gtwain

I love discussions about iced tea, and the whole ragin' sweet vs unsweet debate. No matter which way you go with with iced tea in this world, the Lido deck tea isn't exactly the real thing. I just bring my own bags and brew it myself as others above have commented. There are tea bags available even. I liked the comment about ordering tea service the first day and keeping the pot in the room all week -- had not thought of that one. I bring a large insulated mug to keep ice in my room.

I was sorta cogitating sun tea on my last cruise but I figured I'd get a mason jar all set up on the fore deck and then get in trouble for broken glass so i never actually put that in motion. Took a nap instead, I think. Yeah, those naps. Not enough iced tea, I expect. Drink less tea, take more naps. It works out.

After my first cruise on the Dream last year, I came off the ship so enthusiastic I signed up immediately for the Triumph in February. 2 weeks and counting. The first thing I read about my Dream cruise was a review about how horrible it was. Shock. What? The Triumph is going to have to be gosh awful bad to be as bad as the Dream was Good.

I have considered the bad reviews and read many of them and I have also read the good ones. I figure each ship has its own character and crew and staff. That I'll find similar food and differences. That my room will not be the same. That the ports will differ. That the steward will, however, still be so nice it will stun me. Because I'm not going on this cruise to look for flaws --- I'm going on this cruise to get away from my routine regular life which involves lots of email, meetings, schedules, planning -- no stewards or Guys or Blue Iguanas.

I checked and the Triumph has Guys, Blue Iguanas, and people who make the beds up and bring room service. Not to mention Mexico and sunshine in February. Sail on.

ditto duct tape and good attitude.. and the ability to view all obstacles as potential adventures!

I'm very concerned, Barb. Having relatives in Houston (who are safe thus far) probably contributes to my concern. This is my first cruise and I had not planned to worry about anything. I guess when I booked in March I thought it would be nice to have a vacation after school was back in session. I have been dreaming of the sunny decks and blue skies all summer long.

If there is a hot water dispenser and you have a teabag, you can make tea anywhere. I can't understand why people drink bad tea, instant tea or er, sweet tea. Apology in advance to all the sweet tea drinkers in the world. Cheers!

Ps I am from the south too and was raised to drink tea without additional sugar. I just read this thread entirely and so want to add that I mean no offense to sweet tea drinkers. Er, Cheers again... insert imaginary tea-stained smiley

I am on Day 41 waiting for the Dream on my first cruise. Thanks for the exceptional review. Friends told me almost same thing about Fulton Street parking so I've already booked my parking. It's been weirdly fun waiting so long for this vacation and researching navigating cruise-land makes the wait fun too. Thank you much.