Wildcatllamas

So far nothing is showing for Alaska or Vancouver for May of 2026.

1 hour ago, cantgetin said:

 I may try to order it without pepper and see if that is possible.

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If you are able to order it without pepper let us know because I will be all over that.

12 hours ago, Cloud9 Bob said:

It used to mild and addictive. I’m sensitive to pepper. Got to abstain. 🥲

I'm allergic to black pepper so I sure understand what you are saying. The first time I tried it back in December 2021 it wasn't peppery at all. At least it didn't effect me. I didn't know it was supposed to have black pepper. A friend had ordered it and gave me a some. 

Then on my trip this last December I was going to order it and the waitress told me I couldn't have it due to the black pepper. The folks at the table next to me chimed in and said it is horrible with black pepper. When we got to talking they said in the beginning they didn't notice the black pepper but it had gotten worse over time.

12 hours ago, CineGraphic said:

 

I've heard of a certain change to the fleet that will begin with Scarlet, but I'm not sure if it's been officially announced yet, so I'll bite my tongue for now.

I sure hope they do something with the beds in the non-suite cabins. I finally figured out that if you have the beds laid out in the couch format that the one on the solid wall portion loses all of its cushioning from the "bedsprings" because it is resting on a solid platform. So better bedding is about the only option rather then swapping over to a traditional cruise cabin style bed.

8 minutes ago, CineGraphic said:

 

Astoria is a lovely small town. One of our previous Princess coastal sailings docked there, and we walked into town. Everyone was so friendly.

An NCL cruise I was on had to cancel our stop in San Francisco and subbed Astoria. It was a very enjoyable time there.

When we entered the Columbia river channel at 1:30 am it was high tide and let me tell you that ship was pitching and rolling. Furniture on the deck was being slammed around and it was almost impossible to walk in the cabin. That morning we went to the Maritime Museum and found out about the Columbia Breaks and what a ships graveyard it is.

I did some checking and it appears that the May 7, 2026 scheduled stop for Brilliant Lady in Astoria is gone and Grand Princess is now there.

Princess has had some pretty popular cruises up and down the West coast that are advertised as Wine Country cruises. I guess we will find out on May 1st.

Gamblers are a strange breed. Our biggest promo for a couple of years was a pumpkin pie giveaway from Halloween through Thanksgiving. Put 400 points on your account in 24 hours ($1200) and get a "free" fully cooked pumpkin pie. The pie costed the casino $3 and probably ran about $6 at the grocery store but people came in almost daily to get the pumpkin pie.

So @CruisingWalter is right how much is put into welcoming gamblers with open arms and making them feel special. There is no such thing as a "free Lunch" and a sucker is born every minute are so very true.

5 minutes ago, -The-True-North- said:

$50,000 put in to video poker to move up 1 category which gets you a dedicated booking number and a free beer 🤣🤣🤣 Thank you for the chuckle VV.

Amen to that!

@CineGraphic I saw that just after I hit submit. I've been talking with our GM and Marketing Director. They got a big kick out of those percentages. We give way more promo stuff for a whole lot less.

Oh my. Having worked in the casino industry for 25 years I will usually inquire on a cruise what the coin in is to earn a point. I know most land based casinos are at and that is in the vicinity of $3/1 point. One of the cruises I was one it was $6/1 point. I haven't been in the casinos on Virgin so I haven't asked but I would guess it would closer to the $6 then the $3. 

So, I could spend, let's say $15,000, to get free drinks while in the casino or $300 for a bar tab.

11 hours ago, HBCcruiser said:

I'd book that in a heartbeat. Do you think it is legit? 

I also found it there but when I searched other possible ports that she might be going to I came up with nothing. She will pop up somewhere and then disappear. So it is definitely a guessing game.

@jon81uk thanks for the clarification. I did get the blue wristband. After the first day I did remove it. Everyone at the coffee shop knew me. I did move my medallion portion of my wristband to my sea blazer one because I just like purple better. Several of the employees commented on how unique it was.

3 hours ago, raphael360 said:

 I did have to “ask” for my Sea Rover wrist band though. She almost forgot to give one to me  The ban is required board in zone 2 or 3. Also this was my second cruise where Sea Rovers boarded before Splash of Romance sailors. 

That is interesting. I have the Sea Blazer wrist band that was mailed to me following my cruises in 2021. It is purple with a silver colored medallion that is engraved with SB. I wore it when I went on my cruise in December and no one said "oh gee" you go ahead of these folks. What does the Sea Rover band look like?

17 hours ago, admranger said:

I just hang clothes via a magnetic hook to hold the hanger in the bathroom.  Set shower to high.  Close bathroom door. Set timer for 10 minutes. Steam activated.

That's what I have done in the past and then a quick hit with wrinkle release spray and things are good.

3 hours ago, cantgetin said:

 I think they are most comparable to Celebrity (of the lines we've cruised), but Celebrity today is not as good as Celebrity 10 years ago IMHO.   

Example--Crown Grill on Princess is better than The Wake.  But I'm also not paying an extra $50 for that meal.   And we did once have a bad meal at Crown Grill.  I like the VV "almost all included" plan more than the "pay extra for everything" plan or the "here's a collection of things you can buy extra as a group"  because VV includes the things I'd be buying anyhow and not a drink package that I wouldn't get value out of....but again, that's me.  Someone else may think "free at sea" is the best thing going.
to each his own......

My last cruise on Celebrity was the end of January 2020 right before everything went down hill. Everything was great on that cruise for the friends and I that all traveled together. I don't know about now but I definitely feel that Celebrity and Virgin are the closest comparisons.

As to the Crown Grill - I ate there in April of 2023 and also in October of 2022. Two different ships and my steaks both times weren't cooked the way I asked for them. I like them warm rare and each time they came out medium or medium well. On my April cruise I think the chef got pissed and just slapped it on the grill, flipped and then sent it out. I shocked the waiter when I told it was great, because I will eat it that way. On the October one, it took 2 steaks to get it to at least a medium rare. At least at the Wake when I tell them I would like my steak cooked Pittsburgh style and rare they know exactly what I want and it comes out perfect.

2 minutes ago, cantgetin said:

There was a news piece last night that said Juneau is trying to limit cruise ships beginning in 2026 and particularly wants to reduce Saturday cruise traffic.

You can't really blame them. So many cruise ports are starting to look at the mega ships with 3 - 5 thousand people and if you have several of them there what does it do to the way of life for the folks who live there. I was just reading that NCL is modifying their private island's pier so that two of their proposed mega ships with 5000 folks apiece can dock there at the same time. I don't think I would want to spend my time on a small private island with 10,000 people, many of them kids. 

When I was in Fairbanks back in February it was nice to talk with the locals. They like the quiet time when the cruises aren't doing all their tours up to there. Many people don't realize who fragile the environment is up there and don't appreciate the beauty for what it is. Folks who can't understand why they couldn't see Denali because of the clouds and weather and things like that. 

6 hours ago, Lisa353 said:

I have been quite lucky that every time I have sailed the Med in October it has been mostly sunny and between 20C and 27C.  It has been warm enough to wear shorts and t-shirt.  I live in Scotland though so anything about 20C is warm for me.

I live at 8500 feet (2590m) in the mountains of Colorado and I'm like you - 20C is a heat wave.

1 hour ago, CineGraphic said:

 

Personally, I think they'll do Mexican Riviera sailings first.

I think you're right. I would guess that they may do a brief Caribbean stint followed by a full transit through the Panama Canal to finish up with the Mexican Riviera. Rather then Alaska they may even opt to do Hawaii following Mexico. That would be a nice trip. 

7 hours ago, aviators99 said:

Hope it's going to Alaska!

I haven't found her listed in any ports in Alaska or Vancouver just yet. But they don't have many ships listed for 2026 so far.

Brilliant Lady is showing up in Astoria Oregon on May 7, 2026. 

Cruise Ship Log 2026.pdf

I'm 70 and have been on 3 short Caribbean cruises and the range is broad. The last one was last December and I think the majority were late 40s to late 60s range.

2 hours ago, CineGraphic said:

 

I just made my first first-mate booking yesterday for a last-minute sailing to see a crew member before the ship repositions to Europe. This will be the first time I won't be boarding with DBE.

No dining times currently available, and a 4:15 boarding time. It will be a learning experience for sure. lol.

After always sailing in suites with my late husband moving down to just a balcony or mini suite was a shock to the system. So I can definitely relate to what you are saying.

1 hour ago, raphael360 said:

TA question:  Can TAs log into their First Mate portal to see and select from any of the rooms available in specific categories?

Yes they can. It's very easy.

May your day be filled with fantastic adventures and chocolate bunnies.

27 minutes ago, The_Big_M said:

Maybe to pay for the overpriced juices, or coffees/teas?

I don't know about the prices for the fresh squeezed juices but the specialty coffee prices are definitely in line with what I pay at my local coffee shops. Actually they are a bit cheaper and a lot better.