sweetpea1714

IMHO if they deny boarding to a minor child in particular the refund or credit offer should be for the whole family.

How does the concierge have discretion re: whether to allow children access to the diamond lounge if the kid has diamond status? Particularly if truly earned by the kid?

I have sympathy for the cruise line re: complaints about foods served to which people are allergic. If they banned everything or even significantly reduced it they would affect far more people. Food labels and descriptions are good but you still run risks there (translations, ESL for most staff). Allergies are tough (we deal with two -one common, one uncommon). We get our own table (so we don't have to deal with someone ordering a "bad" item for us and proceed with caution just like at home.

Re: food improvements... I never seem to get a steak rare enough. And too much trouble to send it back to be redone.

Otherwise maybe it's in expectation management. It's mass market catered food. I expect decent, sometimes great, but never excellent food. And typically that's what we get. If I get something I don't like, well, I get to order something else at no penalty so I can't really think too badly of that experience.

http://www.wired.com/2014/01/coke-iot/

I find the interesting bit how closely they track what people make. And it's not surprising that machines in the uk and the us would vary slightly. I still recall my shock at the flovors and combinations in potato chips and pizzas that were available when I lived in the uk years ago-things that I had never seen before. Different strokes...

You are spelling concierge incorrectly I think?

10 day options exist. I wouldn't call those short. :).

I would hate it. Only because I wear a watch on one wrist and can't stand anything on the other.

LOL. I know this is just a joke (if every family with young kids brought their own pool, there would be no room left on the pool deck!), but based on some posts around here, people might think you are serious. :D

I think they meant more like a small blow up bathtub size thing. And likely they were not kidding.

Agreed. My last cruise and upcoming one were booked by phone. I deal with payments and reservations online. No problems so far. This last one had to be booked by phone due to room tyoe everything they did showed online immediately.

Is it normally open to everyone on cold weather days during winter cruises? Otherwise kids wouldn't really have pool access for the first and last part of the cruise.

These new prices charged for so-so sushi IMHO are crazy. I can eat fresh flown in daily sushi at a legitimate sushi bar for the same cost .

At least at the old somewhat reasonable prices it was not that bad of an alternative.

By day 4 of a cruise I question the freshness of the sushi offered.

Thanks for the info.

The prices seem high.

Isn't most sushi grade fish frozen anyway? To kill parasites?

Last cruise with a 22 month old we booked two connecting outside view cabins. Gave us extra space, two bathrooms, and a place for quiet naps (for him and us). Baby monitor worked well. This time with 4 year old we booked the RFS and are bringing our sitter. Best of both worlds.

I get the need for adult time but I don't think it's a vacation without my child. I look forward to the time with my spouse away from work, and the same relaxed atmosphere is good for us as a family.

Restaurants:

Charleston ($$$$)

James Joyce pub

Lebanese taverna

If you do Little Italy: la tavola. Avoid sabatinos. Seems to get recommendations a lot but it stopped being good 20+ years ago

This might be obvious...but...the points are on an individual basis. Each person earns status. Eg: 62 points each and 62 total points aren't the same thing. Just calling that out.

I do think it's a bit crap to allow charters after anyone has booked. They should book charter groups further out and not alter to a charter once it has been opened for bookings.

I believe ships have a finite number of "souls" who can be carried aboard. So your 9 month old is charged bc that slot is taken

Check your arrangements with enough time to comply with the requirements of the kennel you choose.

 

Many, if not all, require certain vaccination shots to keep your pet and the others from ailments common to pet boarding facilities.

 

Note: these are not the usual rabies/distemper shots that you may be familiar with.

I have boarded at several kennels. The extra required vax was bordatella/kennel cough shots. And all say if they notice fleas/ticks they mandate a bath/treatment (at your expense). Might vary by area of course.

If you are the only adult in your party I believe the kid needs a passport. You also should secure written and notarized letters with permission to travel from the mom and dad. You need both.

Kids pay too. There is no kid free section.

If it is automatic then it certainly isn't consistent. We cruised with a 1 year old and didn't have one (wouldn't have wanted it but just saying it wasn't added automatically).

PIA? Maybe but it's not like you canceled for a bogus reason or medical emergency. At some point in time we all have to or will have to reschedule a vacation. Disappointing yes, the end of the world no. You will have a better idea now than you did of how things work when you reschedule. Sorry with all the other issues in the world right now being upset about this to me seems petty. There are people where I'm at dealing with the aftermath of tornadoes no homes loss if life. That's something to be upset over.

Oh just stop. Having a vacation you were looking forward to get cancelled is also a reason to be upset. Bad stuff happens ... But that doesn't mean someone doesn't get to be mad/sad/upset over something happening in his or her own life even if it isn't as tragic or important in relativity to other ongoing events. Sheesh.

Was on Liberty of the Seas in March. I also hit "deal or no deal" twice for 1879 each. I guess that's the highest it goes then restarts at 1000. And I usually don't play it but I was sitting next to my sister who was playing it. I just lost 400 in a different slot machine.....I put 40 bucks just to sit next to her and I hit it in my second run. Was sooooo excited then played another one the next night and hit it. And they don't take taxes out of u. Gonna be on Oasis in October 2014. I hope machines there would be " loose" also.

 

 

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They may not take taxes out but if you are a US citizen you still owe taxes on those winnings.

thats thurston howell btw. im james thurston

 

Do as you like however know that some will look down at the person and shake their head. What happened to the days when cruising was about elegance and class?

Lol. Nothing involving a toddler is about elegance and class. Lighten up. The cereal might keep the kid from a meltdown later on that would disturb your elegant dinner/poolside drink/whatever.

I believe a minor traveling with one parent also must travel on a passport. Just a BC isn't enough. That is a cruise line thing vs a legal issue though, I think.

Get a note from your dr stating you are ok to travel. Otherwise if you get sick several times they may assume the worst and quarantine you thinking you have noro