm very excited! Different ship though.

Thanks so much for all the information. 

@beshears I found this team of senior officers, including Captain Gavin and Captain Dalton to be very friendly and willing to spend time with passengers. I agree with you, it was totally refreshing! I was hoping that the officer board that I shared, helped you to know their names. This team even allowed passengers to get individual photos with the group at the Captain Circle party. Great time was had by all at these parties. The captain was very entertaining.

I agree with rangerusa. Inside temp is fine - dining room, public areas, piazza, all good. No drafts, not too warm. Enjoy!

@CanadianBurger Thanks for so much information with photos! 

I saw that you posted a pick from the buffet with the sign- The Catch by Rudi. Are they serving selections there that are the same as in The Catch the restaurant? Is The Catch restaurant on your ship as well? TIA

@pryce_tag Don't think anyone has mentioned this point here. The Reserve Collection benefit is also one where you don't usually have to wait too long to be seated in that part of the dining room.  No lining up for getting into the dining area, usually, when you have the Reserve Collection booking. With a five year old - that may be worth having for your 33 days. IMHO

I sailed on Majestic in October 2023 and the Reserve Collection staff was wonderful. I was very grateful to be in that dining area for 17 days.

That lunch menu is pretty much the same one that I encountered in February this year on Regal. That same menu is offered for lunch on sea days and doesn't change; no feature dish that is different. However, it must have happened on a day that I wasn't paying attention...there was a vegetable korma - and I missed it!

Enjoy! @CanadianBurger Is the food quality and presentation about the same as usual?  It looks to be that. Thanks again.

@CanadianBurger  Thanks for all the photos and great commentary. Happy to have this to follow along with you. Bon voyage! 

Too bad you missed Captain Gavin. He was very personable, as were his main officers. 

In fact, all crew I encountered were attentive, friendly, helpful and happy to help. Great ship, great cruise- for me!

Here is the officer board from Feb 4-18. Hope this helps. @beshears

They were all very visible on my two weeks. Very friendly, lots of interactions. 

@tbarton My bid was accepted at 23 days before sailing. Bid for a mini-suite from an obstructed balcony on Regal. Placed the bid at 45 days prior to sail date.

@Crookshanks Thank you for setting up your "live" thread. Thanks for all the back-story details. I have also placed bids for my cruise on Regal in February. Waiting to see what happens...

I look forward to hearing your reports.

1 hour ago, AnyMajorCruiseDude said:

Yes!  It was a fabulous ending to a great event!

@AnyMajorCruiseDude Given what we have been seeing in the last few months, with increased pricing for chef's table and such... the lunch menu that we had in August, with full-sized courses and full glasses of wine was "super" for me.

Delightful venue, company, food and service. Best wishes to M for more super sailings in the new year!

A delicious, memorable dessert!

Here's a menu from August 2023 on Crown. It was served at lunchtime in Sabatini. I enjoyed every bite and every pour. It was not a Tuscan dinner, but it was $60 and worthwhile. About twenty people attended.