rkacruiser

I am pleased to read this. Travel ought to be an eye-opening experience and the younger that starts, the better our society will be, in my opinion.

The Royal Class ship's hydrothermal pool/thermal suite is lacking in comparison with HAL's. Vista, Signature, Pinnacle Class ships: all were more pleasing to me than what I experienced on Royal Princess. But, the Pinnacle Class hydrothermal pool has been improved with a seating ledge near the steps into the pool as well as a more convenient placement of the buttons to get the bubbly-bubbly feature of the pool restarted instead of one of the bathers having to get out of the pool and push the buttons. This has been their "secret sauce" for decades! It is the nationality of the majority of their crew: Indonesians and Filipino. When another nationality of Stewards was introduced in the Pinnacle Grill, several years ago, their service was "cold/impersonal" and that "experiment" didn't last too long.

Different tastes, maybe? Different cooks in the pizza kitchen, maybe? HAL's New York Deli and Pizza pizza product is superior to the pizza product that the other vessels pizza galleys can produce. MSC's pizza? As good as, if not better, than HAL's best pizza. Just my opinion--according to my taste buds. 😀

I ordered a Continental Breakfast as a YC guest: OJ, coffee, Croissant. I got one OJ, one cup of coffee, one croissant, butter and some jams. Skimpy was my impression. I suggest that one be very specific as to the quantity one wants when one uses the door hanger Room Service Menu ordering. (This applies to other ships as well.) And, even then, be appreciative if one receives exactly what has been ordered.)

That's what I had to do when I sailed on Meraviglia from Miami. Avoid the traffic chaos in the traffic lanes near the terminals, get into the lane that takes one to the parking garage when one enters the Port: ought to be easier and less stressful.

My opinion: the time available for you to visit Te papa would be an injustice to the Museum. It would be a "once over, very lightly and very quickly", I think. Personally, I think some tourists try to cram too much into a visit.

It probably is an area beneath the back stage area of the main theater and that ought not to be a noise producer. For me, the views of the ocean would be restricted to none to quite a bit from those staterooms. Also, the interior room for outside staterooms is not as generous as those on the bottom two passenger decks.

Consistent inconsistent cruise experience has become the "norm" for HAL cruises. But, HAL is not alone in this regard. Check out the Silverseas and Seabourn Message Boards for their guests' experiences.

I have been very pleased with all 4 of the Carnival cruises that I have sailed. My traveling companion has only HAL and Carnival experiences and she has been pleased as well. The "vibe" is different. Whether the Carnival Luminoso retains the Costa "vibe", who knows. The ship's decor won't change, I am sure. But, from what I am learning, Carnival is returning to its Italian roots as to staffing, etc. That's good, in my opinion.

1. It is a long day. 2. There is a lot of walking. 3, Walking surfaces vary from being "normal" to not. Visiting the temples, probably is the worst area. Visiting the tombs, I don't recall that being an issue. 4. It is hot. 5. If you visit a temple as part of a tour after dark, it is pitch black. A small flashlight helped me to illumine where I was walking, but, having to keep looking at my footing detracted from the experience of where I was. I attended a Sound and Light Show as part of that tour. The show was worthwhile. But, the poor lighting when leaving the seating area with the steps caused me to miss a step and I was injured. I cannot recommend this Sound and Light Show--if it is still offered--because of what I consider to be unsafe conditions. (This was a tour my cruise oriented travel agency offered. The next season, it was not offered!)

My tour was in 2008! I will check my Journals from that cruise and let you know if I have a tour name.

I didn't feel any disrespect. I understand. The circumstances of an "accident" would certainly be of importance if such ever resulted in a legal case.

Quibbling over words? Both of us know what both of us meant by the two words that were used,

Until one is infected with the darn virus and spends much of their cruise in quarantine.

Good for you! You are doing your research and not just depending on others to do your work for you! I know that you are not the only one that has concerns about being in the Sun too long/too much. (Me too!) I am unsure what else to suggest. Maybe if you can narrow your choice of ships to those you are considering and post your question on the Message Board for the cruise line that operates those ships. Perhaps, that will help you. I simply don't know of a web site that might have the information you are seeking.

A Galley tour offers no more danger to a guest than walking up/down a staircase. If there is any potential "danger". it is using the metal stairs in the crew's section of the ship. The cruise lines have rules that guests must follow for the Behind the Scenes Tours: i.e. closed toe shoes must be worn. Interesting that you felt that way. I did not; never even considered that. The tour did not interfere with the crew's duties. The cooks in the Galley continued to do their job as did the bakers as did those who worked in the sanitation (read garbage/trash area). We were not interfering with the Bridge Officers; one, sometimes a Cadet, would be our "guide" on the Bridge. The staff person leading the tour would have various duties, but, those duties were always guest related. Aboard Carnival Miracle, I did a Behind the Scenes Tour a few days before the ship was to enter into drydock and below deck preparations were being made, i.e thick paper covering some of the walls and the deck flooring. My group did nothing to interrupt those preparations. The staff member who lead our little group--during the after tour cocktail parties--welcomed more conversation and Q&A for as long as the group desired. After one tour, the Hotel Director, whom we had met earlier in the afternoon, joined us. (He did not need to do that. If we were a "bother", why would he take time out of his day to join our group for awhile?)

My comment was not Silverseas specific.

Thank you. I understand your concern. The Grand Class ships of Princess has balconies arranged in a stairstep arrangement on the sides of the ship and the lowest level of the balcony decks, the balconies are totally uncovered. Perhaps, studying the deck plans of the ships in which you are interested and trying to see photos of the exteriors of those ships will help you. Are you working with a cruise experienced travel agent? If not, I strongly suggest that you consider doing so. The agent ought to be able to provide you with the information you are seeking and, maybe, even better photos of the ships than you will find on the internet.

Could you be more specific in what you wish to learn? The majority of balconies are covered, but, because the ship may change direction in relation to the Sun's position in the sky, it is likely that there will be parts of a day when the balcony will not be shaded.

I'd try it, but a flute of Prosecco would be preferred by me.

😄 I know what you are saying! I was able to attend two shareholder meetings of Anheuser-Busch at Seaworld when they still owned the Parks and the snack company. Free admission to Seaworld for the day, Eagle Brand snacks and plentiful beer available before and after the meeting, but, don't recall getting an "official" swag bag of the snacks. But, I did make my own. I am a long time investor in Pepsico and would enjoy attending one of their Annual Meetings, I expect. Most of the Frito-Lay products are delicious. I think. But, there was one recently that was tasteless in its Sour Cream and Onion version. Because of where you live, you do have an advantage of being more easily able to attend these Annual Meetings.

I appreciate reading your post. I have been pleased with my investments in the cruise industry. Without regard for OBC, which is "icing on the cake", I have no regrets for making the investments that I have done. One of the more interesting experiences in my life was my attendance at a CCL Annual Meeting in Coral Gables. I was among one of the few individual shareholders in attendance. A pre-meeting Continental Breakfast was available at The Biltmore Hotel where my tablemates and I were greeted by a member of the Board of Directors. After the meeting, I was able to meet and speak with CEO Arison as well as Stein Kruse. They were affable and Mr. Kruse and I reminisced about that Gala Evening at The Cistern in Istanbul during the 2008 Grand World Cruise. Doing so, would not have provided me with the same personal experiences that mean much more to me than dollars.

How did that feel?

Thanks for your response. "Coupons" do not replace a Reception in my opinion.

As long as there is suitable sleeping space for two kids and two adults, why not? No children of my own, but, as a retired educator when I have sailed on HAL, I have read the Club HAL programs and have visited the facilities. I have been impressed. And, observing the counselors working with the children, they seem to know what they are doing.