KappaLady

Please elaborate as to what makes New Orleanians "unruly" with your second post to Cruise Critic.

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GMA will be featuring the story this morning.

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Unless you only want to eat dinner in the MDR, you'll probably have better luck getting a table by a window in the buffet area. Of course, if it's after sunset, you won't be able to see much of anything in either the MDR or the buffet. For something a little more romantic, if you have a balcony cabin, take some food from the buffet and have an al fresco dinner with your significant other on your balcony. Set a battery operated tea light on the table on your balcony to add to the mood. After dinner, cuddle up close and watch the submarine races.:)

We do al fresco breakfast! The sunrise is beautiful!

Thanks so your photos! Everything looks delicious!

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Soon after you embark, go to the MDR and ask the maitre d' for early or your time. A tip could help . . . Also, if final payment hasn't past, go ahead and get waitlisted for your desired dining now; a slot may open after final payment or on the morning of embarkation.

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It is absolutely acceptable! I, personally, love to see servicemen and servicewomen in uniform!

FINAL UPDATE: the check from AIG arrived Friday, or five days after they said they'd be mailing it, and less than two weeks from the initial claim. Couldn't have asked for better service from them, and will definitely be using them again on future trips. Given that they offered more comprehensive coverage and better cancellation terms for less money in premiums, I can't see why I'd ever buy the cruise line's insurance [not just through NCL but any carrier].

Thanks for the update! We always get AIG for the same reasons-- coverage, price, customer service, ease of filing, and speed of processing!

~Profile Says Everything~

I budget but with wiggle room. I live in a spreadsheet world, so of course I budget with a spreadsheet and then report actuals then use the data for the next cruise.

 

This year:

Fuel: $125.11

Lodging: $268.50

Taxi: $38.00

Food / Drink on land: $150.00

Food / Drink on ship: $105.00

Gift shop purchases: $100.00

Casino: $85.00

Photos: $40.00

Other: $100.00 (there's the wiggle room)

Excursions: $300.00

Tips: $259.00

 

DW thinks I'm crazy. I also have a packing spreadsheet for 4, 5 and 7 day cruises. She packs the morning of almost -- drives me nuts.

YES!!! I love spreadsheets. I have a To-Do (before trip), Packing (which is divided by suitcase and carry-on bag), travel schedule (which includes routes, stops, and times of arrival and departure), and trip budget (which includes everything from cabin to clothes to toiletries and tips. Budgeting is a habit for me. I have spreadsheets for my personal monthly budget and my honey. I've even been asked by my friends to budget their lives-- for payment!

~Profile Says Everything~

I have a small pocket notebook that I keep track of expenses in and each category gets it's own page, so photos will be on one page along with what we budgeted for that, souvenirs on another, etc. At the end of each day I make a quick note of how much was spent in each category so we have a rough idea of what is left in each category's budget. It's become a travel journal for how much we spent on vacation.

On any trip, I pre-pay what I can, and then I keep a balance book such as this. I mainly do it because I have OCD and need that control . . . [emoji5]

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It's moot, you are correct. In fact (from what I hear- not a VIP yet!) if you don't pick a time they'll just assign one to you, since as you said, you can really show up any time.

 

 

 

Can anyone here confirm what happens if you fail to select a checkin time? Will they just autoassign you a time prior to cruising? Or do they make you stand on one foot facing north in the port parking lot til 2:59???

You have until midnight EST prior to embarkation to select a time. If you fail to select a check-in time, you will be assigned and emailed one the morning of embarkation.

~Profile Says Everything~

Here's the breakfast hanger, in case anyone needs it.

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So far, is the change only affecting itineraries for early next year? I plan to be in Nassau later this year and have not received a notice of any changes.

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I would doubt that any illness is caused by the ship's A/C, per se. USPH requirements call for disinfecting pads to be placed in all air handlers, and renewed regularly, and the schedule is audited. These pads are for killing the airborne spores of molds, mildews, and bacteria and viruses like legionella.

 

 

 

Having said that, the ship's A/C tends to make the air dryer than most A/C on land, simply because the air at sea is moister and that moisture is salt water. The A/C system will drop the air temperature well below the dew point to remove the moisture, and then reheat it to the proper temperature for delivery to the spaces.

 

 

 

This is very similar to aircraft "A/C" which uses the very cold outside air to drop the humidity.

 

 

 

This low humidity can dry out the sinus tissues and this is the first line of defense against infections.

I really appreciate your good explanation. However, the A/C pads are not always cleaned as much as they should.

I keep track of inspections of whatever ship I intend to travel via the CDC. Using the following link, which gives scores (85 or below is failing) to U.S. flagged ships.

If you look for "Ventilation" violations, they are usually concerning unclean units. Examples would be Carnival Dream and Celebrity Constellation. Keep in mind, the Constellation does not have a recent score because it has been in Europe, not the U.S. Also, ships have the opportunity to raise their score if the violation is corrected with corroborating paperwork submitted.

https://wwwn.cdc.gov/InspectionQueryTool/InspectionGreenSheetRpt.aspx

~Profile Says Everything~

I look forward to things I do not eat at home-- fried foods, cheese assortments, exotic desserts, and three specific drinks from the Alchemy Bar.

Has anyone tried the sushi platters that are delivered to the cabin? If so, how are they?

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I've been on a few cruises - and never had any real issues, to speak of! I've been on NCL, HAL, Celebrity, and Carnival, and felt as comfortable, If not more comfortable on carnival than on the others. We did have an issue one evening with some rude kids - but can't blame Carnival for that, but the CD (Everson something or other) was told about it and blatantly defended the rude kids. - which pissed me off a little!

 

Interesting story, My Partner and I decided to take a cruise on the Glory, (LOVED IT - btw) It was his first cruise, and really our first trip as a couple...... well, I'm a chatterbox, and he's more reserved, so he was a little apprehensive about the dining situation. Well, the first night, we were seated at a table for 10 ... A straight Puerto Rican couple (mid 50's), A lesbian couple in their early 50's from NY, a 20something gay couple from the midwest, and these two ladies - late70's/early 80's - that looked like they were supposed to get on a Southern Baptist Gaither cruise - complete with floor length skirts and hair buns, and us. Well, conversations started, introductions were made, and it wasn't wonderful, but it wasn't bad either. When we got back to the room, we commented and bounced the idea around of reseating or dining alone - but decided to give it one more shot!

 

Evening #2 begins and we are seated at the same table, minus the two church ladies! We made brief comment that they must have been uncomfortable or offended - and then turned to nicer conversation and moved on .....

 

On to #3 ... in line at the dining room, we see the church ladies in line to the side of us. I figured I'd see what was the deal - so, me - never at a loss for words, makes my way up to them, puts my hand on her shoulder, and so sweetly said "Hey Ladies, we missed you last night at dinner!" ... bracing myself for some sermon or a rehearsed excuse ....... the ladies both looked at me in shock, and said "Really???" ... "Of course we did!" I replied! .... after a bit of silence and apprehension, they finally broke the ice and said "Wow! we thought that you all must have not enjoyed our company, and had asked for us to be removed!" I was in disbelief, My heart sank - I felt awful! I explained that I hadn't, and we couldn't figure out anything other than the staff noticed and took it upon themselves ...

 

Anyway, at dinner, I mentioned the situation, and they all agreed that they hadn't complained or asked for a reseating..... So, in conclusion, we asked for them to be reseated with us! They sat with us the rest of the trip - and we all had a great time!!!

 

Moral of the story is this - first of all, Never assume or judge a book by it's cover.... but secondly, as a minority, sometimes we tend to have a chip on our shoulder - so to speak, and forget our similarities because we are too focused on the differences!

 

I've found that being a gay cruiser - with family, alone, or with my partner - a cruise is about relaxing, unwinding, and taking a 7 day course of "Fukitol" and most want to just have a good time!

 

I've learned that you have to respect, to be respected.... accept, to be accepted, and love to be loved in return! A cruise, like life, is what we make of it, what we focus on, and what we culture and embrace! Some may be better than others, but life's gotta be good if you're on a cruise!!!!!!

I loved your story! Thanks for sharing!

~Profile Says Everything~

Congrats! Happy Cruising!

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Congratulations! What contest was it?

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My apologies for the redundancy in my previous post-- wifi issues.

I have never needed Cheers, but when asked of Carnival rep. Valerie, she informed that shakes were not covered with Cheers! That is frustrating; I wish the reps. were more accurate!

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It's interesting that your child is not allowed juice but is allowed other sugar-laden beverages such as shakes . . . Be careful: in my experience, once a child tastes something yummy, he/she will whine for more! [emoji4]

You should not have trouble sharing a few sips because you will have to buy the shake or smoothie at cost anyway, as those are not included in Cheers. The only non-alcoholic drinks are sodas and juices, which you do not allow. Well, there is tea, but not many children drink tea without sugar. Drinks are sodas and juices, which you do not allow. Well, there is tea, but not many children drink tea without sugar. It's interesting that your child is not allowed juice but is allowed other sugar-laden beverages such as shakes . . . Be careful: in my experience, once a child tastes something yummy, he/she will whine for more! [emoji4]

You should not have trouble sharing a few sips. Water not bottled from the Lido deck is free; simply bring a tumbler cup for him.

Overall, it does not seem Cheers is for you. Not many people will drink 15 coffee and energy drinks in one day. You can buy your canned coffee (Starbucks) and energy drinks beforehand, and place them in a drink box (e.g. emptied energy drink box) to carry on the ship.

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I got a cheap cruise from a land based casino. Does carnival give free drinks to us in casino? Celebrity did when I sailed in may from another cheap land casino deal.

 

 

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Carnival does their "Drink On Us" plan, which gives you free wine, beer, cocktails, sodas, and nonalcoholic beverages while you play after you earn so many casino points.

I hope Russia doesn't try to interfere with the survey.

 

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(y) Nice one!

I think it would be a nice ensemble for casual dining as long as the leggings are NOT a nude/flesh color.

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Does anyone here participate in the "LGBT Cruisers" social group? All the social groups are on a separate, "special" board from the regular boards; you can barely find the social groups, since they are not readily publicized on the regular boards.

It does not seem as though anyone in that particular group interacts, which makes me wonder why have the group exist . . .

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/group.php

Thanks for your review, and wish you many more fun times!

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We applied for new passports at our local post office. The applications were sent to Texas from Louisiana. We receive our passports three weeks later.

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