shipgeeks

Cheap protein, I imagine. Nourishing, easy to acquire and store, especially historically when availability of fresh foods was limited.

Interesting term, Carwash Pants! Is that the style made up of narrow strips of fabric all the way around (like ribbons instead of fabric?) I've seen that as a skirt, as well, but always wondered about too much exposure! How far up do the slits go? I think Tina Turner carried it off well. Nice look for dancing! One of my current favorites is palazzo pants. Very soft fabric such as crepe, fitted at the waist and hips, then becoming quite full down the legs.

Our Daily Planners still say Formal.

It has always been my rule that I will never pay more for air than for the cruise. Right now it's the flight disruptions/cancellations/fights/baggage losses that are keeping us from flying for any trip. Fortunately, last year when DH lost his drivers license due to a stroke, we discovered a local travel company that does bus/cruise/bus trips, five time a year. We have done two, and have three more booked. Virtually door to door service, and as reliable and safe as any company could be. It works well for us.

There is probably a sign on the door frame saying the door should never be kept open.

Good question, although in our case, our TA even said "please go ahead and give it a try". As the song says, "Who can explain it, who can tell you why?"

We sleep under a fan at home, but it would never occur to me to take anything like that. The ship's AC, which we don't have at home, feels like moving air to me. Please be aware that leaving balcony doors open should not be done, as that will affect the AC in a number of other cabins.

I've had the same questions as the OP, and didn't find the answers in the link. I was invited to bid on my Feb. cruise. I put in a bid, I won. I was not invited to bid on my June cruise. I tried doing so without an invitation, and it never allowed me to log in, not even close to sailing date. I was invited to bid on my September cruise. Both of my bids are currently Submitted. ??

LOL, Back in the 70s I did a three-week bus-camping trip around Australia. We had baked beans on toast every morning at breakfast. That was my introduction to the dish.

Yes, do it onboard. It's easy and quick, even for those of us who don't use an ATM or a smartphone.

Last cruise, we used half of ours for extra gratuities for a special MDR server, and half for the Ukrainian crew relief fund.

So pending comes first, and then sometimes changes to submitted? The first time I checked up on my two bids, one said Pending, and one said Submitted. It wasn't clear to me which occurred first. Just curious.

If anytime dining is important to you, then as noted above, Aurea is the way to go. If you have a good loyalty level with another cruise line, it could be worth your while to apply for Status Match with MSC. If they match you to a nice MSC level, there could be some benefits for you. We have only sailed Bella level (we only want fixed dining), but we had a nice cabin, as well as some additional benefits, due to our match. We loved our MSC cruises; we were very pleased that we took the chance on them.

Not until September 22, so still lots of time. Just another "inquiring minds...." curiosity.

Something that recently became a game changer for us is leaving the jackets and many other hanging items on their hangers when packing. It does add a bit of weight, but unpacking on the ship is so much easier. We don't initially fold large items when packing. Place bottom half of jacket in case, with top remaining against the lid. Top half of trousers on top of that, with bottom half hanging out at the side. Continue through perhaps six or eight items, then start folding the outside halves over each other. No sharp fold lines when unpacked. We do cross-pack (his/hers items) in case one bag is lost. I use the clear plastic square bags that bed linen sets are sold in to hold undies, jerseys, etc. They can go right into a drawer on the ship.

I have one of each. I'm curious whether "submitted" means a confirmation that I submitted a bid, or that my bid has been submitted for shortlist/final consideration. "Pending" seems pretty straightforward, but it just is not clear to me which is the more advanced or positive.

I do that for any cruiseline, hotel, shuttle, etc.

Nonni, It will probably be worth your while to read through a bunch of previous posts about Portland. As mentioned above, a lot more info has been posted that could be helpful and informative. Portland is nice!

I don't know what the SkyView Lite app is, but you just reminded me of a cruise we did during which a special moon was to appear. A few of us were out on deck to watch for it. We knew the direction in which it was to rise. A woman behind us called out "There it is!" We looked, we didn't see anything. "It's right there, wow, it's beautiful!" Still nothing. Eventually we learned that she was watching something on her phone, presumably from a different location. When we did finally see the real thing, it was worth the wait.

There's so much to do and see in the town itself. Are you at all able-bodied? Narrow-gauge railway right at the port, with good rail museum. Several streets of Victorian houses, leading up to a nice view of the bay. Mail boats used by the locals to getting to the nearby islands. Vintage fire truck tour. And all of the above eateries. No need for excursions, nor for going out of town.

Thanks for the news. We've never found Baltimore disembarkation to be time-consuming, but every bit helps. I tried to access the article, but it said For subscribers only. I declined subscribing.

I have to agree. A coat is longer than a jacket. So you Brits get a point for logic. Re Tea: I know the difference, but I find myself correcting other Americans who don't. I just bought a new crossword book, which has been giving me a bit more trouble than usual. I finally realized it is British, with not only words I don't know, but tv programs, rivers, and more that are beyond my usual field of knowledge.

There was a question here recently re what Americans mean by "sportscoat". This is it. Not to be confused with a zippered jacket, especially one that matches one's athletic pants with stripes down the side!

I realize that one of the benefits of doing traditional (not anytime) dining in MDR is having the same waitstaff each night. The first night, they have always asked if we have any food allergies. I feel comfortable that we will be taken care of after that. (In my case, shellfish.)

Nunagoras, I think Empress is the ship that did the Cuba cruises. She is older, and smaller yet, than Enchantment. After sailing on her, we thought Grandeur and Enchantment were big! Lest you think that we only like smaller ships, I might mention that our other favorite ship in recent years was MSC Seaside. We sailed Bella, presumably with a full ship, and loved it. I think what she has in common with RC's Vision Class ships is the connection with the outside - sea and sky. I just cannot imagine choosing a ship with a promenade down the middle, and so few chances to connect with the ocean. IMO, a promenade is the thing that circles a ship, on the outside, so walkers and sitters can enjoy the view (and the little flying fish). Enchantment will be repositioning to Alaska in 2023, followed by trans-Pacific and then a long stay in Australia. Baltimore will be getting Vision of the Seas, and continuing the protocol of mostly longer cruises.