Most controversial cruise opinion??

[tetleytea]

The pop med journals say large amounts of zinc in your body can cause copper deficiency, anemia, lower good HDL cholesterol level, lowered immunity, and nervous system damage.  I realize you are applying it topically, but it's possible your body absorbs it; especially if you are rubbing it in that hard.

 

I generally try to keep sun block to the minimum needed, since I'm trying to balance the harm from rubbing chemicals in general on my body vs. the harm from the sun rays.

[cruiseny4life]

16 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Well, grasshopper, you've come to the right place.  While there are many machines that suggest they are penny slots, the number of true penny slots are very small.  For example, the Encore has exactly four machines that I can bet a single penny at a time.  While they have four or five of these Buffalo machines, only three will allow single penny bets.  You have to find the ones that don't have buttons suggesting "bet x5, bet x10 etc." and first select (single line), then hit the bet one.  Occasionally I'll screw up and bet a quarter or more on the first spin because I messed up (possibly alcohol related).

 

The other one that allows one penny bets is the lone "Stinkin Rich" machine:

The Buffalo machine will give bonuses more often but the rare Stinkin Rich bonuses are more (I think I once won $5 on a single penny).  Funny thing is, I think I have more fun than the "real" gamblers. 🥳

 

Thank you! This is the most helpful gambling post of this entire thread! Oh if you could only feel the appreciation I have for you @ChiefMateJRK. 🙂 Maybe I'll get a pair of those fetching 100% cotton sweat pants, sit for a long stretch of real penny slots, and then head over to Le Bistro. 

 

Pretty sure the Buffalo machine is the one I'm going for - I lived in Yellowstone for five years (well 1 year in the park and almost 4 years half mile from the entrance), so Buffalo are quite near and dear to me....don't get me started on bison vs. buffalo or we'll really have a debate going. 

 

Anyway, I'll be seeking out the single line, bet one! This could have me going for hours and my losses won't even bother me! 

 

Maybe our comps will be a lifeboat if we lose enough! 

[midgetcoach]

10 hours ago, tetleytea said:

Then what do you say about the other gambler who said there is such a thing as advantage players, but that they don't really play on the cruise lines?

I think this is a good explanation of a AP:  Someone who practices advantage gambling is often referred to as an advantage player, or AP. Unlike cheating, which is by definition illegal, advantage play exploits innate characteristics of a particular game to give the player an advantage relative to the house or other players.

Advantage Players normally prefer land based casinos because of the higher slots payouts and table limits. 

 

10 hours ago, tetleytea said:

Or the other gambler who said you don't play for comps (which I thought was you)?   I believe the exact reason given was that the cruises use infinite shoes.

No it wasn't me. We (my wife and I) play to take advantage of the comps.

I am not a card player at all. But from what I have seen the amount of cards used in the "shoe" varies by that particular tables minimum.

 

 

 

[tetleytea]

27 minutes ago, midgetcoach said:

I think this is a good explanation of a AP:  Someone who practices advantage gambling is often referred to as an advantage player, or AP. Unlike cheating, which is by definition illegal, advantage play exploits innate characteristics of a particular game to give the player an advantage relative to the house or other players.

Advantage Players normally prefer land based casinos because of the higher slots payouts and table limits. 

 

I wasn't really looking for a definition of an advantage player.   But since others on the thread are getting tired of the subject I will simply leave it at this:

 

Okay, so you claim to have a strategy that consistently beats the house.  Everybody does.  Otherwise they would not be stepping into that casino.  And yet the casino remains open for business, there are all these expensive machines, paid staff....   I'm inclined to believe the vast majority of those people are wrong. 

 

[chengkp75]

On 7/29/2022 at 10:20 AM, F27TW said:

 

Ah .. OK .. i learned something today.   Didn't realize this was a SOLAS thing that banned cabin/balcony smoking.    Seems odd that they'd still allow it at all out on the designated areas on deck and in the casino, t hen.     But wow thats some crazy looking damage on that ship .. yikes. 

Actually, SOLAS does not ban smoking on balconies.  What SOLAS did, in the wake of the Star Princess fire, was to require either a sprinkler on the balcony, or all balcony furniture to be flame retardant.  It was also the reason that balcony dividers open, its for safety, so fire teams can proceed from one balcony to the next, not for passenger convenience.

 

And, the blog linked makes many mistakes, common to people who have not read the actual investigation report of the Star Princess fire.  She goes into detail about how "someone was smoking on a balcony, and the cigarette butt found its way onto another balcony, where it smoldered for about 20 minutes".  The investigation board assigned the probable root cause of the fire as a cigarette butt, since no definitive cause could be determined.  Under laboratory conditions, the investigators attempted to light a Princess towel using a cigarette, but were unable.  (Though she does, at the end, state a disclaimer that it was never proven to be a cigarette) She also claims that the cabins are "big metal boxes" and this stopped the spread of the fire, which is false, as the cabins will catch fire, and only the wall facing the passageway, and the door have an A60 fire rating (meaning it takes 60 minutes for a fire on one side to start the paint on the other to burn).  She also makes it sound like Carnival alone decided to change the balcony furniture and add sprinklers, when in fact it was mandated by SOLAS, and industry wide.

Edited August 9, 2022 by chengkp75

[graphicguy]

2 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

 

Thank you! This is the most helpful gambling post of this entire thread! Oh if you could only feel the appreciation I have for you @ChiefMateJRK. 🙂 Maybe I'll get a pair of those fetching 100% cotton sweat pants, sit for a long stretch of real penny slots, and then head over to Le Bistro. 

 

Pretty sure the Buffalo machine is the one I'm going for - I lived in Yellowstone for five years (well 1 year in the park and almost 4 years half mile from the entrance), so Buffalo are quite near and dear to me....don't get me started on bison vs. buffalo or we'll really have a debate going. 

 

Anyway, I'll be seeking out the single line, bet one! This could have me going for hours and my losses won't even bother me! 

 

Maybe our comps will be a lifeboat if we lose enough! 

This was on Celebrity, but was waiting to play in a Hold'em Tournament on the EDGE.  I'm not a slots guy.  But, while waiting, I played that Buffalo machine.  Admittedly, I'm attracted to blight lites, noisy activity and all that is untried by me.  So, the machine was perfect.  After 15 minutes, I was actually up ~$200.  Don't know how, or why.  I just kept pushing buttons.  LOL!

[chengkp75]

And, as another attempt to steer this back to the OP's question, I'll chum the waters with this:

 

What I love that others hate:  Old muster drill

What I hate that others love:  New muster drill

 

Enjoy

[wil e coyote]

3 minutes ago, chengkp75 said:

And, as another attempt to steer this back to the OP's question, I'll chum the waters with this:

 

What I love that others hate:  Old muster drill

What I hate that others love:  New muster drill

 

Enjoy

Thanks for steering back to the topic, @chengkp75! Given that you are (as I understand it) a long-time ship's engineer, I can see why you would have this view. But I am sure others disagree...  🤪

[cruiseny4life]

5 minutes ago, chengkp75 said:

And, as another attempt to steer this back to the OP's question, I'll chum the waters with this:

 

What I love that others hate:  Old muster drill

What I hate that others love:  New muster drill

 

Enjoy

 

I agree with you! 

 

As I mentioned somewhere on this website (maybe this topic, I dunno), on my cruise in April I had no idea where our muster station was. We were whisked so quickly by it on our way to the stateroom that I don't remember. My husband and I think it was the Getaway Theater. 

 

We're cruising again in less than three weeks!! I will be sure to remember where they whisk us to, look at the back of the door, and on my key card. I knew the back of the door had instructions, but I didn't think about it. Didn't realize the muster station was printed on my key card.

 

Why do I agree with you? Sometimes even mostly common sense thinking people need to be led to water and have the cup filled. Anyway, the old muster drill forced people like myself to go to the muster station and be given instructions. I know how to put several types of lifejackets on, but I don't know what kind NCL has. I'd assume Type II - those horse collars are good for one thing - being able to put them on easily. But, I didn't have to practice it and the first time I come into contact with the lifejacket probably shouldn't be when an emergency is actually happening. 

 

Before anyone says I'm at fault for being ignorant - I'm going to beat you to it. I was ignorant and am blaming myself, not NCL for my faults. I'm not always the entitled Millennial I make out to be. 🙂

[wil e coyote]

This is a tough one for me. My "I'm on vacation, don't bother me with stuff" mindset likes the fact that I don't have to stop what I am doing, put on my life vest, and schlep to my muster station with 100+ of my closest friends.

At the same time, my father-in-law once told me to always understand what could go wrong and make sure I was ready to deal with that. He was an industrial carpenter all his life and never had any accident more serious than a small cut to his thumb. He was a wise man. Using his logic, it would be smart for me to know how to get from my cabin the the muster station just in case bad stuff happens. Low likelihood, but high consequence.

So it depends on when you ask me...

[ChiefMateJRK]

3 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

Thank you!

You're very welcome!  Always happy to help out a brother (or sister) el cheapo.  😎

3 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

Maybe I'll get a pair of those fetching 100% cotton sweat pants, sit for a long stretch of real penny slots, and then head over to Le Bistro. 

You're learning!  Since Mr. Wool stuff shirt likely won't even notice, you may need to say something loudly to DH like "hey, ChiefMateJRK was right about the comfort of these SWEAT PANTS."

3 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

Anyway, I'll be seeking out the single line, bet one! This could have me going for hours and my losses won't even bother me! 

Now you're talking.  It seems like there is always some bystander who doesn't play (because they worked for their money) who takes notice when I'm playing.  I think they notice that the credit counter is only reducing by one each pull and they want into the "game."  Fun stuff!!  🥳

[chengkp75]

34 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

I'd assume Type II - those horse collars are good for one thing - being able to put them on easily

Cruise ships are required to have Type I lifejackets, ones that are designed to keep an unconscious person upright and face up.

 

27 minutes ago, wil e coyote said:

Using his logic, it would be smart for me to know how to get from my cabin the the muster station just in case bad stuff happens.

It would be even better to learn how to get to your muster station from various places on the ship, and even by different paths, in case the one you know is blocked.  Its called "muscle memory", and also "train like its real", which are the best ways to learn something.

[ChiefMateJRK]

42 minutes ago, wil e coyote said:

Using his logic, it would be smart for me to know how to get from my cabin the the muster station just in case bad stuff happens.

If the ship is sinking, can't I go to any muster station?  I'm asking because I really don't know.

[tetleytea]

3 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

If the ship is sinking, can't I go to any muster station?  I'm asking because I really don't know.

I believe the muster stations are tied to how many people can fit in the lifeboats.   In an emergency, though, where it's sinking so fast that you cannot possibly save everybody, then I imagine it's anyone's game.

[ChiefMateJRK]

19 minutes ago, tetleytea said:

I believe the muster stations are tied to how many people can fit in the lifeboats.   In an emergency, though, where it's sinking so fast that you cannot possibly save everybody, then I imagine it's anyone's game.

Yep.  That's how it happens in the movie. 😀

[MrsTocko]

1 hour ago, chengkp75 said:

And, as another attempt to steer this back to the OP's question, I'll chum the waters with this:

 

What I love that others hate:  Old muster drill

What I hate that others love:  New muster drill

 

Enjoy

I LOVE the streamlined aspect of the new muster drill.  Gets me to the fun stuff that much quicker. 

 

However, I do kinda miss the gathering, (not the waiting around for it to start), also miss the putting on the life jacket and go stand outside.  That is nostalgia for me.
 

I do think though that with everything that they have already attached to your card, based on your latitude status, they could figure out a hybrid system, if it is your first cruise with NCL, you are required to do the drill the old way...say until you hit gold....after that, you can do it the new way, until and unless something changes in how NCL does their muster.  Then you MUST do new muster for X number of cruises. After said number of cruises, they you can go back to the video/check in "new muster".

 

I mean - They KNOW you have watched the video each of the 5 times they send you the email, as well as when you have checked in.  If you are a seasoned cruiser this is not new.  They know who has been on before, and who has not.  They know how many times.  They can easily attach the note to your profile that you need to do the drill or not.  This would also free up crew members, sooner, because they dont have to check in as many people, and the old school method wont take as long, because fewer people.

 

Not sure how feesible this really is, just throwing out an idea, but I would think there is a happy middle ground.

[MrsTocko]

22 minutes ago, tetleytea said:

I believe the muster stations are tied to how many people can fit in the lifeboats.   In an emergency, though, where it's sinking so fast that you cannot possibly save everybody, then I imagine it's anyone's game.

I would also think that they have a system in place to quickly check off/account for everyone in their station.  So they know that everyone from room 10090 is accounted for. and dont go looking for you.  That is a waste of precious resources at that point.

[classy_cruiser]

14 hours ago, midgetcoach said:

It's just to much to try and write and explain here. 

 

Yes, you got it now. 

I'd be interested to read an explanation of how you make this work. Coming out ahead in the casino comps. Maybe you can write it up in a new thread sometime. 

[chengkp75]

1 hour ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

If the ship is sinking, can't I go to any muster station?  I'm asking because I really don't know.

Passenger muster is really not about the boats.  There are far more times that the passengers have been mustered in an emergency, and the Captain never once considered abandoning ship, than there have where the boats were actually used.  The muster is to get all the passengers to known, controllable locations, where accountability can be taken, so that crew can be dispatched to find missing passengers.  Muster should be signaled long, long before the ship is sinking.  Even in the case of the Concordia, if Schettino had signaled for muster when he was informed the ship was flooding, the passengers could have been  mustered, and loaded in the boats long before the ship started to roll over.  It was over an hour before the ship grounded again, and used the grounding point as a pivot to roll over.  Up until that time, the ship never listed more than 12*, and lifeboats are designed to launch at 15* at a minimum.

 

No, going to any muster station will render accountability useless, and the crew will not know who is on the boats, or who is left to go, or who is missing.

35 minutes ago, MrsTocko said:

I do think though that with everything that they have already attached to your card, based on your latitude status, they could figure out a hybrid system, if it is your first cruise with NCL, you are required to do the drill the old way...say until you hit gold....after that, you can do it the new way, until and unless something changes in how NCL does their muster.

The problem with this, is that you could achieve "gold" status on a variety of ships, and therefore you may not be as familiar with where the muster stations are on your present ship.  As I've said, it is "muscle memory", actually going to the station that causes you to retain it.  Also, wandering there, or being escorted one on one to the station is not giving you the "drill like its real" aspect that you get when everyone on the ship is moving to their stations, as they would be in an emergency.

 

Also, the crew have lost the training experience of "herding the cats" in an actual passenger muster, recalcitrant passengers and all, so they will be less prepared for assisting you in the real thing.

 

I know that there are about 3 of us here on CC that feel this way (all professional mariners or USCG personnel),  which is why I considered it a 'controversial" opinion.

Edited August 9, 2022 by chengkp75

[cruiseny4life]

27 minutes ago, MrsTocko said:

I mean - They KNOW you have watched the video each of the 5 times they send you the email, as well as when you have checked in.

Do they know I muted the safety video yesterday? I was at work and didn't want to be disturbed while I was checking in. I'm going to watch when they email it to me closer to the cruise so I remember what they said.

[chengkp75]

50 minutes ago, tetleytea said:

I believe the muster stations are tied to how many people can fit in the lifeboats.   In an emergency, though, where it's sinking so fast that you cannot possibly save everybody, then I imagine it's anyone's game.

Sorry, ships don't sink that fast.  Even the Concordia would have lasted a couple of hours longer had she not grounded a second time, and that is considered to be a completely unique and rare case where 4-5 watertight compartments were flooded.

[juju2454]

On 8/7/2022 at 9:24 PM, pcakes122 said:

That's not how it works. I know you're trying to be funny, but you are spreading misinformation and there may be people here who really want to learn about casino comps from people who actually know how it works (I previously worked in the gaming industry.) Casino comps are NOT driven by losses AT ALL.  It has been shared here and on other threads that comps are driven by your "theo" (THEORETICAL loss -  NOT actual loss.)  There are a couple of factors in the calculation of your theo, but a key factor is your average bet -  which equates to your risk.  Your actual wins or losses do not factor into your theo AT ALL.

 

No one should actually play "for comps", but higher bets lead to greater comps. (Not an occasional high bet here and there when you are "up", but average high wagers for a sustained period of time.)  From an odds perspective, the more $$$  you risk the more the casino can potentially gain (the odds are in their favor) so the greater offers they will make in order to get those high bettors back.

 

That's how it actually works.

I would love to spend  an hour or two watching you play.  I would learn so much.  Like I said I am small potatoes in the gambling world, slots maybe craps( if I understood it better ) more.  Black jack always looks fun and I can stand and watch it for a while easily.  
We gamble because it is fun, we enjoy the "risks" and know what we can afford to possibly lose and win.  We actually do pretty well on slots, haven't lost more than we bet ever,  usually gain at least a few hundred off of $400 to start on a cruise, the longer the cruise the bigger the budget for playing of course.  But we like it.  We have several local casinos and we have enjoyed them too.  Again we go with what we can afford to spend win loos or draw.  I know it is an oxymoron, "afford to lose" but  it really is a put away to play money like bowling, you go to enjoy not necessarily to win.  Or any other  game,  we call it pocket money or wine money etc....  

Happy cruising and enjoy your gaming!

 

Just to clarify, I don't hate Haven,  if it is your thing fabulous,  but when it becomes a "status" then it is a bit much for me. YMMV.  So to haven lovers, enjoy,  I will enjoy my inside room as well, and we will all have a great time.  I have considered ocean view, but most of those rooms tend to be below on like 4 & 5 and I'm an10th- 11- 12th floor kinda girl.  Mid ship always.  I don't get seasick there and I do take an antihistamine to Quelch that.  If we ever got to Alaska I would have to seriously consider that ocean view,  but balcony is for am a hard no, out of paranoia.🙆‍♀️

[MrsTocko]

5 minutes ago, chengkp75 said:

The problem with this, is that you could achieve "gold" status on a variety of ships, and therefore you may not be as familiar with where the muster stations are on your present ship.  As I've said, it is "muscle memory", actually going to the station that causes you to retain it.  Also, wandering there, or being escorted one on one to the station is not giving you the "drill like its real" aspect that you get when everyone on the ship is moving to their stations, as they would be in an emergency.

Right - Everyone still MUST go check in at their station.  So you know where it is and how to get there.

 

But if you have reached Gold - you know how to put on the life jacket, the 7 long blasts....because you have been doing the old school muster on other NCL ships.  That part should be the sale across the fleet, and at gold or say 5 NCL cruises, you are good to watch the video and check in, and go on with the cruise. until something changes in HOW NCL does their muster that has an effect on HOW passengers should respond/react, then back to 5 cruises old school again.  (new muscle memory)

[juju2454]

On 8/7/2022 at 11:16 AM, MrsTocko said:

Art Gallery on a ship…I don’t understand the concept behind thinking that a cruise ship is the place to put an art gallery.  I can look at pretty painting and think that it is pretty.  I don’t have an artist’s eye, nor a lover of statues and paintings.  I can look at it and appreciate and respect the work and talent that went into creating it.  However, I also know that it has no place in my home, or life past the 5 min I spend looking at it.  To me it is like having the spa guy at the fair. Why do we need this on a ship? Or at the fair?

Ah, Like the gallery, the unique paintings( I know they are on all the ships etc lol) and the statues,  I love the metal/enamel pieces, and the ones with the olives etc in various poses( don't know who paints them I just like them)  and the Lebo works!!  But that's me.  I don't do the auctions, but those statues could find a way here in my house  😉 .   I could however do with out the cigar bar.  but then I don't go there so I am sure it is well loved or at least appears to be.  I have to ask someday though, do they go to look "cool" cigar-ing ( is that a word?) or is it really enjoyment?  serious question.

[MrsTocko]

5 minutes ago, juju2454 said:

If we ever got to Alaska I would have to seriously consider that ocean view,  but balcony is for am a hard no, out of paranoia.🙆‍♀️

Alaska is one place that I strongly recommend a balcony especially for cruising bay, or hubbard or tracy arm.  Put the chair inside the room, leave the door open (for the breeze and fresh air as well as clarity of view), and watch it go by. Front porch sitting.  Listen to the ranger on the TV.  or turn the sofa.  ALMOST what you would get on deck, or in an observation lounge. Without the crowds of people jostling for a view, enjoying your favorite beverage (hot or cold).

If we make it to cruise together, you can come take a gander from inside our balcony, while we are not moving.