Taxguy77

An NCL cruise in the 90's from Miami to Valparaiso, Chile.

My dear wife is from Peru, and we spent the day in Lima with her brothers, visiting many of her relatives and friends,

Question: How many Pisco Sours can a person drink in one day? Answer- Who counted, but we may hold the record. ALL of her friends made the best!, and served more than one. We even had one at one or two private clubs before hosting a dinner (guess the beverage of choice?) at a Criollo restaurant.

I was still able to help her up the gangplank and find our stateroom!

You can never plan for getting sick, but I've never gotten sick in any of those places. Food or water.

 

You can get sick anywhere. I've had food poisoning in Chicago, but never the Congo. In China, I've gotten sick from the Sheraton hotel food, but never from the "sketchy" street food. You just never know, but those places you're visiting are fine.

Our daughter and Son-in-Law lived in China a year. We visited them for Christmas and had a turkey from the USA for dinner. ALL vegetables were soaked in water treated with chemicals for an hour before consumption. It was sheer misery not eating those beautiful strawberries, but all US and other English-speaking people left their shoes at the door (to avoid pathogens).

The city was on the water, but never saw anyone, or footprints in the sand, by the water. DD had an insulated backpack to bring things like the turkey from Hong Kong. Only about $50.00 away!

Amen! Now, how can I train myself to stop eating the cruise food in addition to the delicious stuff ashore?

That's the problem!!!

Too much food can get you really upset!

Montezuma's Revenge - and all the other names it is known by - is more often than not a reaction by a sensitive stomach belonging to someone who does not travel very often or very far.

 

Many times when Mexicans visit the USA, they often have the same stomach problems.

 

There is nothing really wrong with the food and drink (in most cases), but when your gastro-intestinal system encounters different spices, liquids, foods, and bacteria than it normally has to process, the results are not very pretty.

 

Ice cubes and the condensed water on drink containers are often the culprits.

Poorly washed eating utensils at street vendor stalls are another cause.

Poorly stored, heated, or cooled foods in unfamiliar countries are another.

 

If you are prone to suffering when eating/drinking things in foreign places, you might best avoid doing it.

From a cruise ship you can take your own drinks and ice ashore in most countries.

 

If you are eating the 8 or more meals per day that many cruise passengers enjoy, it will probably be safe to go ashore for a few hours without eating anything at all.

All of the above are valid. With respect I would add:

Change of climate;

Change of diet; on the ship you may eat a lot more calories than normal (I know I do) and stay up later.

I spent several years going into Mexico for 2 or 3 weeks at a time and was only sick twice;

One I had a disease, treated by an American DR. who had a clinic in Mexico, and once when I had too much food and drink, (in a social situation).

If you have doubts, avoid eating in any country except your home.

If you want to experience the world, eat lightly (repeat, lightly) at every stop! :D

On cruises, DW and I love to try local beers and food. One time in Italy we ate on the dock at a table with 4 men and through English, Italian and Spanish, ordered in sign language! Food was mediocre, but memories are still clear after many years! We enjoyed the experience!!

We had friends who cruised premium lines as instructors. They only left the ship to have wine and beer; another friend and I decided they're list of countries visited was bogus, as they did NOT know the country, they had never smelled a restaurant or bar, just stepped off the ship and gone back on for a "gourmet dinner".

You can't see other countries by ship, but you CAN see many things you want to see. DW saw the Pope in the Vatican on an excursion, which was the highlight of her cruise. But we have spent days and seen many famous places by land.

Not cruise related BUT. ..

We were at Disneyworld on a MakeAWish trip. My daughter was in a wheelchair. There was so many people that would cut me off as I was pushing her, or come to a complete stop in the middle of the walkway to do nothing other than takk on their phone or start eating. What really took the cake for me was during parades or open air shows people would come stand in front of her blocking her view.

As far as on a cruise I wish they would have elevator etiquette posted by the doors. That way I could point it out to people that needed a reminder.

 

 

krystal

sent from my broken Samsung

Unbelievable!!:eek:

Not you, people like that. I have know criminals who have been in prison with better manners!!

My worst is when fellow passengers are rude when out on excursions, to tour guides and locals. They seem to think they are privileged and everyone else lives in a 3rd world country.

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

The bus driver is often overlooked (Some guides may share tips with him), and we often tip the driver, sometimes also the guide and sometimes only.

One guided "" tour in BA, passengers had to point out certain buildings were open that she stated were closed! :eek: My wife had to translate between our tour guide and the BA guide where we going the next day!!!

In places you can just walk around, that's the best; in others, try to find another couple to go with you.

:eek:

I love their non stops BUT am so tired of them allowing wheelchair people and people with children to board first. They also allow people with medical cards to. Over the holidays when the boarding started, a dad with a small child was up with the gate attendant and she yelled back and said the entire family could board - it included gramma and grampa plus an aunt and uncle and more kids. It really made many people including me mad because they did not purchase the early boarding option. Same with many older people - they have figured out how they can board early and not pay the extra fee. An elderly couple came into the gate area with both pushing wheelchairs that were full of bags. They sat at chairs right by the gate entrance and the wheelchairs were parked next to them. The boarding started and they pushed their way to the front of the line. Number one, I thought the airport had people that pushed them so how did they get an airport wheelchair for their luggage???? They looked very spry - yes, that doesn't show all.

they

And I also am sick and tired of being told to move over while I am in line waiting to board a ship. I had to stop at the ramp to the ship while 12 wheelchairs and their guest went past us. But what really upset me was when they jumped out of the chairs and ran off when they got on the ship. Saw several of them all over the ship - even dancing - no wheelchair

They are already seated - why do we have to stand while they are allowed to go on first. This handicapped stuff is getting out of hand.

 

Oh, and before you flame me, I do have a handicap car permit and my own wheelchair but I don't use them very often because it is better for me to walk and unless I am having an attack, I don't use it.

I agree, and I have a placard and use a cane. I'm willing to wait my turn, if I don't have to stand over 10 minutes (It gets very painful after that!

With all of the precaution over sanitation, I can't stand people who eat while in line at the WJ, especially those who shove something like fries in their mouth, lick their fingers, the grab at serving tongs to get more food.

 

I know this one is mostly just me, but I hate it when people twirl their napkins during the "show" in the MDR. I don't know about you, but I use my napkin to wipe off liquids, crumbs, and food morsels stuck to my face. The idea of then catapulting that around the room does not sound sanitary to me, even if it's all in good fun.

 

Besides those things, the usual ... running in halls, blocking passageways, and treating fixed seating dining like it is MTD and showing up an hour late every night because your server is nice enough to try to accommodate you.

It's been awhile, but I remember they closed the dineingroom doors 10 or 15 minutes after the hour. If you were late, go to the buffet. :)

Nothing personal, but I would rather you have your cigar somewhere else than a ship we are on.

I have never smoked cigars, but my late father did; medium quality regularly and premium for major horse shows. I like the smell of a GOOD cigar, but one after it has been put out should be left outside!

One of the most enjoyable evenings was with a cigar smoker in the cigar lounge (I think on -X-) having a quiet conversation. I no longer smoke, but the cigar lounge was a deluxe feature on a mass priced line. Too bad such things have been replaced with "profit centers"!

Buy your own ship and make all the rules!

The Vancouver sailing. No contest. It's the prettier route to Alaska, and that one has Skagway---a fun little town with lots of history.

 

You do not want to go to the Med in August.

RuthC; you need to emphasize this!

Hot, sticky, and crowded. :(

Love a medium rare steak but no way would i eat a burger that way. Too dangerous.

I don't like burgers as rare as I like steak.

Chefs in different countries cook differently, a rare steak in Mexico is called burned in France.

The port charges are' date=' I believe, the key. HAL never includes them in their pricing structure until you boo; then they are added on.[/quote']

 

All cruiselines, just to make it sound cheap.

I don't want cheap, I want good or excellent at a reasonable price!

Nobody I can afford offers that; just cheap or great!!!

Right - just like we were in Kindergarten again.

30 or 40 years ago, at least, one of the luxury hotels had a notice in the room that towels were for sale at x$ each, and you would be charged if yours was missing!:eek:

On our Noordam cruise a few weeks ago, a number of other passengers told us they were removing their HSC and giving tips directly to the staff.

 

I was surprised by the number of people doing this, as we would have never even considered this as an option.

 

So, on one of my visits to the front desk, I asked if the HSC was removed and one gave the tips directly to the staff, do they have to hand it in to be distributed to others in the tipping pool.

 

I was told that the steward could keep the tip.

 

Like others here have stated, I'm not sure if that is correct or not.

 

I know for a 21 day cruise it does add up ($483) but we leave it in place and budget the amount as part of the cost of our cruise.

Of course!:)

The first cruises we took, we had to take loads of bills from home and dole them out into different envelopes the last night of the cruise. We usually had never seen the Matre'D (sp) so we gave that to the waiters.

It's easier nnow, but I feel it is a way to reduce the pay for some, like the folks in the laundry room.

We leave it in and tip additionally to one or two people who have given us outstanding service.

:(

 

 

I was on this same cruise & I agree that the so-called 'hot tubs' were "cool" I only used them once & didn't complain about the water temperature to anyone! Perhaps the water temperature needs to be 'reset' every morning when the hot tubs are refilled! :D Also, on this cruise, french fries, although listed on the daily lunch menu in the Lido, were not visible behind the counter in a container & in fact, had to be made to order, on request! :confused: I think that it was an issue involving (lack of) space! :( I'll be writing a (positive) review of this cruise in the near future. ;)

They were heating the hot tub!

We had a plaque on our boat growing up that said "Oh God, your sea is so big and my boat is so small". When the sea gets angry even the biggest ship feels very small. .

I had a plaque on mine that read:

Only two rules on this boat;

1. The Captain is always right.

2. If you think the Captain is wrong, refer to rule 1.

Since all cruiseship officers have been to some naval school, they don't need any signs.

Mind you, when my wife and I started crossing the Atlantic all ships had strict divisions between First and Tourist. A few that I had not sailed on still had three classes, such as the first Queen Mary and the United States. Cruises generally were always one-class. No matter what side of the class divider we have been on we have always had a great voyage - on ships, that is, definitely not in the air when aft of the curtain!

I had a friend in college who honeymooned emigrating from the Netherlands, in separate men's and women's steerage quarters. They were both very sharp and I'm sure had a well earned life in the US.

I'm starting to find these more scary than funny.:eek:

Some show you don't need to be smart to take a cruise!

Had a friend that took a 7 day cruise every two weeks and never got off.

He also had breakfast and lunch in his room and only went out in the evening.

When you're old, you can do things like that!

The fan was essential, otherwise we couldn't have slept in the cabin. Because of our past experiences, ordering a fan from the front desk was our first priority after boarding the ship. Unfortunately they did not deliver it until the second day (saying that there was not one available!), by which time, we had had a miserable night and had started to get sick.

"Not available"? They expect you to believe they went to a store on your first stop and bought one???

That'l be the day.

Only cruised once on each line, HAL & X, but X was a lot better!

When my wife and I first arrived to our stateroom aboard the Golden Princess we were greeted with soaking wet entrance carpet and a horrific smell. The toilet had overflowed and soaked half the carpet in the stateroom. Saw no visible excrement but the smell was overwhelming. Talked to our room steward who arranged to have carpet shampooed and a dehumidifier brought in to dry the wetness. Dehumidifier ran 24 hrs./day. We were still able to enjoy our cruise AND we were compensated with a free cruise for one of us on

our next cruise to the Mexican Riviera. All in all we were happy with the results and Princess stepping up. There were no empty staterooms for us to move into.

Our first cruise there was a break in a water pipe somewhere and 6 or 8 rooms flooded. They brought piles of blankets to keep dry while dressing for meeting the Captain and dinner.

When we returned to our cabin, we had a nice new carpet and all the mess had been cleaned up.

Hurricane season runs through November - although pretty rare after mid October (except, of course, for Sandy in 2012).

 

Crazy would be trying to time a hurricane - and let fear of it force you to cruise at a time of year you do not want to.

 

Go for it. Hurricanes are pretty rare - any one area might be impacted for perhaps two or three days in any year.

Try to get help after a hurricane if you are on land. Even clearing the port to get back in business can take many days.

On a TA we ducked one that hit Key West (a stop on our TA) 5 days before our schedule and the port was still closed. Had to go to another port.

Or Rick Mercer's "Talking To Americans"...

We still love our neighbours south of the 49th parallel even if you know very little about us!I can't recall much in the way of silly comments from my last cruise, aside from "How do they get waffles shaped like that?"

A shame, and I'll admit to being one. In defense, I have always lived near Mexico, and in grammar school we studied as much of Mexican history as those in the north probably do Canadian. I love to play trivia, and have a couple of Canadian friends who know more about the USA than I do and I have been to over half the states. If I don't get any older, I may drive to the rest of them! This may show why the US is so low on world education tests; and dropping.

Alaska and Hawaii:

Don't feel all alone, the people in New Mexico have stories to last for days

Sorry. The cruise calendar we have only goes through September 2014. :(

 

Most of the time when we had noon flights, we were to the airport by 9:30. Many times the airlines would move us to an earlier flight at no charge.

We tried to get a change on Southwest, but they wanted a LOT of money, and would not check the bags for our flight. Another hour in line and they checked us in. Couldn't find coffee before security.:( By the time we got through security, had a beer and a sandwich. If we ever land in FL again, I'll rent a car and get a hotel room. I see on these threads it is a nice area to spend a day.