BBsails

I agree with the others who have posted. I think you have your options. Could DD talk with her instructor about a less severe penalty, such as taking the exam when she returns or doing an extra project to demonstrate her knowledge of the course content? Maybe she could be a better advocate for herself.

We've sailed on the Equinox three times and have had a great experience each time.

Be sure to join the Captain's Club to start amassing points, which earn you perks.

Bon voyage!

Not in the past, but we're booked for 2017. Here are the links to the 2016 and 2017 roll calls which may provide you with some relevant information:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2142156

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2322301&highlight=2017

Score! Received shareholder credit for transpacific (Vancouver-->Japan) in 2017. Booked with category upgrade offered through Captain's Club. Travel agent OBC supplied, but no perks attached to reservation.

Betsy

I enjoyed picking up a few pieces of sushi in Oceanview in the late afternoons and am sorry it is no longer available there. BTW, I am allergic to shellfish and found the serving staff helpful in determining which pieces included shellfish and which didn't.

I'm predicting Sushi on Five won't last too long, so we'll see what the next use of that space will be.

Betsy

Xciting! Thanks, Andy.

Betsy

DIY shake recipe: Take an empty glass to the ice cream bar to get the flavor of ice cream you want, and add one of the syrups (chocolate, caramel, strawberry) available there. Pick up milk in the buffet. Add the milk to the ice cream and syrup in the glass and stir vigorously.

DIY float recipe: Take an empty glass to the ice cream bar to get the flavor of ice cream you want, use your package to supply the soft drink. Add the soft drink to the ice cream in the glass.

Bon appetit!

Google Milos Radakovich for more information.

Milos (pronounced Milosh)! Originally from Dubrovnic, which he left as a young child. Knowledgeable and funny. He referred to New Zealand as "Newsy Land", and now I'll never think of it in any other way. Would happily attend his presentations on a future cruise.

Wondering if he'll be around for the transpacific from Vancouver to Japan after doing Alaska. If anyone comes in contact with him, please ask and post here.

Thanks!

Betsy

We were on the Eclipse in April/May. I found the strength of the Lavazza in the buffet varied from day to day and even from pot to pot on the same day. At times it was excellent--as good at that found in Al Bacio, which was a happy surprise--and at other times it was as weak as dishwater. YMMV. Good luck!

Keep in mind that if you are not happy with your assigned gty cabin you may change to any other open cabin in the same category. Your TA should know this.

Betsy

For non-red meat eaters: Branzino is a mild white fish.

Betsy

My understanding is that those who have been successful making this swap went directly to guest relations onboard and asked to change packages before making any purchases on their seapass.

We went directly to guest relations upon boarding, and as I mentioned below, the change was made to DH's package cheerfully and immediately while I retained the classic package. He doesn't drink alcohol and wanted the sparkly premium water.

Betsy

I sure hope they'll build a thalassotherapy pool (or two) into the design of the E- class ships! A great chance to rectify the serious mistake of not including them on the S-class, IMHO. :p

Betsy

My favorite was the seared branzino with parsnip puree, lentils and spinach. It had a pomegranate sauce. Nothing compared to it!

Thanks for posting this, TRAVELBABE1. I was trying to remember all the details of this dish in order to post it on this thread. Best entree I've ever had on =X=. We were on a B2B, so I was hoping it was on the menu again, but it wasn't. Exquisite.

Betsy

Yes, DH did just what you described on the Equinox in late 2015. No problem.

Betsy

I think the answer to your question is, yes, you can just self disembark at whatever time you want as long as you have control of your own luggage, keeping in mind that they request you vacate your cabin by a certain time. You should double-check onboard but that was my recent experience.

 

On Reflection in February, we kept all our bags with us and didn't put them out the night before. We went to eat breakfast at 7:15 and returned to our room at 7:50 to grab our luggage. We then took the elevators down to the disembarkation deck and were out of the ship, through Customs, and in a cab shortly after 8. Caveat that this was a Caribbean itinerary debarking in Miami so that may make some difference. The Customs line had no one in it, which helped a lot.

We've self-disembarked on every trip with =X=, no matter the location. We take our own bags (each with a regular size bag plus a smaller carryon) off with us and leave anytime we need to, depending on our transportation from the port. We've learned to use the forward elevators because they're less crowded and if the descending elevators happen to be crowded, we just catch one going up, ride it to the top, and stay on as it goes down. Works every time.

Bon voyage

Betsy

On our last cruise, 4 of us travelled together and had Select Dining. We enjoyed our wait staff on the first evening so we made a reservation for the same section each evening. We did have to wait a few minutes on a couple of occasions, but we were seated where we wanted each evening and our dining experience was excellent. On two nights, they asked if we minded another couple joining us and we were fine with that as well.

This is similar to our experience with Select Dining over several cruises. We've always found servers that we like, so we request to be seated in their section each night. Occasionally we've had to wait for a few minutes if the section is full. Sometimes we were at a table for two, sometimes the hostess asked if being seated at a table for four was OK. There was a table for two by the window in our preferred section that our servers called the "honeymoon" table. Funny.

Betsy

Tasmania rules! You may have many further opportunities to sail in a coveted cabin on future cruises, but how often will you get to Tasmania? And if you do decide go to Tasmania, be sure to have fish and chips at Fish Frenzy on one of the piers in Hobart. I still can't believe I polished off (inhaled) an entire order. Spectacular!

Betsy

Oops, forgot the Eclipse was headed to Iceland. When you head south again, the internet should improve. Charles4515 is correct.

Betsy

Wow! This was not our experience at all on the cruise just prior to yours, ghstudio (Eclipse B2B from Miami to Southampton TA then RT Southampton to Norway). We had unlimited internet that worked very well except when we were deep in some of the Norwegian fiords. Highest speeds we have ever experienced on a =X= ship. I wonder why there's such a huge difference?

Betsy

I read simewhere here on the boards that they have removed the tall 2" pupes in the corners of the T pools during the latest drydock. This is progress?

Say it isn't so! :eek: Love letting the water pound my shoulders. Aaaah.

Betsy

If you've never been on an M-class ship, be sure not to miss the fabulous Thalassotherapy pool. Warm, relaxing, adults only. Cannot understand why it was not incorporated into the S-class design. Yes, the S-class ships are more modern, but there's no Thalassotherapy pool. We book for the itinerary, service, and ambience (and the almond croissants) on =X=. Makes no difference whether it's S- or M-class.

Betsy

We're currently on the Eclipse transatlantic--sailing out of Lisbon tonight at midnight promises to be awesome--and combined the military rate with shareholder credit.

Betsy

Nope, we'll arrive in Lisbon one day later than scheduled after an added port in LeHavre, France! Disappointed not to be going to Bermuda, but will happily spend a day in France.

Betsy