3Sisters

@LukeJ The impacts of becoming more sustainable are costing all industries more, and it is rubbing off on consumers. I love the mission, but the financial impacts are becoming quite evident. The financial implications were minimal in the beginning, but not they are becoming too vast. Cruise guests are clearly able to spend the extra because the industry is booming, but I'm noticing a huge shift in prices that I wasn't prepared for. I always want to cruise and have enough money to cruise comfortably but it's been hard to muster up the funds lately! I have to sacrifice itineraries, cruise length, or ships/lines in order to make it feasible for me now, and that wasn't always the case. Have you been impacted/noticed the price differences lately? I would rather just have to pay the older figures on an older ship than have to spend more for these shore-powered high-tech ships.

@LukeJ All workplaces can be pretty unfair. Unfortunately many family businesses are like this. It's unfair to the employees because you are either in with the clique or you are not. The means certain employees get unfair advantages. I prefer to work for a corporate office instead of a family-owned business unless I know the family extremely well. I did work for a family business and was part of the family. I saw unfair advantages first-hand. I received unfair advantages, but I was also responsible for lots of extra things with other employees dropped to ball. The customers are always taken care of, no matter what! If a guests complains about the food. They get a gift card to compensate to keep them quiet and to not complain. It's not fair. I wish hard working employees like yourself were appreciated in other ways, not just financially. Sometimes it's so much more than a financial incentive, but kindness goes a long way. Many employers aren't very kind, and that can make the workplace miserable! A good boss/manager makes a world of difference.

@Disappointed This doesn't come as a surprise. It's so unfortunate that NCL does this all the time to guests, changing around its itineraries left and right. At least NCL offered a little something for missing that time at the ports. NCL doesn't always even do that! It does sound very strategic that the ship chose to spend more time at its private island than at the other ports, but I'm sure there is more backstory as to why it all unfolded this way. The removal of excursions in the BVI is bizarre. If you continue to cruise with NCL, I would imagine these issues will continue. Unfortunately it's been this way for the past couple of years. I'm hopeful enough guests will speak up and it will spark change. Aside from theses itinerary issues, how are you enjoying the rest of your cruise? What other cruise lines have you tried in the past and enjoyed?

@LukeJ It's a great character trait! I love talkative people that hold long conversations. You must talk on the phone with her for hours. My mom is like that and she talks on the phone for hours. Personally, I mostly just listen to her and our conversations still last over an hour. That's nice you enjoy long conversations too. My brother does not like long conversations so he cuts my mom short pretty much every phone conversation they have. You could sell watches or jewelry onboard. The shops are never too busy anyhow so you could actually enjoy the store! If only you could earn commission off of what you sold, but that would be pretty unlikely as a crew member.

@LukeJ You are making me so interested to cruise to Scotland and Ireland! These are dream cruise destinations of mine but are so far off. The food, culture, and scenery are what mostly attract me to visit there. What time of year would you recommend a cruise to this region? I'm completely lost when it comes to climates on the other side of the world, but the photos always seem so green and spring-like. There is a new Aberdeen harbor in Scotland that would be lovely to explore!

@lucy If you want to use your caregiving experience, you may want to apply to a cruise line and see if you could work in the kids clubs! In terms for free cruising, there is really no such thing. You have to earn that whether working for a cruise line or having some very niche "in" with a line (which is extremely rare). @LukeJ I love how this conversation all stemmed from @FJB's comment. Everyone jumped onboard with priesthood! A dancer is a paid profession onboard, but you have to have some serious rhythm. There is nothing wrong with cleaning the bathrooms but you have to be physically able to stand on your feet for long durations. Actually, most all professions onboard cruises require lots of stand time. You are a great conversation so I would expect you to be very skilled at working at an onboard shop!

@LukeJ The cost of everything has gone up! The cost of cruising has totally been impacted by the price increases such as the changing food costs. I don't see how we could withstand the food prices going up any higher. It's not sustainable, but this is such a hypocritical statement because most of the princes increases stem from trying to operate in a more sustainable way. Most of these sustainable ways we are reverting towards happen to cost more and are ending up less sustainable than the previous ways. It's really upsetting. We are spending too much time and energy focusing on more energy efficiency but it's a waste. I don't foresee food prices ever going back to what they were due to this mission impossible of net-zero emissions. Maybe that statement sounds negative, but it's just my perspective.

Carnival Paradise saves 27 refugees escaping Cuba last weekend. All 27 people were brought onboard the ship and properly nourished. The ship certainly saved the day and didn't even have to delay its projected itinerary! That's some serious skill. This wasn't the first rescue for Carnival Paradise; in fact the ship has made two other rescues, one in 2019 and the other more recently in 2022.

@LukeJ I totally see your reasoning to despise salary positions in your field. In this horrid situation where you were unable to work, your job didn't assist financially at all while you were out? That's awful! I'm assuming you were an hourly employee at this time, otherwise I would have expectations you would be covered by short-term disability insurance. The restaurant/food industry is cut throat. I'm not surprised they didn't hold your job for you. It's such a shame. Have you switched industries since?

@Shelia Woodson That's pretty good coverage in case of an emergency. If you are getting a clear bill of health to cruise from your doctor, I wouldn't think you need anything more than that. It's protection in the event of an emergency anyhow. How long is your cruise itinerary? If you were going out of the country for more than I week I would reconsider my statement, but otherwise I would think the basic Carnival Vacation Protection Plan is enough. Have you cruised without this insurance before? I have yet to cruise with the insurance actually but as a senior you I think it's a wise decision to travel with backup coverage.

@LukeJ I guess so, but the likelihood of this actually happening would be slim to none. It's a huge commitment, and I commend those who are diligent enough to make the sacrifice. I would say 95% of the population wouldn't consider such a profession. I don't think women can become priests anyways. This made up privilege would be for the devote Catholic men out there. If I didn't have a family to care for I would consider working on a cruise ship if it paid enough! It would be hard to consider that lifestyle longterm but I would probably enjoy it for a couple of years under the right circumstance.

@RoadTravelled Thanks for sharing your experience! I was under the impression CCL was pretty good about keeping consistent with that loyalty perk. I love that the Priority tickets get you your luggage that quickly! I personally despise having to carry my luggage onboard myself, so the priority drop with priority delivery is optimal. That's a great tip. Carrying some very important things on is the smartest, and I also recommend tipping well. If you tip well you can assume your luggages will be handled with care.

@LukeJ I have never seen bottled mint! The closest thing I have seen to that is dried, like in tea bags. Unfortunately I typically shop at a bulk grocery store for my large family and I haven't seen it sold there, but I will venture to aa smaller grocer in the coming weeks to scoop some up. I really enjoy culinary as well, but I'm just not as good at it. I'm hoping my husband will smoke some meat on the grill this weekend! If he does that then I can just focus on the sides. Do you smoke meat at home? It's definitely a labor of love. Once reason I love cruising so much is to get culinary ideas! I love when the food options are from around the world, it gives me ideas on what to cook at home. My menus can get bland very quickly.

@LukeJ If you have lived in the UK your whole life, I'm assuming you will likely stay there for the rest of it! I would imagine when you are in the middle of the rough, colder months you contemplate why you stay. It seems life family is what is keeping you there. I have heard lovely things about France. Are the climates any different than the UK? What would bother me the most is not being able to go outside for a walk! I can't believe you have had 5 months of that! That cold, wet wind makes you stay inside, and I can see how it keeps you down. Do the kids get many days off from school during these brisk months?

@Senior Cruiser Those straws are the worst! The only reason I enjoy straws because of my teeth sensitivity. The drinks onboard are always served with ice, and I prefer my drinks tepid. It's actually better for you not to consume ice cold beverages. My teeth are really sensitive to the cold drinks so a straw makes a difference for me. @LukeJ The chip in the arm thing is already happening! Many stores are beginning to accept that form of payment as well. I won't be participating in that payment style, but facial recognition is all all around us. I can't escape that. Even when I get on and off my cruises, my face is scanned and I don't even get the opportunity to show my passport.

@LukeJ If it was priesthood versus married life, I think the decision is easy. One gets you free cruises, the other does not. Your wife and I would make the same choice, a good choice. I wonder what other lifestyles could earn you free cruises for life. The life of a gambler may earn you such a lifestyle. You have to be a high roller though! I think you should make the decision to become a priest at at least 18 years of age or older. It's a big decision, but I think I would sacrifice many things to have a life of free cruising, including accepting the challenges of priesthood.

@ChrisP It's always exciting to try a new itinerary! I wish I was exploring a new area on my next cruise but I was unable to find one in my budget. That's such a bummer some of the excursions through the website are already sold out! Are there any other Princess Cruises' excursions you are interested in that you could book? It's possible the longer you wait to book the more these options will sell out. I personally don't like to wait to book excursions onboard for that very reason; there aren't many options left over. You can choose from the leftovers essentially.

@LukeJ You actually did cue that song in my mind! That's too funny. I love that you had the opportunity to live close to family. It can be a blessing, and occasionally a nuisance, to have family live nearby. It's something that isn't common practice anymore. I actually don't live near any of my children's grandparents right now. I have seen mint jelly at the store, but I'm so used to fruit jellies I haven't gone out of my way to explore it. I'm going to have to try mint on my meat in the coming weeks and report back to you with my synopsis of the experience. You are a chef, so I take your word for it!

@LukeJ If it's a cardboard straw versus no straw, I will choose no straw. The ice on my teeth isn't always the best, but I get very impatient trying to suck up fluids through a dysfunctional device. Maybe that's the whole point of cardboard straws, to deter guests from even enjoying the thought of a straw! That's one way for the beverage department to save money. @Seaawgs That's something I did not think of, but it certainly made me laugh. An eject button could be a worthwhile thought, but maybe a safe room end location would be best. I would support with this idea if the person was "dumped" to a safe room, not "dumped" off of the ship. Some guests probably deserve that, but a safe holding area is more reasonable. I wouldn't be surprised if every ship has a safe holding area onboard already!

@LukeJ It's not fair, and you never see the wait staff working up a sweat in a hot kitchen and accidentally chopping their fingers while in such a rush. In order to be successful in the culinary world you have to be so competitive and resilient, making many sacrifices such as not seeing your family or eating normal (or any) meals during your shift. Many people don't understand that while everyone is eating hungry, the people that work in the kitchen can't eat! That's so true about the salary. It's a nonstop, around the clock job. Waiters and waitresses can almost make their own schedule, with much more flexibility and get paid more hourly. Also salary jobs are always taxed more than tips!

@Seth On August 12, 2026, there will be an eclipse that will encompass Portugal, northern Spain, Iceland, Greenland, Arctic Ocean, and Atlantic Ocean. Not all cruise lines have released itineraries into mid-2026, but I will keep my eye out for any options coming out! It would be so awesome to be able to view the eclipse from a cruise ship! https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/cruise-destinations/baltic/icelands-majestic-landscapes/pricing.html#noscroll This itinerary is close but not quite! It will be in the Faroe Islands on August 12, 2026, very close to total eclipse there. This is the Iceland Majestic Landscape Viking cruise embarking August 6, 2026 from Reyjavic, Iceland.

@Cruise RN It has to be difficult to start a family while away at sea for work! Were you able to have your husband join you on the ships you were contracted on? Would you be able to bring a child along during your contract? I was always curious what certain crew members were allowed to do. As a nurse, I would imagine you could potentially bring your husband along, but it may depend on your contract/ship. I like the book title! It's cleaver to use the word "unsinkable," a great pun. You have ten days until it's out!

@ChrisP I totally understand that! My husband doesn't always do well with unexpected changes either. It's always better to be over prepared than under prepared. You will be leaving pretty soon! You must be so excited. Based on this comment, I would recommend splurging on an Uber to and from the airport. I wouldn't risk ruining your husband's experience for $100. I would be much more convenient.

@PatM Thanks for confirming that. That's such a shame! It's a minimal benefit to add, but I guess CCL is cutting corners where it can. That's a brilliant strategy to get those benefits, but you have to be strategic in order to get those rates. January fell in this same year which is great, but when was this rule actually enacted? CCL usually does a great job at honoring all veterans. Hopefully you can continue to stack those privileges! Let me know how it goes with the third party app. I'm curious to see if it will work!

@LukeJ It really was a great time in life to create those memories with her! Sometimes she does the same with my children and it's such a nostalgic feeling. I do enjoy mint tea, but I get the prepackaged tea bags. Seasonal mint chocolate hot cocoa is delicious too. I have yet to use mint with meat! I would have never thought to add it into a sauce for my meat either. Do you enjoy mint jelly? I have heard of that but have yet to try it. I think it's supposed to be on toast.