annnmarie

Came across this today ! Comments on Gruziya were six years ago now, 2017, but  our cruise out of Tampa on the Gruziya back in the very early 90's on Odessa American lines (cruise line of the Czars as they called the line) was one that has always stood out even after all these years and some 80 plus additional cruises. Adult son. raised in the modern era of cruising, has just recently sailed on a small, less than 900 passenger, old school ship in a European line. NOW he finally can understand my nostalgia for promonade decks, old teak loungers, no roller coasters or rock climbing, just passengers in wood deck chairs reading novels to pass the days at sea, and dinner and really engaging conversation was the highlight of each day. No "upcharge" alternative restaurants, no standard plated hospital like meals, everything ordered separately, the potato, the veggies, the entree, etc.

On 5/26/2020 at 6:26 AM, Essiesmom said:

The Mariposa of that book/voyage would have been built in 1952, and not the former Mariposa/Homeric I sailed in 1972.  The latter was indeed scrapped in 1974.  I must see if I can find that book, though. 

 

It appears to be available on Amazon...at a prince...

 

https://www.amazon.com/NOTHING-CAN-WRONG-John-MacDonald/dp/0449245519/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Nothing+can+go+wrong&qid=1590499636&s=books&sr=1-1EM

Just wondered if you ever got the book ? What a treasure of memory and humor for those of us who cruises in the early days of cruising....

On 10/6/2019 at 10:23 AM, Essiesmom said:

I sailed on the original Homeric (former Matson Liner Mariposa of 1931) in 1972.  Twice.  The next year I sailed Oceanic twice.  I believe the first Homeric was scrapped in 1974.  I believe HAL bought Home Lines in 1988.  EM

Did you ever hear of the book "Nothing Can Go Wrong" ? In the mid 80's I was in a Walgreens near Port of Miami desperately eyeing the paperback book rack looking for something to grab quickly, check out, and get to the terminal to board what I think may have been the Nordic Prince, don't remember but definitely RCCL ship. I saw the book by author John McDonald & Captain John Kilpack. I had no knowledge of either, but the cover clearly showed it was something about "cruising". After boarding later that morning and settling down with the paperback after lunch, I found it was about the last world cruise of the Mariposa, San Francisco May 1977 to S.F. July 1977. Having done about half a dozen cruises at that time, all from Florida and various Caribbean itineraries, I was TOTALLY fascinated with the world of extended cruising (though short on time and money then !), and this tale of the last world cruise as the Matson "Mariposa". If you have never read this book, and have any way to get your hands on a copy ( I searched for months to get a copy a few years ago as a present for a friend who also stated cruising right after college as I did) and it was really hard to find. Found one in a Sarasota used book store finally ! It is one of the funniest, most enjoyable books I have ever read. I do admit that those who never cruised BEFORE the advent of bumper cars, prep portioned meals, water parks, and internet cafes, may not understand every reference and innuendo, but it will not interfere with the ultimate enjoyment of this book.... if you love cruising, you will love this actual tale of an experienced captain and a long cruise.  This book is a family treasure ! Although written in a very readable "novel" style, the opening pages include the names of the officers and the major cruise staff, the complete itinerary, dates, etc. but a "dry" documentary history it IS NOT ! !

What a nice surprise this a.m. reading your post,  the Gruziya is the one ! Interesting, named after Soviet Georgia. Most interesting for me, many many years later after cruising on her, I had my family, grand kids, etc. on the Carnival Freedom. Carnival has never been a favorite of mine, but from time to time we did Dream, Freedom, etc. A family cruise on Freedom turned out to be exceptional cruise, and our head "waiter" was a young woman from Russia who was especially personable. We ended up having some lengthy conversations as this was a bit longer cruise, 9-10 days. Turns out, she got into the cruise ship work because her MOTHER had worked on many ships..... her longest deployment being on the Gruziya while she was cruising out of TAMPA ! Needless to say, we were all stunned, what are the odds of that ? A family who only occasionally cruises on Carnival, takes a family cruise and finds the woman serving them is the daughter of a woman who served them on an obscure cruise ship they only cruised on ONE time.... coincidence is alive and well...LOL ! Thank you so much for finding and sharing the info

Does anyone remember a line that sailed out of Tampa in the late '80s and early 90's ? We went on a ship of theirs that I believe was called the Garuzia or Guruzia in the early 90's. It was an old ship and a wonderful cruise. No casino or Vegas type shows, cultural entertainment every evening; Russian instruments, dancing, traditional costumes, authentic menu selections and elaborate samovars for afternoon tea. 

On 2/3/2019 at 1:23 PM, Thorben-Hendrik said:

New silverware!

😁😁

18 hours ago, brillohead said:

Royal RARELY has 0% single supplement.  

I happened to find the Majesty deal on the Going-Going-Gone sale flyer.  

 

Another question, did they send you the going g g flyer ? I always have to remember to go to my C&A account and look at on a regular basis, then lately I started wondering if it is still Tues. that the new one comes out ? Things change so often and so much. Remember when they used to have double nights days and would send emails ? Seems like it was the slow weeks of Dec. before the holiday cruises. Thanks for reply ! 

1 hour ago, tinkr2 said:

There is a filter on NCL you can use. I tried quite a few Royal cruises and never found one. I joined the solo group where they post deals for solo but there did not seem to be much Royal listed.

 

Thanks so much 😀. Live in a community of constant cruisers and one let me know about cruise plum dot com. Knew some of the sites to look, but this one is really outstanding. It lists every commercial cruise ship including those in UK and other countries, very helpful. They do not sell or book any travel, just have so many filters and data is constantly being updated. Could not believe how exact: lists the % of supplement, exactly what this translates to in terms of dollars, etc. Takes a bit of just trying out the various displays and filters, but have not seen a site this detailed before ! 

On 9/15/2019 at 5:33 PM, brillohead said:

This is NOT true on Royal Caribbean.

I just did a B2B on Majesty of the Seas with my fare being purchased during a "no single supplement" special offer (just after Cuba got banned, they had to scramble to fill the ship).

There were a gazillion of us on the ship in single rooms having paid just one fare with no single supplement, and we all got our double points for being solo in the room.  

The exception, as stated above, is when it's a "studio" room that is designed to only hold one occupant.  Then there is no single supplement charged, and the person is only eligible for one point per night.  (I believe that with the new RoyalUp program, you also only get your original room's points, even if you end up upgrading to a higher level room.  So if you were in a studio room and did a RoyalUp to a regular room, you'd still only get one point per night.)

As for whether perks should be per-person or per-dollar-spent, my recommendation is to vote with your wallet.  I rarely drink booze and I rarely eat in specialty restaurants, and it bothers me that people who get those "perks" are getting more value than I would with a measly shore excursion or internet perk (nothing to do with solo or double occupancy, just in perceived dollar value of the perk).  Since I don't agree with the "perk" pricing model, I vote with my wallet and don't cruise on lines that have higher fares with "free" perks.  Problem solved.

 

Well said ! Also a reason I stay loyal to Royal, the rejection of the "perk" pricing/marketing model ! But when Celebrity (which I also frequent) fell into this, my heart sank, will RCCL be next I thought. Hope not ! 

As I understand the "Royal Up" is as you stated. I just booked a series of cruises on the Odyssey  which is going to be interesting. First segment in balcony room for 2, second segment in single cabin WITH BALCONY, and third segment as one person occupying a traditional double balcony room ! This will be really interesting to see which I get double night's credit, etc. The first segment will of course be one point per night for each of us, but the single balcony cabins (which certainly cost as much as just occupying a regular double cabin by yourself !) probably is ONE point per night, and then the third of nine days as a solo in a regular double cabin will probably result in 18 points. We'll see !

On 9/13/2019 at 12:15 PM, Buckeye94 said:

I have traveled solo on Celebrity, and the only perk the double for solos is the OBC.  My last X cruise, before the new pricing options, came with two "free" perks.  Here's how I look at it:

 

Drink package: I can only drink one (or so they thought, just kidding!)

OBC: They double it for solo travelers paying double fare

Gratuitites: They're only charging me one set of grats, so I should only get one

Internet: I'm trying to escape the office, and no internet allows/requires me to do so

 

So, the best value for me is the drink package (most expensive) and OBC since I get double benefit.  And, they doubled my CC points.  Still sucks paying double, but I watch for deals and budget accordingly.

I was trying to book a New Orleans cruise in the spring on Celebrity, and passed for the time being since, like you, if I am going to pay double, I want the drink package and the OBC as the "free" perks, but OBC had been removed as a choice. I decided to just monitor and see if it is added back at some time before the sail date ! 

BTW, all of you who receive these "no single supplement" offers... do they come in RCCL emails ? We've been with Royal since the late '70s and have never received any kind of no supplement offers. Princess often did this in the past, paid 125 and 150%, but never any offers from RCCL. Do these no supplement offers come only from your travel agent ? Like to know more, thanks.

On 9/15/2019 at 5:33 PM, brillohead said:

This is NOT true on Royal Caribbean.

I just did a B2B on Majesty of the Seas with my fare being purchased during a "no single supplement" special offer (just after Cuba got banned, they had to scramble to fill the ship).

There were a gazillion of us on the ship in single rooms having paid just one fare with no single supplement, and we all got our double points for being solo in the room.  

The exception, as stated above, is when it's a "studio" room that is designed to only hold one occupant.  Then there is no single supplement charged, and the person is only eligible for one point per night.  (I believe that with the new RoyalUp program, you also only get your original room's points, even if you end up upgrading to a higher level room.  So if you were in a studio room and did a RoyalUp to a regular room, you'd still only get one point per night.)

As for whether perks should be per-person or per-dollar-spent, my recommendation is to vote with your wallet.  I rarely drink booze and I rarely eat in specialty restaurants, and it bothers me that people who get those "perks" are getting more value than I would with a measly shore excursion or internet perk (nothing to do with solo or double occupancy, just in perceived dollar value of the perk).  Since I don't agree with the "perk" pricing model, I vote with my wallet and don't cruise on lines that have higher fares with "free" perks.  Problem solved.

 

Well said ! Also a reason I stay loyal to Royal, the rejection of the "perk" pricing/marketing model ! But when Celebrity (which I also frequent) fell into this, my heart sank, will RCCL be next I thought. Hope not ! 

As I understand the "Royal Up" is as you stated. I just booked a series of cruises on the Odyssey  which is going to be interesting. First segment in balcony room for 2, second segment in single cabin WITH BALCONY, and third segment as one person occupying a traditional double balcony room ! This will be really interesting to see which I get double night's credit, etc. The first segment will of course be one point per night for each of us, but the single balcony cabins (which certainly cost as much as just occupying a regular double cabin by yourself !) probably is ONE point per night, and then the third of nine days as a solo in a regular double cabin will probably result in 18 points. We'll see !

12 hours ago, tinkr2 said:

I think you have a basic misunderstanding the perks on NCL. You will not have a "huge gratuity charge on your final bill". when booking the cruise, if you chose a perk, they add gratuity of the drinks package on right then and there, as well as the dining package. This is because people failed to tip staff as it was free. When the perks first rolled out, there was no gratuity added. but before you board the ship, all your drink and dining gratuity is paid. It will not be on your own board bill.

as far as perks on celebrity go, you chose the perk of gratuity being paid. Thats a set number, you do not have 2 sets of gratuity, merely one. you could have chosen the more valuable drinks package  but you still can not drink 2  drink packages. I do get that if you paid for 2, you should get 2. But you do not have 2 sets of gratuity.

12 hours ago, tinkr2 said:

I think you have a basic misunderstanding the perks on NCL. You will not have a "huge gratuity charge on your final bill". when booking the cruise, if you chose a perk, they add gratuity of the drinks package on right then and there, as well as the dining package. This is because people failed to tip staff as it was free. When the perks first rolled out, there was no gratuity added. but before you board the ship, all your drink and dining gratuity is paid. It will not be on your own board bill.

as far as perks on celebrity go, you chose the perk of gratuity being paid. Thats a set number, you do not have 2 sets of gratuity, merely one. you could have chosen the more valuable drinks package  but you still can not drink 2  drink packages. I do get that if you paid for 2, you should get 2. But you do not have 2 sets of gratuity.

Thank you so much for the clarity. I cruise RCCL and Celebrity constantly and only been on NCL half a dozen times. I tried to help a friend, first time cruiser, understand why they had received a bill that had a pretty hefty gratuity charge (not the daily tip charge) at the end of their cruise (from San Juan). I was upfront with them and confessed I am not an NCL regular, but am on Celebrity and when I choose the deluxe drink package (as opposed to classic, the one most often offered but not always) it includes all gratuities. So nice to know now. Hopefully she kept her bill and when they return to Fl again for the winter, she can show me what was not included in their free perks. Honestly, in my opinion, the least "muddy" way of doing this is, like you say they are doing now. Whatever perks you choose that's it, there are no additional charges associated with that perk at all. That's the way Celebrity does it. For awhile there, Celebrity was not even offering the NO perk pricing as an option (like NCL's sail away I think they call it, the basic fare without adding extras) but I think so many of us frequent floaters objected when the dropped that for a period, they quickly went back to offering this no frills pricing. Clarity is the key I am sure all of us can agree. For brand new cruisers it is a mine field out there trying to figure out the best option. Drink packages for sure have always been a much better value for many, now at $89 PP per day charged by some lines, people are starting to really think if they will use that many drinks a day. On many Celebrity cruises (an example ones with three nights in ports like NOLA), you are purchasing so many drinks ashore that unless you have a passion for breakfast cocktails (mimosa ?) it's hard to justify the daily charge. For a weekend getaway, it's probably a raving bargain...LOL ! Thanks again for sharing your experience, if anyone asks me again hopefully I can help them understand.

Should have added: probably won't take long for some lines to "catch on" that people have figured out the "free" perk game. NCL apparently caught on that some people figured out they will be left with huge gratuity charges on their final bill due to the "free" perks they accepted. Now, NCL also offers a bottom line, no frills (meaning no "perk", freebies, etc.) price for those who prefer to buy drink by drink, or book only one or two upcharge restaurants. Things change as people "vote with their wallets" as you say. Bravo !

Good to hear what Brillohead posted about the double points ! I booked 4 cruises on Odyssey OTS for 2020, including the inaugural. Booked double balcony for that one; the other 3 I will do solo, booked single balcony room on those. No double points on those because they are priced for singles, but, only a few RCCL ships have single BALCONY rooms (maybe only Quantum or maybe just Quantum Ultra class ships ?). I think one or two oasis class have "virtual balcony" rooms for singles, but they also do not bring double points. It really varies. I paid very close attention until I reached the level where I'm not charged more than 150%, but then again, there are some exceptions to that also. It applies in most cases, but there are certain sailings on certain ships that the 150% max does not apply. Voting with you wallet is right on !  The "perk" game is a hot topic among frequent floaters, works pretty well for first time or those who have only been on, maybe less than 5 (?) cruises, after that, people start to think about the "free" offers very carefully...LOL ! Also tough on those forced to BUY drink packages and have medical conditions that allow NO alcohol at all, even moderate drinking. More and more are submitting the medical paper work for exemption. Paying $1500 instead of $750 when one has a spouse who is allowed no alcohol at all, is really making a huge "donation".  

As an FYI, someone was wondering if the parallel illustration of various marketing schemes I gave (grocery store incentive to spend at least $250 in one transaction and receive a $50 value gift card as a "reward") was literal or theoretical, and if it was a  personal experience. Actually it was neither. The strategy was literal, not theoretical, but was not a personal experience because I never took advantage of the offer !  Continued to buy in smaller amounts....LOL... retired people here tend to eat out more.... LOL... and keep less on hand. Happy voyages frequent floaters, rather sailing solo or other 😍 I'll be off for Royal Caribbean's 50th anniversary cruise in just a few more weeks. Sailing solo on this one in a double balcony... maybe some of you are on this one too ?

Yes, exactly, you got it correct. It would really be interesting to know how the "per person" basis was established, but of course, will never know that. If the strategy changes one day, as they do often, then one can safely assume that strategy did not work out as well as planned. A an excellent illustration of this is how NCL FIRST came out with their "pick 1, pick 2, pick 3" strategy, it was rolled out less than a year, and they added an additional option: a bottom line, no frills price. That makes perfect sense, but NCL is not a line I own stock in ….. LOL !  Several here have mentioned the previous Celebrity marketing strategy. On those voyages I sailed solo, I used the same rationale they mentioned, take the OBC as that can be used by one or shared by all in a cabin, sometimes as many as 4 !

BUT under the "new" strategy, if the fare comes to $5000 for one person, and another cabin comes to a fare of $1250 PP for 4 people in the cabin,  and  they choose the gratuity reward perk say, the "reward" perk is $320 regardless of 2, 3, or 4 in the cabin, they can share it up any way they want, 2 ways, 3 ways 4 ways (each would get $80 toward their gratuities), free to do what they want. But ONLY if there is one person, is the perk or credit cut in half. It will be interesting to see if it dawns on someone in the marketing department in the future, that this might not be the idea strategy, as NCL did. Meanwhile, I have a total of 5 TA's now who have said they are really interested in finding out the thinking behind this too. At least it is a personal choice if as a solo we want to accept this "offer", or pass. I am really curious to see if a year from now if this changes. I for one remember WELL when a solo pair same price as two people and got the same number of reward points. When people, TA's included, began to really study that system, things changed to a dollar spent basis. RCCL it seems to me was the leader, others seemed to hold off for awhile, then one at a time others changed their policy until most, not all, have now changed. Time will tell. 

Yes, exactly, you got it correct. As "per person" basis makes no sense at all. One reservation costs $5000. If there are two people in the room, the perk reward is worth (as you said) is $320 if they choose the gratuities. If there are three people in the room and they choose the gratuity perk, it is worth $320, if they have FOUR people in the room, and the total fare was $5000, they get a perk worth $320.

BUT...…. if a the fare is $5000, and ONE person pays the $5000, and chooses the gratuity reward perk, that person gets...…. $160 reward for their $5000 purchase, so yes, you got it right. Also, yes, most lines now give double points per night IF you pay the full double fare. There are some lines that do not do this, but most have changed to a more fair per dollar spent basis. Also, on those lines who do give double nights credit when one person occupies a stateroom, that only applies when the person pays the FULL double fare. In other words, once in a while a few lines will reduce the fare for a single in a double room, perhaps 175% instead of a full 200%. It's important for singles to realize when that is true, the occupant does NOT get double points.

Yes as a matter of fact I have considered writing a non-confrontational letter to Lisa. I am a Florida resident who has followed her amazing career. I am truly interested in how such a business practice was arrived at in the first place.  I also notice one response here mis-read my illustration about a "give away" at the grocery store. Mef_57 missed the word "not" in my illustration I gave. I wrote the grocery store did NOT say if you are single and spend $250 you get only 1/2 of the "give away", but I feel that is what Celebrity is doing. I love Celebrity, but I really feel this is very unfair. Charge double for the stateroom, FINE, but give "freebies" based on amount spent. I also cruise Royal Caribbean a LOT. You are correct, they don't do this type of pricing rip off, I simply pay double. Royal does not give people a perk worth $1500 for a $4300 purchase, and then give another person a perk worth $750 for the same $4300 purchase. Of course they CAN, they can do anything they want, I just don't understand why the perks are not based on amount spent ? I really don't care for the whole "pick a perk" thing anyway. I've been on NCL a few times, but I try to avoid them as much as possible due to their pricing structure. Last December I went on Breakaway out of NOLA only because they finally realized their pricing structure is not appealing (including things people do not need or want, and then the passengers are shocked when they receive their final bill at debarkation and find their "FREE" drink packages and dinners were far from "FREE", the 18% ADDITIONAL is never really advertised. I have frequent cruiser friends who usually do HAL and RCCL. They were shocked to have over $340 in charges for their "FREE" drinks and dinners. Now at least NCL offers an "honest" price with no "Free" perks. At least when Celebrity includes a "FREE" classic or premium drink package, you don't get an additional 18% shock at the end of the voyage. 

Yes as a matter of fact I have considered writing a non-confrontational letter to Lisa. I am a Florida resident who has followed her amazing career. I am truly interested in how such a business practice was arrived at in the first place.  I also notice one response here mis-read my illustration about a "give away" at the grocery store. Mef_57 missed the word "not" in my illustration I gave. I wrote the grocery store did NOT say if you are single and spend $250 you get only 1/2 of the "give away", but I feel that is what Celebrity is doing. I love Celebrity, but I really feel this is very unfair. Charge double for the stateroom, FINE, but give "freebies" based on amount spent. I also cruise Royal Caribbean a LOT. You are correct, they don't do this type of pricing rip off, I simply pay double. Royal does not give people a perk worth $1500 for a $4300 purchase, and then give another person a perk worth $750 for the same $4300 purchase. Of course they CAN, they can do anything they want, I just don't understand why the perks are not based on amount spent ? I really don't care for the whole "pick a perk" thing anyway. I've been on NCL a few times, but I try to avoid them as much as possible due to their pricing structure. Last December I went on Breakaway out of NOLA only because they finally realized their pricing structure is not appealing (including things people do not need or want, and then the passengers are shocked when they receive their final bill at debarkation and find their "FREE" drink packages and dinners were far from "FREE", the 18% ADDITIONAL is never really advertised. I have frequent cruiser friends who usually do HAL and RCCL. They were shocked to have over $340 in charges for their "FREE" drinks and dinners. Now at least NCL offers an "honest" price with no "Free" perks. At least when Celebrity includes a "FREE" classic or premium drink package, you don't get an additional 18% shock at the end of the voyage. 

I have always supported a cruise line's right to charge a passenger the double rate for one person in the cabin, as a capitalist who owns stock in Celebrity and two other lines, I completely agree that if a cabin is priced with two people in mind, than a person wanting the same space to We themselves should pay double.  However, when it comes to rewarding loyal passengers, I do not believe a person's marital status, or other subjective selection process should come into play. Try as hard as I have to understand, I do not understand how one person's money can be valued more than another's when it is the exact same amount.  I can not understand how the following does not fall under some kind of unfair business practice:  Recently my neighbors (all married couples) booked a 12 day celebrity cruise. This is not a group cruise, or group rates, so, we all ended up paying $4397 without including any taxes and "fees". We are all are Elite level in Captain's club. As a reward for spending $4397 all were rewarded with their choice of one "perk" or amenity of varying value.  Most chose the amenity worth the most, the classic drink package "worth" $1562.  One couple chose gratuities "worth" $320. These "rewards" were for spending $4397 with Celebrity. However, my "reward" for spending the exact same about of money was $160 for gratuities. Or, I could have chosen a $781 "rebate/reward/amenity for my money spent. It appears that passengers who are married are rewarded solely on the basis of their friendship or marital status, not on the amount of money they spend with Celebrity.  Single, widowed, and those simply choosing to have their own cabin, and who spend THE SAME amount of money with Celebrity, receive "thank yous", "perk", rewards, or "gifts" worth exactly one half for their $4397, as other individuals who spent the same amount.  While I expressed that I support the payment of a double room price, this business practice of making some people's money more valuable than that of others, seems close to the line of an illegal business practice. Of course I know they have checked this out and are legally able to do this, but, it is no different than an advertising campaign recently offered by a local grocery store in my area. The offer was, spend $250 in groceries in ONE purchase, and receive a $50 gift card of your choice. It clearly listed the choice of cards. What it did NOT say was, this offer good only for married couples or those cohabitating in the same residence. Single individuals and widowed individuals spending $250 will receive their choice of a $25 gift card.

Do others, not just single people, I mean most people, actually think this is a "fair" practice ? Or, would giving rewards based on MONEY SPENT be the best business practice ? 

I remember the Home Lines but was never on their ships. Did not know what became of Homeric & Oceanic,  but interesting to find the one went to Premier/Big Red Boat/ that became Disney. 

No, not even the upscale lines today can equal what dining was like in those days. Was sure nice when there were 350-400 passengers and not such thing as Pre-plated meals ! Oh to be able to order EACH item again....LOL !

I too tend to be a "live and let live" person, we each go on vacation and hope to indulge in our interests. Some mentioned smoking on balconies was allowed for years, true. But even though I respect people's right to smoke if they enjoy it, I think it is worth mentioning that for years others were deprived of the balcony they paid for due to some having "the right to smoke". If you have never experienced having a side facing balcony (which most are) and having constant smoke blowing onto your balcony in even heavier clouds than the balcony of the smoker, you will recognize how truly awful this is. It definitely makes it worth the upcharge for the stern (rear facing) balconies which allow non smokers the pleasure of using their balconies at any time they wish, something only smokers had for many years. I have family members who smoke ! They are 100% in agreement that banning smoking on balconies is the best decision cruise lines ever made, just as they have always agree that passengers on flights who made the decision not to smoke, should never be subjected to having to breath smoke. It's just common sense, respect, and caring for others ! Ships should, and many have, provide smoking areas, a separate lounge such as a cigar and (if a person chooses) cigarette, pipe, or even the e-cigarettes, not just an option to go to an open deck and possibly stand in the rain ! As smokers I know have expressed to me, "why should I, as a smoker, have the "right" to make you miserable, any more than I have the "right" to enter a restaurant, open my purse, and open a bottle of nail polish remover to touch up my manicure while others are eating". A good point, from an intelligent and respectful lady I've know a long time. BTW, when I was a young adult and first began cruising with my parents, people actually sat at the dinner table, waiters would place ashtrays on the table, and even run to light the smokes of those who chose to do that between (not just after) courses while tablemates attempted to finish the course ! We HAVE come a long way !

My personal story is, I seem to have changed several times on this subject ! As a family we traveled with the children and did "traditional" land travel, Disney, landmarks, did a world's fair once, Florida and Alabama beach resorts, etc. THEN, we got our first taste of cruising, and with that we got the addiction to the sea really bad ! Kids too, they'd beg for cruises rather than toys (still their preference as married grown adults). Of course we could not just cruise any time all the time then. Pre retirement, and as empty nesters, was the next stage, the "just can't get enough stage", and the "longer the better" stage, at LEAST 3 weeks. And then, gradually, cruising began to be a very different experience. only a few passengers passed the time with fascinating conversation, sitting in deck chairs outside you cabin (not out in a lido area that looked more like a water park (and I LOVE water parks), but passengers roller and ice skated, the menus changed completely. Gradually you no longer ordered from the long list of vegetables, the long list of potatoes, good quality caviar, exotic fruits, HUGE shrimp cocktails, REAL crabmeat, decadent deserts, all went away with the REAL maple syrup, all the things I did NOT have at home and made it so special to cruise....all went away, replaced by artificial maple "flavored" "syrup", go carts, coasters (and don't get me wrong, I LOVE the aqua coaster of the Disney Fantasy !), I DO ice skate on RCCL a LOT, but.... my point is, I now find I love and miss my Florida home, I miss my daily golf games (golf on a cruise is a time consuming and always expensive option, and with rental clubs, just not worth it for me), and I miss our Florida beaches (usually, we have had a couple disappointing years of red tide which I won't debate here), and I just really like my house, art, books, "my things". So now, I am kind of back to maybe three weeks tops, but I'm ready to go home for awhile after two weeks or after doing a back to back or a side to side. I used to HATE leaving the ship, hubby too, he was content to just be at sea for any length of time. Now that I have the time to do the 186 day "round the world" I dreamed of and saved for, I am not interested....LOL. Life it funny that way I guess. I'll be cruising 5 weeks in a two month (8 week) period of time this fall.... I'll be ready to just enjoy my home for awhile and then will probably be ready to cruise again in Jan. or Feb. What I like is the typical ad line, unpack ONCE, I live in Florida so usually don't have to worry about packing with the flight in mind so can take all the "junk" (books, my personal snorkel gear, all kinds of shoes.....LOL ! But sometimes yes, I do leave from other areas so that is differedulacking and planning. My hubby loved no chats with hotel concierge about tickets, dinning, cabs, even money exchanges, loved the clean air and lack of the "bee hive" atmosphere of land resorts. But much of that is not longer true. Ships have every amusement park gadget, love them, but I really think it is the lack of basic things I CAN have at home...and I know some with just jump all over me, but the food is no more "exotic" than anything I have at my home, the pies and cakes are often not a good as mine (isn't that terrible of me...LOL...to brag), but I miss the desserts on cruises that were so different than anything I usually had access to. Now I sure don't starve, but the food is no different than any run of the mill restaurant, even the upcharge ones, good food, but I really expect people to jump all over me for even writing this, but few people were cruising back in the early 70's when we discovered it, and most today can not imagine what a special experience it was, you felt like the only person on board a yacht. So, still love to cruise, but back to enjoying a "mix" again. Just enjoying my home, driving over to the beach and reading....like we "used" to do on ships, before we could go bowling, skating , or play in the bumper cars....LOL ! I might add to this, while I life to sail the monster ships and I that that a lot, but a week or a B2B and I am ready to leave the "the mall", then the next cruise I usually am seeking out the smallest vessels still sailing today so I an get my "old days" fix where the main entertainment is reading in a deck chair (not a sun lounge), enjoying intelligent conversation with others from all over the world and from whom I can learn new things and always the dinner each evening was THE event of the day.....gee, maybe some will say "she's just getting old"....LOL.... and based on some of the nasty things people say about others on these boards, some may question who I think I am that I can't accept plain old genuine artificial imitation maple syrup.....so I bring my own when not using a flight ! The chef used to keep it for me on Freedom of the Seas... put my name, table and cabin on it like a fine bottle of wine...LOL... and then apologized that he was no longer allowed to order real maple syrup.

If you cruise often you might find it worth while to join deckplans.com, very nominal fee to join, and it gives you a chance to view the ACTUAL stateroom on any ship, many with videos. All are contributed by actual passengers, and to reciprocate you too can contribute pictures of your room on Escape so folks who have questions like you asked can see the actual room see what the view is from the balcony (if it is a balcony room), and so on. Some of the older Carnival ships and some older HAL ships, have a few oddly shaped cabins and balconies, now new ships have "container" like cabins and you don't find recognizable differences, so if you ever book an older ship, checking the pictures or actual videos is really helpful !