SonnekeH

My close friend and honourary sister Margaret and her granddaughters Jillian and Brianna are on Royal Caribbean Brilliance of the Seas on an Eastern Med cruise which left Barcelona August 17, the day of the terrorist attack. Jill posted a picture on FB of the three of them taken August 17 at 11 AM, overlooking Barcelona. They look happy, relaxed, and seemingly unaware of the terrorist attack. They left on their Cruise safe and unharmed. So very lucky! Thoughts and prayers with the victims who were not so fortunate....

I'm another - we bring our own soap. My husband makes it and it is truly all natural. I do not like perfumed soaps. I keep soap packed for any and all trips I make if it is even for one night.

Very sensible....bring your own.

Whenever I travel, where ever I go, I always bring my own products. Not because of any allergies I have, but because I just prefer it that way. Always have, always will. No biggie. There are times I have used the provided products. Never had a problem. If I did, I would stop using it.

With everything going on in this crazy world, is this all there is to complain about? Be happy you are able to go on a Cruise........

How would you feel as a five star mariner if someone else had brought a 3 or 4 star mariner who wasn't even in the same cabin to a five star mariner event? Wouldn't that kind of cheapen the experience for all the five star mariners?

OHHHHHH horror of horrors! A 3 or 4 star Mariner showing up at a 5 star Mariners event.....what is this world coming to!

Either of us certainly could have but found it distasteful to 'ask for an invitagttion. Rather than be so tacky, I chose to a not attentd any of the events.

I am sure you were missed.

as I have mentioned here a few hundred times or so........ Irecently sailed with a girlf riend to Bermuda on Veendam. We each had our own Neptune Suite and that is only pertinent, in that we were not sharing a cabin. We had both of our TA's (Pcc) link our bookings. I am five star and while my g friend has sailed HAL a number off times, she has a diferentf star numberr. I was invited to MAriners Brunch and the Medallion award program prior to brunch. My firiend was not and that not only surprised me but was disappointing. I had hoped we would go together and while I doubt anyone would have turned her away, I would not put us in the position of possible embarrassment. IMO, The ffront office made a bad mistake and I suffered for it. I . would have enjoyed going together but would not show up somewhere that both were not expected. To them, its. a big so what !!! to me it was disappointing, sloppy, careless and unnecesary,. SAMEhholds for a cockgtail party that was held in Crows Nest. Our reservations were linkied, we vvoth were solo in our Neptune Suitews and HAL could spare an exra glass of wine so my f riend and I could go together? Most know here I am not shy, however, I would not say something to them about what I c onsiderered an inappropriate over sight I missesd out on getting the photo at Mariners Award Ceremeony with Captain and HOTel Director. That is always my favorite momento o from all cruises .. I've sailed enough nights, enough ships, enough years on those ships, they could extend a courtesy to me and to my friend who is also a repeater Mariner. If I was invtied to a party, she also should have been. I KNOW what I could have done to correct the mattter but that is humiliating, rude and crass andII should not have had to remedy their sloppiness. IMO They don't give a thought to the acutual persons they dismiss as incidental............ GRM does not seem to pay much attention to social detail. However, though on the ship for a week, I never met, saw, GRM or cruise director. THAT is also a f first for me. nOT impressive

 

Comments?

LOUD....and not my kind of music

for me just nice capris, or I have simple black palazzo pants ( I call them my "buffet" pants since they have a comfy elastic waist band:D) and a nice top, dress it up with some colourful or sparkly jewelry. For my companion dress pants or nice khakis and a nice shirt, with or without a tie, sometimes he brings a jacket, most times not.

I don't own fancy clothes, have no need for them. Neither does he. Some day I may, hopefully, need a nice dress for a grand childs wedding, then I would bing that.

I love seeing people dressed up in gowns and tuxes. Yes, for heavens sake, bring them and wear them, if that is your thing, but it is not for me. I have never been turned away from any dining area, neither has my companion.

Just look decent, wear what you are comfortable in. Don't worry about what others may think. Enjoy your vacation!

The only thing that bugs me is seeting men wear ball caps to dinner, anywhere.

Thanks Bill and Mary Ann for letting me join you on your wanderful cruise. I had a Stroke and haven't been able to cruise for a while Your writings and blogs made me feel as if I was right there with you! I recovered quire well, and God willig I'll be able to cruise again real soon! I will need to take my walker, but I understand I will not be the only passener with a walker!:D

Oliebollen are traditionally served on New Years Eve.......:confused:

No, it is not necessary. We just called for coffee every morning when we woke up (times varied) and it was always delivered within 15 minutes.

Why would I want to fill out a card for coffee the night before when I don't know what time I will awaken in the morning??

I totally agree with you SusieKay, I also never know when I am going to be ready for breakfast, except when I have arranged for a shore excursion of course! Being awakened by room service, and having to eat immediately before things get cold, is not my idea of a relaxing start to my day. But.........I ALWAYS order room service the night before disembarkation day, because I know I will be up, and just about everyone else will be wanting room service, and they are going to be swamped! Just makes sense to me.

Wow... this was a horrible start to your trip. I had two college students with me that I would have loaned you to do some pushing!

NOW you tell me......haha. But it would not have made any difference, my brother and sister in law would have been quite capable of doing that, had there been a wheel chair available! But we were penned in an area away from everything. And even if he had been able to snag a wheel chair he would not have been allowed to walk on board!

We sailed the Eurodam on March 11. Our boarding group was #17; they started with Suites at 11:30am.

We were in our rooms by 12:30pm and seated in the dining room for lunch 15 minutes later.

Lucky you. My brother, sister in law and I were also on the Eurodam March 11 cruise. I had arranged for wheel chair assistance as I am mobility challenged. We arrived at the Cruise Port at 11 AM, wheel chair assistance was there for me immediately, we were taken into the terminal, received a #3 for boarding. The wheelchair assistant took us to a "pen" and told me that was as far as he could take me. A HAL wheel chair assistant would come and take me the rest of the way. There were at least a dozen other pax there that needed assistance, along with their traveling companions. After about 10 minutes a wheel chair arrived, and a pax taken away. 20 minutes later another pax was taken away. Then after about 15 minutes the HAL assistant who had taken the first pax on board returned. There seemed to be only 2 HAL wheel chair assistants working. We were seated on chairs in a roped off area, a "pen", away from any and all facilities. After waiting 1 1/2 hours I needed to use the facilities urgently. Not being able to walk any distance, my brother went outside the "pen" and found a cruise port worker, with a wheelchair, and requested transportation to the facilities for me. The worker said that this area was not his designated area of work. Brother lost his cool and said that if assistance was not immediately provided a big mess would have to be cleaned up , by him or someone who "was responsible for the area". Needless to say, I was transported to a rest room ASAP. When I was returned to the "pen" the HAL wheel chair assistance arrived to take the next pax onboard. He did not call out our number, but my brother insisted we be taken onboard right then and there, and we were. It was a little over 2 hours when we arrived on board. It was a horrendous start to what turned out to be a wonderful cruise.

Yes, I did advise HAL of this terrible experience, but, after 7 days, have not as yet received a reply.

"smaller less expensive suite" sounds like Sig to me. I hope OP will come back and give us more info.

Just back from a 7 day Caribbean Cruise on the Eurodam We were 3, me and my brother in sister in law. Had an SY suite. Absolutely loved it. Will try and send pics herewith

Will be in this port for 7 hours. Don't see anything that appeals to me with the ship's excursion selection.

Anyone have suggestions within walking distance of the dock?:D

Nothing there. But take a cab to the largest Mall in the Carbbean, $8 each way for 2. Well worth it. The crew goes there, and thy should know!

We also just returned from the March 11 Eurodam cruise. The Inspirations group never impacted our activities and enjoyment at all. We dined in the MDR at our preferred table and time. Never even noticed the group. Wouldn't have known they were on board if not for this thread, and meeting a very friendly lady sitting at the next table by the pool. A lot of "angst" about nothing!

:loudcry:

Very sad news. I'm sure that Jimmy would rather retire from cruising vs. contracting with Billboard Entertainment and appearing in the dueling pianos. Jimmy doesn't need a 2nd person to put on a good show. Once the NA converts the good old piano bar to Billboard Onboard, that will be the end of Jimmy's appearances and all of the other great piano bar talented musicians we have enjoyed over the years.

very sad news..........just came back from a 7 day cruise on the Eurodam.......no more piano bar.....dueling pianos by Billboard Onboard.....UGH......terribly disappointing

I also received one today - but it is ok, I am going on a Cruise in 2 weeks time!

WOW:D:cool:<3

What is a Wang Wang??:confused:

I had the Explore 4 promo last year on the Zuiderdam, 11 day Panama Canal Cruise. It was great! Had all the drinks I wanted, never even came close to the limit. And remember, the 15% gratuity is included in the price of the drink! I am not a heavy drinker, but I had a glass of wine every evening in the MDR, a Cappucino after dinner, a specialty coffee in the evening, a Margarita lounging by the pool in the afternoon, or a gin and tonic. Picked up a large bottle of water at one of the bars every day, to drink in the cabin or to take along to HMC or on a shore excursion. I suppose if you order a more expensive wine, or a pricy brand of liquor, you might go over the limit, but I'm not picky. The alcohol I consumed on that cruise was quite enough for me! I didn't buy any sodas, don't drink them. The mini bar is not included, I had the cabin steward empty it out and used the fridge to keep my water cold, and oh yeah.....my white wine that I brought on board (forgot to mention that! balcony drinks!) Like somone wrote, no need to drive anywhere and you are on vacation! Enjoy your cruise, and the Explore 4 Promo!:D

a Margarita.....or 2 or 3..........specialty coffees, like Irish coffee......I had the Explore 4 promo last year and all the drinks I ordered were covered, it was fantastic! I guess if you order a particular brand that is more expensive, but I'm not picky. Enjoy!

you tell 'em Ruth! These people should spend a day in OUR shoes!!!!

I put the tray on the seat of my walker of course!

really?

I have mobility issues and use a cane and a walker....a tray is very helpful to me because I can't handle things otherwise.