cublet

Hello, Every Friday my sister, sister-in-law and I meet for coffee in a Waitrose cafe (other supermarkets and cafes are available). If one of us wants something that is either heated or cooked the person taking the order (and payment) simply takes a pager out of a pool and inputs its number (no more than two digits) on the order that is sent electronically to the kitchen and the pager handed to us. In the fullness of time the kitchen 'pages' the number, we collect our food and drop the 'used' pager into a tray wherefrom it is recycled. No-one can or will convince me that using a mobile phone to fulfil this function will be more efficient. Regards, Cublet

Hello, I think it used to be called 'Frozen Yogurt'. Regards, Cublet

Hello, I'm obviously wrong but I thought it was announced, for implementation at some future date, when the 10% deposit to include a JS was announced in May. Sorry to anyone upset by this. Regards, Cublet

Hello, Still served by staff last week on Anthem. Regards, Cublet

Hello, I think this is the only 'benefit' that JS has as of right. And so it should too as they are, or are to be; charged 'suite' gratuity rates. Access to CK is 'Dinner only' and then only if space permits. Regards, Cublet

Hello, I have never understood this fixation with lobster. I was sat next to a Texan on MSC and he spent every night asking 'when's lobster night' and didn't like me saying 'there won't be one'. So last week in CK I took my life in my hands and ordered a 'Lobster Salad'. Well it didn't kill me but I didn't see what all the fuss is about and won't be ordering it again. Regards, Cublet

Hello, So last week on Anthem we ran out of: Wrapped pats of butter (chopped-up pieces were served on a saucer); Kellogg's cereals; Marmalade suitable for human consumption; Prosecco - twice! (though the first time was just an example of laziness by the waiter). The second time we ran out of Prosecco it was of the 'by the glass vintage'. I had to use my P voucher to get 40% discount on a 'bottle price' that I then carried around with me and kept in my cabin's chiller. Regards, Cublet

Hello, I was/am one of the 'outraged' that was upset when Michael's Club (bar) on X was turned into Zenith and Suite only and then again to Suite only. Regards, Cublet

Hello, Also, as a minimum, you will need your passport. You will also probably, unless submitted before, need your credit card for on-board purchases unless you intend to settle in cash. Depending on your cruise line you may also need your covid vaccination record and/or insurance document and/or completion of a 'health questionnaire'. Regards, Cublet

Hello, I think that's the difference: When I book on-board I get 100% of the OBC, when I book on shore I get 75% of the OBC. Regards, Cublet

Hello, It's a long time since I used a cheque 'on premise', I do it at home to pay monthly/quarterly bills. However stores I used to use had machines as part of the check-out/cash register that would complete/print the cheque for you and all you had to do was sign it. That certainly speeded things up. When next out shopping I will ask if they still exist. And before someone starts a debate over 'check' vs 'cheque', read on: 'Drawn Notes', as they were originally called, were single sheets with a 'counterfoil' and no perforations between the two but a series of wavy lines instead. Once written, the drawer would tear the note from the counterfoil through the wavy lines. Once the note had been through 'the system' the drawer would CHECK that the drawn note was his by CHECKING that the wavy lines between the note and the counterfoil matched-up. We owe the word 'cheque', and much else, to Dr. Johnson's Dictionary of 1755. Regards, Cublet

Hello, MSC is, theoretically, an Italian cruise line giving you an 'Italian' experience. In Italy you would NOT get tap water in a restaurant and would be expected to buy bottled water or go without. Nothing to see here folks. Regards, Cublet

Hello, With the greatest of respect, having read all the postings on this thread - and its general title, it doesn't seem to be specific to or from anywhere so I just added my two pennyworth. Cublet

Hello, I think Royal and X divi-up itineraries between them. Royal hasn't done the Baltics or Iceland for years from the UK whereas X does both annually. Regards, Cublet

Hello, My TA said that I was the 'most advanced' client he has. Sadly he was not referring to my wit or intelligence, but that I had booked the furthest ahead. Plenty of time for more friends and family to join me. Regards, Cublet

Hello, Just a quickie. Any other members or friends of the family coming too? It's less than a year to go! Regards, Cublet

Hello, How new a venue is 'Hooked Seafood'? Too new to have been included on a previous schedule? Or so new, and popular, Royal only now see the opportunity to squeeze more money out of us. No specialty restaurant gets my vote, or money, since the demise of Portofino's. Regards, Cublet

Hello, Yes, but I doubt there will be (in the present form) much longer. Regards, Cublet

Hello, I think we were all so consumed by pizzagate that we may not have noticed a new schedule of C&A Benefits. https://www.royalcaribbean.com/content/dam/royal/resources/pdf/crown-and-anchor-society-benefit-grid.pdf The document is for cruises departing on or after 1st September 2023. Nothing on the grid has jumped out and slapped me around the face but reading the full T&Cs and footnotes may hide something sinister. Regards, Cublet PS: A new X Captains Club benefits schedule has been posted too but does not quote an effective date.

Hello, I think we were all so consumed by cookiegate that we may not have noticed a new schedule of CC Benefits. https://www.celebritycruises.com/content/dam/celebrity/pdf/Captain-Clubs-Benefits-Brochure-V8-8-30-23.pdf Though the document is not dated, the file name suggests it is 30th August 2023. Nothing on the grid has jumped out and slapped me around the face but reading the full T&Cs and footnotes may hide something sinister. Regards, Cublet PS: A new Royal Crown and Anchor benefits schedule has been posted for cruises departing on or after 1st September 2023 too.

Hello, I agree with all the above - except for 'not effective' I would have said 'not recognised'. A vegetarian friend had the same argument on Royal where their final comeback was "our Parmesan *IS* vegetarian". I think it just shows the general contempt the US has for non-US trademarks. Regards, Cublet

Hello, A line from my student youth was "Don't ban the bomb, bomb the band". I hope the OP means leaving *FOR* the Anthem next Thursday (from home) and not leaving *ON* Anthem next Thursday as we will be in Geiranger Fjord and boarding would be interesting to watch. Regards, Cublet

Hello, That is an excellent summary. There is a greyish area under 'Fees' that are required by government agencies but whose collection has been subcontracted to third parties. Regards, Cublet

Hello, With Independence rumoured to be returning to the UK in 2025, if the above *IS* going to happen then I want to reserve my seat overlooking the Guest Relations desk! Regards, Cublet

Hello, Always have kettles on ex UK sailings. I don't know what Lavazza does to make their pods but they taste nothing like the coffee I make from my 'bean to cup' coffee machine using Lavazza beans. Regards, Cublet