rkacruiser

As a child, I did not care for turnips, but, I was encouraged to try a small bite of a small piece when we had potatoes and turnips and pork. Gradually, I learned to like them. Not my favorite vegetable, but, I have learned to eat them. Rhubarb? Both my Grandmother and Mother made delicious Rhubarb Sauce and a Jelly made with Strawberries and Rhubarb. Haven't had that for a very long time.

I had not thought about this. Many posts about some other cruise lines that the abundance of specialty restaurants seems to have diminished the cuisine and the service of the MDR's service and cuisine. Choice in dining venues is good. But, how does this impact the guest's overall dining experience. It's interesting that it is not just a main stream cruise line, such as HAL has become, that these dining concerns are being discussed on the message boards of the cruise lines that are considered to be "luxury cruise lines".

The logical response would be for those of us who experience this to be to use our dollars for whatever our personal preferences might be for those discretionary dollars. If cruising does reach this level, the entire marketing of the cruise vacation concept will need to be re-imagined, marketed, and sold. Full employment for many thousands of those in those fields?

Are the days of ala carte dining with dollar signs next to the menu items on the horizon?

As all of the cruise lines are finding. This "news" about a corporate divestment of a part of itself is nothing more than speculation to me. Under SEC regulations, if such were to take place, the investment community must be informed of such a major change. CCL has not done that. My opinion: this week a travel "expert" has stirred the pot for his own business interests. Notoriety of him makes him "known" to others. I (and others) have never heard of him or his business before this past week.

So much for "fine dining" as some of us understand the term, at least, from our past cruise ship dining experiences on many different cruise lines as well as HAL. It's a continuation of the "extra cost" items on the MDR menu philosophy. How to stop this? Stop ordering such items! Make your voices heard in objection to this practice--not just to Corporate--but to the Guest Relations Manager and Hotel Director on the ship. Enough voices heard may irritate these individuals sufficiently to encourage the "Seattle suits" to change this "policy".

In Skagway, the train trip to Carcross was a trip that I recommend. Such a difference in environment from where one starts to the end of the line. In Victoria, if your port time allows it, a visit to Butchart Gardens is a delight. But, to fully appreciate the Gardens, one needs several hours to see the various gardens and absorb the experience. Another suggestion would be to arrange to have Tea at a venue that offers such or at the Empress Hotel. In Juneau, the 5 Glacier flightseeing tour that includes a visit to the Taku Lodge with their Salmon lunch/dinner is scenic and the meal is excellent. Sometimes, a bear visits the premises when the cooking of the Salmon on the grill for an easy meal. That was a highlight of my experience!

I am finding it increasingly difficult in keeping abreast of what the itineraries are since I don't have current hard copy brochures.

I would not care for this table when it is dark--or have it set differently. Looking at one's reflection while dining would not be my choice. I would have it set so that my back (at least partially) would be towards the windows.

Have you used the Auto Train before? I did in 2020 from Sanford to Lorton and I enjoyed the journey and not having the drive up I-95. Heading to my destination--Greenbelt, MD, I missed a turn and ended up in downtown Washington. Needed to use Onstar to get me out of that situation!

Am I understanding this correctly? If I order an appetizer or soup, a salad, a entree with one or two sides, and a dessert, I will be charged for an extra appetizer?

I arrived at the right time! Hoping for some good toots!

An appropriate question to ask the Officer (or whomever) at the Muster Station when one checks in is "where are the lifejackets stored at this Station". Agree!

Why couldn't a cart be requested and that request be placed in your record? I am fairly certain that I have seen carts waiting in the area of where people are deplaning for passengers.

That pass allows you to use the Hydrothermal Pool, the Thermal Ceramic Beds. as well as the other amenities of the Suite which does include the Sauna and Steam facility. Also, the locker room and showers available are good. Depending on the facilities that you intend to use, then your choice of a cruise long or daily pass is your choice. I buy a cruise long pass and get my money's worth.

When I visited in Singapore, I recall no medication approval form. Certainly went through Customs/Immigration when I disembarked the Statendam for a stay in Singapore. There were no issues. No inspections. None. I left the terminal and got a taxi to my hotel. Maybe things have changed since I was last there.

It is an interesting choice for an appetizer on a Business Class flight, but, I would try it. I have had Baby Octopus as part of an Antipasto and I did like it. Thank you for posting your menu on your flight. I wish I had some of these goodies!

OP, I followed the regulations that were in effect during my visits to Singapore. My last visit involved a 3 day stay in the city before flying home. Never had any challenge or questions about my prescription medications. As far as I know, the officials knew nothing about my medications. Lots to enjoy in Singapore; different Hop on/Off routes, the Botanic and Orchid Garden, the Night Zoo, and the dining venues. It is an easy city to navigate for a tourist.

How can the USCG approve of such a practice?

I hope that never happens. But, regarding the wine stewards, the machines maybe could be programmed with more knowledge about wines than some of the wine stewards on some of the cruise lines possess.

And, then, how many will cancel prior to the final payment date for the cruise? Me too. And, I remain concerned, if an evacuation of such a ship needs to take place, are these monsters of the seas going to be a reason for a monster catastrophic loss of life that will negatively impact the cruise industry? Important for me as well, but..... ....the onboard experience is, at this point of my life, maybe the overriding factor as to whether I would book a cruise or not.

This is "old news". A CC poster found an article on a travel agency's website dated May, 2022 about the sale. Another travel writer put this "new" information on his Facebook page recently. If there was any change in Seabourn's ownership, by SEC regulations, CCL would have had to publicly made it know to the investment community well before now. Personally, if the "news" is on Facebook, I discount such information immediately!

Do you still have your life jacket? 😁

I almost did. When I checked the Harbormaster's report of port activity, the time was listed for 5:00 P. M. just as it was (and seems to be) for the Eurodam.

Sailing that early does provide more time to get acclimated for those who have First Seating Dinner. And, a longer HH for those of us who have Second Seating Dinner. 😀