Minniebug

they are still using faxes????😲

mask up in the elevator and public spaces. I am not taking any chances, too many friends and family got sick and actually passed, it's not that hard.

simple solution, all or none.

why wouldn't you at least donate perfectly fine bars??? Too much trash.

I'm already booked for the Summit from Boston to Quebec City in October and next April on the Transatlantic Apex to Amsterdam. So the Solstice Alaska will be like a test. Knock on wood.

I'm already booked for the Summit from Boston to Quebec City in October and next April on the Transatlantic Apex to Amsterdam. So the Solstice Alaska will be like a test. Knock on wood.

another reason why not book the first cruise of the season as you will be the guinea pig...

interesting spelling for Maitre 'd...

Besides being told twice that the Solstice has been revolutionized in great detail by one associate, then confirmed by a second associate, only to find out that it was not true. Disappointed to say the least. Expectations were high, now the bar has been lowered dramatically. Then the boards indicate that the Premium Internet Access is hardly working. Not good when you need to do some work on vacation. Three calls to the dedicated Retreat line to get the email with the luggage tags and the Supervisor Christine says it's up to the Documents Department and we have to wait or fill them out at the pier. She can only send them an email request. They no longer mail the luggage tags and I'm all for saving them money after the horrendous two years they've experienced because of the pandemic, but come on... Seriously. It's an email. Just get it done. I guess the Supervisor in the Retreat has no phone number to the Documents Department Supervisor. I just hung up because I don't want confrontation with already overwhelmed staff. Regardless, it's exasperating. Prior to paying for the cruise, I caught an error with the Port Charges and their computer system was doubling our port charges. I actually booked another cruise in a Suite next to mine and several others to make sure I was correct and backed out of the reservations. They finally got it corrected and it was implied that they were doing me a favor. What? I can't wait to experience the cruise. NOT! I like to maintain a positive attitude, but when it's bad before departure it's usually bad all the way through. Surely, I know that many companies are having issues finding staff and I can tell you that the representatives are not up to the task. One call I had with a very nice associate said he was a bartender, so it appears that they are training onboard crew not currently at sea to take phone calls. In fact, this can be a very good idea, all hands-on deck,' so to speak, efficient, etc.; however, maybe not because he was one of the associates that confirmed the revolution of the Solstice. Currently, I have no idea if any questions I asked were answered correctly. So, I fully expect not to have a smooth trip. So far, so bad.

First of all, who does not make reservations these days, just not smart. 2nd, people are leaving hospitality in droves, as the pay and hours to work are not attractive anymore. Myself having worked for 35 years in hospitality retired five years early, bc I was tired of the long hours without overtime pay, and working every darn weekend and holiday. And bc of nasty customers. Companies will not just bust their budgets and margins and pay huge wages and bennies. It's a different world.

do what you gotta do. We went to see family in Germany and Holland last December and felt much safer as vaccination rates were much higher in Europe. Every restaurant we went to we had to show proof of vaccination and we felt much better. People were much more cooperative than in the US, where everything is politicized. Actually I think moving back to Europe for good. More educated people, less qrazies.

the greater good of all shall supersede individual needs. Like JFK said.

I think mass tourism like cruising might end sooner or later. Personally, I am already staying away from crowds as much as possible. At the grocery store, even on my morning walk. Individual, personalized travel without crowds is the future.

honestly, a healthy purge of cruise companies wouldn't be a bad thing. Just like having too many coffee shops, bagel shops, gas stations, pizza places, burger joints etc. Competition is good but there is too much of everything around. IMHO.

things would be easier if the whole world would have the same policies, but that's obviously not happening. Would make too much sense.