RICHARD@SEA

a few years ago, I read that only 6 percent of the earth's population had ever taken a cruise ...mostly Americans & Europeans -with the opening of China & other countries filling the berths would be no problem according to economists & the cruise industry. So even w the current climate - ships will continue to be built.... I don't know if that is good or bad???? As far as conversion of a ship all that is, is some paint & paperwork!

Or as Maggie Smith said to Lord Crawley(her son) in Downtown Abbey when he appeared at dinner in a Tuxedo instead of Evening Dress((tails / white tie)... "I thought you were a waiter".

I just hope the "UGLY AMERICAN TOURIST" personas onboard doesn't give you the wrong impression. of the USA. It could be a bit of a "SCGITTS CREEK" situation sometimes(you of course being the SCHITTS FAMILY)

Thank you for being so helpful...this would be a great help for me & hopefully others. I only have sailed out of the Manhattan Westside piers (since the 1970's) including a 13 day on Meraviglia!!! you are so correct - she is a lovely ship(it was my first sailing on a mega ship as such - I was hesitant at first but was a convert after). Thanks again!

lLadrona - Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. One note - I had an Aunt that had early onset Alzheimer's - she was my Auntie Mame - took me on my first cruise and pretty much anywhere she went (she didn't have children) she was quite glamourous and worldly. when it became apparent, she too would not be able to travel much anymore I booked a cruise to Bermuda w Auntie & my parents. It was challenging but the week was great. She came out of her shell - she loved dining, dancing & wearing her jewelry & beautiful clothes. But the most wonderful gift of the week is the time & memories I have and carry with me 25+ years later.(and will the rest of my life). So I wish you the same - good for you, your MIL, FIL & husband. One funny note - we did hit a storm on the way to Bermuda - it was bad & lasted 24 hours - my Mother was scared stiff, my Dad was a WWII Navy so he was fine. I was worried about Auntie .... On leaving the ship the last day my Aunt suddenly said "We had such beautiful weather" I just looked at Mom & Dad and we laughed. Hold your memories..

OP - Can you expand your explanation for using the ferry to get to Red Hook / Pier in Brooklyn. please. when i look on the map there is no direct ferry to the pier - did you change ferrys or have routes changed??? Thank you.

After rereading this posting something came to mind from a recent Doctor visit for an annual checkup. For the blood test a phlebotomist (mid to late 20's age group) came into the room & proceeded to prep me. He was nice enough & I felt comfortable with his abilities. For some reason he brought up being a transgender (F- M) & how he felt about the current movement of being out & proud and letting people know of his "journey). This went on for about 10 minutes - I just listened to him - and all I thought was " what the hell does this have to do with his job right now". There is a time & place for everything. I find it just as offensive when a straight male or female tries to overdo it as far as sexual orientation as I do w gays. For all the years & cruises I have been on since the 1970's as a gay man never once did I have a nasty incident with a passenger (gay or straight) or office or crew. Travelling on smaller ships in the 70's & 80's afforded passengers more chances of encountering & socializing w crew & officers.... I dated a few officers & enjoyed meals ashore & beach days w crew. I've danced w my partner and made great acquaintances onboard. Instead of a political statement perhaps there should be more focus on the sea, stars & the moments onboard.

You can see this any day of the year in a Florida Mall!!!

I too really enjoy Cunard - since the 1980's..... As far as service _... I usually sail solo so(if you're interested - I sit at the bar - the bartenders have always been nice & if I care to speak w other passengers. Like your favorite in the pub. Also - did you note the service problems you encountered on the passenger survey or jot off an email to CUNARD / Carnivore Corp???? I never did before but now make sure I do. I'm hoping to be onboard QE next month - I shall report back!!! Thank you for your efforts....

But will it be good enough??? I never booked CRYSTAL(old) because I felt the ships were old, cabins very small and there was no covered pool / magradome( for goodness's sake the OCEANIC had one back in the 1970's) that are basic on most ships. Also they reminded me of the Country Clubs & "Communities" in Florida. One point of interest is the new ownership w Manfredi involved. I liked SS product pre RCCL Corp takeover - its akin to Carnivore taking over CUNARD, HAL etc & ruining the quality onboard & for employees. As far as food, entertainment & enrichment - that is also personal taste - know your source... I've been fortunate enough to live in NYC w the best of the best & now buying a home in Italy - where the best of food is made by Grandma!!! I've also travelled extensively & love to try new foods - at local establishments & 5 star restaurants in Paris...etc....if its not the complete package - great service, food, atmosphere / decor I usually do not return. Also the patrons onboard set an atmosphere - some good some not so much As far as dress code is concerned its easy today for both men & women...basic black covers all the bases. From what I see in the US - people are very careless about how they look - except when it comes to their baseball caps & dyed hair!! The new decor looks attractive tho the ship still looks like a floating mall from the 1980'sin the atrium etc....& taking out the casino????? I'm now retired & look to more days at sea What I would like to see is Manfredi putting magic touches on the new ships......

Thanks CGT..... I remember being on Franconia !! in 1969...& yes it was Bermuda cruise. I always remember a waiter(a Cunard Longterm employee & Brit) say to my Mother at dinner one nite during a very bad storm... "don't worry Maam Franconia is a great ship - we may turn over but we'll never sink"

Thanks CGT..... Was Caronia a sister ship Franconia of the same period?

Roscoe Dahling.... I can't believe that Biatch Imelda Bear had the gumption to use your shoes(faboo as the are) for a Photo op!!!!

A simple fix is simply visiting the Matre'd once you boarded and request a change....sure beats a cardiac episode.... as far as constant complaing....read Einstein's definition of "INSANITY".

OP - you probably know about the ankle strap that can be bought on Amazon.... I bring my goggles, speedo suit & the strap on every vacation. Its light weight & can be used in any weather / seas. I've used it many times at sea - just figure out when is a good time to use it in the pools onboard. I usually swim first thing in the morning & before cocktail hour. Its still a marvel to me to know I am swimming across the ocean onboard a ship.... Dancing across the ocean is also magical. Good luck w the laps...

The cell phone is akin to the creation the Atom Bomb....

Since you seem to have ongoing complaints about MSC perhaps you should try CRYSTAL or SEABOURN for your future cruises.

I book a midship balcony cabin on any ship I am travelling in. On QM2 I booked a sheltered balcony cabin on 5 deck for a 13 day Carib cruise out of NYC in February(when QM2 first came out). My TA actually suggested it as it provided a balcony & fresh air for the 6 days we were at sea in FEB going to the carib & once we were in the carib it provided a shaded area for us( I sunburn easily). we loved the cabin & balcony so much its my preferred cabin w QM2. I spend plenty of time out on deck - swimming in the morning, evening out, lunches. I had coffee & Danish served in the cabin for breakfast. It was great for an afternoon nap or anytime fresh air in private. On a TA the sheltered balcony is priceless.... no matter the weather you can go outside, have a cocktail, nap or whatever....the upper deck balcony's can't!!!!

The phone use is out of control all over - its rude, obnoxious & certainly detracts from actually having a human experience - anywhere. Recently I was in a FOUR SEASONS HOTEL having dinner w a friend when the food was delivered the waitress said to me "aren't you going to take a picture - everyone does" when I replied no she continued to press....ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS. The selfies & food pics are not necessary - most are not pretty to look at (Thats being kind) I don't think the designers of some of the worlds greatest monuments & art designed w the idea "i wonder how the tourist will look in front of this art. building etc. One representative pic of someone & family/friends is quite enough thank you! Talking on the phones in your circumstance should of been immediately addressed by a Cunard employee - whatever happened to class.

I read the WC Blog of WCB om HAL each year. They are a couple from California that have many many many days on HAL & several WC's under their sea legs. I was most interested this year because I am planning my first WC. For the most part WCB appear to bea glass is half full, fairly independent & social. They also report on facts as opposed to emotions / drama. One point they put out was the use of the new ship this year as opposed to the AMSTERDAM which had done the WC for the last several years. The food & service were also of concern for them. In reference to the presentation by the President of HAL - it appeared more as an ad campaign rather than a problem solving & results orientated. As far as the poster stating that there were a lot of passengers that took the cruise almost for free (after combining a FCC & refund on cancelled WC covid cruise) - those passengers did pay for a cruis ethat was cancelled & from what has been reported many times HAL dropped the ball as far as taking care of passengers, crew & their luggage. WCB usually does a post cruise review - they haven't posted it as of yet, but it should be interesting - they do have future cruises. booked but they said they are taking a wait & see attitude as far as future WC(they wrote letters to the President of HAL). i decided NOT to book the WC w HAL after the loss of quality.

Most tourists on ships go to a port for a one & done.... they want to Rome, Istanbul, Dublin, Buenos Aires in a day or two & say they've been there / seen it. Its a known fact in the tourism industry that these tourists do not spend a great deal of $$$ while ashore - the people staying hotels spend the most $$$(not talking about Airbnb's). In London it's the business traveler that spends up to $1,000 a day on hotels & meals etc. as far as the smaller ports - these ports were not built for these mega ships - the behavior of the people say in Amsterdam hasn't changed in decades (it was even more liberal years ago). what is a shame is the loss of individuality of many unique places - in the smaller ports such as the USVI I remember staying a few days at a small hotel on the beach w a family-owned restaurant w fresh caught fish - we lived in our bathing suits & shorts... Now there is FRENCHMANS REEF as the same in all islands along w Mc Donalds, the cheap jewelry stores etc. someone mentioned that all that will be left is the carib - now when I take my winter holiday on a ship(in February) I mostly stay on the ship....I can't even tell if its St Thomas, Cozumel, Jamaica or St Maarten. I applaud these ports that are putting on restrictions for the large ships - Venice is already sinking (so is NYC for that matter) along w the cultural dilution the ecological impact across the board needs to be addressed. i still travel but I'm interested in the quality of the experience all around.

I know Montecito extremely well...and I stand by my statement...Montecito is where the Billionaires live(some legit , others less so) Santa Barbara is where the help live....big difference.

Money talks & there is a lot of $$$$ in Montecito...... they don't like the common cruise passengers lurking over the hedges.....

And don't forget to tip the porters!!!

As far as the decor is concerned, its ironic the same decor is now back in style(mid century modern). Most ships are time capsules of THEIR TIME..... I wish I could of sailed in one of these ships...ala "AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER".