hawk/hornfan

HAHA, Do you like FUTBOL!

Don't forget the firepit and some marshmallows! Oh and a fishing rod...can't forget the fishing rod! :D

If you are having marshmallows then you GOT have ingredients for Smore's.

I found this an interesting article about the tomahawk ribeye. http://blog.gentlemint.com/2016/jul/13/tomahawk-steak-what-it-and-should-you-buy-it/

We stayed at the Seaport both pre & post cruise last Oct. Yes it was pricey, but the service is excellent and no tipping is allowed. In fact we had the same room both stays. Go to priceline express deals and you can get cheaper rates if you know how to research their hotels. Caveat: Boston is not a cheap city for hotels close to downtown or to the cruise terminal.

To answer part of the ? Tripoli is in now what is called Libya.

I start in the morning with Bloody Mary's and Irish coffee, beer or fruity drinks during the day on sea days, then at night Martini's or Vodka Gimlets. I sleep good at night.

When we stayed in SOB after a cruise 3-4 years, we stayed at the Blue Moon , an Autograph Collection by Marriott. https://www.bluemoonhotel.com/

Our room was ready at 9am and walking distance to Ocean Drive.

Had a great staff. would recommend.

This is exactly why I still use a desktop and a trusted T/A who can explained the details if needed.

My wife found glow sticks on closeout at wallyworld for .25 a piece last Wednesday.

If you say you are usually a good tipper but in the next sentence say that servers lose money... then why wouldn't you tip a buck or so? Makes no sense.

 

 

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Because they are REQUIRING me to pay a fee to offset poor tippers.

I don't sail on NCL until November, but I never take SDP perk or would buy it.

Of my previous 9 cruises I have never had a bad meal in the MDR. Oh course it helps that I had a mama that was a great cook and introduced me to different foods, so I am not a picky eater.

We only go to a specialty restaurant once a cruise or twice on our to Hawaii. But that is always covered by OBC from our T/A.

However I will always take the UBP as a perk but never purchase it.

In my last 7 cruises I have only felt the need to tip extra once to bartenders. That was on the CCL Liberty at the Martini Bar. Had 3 great bartenders and each got $20 extra at end of cruise. Last 2 cruise have had Bev Plan as a perk, as well as my upcoming one on NCL. would never pay for any UBP.

Lately with the bev plans the bartenders seem preoccupied. Last cruise on RCCL was the worst.

I am usually a good tipper, but when you automatically tack on a tip I will not tip extra. In most cases the servers loses money.

Mine was April 1983 on the CCL TSS Festivale on a seven day Eastern Caribbean sailing to Nassau, San Juan, and St Thomas.

Next cruise was not until 1998 on the Big Red Boat.

Started cruising again in 2005 and will go on my 10th cruise in November on NCL Escape.

Been on CCL, Princess, HAL, Celebrity, and RCCL.

When I book a cruise I find the itinerary I want, the ship that matches where I want to go. The I research the ship, cabins, and price, then call my T/A . She knows I like balcony, mid ship with a floor above and below of nothing but cabin space. Yes I pay more, but never have paid cruise lines listed price and always get obc,and any perks that are available. However I usually book over a year out. One cruise I saved over a $1000 pp by booking early.

But to each their own. What works for you is all a good thing.

I have cruised on CCL 4 times,HAL,Princess, Celebrity, and RCI once. Honestly the food is all the same -upscale banquet food, except in specialty dining which I rarely do.

Just of the Pride on Saturday. I would highly recommend Mary Lou's tour on the Big Island. We did both days with them and it was the best of all the tours we did

I will 2nd this, we used in both ports also in Sept 2015. highly recommend.

We did a Hawaii cruise aboard Celebrity in 2015, while in Maui we attended the Old Lahaina Luau. It is excellent. https://www.oldlahainaluau.com/

Wow, great thread. since my wife is a retired children's librarian I read a lot.

My favs are Michael Connelly, Robert Crais, Clive Cussler, Sue Grafton, Janet Evanovich, Harlan Coben, John Grisham, Walter Mosley. I am reading Jonathan Kellerman now.

You will find that many of the ships excursions are booked through the same independent operators.

The majority of reliable operators are well aware of departure times for ships. Their lively hood depends on giving reliable customer service.

Have fun Alaska is beautiful. We did ours 6 years ago on HAL 10 day land and cruise.

Both posters above make good points.

My rule of thumb is if the excursions stays relativity close to port and will finish way before departure time, I book independent excursions. However, if I am traveling a few hours away and return is close to depart time I go with the ships excursion.

I have been to Howl at the Moon in San Diego and many other performances in this genre in other cities. It is amazing to me to watch people throw money at these performers thinking they take requests. These guys or girls only play what they want to and pretend these are requests. They will play things that get audience participation and are comfortable playing. This is not like Karaoke which is yuk,

I like go to these shows and have fun but know that they have a set playlist and script they follow. It is probably a dozen songs or more and maybe a request or 2 if they like it.

YMMV

While it has been 4 years and on CCL we did a Victor Bodden tour and had a great time.http://www.boddentours.com/

I loved Roatan and would move there if and when I retire.

I know the thread is about the Miami area, but the week in ? 11 1-4 is also the week of Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show, It could affect availability and pricing even into the Miami area. We are sailing on the Escape on the 4 and hotel prices are already high.

I may join a roll call and M&G, but have only attended 1 M&G.

On our Sept 2015 cruise from Vancouver to Hawaii, we had a very active roll call. Many of us, probably 50-60 met precruise the night before sailing at a hotel bar. Over a 100 at the M&G. We developed friendships with 14 other people and keep in contact, have a facebook page, some of us cruised and done other trips together, and another cruise in November.

But very few people have even heard of cruise critic. This cite was very helpful and essential for that Hawaii cruise.

Have not had it happen on NCL, Nov will be my 1st NCL cruise, but HAL on an Alaskan cruise out of Vancouver. Had airfare booked through cruise air.

Late flight coming out of Seattle and immigration short staffed in Vancouver. By the time we got luggage, on the bus and to the pier was sail away time. They held the ship because there was another bus behind us yet to arrive.

Ever since come in the night before.