CrazyTrain2

Hardly naïve. There are nearly 30 million cruise passengers per normal year. I bet the violent crime rate is lower than in your hometown. In the law of large numbers there will always be criminals and crime, but you have to weigh that against the damage caused by being too protective and sheltering. Crime will always happen but to not allow kids to be kids without hovering supervision is also damaging to a child's sense of self and ability to become a full functioning adult. Take the bumpers off the coffee table, the kids will be just fine.

In case you were not aware, a cruise ship is perhaps the most video controlled secure environment in the world deploying video surveillance and facial recognition throughout the ship. Every passenger is tracked throughout the day and throughout the ship. Yes, you agreed to this in your sailing contract. The data is not only used for security, but also to track passenger movement between locations and through high value areas (shopping/spa/casino/sail again/etc). It influences the design of the ship since they try to maximize your exposure to these areas tempting you to spend more on board. So not only is there a safety motive but more importantly a PROFIT motive to cameras and surveillance. Not to mention there is NO anonymity on board a ship nor much possibility of escape if caught. So it it highly unlikely a child predator would be very effective on board a ship. A cruise ship may be target rich but opportunity poor and high consequences. Now, all bets are off on the intoxicated idiots but overall kids are pretty darn safe on board. Stand down heli-parents, it will be fine.

I am doing a transatlantic and my goal is to be center ship and a lower deck balcony to minimize the impact of inclimate seas. But I am not familiar with any view obstructions from the life boats. Originally, the computer assigned Deck 14 but I was able to move to Deck 10 - but then I saw that the lifeboats might be an issue for the view. Anyone have experience on Deck 10 or so? Thoughts about different decks?

Apple Airtag has a 4 pack for the wives. I just track the credit card swipes.

Some, not all.

If you are that worried, leave them with Grandma - then send Grandma on a cruise in thanks. You are trying to build adults not dependent kids that lack the skills to leave the nest. Let them try to order a drink at the bar, eat French fries without asking, have a 5th slice of pizza or mix all the drinks in the soda dispenser. Give them a check in time. If they miss it, toss 'em overboard. Some of us grey haired ex-parents did this before "smart" phones and GPS trackers - AMAZING!! I'll be over at Virgin loving the all adult cruises.

I'm sailing in 2023. Barcelona to Miami.

Is Halloween celebrated in Spain?? Do you think it will be extra crazy on board?

I have hope that as Bermuda become more of an outlier, they will be embarrassed enough into dropping the requirement. Right now it is a foreign revenue stream that supports Travel Authority jobs.

Come on Bermuda!!

They always call superheroes crazy.... At FIRST

I was told by a PCC to look for the longer duration cruises. Seems to work.

Shhhh, you might see a mystery $2000 port fee suddenly appear.

However, it is certainly not the custom in the US to slap 20% on all bills for the "staff". The cruise industry has figured out how to falsely advertise pricing while hiding what is normally a "Cost of Labor" charge from the price and stuffed it in to "Gratuities". So to say that cruise ship pricing/gratuities is normal for the US is a stretch.

Sir Richard, you have me convinced, I'm headed over to Virgin from another line. But it seems like Travel Agents (TAs) are not too keen on booking. Does Virgin work with TAs?

Gummy up everyone we are expecting turbulence.

IF they have your booze on board.

That's on top of the free at sea upcharge? Wow. These seem to be more expensive than the a la carte method. Some of the items would be appropriate for a per diem fee while others are not - but plus is all per diem/pax.

If you are looking for a 3rd world cruise, I think Carnival keeps picking up folks traveling from Cuba in a rowboat. For me, If I pay for something, I expect to get it or be compensated. Don't upsell me packages ad nauseum and then shrug your shoulders and say "So Sorry". Feels a little fire festival to me.

If you host a party and run out of food or booze (or edibles now) - you are just an ***hole.

Oh, and they charge you for the pleasure of a "Deviation". The deviation that saved them an insurance claim and lost revenue for a missed cruise. What a bunch of malarkey.

Now featured in the MDR - Ramen noodle - your choice of chicken or beef flavored salt.

you guys steal some corn, bread and 10,000 sugar packets. We will be ready to roll in a few days. I hope you like shampoo in your mojito

I just want to say - Nice creative use of emoticons.😁😁👁️‍🗨️

I'm imagining two cruise ships at sea trying to do a cargo exchange. Or even better, pirates attempting to board the ship and passengers robbing THEM of alcohol.