CruisinChris412

For the life of me I can't figure out the layout of the Boardwalk and Central Park? They're both roofless. Is one on one half of the ship and the other on the other half? I keep getting the impression they're on different decks? I'm confused!

Being born and raised in Nevada, I've never noticed a such thing as "cutting" in a buffet line. It is very common to grab your plate and casually walk along the counters to see what you want. Then, you take a helping of what you want. If someone is going down each item by item and they stop at the mac-n-cheese and I want the mashed potatoes which is "after" the mac-n-cheese, I'm not going to wait. Obviously, you should be observant and not just take a ladle, for example, out of someone's hand. But if you're occuppied on one dish, I'll go around you.

Many buffets do have omelette or stir fry stations or a carving station. For these stations, there is usually a line and you just wait your turn. Primarily, you have to wait your turn because there aren't multiple carvers. Also, if there is a railing of some sort in which you can't walk around people, then it's probably best not to even try.

Have you guys noticed that at many buffets you can get plates from both ends of the sections? What happens when one going right-to-left bumps into one going left-to-right? You move around each other.

Looking forward to more!

Me too! More! More!

Although this is our first cruise, we are seasoned travellers. We have been to many places in the world - Europe, China, Mexico, Caribbean, etc. Travelling with backpacks is the norm - not a hot button topic, an unusual occurrence, or considered to be rude behaviour.

 

Until now, we have avoided cruising for many reasons - and while I am really looking forward to our trip and expect to have a great time, I am going to spend less time on cruisecritic. The negativity is becoming oppressive.

Was it something I said? It's just a reality of life. Airport lines, strolling tourist districts, hiking, beaches, ball games are all venues in which at least half of the people have a backpack of some sort. I didn't mean to sound so blunt and cold. Sorry.

I am a person in a wheelchair. I'll let you all decide if these things -- all of which have happened to me personally -- are "rude" or not:

Person along side me reaching past me on the buffet line, to scoop something out of the bin next to me..dripping food on my plate, in my hair. They couldn't wait for me to move to the next station.

Yes. Wheelchair or not, that is extremely rude and low class. I hope they offered to grab a new plate for you and fill your plate.

Person in front of me on line, huge backpack on their pack, swinging sideways to talk to his companion...hitting me in the head and shoulder.

No. I'm sure it was just an accident. Not apologizing or recognizing what they did is rude.

Crowd of people *behind* me, waiting for the elevator. When it arrives, swarming around me -- not to hold the door so that I can get on, but to crowd on themselves.

Yes. Low class and rude.

Teenagers in the elevator with me, admiring my power wheelchair.. "Wish WE had one of those!! We could get around the ship much faster!!" and then shoving past me out the elevator doors.

Yes. Teens will say a lot of things (which this isn't too big of a deal), but it becomes rude when they don't recognize your situation and let you safely, comfortably exit the elevator.

Person in front of me, going through a doorway. Not so much as a glance behind. The door shuts in front of me.

Yes. Inconsiderate and rude.

A couple (or group of people) walking down a hallway -- stop dead, to look at ..whatever (ship map? schedule of day events? doesn't matter).. then mad at me because I nearly hit them (scooters don't stop totally, sometimes..but glide ahead.)

Did you at least apologize? Perhaps, you should leave a 10 paces difference between you and people in front of you.

Person in line in the bathroom, sees me waiting for the *one* handicap stall to open..and when it does, slides around me and into the stall.

Yes. Low class and rude.

Family in the buffet area see me leaving my open space (I moved the chair so I could get to the table in my wheelchair), heading to the buffet line to get something, having left my book behind as a "marker" -- move the book and take over the table. "Well, there were several of us and you were at the table by yourself.."

Yes. Inconsiderate and rude. The verbal exchange shows they're low class. They should've simply asked you if they could have your table ASSUMING there was a convenient smaller table for yourself.

People in the theatre standing in front of me as I'm "parked" in the few handicap accessible spots at the back of the theatre..hard enough to see from there anyway, but then latecomers come in and stand *in front* of me..

Yes. Wheelchair or not, that is rude to anybody.

I could go on....

When travelling, backpacks should be expected.

Common sense and courtesy goes a long way.

If you do go to a buffet, use tongs and bring your plate up to the food. Don't carry a spoon full of one dish over another. Some will fall off.

Elevator customs are key. Never wrong to ride it down a couple of decks when you're trying to go up.

Punctuality is a plus. Whether it's dinner time, attending a show or activity, make sure you're 5 minutes early. Showing up late is a distraction to others.

As far as the star gazing recommendation, that is a little over the top. If you want your balcony light on, leave it on. Personally, I like to always leave a light on for safety and theft prevention! However, these unique "faux pas" bring up another point: if you want a request from someone, be polite about it and ask. Don't forget that it is your vacation but you will be sharing it with thousands of others; there's simply no way around it.

Why did you leave that hotel in San Juan?! lol The pictures were awesome!

You said in Barbados(I think?) you had rum punch? What is rum punch?

I love it Mike. It seems like you had quite the vacation. I love the pictures, especially the pictures of the ports. For some reason, I haven't had the desire to cruise to the Cayman Islands, Jamaica or Key West, but I think these pics may have coaxed me into checking these places out versus other Caribbean destinations.

I have some questions, forgive me if you've answered them more than once:

Why did you decide to do the B2B2B2B? As opposed to say 2 B2B 10+ night Caribbean cruises or something else?

How much do you bench press?