GORDONCHICK

Not really new - started in the 1960s. Really a cool story as to how and why it started. But it is fun for all ages.

Thanks. I haven't laughed so hard in a few days! Just for 3 of us (when our college son travels with us), there are 3 laptops, 2 ipads, 3 iphones, a switch, I forget his other game console, dvd player, and my cameras - just off the top of my head! I forgot the fans and my CGM monitor. Oh, and my hair dryer. Hmmm, wonder why we need more than one outlet? And yes, for EVERY vacation, cruise or not. I have always packed a power strip. But now I'm finding that's not acceptable on X so I will find other alternatives.

Too many obligations or plans in the evenings for most, IMO. I know NCL did great Meet & Greets with refreshments and ALL the top officers would come, including the captain (though sometimes only for 5 minutes). I remember one captain invited everyone for a bridge tour on the last sea day. I don't know if they are doing them yet or not. MSC did a pretty nice party with a huge cake and a group photo was taken and copies delivered to everyone who signed in and included their cabin number. On my first X cruise, I didn't know what CC was. On my second, the gathering was REALLY lame and not worth our time. I'm hoping they return on X soon, and hoping they are better than what I experienced on X before.

I thought they weren't printing the dailies? My husband won't do the app, so he'd definitely like a printed one. I would use the app mainly for menus on board and preboarding stuff.

Perfect! That's what I was hoping for - because I really don't want to be connected!

I am one that likes to get away - like REALLY get away when we go on cruises. No email, social media, etc. However, it looks like there's so much on the X app that we may have to buy the internet package to use it? Is that correct?

Most of my OBCs usually come from my TA.

Can OBC be used to prepay for excursions that are pre-booked? Since I've not booked a ship excursion, I don't know how that works. Plus, I've never had that much OBC!

This was my thinking as well.

We don't have as many cruises under our belt as you do, but we've never booked a single ship excursion and wont if we can help it. The only time I might consider one is if the time is too short in port or something like that. We've never been close to being late!

Thanks. That's still quite a change from our last X cruise - but that was 15 years ago.

So they're not even plastic anymore? Wow. Some things really have changed.

We've sailed several different cruise lines and have had really good service ON the cruise. But customer service on land for any of these lines is quite lacking, IMO. It's almost as if they do that on purpose...

What are you screen shotting (is that even a real word?)?

I may have to go through my boxes of books and pack some to donate! We always take our own books, and I can and do read just about anywhere. But my husband loves to read very early in the morning in the library.

This is why it's really important to check the deck plans above and below a cabin you're planning to book. Many times it has caused us to change locations.

We've done one Christmas, one New Year's, and several Thanksgivings on ships - though none on X. I was fine with NYE on a ship. At midnight, they pushed the 2 of the 2012 ice sculpture into the pool and put out the 3, then at least a hundred fully clothed people jumped into the pool. I was a spectator for that. I discovered for Christmas of 2013, I didn't really care for Christmas on a ship. I prefer to be at home. It's just me. It had nothing to do with the ship or anything. The food was good, the decorations were beautiful. I would just rather be home. But I'm perfectly fine with Thanksgiving on a ship!

What is a silent disco night?

In the past, I've requested a plate of steamed veggies on X. I don't know if they will still do this, but I also need veggies. It was usually steamed broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and maybe something else like pea pods or green beans. Does anyone know if they will still do this?

I did that once and it was confiscated just after the detectors. Granted, it was a different line. I was able to reclaim it after engineers checked the cord.

Opinions are fine - everyone has them. IMO, there are ways to express opinions without pettiness. I understand it might be difficult to refrain though.

No. Nor am I surprised at the pettiness, which is why I said what I said.

I learned a long time ago that X's desserts are more French, which means less sugar. That means less flavor to many.

I see that some things never change...

Yikes! Sorry, my DH will most likely wear Hawaiian shirts (not silk) every night. Second thought, not sorry. He wears a suit and tie to work every day so if it's warm enough for short sleeves, Hawaiian shirts it will be! The only promises I will make on the cargo shorts is that he won't wear them to dinner...