Cruise Raider

Because I do and always have done all the cruise planning, I think I should have gotten the A. haha!!

We've been cruising since the restart and just can't seem to stop from booking more cruises. I think everything has greatly improved. Just my opinion! We loved the limited capacity. Since earlier this year, that was pretty much over. I'm actually happy that the cruiselines are starting (hopefully) to make some profits. I actually happier with the smaller portions in all dining venues. I also love the decrease in sending out paper advertisements for everything under the sun. I'm ok with no gold bag for elite status passengers and even ok with no blue bags. I didn't even mind the once a day service for our cabin. Sometimes, they would just make it up at night anyway, even though we said morning only was fine with us. Our service has been outstanding, the food has been anything from good to excellent. The entertainment has been great .. even when some of the entertainers have been in quarantine. The CD or entertainment director has always filled it in with something else. I'm glad they opened up the third dining room on our most recent cruise. Making reservations for the dining in the app has been a little hit or miss but, we were always satisfied once talking to the Maitre'd, now called something else ???? The app???? It's been both great and not good at all. But, I still love the idea of it. The WiFi is not very good lately. It worked much better when there weren't so many passengers onboard.

I just assumed that when they were assigned, they assigned to the same number to married couples and one got an A and the other got a B.

We were just onboard the Ruby a couple of weeks ago and we got the canapes, they weren't soggy at all, though.

It may be a moot point but we cruised on the Norwegian Wind a couple of times. The first time, down out of Florida and then again out of Hawaii. Well, they took all of the machines out for these itineraries even though they did have a stop over in Fanning Island. The casino had not been converted into another type of public space. It just had power cables coming up out of the carpet. So strange to see that after having sailed on her previously with a very active casino.

You are correct. There is a card in your stateroom (maybe somehow now on the app) and you can pick them up at any bar on the ship once you board.

I think it is just so widespread, around our area anyway, that it doesn't much matter if you are taking every precaution possible. You can still get it and just hope the vaccines do what they are meant to do and keep you from getting hospitalized.

I agree with going to Glacier Bay ... it will be a day you won't soon forget. We have gone in every month of the 'Alaska Season' except for April and October. In April and May, you will run the chance of not being able to get all the way down the Fjord to view the Glacier (not sure if this is true for Glacier Bay). Our friends went in late June and had perfect weather in every port. We had excellent weather at the end of July. We also had a mixture of cool and warm weather but no rain several times in late August and early September but then very cold, rainy and windy weather in late September. I'd shoot for July / August for a better chance of good weather but if you are looking for a bargain, late August and early September if you are looking for bargain rates. And .. there should be no issues with getting up close to the glacier. If at all possible, Alaska is the place you want to get a balcony. Also, you might find a flight to Seattle a lot cheaper than flying into Vancouver. We try to always go out of San Francisco, 3 more days of cruising with that itinerary. They have plenty of events, lectures, activities on the ship related to Alaska while onboard.

I am in complete agreement with you. If we take a 3 night sailing from Vancouver to San Francisco, for example, we opt for the train / sky train because we only have a carry on piece of luggage. For Alaska, we wouldn't dream of dragging all that luggage between the transfers and walking, especially if it's raining. The cabs at Vancouver airport have been very reasonable for us in the past and you will get door to door service and you won't start your cruise off with being drenched or a lot of frustration ... all for saving about $25.

We've joined in on some fantastic in the past .. and even a couple since the restart but I do agree that most fellow passengers are just doing their own thing lately and aren't really interested in a large gathering of strangers. Our largest roll call, which was before the pandemic, was close to 600 fellow passengers. Maybe we will get back to those days?? Who knows?? There sure were some valuable tips and get togethers in the past.

Flat rate taxi is your bets option without using public transportation. It’s really a deal!

So far, here in the SF Bay Area, they are still listed as ‘no cost’. Maybe it’s a San Francisco thing. Everything is free here … 😂! I realize HHS is federal .. so will have to keep my eyes peeled.