LadyBerard

14 minutes ago, david_sobe said:

For authorities and a dog to go to a certain cabin tells us there was an informant or someone snitched the person out and they went to investigate.  There is simply not enough time in the day to keep doing drug sweeps in every cabin after every port.

Here in Miami people are profiled all the time.  They take a cruise, get off in port, wear different sandals back to the ship filled with cocaine.  They are profiled and watched or again there is an informant working with authorities.  Its put under wigs, in wheel chairs, sandals, etc. 

In Bermuda, they walk the drug sniffing dog up and down the corridors when you arrive in Bermuda.  I've seen it numerous times.  Now for another story, we were on a Holland America ship last year (the Statendam), not going to Bermuda, but sailing the Caribbean.  The very first night, we were sitting in the aft pool area (the smoking area).  One guy came and joined our group and lit up a joint."  We were at a table very close to the bar area.  I told him it was not allowed on cruise ships.  He said it was legal in his state and he didn't care.  I told him that did not matter, and if he was going to smoke weed, he should be a whole lot more discreet about it other wise, when we get to port, he may be arrested. Now, he also smoked cigarettes, as did we.  This is the area the majority of people go who smoke cigarettes.  Well, we never saw hide nor hair of him after that night.  We think he may have gotten arrested and put in the brig and then put off the ship at the first port of call.

4 hours ago, yakcruiser said:

I bet the previous passenger had stored their weed in the safe.

Exactly.  The dog did not hit on my purse, (or on our person), but continuously hit upon the safe.  We tell anyone we are traveling with that we know who smoke weed this story and tell them, do NOT try to bring any drugs with you to Bermuda.  Well, one of my husband's cousins did NOT listen to our warning and brought some a couple years ago.  He said, "It'll be fine, I have it in shoe, wrapped up with baby powder", yadda yadda yadda.  Well, he did get caught, got thrown off the ship, had to spend a couple days in Bermuda (on his dime!) and was charged a very hefty fine (which he could not pay).  Thank God his father was with him and paid it (but took it out of his inheritance).  It was thousands!!!!  He learned his lesson!

Just now, yakcruiser said:

I bet the previous passenger had stored their weed in the safe.

Exactly.  The dog did not hit on my purse, (or on our person), but continuously hit upon the safe.  We tell anyone we are traveling with that we know who smoke weed this story and tell them, do NOT try to bring any drugs with you to Bermuda.  Well, one of my husband's cousins did NOT listen to our warning and brought some a couple years ago.  He said, "It'll be fine, I have it in shoe, wrapped up with baby powder", yadda yadda yadda.  Well, he did get caught, got thrown off the ship, had to spend a couple days in Bermuda (on his dime!) and was charged a very hefty fine (which he could not pay).  Thank God his father was with him and paid it (but took it out of his inheritance).  It was thousands!!!!  He learned his lesson!

1 hour ago, graphicguy said:

I have no dog in the hunt regarding the whole cannabis thing. Personally, I don't care what you smoke, nor the reasons you smoke it, as long as you don't smoke it around me.

 

You're medical condition that prompts you to have it with you, is not the point.

 

I don't know how much clearer the non-U.S. ports, the cruise lines, the Caribbean Countries, etc have to make it.  They don't allow cannabis usage...regardless of its legality anywhere else .  

 

While I wish the Federal Gov't would get off their posteriors and legalize it like some States have, it's still a (unenforced) law that you can't possess and/or use it.

 

It's not like you can't smell it.  I'm more of the mind this guy was smoking it on his balcony, someone smelled it and reported it.  I can't seen a Bermudian drug sniffing dog pinpointing a single cabin (out of thousands) it was able to identify.

 

What is even more of a head scratcher to people smoking cannabis on board or in a port, edibles are readily obtainable.  If you insist, why bring the most easily recognizable scent of burning weed when you can have the edible variety that doesn't cause a smell?

 

 

Dogs can and do smell drugs through the doors when they are walked up and down the corridors.  Many years ago, my husband and I were on the NCL Majesty docked in St. George's and were on the promenade deck while we were waiting for my inlaws to get ready for dinner.  Anyway, my sister-in-law came running out and said that there were numerous people (ship's security, etc.) outside our door and there was a dog with them.  We went to our room and were asked if this was our room and could they come in.  We said certainly.  The dog started hitting on our safe.  They asked if I would open it.  I obliged.  All that was in there was my purse.  They asked what was in my purse.  I emptied it out in front of them.  The dog kept hitting on our safe.  (Meanwhile, my husband and I thought this was so cool......watching the dog in action.  We knew we don't do any drugs and were innocent.)  The dog's handler gave the dog a correction and everyone apologized profusely stating that in the previous sailing, there were drugs in there.

1 minute ago, njhorseman said:

It's much closer to St. George's. 

That's what I thought, but wasn't sure.

We will be traveling with another couple the end of May to Bermuda.  Although we've been to the Swizzle Inn many times, we were docked in St. George's.  We've never been while docked on the western side of the island (Navel Dockyard).  My question is, should we ferry to Hamilton or St. George's for a less expensive taxi ride after docking?  I know we can take the bus, but prefer to just taxi after the ferry.

We've done the Rising Son catamaran snorkeling cruise and the Rising Son sunset cruise.  We enjoyed them both, and the crew was outstanding.

Today, I was checking pricing for our shore excursions for our Jan. 20th cruise on Eclipse, and they were 20 percent off.  Check your pricing people.

On 4/5/2024 at 8:20 PM, JerseyGirlatHeart said:

We took this when cruising restarted after COVID and were required to do “bubble tours”.  It was ok, not great, but I would do it again if I couldn’t get on a Silver Moon or Calabaza sailing.  Have you tried contacting these companies?  Sometimes they will adjust their times to align with Cruise Ship arrival and departure.  

No, I did not try to contact the independent tour operators I was considering.  That's a great idea though.  Thank you!

Cruised on the Pearl last Aug. and we had a room, starboard side, right near the mid ship elevators.  We did not experience any noise issues whatsoever.

1 hour ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

Ok...who *did* you book with? (Not asking for the name of the firm...just what type of entity.)

Local family owned travel agency which has been in business 50+ years.

1 hour ago, WillCruiseForMoney said:

@LadyBerard TA's sometimes have additional offres that are shown as "VIP".  These can give you additional benefits on board.  Perhaps this is the case for you.  Could be anyting from wine to strawberries to an extra specialty dining.

 

Are there any codes on your confirmation?  Might show as something like VIPMIA1. 

I did not book direct with NCL.

I booked an inside room on a Gem cruise a couple weeks ago for a sailing the end of May.  I noticed that the confirmation has listed VIP listed on it.  We are currently Platinum, but after this cruise, we should be Sapphire.  Although we may visit the casino for a bit, we are not heavy gamblers.  May spend about $500 total in the casino during a week cruise.

I don't ever recall seeing VIP listed on any of our previous confirmations.  Does anyone know what this status means?

Will be heading back to Barbados with Celebrity Eclipse in Jan.  I'm looking for some reviews for the above excursion.  Unfortunately, booking any of the recommended snorkel with sea turtle excursions privately will not work, as we are not expected to even arrive until 9:30 a.m.  If you've taken this excursion through Celebrity, will you let me know if there was enough seating for everyone, how the lunch was, etc.  Thank  you.

11 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

no reason a TA should take a couple of days to send the invoices, it's all instantaneous.

Confirmations being sent from Royal Caribbean was backed up for hours earlier this week.

7 hours ago, DJLDRUMS said:

We'll be on the Silhouette in early April. We're looking for those cruisers who ate specifically at the Tuscan Grille restaurant. I've read some positive reviews without them going into detail. Can anyone else elaborate on the food quality and types they serve that you'd recommend along with the price per person and if you've found it worthwhile. I'm reading that the MDR food is now blah-blah so a night or two at the Tuscan grille might be something to give a try to. Thanks in advance to those who reply.

Ate at the Tuscan Grille twice last month on the Silhouette, once for dinner, and since it was so good, once for lunch.  Had the filet both times and it was delicious.  Lovely aft view on the ship.  That being said, last year, ate at the Tuscan Grille on the Summit and the location and the food were just ok.

Oh good.  I must have looked too early.  My cousin is on board, and I know how much she loves Bermuda.

Does not look like the Getaway docked in Bermuda today.  Does anybody know why it didn't?

Here is one picture of 6403   

I posted a couple pictures of 6403 recently on this board.  Do a search.

Find an agency with group rates.

We've cruised out of Boston on Celebrity Silhouette this Oct. for a repo cruisde, and on Royal Caribbean Serenade of the Seas for a Canada/NE cruise this Oct., and both times we arrived between 11 - 11:30 and pretty much just walked on the ship.  We did not have priority boarding either.

1 hour ago, Haljo1935 said:

While searching last night, I saw up to April 2026 available. 

I'm only seeing through April 2025.  Where did you see through April 2026?

21 minutes ago, LJSNY said:

Hi, thanks for posting. It looks very roomy. Is that an arm chair in the back or a sofa for 2? I was hoping for a place for both of us to sit. What did your cousin say about the room?

we like the location.

thanks so much

Yes, it is a chair, not a loveseat.  He absolutely loved the room and its convenient location.  

As you can tell, I'm technically challenged.

7 minutes ago, LadyBerard said: