The Shrike

I used to bring a suit on cruises but stopped years ago. Now I just bring a couple of collared shirts and one or two pair of khakis for eating in Le Bistro and in the MDR that requires long pants. I've worn sneakers in the past, now that I'm in my 50s I go with Skechers.

We've done two Viking river cruises and enjoyed them quite a bit. We've never gone on their ocean cruises but have one booked for 2024. We're doing it for the itinerary, which does the Norwegian fjords and goes up above the Arctic Circle. NCL used to do this itinerary. It was only when we decided we wanted to do it that they stopped. 😜 I guess we'll find out if it's too hoity toity for us. The two river ones have not been. Although on our last one, Nov 2021, there was one particular guest that if the rest of us could have gotten away with throwing overboard we probably would have. She couldn't have a single conversation without somehow, someway bringing up that she was an engineer that graduated MIT. She even tried telling the ship's engineer he was doing things wrong.

Same here. I don't know if I could ever get sick of eating that.

Have you tried interpretive dancing at it? 😜

If I wanted to relate to kids I'd have had some of my own, or I can visit family. 😁

If you like steak, La Cucina's steak with peppercorn sauce is great.

You can also double your points on a sailing by booking one of the Latitudes Members cruises sent out monthly.

The Godfather is overrated. There, I said it and I don't regret it. Oh...I thought we were taking this "Controversial cruise opinion" thing completely off the rails. No? We should stay on topic? What a controversial stance to take! 😉 Well, then, how about this: Viking has it right, no kids under 18.

That chef was lying through his teeth in order to sell that tomahawk. 😜

Just the current day.

That, I don't know. I think the shortest time before embarkation we've ever booked a cruise is nine months. 😲

On the Star last month there was a table in the Atrium and one in the buffet that had menus for all of the specialty restaurants and the daily MDR menu. I don't know if that's the same on other ships.

If you're eligible to upgrade you'll get an e-mail around 120 days prior to embarkation.

Cagney's was fine last month on the Star.

Damn, no more Huevos Rancheros? They were so good!

After the first time we went in the Haven we've done it exclusively except for once when we went in a balcony room adjoining with some family to celebrate their son's graduation. We only cruise two or three times a year so when we do it we like to go all out. If we were doing 10 cruises a year it would probably be one Haven and nine balconies (wife's claustrophobic so inside or oceanview won't work).

--standing ovation-- I live on the Gulf Coast, go on cruises...and spend as little time in the sun as I can, only getting enough to keep people with the last name Van Helsing from hammering wooden stakes into my heart.

Hey, what happens in Vegas STAYS in Vegas! 😚😜

I'd do Canada/New England if you're looking for something different. Bermuda is nice and I'd go back there, but if you've done a bunch of Caribbean/Mexico it will feel similar.

Another vote for Gem or Star.

Same here, but mainly because DW is claustrophobic. We've only ever gone in balcony or above. I could do inside no problem, but she'd probably run screaming from the room after about 45 seconds inside it.

And at every Latitudes level you get a free "artwork" for attending an art auction. Sometimes free champagne, too. I've never taken them up on this and unless I become incredibly bored on the ship (which has never happened) I never will.

I don't know if it's a coincidence or not, but the very few times I've encountered any snootiness from Haven guests they had one thing in common: they were from NYC.

Patient: "Excuse me, Doc, what are you doing? The car ran over my foot!" Dr. Sea: "Ummm...your insurance company makes us do this. Yeah, that's the ticket." 😲😄