DonnaK

The secret is to pay attention to the very beginning of the story, which sets up the plot.  Otherwise, it's too hard to follow.

We loved it!  

Any current update on the man-of-war situation at Horseshoe Beach?

Add my vote for Summit.  We've been on her twice and LOVED her!  And, multi-day in Bermuda is awesome too!  

20 hours ago, Hoopster95 said:

 

 

This +1.

Take a good hard look at Oceania's Sirena, with brand new $100,000,000 renovation, superb itineraries many with overnights at all 3 of Cuba's main ports for full days (not like Royal where they purposely misrepresent and say they overnight, but leave at 2am or 5am)

Just looked, but sadly they do not have a cruise to Cuba scheduled for the week I have off from work.

On 6/2/2019 at 11:40 AM, Bookish Angel said:

Hello, Donna!

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

Hi Angel!  Thanks for sharing your experience!  I value your opinion!

Do either ships have a diamond lounge?

Thanks for all the input!

I'm not so concerned about lack of bells and whistles, or the smallness of the ship.

My concern is cleanliness and quality of the food.  They may be old ships, but I don't want them to feel old, musty, dirty.  

7 hours ago, kruzerci said:

I feel your pain. I’m holding off until they send a Vision class to Cuba. 

 

We thought the Sovereign class felt old and small in 2010, can’t imagine after ten years. 

 

That said I would probably do Majesty since at least you have the larger pool deck, full Viking Crown lounge, etc. 

Thanks for your advice!  We were leaning towards MJ too, even though Empress has the better itinerary and price.

7 hours ago, Host Clarea said:

Better fitness center on Majesty is one difference that comes to mind.  MJ also has O3b internet, not sure about Empress.

LOL Bob. The fitness center is one place on a ship into which I do not take a step!  

However, internet is important to me!

As a large ship enthusiast, it is really hard for me to choose either of these ships.  Both have negative reviews - dirty, smelly, moldy, etc.  But, if I want to cruise to Cuba, my options are limited, and the other cruiseline's offerings aren't any better.

Any thoughts or recommendations?  (we aren't interested in a land trip)

I also suggest bringing home some fudge from the fudge shop in the Clocktower Mall.  Delicious!

We don't usually give anything extra outside of the tips that are automatically added to our account, unless someone does something specific that is above and beyond the expected duties of their job.   Most stewards and waiters provide excellent service, and that's what the auto-tips cover.  Quite frankly, it is very unusual for anyone to do something outside the normal realm of their duties for us.  

26 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Have your daughter call now and link him as her SO.  As you can now get a C&A number before your first cruise he should be Diamond before he boards. 

Thank you Ken.

My daughter is diamond,   Her fiance never cruised before.  They are going on their first cruise together this summer.  My husband and I are also diamond and going on the same cruise.  

When does the fiance get matching C & A status as my daughter?  After they are married?  After their first cruise together?  Now, if they have the same address?   

He really just wants to be able to come into the Diamond lounge with us.  (He doesn't drink due to a medical condition, so it's not a matter of getting the happy hour drinks or any freebies)

As I wrote a couple of pages back, I no longer have the time to dedicate to the upkeep and maintenance of this list.  

Someone else, please step up and take over.

If anyone is interested in maintaining this list, please let me know.  I would like to hand it over to someone else at this time.

ADVENTURE:  Ken Jones December 30 (for 2 months or 4 months?  Then Drew Devine?)
ALLURE:  Jimmy Rhodes November 4 until February 22, then Mitch Merucci February 22 until April 21
ANTHEM:  Dennis Charles returns January 6 until May 4, then Mitch Merucci May 4 until July 13.  Mitch returns September 7 until January 5, 2020
BRILLIANCE: Chris Brown September 22 until February 3, then Enzo Matijaca 
EMPRESS:    Who is the current CD until refurb?   Elvis Pinto returns March 3
ENCHANTMENT:   Bobby Broughton January 17 until March 4, then Susan Adams returns March 4 for 4 months.
EXPLORER: Graham Seymour July 27 until until sometime in January (need date), then Clo O'Connor until sometime in March when Graham returns (need date)  
FREEDOM:  Rob McNally January 13 (for 4 months?)
GRANDEUR: Mike Szwajkowski Oct 20 until February 23, then John Blair February 23 until June 13, and August 8 until November 30
HARMONY:   Michele Scarpato January 20 until March 29, then Marc Walker March 29 until late July, then Dennis Charles expects to be headed to Harmony for 2 months to cover Marc's break.
INDEPENDENCE:   Jamie Fentiman  late November until late March (need date, then who?)
JEWEL:  Simona Ferraiuolo  early November (for 4 months?)
LIBERTY:  Jeff Arpin January 20 (for 4 months?)
MARINER: Mercedes Lafuente January 10 through March 18 then Marc Walker March 18 until the end of 2019
MAJESTY:  Tanya Yates Tongue January 14 until April 29
NAVIGATOR:   in drydock until February 24 - Does Rob McNally return on February 24 for 4 months?
OASIS:  Dan Whitney November 4 (for 2 months?)
OVATION:  Joff Eaton  November 28 until March 30
QUANTUM: Paul Rutter (until when?)
RADIANCE:  Cuddy Cudworth January 14 (for 4 months?)
RHAPSODY: Bill Bronckhorst January 12 (for 2 months or 4 months)?
SERENADE: Andrea Olivieri November 30 until mid-to-late January, then Carly Boileau
SYMPHONY: A Bobby Brown January 5 until March 16, then Abe Hughes March 16 until May 4, then Mike Szwajkowski 
VISION:   Steve Davis early October until early February
VOYAGER:  Michelle Oliveira December 3 (for 4 months?)

1 hour ago, John Reid said:

Tanya has a last name like the rest of the CD's.

Tanya Yates Tongue.

 

Thank you.  She was the CD the last time I was on Anthem, and she only used the name Tornado Tanya.

1 hour ago, ONECRUISER said:

OP asking about FREE options. 

The flavored water is FREE as well as sugar-free.  I love the Tropical Mango flavor.  It's available at the water/iced tea station in the Windjammer, and depending on the ship in some of the other FREE venues.

ADVENTURE:  Ken Jones December 30 (for 2 months or 4 months?  Then Drew Devine?)
ALLURE:  Jimmy Rhodes November 4 until February 22, then Mitch Merucci February 22 until April 21
ANTHEM:  Dennis Charles returns January 6 until May 4, then Mitch Merucci May 4 until July 13.  Mitch returns September 7 until January 5, 2020
BRILLIANCE: Chris Brown September 22 until February 3, then Enzo Matijaca 
EMPRESS:    Who is the current CD until refurb?   Elvis Pinto returns March 3
ENCHANTMENT:   Bobby Broughton January 17 until March 4, then Susan Adams returns March 4 for 4 months.
EXPLORER: Graham Seymour July 27 until until sometime in January (need date), then Clo O'Connor until sometime in March when Graham returns (need date)  
FREEDOM:  Rob McNally January 13 (for 4 months?)
GRANDEUR: Mike Szwajkowski Oct 20 until February 23, then John Blair February 23 until June 13, and August 8 until November 30
HARMONY:   Michele Scarpato January 20 (for 4 months?)   (Dennis Charles expects to be headed to Harmony approximately early July)
INDEPENDENCE:   Jamie Fentiman  late November (for 4 months?)
JEWEL:  Simona Ferraiuolo  early November (for 4 months?)
LIBERTY:  Jeff Arpin January 20 (for 4 months?)
MARINER: Mercedes Lafuente January 10 through March 18 then Marc Walker March 18 until the end of 2019
MAJESTY:  Tornado Tanya January 7 until April 29
NAVIGATOR:   in drydock until February 24 - Does Rob McNally return on February 24 for 4 months?
OASIS:  Dan Whitney November 4 (for 2 months?)
OVATION:  Joff Eaton  November 28 until March 30
QUANTUM: Paul Rutter (until when?)
RADIANCE:  Cuddy Cudworth January 14 (for 4 months?)
RHAPSODY: Bill Bronckhorst January 12 (for 2 months or 4 months)?
SERENADE: Andrea Olivieri November 30 until mid-to-late January, then Carly Boileau
SYMPHONY: A Bobby Brown January 5 until March 16, then Abe Hughes March 16 until May 4, then Mike Szwajkowski 
VISION:   Steve Davis early October until early February
VOYAGER:  Michelle Oliveira December 3 (for 4 months?)

Has the handover between Graham and Clo on Explorer occurred?

ADVENTURE:  Ken Jones December 30 (for 2 months or 4 months?  Then Drew Devine?)
ALLURE:  Jimmy Rhodes November 4 until February 22, then Mitch Merucci February 22 until April 21
ANTHEM:  Dennis Charles returns January 6 until May 4, then Mitch Merucci May 4 until July 13.  Mitch returns September 7 until January 5, 2020
BRILLIANCE: Chris Brown September 22 until February 3, then Enzo Matijaca 
EMPRESS:    Who is the current CD until refurb?   Elvis Pinto returns March 3
ENCHANTMENT:   Bobby Broughton January 17 until March 4, then Susan Adams returns March 4 for 4 months.
EXPLORER: Graham Seymour July 27 until until sometime in January (need date), then Clo O'Connor until sometime in March when Graham returns (need date)  
FREEDOM:  Rob McNally January 13 (for 4 months?)
GRANDEUR: Mike Szwajkowski Oct 20 until February 23, then John Blair February 23 until June 13, and August 8 until November 30
HARMONY:  Marc Walker December 16 until January 20, then Michele Scarpato January 20 (for 4 months?)   (Dennis Charles expects to be headed to Harmony approximately early July)
INDEPENDENCE:   Jamie Fentiman  late November (for 4 months?)
JEWEL:  Simona Ferraiuolo  early November (for 4 months?)
LIBERTY:  Jeff Arpin January 20 (for 4 months?)
MARINER: Mercedes Lafuente January 10 through March 18 then Marc Walker March 18 until the end of 2019
MAJESTY:  Tornado Tanya January 7 until April 29
NAVIGATOR:   in drydock until February 24 - Does Rob McNally return on February 24 for 4 months?
OASIS:  Dan Whitney November 4 (for 2 months?)
OVATION:  Joff Eaton  November 28 until March 30
QUANTUM: Paul Rutter (until when?)
RADIANCE:  Cuddy Cudworth January 14 (for 4 months?)
RHAPSODY: Bill Bronckhorst January 12 (for 2 months or 4 months)?
SERENADE: Andrea Olivieri November 30 until mid-to-late January, then Carly Boileau
SYMPHONY: A Bobby Brown January 5 until March 16, then Abe Hughes March 16 until May 4, then Mike Szwajkowski 
VISION:   Steve Davis early October until early February
VOYAGER:  Michelle Oliveira December 3 (for 4 months?)

17 minutes ago, Retired LEO said:

Bobby Broughton  is now on the Enchantment.

 

Thank you!

Then, who's on Empress?  What are the dates Empress will be out of service for refurb?

ADVENTURE:  Ken Jones December 30 (for 2 months or 4 months?  Then Drew Devine?)
ALLURE:  Jimmy Rhodes November 4 until February 22, then Mitch Merucci February 22 until April 21
ANTHEM:  Dennis Charles returns January 6 until May 4, then Mitch Merucci May 4 until July 13.  Mitch returns September 7 until January 5, 2020
BRILLIANCE: Chris Brown September 22 until February 3, then Enzo Matijaca 
EMPRESS:  Bobby Broughton  November 11 until March 3, then Elvis Pinto March 3
ENCHANTMENT:   Who is the current CD as of Jan 17?   Susan Adams returns March 4 for 4 months.
EXPLORER: Graham Seymour July 27 until until sometime in January (need date), then Clo O'Connor until sometime in March when Graham returns (need date)  
FREEDOM:  Rob McNally January 13 (for 4 months?)
GRANDEUR: Mike Szwajkowski Oct 20 until February 23, then John Blair February 23 until June 13, and August 8 until November 30
HARMONY:  Marc Walker December 16 until January 20, then Michele Scarpato January 20 (for 4 months?)   (Dennis Charles expects to be headed to Harmony approximately early July)
INDEPENDENCE:   Jamie Fentiman  late November (for 4 months?)
JEWEL:  Simona Ferraiuolo  early November (for 4 months?)
LIBERTY:  Jeff Arpin January 20 (for 4 months?)
MARINER: Mercedes Lafuente January 10 through March 18 then Marc Walker March 18 until the end of 2019
MAJESTY:  Tornado Tanya January 7 until April 29
NAVIGATOR:   in drydock until February 24 - Does Rob McNally return on February 24 for 4 months?
OASIS:  Dan Whitney November 4 (for 2 months?)
OVATION:  Joff Eaton  November 28 until March 30
QUANTUM: Paul Rutter (until when?)
RADIANCE:  Cuddy Cudworth January 14 (for 4 months?)
RHAPSODY: Bill Bronckhorst January 12 (for 2 months or 4 months)?
SERENADE: Andrea Olivieri November 30 until mid-to-late January, then Carly Boileau
SYMPHONY: A Bobby Brown January 5 until March 16, then Abe Hughes March 16 until May 4, then Mike Szwajkowski 
VISION:   Steve Davis early October until early February
VOYAGER:  Michelle Oliveira December 3 (for 4 months?)

ADVENTURE:  Ken Jones December 30 (for 2 months or 4 months?  Then Drew Devine?)
ALLURE:  Jimmy Rhodes November 4 until February 22, then Mitch Merucci February 22 until April 21
ANTHEM:  Dennis Charles returns January 6 until May 4, then Mitch Merucci May 4 until July 13.  Mitch returns September 7 until January 5, 2020
BRILLIANCE: Chris Brown September 22 until late January (need date - then who?)
EMPRESS:  Bobby Broughton  November 11 until mid-March, then Elvis Pinto (need date)
ENCHANTMENT:   Susan Adams is due to sign off - who is the next CD and what is the handover date?
EXPLORER: Graham Seymour July 27 until until sometime in January (need date), then Clo O'Connor until sometime in March when Graham returns (need date)  
FREEDOM:  Rob McNally January 13 (for 4 months?)
GRANDEUR: Mike Szwajkowski Oct 20 until February 23, then John Blair February 23 until June 13, and August 8 until November 30
HARMONY:  Marc Walker December 16 until January 20, then Michele Scarpato January 20 (for 4 months?)   (Dennis Charles expects to be headed to Harmony approximately early July)
INDEPENDENCE:   Jamie Fentiman  late November (for 4 months?)
JEWEL:  Simona Ferraiuolo  early November (for 4 months?)
LIBERTY:  Jeff Arpin January 13 (for 4 months?)
MARINER: Mercedes Lafuente January 10 through March 18 then Marc Walker March 18 until the end of 2019
MAJESTY:  Tornado Tanya January 7 until April 29
NAVIGATOR:   Rob McNally  November 23 (until when?)
OASIS:  Dan Whitney November 4 (for 2 months?)
OVATION:  Joff Eaton  November 28 until March 30
QUANTUM: Paul Rutter (until when?)
RADIANCE:  Cuddy Cudworth January 14 (for 4 months?)
RHAPSODY: Bill Bronckhorst early January (for 2 months or 4 months)?
SERENADE: Andrea Olivieri November 30 until mid-to-late January, then Carly Boileau
SYMPHONY: A Bobby Brown January 5 until March 16, then Abe Hughes March 16 until May 4, then Mike Szwajkowski 
VISION:   Steve Davis early October until early February
VOYAGER:  Michelle Oliveira December 3 (for 4 months?)