CruzeQueen2

3 minutes ago, Saint Greg said:

Just got some under the door mail.

 

@Saint Greg Did you request an invite and are you paying for this? Usually it costs over $120...not sure of the new cost since there was a price increase in the last few months. 

From May 2023 on Majestic

16 minutes ago, trinitygirl said:

HOLY MOLY!   We were in port, the lights of the city of Ponta Delgada right in front of us, then I noticed that the ship started to do that spinning thing it does (I thought we were turning around to dock the other way) and then the Captain's voice came out of the speakers to say that there is a port strike happening in Portugal today, that because we need a pilot on board to be able to leave and they aren't sure that the strike will be over by then, we were missing the port and heading on to Antigua instead.  Far out!  I am really disappointed, I was looking forward to seeing the Azores.  I wonder if this means that they will slow us down so we have an extra sea day, or if they add on an extra port or if we just arrive a day early?  He said that those of us with ship excursions (like me) will be automatically refunded and I guess that might also lead to a refund of port fees (could this explain the $20 some of the passengers have already received?).  I am up and dressed and was just packing my day bag and instead I could have been in bed stlll sleeping...  I guess I am going to go down and have an early breakfast anyway since I am up, and then read the Patter and see what is happening today... I wonder if they have to change things up so that the main dining room is open for lunch and other things that normally happen on a sea day.

@trinitygirlEnjoy your "suite" breakfast in the specialty dining room! One of my favourite perks of the suites. Sorry to hear about the loss of a port day! 

@trinitygirl The host at the door to Sabatini could have the title of Restaurant Manager. Each restaurant usually has one of these. 

Here's a little tip about when you go to the concierge lounge from your forward cabin. When I left my room, I would head down the hall to the mid-ship stairs and then go up two levels to deck 14. From mid-ship and just beyond, didn't seem so far when I did this. Reverse on the trek back to the cabin. Once I mastered these routes, the long-distance didn't seem nearly so long. Enjoy what awaits you in the lounge each time you go there! I know I did!!

@trinitygirl Be sure to try out the afternoon tea service as well. Love that forward cabin! Even if it is so far away from the concierge lounge! Enjoy...

@LACruiser88 Bon Voyage! Thanks for taking us along. What a beautiful welcome to find in your cabin. Lovely way to start. 💖 Enjoy

3 minutes ago, c-boy said:

We had Camille last night at a group dinner,  and she's a hoot.

@c-boy She's the one who has mastered the "fireworks". Say hi to her from Donna, please. We ate noodles together at the same ramen place in the Ala Moana mall in October. Christina has a photo, I think.  Good times! Love them all! Noel is my guy. 

7 minutes ago, jwattle said:

Observations of the random sort (because that's my thing 😀)

The Concierge, Darko, and his staff are amazing! 👏

It seems that all or at least most of the full suite guests who frequent the Concierge Lounge have the Premier package. 

There is a core group of 20 of us who are in the lounge every Sebring which makes for a great time!

Evening dining in Reserve has seen people dressed smart casual with no shorts or baseball caps,  etc. I have not the into the MDR to see what is worn there,  nor do I wish to start a dress code discussion.  Just letting you know what I've seen. 🙂

Oh, I wish I was there! Hi to all the servers there, in the Reserve Dining Room - Noel, Luciana, Cristina, Camille, Eddie, Gabriel...  and the list goes on! 

@jwattle Carry on! I'll have what you're having - at Harmony, at Bingo and even sitting by the window watching those wild waves! It's almost HH time here on the wet coast AND in Canada, it's a bit cool here with wind and rain. Keep the fun coming this way, please. 

Cheers! I'll take a Belle Glos with Luigi or Taesha for today. Maybe a whispering angel for starters. Thank you!

On my last cruise, they called this menu a Gala Dinner. Even without a formal night designation.

@BlerkOne Thank you for all the photos! I can really get excited about this ship now. Sailing from Galveston, like you are.

Enjoy your last two days! Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences.

10 minutes ago, Saint Greg said:

A “user fee?” That must be a recent change or people have old info because those tours I watched were within the past year.

 

Yes. Recent change. Believe it. Different ships rolled out the changes on different dates starting mid August. Changes initiated from corporate...not individual ships' decisions. Alfredos is no longer free without a Plus or Premier package. The charge varies for three courses, or just a pizza, or appetizer, or dessert only- if you paid the standard fare. @Saint Greg I am only the messenger. Trying to help you.

23 minutes ago, Saint Greg said:

I have a question if there are any Princess people around here. My Princess plus thing had like two meals at “casual restaurants.” I saw on another unmentionable website someone named off a couple places that were allegedly included in that deal and Alfredo’s was one. But on two of the video tours I’ve watched the people have said Alfredo’s is just free. So what’s the deal with the “casual” meals?

 

 

@Saint Greg Previously Alfredos did not have a charge. Now, there is a user fee. Plus includes two visits to casual restaurants. Alfredos is one of these. I think Vines is also now on the list of casual restaurants and it is for the tapas offered there. This also used to be included without a charge. Changes came about this year...recently. 

6 minutes ago, dlh015 said:

Just loving your thread!!  I just got off the Majestic...LA to Sydney...you are helping me deal with severe withdrawal...keep it up!!

@dlh015 Exactly! I was there with you, until Hawaii. Seventeen days on board. Not nearly enough!

@jwattle Reserve Dining Room alert. Be sure to listen for the "fireworks" audio. Camille and the other servers have really mastered this presentation. Have you had your anniversary celebration there yet? Enjoy all the fun. Fireworks and all! 

@c-boy Be sure to catch Kevin Brando, the piano guy at Crown Grill bar. He played the evening sets there. I noticed one of your art pieces has a piano...hope you like his music!

3 minutes ago, jwattle said:

Y lesterday the weather was a bit "tossy" and today promises even more. For entertainment yesterday we enjoyed our sweet site brekkie in Harmony,  I let the casino give me some $$$ to help supplement our cruising addiction and then I gave them a bit back at Bingo.  Tom and I decided to check out the art auction. Last cruise we picked up a piece that holds great personal connection. 

 

Nothing struck our fancy enough to purchase yet,  but the cruise is going and there are some nice pieces that are coming up.  Then it was on to the suite reception where Darko had four Bellinis that he wanted us to smoke and vote on,  along with some delicious noshes. Then it was on to dinner in Reserve with our new friends,  where everyone was turned out splendidly,  the most casual being a sport coat and nice slacks, but let's NOT go there,  this is just an observation of last night's Reserve Class dining. 

Beautiful! Love the smiles...and the formal attire. Thanks for posting 😄

3 hours ago, c-boy said:

Last night's main. Cooked perfectly, right amount, great presentation  👌 

Same. Enjoyed it as well!

Just now, boeckli said:

 

Won't work for me 🙁

Nor for me, either. Anticipating something special... or wild!

5 hours ago, jwattle said:

OMG, Darko is keeping us SO well fortified!! 😍 

@c-boy I'm so happy to hear that! Please say hi for me, from Vancouver. Hugs to Luigi, Tomy, Dumming and Taesha (sp?) as well. You are in good hands.

If it's happy hour for you there...you will have more options! Enjoy. Sigh. I remember that time of day, fondly.

Good luck in opening up the heavy fridge door... enjoy a cold something...or some hot tea? @jwattle

@charliedalrymple @jwattle Here are some photos from my dinner at The Catch in September. Yes, the langoustine was part of the Three S offering and I had pics of the de-boning of the SOLE.  We enjoyed ALL of it!

Hope no one minds...just adding to the thread...where appropriate. Sorry the photos are blurry...guess I got over-excited! Or maybe had a few too many glasses of wine before the main courses arrived. It was lovely!

@jwattle Looks like a great start to the cruise! All the usual food groups showed up for the first day/ embarkation lunch and dinner.  Avo shrimp appie, salmon and orange souffle at lunch. Tale of citrus, my personal fave, and the langoustine and mussels...at The Catch. I think you sat at my usual table! Nice touch to see the opera house. Keep smiling!

@Radio I enjoyed reading about your time on the Regal Princess. You mentioned that the shuttle to get to IAH from the ship upon disembarkation was to take 2 hours. In reality, was that time accurate? I will also be taking a shuttle to the airport (IAH) when I disembark. 

Thanks again for all the information that you shared.