graphicguy

This one will be an impulse booking if it happens. Wake up one morning “in a mood” and book a cruise. That’s m plan. LOL!

It's rainy and grey here today. And, it's supposed to get down to the 40ºs this weekend. And, my Bengals have a bye. I'm this close () to booking a cruise today!

is Bermuda back to normal from the COVID shutdown?

It’s been a while, but I’ve sailed both the Meriviglia (Mediterranean) and the Divina (FL). Both were beautiful ships. I enjoyed them. MSC was just starting to get into the U.S. market, then. So, they may have adapted more. Definitely a Euro flare vs the big 3 in the U.S. (NCL, Carnival, Royal). I’ve seen a couple of YouTube vids about their stop to their private island. If you’re going there, that looks great. Still looking at some MSC cruises now.

I agree…not a good look! Mentioning it? Once? I’m OK with that, as a reminder. But, putting it in a letter? Specifically pointing it out by either a Butler or Concierge? Not good. Last time I sailed the Haven (Getaway last summer), the Butler did nothing for me, and I asked for nothing, other than for him to remove the chocolate strawberries as they’re too sweet for me, and to remove the Prosecco, which I don’t drink. He did neither. I also did not want the afternoon “snacks” which I asked him not to bring. He brought them, anyway. Didn’t see him much during the week, which was fine with me given I didn’t need him. But, he hung around my cabin, and rang my doorbell the day before disembarkation, asking if I needed anything. Nope. Can’t remember who it was, but someone here in CC said I should have tipped him anyway. My reply…why? If either the Concierge and/or the Butler did nothing for you, moreover they didn’t even take care of the few things requested (as in my case), I don’t care what a letter says, I don’t tip for doing nothing. Concierge(s) helped me a lot. They both received a good tip. As did the Haven Bartenders. So, I’m not against giving tips. I just don’t tip for nothing! Give me a letter? Live up to us giving tips, and you’ll get them.

@JamieLogical @ESCARGO Have you seen this? Have to cruise by May 2023, though. https://www.msccruisesusa.com/cruise-deals/solo-traveler

I've got no issues with MSC. What happened with your status match? Mine was pretty easy. Although, it's running out this year.

Be careful what you wish for. LOL! You assume I'm grown up. 😉

I posted that in jest (kinda). I’ll see what Bermuda looks like.

I’ve been known to do that. About a year and a half ago I had sailed the Celebrity Edge on one of the first post COVID start up cruises. The deals were very, very good. On board, I bought a Future Cruise Certificate. I had a grand time on that cruise. New (at the time) beautiful ship. Captain Kate, who was sailing her at the time, was so engaging with all of us (I think there were only about 800 guests on that sailing). Reservations were NOT needed….ANYWHERE. I had a ton of OBC as at the last minute, Celebrity had a huge price drop to get passengers on the ship, which they gave us as OBC (bought some nice jewelry for the former GF with it). Turned out, the Retreat (Celebrity’s version of NCL’s Haven) was relatively cheap. Remembering off the top of my head, but for a solo, it was something like $3,200 in a Sky Suite. Typical discounts….AMEX Platinum gave me $300 OBC. My TA gave me a $400 discount. Celebrity gave me $700 OBC for sailing in a suite. Tips were included. Premium drink package was included. It was a Western Caribbean sailing, which I had been to many, many times before. But, it didn’t matter. I was back on a ship. Had such a good time, I bought a future cruise credit while on board. I wasn’t planning to sail so soon, but 3 weeks later, the Edge was sailing the Eastern Caribbean itinerary. Figured….”what the heck”? So, after arriving home, I booked it. I think it was actually a little bit cheaper than the first sailing. Plus, I got all the goodies, plus another $500 OBC, which was more than they usually offered, for using the certificate. On both, I was sailing, in a suite, on a new ship that seemed like it was sailing for just a few close friends, for a fare that ended up in the $2,500 range (after discounts), with a ton of OBC. Capt Kate and the CD (who I don’t recall) made those of us who returned after those first sailings feel quite special with a personal M&G, some tasty treats sent to the cabin every day, and service that has yet to be bested.

This one looks interesting....but I'd have to pack and launder my clothes, then repack and leave....in a couple of weeks. LOL! https://www.ncl.com/booking/stateroom-offers/stateroom?itineraryCode=ENCORE7MIANPISTTTOVPOPMIA&selectedStateroomMeta=BALCONY&voyageId=17169579&sailDate=2022-11-27&guestCount=1&destinations=4294961649,4294961647,4294921973&duration=8052&ships=4294949931,4294949840,4294959336,4294923900&numberOfGuests=4294953450&sortBy=featured&shipCode=ENCORE&departureDate=2022-11-27

Yeah....I do. Personally, I'd rather be on a ship than on landfall if a hurricane hits. On a ship, you can maneuver where you're going. On land, you're stationary.

How about a Bermuda sailing during hurricane season?

I'm also looking at "end of season" Alaska sailings for around this time next year. Those should be fairly attractive, too. As always, Hurricane Season Caribbean sailings would have some attractive fares. In short, I'm eyeballing any cheap sailings.

Agree. I believe the variable portion is based, at least in large part, on the customer satisfaction surveys, as the crew seems to push for a “great” review pretty heavily. As far as wages, you have to add in the fact that their room and board is “free”, too. That’s a big portion of the compensation.

Great minds think alike. I was just thinking the same thing. Just 3 days off our last cruise, and we’re already making plans for another. I think we need help. LOL!

We’ll be waiting!!!!!!

Amazing the amount of wealth the industrialists enjoyed in the early 1900s, when there was no taxation or regulations

Bar Harbor.....