IslandHppy

I was there by cruise ship recently to the main dock- it is the same as before. The shops and restaurants are happy to see us. The free bus is still running- it is now a white car rental shuttle type van.

Not a hint of such on the Valor or Glory recently. Security was ever present. Years ago, cruise line security was very unobtrusive. These folks were all over and had visibly been to the gym. I just hope getting tossed off the ship in random foreign ports does not become a TikTok thing like eating Tide pods.

Our .02 on this: The best ballroom dancing is on Cunard. Every ship (so far) has a ballroom and orchestra. The problem- crowding. The two smallest ships on HAL still have an Ocean Bar and small dance floor. RCCL- they usually have a Boleros- but this can be serious Latin- so Bachata, Salsa, etc. I remember on the Vision- the house orchestra played a foxtrot in the lobby for us. Carnival- very hit and miss. If you can find band and a dance floor on the same ship you are lucky. Princess- possibly good. Celebrity- the Constellation had a nice pre-dinner dance most nights. NCL- ship dependent. The big new ships have a Manhattan Room- these had a dance floor and band- but was mostly covered with tables and had a lot of kids out on the floor. There are not a lot of dancers on many other lines except Cunard. This is a bit of a cart and horse for the lines- do you have a band that plays to furniture, or do you fill the old dance venue to overflowing for comedy or blues.

Dancing also varies a little by ship. We are dancers and carefully inspect the daily programs to find indications of dance music and venues. I think the Cruise Director has a little leeway on where to put the bands and they sometimes they have bands that will play dance music. And ships may have a Boleros or put on a pre-recorded session. https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/cruise-compass

On the Valor they had no food menu but a band stand and room to dance. Who is the new band?

So I went to www.carnival.com, and signed on, and one of the available VIFP offers is Cheers to You- RU1- expiring 9/8. Note we are not casino participants. So on the same cruise, the RU1 fare was $55 more each person than the cheapest other offer for the whole three day Miami booking. This is even though I have already used the RU1 code once. OP says "twice each" might be the limit. This code might be deployed also for cases where they are competing with NCL who have "open bar" fares?

We got the RU1 a month ago. We tried to upgrade cabins after final payment and that was the only fare available- it was not a mailing. The best guess is it was a promo to get you to try Cheers. It is a good question though - does a Cheers promo help sell a vacant cabin vs does it help create a new, regular Cheers package customer, or both? We don't drink- DW was amused by the premium tea selections and unlimited bottled water - there was not a fixed tip charge for RU1- we paid ~$50 extra for the week each and Carnival and or the servers made money on us 🙂 Or is there a new marketing avenue- get non drinkers to accept Cheers promos- collect $100 extra in return for a few coffees and NA beers? We did tip an extra dollar per order.

I used to love shared tables pre 2/2020. Plan on being assigned at a shared table by default. I was surprised by this. On the (full) Glory 8/21 there were zero open tables for two early or My Time early sitting. They were unable to create one out of a four top - it looked full, and there was a page long waiting list at the "adjust my dining" event after boarding, and MDR said it was not looking good on their wait list. There was a good sized line also at 6PM outside the MDR. Late seating was possible/easy. The MDR to My Time transfer wait list cleared by 9:30PM- we got a note from the app. Some tables for two in My Time were very close together- it felt awkward not to be in on the conversations. We tried it the second night and and went back to the buffet selections and poolside seating the rest of the week. We decided it was like being on one of these $6000 per week luxury yacht cruises. On the Valor, 5/7, they made us an assigned table for two out of a four top- early- on the spot. The MDR was not full at all- like 60%. I think on a full ship, the MDR situation for early sitting for two varies randomly. A guess is with more dinner options on the larger ships, the assigned MDR seats open up.

It looks like the ship has day passes to the Wyndham and overnights to both. It is not obvious where to buy day passes to the Lighthouse except on the property. Day Passes Day passes for guests and travel agents can be purchased at the Lighthouse Pointe lobby. They will allow access to our property, beach and pools as well as daily resort activities, but does not include towels. Towels can be rented for an additional charge. Please note that day passes are based on availability. For more information please send an email to guestservices@grandlucayan.com or call 954-914-9470

Based on the grumbling about the lack of day pass venues on Grand Bahama, we went recently. This updated review lists two high end ones- Lighthouse Pointe and the Viva Wyndham. 13 Best Bahamas All Inclusive Resorts & Hotels (2022) With Reviews (oceansbeyondpiracy.org) Lighthouse Pointe was very nice. I think new owners are further updating the property. One issue- it is fairly far away- but shared taxis/shuttles ($7 pp each way) were available. The basic little shopping village at the Freeport pier is tidy and secure, but there are some fun in the sun /beach choices too. One good project would be a review of the cheaper beach alternatives. One idea for the port- works well in Bimini - have a little tram to a free beach. Getting more people off the ship creates jobs and generates goodwill.

Very good. Love the last minute plan and the same day flight 🙂

That makes sense. It was interesting I spotted a stateroom attendant carrying a printout departure morning. So presumably it would say - of your zillion rooms to prepare, start with the Diamond/Platinum (+FTTF) ones, as those guests will be the earliest to arrive. It might indicate any special requests also. This time I made a little card "vacant" and wedged it by the lock as we left- how depressing if the first rooms to be cleaned had someone still in them at 9:00

Our recent experience in New Orleans on two different ships - if you arrive for your appointment after 1100 on time you are on board in like ten minutes or less- why pay extra? Back before all changes I can remember cooling my heels for an hour in verious lines and waiting areas. If everyone shows up at 10:30 and boarding starts at 11:15 I could see saving a wait.

And I am grateful to your posts for the idea to go in the first place.

I would use the term "fleetwide standards" for the MDR experience. So it will not vary much by ship. Find some menus and see. Service and preparation is good and by the book. The per person food budget is what it is, so you won't find fancy, huge steaks included.

Left the cabin at 740 ish. In the car 8:01. Best of luck on the inspection.

A and B were just called for self departure at 7:08. There is a term "under commit over deliver" but the USCG inspection is ahead today. Back to see Ifan. He's got two more months.

There is lots of wailing and angst about the new boarding process on another thread but 11 minutes is just amazing and I never saw this in the "good old days" where 45 minutes in a big hall was a thing.

So in the industry there is a term "cruise vacation" the idea is it would be a package of services (more than just a ride on a ship). The two Carnival ships out of New Orleans really deliver great vacations. I like: Well organized port and parking. These ships have lots of shady and sunny deck space and loungers - the final answer on chair hogs is to have so many chairs aboard they cannot hog them all. Minimal lines for anything Very little indoor smoke - the lines need to do more here - ours had umbrellas and chairs and food delivered to a roomy outdoor space - seriously - an outdoor smoking bar might work. Yummy food - not anything I would send back Safe and secure - the team was visible and were clearly hitting the weight room Minimal Muzak - I hate piped in music - some lines -RCCL- it is literally impossible to avoid it Crazy low prices.

You probably have to mail order the proctored /travel kits. It takes a few days. Just don't open the boxes until instructed. There is a good youtube. https://store.emed.com/s/product/detail/01t8c00000M7Qi0AAF

Thanks. I would not plan on a small early table. Lots of seats at tables for 4/6/8. It might vary by sailing. Anytime Dining had more small tables and you can get in line for one on the app I think I am not sure how to get to that dining room process wise.

Cancelled. Here is the paperwork for Sunday boo hoo. Reports the back to back process will be modified for the 55 ish guests due to a Coast Guard drill.

The aft mast has been stowed. Lots of activity up on deck ten aft- loungers put away. Looks like feels like a medivac. Reports someone was ill earlier. We are half way ish between the Dry Tortugas and New Orleans. This is reportedly #2 of the trip.

Thank you. The morning weather is perfect. I was just pondering those classic cinnamon "cruise ship" rolls they always have. I walked over to wave to Ifan - I did stray from the Cantina breakfast - I think it was the french toast earlier in the week. We have created a poolside dining experience. We use the outside venues and zip into the buffet as needed.

What I do is sign up my cell phone for the $10 a day International Plan. You pull into port and it is just like home. At sea the ship middle Wi-Fi plan has been good unless you have to have Zoom /Teams calls. For actual phone calls and texts the cell companies sometimes have ship packages.