Txcotn

Oh yes, please enforce those phone guidelines! On OC, there were to be "blackout" areas such as the main dining room but that never happened. Listening to other people screaming into their phones at the pool or anywhere else is just plain uncivilized.

DH takes a load to the machine on his way to the fitness center, puts in the dryer on his way back, showers and dresses and goes and gets it, and I have the pleasure of folding, takes five minutes. If it needs ironing, we send out, so all we're washing ourselves is underthings. If you hate laundry so much, pack why not more clothes so you don't have to laundry, you can do it all when you get home.😎 Yes that might mean more luggage, but that's what porters are for.

That's funny, Vince. When I think of dishes I see all the pots and pans and serving pieces plus plates etc on Christmas day with just 6 people! First you have to take care of the leftovers, then scrape the plates, load the dishwasher, scrub the sink, do the good silver and the crystal by hand, then hope your husband will volunteer to do the pans...and then you have to put all that stuff away!... vs throw the underwear in the machine, push a button and it's done. I guess I'd rather handle clean clothes (you can sort and fold while sitting!) than dirty dishes. As you correctly point out, it depends on your personality. As for the ironing part, I send them out. I ironed large shirts with 37" sleeves when we were young and poor so now that we're better off, I take them to the laundry.😁

Drudgery? Now I would consider doing dishes as drudgery, but in the realm of drudgery, I would consider laundry the least. Open the lid, drop in the clothes, close the lid, push the button and you're done. How hard is that?

In my mind, laundry may not be free but it still doesn't cost me anything, I use shipboard credit.

Well thank goodness you'll be out of the line of fire! Enjoy your cruise!

Off topic - just want to wish Patty safety when Beryl hits Texas!

Just go and enjoy, nobody is going to check your status.

Crystal does the same, see my post above.

If there is a specific drink you want and it's not on the "menu", talk to your TA an ask that a specific quantity of said drink is put in your stateroom. We were even able to do this with baby food and diapers and other needs. They are very accommodating and you won't have to lug those 6 or 8 packs of drinks!

I love Eggs Benny, but last cruises on OC the were putting the hollandaise on an running it under the broiler😱, voila curdled hollandaise. I began asking for hollandaise on the side, which solved the problem for me.

We met Benjamin in 1999, which makes his tenure at least 25 years! Why on earth would you want the band all afternoon????? That's my place of refuge and most people are reading or napping. Live music during lunch, great, but all afternoon? Deliver me! And why complain about bath amenities? Can one not put up with the provided soap and shampoo for a couple of weeks? Or bring your own if you're that fussy! The ship soap and other is probably miles above the grocery store soap you use at home.🙄

"A standout feature will be a promenade extending through the whole ships’ perimeter, similar to those loved by guests on Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, for leisurely strolls with stunning ocean views." What do they mean by "similar"? It's either like the one we all love, 360 degrees, or it's not.

So much unnecessary shuffling! Put the casinos in the old casino spaces and don't ruin Serenity's wonderful library. If they put the bridge lounge in the casino space, bridge people will not be happy with the foot traffic going through.

Yes there’s a nice dance floor. Since we aren’t dancers I don’t know about every night but there is dancing when they have the Supper Club. There is always dancing in Palm Court.

Yes you can actually swim!

Oh yes, 24 hour notice will enhance the possibility! In over 50 cruises and 30 years, I've never been told "no".😎

Ask and you shall receive!

It's jammed at lunch time on sea days, at least in our experience.

That's what I thought.

So Tastes isn't going away? Where is Beefbar to be located?

Looks like very heavy food, doesn't not appeal at all, and reservations required. Are they really taking away Tastes for lunch and my favorite Chinois Chicken salad? I hate buffet, so on port days, few choices for lunch other than the Trident Grill. Why are they always replacing Tastes that everybody loves?

Patty, you hit the nail on the head! Shipboard credit!😁

I'm wondering what skin care and cosmetics are available in Apropos. I love to stock up when we're on the ships! Anyone?

After many calls to Crystal by our TA, we reached an experienced person at Crystal who said "OF COURSE there is wheelchair assistance for embark/debark! And she is henceforth reserving it for me. Bottom line, I think it's safe to suggest that you don't take the first answer from Crystal as Gospel, ask several people and hope you get a holdover from OC, sadly, there are MANY new agents who just aren't familiar with what we have come to expect.