TinkBellaMom

7 hours ago, moposh said:

@igmurray would you have rather not been told about your father's death until after the cruise?  Just curious. 

I would be interested to know.

We cruise often and we are always asked if we would like to be told.  It’s a worry for our family as both our parents are still living but up there in years.

I never know what to answer.  I usually say it depends on the circumstances.  If we are already on the cruise it is difficult to get home from there.

Thank you all for the info.  Anyone want to join a tour with us—just kidding.

We loved Pompeii.  We were fortunate that a couple in our group had actually hired a very knowledgeable guide to show us around.  Fascinating stuff!

My husband reminded me that we have a substantial OBC to use on this trip, so I booked with the cruise line.  No frills, basically, a transfer to Sorrento and Herculaneum.  We are good on our own, should be able to make a day of exploration.

 I wonder if my fear of missing the ship is common.  We are seasoned travelers and cruisers and I still worry.  I have real dreams of being unable to get to the ship, nightmares really.

Deb

On 7/11/2023 at 5:12 AM, edinburgher said:

Should you find nobody to share, Herculaneum and Pompeii are super easy to DIY from the port, and at Pompeii you can hire a guide at the entrance.  Therre are many many previous threads here on CC describing in some detail how to reach both from the port.

We may just try for Herculaneum this trip as we did Pompeii last trip.  My biggest fear in cruising is missing the ship😊

1 minute ago, CruiserBruce said:

Cruise Critic doesn't have a PM feature.

Looking back on my notes I see that one of our fellow cruisers did a spreadsheet with everyone interested in sharing tours listed.  Personal info, right down to cabin numbers were on that spreadsheet.  I was grateful but didn’t truly appreciate the ease of it all then.

On 7/11/2023 at 3:45 AM, Over from NZ said:

We found the same problem as you. 5 years ago we organised all our excursions on cruise critic and there was lots of activity. This time round.. it was hard to get any traction. The boards were rather quiet and we couldn't get enough interest. The short answer is yes - you need to try something else. Facebook. We filled half our excursions via here and half via facebook event pages set up for the cruises we were on. 

I’ve noticed also that I can’t message people who are on the roll calls.  On our last visit, I was able to make contact with others personally, set up meeting places and times.  The folks who had originally announced they would be on our sailing have not checked back in to the thread and there is no way to see if any might be interested.

We are considering canceling the excursion and joining another tour as making it a private tour is just too expensive for us.

Thank you for listening.

Deb

Rome in Limo, sharingtoursinitaly.com.  We used this company before 5 years ago, in Naples and Sicily.  Rome in Limo was helpful in all aspects, great experiences and we saved money.  We are not really crazy about excursions organized by the ship, too many people.

When I have planned before, the Roll Calls were really full, now I can’t find folks interested because there are very few on the here.

We are sailing on the Symphony of the Seas, Sept. 28,2023 out of Rome.  This date also includes a sailing that begins Sept 24 in Barcelona.  This is a interport route, a circle route.  I have tried putting a posting on both dates Roll Calls, without any interest.

Should I be trying something else?  It’s a great tour on Pompeii, Herculaneum and wine tasting and lunch at a Mt Vesuvius winery.

Doing it on our own is not an option because of cost, 4-6 more people would make it less than a ships tour.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Deb

Thank you everyone!

We have been loyal to Royal, we are Diamond Plus.  We would like to try Celebrity, but I’m having trouble finding info on how to apply our loyalty level to Celebrity.  I know we won’t accumulate points for Royal, but are there balcony discounts,etc.  

Deb

On 5/30/2023 at 8:07 AM, HappyTexan44 said:

For those considering Magnesium.  Instead of orally which can be /is  a laxative, Mg can be absorbed through the skin.  The below is what I use on vacations.   You get your magnesium and help your aching feet with the same thing.  I don't know if this is the best since it is the first I've tried.  One lasts for a long time.  

https://www.walmart.com/ip/PROcure-Epsom-Salt-Rub-Gel-6-fl-oz/49912425?from=/search

Thank you!  I will try this.  I already take a diuretic daily, it boosts my BP meds.  Can’t always soak in a tub on a ship.

Maybe the ship could put epsom salts in one of the hot tubs🥰

11 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Rather than flaming the cruise line, did ya bother to ask while in the ship?  
 

supply chain problems abound. The didn’t get hash browns, so we’re serving French fries for breakfast. 

I’m not sure folks were actually “flaming” the cruise line.  Many also said they asked and were unable to locate it. Most were just discussing the issue.  This is a forum after all.  It seems a discussion or debate these days is somehow wrong.  
If you don’t like a discussion going on just scroll on by and perhaps find something you are interested in.

37 minutes ago, shipgeeks said:

I've seen people - including guests of genuine Diamonds - maltreat the coffee machine quite harshly if they think it isn't brewing quickly enough.  Please, people, follow instructions and be gentle.  Some of us cherish our DL coffee.

If I were to see that, I would put a stop to it!  Don’t mess with the coffee machine.😊.  We rarely go to the DL in the evenings( unless we are on Radiance Class).  Mornings with coffee is my favorite time in DL.  Granduer disappointed in that dept.

On the Grandeur twice in 3 months.  No coffee machine in the DL.😳

We we’re told the machine broke and unable to get parts.

p.s.  No cream in MDR of Granduer either, only watery milk.☹️

Wow, thank you!  I feel better just knowing others have the same issues.  I have already tried many of the suggestions, but I see a few that I will try next cruise.  

I’m wondering if others have a problem with swelling feet and legs while cruising?

We are frequent cruisers and I don’t know what to do about this issue, it can be such misery sometimes.

I take prescription diuretics, I am a modest drinker and I try to stay hydrated with water.  I try to be careful with ordering food, no French Onion soup ☹️, etc.  But, at the end of the day, my legs and ankles are so swollen.  Is there a way to ask for lower sodium items?

Please someone tell me this is problem for others?

Deb

Just back and unfortunately the rum wasn’t available.  We were told it is in short supply and since Covid they are trying to catch up at the distillery. Told us to try again in late June or July.  Unfortunately, no plans to visit that soon.  Beautiful island though!

We have never tried the “shoe in the door” method.  But, I can tell you the standing on one foot, twirling around with the phone in the air doesn’t work.😊

while on Grandeur in March, we met some nice people while standing under a router in the area near the Centrum.👍

Thank you for the info!  I was afraid I would have to ask for it out loud. 😳

On 8/30/2022 at 12:18 PM, richbum said:

Do they still sell Big Black Dick Rum? I have someone who wants me to grab them a bottle.

I have asked this question too.  I would like to get some for gifts as well.  Wondering if you found it?

We will be there in a few days.  Friends tell me about a rum unique to Grand Cayman called Big Black Dick, I know😊.  
anyone know a source near port?
TIA

Deb

On 2/26/2023 at 9:20 PM, aubreyc1988 said:

 

 

Desserts have always been the weakest point in the cruising industry, in my opinion, but I did have a couple enjoyable ones this trip. Man, that gooey choco chip cookie thing was amazing! And they brought me a scoop of icecream with every dessert without even me having to ask!

OMG, you are right !  That warm choc. cookie was amazing!

9 hours ago, JeffT237 said:

I think this is a mind set rather than reality thing, for most passengers, not all.  We go into all of our travel experiences with an open mind, what our expectations and tastes are. Vacations for us are fun and enjoyable, more expensive now and filled with mostly hits and some misses. We don't expect perfection, things happen. We had a disappointing experience last May on the Crown Princess, that experience was thoroughly discussed on CC, but early on we decided we'll make the most of it and deal with the unsatisfactory experience with Princess when we return.  Reviews on CC need to be taken with a grain of salt.  Throw out the extremely high ones and extremely low ones to get a more accurate review of the experience.  

 

 

I also think a change in the menu is a good thing.  I think what folks are missing here is not so much that the food is horrible, but the quality has really sunk low.  We honestly never had a hot meal, they are pre-plating food and allowing it to sit too long.  I had my own catering business, I know about plating.  Garnishes only, then add everything and serve.  Sauces congeal, meats gets tough as they cool.  I’m hoping they can pull it together.  Speedy isn’t important to us, we like to slow down on vacation.

I was going to ask the same question, however, I get the impression that it is not really recommended.  We came straight from Rome by train on our last trip.  This trip we will be in Florence before our cruise and feel most comfortable being near the port the day before, so only one night.  We are not sure what to do.

We have had several cruises since earning our first block.  We earned it on our favorite ship Jewel.  When we were on Oasis a month ago, I asked the LA if we were missed or maybe the points changed to qualify.  He said you should’ve received it on the Jewel cruise.  He said it would be mailed to us.  Now I’m doubtful, does it normally take awhile, like months?

13 minutes ago, mikegrip said:

Just debarked Symphony on 02/04 and we never received issues with requesting different sides, getting a plate of steamed broccoli, ordering from kids menu (burger) for an adult that simply didn't want anything else on mexican night, etc.  These were all on menu.  Did encounter that the cheese plate is gone, and was told "We are sorry but with the new menus if the item is not listed we do not have it available"  Our waiter offered to go up to Windjammer to get some but we declined the offer.

We loved the cheese plate as well!  Also, no fruit plate on dessert menu. I kind of don’t think this is about expediting meals because of shows.  It truly felt like budget cuts to us.  This new system doesn’t benefit us at all.  We felt deprived.

2 hours ago, cruisegirl1 said:

If the garden salad is on the menu, no reason why you can't  get a larger one (or two regular)  for dinner.  I used to get a double salad and a piece of plain chicken or salmon  on top.    I suspect the  protein addition is no longer allowed.   I guess I can order a shrimp cocktail, ( if offered that night) and salad and combine to make dinner.

 

M

That’s the problem, a garden salad is no longer on the menu.  Only Caesar w/ Caesar dressing.  Grilled chicken and salmon are gone also from the daily menu.  Escargot and onion soup were no longer on daily, only offered a few times thru the week.  If you want to eat healthy (sometimes)  it’s tough.  We really enjoy the atmosphere in the dining room.  If we need to get to a show etc., we could eat in WJ for a speedier meal.  Now that’s out of our hands.