Back from Alaska o the Mercury - may 18

[caviargal]

 

Anymore, there is VERY little difference between all the major lines from cost to service.

 

I disagree with that statement. Truly, if my only choices were NCL or Carnival, I would never bother cruising as I really do not enjoy either line.

 

While the differences might not matter to you, they do to some of us. The traditional atmosphere and lack of the very things that made the cruise boring for you make it appealing to me. CCL, NCL and RCI are family oriented, casual, activity rich and announcement packed cruise lines and this is the opposite of what I enjoy about cruising.

 

HAL is my first choice of cruise linea and I imagine that you would find that line as sedate or more than Celebrity. But, I cruise for ambiance and service, enjoy nice accomodations and an elegant atmosphere. I keep myself entertained quite easily:) and prefer a good library over pool games.

 

If HAL and Celebrity were not options for cruising, then I would be happy to stay on land.

[2fun]

I have one question for the OP. Were there 2 formal nights and 2 informal nights and the rest casual?

 

I'll answer as I assume the OP has left the building - she only agreed to answer all questions but was slamed as always happens here. Anyway, I sailed and I too shall leave the ones that like to make belive for a week back to what we actually live and don't need to have someone call us sir on vacation as well - so sad.

 

Anyway, YES there were 2 formal and 2 informal. The informal were really not much more than the casual as you'd be lucky to find a handfull of suits. The first formal night was much more formal than the second which has the lobster in case that comes up.

 

Since this is my last post please don't waste time posting back how great your trip was and therefore we are all not allowed to have enough brains to disagree! But I will answer what others have asked -

 

The sushi is wonderful with many selections

 

If you come in late from port, order from the main menu to eat in your room.

 

The shopping guide person (can't recall what she is called) is the lowest keyed one I've seen - a good thing! She does all the normal promoting of the same stores BUT she gives away a lot on her main lecture - she tosses them out so sit in the front. We got a del sol T-shirt and nail polish, a hat, raindeer meat stick, a teddy bear and another toy. Then we won a bracelet on her raffle so it is worth going to. Also their Sauvy Shopper for $25 IS worth buying.

 

Celbrity falls short on both getting you on and off the ship so be ready for a long wait! Hate NCL if you must but you can't beat them here! No cattle calls, no hanging around for hours in the halls none of that -- and having to go back to it was not fun!

 

There is a paperback exchange in the library which always had a book or two - on the last day there were dozens. Bring your old ones and pick up a new one to read.

 

Do not pay the 75 cents a minute on the Internet! They don't even have a discount for your own PC! Check out the internet spots off the ship. VERY reasonable.

 

Escargo is NOT available everyday as others have said and when the couple at the next table asked the matrid (sp) said he didn't know where that rumor started but would sure like to see it end! Shrimp cocktail is but they drop it to 3 not the 4 on the nights it is offered on the menu.

 

The trivia is easier than I rembered and there are some true hardcore players. We won all but one game we played and stopped after a couple of days. Especially after one heavy set lady wanted us to be seperated because we "always" won. Too much drama for us.

 

Anyway enjoy your cruise and try to learn not to be so judgemental went people disagree with your choice - life is really way too short to worry about who takes which vacation and to get all worked up over something that isn't even yours! Someone putting down the job you worked months on, the painting you created etc. might give you a reason to be defensive but a cruise line? PLEASE!

[Lois R]

Don't reply? You are kidding right?

 

 

quote:

"Since this is my last post please don't waste time posting back how great your trip was and therefore we are all not allowed to have enough brains to disagree! But I will answer what others have asked -

 

Who said you didn't have brains to disagree???:confused:

 

My goodness~it seems to me if we like the product we

are the ones who get slammed:rolleyes:

 

The more things change the more they stay the same.

Those who don't enjoy it think they are getting picked on and

those of us who do also get picked on........what else is new?

[kruisecat]

The part I don't understand is why would anyone who is looking for the NCL / Carnival experience choose X? Especially if they have been on these boards at all. I'm definitely not a loyalist as we really haven't cruised enough to make me one :p , but I have chosen X 3 times specifically because we wanted a low key vacation and all of the announcements and crazy activities on some of the other lines would make us feel guilty about not participating. We love dressing up and will do it on our upcoming cruise and if we are in the 10% who do well then we'll look great and be happy about it.

 

I think that if you like the any time dining and a casual environment that parties until the wee hours of the morning, then you made a bad decision and really you should just be annoyed at yourself not at X for not providing what you wanted.

[TeaBag]

I could do with a few days of "boring" right now!

 

I love C2C's signature line, it says it all.

 

"How beautiful it is to do nothing and then rest afterwards." Spanish Proverb.

 

[DC2OC]

I know 2fun said not to answer but I must when false information was given

 

Escrgot was served on the 2nd night of our 11 day Mercury cruise from Esenada to Alaska and when 1 of our table mates advised the waiter he missed it it was served to us the rest of the cruise.10 of 11 nights not all 11 so I guess 2fun was right.Shrimp cocktail has only 4 shrimp but another table mate got 2 every night.If you come in late for dinner can can always eat dinner on the Lido deck.On my 5 x cruises getting on the ship was a breeze 4 times getting off 3 times.The one time the buses were held at the Mexican boarder the other 4 times I was dropped at the pier and walked right on ans was greeted with a glass of bubbly.I guess the OP and 2fun would like the rest us not to cruise X because doing so is flamming them.........Frank

[Shipofdreamsgirl]

We Just got back from the Mercury on the 18th. We had a great time, but I go to relax. I spent most of my time out on our balcony. We had 1202, and I'm pretty sure I got my monies worth:D The weather was really pretty nice all week long. I played bingo, Went to the Wine Appreciation seminar on Saturday, and had so much fun I went again to the food and wine pairing seminar on Thurs. Went to see comedian Don Sherman. He was pretty good. We actually met him at a bar a couple of days before his show, and got to visit with him. He was quite interesting. My DH read 2 books, and slept. (to him that's a great vacation) I played in the Forune' Casino slot tournament. Didn't do so well, but had a good time. I did however play the quarter - triple diamond machine. I think I only saw one where you only had to play 2 quarters, not three, and won on it. I hit the triple triple seven. prize was 1800 quarters. Now that was fun. Went to the Captains Club cocktail Party, We did a little dancing. Spent time in most all of the lounges. Met some really great people, Ate a lot of great food, and had a lot of great conversations.

Can't wait to go again in October!!!

 

Headlines Party Band Great Rhythms-- Played in the Paviion Nightclub

Ultra Litez Dance Quartet: Ballroom music played in the Rendezvous

Vivaldi String Quartet: Classical were in the Cova Cafe, along with Doug Ross who played both in the Cova Cafe, and Michaels.

[anyname]

Sounds to me like they just are saying what they felt and really it is nice someone came back - many seem to sail and never come back!

 

I am glad they posted as I am so relived about the dress code! And happy to learn about the book to buy for shopping, I would have passed on it. And now I will buy it and sit in the first row!

 

I love sushi and am glad to know there are lots of choices, I had read where someone ate there daily but only mentioned 2 kinds!

 

I will be happy no matter what as we were in a car wreak months ago but are still in treatment and it will be so nice to get away from all that! But I am afraid I should have picked a line that didn't have so many looking down their noses at others. I was always brought up to listen to others with an open mind and am trying to raise my twins to be the same.

 

They will have a blast as they love to swim, go to the kids clubs with other kids, see the shows, have a daily cone and just hang out with Mom and Dad. We don't like all the dumb pool activites, but we also don't like the baked alaskan "march" either. I just don't want to have to hush and patrol my kids 24/7 - they have cruised before and traveled abroad but, they are preschoolers! They are well behaved but chances are they will get excited or giggle over things such as getting 2 scoops of ice cream with sprinkles ( a real treat) or seeing all the pizza and sushi choices - again a real treat and I would hate to have so many stuffy shirts that they get dirty looks!

 

I am also sad to hear the price of the Internet as I need to check in a few times. Oh I asked on another board about the Escargo and they were told it isn't on the daily menu but they would see what they could do and got it for them a few nights but not all. They were told they are trying to discourage people from asking for "favors" of foods nightly as there are some items they don't have enough for multiple tables requesting for night after night and once one table sees another table getting it, they want it and on and on. Makes sense - why is it people always want more anyway? They have a lot of choices but some always want extra foods, drinks and treatment? It is like they feel the whole staff is there for their personal "extras" sorry but it's true on ALL cruise lines and I just don't get it!

 

Anyway, I understand some people like this line a lot but I have to agree - it is just another holiday and hopefully we all have a million more important and enjoyable things to experience! I appreciate hearing the negitive more than all the bloated positives - really can the service be perfect? I am sure those same people that write that can also give us an example or two where service was a bit slow or their juice was warm and I'd rather hear that truth than the "perfect" statements. I guess I just prefer to go in knowing there is always going to be a glitch or two and not go out disappointed that each and everything wasn't perfect like it had been for others.

 

Autumn

[Karynanne]

Autumn, those of us that cruise Celebrity frequently aren't going to post about the negatives. "Warm juice", and "slow service", can occur on a land vacation, or just anywhere, anytime. It's just part of life...but to emphasize the negatives are counter-productive. And yes, if I think back upon my past Celebrity cruises, I too will find bits and pieces that just didn't fit together well, BUT I choose not to do so.

 

We do pick cruises that are usually 10 days or longer...not during school vacations...and to destinations that mostly attract adult passengers.

 

I cruise on Celebrity because of the overall ambiance, the consistant service, and the expected experiences. I haven't been disappointed yet...

 

Karyn