Ret MP

Humans shouldn't be allowed to have such fun/pleasure!

I've visited the "spa" venue sparingly, I have never visited the snack shack there, after my first visit many many years ago. I guess some of the sandwiches looked Okay but I was not impressed with any of the so-called healthy drinks. So, getting a protein drink of any kind is out of the question for me and to be honest, I don't trust their description of what it is supposed to be. But, that's just me.

100% right on! Also, isn't it their job to provide "special needs" to folks with "Special Needs"? I mean, no matter what type of protein I prefer, I'm going to call "Special Needs" and see if they will provide it so I don't have to carry 21 cartons of Muscle Milk in my carryon right next to my laptop and tablet or carryon that messy mixing powdered concoction and I'll still need Almond Milk to go with it, or whatever. IT'S THEIR JOB, and we all pay handsomely for it. No, I don't feel sorry for them and I don't think I'm abusing them. In fact, if they deliver the stuff while I'm in the cabin, I'll tip them generously and if they deliver it while I'm in the cabin or not, I'll give great praise on the survey, if I get one. UNBELIEVABLE!

Well, I'm not Island Lady but I'm here to tell you that it isn't even close to a mile to Grills. In fact, there is a sidewalk that goes directly from the terminal to the bar, there is even a restroom along the way (I can't promise it will be unlocked, thought): Disclaimer: Unless there is some construction going on.

Unless it is you with the medical issue. I can live more without my CPAP but Special Needs will supply distilled water and extension cord(s), technically, I could use bottled drinking water for the short duration of a cruise instead of distilled water. Am I abusing "Special Needs" when I ask for Distilled Water and an extension cord? It must be nice to be so judgemental when you have no idea what someone is going through.

It sure wouldn't break my heart (and from what I've read in here, lots of other folks think so too) if they put CATS down, it's inhumane to keep that thing alive.

Yep, that's what we do. Grills has some good Buiscut and Gravy. After that, move over to the outside Tiki Bar and start enjoying their great Bloody Marys. If I remember correctly, eat breakfast slowly if you get there early, the outside Tiki bar doesn't open until ~9:00 AM.

I used to do the protein powders (Dymatize), but the little cartons are just too convenient. Refrigerate, twist the cap, chug the drink, and throw it away. No mixing or measuring, no cup/glass washing, nothing. Just a little extra expense. Easy peasy.

Sounds very familiar to my upbringing. My dad was a Golf Pro in Montreal Canada, he socialized with the upper crust of society, so lots of high and mighty parties and social events at our home. We were to be seen and not heard. But, we would sneak around (my mom would put sponges in the bottom of the plastic coasters with grill-type inserts) and we would suck up the moisture from those sponges (sounds terribly gross today, doesn't it), and we would also drink the remnants. Mostly condensation from the sponge in the coaster but some sloppy drinkers had lots of adult beverage in them. Man, we enjoyed those parties.

Good thread! I'm one of the people who have to, medically, drink 3 protein shakes a day (well, yes, I understand that there are many ways to get the protein needed, but the little drink cartons (like muscle milk or premier) are just so convenient. I'm wondering if they are available on the ship or if it is a "Special Needs" request. 12 cartons just ain't enough for a 7-day cruise. Edited in: I've cruised 2 cruises in the recent past without any and it wasn't pleasant, for me. I ran out of gas early.

I guess you missed the part about running through the casino, back and forth for hours.

Early, as stated, is good. However, it's a matter of timing. Too early and the disembarking folks haven't made much of a difference within the garage and surface lots. Too late and the early arrival time embarkation folks will take up the available parking. Also, the arrival time of the ship, coastguard inspection, and a myriad of other issues can make things very fluid/go south. So, my recommendation, as a retired Airport and Cruise ship parking manager, is just to plan to be there as if nothing is going wrong. I always plan to arrive, at the Port Of Canaveral, by no later than 9:30 AM, regardless of my official arrival time. If things go south, there is always the bar right next to the terminal that has a very nice outdoor bar, which I have taken advantage of. My priority is to get a good parking space as close to the terminal as possible.

Again, devil's advocate: And the same can be said about adults trying to get away from kids. There is always a place/way.

On Independence of the Seas, last October, a family of 5 or 6 in the Playmakers bar, both parents were obviously very much under the influence, and the kids were totally unsupervised, they were running around the bar grabbing people sitting on stools to hang on while making fast turns as they ran and they would run from Playmakers through the casino, and back again, over and over again. This went on for hours. Not only was it a distraction and uncomfortable for those enjoying the venues, but they witnessed their parents get sh*^-faced and act like fools. What they witness in the privacy of their own home is one issue but what they witness and how they act in a public bar is another. I for one, complained to no avail. That's why I say, a lot, UNENFORCED rules. This is just one example that they DO, IN FACT, disrupt the casino. Yes, there is a rule that kids can only walk through the casino, but this example is an example of another rule/policy that isn't enforced, as I've stated many times.

Well behaved is something I said would have to be well worded. For example, No Running is not subjective, No jumping is not subjective, No yelling can be determined by complaints, No crying is not subjective, and No devices playing music is not subjective, just as a few examples of non-subjective rules/policies. BTW, that would help with some of the adult issues too. BTW, I don't have a problem with "Adults Only", and I've said over and over again that I agree with this new policy. The rest is just the Devil's Advocacy and a little inner dilemma. You obviously haven't read many of my many many posts about Virgin. I don't like what I've read about Virgin (think Pineapples and other things you mentioned). My comment about Virgin was for those who want adult only. BTW, I don't agree with kids in bars and casinos. Yet, very little discussion about that, eh, at least lately.

You may not and obviously don't. This is my dilemma, while I support the change, I also see the other side and it was something I had to work out in my own mind to agree with the change (not that my opinion matters, it was only part of a discussion, something this board and others are all about), which I agree with, or support the other side. I obviously went to the side of agreeing with the change.

As long as they have Baklava, I'm a happy camper. Do they?

First: I don't need a history or diction lesson or lecture about what the Solarium is or was. I'm fully aware. The dictionary definition of just about everything is the basis of the word's existence. It too can be updated. But, in this case, it is what it is. Devil's Advocate: The Solarium can be everything you describe if the proper AND ENFORCED rules are in place. I've observed many kids sitting around the other pool(s)/venues reading books, I assume, on their devices, not bothering anyone. Maybe they would like a quiet zone too. There are many mature and behaving children. There are many adults who aren't well-behaved and mature. And, by the way, RC's definition, historically, has been a 16 and over venue, now it is an 18 and over place. Proof positive that historically things are subject to change and history does not have to be an impediment to change. I can't tell you how many times I've witnessed folks talking very loudly, you can hear them clearly from one side of the Solarium to the other, on their phone's speaker phone discussing everything from business to breaking up with their SO. Very frustrating, at a minimum. Not only do I think the new rule is a good one but it needs to be extended to cover misbehaving/annoying adults. The person sitting at the bar with a laugh that can be heard over the noise in a steel plant. My personal thoughts: Once again, I'm in favor of the recent change! And, I'm not advocating for anything else. I offered my thoughts and the fact that it is an internal dilemma for me, period.

I'm kind of a black-and-white guy, not much gray in my life. This is how I view Solarium, you're welcome to you definition:

As I said, I'm glad this has happened. Nope, if you don't have a child registered in the kid's zone, whatever it is called, you can't go in, it's called security, and I'm very happy they do. Apples and oranges! Yes, I'm all for the Adult only, 18 and above. But, I'd be Okay with a strictly enforced <LOL like that would happen, policy/rule of well-behaved children, however they would word it. As long as there is no running around, jumping around, yelling, screaming, crying, and/or well-supervised, I'd be good with it. I love well-behaved children and enjoy being around them for a short while. THE DEVIL'S ADVOCATE" If I wanted complete absence of children, I'd cruise on Virgin, et al.

This is a dilemma issue for me. While I don't appreciate the company of young ones much anymore. Which means that I welcome this change. I also think that if parents pay for a cruise, they should be able to have their children accompany them to venues that aren't considered adult, R-rated for example. The word Solarium doesn't, at least for me, suggest a special place void of children or even noise. Again, I'm happy to see the change. But, I can see the other side of this.

I totally agree. However, if he's enjoyed the pleasure of cruising on one, at least, of his own ships and visited the Solarium, he'd see the signs making it an adult-only venue with the rule that you must be at least 16 to enter. And, it's kinda big rule, it ain't like how many blue towels guests can take to CocoCay, or anything like that. Oh, and if I were the CEO, I don't think I'd answer the question that way. Maybe, "I'll have to get my team to look into that".

Ya, for sure. I mean, I can't just walk into the venue that is hosting the by-invitation-only Captain's Diner and I pay 10s of K for a Star Cabin. It just ain't fair, I tell ya.