ldubs

We do a lot of cruises with family & friend groups. We are pretty tight knit and even though we know each other well, there is never a dull moment at our table(s). I feel very fortunate for that dynamic.

Mrs Ldubs used to get a Swarovski figurine every trip we took (land or sea). We have since stopped that because we ran out of room in the curio. Now days we don't really collect any souvenirs. Just pics. Occasionally I'll buy something to wear. Last item from a cruise was a light jacket that has a Halifax Nova Scotia patch on it.

And yet we are all sharing our thoughts on this electronic media. The fact we can share with others is an enhancement I think.

I'm over 65. On our cruise earlier this month we received the paper copies. We didn't need them or ask for them. Never occurred to me that they were provided because of my age. If true, I don't care and take no offense. It is not of concern other than I had to move them from the desk to the trash can.

Not because of a different choice at all. And certainly not because you lack knowledge. You should choose to do whatever makes you happy. I was pointing out what I saw as a conflict with your statement about others lacking critical thinking skills, especially when it comes to dealing with change. If you propose an "if it ain't broke" philosophy for not adopting new tech that others enjoy, it is reasonable to expect that those who disagree are going to respond.

I'm going back to the original question. Right now folks are able to opt out of using apps on board. I think that will change in the near future and the only option will be to use the new technology. I just don't see this as creating a class system. It is just a new way of doing things. Some people like it, some don't. What class am I in? I enjoyed cruise vacations using the old system and will continue to enjoy them using the new system.

You mean like digging their heels in and refusing to accept changes to how things are done. 😀

Guests are allowed to bring on board 12 packs of soda, water, and sausage gravy. 😀

Wait, what? You don't like mass market cruise lines!

Assuming the deceased is a spouse or other relative, they probably can't force you to take the remains, but they can sure force you to pay the costs associated with disposing of the remains. I wonder though about a traveling companion of no relation. Who would they think is responsible for the remains, IDK?

Interesting because I would categorize my experience with the Princess Medallion app pretty much opposite of what you say. Though, I am curious about how Princess is using our private data for profit?

Yep, I think so too. If they want to eliminate the TA, then best contact HAL.

I may have misunderstood your question. You say your TA is basically gone. If you are concerned about those things you mention, then an option may be to take back the booking.

Seems like a great idea and something for Cruise Critic to consider, if they don't already have it.

If you don't need the TA then don't worry about it (as long as you can confirm you have an actual booking). If you have concerns, then tell HAL your TA is AWOL and you need to transfer the booking to them.

I wouldn't shape my life based on a bad experience with a restaurant order. I've had bad service with orders taken with pen & paper. Proves absolutely nothing.

On the Medallion app you can see all activities for the entire cruise. You can bookmark items of interest. No more need for the hi-lighter. I do think the formatting of the activities on the app could be improved.

Kind of sad to think this might be true of a lot of passengers, and I'm not going to bet against it happening. This could make be change my mind about the advisability of putting out the menus early. Question everyone should ask is are they one of these passengers.

On our cruise earlier this month, the patter was delivered daily to our cabin. We didn't ask for it but it came anyway. Side question: Out of curiosity, does anyone know if these are printed on board?

Guest lecturers on the mass market lines seem to have disappeared. Last one we had was on a Panama Canal crossing and that was several years ago. I also recall attending photography workshops. I enjoyed those and even managed to learn some things (including that my pics weren't going to win any awards). You dislike the entertainment, music, and food. I can't really comment on other than to say, why do something you don't enjoy. You don't need to put up with a cruise environment you don't like to enjoy a good book.

I'm not a tech person, never worked in IT and don't even understand half the settings on my iPhone. I embrace the improvements. I find the apps a quick learn and easy to use. All kinds of information is easier to access just about any time I want. I'm able to communicate with my ship mates. I'm able to see what is happening where hour-by-hour if I want to and can do that for or any day of the cruise. I can bookmark things. I can make dining arrangements. I can do just about anything I would need to do. What I can't do is mark up the daily printed schedule with a yellow hi-lighter, but that has never been something I do. 🙂

I'm sure this happens, but I'll wager it is the exception and not the rule. I'll stick with my earlier comments that the MDR menu could be made available prior to the cruise. If it has to change it has to change I suppose.

To me it seems like a good idea to show menus prior to the cruise. Seems it could be done in a one or two week window prior to the cruise without too much danger of a provision shortage. I doubt they plan the menu on the day of embarkation based on what is available at the local supermarket. 🙂 I've been on a lot of Princess cruises with the baked Alaska parade. I enjoy them, but then I enjoy things. Don't know if it happened on our recent one because we weren't in the MDR for the last night on board.

Kinda true that compared to other customer incentive systems, what cruise lines provide is pretty meager. Odd that they would eliminate a dinner for someone with 1,000 days.

My likely "most unpopular" opinion is those folks who are constantly bitching, whining, & complaining should find something to do that they might actually enjoy.