wardamnweagle

8 minutes ago, SempreMare said:

 

gah!  now  i hear this...   I bought 2 !!      this is the hardest trip to plan for / pack for EVER ! 

Well it sounds like it depends on the camera. My Hero 4 will overheat with cards larger than 32gb. But that gives me 2hrs of recording which exceeds the battery life. So YMMV. 

30 minutes ago, masterdrago said:

Like wardamnweagle said. Mostly for lack of a full loss if a card failed. One did but not really the card - was a firmware issue with the new GoPro. After any single day of doing a lot of filming, what I did was take the 64G card out and stick it into a Western Digital My Passport Wireless Pro 2T portable HDD. It will immediately copy the card contents to a directory that it creates for that card. I transported the HDD and the cards separately back home and put the cards safely away.

 

It took a while to realize that the GP flubbed the 3hr vid at Hubbard Glacier. My GP7 Black was one of the 1st off the line (got couple days after intro). I also should have done their 3rd firmware update to 1.7 in late January but did not.

 

And most importantly for wardamnweagle, make sure your new one (rumor is 8 Black out this September https://www.cameraegg.org/gopro-hero8-rumors/), is fully tested in the ways you will use it in April. Like long time-lapse, 3 hour non-stop 4k vids, etc. I'm getting the impression that having the GPS turned on can cause a few issues with the 7. Also, I've seen no reports like my failure after firmware version 1.7 in January.

 

 

Yeah, it will be thoroughly tested beforehand, and I’m pretty familiar with GoPro cameras (had original, Hero 2, Hero 3, Still have Hero 4 Black and Session and haven’t seen the need to upgrade til I saw the Hyperlapse in the 7 series). 

I’ve dealt with enough electronics and computers over the years to know when something works the way you want, don’t bother with firmware upgrades, lol. Companies will “fix” one meaningless thing and break two important things. 

8 hours ago, SempreMare said:

 

Was there a reason why you took more 64GB cards instead of fewer 256gb? 

GoPro cameras seem to have a problem with handling large capacity cards, or at least the older ones. Also, smaller is cheaper, and if a card gets damaged you have backups. I have about a dozen 32gb cards for my GoPro, which sounds like a lot but when I do a time lapse, after it’s finished I just pop the card out for later download and put a new one in. 

Im enjoying this thread, every vacation my wife lets me get a new camera toy. I’ve already decided to pick up a new GoPro for the April cruise, 7 Black if it’s still the top of the line, or whatever is newest. Will still probably bring my GoPro Session as well. 

So my wife and I have been talking after our cruise this year about taking one more cruise before we start trying for kids. We have each done a Caribbean before we met, and we did a 7 day this past spring with her parents. I did an inside passage cruise in June 2007, and when I suggested Alaska for next year she got very excited. There’s a pretty good deal for April 20-27 leaving Vancouver and returning to Seattle. I remember being able to wear shorts and t-shirts while on the ship in 2007, and heavier clothes on shore, but I’m very warm natured and as long as it’s above freezing I’m usually in shorts. 

It seems that April is the earliest, and I figure there are reasons for the price discount, but just curious what to expect that time of the year. 

26 minutes ago, Cls241 said:

 

That's not how cruise ships work.  Those people behind the scenes do not get "fair wage" they share in the tips.  It's a common cruise practice.  His ability to "distribute how he wants" is normally Not Cruise Ship Policy and could get him terminated.   You're mixing up an "American Restaurant" with a Cruise Ship normally staffed by people from 3rd World Countries and they count on the Tip Sharing Policy to make enough to live.   You're basically cheating them out of their pay.

No, I still paid the required gratuities at roughly $15/person/day, as well as $5 for the single room service order we had.

I think going forward I’m just going to lower my expectations and pay the standard tip and not worry about anything else. 

23 hours ago, Cls241 said:

 

Everyone I have ever talked to said no matter what you tip, it goes back into a pool to share.  Been told (can't verify if true) that if they keep the tips and don't share, they could lose their job. 

 

Also, consider by tipping ONLY those you see, and by chance, they're keeping those tips, what about all those you don't see, that wash the towels, clean the dishes, keep the ship clean while you sleep, and perform dozens of other services that make your stay enjoyable.  Do they deserve less, because they're not visible?

Just curious, at a restaurant do you go into the kitchen and tip the chef, or just the person who served you? Do you tip the bus boy or the dishwasher who make your meal possible, despite the fact that you never see them?

IMO the people doing the job should be paid an agreed upon wage (whether or not you think it is fair, it is agreed upon up front). Tipping people you interact with personally is for service above and beyond. 

On our last last night I gave our head waiter a cash tip (despite the fact that we only had service from them for four nights since we switched tables after the first three meals had issues) and told him he could distribute to his team as he sees fit. Could he keep it all for himself? I suppose, but I saw him lead his team, coach them on performance issues, and follow up on the service verifying that it was up to his expected standards (which were above ship standards). I would love to have a team leader like that working for me. 

Tipped extra to room steward up front this trip for a bucket of ice on Day 1, anticipating that my ice bucket would stay full thru the trip. Will go into detail in my review (still debarking) but it had no positive impact, and would say I had some of the worst service I’ve ever had in the hospitality industry. Won’t be trying that again. 

Based on your review I did some research. Based on the multitude of reviews, I booked! Sent an email at like 9pm, and had a response before I was awake in the morning. We let them know when we are coming in since it’s later than they start in the morning, and which ship we are on. The response said that they will set another tour for us to accommodate the later arrival. We are super excited for this excursion!

What does it take the price to?

Wife asked me to check, any massage vendors on the beach? We looked at the price for a massage on the ship ($200 for couples massage) and I told her she could go get hers and I would take $100 to the bar and be plenty relaxed. We stayed in Costa Rica a few years ago (non cruise) and there were people carrying portable massage tables and $40/hr. Gave me a good hour of surfing uninterrupted. 

1 hour ago, mpdog42 said:

Hi, just a Tourist Tidbit, a lot of places in Cozumel and Cancun that sell Tequila call themselves "Factory's" ,..are basic tourist traps. You can find great tequila's in Duty free or even in Mega which is a large Grocery Store for a lot cheaper that these "Traps"

If you travel to Cozumel do some research on Tequila on the net and find out what the "locals" buy...and always buy 100% Agave!!

Op: Glad you had a great cruise and thanks for a great review!!

Yeah, I have bought tequila at the duty free shop (went in looking for one brand, knew prices and what I was willing to spend). My research shows the main “tequila factory” is a scam and what you purchase will be either overpriced or not what was sampled. Was just looking for an extra thing to do in case we are “beached out” by that point in the trip. 

1 minute ago, Saint Greg said:

 

Camaro

Mustang. We are destined to be enemies. 

1 hour ago, Saint Greg said:

 

Looking at the outside of the building it doesn’t look like it...but I’m pretty sure I had to drive down out of it this morning. I have an extremely low front end so I have to pay attention to that. Maybe the outside of building isn’t but the inside is?

Now I gotta know, what do you drive? I also have a low front end and driving my car around NOLA causes me physical and emotional stress. Taking my wife’s Jeep in two weeks because she can’t stand that I drive 68mph on the interstate in a sports car...

Do you have more info on the tequila factory? This is the second time I’ve heard about it but having trouble getting good info. 

41 minutes ago, GradUT said:

We were on the Pride last fall, dining late as we always do.  The Maitre D’, Ken, stopped by our table to chat one night and mentioned that half as many people had opted for Late Dining as opposed to Early Dining, so our waitstaff had more time to devote to us.  Plus, we were able to get a table in a primo location next to a window. 

This is my plan. I’m taking my in-laws on their first cruise. I knew from research that early fills up. I figured we will get better service at the late seating, which will help their cruise experience. Wife and I are also early risers (out the door by 6 every day). On vacation or weekends, I’m still the early riser, while she sleeps til 9-10. I figured brunch, late lunch, nap, and then dinner. Also, plan on taking full advantage of port days and don’t want to get back on and be rushed for dinner. We can get ready and open a bottle of wine as we watch sail away. 

I’m curious, on my Dream Cruise in three weeks, our departure time is 4pm from Montego Bay. What was your “departure time” versus “all aboard”?

And you said you passed the Appleton Estate plantation at 9:30? It shows a 7hr excursion and I was under the impression that it was a 2hr+ ride to get there. An hour is much more doable. 

1 hour ago, lancerTXST said:

 

I sail during the start of March Madness, which of course is on CBS and TBS/TNT/TruTV, all of which Carnival got rid of in the rooms recently.  Thanks for confirming for the sports bar too.

 

While that's not a big deal its certainly a bummer because watching those early games in a public setting where everyone has brackets hinging on last second shots and upsets is a blast.

It’s still just basketball. Not like SEC football or anything important...

5 hours ago, FlaMommy75 said:

Hello! We just booked 6205 & 6203 on the Breeze for Nov (Thanksgiving 2019) and would love an update. Also, wondering how to access the deck in front of it..is there access from our floor? Thanks!🙂

 

From what I have seen there is a door at the end of the hall. I’ve read that the deck in front of the rooms on 6 is not used much since deck 5 wraps all the way around. 

I am am not sure if there is a staircase nearby. 

Looking forward to your review of the stingray tour in GC. We have the same one in a few weeks. The price seems to be too good to be true. 

Work Monday-Sat most weeks (perks of being in charge). My “me time” starts in September with dove hunting thru October. Bow hunting Oct-Nov. Rifle Nov-Jan. Rabbit and squirrel hunting thru February. Crappie fishing thru March. Turkey thru April. Work the property May-Aug and other free time spent bass fishing, skiing, tubing, or just cruising up and down the lake. 

March 17, 2019 sailing, still showing 4pm. I wouldn’t mind leaving earlier. I am going to do a time lapse video down the river so extra light would be a plus. 

1 hour ago, Clarasgrandma said:

We have 6203 booked for January 2019. Curious to hear back as to if you had any extra furniture in that room. 🙂

Welcome back. 😂

1 hour ago, jdemps said:

Your husband is like many people that don't want to wear uncomfortable clothing for, at best, 3 star service.   Now, if they had king crab legs and bone in porterhouse steaks, then maybe it warrants a nicer outfit.  The way it is now, it's like going to the outback steakhouse and really, who doesn't wear jeans there?  lol

 

Go get a nice fitted jacket. I hardly call them uncomfortable. 

I wear a polo and slacks to work, and on my days off out grocery shopping and what not, I prefer to wear a jacket and a button down shirt. I have no problem “dressing up” while others don’t, but do what is comfortable. 

I’m married now, but it was surprising how easy it was to get phone numbers from ladies with a nice pair of shoes and a jacket, so it just became habit, lol. 

18 minutes ago, Willwork4cruises said:

It may depend on the ship.  On some of the ship that cabin number is an L shaped cabin, which some like because the bathroom and closets are laid out differently than a regular cabin so it’s not a crowded in the entry hallway.  Maybe you mentioned the ship, but I missed it.  Here’s a video for 2450 on the Breeze. 

 

https://youtu.be/vY9FiNIV3DE

I think that nailed it. I was able to find pics online and it does have a long hallway with closets next to the bed and two windows. So not as bad as the deal originally appeared, but not worth the $$$. Plus we are staying in the room next to my in-laws and we get along great! So it would kinda stink to be across the ship from them. 

Now if I were staying next to my parents, we probably would have jumped at the upgrade 🤣

39 minutes ago, Lottacruises said:

I recently have heard the term upgrade troll, seems appropriate.

Lol