ChiefMateJRK

Why? Just why?

I made MDR reservations on the Sun last July/August for 5:30 every night that I didn't have specialty dining. Took about ten minutes. If we ate somewhere else, they were cancelled. Did it help? I honestly don't remember. Didn't hurt.😎

Speaking as a grump, I hate anything that diminishes an observation lounge. YMMV.

Did the tell you why they did this?

You've never seen a drunk old man on a cruise before?

Thanks for the recommendations. We generally enjoy our Bloody Mary's with breakfast and the boat tour serves cocktails (included), so driving is out of the question. The rep at Kauai Taxi has been great to work with so it should be very enjoyable. Lesson learned: the tour website indicates 1:15 check-in and four to five hour duration. I called them (fortunately) and was told that while they begin check-in at 1:15, the boat actually sails at 2:00 - 2:30. They time the return for sunset, which is 7:01 PM. So, while I originally scheduled the return pick up for 6:30, I had to push it back to 7:30.

I can see his point. 🤣

That's the one!!! Thanks. "The man who wants nothing is invincible, cabron." - Once Upon a Time in Mexico quote (clip.cafe)

Of course not.

"The man who wants nothing is invincible." I know the movie and actor, just can't find the video clip.

Thank you very much for this info. We're booking Kauai Taxi both ways. I'm sure there are cheaper alternatives, but I'm on vacation and this will work.😎

You are absolutely correct. I used the wrong words. The post I was responding to read as if they weren't making any plans in advance and that on smaller ships that isn't necessary. Technically, it's not. But if there is a specialty you wish to eat in around dinner time, an advance reservation in most of the venues is highly useful. The are often "required" if you don't want to get stuck waiting until later at night to eat.

I love those wedge salads! I always order mine with Ranch.😎

Just to clarify. Even if they are NOT running a double-up promo when you book on the ship, you can still buy two, use one and then apply the second to that reservation during the next double-up promo. Despite T&C language to the contrary, we've recently had confirmation that the second CN can be applied to an existing reservation.

Yes. Most of us keep cruising because we've lowered our standards accordingly.

Smaller NCL ships don't require dining reservations? That's something new.

Great! I could name that tune in ten seconds.😎

Great!! I do like Santana!

Thanks for this. I've googled the five musicians/groups that you posted earlier. I'm pretty sure I'll find several to follow around. I like the variety. Sounds like piano man/pianist/classic guitar/rock-type group and that duo. I was able to find some youtube clips of several. Please keep us posted on what you think about any that you attend. Thanks.

Cool. I'll try that! We have reservations at Onda soon.😎

Thanks. This is exactly what I would call a safety issue for anybody getting older, having bad knees, and refusing to do anything that increases the risk of winding up in a foreign hospital (or any hospital) with a broken hip, etc.

These things make my back hurt just looking at them. Did you need a step ladder to get in and out? Any safety concerns?

Why do you have zero interest in POA? We sailed her once and found her to be an enjoyable, lower cost way to see Hawaii than land vacations. That said, while it's great to visit Hawaii once in a while (we're returning soon), it's not my "go to" destination. That would be Alaska. POA is an easy seven day cruise that gets you to multiple islands without any hassles. Expensive? Yes. US crew? Yes (the reader can decide what that means to them). Limited on board amenities? Yes. But most of that shouldn't matter much to somebody who would just love to visit Hawaii. I'm not sure how much would change if NCL could swap in another ship.

I was on both the Sun and Sky last year, and they both are in great shape.

Thanks! It looks like there are a lot of musicians to choose from.