duquephart

I bet they figure you for an American though.

Your stance qualifies you to be an American 🙂.

What happens if you find a bartender you like even more on the second day of the cruise?

You know you "really like" a bartender "in the beginning of the cruise"?

Carnegie.

Which is really the only way to drink it. Same with Heinekin. And the closer to the brewery the better.

Great question! The little paper umbrella has a long and storied history as a garnish. While associated with Tiki cocktails the umbrella is more likely to be found in drinks at the sweeter, fruitier, more Polynesian end of the range. Classic Tiki - and the Mai Tai is as classic as it gets - leans more towards balance of exotic ingredients. In Hawaii it's not unusual to find an orchid floating atop your Mai Tai. But the drink is not from Hawaii. For the "authentic" (if there is such a thing) way to garnish a Mai Tai you need half a spent lime (spent in obtaining fresh juice) and a nice sprig of mint - meant to evoke a tropical island with a palm tree.

Last cruise we were in 8000, a PS1 cabin. As high and far forward as you can get on the ship. Why wouldn't the spendier cabins be in more stable areas? Going for 8004 next time - we really like the extra room, bigger shower, second TV, "free" laundry, etc.

Checking MJV often probably a good idea as well.

To be clear --- my position is that what Viking calls a Mai Tai is not a regional variation as you suggest. It's an adomination. An insult to the Tiki world.

I'm suggesting what Viking calls a Mai Tai is a company rather than regional thing.

Variations --- sure --- mostly due to the fact that Trader Vic kept the recipe under his hat prompting lots of attempts to duplicate. What I'm 'trying' to point out is that Viking doesn't even come close. And, what "region" is Viking Cruises?

"The Mai Tai is one of the most famous Tiki drinks in the world. Composed of rum, orange curaçao, fresh lime juice and orgeat (a nuanced almond syrup), it’s held sway over cocktail enthusiasts and Tiki aficionados for decades." ----- Liquor.com

The Mai Tai is about as iconic as a drink gets. Figuring out how to at least come close isn't that far a fetch. Sorry ----- I'm a Mai Tai purist ----- and I'm not alone.

Good for you. Maybe. Not good for the ducks.

Try to remember that the agent is a salesperson - the old "only driven by a little old lady on Sunday" line applies here. Any ship motion will be more pronounced at either end and top/bottom. The closer you get to the "middle" of the ship the better if motion is an issue for you.

I wonder why. Certainly no skin off them. My head position comment may apply here.

If folks had a problem with things being rehashed ad nauseam this booard wouldn't exist.

What they call a Mai Tai isn't a Mai Tai. Three of the listed ingredients - apricot brandy, amaretto, pineapple juice - have no business being within ten miles of a Mai Tai.

When suppertime came, the old cook came on deck sayin' "Fellas, it's too rough to feed ya" --- Gordon Lightfoot

"What is not your choice ----- " Still his/her choice.

Where do you shower?

Also "steerage" class?

Like those who swear by high buck vodka when they're all just windshield washer fluid.

There's more to "better" accommodations than more reservations.