nanwel

When I started cruising, I went to all the "port" talks expecting to learn something about where I was and where we were going! NOT They were boring, and I find they are not as well attended as they used to be. Not much "free" stuff at them anymore, and that was the draw for some.

I have been on cruise lines where they have a guest lecture on various topics, and those are well attended! And you can watch them on your room tv after the show if you did not make the talk.

Not a fan of how to pack after I am on board, may look at it briefly if part of the website, would not bother to attend unless it was a rainy day at sea.

Rarely buy much now with the extra costs of baggage, unless it is something unique, and that does not happen on ship or in most ports.

Hard to please the masses!

I have been on cruises that have been at sea extra days or missed ports, but usually did not get into new ports. They have to prebook them months or a year in advance to have that availability.

One of the things that has to be done before a ship can dock after a storm like that is to make sure it is safe for passengers to even get off the ship.

I missed Christchurch because of damage to the dock. and it was not on their 1st fix requirement list -basic infrastructure, drinkable water/hydro/roads have to be fixed first! Damage looks like less than was expected, but they will err on the side of caution,, so, I would expect a couple of extra sea days. A refund of some port charges, and they try to give you something extra to make you happy even though the cruise was not quite what you expected.

I am sure you will enjoy yourself!

I have been cruising single for 12 years, now mid 60's. I do not "singles" events they are not for singles my age, but a lot of people looking to "hook" up if you get my drift - I just go to any event that appeals to me, usually find other singles my age to go on an out trip with some times, but if I do not, I go alone - most couples are very friendly and do not care that you are a single, just talk to people and relax and enjoy yourself. I always carry a book or a magazine so if I am alone I can read, but once you get to the buffet, sit a table for 4 or more, there will always be someone come along and ask if they can share, or ask a table with an empty chair if you can join them. I am rarely board, and often meet others that are in the same situation and we then sit together at events.

I find most of us could find fault with a cruise if that is what we want to spend our time doing. I am there to enjoy myself. Sometimes things do not go as planned, but there is always something else to try.

I recognize that all cruise lines have cut corners in recent years, if they loose a few passengers because of it - oops, more in line to come - but, they have also had to make a profit, and costs are going up. If ships were empty, they would have to give more to the customer, but, will full ships???

Personally, I still find it a great way to travel, hotels/resturants/airlines etc have all increased costs and reduced service - unfortunately, a sign of the times.

I always ask the room stewart to remove all things from the fridge on day 1. Also print out my expense report daily to make sure there are no errors - sometimes you get charged for a drink in error - never had a problem getting that corrected. yes although you sign for drinks, sometimes they do not bother for water or coffee - I get both every morning. No problem. Some bars will let you run a small tab once they get to know you - if you are in the same place for a few days in a row. But always clear it before you go to dinner or bed.

And always get a drink and take it to the dinning room, they can be a little slow to get your drink because they are so busy with food orders, same with some shows.

Be aware if you use your fridge, they may fill it for the next voyage on the last night, and lock it again - I take all my stuff = pop/water out that night and put in a drawer so they do not remove it.

Tried to change my cabin - no success. I could go for a balcony for more $ than I paid for a mini, or upgrade to a suite for a lot more $. Dissaappointed, hope it is nice weather, and the no cover will not be an issue, will be cool leaving Vancouver and going back - LA - I hope will be warm and can sit out - but, one never can plan on weather.

I too have had the head waiter squirting that stuff on entering the dinning room - ruined my dress - dripped every where on one cruise.

I would much rather wash my hands - or as stated use the Disney wipes - I do not toss them, take it to my seat and wipe my hands again before eating.

After using the menu, and pulling in my chair.

FYI because you cannot travel with a cork screw, you are not limited to bottle cap wine. Just ask your room steward to bring you wine glasses and an opener. And make sure he continues to bring you clean wine glasses daily.

Thanks, I will call my travel agent and see if I can change to another covered mini!

Star Princess, even though I am on a column for that ship, I see a lot of other info - forgot to name it on my question above about suite 910

ok - read this and now confused. I booked dolphin deck 9 mini - forward room910 - will it be covered or not??? (boy I love this site - you get sooo much good into).

I book a mini, so no lounge. But, because there are no perks, cannot see the value. I travel RC a lot, have had suites, Princess does not do "special" service well, should take a page from Royal. We went for pre dinner app and drink in the lounge, and enjoyed speaking with others in a small comfortable location.

not sure what this room is - called a family suite, so not really a suite - no suite perks??? cannot find the sleeping arrangements - the 1 pic I found showed a sofa that did not open? Help - need to change soon if this will not work. Is it really small? I have had suites before, but on other cruise lines, and our rooms were very large - never bumped into each other!

I do not understand the comments about having to "book" in the main dinning room. What about all the ads saying "freestyle".

I could never book before I went on the cruise, I do not know where I will be every day yet???

we are doing our first Norw - on Dawn in March - very experienced cruisers, but hate having to run on a schedule every minute - that does not equate with vacation to me. And, do not expect to eat dinner in the buffet - only breakfast/lunch - I want to be waited on at dinner.

After reading this I will be taking my own products for sure! - see a cost saver to the cruise line - that is what they had in mind - we will not be using the wall dispensers, so they will not use as much and save money!!!

I do not always use soap on my hair - unless it has a lot of product in it, I often just use the rinse product, and there will not be one available.

Get the idea of no bar of soap, but at least get one with a scent that is "liked" by most users - wonder if they tried this on a test group and if so who they were - not regular passengers I am sure!

I often drop my luggage and go for a walkl to a store and shop for sun cream. wine. shampoo, hair products.. Or ask the taxi to stop while I do a fast shop = never had a problem - usually do carry on luggage and can not bring it.

Not sure what the complainer would be happy with - going to the ports anyway, a lot of sea sick days, tossing and turning - not able to walk outdoors on the ship - all would be locked down. No need to feed anyone! Everyone too green to eat! Confined to cabins!Bonus! Supplies of barf bags delivered to your rooms free!. Limited room power. Lights coming on and off! Raining so hard, you look like you are at sea when you are docked.

Get to a port - no port staff to allow the ship to dock and, if they find staff - the winds and waves so great - oops wait till we scoop you out of the ocean! You hear thumping - just the ship hitting the wall of the dock and doing damage to the dock and the ship!

No out trips, locals smart enought to stay home - not take some demanding tourists to their "booked" destinations!

What do you expect to see???

Besides the fact that the Captain and a lot of the senior staff would be accountable for the damage to the ship and safety of the people disappointed to miss the expected ports, but much happier to at least be alive!!

Please - go take your own side trips - do not board the ship - you will not be missed! Sounds like you would complain the whole cruise anyway!!

As other stated - most of us have had to miss ports - dissapointed? Yes!

Alive and well to go on other cruises in the future - YES!!

Please do not book cruises - not your cup of tea!

any problem getting water/juice and taking it off in ports?

Doing Canary Islands 11 nights 4 sea days so could have a couple drinks of the day.

Can you get specialty coffee the day you doc and end cruise - or just the canteen stuff?

Can you take special coffee off ship at ports in your travel mug< Or just bottled water juice?

Having just had knee surgery, I cannot stand in a line for a long period of time I am coming off Emerald in Southampton, and have a local hotel that I cannot get into until 3 hope I can leave when told with little line ups. I intend to take my time and hope the people in a hurry move ahead and get out of the way. Can you get a speciality coffee on disembark day?

The walk to the cable car was flat, there was a walk to the church which was uphill but you may be able to avoid that and walk straight to the toboggan. The baskets are quite big and easy to sit in and when you get to the bottom we had a coach take us back to the cruise ship.

Thank you! that will work!!

Did not know I would be having knee surgery when I booked this trip, but do not want to cancel - want to get away!

Thanks, the cable car, tabbogon ride sounds fun, but not sure I could do it - had knee replacement 5 wks ago - cannot do really long walks, and not sure if those rides would work for me??? I am not a whimp but wondering if It is good for me at this time?>?> (will be 8 wks post surgery by then.

I am on the roll call, but wanted info from people that have been on the cruise regarding the "must see" things to do - what were their favourite tours etc

Hello, I am going on the Emmerald, Canary Islands Cruise in Oct - what are the things I should do/not do, and places that really stood out as I would love to go back to.....

And money - do they use the Euro there? Tried to find that on a web site and was not clear after I read the answer.

I too do not like to sleep in a twin, so have the beds together, but with no nightstand on one wall, put the bed right against the wall. That gives you some space to move around the two nightstands can go side by side on the end wall .