JeffElizabeth

Looks like a good buy so far. Embarrassed how much I lost on both Carnival and NCL stocks. Surprised they are still not back to pre-pandemic prices because the ships seem full. 

We like Oceania and are trying Viking in September.  Thanks for the excellent and deep-dive comparisons. 

Good points Mike. 

Not our experience.  PCC's have never lowered our cruise prices, my travel agent has. Maybe my travel agent wants to impress.  

On 4/25/2024 at 5:53 AM, CILCIANRQTS said:

Perhaps well run, but what financial strains lurk beneath the image?

Getting through COVID was not easy.

I wouldn't put my whole portfolio in Viking but I would invest in them before Carnival and NCL. 

We used to use a PCC but found outside travel agents were much better at passing on savings if the cruise price decreased. 

If you can afford it, it is the only way to travel. 

Yes. There are clocks throughout the ship and they usually leave a reminder every night to adjust your watches and phones. 

On 6/12/2023 at 11:23 AM, Torquer said:

In pre-covid times, the behind-the-scenes tour was always included for free to the Pinnacle Suite guests.  In our post-covid cruises, we always asked the Neptune Lounge concierges but have always been told they are no longer available.  We were told that it was because it brought guests into critical personnel that need to remain isolated so they don't get covid.  Maybe so, but then why is the captain and his other officers free to roam the ship and have, at least some, interaction with passengers.

 

Everybody who is interested should keep asking about them on every cruise and maybe they will bring them back.  We plan to do that on our Nieuw Statendam cruise next week.  The tours were usually the highlight of every cruise, even though we had been on quite a few of them.

We were Pinnacle people so they gave us the option. We were glad we took it. It was right before Covid-19 so the price for our suite was a bargain.  

I would buy stock with them. Seem to be very well run company.  

Looks amazing! Wish we had done that last time. Barcelona is one of my favorite cities in Europe.  

On 1/26/2024 at 1:08 AM, montythecat said:

I really do hope the two pianos format isn’t removed from the 

other ships where it currently exists. The rapport between the

two is usually part of the joy of the experience. Anybody who

has seen the wonderful Meghan and Gabe will know what I

mean. Surely HAL can afford to pay for two pianists ? Our

evenings will not be the same if this happens.

 

Different strokes right, but we have always preferred the single piano player. 

On 11/5/2023 at 7:01 PM, cbr663 said:

 

As HAL has jumped on the hanging theatrics and most of the hanged items are proteins, it immediately brings to my mind animal slaughter.  It isn't an appetizing thought when dining.

LOL, you should probably skip authentic Gyro places too. Like others have said, your dining experience can change from night to night. But we have noticed service on the ships is better than service at restaurants in Colorado.  One reason we continue to book new cruises.

Have only been to Aruba. We just took a tour around the island. We also did a beach day in the Bahamas on an Oceania cruise. Aruba was hot! 

4 hours ago, WisCruiser2 said:

Also, what do you like to do? Snorkel, sightsee, hike, distillary tour, shopping? That will help narrow it down. There's a LOT of info on the Ports of Call board for each of the Caribbean ports.

See the local history and the sites. How are the private islands? Any ports we should just stay on the ship? 14 to 17 days. Would like to visit both the Eastern and Western Caribbean.  

We are about to book our first Caribbean cruise on Princess. Which ports are the best to explore? Any excursions you would recommend? 

I usually get by on formal nights with a blazer, Hawaiian shirt, and nice black jeans. A tuxedo just takes up too much space in my luggage. 

LOL, don't sit with us! On our last cruise, we were at a table for eight at the 8pm seating and we were always the last table to leave the dining room, 10 to 10:30. One time I told our head waiter to go to bed, "we will lock up".

We had Mass on our Voyage of The Vikings this Summer. The priest did take some time off. Mid cruise he got Covid-19 and went into quarantine.  He was fine. 

On 10/9/2023 at 3:12 PM, KAKcruiser said:

I also vote to get rid of the throw pillows.  They are useless and just in the way.

Agree! Had to spend so much time throwing off pillows when I went to get ready for bed. I thought about hiding them. 

We were recently on a 35 day cruise and we laughed about how that must be easier for the room stewards to remember. Just imagine a three day or seven day cruise!

1 hour ago, BlerkOne said:

A government shutdown won't cause a rally.

Although if you are a non-essential government employee who thinks the shutdown will take about three weeks, book a last minute cruise and then come home and get your backpay.  Risky but it could work out. 

1 hour ago, Mirage3232 said:

@Jaymuxman - You just reminded me that I probably won't be able to place any bets in my Draftkings app while onboard  a Princess cruise in December because it won't recognize me as being in a (USA) state that allows online sports betting. The app uses my geo location to allow me to bet because my state allows online sports betting. Enjoy your journey.

Exactly.  BetMGM requires that I make my bets in my home state. 

The higher interest rates are killing much of my portfolio.  And it has to worry companies with a lot of debt on their books like cruise lines when it comes time to refinance those loans. 

My sister and BIL are currently on a cruise with this ship. They love it so far. (Spain, Morocco and Portugal. )