reallyitsmema

Do you have a US booking? I think it is at least UK bookings that still require prepaid gratuities for MTD.

Prepaying gratuities used to be a requirement for booking MTD, not a benefit. Anyone can prepay gratuities if they want to, no matter their dining choice.

No, you pick your dining time when you book your cruise. If what you want isn't available, you can go on the waitlist if there is room on the list.

It could have been they were forced to choose MTD and wanted early seating. We booked right before final and only MTD was available. I accepted that but then called back a week later and waitlisted for early seating. We cleared the waitlist quickly but others on the rollcall never did and were stuck in MTD. We also had a few on the rollcall have their choice changed and found out once they boarded as others have experienced. The cruise line really needs to stop messing with MTD and go back to how it was in the past. We had decided we wanted to try the MDR this cruise as we hadn't tried the new menus yet since we had been sailing in larger ships with Coastal Kitchen. Now that we have tried the menus, we will pick and choose from the ones we liked and then do specialty or Windjammer.

We just got off Serenade and had early seating. We initially had booked MTD but changed to main dining after hearing all the issues with MTD. When we booked, early seating was at 5:30, when we boarded, sea pass card said it was at 5:15. When we went to dinner the first night, there was a huge line into the elevator lobby but with some people bypassing the line and going into the dining room. Having already checked out our table, we decided to bypass the line, which was the right choice as we found out the majority of it was MTD people. Dining room was already half full and it wasn't even 5:15. Waiter told us to come closer to 5 as that works better. Starting around 5:30, other diners started to be seated at the empty tables as they filled in the dining room with MTD people from the line. As the week progressed, they MTD crowd came in earlier and earlier. People were getting beepers and were hanging out in the Centrum until a table was ready for them. We never saw the huge line after the first night but when we came out of dinner around 6, there were always people sitting in the Centrum with beepers, waiting for tables in the MDR. We were talking to one couple and their beeper went off. She commented how quick it was and that they hadn't waited long all week. We prefer MTD as we always made a 6pm reservation when we ate in the MDR, Not sure I like the beeper option that Serenade was doing but it was working for people who wanted earlier tables.

Pretty sunrise getting back into Boston this morning. Followed into port by Seven Seas Mariner. Easy getting off ship as we didn’t have to go through customs since we already did in Bar Harbor. Left cabin just after 8, at curb at 8:23 and first laundry in before 9. 🙂

I would highly recommend doing the mail run ferry with Casco Bay Ferries if you’re looking for something different to do in Portland. We had perfect weather and flat calm seas going out and a little choppy coming back. We went to six harbor islands, some on the way out and way back too. We were at most stops for less than five minutes. One was longer due to the number of people getting off. It is $17pp round trip. Tickets only collected on way out and includes a return whenever you are headed back. Most of the islands were just private residences, though one had a hotel and golf course. Dogs welcome and many people were bringing supplies to their homes in various carts and wagons. One person was even bringing a Tiffany style hanging lamp shade that he was carrying. If there are more than ten people, the captain narrates. Heard lots of history of the islands.

We love this area. We are now waiting for the 10AM mail boat that goes to five of the harbor islands. It is a working mail ferry that also takes up to 400 passengers. Figured it is a cheap harbor cruise.

We are on Serenade out of Boston on a NE/Canada cruise. They do a short fall schedule from Boston every year. We are in 9260, which is a center aft facing balcony. We typically book corners but there were none available. Love the big balconies on the aft.

Good morning from Portland. Lots of lighthouses this morning for @Ocean Boy

Beautiful morning in Bar Harbor.

I just checked my cellular usage since I used a Verizon travel pass while I was in Canada the last two days. I have used 9223372036854776 GB of my 4 GB plan. You think I should be worried?😳😂😇

We are on Serenade now and this is our first time experiencing once a day cabin service as we are only sailing in a balcony this week. We chose morning service and have had no problems at all. Steward leaves two sets of towels as requested. He asks us if we are all set when he sees us in the corridor. Trash has gotten full once on a sea day but not a big deal. We have some glasses piled in the corner of the vanity at the end of the night but that is no different than when we had twice a day service. As far as the price increase, what hasn’t gone up in price these days.

No different than you pointing out your pinnacle status on many posts.

I took that picture while still in bed. 😇 There is a table and chairs to sit at too. Not bad for a balcony cabin.

Years ago I took the CAT ferry from Bar Harbor to Yarmouth and spent a week in Nova Scotia with my Mom. We saw a lot but didn’t do the Cabot Trail. The high speed ferry was a great way to get there. My DH and I have taken the Ne/Canada cruise from Boston a bunch of times but always to Halifax. This was the first time we have been to Sydney. We are getting ready to dock in Halifax right now. Another ship just came in ahead of us.

We had a great day! We rented a car and drove part of the Cabot Trail. Cool weather but perfect for us. Will have to come back again when we can go all the way around.

Good morning from Sydney.

You can’t predict when there’s going to be a storm that might affect you. We are on a ship now too and had some rough seas overnight and the outside deck on deck five is closed due to weather. Just really windy with spray making it slippery. Upper deck still open. We have encountered really rough seas sailing from Cape Liberty in September when there was the remnants of a tropical storm coming up the coast. We have sailed many other months and had no issues. We have sailed Oasis in May and June the last two years with no issues other than really packed with kids and large family groups. No one can predict what will happen. Just come prepared with sea sickness medicine if you are prone to problems.

Thanks! We are on Serenade out of Boston. That picture is actually the new sign outside the newly renamed Crown Lounge. Actually meant to post it on another thread. Oops. 😇

Radiance class isn’t our favorite either but sometimes you take what is closest and easiest. Left house at 10:15. Got checked in at port and sat in chairs for a bit. On ship before 11. Jewel is also in port on a port of call. She is right behind us.

LOL This might be your best method but we find it better to never have your sea pass scanned at all. We easily acquire towels without ever having our pass scanned, whether in a suite or a balcony cabin.

No Hibachi on Anthem and Izumi is tiny!