G'ma
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Posts posted by G'ma
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The people that design the cabins on Carnival Ships must be Tennessee fans..so much orange...
It isn't really an "orange" even though it seems to come off that way in photos....It's more a soft peachy kind of color. Here's a picture of a Cat 12 on Fascination with and without a flash...you can see the difference.
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I have a stupid question that I've been trying to figure out on my own....
What is that brown thing that is on almost every bed that I've seen in pictures? It looks like it might be leatherish? :confused:
It's put across the bed so that your suitcase won't soil the bedspread. You can remove it after unpacking, roll it up and stick it in the closet.
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Has anyone stayed in the Verandah Suites with the obstructed balcony view on Carnival's Elation? If so, how close is the balcony to the next cabin and was there any noise from the Sports Deck above? Any other information is welcomed.
Thanks
Here's a pretty good website with some recent photos and info on Elation...from October 2009:
http://www.shari.com/2009/06/carnival-elation-cruise-embarkation-to-sail-away.html
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Here is another great website.... Once you get it up, click on any of the vessels on the list in the left column. Good photos, great info, lots of history, etc.
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I've not seen that in a while either. Sooo funny.
There are several on YouTube...
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tipping for me is NEVER assumed, expected or the same.
i can tip very generously when it is deserved. If you do not speak to me, acknowledge me, offer advice etc, no tip for you. PERIOD. if you wait tables, work in a bar, a porter, a cab driver etc. your attitude determines what i give you.
for good service, a smile, a warm greeting etc, you'll get about 1$ per bag. not welcome, acknowledgement etc. you will get ZERO $'s from me. Why reward bad behavior? why encourage it?
Shuttle drivers who do nothing but drive, offer no assistance with my luggage etc, get the same, nothing from me in return! I work in the travel industry...i travel too much to just give away my $'s to people who have done nothing to deserve them. Astounding! I don't know what part of the "travel industry" you work in...but having retired after 32 years in that business, I can tell you that you should know about tipping, about the protocol, the customs of the practice, etc. You should also be advising your clients about these things..if you are in retail. tipping is one of my biggest pet peeves and some people on these boards drive me crazy. you earn a tip...tipping is not a guarantee. just like your pre paid gratuities onboard. if your service did not warrant that tip amount, change it!
and it doesn't matter if you tip big, tip nothing, the porter has a job to do and is paid to do that job. there is nothing wrong with rewarding kindness, but to think tipping the porter will get your bags to your room sooner is silly. he doesn't personally run YOUR personal bags to your room leaving others behind.
Tipping is just another part of the travel budget. Hotel bellmen, skycaps at the airport, waiters at a restaurant and others are tipped for their service rendered. If they handle your bag, serve your meal, clean your room or perform other services for you, they deserve a tip.....
Unless someone is a complete clod, rude, incompetent or inattentive, tip 'em...
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The thing I couldn't get used to was giving the grandkids baby food right out of the jar without warming it. YUK.
Well, except for the fruit thingies, my daughter warmed the food....and she made all of the baby food.... They are vegetarians and only use organic products... The kid was raised vegetarian.
Then, about 15 or so, he decided to try a few chicken wings...his other grandma is a terrific cook and he ate there frequently. That was the end of his vegetarian experience.... His Mom, while disappointed, believes that he can make his own choices.
He sure eats well though, has good common sense about diet...lots of fresh fruits and veggies....loves to eat the vegetarian foods and such...but, he also loves a nice thick steak, medium rare...and can put away almost a pound of bacon by himself sometimes. HA!
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I thought sterilizing bottles ent out 30 years ago? I used to teach prenatal classes (as an OB nurse) and would tell parents that if you are on city water, you don't need to sterilize, the water in the dishwasher was hot enough. Only if you had well water was it recommended, but only if you took some of your water to your county extension people and it tested as 'iffy'. The water on the ship is sea water desalinated by reverse osmosis, and is purer than the bottled water people insist on drinking. Chill out, you are on vacation. The hot water from your cabin faucet should more than do. EM
Well, I had my kids at the end of the "sterilize" everything era. There were no disposable bottles, and having been the oldest of 8 kids, I watched my mother go through the ritual for years. So, I sterilized.....but, my kids were weaned from the bottle well before their 1st birthday.
Zap forward 25 years or so....my newborn grandson.....Mom didn't sterilize a thing. I must say, it was quite a shock and it was a struggle to zip my lip and mind my own business. I was successful.
That kid is now a happy, healthy almot-19 year old who's never had anything more serious than a headcold and sore throat. He was also off the bottle before his 1st birthday.....
When I think of the hours and hours I spent with all that....hmmmm....
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I happened to pick up a copy of last Saturday's (9/12/09) Atlanta Journal & Constitution and found that Air Canada has file suit against the US Dept of Transportation. It seems that some of Air Canada's sports charters fall afoul of the PVSA. Air Canada is trying to claim that each "season long charter" is one voyage with multiple stops overnight. The problem mostly seems to stem from the fact that they pick up passengers as they go along, and leave them as they wish -- so some passengers are transported between US cities without a "distant" foreign stop.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/09/11/financial/f125130D77.DTL
http://www.canada.com/sports/Canada+fighting+move+sports+charter+flights/1980775/story.html
Rich
This scenario flaunts the laws of "cabotage" not the Maritme law.
Cabotage means that a foreign airline cannot transport U.S. citizens from one U.S. airport to another U.S. airport. It's a totally different animal. Cabotage is worldwide.
An American=owned airline can't take passengers from, say, Rome to Milan for the purpose of transportation.
Lately, Cabotage has been applied to merchant and commercial vessels also.....
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I don't believe that this is true if its a different ship its ok. The law says a ship can't transport not a cruise line....but different cruise lines would surely be allowed.
Bulletin:
A cruise line operates SHIPS.
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Yes, they are for sale everywhere.
If you're lucky, you might find one abandoned on a remote beach somewhere...just make sure it's occupant is gone!!!:eek:
On most islands, you can take shells that have washed up on the beach but nothing from the water.
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As a true American, I believe it's everyones right to make a fool of themselves in public if they wish to.....:eek:
There are a LOT of people on a cruise who shouldn't wear bikini's, 2 piece swim suits, shorts, tight jeans and (worse) tight blouses or shirts. They should never wear an off-the-shoulder dress or a tucked-in dress shirt and tie without a jacket.
I've yet to see any woman look good in a teal blue satin gown with ruffles on the neckline, down the back or front, or on the hem...wearing silver platform high heels with 4" spikes....especially gangly teeners and young 20's who believe they truly look like the latest fashionista on TV.
I've never seen any man look good in baggy-butt shorts that hang to the knees with pockets at every seam and side..... Never appreciated any male over 12 who wears a baseball hat - backward or not - unless he's going fishing - or to the ball park. I won't even touch belly rings and lower back tattoos spreading across a very generous field of fat.
Speedos? Hey, it's your life, your body and your comfort.
If your ego can take it, have at it.
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If you have a problem with people giving opinions that you think aren't asked for, why did you give yours? I'm far from the only one who insinuated the same thing. I also wasn't talking to the op, but to those that had already pushed their opinion about not tipping cruise tour guides and drivers. Not to mention, MY OPINION is that it comes across as cheap. Who said anything about "overtipping" BTW, what in your "opinion" is overtipping? Just asking...
And a smiley face used the way you did could be interpreted to show passive agressiveness.
I do have to ask, have you ever worked for tips? I was a waitress in college and we were paid a lot less than minimum wage and tips were expected to make up the difference. That's how it works, just in case you haven't ever worked for tips.
It's not popular to have a strong and opposing viewpoint here sometimes...particularly if your response is thoughful and straight to the point. Some are easily offended by a well-thought out response from someone who has a fine grasp of the language and some experience to back up their opinons.
Just ask me, I'll tell ya...............:p:p
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We are going to do the cave tubing with ATV excursion in Belize and someone told my DW that it is fun but to watch out for the snakes. Now she is freaking out and worried that snakes will be "waiting for us" and is nervous to go and she told me to ask if anyone ever seen or heard of any snakes while in Belize during the cave tubing excursion. I told her that they will stay away if you don't mess with them. Thanks in advance.
Mark
Consider the thousands of passengers who do this at several locations, then consider there has been not ONE report of even seeing a snake much less being bit.
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It's a medical condition called "mal de embarquement" syndrome and many folks suffer from it. It can be cause by something as simple as a long flight or extended driving over a few days.
It is usually gone within a week.
Google it and you'll see everything you ever wanted to know about it, for sure.....:)
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I am a tour guide in Niagara Falls. After eight years of experimenting I have found routine that produces the highest income for me, but I was wanted to hear from travellers at what point does a guide's mentioning of tips really start to take away from your enjoyment of the trip? By the way, I drive a mini-bus that seats 32, but my average group size is 18. So I am both a driver and a guide. Here's my routine:
1. The bus has two small signs (one in front and one in back) that say "If you enjoyed the trip, please don't forget the tip. (15% is customary) Thank You"
2. At the beginning of the trip while I talk about what we will be seeing and doing, I also say, "And just so everyone knows, the tour bus drivers and guides here in Niagara Falls, as with drivers and guides all around the world, really do depend on the tips that they recieve for the lion's share of their income. So I'll trust you to read the signs on the bus and at the end of the trip you can be the judge at how I did at giving you all a great time today."
3. At the end of the trip as I'm saying a bunch of thank yous I say, " So when we get to each of our drop offs please let me step off of the bus first, I'll help you down off of the bus, I'll give you a good handshake, and I'll thank you for your tip at that time."
Those three items are the only mention of tips during a 5 hour tour. I have found that if I leave any one of them out, my average tip per person drops from $6.61 to $3.82. If I say nothing many people give nothing and most only give a dollar or two.
So would you be bugged on my tour? When would you start to be irritated? I've only had one complaint in 8 years.
I spent about 10 years of my career in the travel industry as a Tour Director/Escort/Cruise Host. For 4 years, I did meet and greet at the airport in SFO and led 1/2 day City Tours, full day tours to Napa, full day tours to the Monterey Peninsula and Marin, served as hospitality desk at most of the major hotels there and other places around the US...and lots more.
Never, ever, did I hype for a tip for myself. It's unprofessional and, if you do a good job, uncalled for. I did mention that the driver might appreciate recognition once in a while.....usually on multi-days vacations with multiple destinations, luggage handling, etc.
If there are signs in your van, that's enough. Most people know it's appropriate to tip the guide and driver. Those who don't...just consider the source....they don't get out much.
Soliciting for tips, however, is simply bad taste.....and annoying.
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We have booked all our shore excursions through RCCL. I know we could have done it much cheaper but being our first cruise, peace of mind is worth it for me.
Do we tip our guides? How much?
Cozumel - Sea Turtle Snorkel
Grand Caymen - Reef and Wreck Snorkel
Jamica - Chukka ATV Safari
Thank you for your help?
A rule of thumb is 10-15% of the price for the tour guide and a dollar or two for the driver.....
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When I feel like a day at the beach, I gather my things, walk off the ship and hop a taxi to the public beach that I've already researched in advance.
Most beaches are free in the Caribbean...there is no reason to have to pay to use one.......
Of course, you might have to sit on the sand, under a tree instead of a beach chair under an umbrella.....but, there's no hassle.
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OFFICIAL CRUISE CRITIC PLATINUM CRUISERS
01 CRUZN BUCKEYE - OHIO
02 Icarrythebags - Ohio
03 CrazyAboutCruising- New York
04 bbiggar-Wisconsin
05 Cotton
06 VoyagerFL - Florida (via Indiana)
07 Tom-n-Cheryl - FLORIDA
08 Nautical but Nice - Missouri
09 Elaine515 - Florida
10 LHP and family - Memphis
11 Ladyspoilt and family - Tennessee
12 Cruiser64-Florida
13 Beach4me - South Carolina
14 YesitDonna - Massachusetts
15 RICHFRET - Florida
16 JBHCW-Jane-North Carolina
17 BARBARA J.W KENTUCKY
18 MrPete - New York
19 Doug910 - Florida
20 GottaLuvCruising - Florida
21 Mich6674 - Florida
22 Luv's Crusin' BJW North Carolina
23 JJudy-Michigan
24 burtonsgigi - Fort Mill, SC
25 Cruisedogs2 - Yorktown, VA
26 OBX_FIN and obx_fintoo - Virginia
27 ahoys-only one ahoy--Kathy from Florida
28 ILuvCarnival - Cleveland, Ohio
29 crusinsusan - PA
30 gator bait - Florida
31 jlcga - Florida
32 dls - California
33 Blueocean and husband - Ohio
34 Ronath - Louisiana
35 Mosel - Florida
35 MILEMRKR63- HARVEY CEDARS, NJ
37 PeterV - London United Kingdom
38 bthorn1108 - Florida (by way of Massachusetts)
39 Mike/Cheryl - Omaha, NE
40 Suzys - New Jersey
41 PSRCPA - Florida
42 Host Graham - Rochester, NY
43 CoCoNut Willie- Texas
44 Grouchpuss - Arizona
45 pam7553 - Illinois
46 molme-Georgia
47 meltla (Tommy) New Orleans, LA
48 bonniemari - Tennessee
49 cruzinsteve - Texas
50 jy148 - New Jersey
51 cld1225-Virginia
52 Carnivalkim-Georgia
53 rburns44-Ohio
54 Karter - Florida
55 Birdiegirl - Minnesota
56 Emtnmare - Minnesota
57 mamawg- Blue Springs, Missouri
58 Diane F and Jerry - California
59 rpsinnj - New Jersey
60 gymbrat33 - Florida
61 bonstersd - California
62 Bea2002- Florida
63 Sandgnat- Geogia
64 Cjm61 - New York
65 Kstrickman - Maryland
66 rwdtgt - Florida
67 Louisiana Joe and Family
68 earlethepearl
69 Litewait ( plus dd 21, & ds 15) San Diego, Ca
70 Quickrate- Florida
71 sk8rpatty - California
72 shortstop95 (jane & luke) delaware
73 SCUBA Mark - Texas
74 dotshub- Larry & Doris - Florida
75 woodi- Oklahoma
76 volman and kipmom - Tennessee
77 Bases5 Florida
78 Lv2camp&cruise- Chris and Kim, Tennessee
79 KenMo & DH - Missouri
80 smarks & DH oldfart - GA.
81 Floatway and Hubby - Friendswood, Texas
82 Luv2cruz44 - Redding, CA
83 Stircrzy - Texas (some of us got left off in an earlier posting)
84 irishgirl - Michigan
85 Candigirl41 - So. CA (2nd try)
86 luv2cruise777l - So Ca.
87 Cruise from NY
88 Joel (Cruzman), LA (Lower Alabama)
89 Amanda, also from Lower Alabama
90 75Vette - Missouri
91 Yogi2929 - San Bernardino County, CA
92 JaguarGirl - Jacksonville, Florida
93 vettebuf - Elaine and Frank and Jon, Sicklerville, NJ
94 airmanship - Arkansas
95 *Luv2Cruise*- New York
96 Flynlo - Oklahoma
97 cruisergirl2002 - Indiana
98. Deaf Dude - New Orlean
99. Dan40&Barb-Florida
100. G'ma-Voorhees NJ
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Porters do not work for the Port. They are paid hourly by a Stevedoring Company..the stevedoring companies are hired by the cruise lines.
They are employees of the Port....and the port is run by the county..... Security of the port is run by the Coast Guard.
They are NOT porters....they are longshoremen with a tight union.
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I always approach the longshoremen with my suitcase, visible cash in my hand and a smile.
I've never, ever had a problem.......
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I just saw that Carnival now has a supper club that I think was not available last time we cruised in 2006.
Can we still order steak or chicken breast in the main dining room every night? We have a very picky eater who isn't likely to want any of the other menu items...
Not all ships have the supper club... If yours does, you need to know it's worth every penny....service, food, presentation to equal almost any landbased gourmet restaurant ashore.......
That being said....yes, there is still steak and chicken on the menu in the MDR....and the food is still just as delicious...
By the way, the Supper Club is the only "for-fee" dining venue on Carnnival...and it is by reservation only.
Unlike some others, dining is still "free" on their ships...except for specialty coffee and pastries from the little concession onboard.
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Always the late seating.
Most of the families with kids are at the first seating and I avoid kids on a ship at all costs.
Besides, it just seems that the dining is a little more relaxed at the second because they don't have to turn the dining room around for other folks.....
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I booked a surprise cruise for DH the other night, this is my 6th and his 5th all with Carnival. We have utilized the military discount for I think all but one because the PG discount was actually better. When I booked they said they have his DD214 on file and we were all set to save $10 total. This savings wasn't a big deal but it was a savings none the less.
I managed to get the cruise/air/hotel all booked within the last few days and thought how nice it was that I just have to sit and wait and do my best to keep this a suprise. Well today I get an email from the interline desk stating I never sent in the documents and they will basically be removing the discount if they don't receive it by midnight tonight. I quickly called because I have never had to resend the info and now I am wondering how I can get a copy of his military ID or license and his DD214 without him knowing what I am doing.
I asked her why they no longer have the info and she said they do have it but because it was sent when he was actively deployed they need current papers, does anyone know if this is accurate info?
I just really don't want to blow the surprise and I know I will if I have to ask him where his paperwork is and if I can get a photo copy of his license and/or ID card.
I did say to the lady "well if I don't get it by tonight I guess I will just pay the $10 difference" and she said well it will be another $130 because you will be paying the past guest rate. I went on the site and booked early saver and it comes up with the $10 difference.
Has anyone else had to resend the military paper just because they are no longer deployed?
The paperwork you send is required to be current. That's the only way they can make sure he's eligible. Root around a little bit, maybe you'll find it. If not, you'll either have to break the surprise of pay the additional.....
Cabin pics and tips....
in Carnival Cruise Lines
Posted
Here's Liberty...standard balcony - again under different light....