howiefrommd

The usual knee jerk reaction is referring people back to the “Terms and Conditions”. I have spent a good deal of my clinical life at a major medical school/hospital. I have been involved in many clinical trials. Obviously, since attorneys always get involved, there is a plethora of Informed Consents and Releases. In over 40 years of practice, I can count on one hand the amount of people that read these documents and actually had a question or requested language struck. So in potential life and death situations, people do not read these documents. So in the case of a cruise line (whose primary responsibility is to their investor's), whom deliberately hide under foreign flags (to skirt taxes, labor laws and other regulatory issues) and make every effort to evade responsibility, the cheerleaders/defenders have developed the “Haven’t you read the Terms and Conditions” mantra. I hope these same people remember that the next time they are having surgery, a procedure or entering a clinical trial.

As I previously articulated, had a similar experience with Regent (but in Rome) in which I was assisted by a good TA, certainly not Regent. Reading these comments reminded me of a conversation with a patient several years ago. He was the CEO of a major hotel chain. I happen to mention to him a negative experience I encountered recently in one of his hotels. I am sure he was overjoyed to hear this as he traveled quite some distance for this consultation. Anyway, he said something that really opened my neophyte eyes. He said what the customer does not realize is that his responsibility as CEO is to the shareholder. His responsibility is to have a better quarter than the last one. Unfortunately (especially for those that remember the Raddison/Regent good old days) that appears to be what is at play here. Those that complain will eventually be given something (above what is currently offered) but most will just move on. With more and more entities looking into developing (or expanding) the luxury end of cruising this will all play itself out. At least Regent will have its ever present cheerleaders, hopefully there will be enough of them to make them a viable business five years from now. Saying that, given the thought that some hedge fund does not buy NCL and do what hedge funds do best.

I respectfully disagree with your premise. There are certainly instances where people may need assistance with selection of/explanation of excursions. Whether it is lack of computer capabilities, limited eyesight or other various disabilities, English may not be their primary language or a myriad of other factors. Regent holds itself out as a luxury, all inclusive brand. Having someone assist someone is certainly not asking too much. The passenger pay dearly for cruising on Regent. The passenger is not cruising on NCL, they are cruising on Regent.

I had a similar situation last year in all places Rome (like Rome does not have enough hotels rooms). Regent sent out notice that they could not secure enough hotel space. My TA easily found me a room, and of all things, Regent was utilizing (the same hotel) it for the cruise that I was on (for those they were providing rooms for), My TA went way above the call of duty and provided a private car to pick me up at airport and next day to take me to Civitaveccia (through a company I think called Blacklane). It was amazingly generous and appreciated. Saying that, I do not need more onboard credit or a few hundred bucks back. What I need is peace of mind. One of the reasons I have enjoyed Regent is their inclusivity. If you can’t guarantee a simple thing as a hotel room (which they promote endlessly in their non-stop catalogs that come) either do not offer it or come up with another itinerary. Itineraries come out years in advance, certainly enough time to contract enough hotel rooms.

I just reached out to Luggage Forward and this is their response: Hello, Thank you for reaching out, we are glad to assist. AirTags, or similar tracking devices, are prohibited from our shipments despite having small lithium output. We are not licensed to ship batteries of any sort. If we can be of any further assistance please let us know and you will also find many answers regarding the service through the below link to our Support Center.

Just as an FYI I was reading on another board (and I do not remember which one) that they were told that the could not use AirTags because it contained a lithium battery.

Incorrect post. Sorry.

As we all know, dress codes usually cause considerable angst on these boards. The reality is, the upcoming generations (who are the future customers) have rarely worn suits, ties, etc. Years ago when I was a resident, we had to wear a tie, appropriate shoes, etc. As I am still involved at an academic medical institution, when I interact with residents and fellows, I am sure any day now one will be wearing pajama bottoms like you see people frequently wearing in public. I have not seen a tie in years. Additionally, to put the new generation mindset into focus, I was in a meeting recently in which I asked a resident to research something and she indicated that she would get back to me. Kidding around I said, please don’t call me collect. I received this blank look (all were MDs or MDs/PhDs) and realized that not one person had any idea what that meant. Personally, dress codes have never been a big issue to me, but I do think we need to tamper down our expectations.

I could not find it anywhere, thank you so much. As a previous person noted, it appears to be a charter.

Was wondering if anyone has and information on the following: Marina 9/15 - 9/27, 2025 (Rome to Athens) 9/27 - 10/4 - No cruises found 10/4 - 11/29 Rome to Miami Any ideas what is happening 9/27 - 10/4? Thanks in advance. Howie

Does Oceania have the ability to provide a complete list (and description) of excursions? I know I have been able to do on Regent, but do not remember it for Oceania. On Regent they will send you a PDF with all the excursions an descriptions. Personally, I find it easier than going through each excursion online. Thanks so much. Howie

Over the years I have sat on numerous advisory panels for CDC, FDA and CMS. What these Agencies do is they take the panels recommendations (and if they agree with them) the codify it into regulation. Part of the regulation process is they must publish the proposed regulation in the Federal Register for a comment period. I remember one time, they published a proposed regulation requesting "Pubic Comment." When I thought about this, all of us have become so reliant on spellcheck, it has let our guard down. When you consider the amount of people (Scientific Advisors, Attorneys, Proofreaders, Typists, etc.) this document went through, yet it still went through.

Reading your blackboard comment made me laugh. I was recently in a meeting in which the attendees were all physicians and nurses. I had asked a question in which none of the attendees had an answer. One of the residents said that she would research my concern and give me a call that afternoon. So Howie, being Howie, said “I would appreciate that, but please do not call collect.” Well it was crickets when I said that. Turns out not one person knew what a collect call was. I realize I am at the sunset of my career, but I was not talking party lines lol Of course not one attendee looked up from their phones at the meeting either.

Actually going back in time trained in EM. So I guess ACEP would be the closest professional organization. However for most of my professional life I have been in research, primarily dealing with Medical Quality of Care/Quality Analytics. Have been out of the clinical arena for years. Have been in the public and or private sector for the last 30 years or so. Now that I am in the twilight of my career, have been dealing with medical education. Have sat on a bunch of advisory panels at CDC, FDA and CMS. Happily I can say I will be starting the next chapter of my life, now I just have to figure out what that is lol

Must share something that happened recently. Went to lunch with a work friend who is a very well respected physician, has a full professorship and has written many scholarly articles, books and papers. We came from work, so we were wearing our Identification Badges. The wait staff (who was quite young) asked us what MD meant after the name on ID badge stood for and my friend and colleague answered "Mentally Deficient." Made my day!

Sounds like typical guidance from the attorneys. Historically (especially if you are employed in the academic world) you are required to disclose any physician - industry relationships (I.e. Pharma, medical manufacturers, consulting, etc.) previous to your presentation. Since my audiences have been fellow clinicians, I have never had to have the warning you articulated.

I know one was on Regent, but I do not remember what cruise line the other one was on. These presentations were solely for physicians who were getting required CME credits not for general passengers (who probably would be bored to death if they attended). There are several professional organizations that put these together so you can get your required credits while on a cruise. I have only been on a half dozen or so Crystal Cruises and do not remember if this was one of them.

I have presented twice on different cruises but for a limited audience. Mostly physicians getting their CMEs. Although the cruise was free, not how I wanted to spend my vacation. People would stop me non stop with questions, follow up stuff, etc. I could stay at work for that lol When I first came to Baltimore, our Medical Center did telemedicine with Renaissance Cruises and that gang (the University based clinical telemedicine staff) had such interesting stories at lunch.

Just as a follow up question, did Cleveland Clinic provide onboard clinical services or just telemedicine capability? One of my colleagues brother (who is also a physician) has been working on cruise ships for several years. He has had difficulties obtaining a license in the US, but can work via his Philippine Medical License on ships. I recently had dinner with them and he was telling me that he works for a staffing company based in Florida, and is not an employee to the cruise ship. He did indicate that he has telemedicine capabilities but I do not remember with what organization.

In all reality we can all guess, dream and hypothesize, but in reality there is not a person that can tell you what the NC will be like. Time will tell. I am not a frequent poster, but when time permits do peruse the boards that I have interest in. When you look at the OC/NC board there are a dozen or so people or so that make up the majority of posters. Each seem to have their own slant (positive or negative).

Are you possibly saying that although being away from home for months on end, working endless hours 7 days a week, always having to smile, always having to watch their comments, they may choose finances (in which they may get better gratuities from cruisers on some cruise lines) would go into their decision making process at all. Tell me it is not so 🙂

Have been on several Regent and Oceania Cruises lately and have had similar type of conversations. Interesting that on both (which were both butlers) they commented on how generous the passengers on Regent and Oceania where compared to Crystal. I did not expand that part of the conversation. Several of the crew who previously worked for Crystal (non butler positions) articulated that they will follow what compensates them the best.

Just spoke with HA and have somewhat (but not complete answer). It is the "Surf" that is included (for each person.) When I inquired about the verbiage about the 4,000 minutes, they were clueless. They said I would have to address this when on board.

Actually it gets a bit more wacky...from the HA site: Onboard Credit US$1,000 per person, Category PS US$750 per person, Categories SA-SB US$500 per person, Categoriess A-BC Prepaid Signature Internet Package (4,000 minutes per person) Prepaid Crew Appreciation One Complimentary Shore Excursion from the Collections of Holland America Line Unlimited Luggage Delivery Service (to/from San Diego only)✤ Initial In-suite Liquor Set-up (four bottles) "Welcome on Board" bottle of sparkling wine

This is what HA sent my TA: Special Services Description Pre-Paid Crew Appreciation Promo Unlimited Luggage Delivery Service Signature Internet Package Initial In-Suite Liquor Set Up Welcome Onboard Bottle Of Sparkling Complimentary Exc Tour One Comp In-Suite Bottled Water & Soda