Aquahound

I can't believe I missed this post last time I read trough. Yes!!!! While the USCG is heavily involved in the creation of safety regulations pertaining to U.S. law, which includes all vessels operating in U.S. jurisdiction, their job in most matters, such as muster regulations, is to enforce the regulations as written by SOLAS and other pertinent agencies. A cruise line can pretty much come up with any method it wants and as long as it meets the law, USCG cannot disapprove it. "Approving" and "supporting" are very different things.

Playing games at a restaurant table, prohibiting people from being able to sit down and eat, is pretty rude. If it’s not busy, fine, but I totally understand the frustration if it’s during busy times.

Correct. Plus, NCL went back to regular muster several months ago but then gave in to customer complaints and reinstated e-muster in April. 30 years with the USCG and I’ll admit I’m stumped on the “type 2 emergency” thing. JRGs version of reality is quite bizarre.

Never noticed this in the mdr and I don’t think I would unless they’re being obnoxious about it. My problem is people who do it at the shows and have zero concept or care about how their device screens are impacting all the people behind them.

Two issues are being conflated here (shocking, right?). Generally, disembarking early is not a problem. On the other hand, disembarking early when the port is in the same country as the embarkation port, can and most likely will come with repercussions. Anyone who paints them with the same brush and says the second is simple because so many have done the first, is providing false and totally foolish advice. Opinion does not exempt one from the law. Period.

Thank you. Unfortunately, I have a feeling facts still will not change the flawed opinions of a certain few. Oh well. You can only do so much.

It is incredibly foolish to be nonchalant about it. Canada's Coasting Trade Act (like US PVSA) specifically prohibits transport between two places in Canada on a non-Canadian flagged vessel. I'm certainly not saying it's not possible, but it very well could come with repercussions, which is why cruisers should always do the right thing and research & ask permission. Hey!Jude's example looks legal for the very simple reason the cruise did not embark in another Canadian port. Talltimbers' example does not look legal.

That's good to hear but I am somewhat surprised Canada's cabotage laws allow that.

That's a good description. It's not a bad cruise line at all. I just don't think there's anything unique about the line that sets them apart in any category. For Alaska, I tend to recommend Holland America over Princess. Despite HAL being somewhat lacking in entertainment, their ships are much better suited for Alaska.....and they, too, go to Glacier Bay.

Yes, a couple times. During my USCG days in the Keys, cruise ships diverted frequently to assist us in search and rescue missions, mostly regarding migrants from Cuba. A couple weeks ago, Sapphire Princess had to rescue all occupants of a Uncruise ship in Glacier Bay due to an engine room fire.

It depends on what Princess ship and on what itinerary. Generally, I am not a huge Princess fan, starting with their staterooms. They are small and do not have a sitting area. No couch and no extra chair. Only the vanity chair. On their new ships, the majority of balconies are ridiculously narrow. Also on their new ships, there isn't a single lounge on board with outward views. Kinda bad for Alaskan itineraries. But that said, Princess' Alaskan itineraries tend to be much better than RCI's.

I'm leaning the other way. 8 days is better than 6 days and while I might favor the 6-day itinerary, I certainly do not think it's that much better. I'm not a Nassau/Freeport fan, but Key West is a great little town, and Half Moon Cay has one of the best beaches in The Bahamas. If I could offer a bit of additional advice, with your son's affliction to loud/rowdy environments, are you sure Carnival is the line you should sail? In all likelihood, you'll be ok but when it comes to cruise ship rowdy environments, Carnival is the first line that comes to my mind. Good luck with your choice.

I did expedited service. They received it on May 9. Status still says In Process.

I love how people who don't sail on particular lines claim the quality of literally everything has gone down. All of my post-COVID cruises have been on Royal Caribbean and the quality of the live entertainment has certainly not gone down. If anything, it has gotten better. I don't know where they find these musicians, but their talent scouts are doing a phenomenal job. FWIW, these are on Quantum Class ships. I've debarked every single one feeling totally happy with the cruises.

1970s - NCL Sunward II 1980s - NCL Seaward / Norwegian Sea 1990s - Majesty of the Seas 2000s - Explorer of the Seas 2010s - Celebrity Eclipse 2020s - Ovation of the Seas I'll be cruising Celebrity Edge next year and I have a good feeling about that one taking the reign from Ovation. 🙂

Do it! In my opinion, Alaska is the most beautiful state in the country. I would never want to live there but nevertheless, it is stunning. Kinda like Hawaii....you have to see it in person because pictures and videos cannot capture the true beauty. You mentioned the Flowrider so it sounds like you're looking at RCI's big ships that sail out of Seattle. Certainly not a bad choice of ships, but not a great choice of itineraries. I highly recommend you consider a cruise out of Vancouver that sails the Canadian Inside Passage. Make sure it goes either to Glacier Bay or Hubbard Glacier. The Seattle cruises tend to go to Dawes Glacier, but the ships never get anywhere close to it. Don't worry about being cold. If it's cold, just go with it. It's part of the experience. My only advice (as a former Floridian of 20 years), just don't always overemphasize how cold you are because, well, "I'm from Florida." I always make the joke that you always know when someone is from Florida because it's the first thing they tell you. 😁😉

A couple weeks ago, I worked with a dog that sniffed digital media devices in order to find hidden thumb drives. Before that, a dog that sniffed money. So yeah, they’re pretty amazing.

Great point. For a special occasion, I might consider that price tag for a high-end suite on a line I love like Royal Caribbean or Celebrity. However, I do not see myself dropping that kind of cash on so-called "luxury" lines that do not have the amenities I really enjoy on a cruise.

If the fine isn't enough to deter people, I would hope the arrest would be enough.

Oh, well then, I think it's a no-brainer. Definitely go with Eclipse.

Part of the issue of the small ship and lack of redundant systems was the fire, while extinguished quickly, disabled the ship. The ship was unable to anchor due to depth and ran the risk of drifting aground. She then had to be towed from Glacier Bay to Ketchikan. For these reasons, it required a full transfer of persons to the Sapphire Princess. But on the topic of e-musters, I totally share the concern of the others.

Thanks. So yes, I’ll keep my recommendation. Celebrity Eclipse is a gorgeous ship. She would be my first choice for an overall great cruise. Liberty of the Seas isn’t a bad choice. For entertainment, she is the clear leader. Between the full length Saturday Night Fever and the shows in Studio B (ice rink), I think she has some of the best entertainment at sea. I don’t recommend Gem at all. I’ll never cruise on that style of NCL ships again.

In general, I want to recommend Celebrity without the kids, but what are the specific ship choices?

I like that feature. I find it slightly irritating when people don’t shut the heck up while the Captain is talking.

Correction....Wilderness Discoverer.