3Sisters

I see where you are coming from but you have to think about the Starlink install prices. Sure, the month-to-month costs are more than covered by cruise guests, but the crruise lines had to have it installed and tested for months beforehand! It only makes sense the price will go up with better service. If you don't want to pay the prices (I don't), then don't purchase the package! Thankfully it's not a mandatory fee. It's really hard for me to understand why guests want to cruise and work at the same time. If you have to work on "vacation" I'm not sure you can really call it a vacation. Unless cruising is a part of your daily lifestyle, I would recommend cruising when you can unplug from technology.

@LukeJ The ebbs and flows are what make the world go round. Some months are just better than others in a relationship! I guess the nightmare comes on at night before bed. When this starts happening it's just better to switch things up. Sometimes all life needs is a little spice. It can be hard to have an amicable relationship with the same person for so long. Things change and sometimes your relationship dynamic has to change too. This is another great reason to cruise! It took my husband a while to figure out how helpful a real vacation is to keeping life fun. He didn't grow up with vacations so he used to think it was just a waste of money. Getting out of your everyday routine is so necessary! It's worth every penny, and I'm one to keep our vacations very budget-friendly too. Creating lasting memories with your family is priceless.

That's a great question! I would love to see more throwaway items offered more regularly in bamboo. For instance, I know you can get toothbrushes, flossers, and straws made from bamboo/bamboo fiber but I would like to see them used more commonly! It's quite rare anyone is using these bamboo products, and I think it has a lot to do with price. Some of the natural grocers around sell these bamboo products, but these more sustainable things aren't often found at the traditional stores. I wish the price point was better I guess. I think one of the reasons why the price point for bamboo is so high is because it's ethically sourced and manufactured. Plastics and other goods are notorious for being made in factories that don't pay their employees enough and don't work sustainably. Bamboo standards overall are better to keep up with its brand of being the eco-friendly option across the board. I would love to see reusable face towelets in bamboo. Reusable bamboo bags could be great too!

@LukeJ Bamboo sheets are the best by the way. They are best for warmer climates because of how breathable they are. The Cariloha brand is more expensive because of its reputation and storefront locations, but you can find similar quality products online. If you get an opportunity to go into a Cariloha storefront, you should. It smells good in there and the brand is very cool. I have seen storefronts all over the Caribbean, but I typically end up shopping at the street markets instead. Those are more exciting. Bargain shopping is too fun to pass up!

@LukeJ How could you? I'm joking. It's funny that you would side with him. I get so distracted during the day, and then my mind finally relaxes before bed. My husband doesn't see it like that! There is a like a talking window for him. After 10 pm, the taking window closes unless it's a special occasion. I guess I could work on talking during the "talking window." Sometimes I don't think about it until it's too late! Cruises offer talking window exceptions. For instance, if my husband has a few beers and it's 11 pm at night, talking window rules can be broken. I think the closed window is changed to the waking hours the following day when he's hungover at that point. Talking to a hungover companion is a "window closed" scenario.

@Gainer Were you able to confirm that you can cruise with your animal print clothing? If it makes you feel good, you should wear it! Like @LukeJ putting your best foot forward is a great way to be. Unless you are on a safari, you should be in the clear. When is your upcoming RCL cruise? You must be excited for it!

@LukeJ You crack me up. It may not be your fault. It may just be based on being married to the same person for too long! Sometimes you run out of things to say. My husband has these topic of conversation cards but we never read them. Last night we were going to sleep and I tried talking to my husband. He stated (and I quote), "Why are you talking to me right now? You are supposed to sleep. I'm not used to you talking this late so I think you should go to sleep." At least I can say I tried! We are your typical phone scrollers before bed. That's a habit we should try and break, but it's just so much fun to send each other funny videos!

@NoMoreNorwegian These rules really itch me the wrong way. I didn't know Chile was like this. I don't think all of Chile is like this. I think it's only this Laguna San Rafael destination due to the fragile state of the Patagonia glaciers. In order to protect the natural integrity of the glaciers, these may be new measures taken to capitalize on guests and prioritize the quality of this natural wonder. Do you plan to visit the glacier? I think this new rule applies to all cruise lines, not just NCL. What other information do you know about this region?

@FJB I guess you are right. I think you just reassured what I was feeling to be true. It's a bummer guests have to portray cruises in such a negative way. After reading that, new cruisers likely assume inferior treatment without having a loyalty status with the line. RCL is known to be a great cruise line, and most guests I have cruised with feel the line treats everyone equally and fairly. Ultra-negative comments like that are so unnecessary. I don't even think that the guest posted anything positive about the itinerary, which isn't a good sign.

@euroguy That's right! CCL Ambassador John Heald is all about keeping the fun alive. Most guests are thrilled to learn that CCL isn't following the discouraging of ducks. I feel the exact same way! I love to find the rubber ducks all around the ship, and it's always fun to re-hide them. I highly doubt this fun will get out of hand either. It's a simple initiative to spread happiness, and those who don't like it can just keep moving on. I hope no one ruins the duck, duck, fun onboard. Throwing them into the ocean is no good, but I think that should be obvious. Cruisers should already know not to pollute the ocean.

@euroguy Cherry pie is amazing! I'm glad to hear you were able to enjoy one of your favorites. There is nothing like mom's home cooking! There is a cherry pie place near my home and it's to die for. I love how tart and robust the cherry flavors are. It's really hard to beat. I don't like when it's overly sweetened so it sounds like your mom's recipe is one I would really enjoy! I don't find pie served much on my cruises lately. Have you been offered any pie onboard a cruise? I usually go for the chocolate pies if I go to a diner. The chocolate silk ones are usually my go-to. Do you like chocolate pies? That's one flavor that doesn't need to be ala mode.

@wilson It's not hard to screw up grits, but unfortunately, I have managed to do it. Grits that sit out on the buffet line aren't pleasant anywhere. The ones in the MDR are much better. You have to try that on your next cruise! You will be much better off in the MDR as often as possible. The lunch food is delicious too and then you don't have to find a table with a tray in your hand. Honestly, I don't know why more people don't take advantage of that. I guess everyone just wants to be out by the pool in their bathing suits all day. It's very worth it to get dressed and get served good food, especially if you don't like the buffet food!

@euroguy I love that analogy! You said that perfectly. Sometimes you just have to roll with the punches and take the good with the bad. It's always a risk you take booking a cruise. If you book a long enough cruise, the chances of you making at least a few of the ports of call are more likely if there are more options. The short cruises have less to choose from. There aren't many options to choose from near Bermuda. You can choose Bermuda or Bermuda! This should be a forwarning to guests cruising to this region. Be forewarned that if you are cruising to Bermuda, there aren't many other options so a cruise to nowhere is a realistic possibility. If you know this ahead of time and have a positive attitude, you can still have a great cruise! You just need to have a good mindset!

@Dougal That isn't the only thing guests are complaining about on Serenade of the Sea's world cruise. Influencer guests onboard are making a fuss about lots of other things besides the flooding issues. I always wanted to try a world cruise but now I'm second-guessing it. It seems if you want to actually enjoy a RCL world cruise you must be high up in the Crown & Anchor Society to get the best treatment. I always thought RCL was really good about treating guests pretty equally. I'm surprised to find guests onboard this itinerary are experiencing subpar service due to their loyalty status. It makes me wonder if these accusations are truly accurate. They sound a little dramatized if you ask me.

@euroguy I'm glad you circled back with me. I will be back out on a mission today to search for it. It has been a busy holiday season for me. I have had three sets of back-to-back guests from December into early January. As soon as everyone left my entire family caught the flu; it's been over a week now. I'm still coughing up a storm. It was a brutal virus! I finally feel alive to go back out in public. Not to mention the temperatures this weekend were wild! It's been in the negatives all weekend.

@MJK The idea of keeping the ducks spare is a great choice. I love the thrill of the hunt! They get passed around anyhow so they really could pop up anywhere. @Cerfer39 It's just something fun to find. There is nothing wrong with a little fun. I also hope that no one ever throws the ducks overboard. That would ruin everyone's fun. They don't belong in the ocean, and it would not be safe for our marine life. I would imagine most guests are aware of this. I wouldn't venture to throw anything overboard. That would be disrespectful and against cruise rules!

I agree with @LukeJ! I break from the everyday may be a great thing. That is the point of vacation! Personally, I wouldn't entertain the idea of bringing a gaming console on board. The benefits of socializing while playing and doing other family-oriented activities will surely end up being more memorable than gaming in the stateroom. It will end up being a treat to get back to reality and something to look forward to post-cruise! The arcade will likely be a hit for your family as well. Which cruise line will you be cruising with?

@FJB Thanks for this info! I always thought it was the upper decks that had the least movement. I was so wrong! I'm glad I asked this question. I'm so surprised you barely get the noise while sleeping by the elevators. I do value being close to the elevators though. I have been far away from them, which can be a very annoyingly long haul, especially if I plan to bring food or drinks back to my stateroom. I guess that's why people opt for room service. That's the best tip I have received! Three flights away from all the food and fun is so smart. Before I call the cruise line to book I need to do a better job of locating that deck ahead of time. I usually just call the cruise line and ask them to book me a "good one."

@Linda Browning It's unfortunate most cruise lines are done away with these areas, but it's not surprising. Most family-oriented cruise lines rarely ever see these spaces utilized so they have been transformed into more useful spaces. The more mature-oriented cruise lines will likely have these spaces onboard still, but it's just a matter of time before most lines transition over. Most cruise ships have other public spaces where playing cards are easy and appropriate. It's different, but it's certainly possible! @euroguy Thanks for sharing that! I agree with you. @Sonya Carroll Game rooms are fun, but the most popular game rooms onboard family-oriented cruise lines (such as CCL) are the arcades. These spaces can be enjoyed but they aren't as common anymore. Which cruise lines have you enjoyed recently that typically offer card rooms to guests?

@John Heimerdinger I completely agree! If you are paying that much for a cruise, you deserve VIP treatment. It's to be expected! I don't expect VIP treatment because that sort of itinerary is out of my budget, but I don't knock anyone that has special treatment. You paid for that! It's true; most people don't get to cruise in their entire lifetime. I think everyone should be grateful for the opportunity to cruise. Guests shouldn't get jealous of one another. Some people are naturally more judgmental and jealous than others. Typically those character traits go hand in hand. Don't let those types of guests get under your skin. Keep on cruising with your positive mindset!

@brian amos Thanks for sharing your update. If the cruise line hasn't notified you yet, I highly doubt your itinerary is truly canceled. What has led you to believe that your itinerary will be completely canceled? I can only hope MSC Cruises is going to properly compensate you if a change occurs. Did you see this MSC Sinfonia article from yesterday? https://www.cruisehive.com/cruise-ship-breaks-mooring-lines-and-causes-damage/120384 The ship broke free from the mooring lines. I'm a bit confused now after reading this. The ship is supposed to be back in service in March.

@RoadTravelled Thanks for sharing your insight! I didn't realize that the sound entree dishes in the MDR were still free of charge. I read somewhere that the second entree order apparently came at an upcharge, but I'm not the type to order two entrees. The topic of food waste didn't even cross my mind. That's likely why the size has changed. It does have a high-calorie count, but most guests who order the cake aren't so concerned about that. @FJB You make a good point. Since it's such a rich dessert, I see how this smaller size could be beneficial. I agree about the jumbo shrimp cocktail, but at least you can order two of the minis! @Sonya Carroll You are right. I'm not sure why that didn't cross my mind! I think it's because I'm not a food-waste type of person. I usually only order what I will finish and typically opt out of dessert. @FJB This was my initial thought too! I love the idea of shinkflation. It made me laugh.

@Global Expeditions w Paul That's such a great rate for Icon of the Seas! It sounds like you were able to offer an unbeatable price. I'm impressed you were able to achieve that, but your client must be over the moon. May isn't that far away either. I wonder why the rates were so low on your end. It is a good time of year to cruise before the summer prices go higher. Those summer rates are always way too high. I always prefer to cruise off-season and right before hurricane season kicks off.

@Gainer I have never heard of ports of call prohibiting animal print! This is news to me. I think animal print clothing is totally fine as long as it isn't too revealing to the point of indecency. I love animal print! https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/24/chessington-world-of-adventures-safari-park-dress-code Unless you are in a situation like this, I don't see an issue with this attire. I know camouflage can be in question, but it's pretty rare that ports of call won't allow it.

@Seaawgs I love the idea of more play space onboard. Celebrity Xcel will be built with all of the popular bells and whistles, but that's not what everyone is looking for in a cruise experience. I love that the Edge class ships are equipped with many suite class experience options. The number of exclusive spaces onboard entices guests to book this option. It's a bit costly but sounds well worth it. Do you typical cruise suite class? @FJB I see your perspective. This whole configuration is certainly a money-maker for the line. That's likely why the Edge class ships offer more intimate spaces for suite class guests. The line is pushing this initiative to make more money off of highter paying guests. I have yet to afford this experience, but it's evident that's what Celerity Cruises is capitalizing on.