Nebr.cruiser

The steaks I had in the MDR were actually not too bad! And this from Nebraskans who have some of the best steaks around. Our prime ribs didn't even look good--so over-cooked and thin. i will say we ate late that day, maybe ten until nine or so. We even asked if it was too late--not wanting to make waiters, etc. stay over the 9:30 ending time, but they insisted not.

We found the MDR and the buffet food seriously lacking compared to other cruises. Lower quality meat, for sure. Our prime rib was so bad it was laughable. It looked kind of like shoe leather. Now I will say that our waiter, the head waiter, the head dining guy all came over and apologized for our maybe 1/4" prime rib and would have gotten us new ones, but it was fairly late, we were already full and it wasn't worth waiting. This was the Discovery Inaugural and why I understood the glitches with service and other things, food should have been similar to other Princess cruises we have taken.

The problem with shoe recommendations is that everyone's feet are different--what I can wear with comfort another person can't, and vice-versa. I really can't buy shoes that I can't try on (like on the internet) unless I have bought the same exact shoe before. And even if shoes feel great in the store doesn't mean they will feel great after a long day of touring/walking, etc.

Thank you--sounds like just what we are looking for. I'll check it out for sure.

I have several favorites, but the Eastern Med cruise from Rome with Greece and Turkey might be #1. So many great sights and so much history--and beautiful as well.

Thank you for thet recommendation! We will look into it though probably too early for our Feb. cruise.

I'd like to know this too: same ports. Also any recommended GBR tours and which port would be the best for snorkeling the reef. We are experienced snorkelers Actually, no way am I hauling snorkle gear to Australia, so I guess it is a moot question. Hopefully they provide.

We do sail on several different cruise lines and have liked them all, so though we do like Princess, it's not our only option.

Even though our Discovery cruise had some glitches (expected--maiden voyage) and some definite downgrades, we will still sail Princess if we like the itinerary, price, etc. We will choose our ship carefully. We are Platinum with one more cruise to Elite, so we do have some perks, although they have been downgraded.

So Wall Drug is what it is--kind of the ultimate American kitsch--but fun in its own way. The kids and grandkids really enjoy it--just a testimont to what advertising will do! I love the Alamo, mostly because of the story behind the last stand. It's also, in my opinion, beautiful and moving. Love the River Walk too. Very few things have failed to meet my expectations--well, maybe the La Brea tar pit--but then it is what it says, a tar pit. Admittedly I haven't seen it in 50 years so maybe there is more to it now.

Me either! Pictures are more than enough.

I didn't buy it but once Celebrity gave us a very nice cloth bag that zips--I still use it a lot on cruises to hold things for the beach, etc. It was much nicer than the regular bag some cruise lines give out. Otherwise, rarely buy anything on a cruise and nothing super useful. I do enjoy my (fake) tanzanite ring I bought because I had OBC that had to be used, couldn't be refunded.

Thank you! We'll be there next February and all of this information is so valuable. I realize it's probably too early to be booking anything.

I like Skechers too--but hate that they are sock-eaters for me!

I have used Lancome and liked it. I need suggestions for mascara that is waterproof/smudgeproof due to watery eyes often, from allergies, yet comes off fairly easily. Lately every waterproof mascara I have tried it horrible to get off, even using make-up remover that is for waterproof make-up. I usually use the Almay eye make-up remover pads but either they have changed their formula or the mascaras I am buying are just harder to remove.

I could get by with two, possibly--walking shoes and sandals that are dressy enought for the dining room, but usually take 4. Partly because my feet are small and they don't take up much room, but mostly because I have learned my lesson, especially with sandals, of having shoes that start out fine and can end up a day with blisters or other pain. Even when broken in. So, I always wear some kind of walking schoes--sketchers or tie--at least two sandals for day wear (assuming a warm weather cruise) so I can switch them out if one is hurting, and at least one pear of dressier wedges for evening. If I have room I will through in water shoes or another pair of wedges.

We are planning to cruise to New Zealand next year--anytime from late January into March and are looking at different cruise lines. They all seem to show a different itinerary as to ports. Most do cruising the Fiords. Some also show cruising the Bay of Islands. We don't particularly care which ship or departure port. Budget matters since we also want to spend 2-3 weeks touring Australia. What are the must see ports? We want to see as much as possible, of course, mostly interested in scenic beauty and I really want to go to Hobbit Town. I've noticed some of the shorter cruises leave out Tauranga, Napier, Wellington. And some leave out Aukland. Most seem to have Dunedin and Christ Church. Some have Picton. We will probably only do this once, so don't want to miss anything truly spectacular.

I have seen mention of this tour company here. Has anyone used them and can report back? They sound great, but we would need an English-speaking guide.