navybankerteacher

There are several liquor stores along Tenth Avenue in the 40’s - just a couple of blocks from MCT. Picking one of these might be better than finding something at or near JFK.

It would largely depend upon that person’s interests. For some a ship with lots of activities and entertainment would be good - maybe Royal Caribbean or NCL. Some might be most interested in a particular destination, Perhaps to Bermuda. Others just to experience time at sea - a Cunard TA.

Per the Cambridge English dictionary: A not very intelligent or attractive person.

I do not recall seeing, or (if you are referring to me) making “…constant, post-after-post derisive quips about what others prefer.” I hope you are not obsessing about objective comments about the quality of the experience on some lines.

While I occasionally sail on mass market lines, I generally prefer the smaller ships operated by what I suppose are called upscale. They can call any ports not accessible by larger ships, they generally provide better food and service (which is, of course, available on mass market ships if you pay for the upscale accommodations and alternative dining - which winds up costing you as much, or even possibly more, than the smaller upscale ships) and then you still have to deal with the crowds. If I liked lavish production shows, water slides, skating rinks, I might feel differently - I just don’t. Aesthetically, I prefer smaller ships - which look like ships rather than huge floating apartment buildings. I think the painted hulls of NCL ships are ugly. I prefer listening to a string quartet to attending a garish production with a thousand or so others. I like being treated as an adult by a line which allows unlimited bottles of wine for consumption in my cabin. I admit to liking being recognized as an individual by staff who provide good service. Of course you will find boorish blowhards on ships of all sizes and lines - but it is not unlikely that I will have more in common with people who have similar tastes. I cannot help feeling that there is an occasional display of reverse snobbishness (perhaps just envy) by mega-ship afficianados on these threads.

Of course - we were discussing the characteristics necessary to be able to dine with others, not claiming that all passengers were so capable. In any event, with open dining being widespread the chances are that those unwilling to make an effort are likely to opt to dine alone. A couple of decades ago when assigned dining was the general rule there was the risk of being seated with some anti-social boors.

I have not noticed anyone being put down simply “…because they shop at or cruise on Walmart.” Of course there are rude people who happen to do both- but without causality claimed. Sailing on mass market lines does not cause bad behavior. The one possible link which you seem to seek might be related to the lack of dress codes on mass market lines.

How could an English History teacher discuss Henry VIII without touching on that point?

With four of you, that $459.95 parking cost you quote works out to just $114.48 each - if you fly, or take a train of bus each would pay whatever the fare is - so keep that in mind.

Of course - there are several factors at play now: 1) There are more people on Earth every year, which leads to unavoidable increase in crowding. 2) The travel industry continually makes it easier for more people to visit more places. And, sadly, 3) People are just more self absorbed now, and not as courteous, making their impact on others a bit more abrasive.

I think it would depend upon the sort of monarch you are talking about. Just imagine: being able to say “off with her head” , and have it happen.

No - I went through those phases first, before that monarchy gig opened up. Now I’m just doing the retiree thing, waiting to see if other options come along.

I wanted to be a monarch - but when a (limited) monarchy position opened up recently they gave the job to the son of the previous one, without so much as interviewing candidates —- talk about nepotism!

On topic: I believe that being able to dine with “Other Passengers (Strangers)” simply requires a modicum of intelligence, applied with courtesy. If you are unable or unwilling to interact with new people (and learn from one of the primary benefits of traveling) then you should always get your own table.

What is this supposed to mean ? That they are made of wood? Have you sailed on a Seabourn ship?

Obvious. But if you have opted for assigned dining you have both an assigned table and an assigned time. Showing up at the wrong time is almost as disrespectful to others as showing up at the wrong table. Too many today really do seem to adhere to the “it’s all about me” formula - meaning that everyone else do not matter as much.

One reason why I prefer smaller ships is their ability to call at smaller ports which either geographically cannot, or by local decision will not, have large ships call, so the existence of the mega-ships is not so much of a problem. And, while I like some Eastern Caribbean ports , it is now only as a land visitor so I can shelter in place during the hours when they are over-run by thousands (or, as in the occasional case on St. Maarten, tens of thousands) of cruise passengers. Recalling my first visit to St. Thomas (on a US Navy ship) with no cruise ships in port over the several days we were alongside - I pity todays cruisers for the limited exposure available to them.

Since part of cruising is experiencing the ports. Being one 6,000 passengers surging ashore at the same has to dilute the experience somewhat.

True - of course the other side of that coin is that no one would be on time. Whichever way you want to look at it, it’s going to be a mess.

Limiting the size of ships, or total number of passengers, is hardly “pricing people out” - it is simply protecting the environment (the charm, or culture, or whatever) which attracts visitors in the first place from temporary, overwhelming crowding.

It’s wrong to look a gift horse in the mouth - but is there a rational reason for your choice being limited to those three? I think NCL offers a third rate cruise experience - but thinking about being part of the Icon’s 7,500 passenger load gives me the cold collywobbles. I have sailed with both lines (not on the ships mentioned) - and hope never again to sail NCL (I suppose if it was the only way to get home from some bad situation, I might reconsider. Then, of course, I would have to be very hard up for a way to spend my time with 7,500 people who want to be on that sort of vessel. Faced with that offer, I think I would simply politely decline.

Excellent summary. As is often the case, less is more.

A common-sense approach.

There is no such thing as a sure thing - and booking any cruise involves the risk of weather- dictated modifications. That is why you need to be happy with the shipboard experience and not rely solely on the itinerary being as originally contemplated.

Yes - but I got value for the money I spent, notwithstanding loss of intended port of call. I have nothing against NCL as a corporation - just a profound disinterest in putting up with sailing on their main subsidiary.