milligold

We were on the same sailing, first time on the KP, and overall agree with Qstrom! We were on Caribe deck, our bed was fine. There was a guy replacing the wall coverings in the hallway in the midship section. We did notice that some of the chairs in the Explorers Lounge are looking rather worn, we call that a "first world problem."

 

We were able to do the Ultimate Ship Tour (well worth every penny!) and were told that the drydock is mainly for structural (hull) inspection and maintenence this time, don't know how much of the interior/furnishings will be replaced.

I did the Ultimate Ship tour also. Love the robes we got. Carole

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21

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I have never been on an antarctic cruise but would like to do one during the solar eclipse coming on Dec 4, 2021. In your opinion would this be something that could be observed from the deck of a cruise ship? Could I expect a reasonably stable deck for good viewing?

The path of the eclipse will be an arc starting just east of the Falkland Islands curving southwards through about the middle of the Weddell Sea, then passing over the west portion of Berkner Island and the Ronne Ice Shelf, and continuing east of the Ellsworth Mountains. From there it crosses the continent over the Marie Byrd Land before heading back out to sea near the Russian station at Hull Bay (Russkaya). The eclipse then fades over the Antarctic Ocean somewhere just north of the Antarctic Circle at about 125 degrees west Longitude.

I'm guessing east of the Falklands might be the best chance for viewing? Any chance of calm seas in that area? Are there cruises to the Amundsen Sea that visit the Russian Station? Are the seas any calmer over there? The Russkaya Station is quite close to the path of maximum totality - it looks like a good place to be.

I have already put a deposit on a cruise that will be in the path of totality on 12/4/21 through Ring of Fire Expeditions.

Carole

If was cheaper.... I would tried it when I was on the Ruby (December 2015). The concept sounds like Dim Sum.

 

 

 

1TYZ_Z2DXnk oyvaf7UwgYU

It is worth every penny. The food is wonderful.

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Well, actually, when it was first advertised "share(ing)" was their concept. It was well stated in the video and the words that you could share your food with your fellow table mates or just eat your own. Once they realized that people didn't want to share their food with family members let alone strangers they dropped that part from the Share video. Trust me, Curtis Stone DID say that the concept was to share your food. That was the whole point of the name. Otherwise, what do you think the name Share is standing for?

We ate at Share twice on our 7-day cruise in December and we asked our waiter that question. She said it is for the restaurant to "Share" it's adventure in food with the customer. I had to laugh. The plates are way too small to be enough food to share with anyone. The food is fantastic, though.

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When we were on the Emerald the staff was pushing SHARE so hard is became comical. At every turn they would be telling the people just how great the place was & the fantastic time they recently experienced eating there.

 

Anyone could see through the facade of their raves.

Interesting..when I was on the Ruby last October I couldn't get reservations the last night, as it was sold out.

Carole

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I for one hope that you are correct . I don't like the concept .

What do you mean "concept"? Share is just the name of the restaurant. You don't share your dishes.

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I read somewhere, but can't find it now - that they are starting to phase out Curtis Stone's "Share" and replace it with a revamped Sabatini's. Is this true? Will the Sabatinis on all ships be changed?

Love Share and hate Sabatini's. please NO!!!!

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This would be GREAT NEWS if it is true.

I would be very upset. Share is my favorite restaurant and could eat there every night.

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Time to switch to Cunard.

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7 on the Emerald and 14 on the Ruby

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I'm going to be on the Ruby Princess on Halloween day. I've never been on a ship for this occasion before, and I was wondering what Princess usually has planned. Has anyone gone on a Halloween cruise?

I'm sure a lot has to do with whether it is a sea day or a port day. We're going to be in San Francisco until 11pm, so a lot of people will be off the ship. I really want to partake in Halloween festivities. Should I bring a costume? What's going to happen?

Carole

Just wanted to let everyone know what we are doing while during our stay in London. We are staying at the Hilton Doubletree Westminster. After we get over the jet lag, we plan to explorer the Westminster area. On September 3rd, we are taking a day trip to Paris that I booked on Viator. The night before we head to Southampton and the CB, I arranged a pre cruise Meet & Greet dinner for several roll call members at a Westminster restaurant called "The Loose Box Bar." I'm looking forward to having a blast while we are in London and during our day trip to Paris......:):):)

 

Bob

Wow, Bob! A day trip to Paris from London? Wow. I certainly can understand it. Paris is my favorite city in the world - I've been there at least a dozen times. I once spent all night on a train (one of the slow-moving ones) just to spend a day there when I was skiing in Chamonix. People thought I was crazy, but Paris is worth it! Have fun!

Carole

What was your first cruise ship? What cruise line, the year and the itinerary? (if you remember;) ) Did it get you hooked?

Ours was Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's m/s Viking Serenade, a converted car ferry, back in NOV 1991, a 3-day L.A. - Catalina Island - Esenada, Mexico - L.A. cruise. Never forget our first impressions - we were hooked from that day on!

 

Viking Serenade (still sailing today as Island Escape)

MS Victoria, Incres Lines - 1968 - I think the itinerary on that first cruise was NY to Nassau then to Bermuda and back to NY. I sailed with my parents and my best friend. I LOVED it and became hooked. I sailed on her four more times and managed to get friends of mine hooked, too. I sailed once in the tiniest room on the ship and once in the biggest suite (with someone I had met on an earlier cruise.) I still have lots of memorabilia from the ship, including brochures, menus, a beach bag, scarf and a solid gold charm with "MS Victoria" on the bottom. She was so small compared to todays ships. Miss her!

Carole (Just off the Star Princess - my how times have changed!)

Many of us can't use things of that sort. I'm allergic to all of the fabric softeners. We take "pods" of laundry detergent. They're a gel pod so you have to take some precaution to be sure they don't pop in your luggage but it's really not a problem.

 

When someone uses a dryer sheet on my block I can't even be outside. Those things are poison. I know other people who are highly allergic to the fumes of those things as well. As someone who, in a past life, serviced and repaired appliances I can tell you that the dryer sheets are NOT good for your dryer. That waxy coating they use to "soften" your clothes clogs the lint trap on your dryer and forces the machine to work harder. More heating elements and thermostats get blown out because of dryer sheets...

Arm and Hammer makes a powder pod called Toss N' Done. I'm allergic to Tide (the ONLY detergent that gives me a rash.) The Toss N' Done clean really well and you don't have to worry about liquid bursting in your suitcase. I used these on my last cruise. Also, they have rolls of quarters at the Purser's office. You don't need to take rolls of quarters or depend on those change machines.

Carole

Thought I'd posted on this thread years ago, but must have been another...

 

At any rate, here's my list:

 

France, 67 and 72

Cristoforo Columbo 72

Rafaello 73, 73

Michaelangelo 75

Leonardo DA Vinci 76

Caronia, year?

QE2 03, 05, 08

 

There was also a scary Greek cruise in a ship that wasn't fit to sail in 73, so I am SURE she's gone now.:eek:

 

Don't know what happened to the Crystal Harmony, but assume she's still sailing- sailed on her in 92 and 94.

 

And there was one cruise on the Golden Princess, not the current one but the one sailing in 93. Ratty ship then, and we lost all potable water 3 days out of LA.

 

All ships left behind great memories, from dining next to the Duchess of Windsor to meeting Carol O'Connor and his family, from beluga and champagne in Queen's Grill to hot tubs in my tuxedo.

 

Modern cruising is still fun, but sailing back then was really special.

 

Andrew

I'm with you - I miss the old days. I posted in another thread about formal wear that I once went on a 14-day cruise with 13 formal gowns. Of course, the amount of luggage wasn't a problem then!

Carole

There is nothing wrong with sharing a coffee card. They're not unlimited, they're a limited amount of punches.

 

We'd be interested in drink packages. Seeing as we pay around $40 each night for a bottle of wine in the dining room and I buy a coffee card, it wouldn't be hard to spend the rest.

 

Cappucino upon waking. $4

Fresh orange juice with breakfast $4

Bottled water x 2. $6

Glass of wine with lunch. $8

Two beer by the pool or a margarita. $ 10

Pre dinner martini $10

2 glasses of wine with dinner $ 15

After dinner Cappucino $4

 

That's over $60 and I haven't hit a show yet

I used to cruise a lot, but I haven't been on one for about 20 years. I'm going on Princess in August. Let me get this straight. You have to PAY for ORANGE JUICE with breakfast???????????

Rotterdam: Yep, since the 60's and yes....NOTHING sailing now compares to the Home Lines. Even the "Crystal" experience is not what Home Lines ships were like. They really set the standard for cruising. And sailing out of NY was a real "event". The bon voyage parties, the streamers and confetti, the bands on deck, the tugs, the whistles and horns back and forth. And one more, the "Victoria" of Incres lines, that was pretty close to Home Lines although the ship was an older one.

I sailed on the MS Victoria four times. It was my first ship and I'll always have a place in my heart for her. I've saved some memorabilia - still have my MS Victoria scarf, bag and gold charm with "MS Victoria" engraved on it.