Ret MP

Startmail has aliases that are good for one hour. I use it a lot if I sign up for a special offer and so on. It is an annual subscription though. Example: mhcwecfsfc@use.startmail.com

In December 2017 we were aboard the Allure. During the cruise, we heard (rumor) that the ship was running on 2 propulsion systems, and the center pod wasn't functioning. We were Star Class and had an exclusive visit to the Bridge. And I made it a point to go to the stern and look at the wake beforehand, there was no cavitation coming from the center propulsion pod. During the Bridge visit, I could see the controls for the propulsion system % or RPM, the center one, I don't remember how they were identified or numbered, was at 0% or 0 RPM. So, I asked and at first, I got a very convoluted answer, I asked again, but very pointed this time, is the center pod functioning or not, the answer was no but there were two other very capable propulsion systems, and it had been like that for months without issue and won't be repaired until the next drydock, I don't remember when that was. So, the cruise line doesn't tell you everything that is going on with the ship. I personally don't think that there is a need to do so if it really doesn't affect the safety of the ship, its crew, and passengers. Luckily, our cruise itinerary wasn't affected because the issue was known much earlier and the itinerary was adjusted accordingly before we booked the cruise, we didn't miss anything that we paid for. Mechanical issues happen all the time on a ship (or anything else mechanical). I bet we all drive around for days, weeks, or even months with the "Check Engine" light on. In this case, the cruise line, eventually, out of an abundance of caution, canceled the follow-on cruise(s). I can't tell from this thread if RCCL notified the passengers already on board what was going on in a timely manner, it is/was obviously a safety issue but it appears that no physical harm came to anyone. I'm sure tempers flared though. I feel bad for those who have been affected by this issue and hope they get a somewhat acceptable resolution.

I do believe that you are right, for the most part. I have a slightly different opinion, slight. But, that doesn't matter. My opinion is about their choice of venue to advertise with and the cost associated with it vs. the reduction in services increases in fares and loss of amenities. I think local media would be a lot more economical, and effective and help with the quest for the reduction in debt, which is blamed for the increases in fares and reduction in services. Yes, I understand that there are other reasons, inflation being one of them, but debt is at the top of the list, I believe. Debt is coming down but could it come down faster and more economically? I think so. But, my opinion is from an advertising and corporate layman (except for being a Corp, Human Resources Director for years).

I booked out more than two years and I was able to use the app, log-in on the app, and see the cruise from day one. I couldn't do ANYTHING with that cruise, nothing was available until about 200 days out (except for the Houston Space Center excursion and transfer to the airport, which was useless for us), otherwise, the reservation was just there.

I'd like them to bring back "tribute" bands. We really enjoyed the one, LAvation (U2 Tribute) on Anthum on our Bermuda cruise several years ago. I wasn't a U2 fan and actually still aren't but LAvation was really good, talented band, they made it sound like they were in the studio.

Well, of course not!

Sorry, that didn't help. I tried! Good luck.

My comment(s) have nothing to do with soccer or which celeb RCCL decides to pay, or not to pay. It's about the business of advertising and timing. As has been reported here on this site and many others, RCCL and others are cruising at 100% capacity. Which is suitable for their bottom line and helps pay off the massive debt from the COVID debacle. So, it makes me wonder, WHY? Why go with, what I assume is such an expense, and probably a long-term expense, when things are already moving in the right direction, the right bottom line direction? Why do that at the same time that just about every service is being reduced or cut and just about every amenity is being upcharged and/or prices increased? I am 100% more likely to return to RCCL if I attempt to return to normal <(normal meaning return to within inflation numbers) fare prices and other ancillary items at reasonable prices and traditional full services. Advertising, for me, has very little impact on my buying practices. When I'm in the market for a car, I know there are Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Toyota, ............. dealerships. I don't purchase based on the advertising, I base it upon my trip to the dealership taking a test ride, and finding out what the bottom line is for everything. I don't trust most advertising anyway. If they want to advertise to the local market, which is what advertising with a local entity like soccer is, for the most part, I'd go with the local newspaper or bus stop benches or.......... It's got to be much cheaper and I'd guess that more people read the local newspaper than watch soccer on Apple TV.

I'm no computer/IT professional. But, my stand-by fix is to log off of the app, and shut down the device, not restart, actually shut down, count to 30, and then reboot and start the app again.

Full disclosure, first: I have never cruised on VA and what I've read about is solely from the Internet. So, we all know that it has to be 100% factual. I've read that there are "Invitation Only" cruise line-sponsored parties. It's been reported that they are for the upside-down pineapple crowd. And various other not-so-discreet activities/venues. I'll admit that I'm under no obligation to attend any of the above, and I won't/wouldn't. But, I just can't even see myself or my wife being associated with a business or other activity that promotes such things. I can hear those now who have totally different opinions and want to criticize my post. You/must know this, this is my opinion and decision. It doesn't have to be yours or anybody else's. You do your thing, I'll do mine. Please state your opinion, that's what this board is about, a discussion board, but don't even try to criticize me for mine, I already know I'm an old fart, and so on. It won't do any good, anyway.

When on the square, all else is circumscribed.

Nooooo waaaay! Who knewwwwww! I mean, why not? After all, they are different days of the week, aren't they?

I beg to differ. I spent many years on John Heald's blog and I can't tell you how much complaining there was going on there. It was a crap hole of complainers. This site, to my surprise when I joined about a year + ago is very tame compared to that site, at least as it pertains to complainers. Yes, we have a lot of complaining going on here, no doubt. BUT, it is, for the most part, civilized complaining with, again, mostly factual and verifiable complaints/complaining. In the other blog, much of the complaining was made-up, malicious stuff.

I actually began to see the writing on the wall and spoke out about it in another cruise social media blog when I was loyal to Rustbucket Cruise Lines (which has nothing to do with rust). The "brand ambassador" was proud of the decision of the cruise line to eliminate tablecloths in the MDR and falsely claimed that even the most upper crust of restaurants were doing the same. Then, not because of that one thing, we decided to move over to RCCL, all was well, then the elimination of the included Room Service. I stated, on other social media cruise sites, that this was going to be the beginning of the "slippery slope". I feel vindicated.

There is that, that's for sure. But the best customers are the loyal repeat customers, those that you don't have to spend tons of money to lure them into the ships. That's why they have all the loyalty programs/award points/etc., that actually cost very little.

Meeeee toooooo. I book at least a year out, usually as close to 2 years out as RCCL will let me. Other than the cruise I've got booked for Jan 2024, I don't have anything booked. I just can't see it anymore. It's a crying shame. Somehow I hit the submit button before I was done. Please, nobody get me wrong, as I've said over and over again in here, I'm a very proud capitalist, I don't begrudge any company the ability and desire to make money for themselves and/or their stockholders. But, there is a point where they leave me in the dust. If they can manage to survive doing what they do, more power to them. But, if there are lots of people like me that have to go to plan B and it hurts their bottom line, eventually, they will have some decisions to make.

Yep, the bad old days! It turned around but now trying to move back again, it seems.

We just stayed in a Marriott Court Yard in Gulfport, MS for $89.00 a night. Of course, you have to use all available discounts (veterans for example). But, if you shop, you will find good deals and it doesn't HAVE to be at budget hotels either. Timing and research is everything.

Are they making a "come-back"? I'd really like them if bartenders and servers could just scan them while they are still on your wrist. In my experience, they had to have you take them off and take them to the cash register area to be scanned. I can do that much easier with my Sea Pass Card. They were great for getting into your cabin when your hands were full (of adult beverages LOL). And yes, they do/did work at locations where you had to have special access (suite sun deck, diamond lounge, for example).

I think far too many folks are misinterpreting what is being said here. It isn't actually about a single item that costs $1.50. It's about far too many things that are happening with the cruise industry, services being eliminated/reduced, prices going up way above the inflation rate, and upcharges for items that are/were traditionally included in the cruise fare. Also, there have been some threads here and elsewhere that are complaining about the maintenance/appearance of some of the RCCL, et al, ships. At least for me, my comments are about trying to preserve the traditional cruise experience, what made it special, and what made it affordable for those who live on a shoestring budget. If I want to pay for this, that, or the other thing, I'd stay in a hotel, get a once-a-day room cleaning/refreshing, and pay over $100.00 (at an acceptable budget hotel) a night for a bed w/toilet/shower/sink/crappy coffee maker with limited supplies, and have to call for food delivery or drive to the restaurant of choice that you definitely have to pay for. Don't get me wrong, I don't want RCCL to become the "Walmart" of cruise lines (no, I don't have a problem with Walmart, I shop there. But, I have eyes and see the decline over the years). I honestly don't believe it ever was considered that. But, I think they are pushing far too many folks out of the cruise market by raising the cost of fares and amenities that were once included. It's getting to the point that only the upper middle class will be able to afford even the lowest fare prices with far reduced services and included amenities.

Heidi is my favorite slot machine. Too bad, she doesn't like me much. LOL

Speaking of Debt: https://www.macrotrends.net/stocks/charts/RCL/royal-caribbean-cruises/debt-equity-ratio I bring this up only to show that RCCL is moving in the right direction, now. However, if they are successful in bringing the debt-to-equity ratio down to a more sane level, like 1 or less, I'm betting 99% of the recent reductions in services and upcharges for traditionally included items will not go away. DISCLOSURE: I'm no market Guru. Just a layman. This was just a quick search and my premise is to predict, not debate the merits of the market.

Stalagmite poop!

I took your answer/post as being a humorous one, not necessarily factual. I liked it.

https://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/food-network-essentials/gelato-vs-ice-cream-whats-the-difference https://www.thespruceeats.com/whats-the-difference-between-gelato-and-ice-cream-909197 https://www.allrecipes.com/article/whats-the-difference-between-ice-cream-and-gelato/ and tons more.