Whinenowine

Ah thanks for the suggestion, but a bit too far away for me. I'm in northern Bergen County.

Thanks, @macnoir. That dovetails nicely with what @pingpong1 stated above; I think I'm better off BYOC'ing. For 1week or less, I usually just use my Peter James carry case with a boveda humidity pack. I'll bring 6 sticks even though I'm sure I'll only smoke 2-3 (offering the rest to smoking companions in the CC). These days I"m really into extra wide churchill-sized cigars. 54-55 gauge, but a little longer than a robusto. I'm looking forward to it!

Thanks @pingpong1 that's pretty much what I was looking for! I only smoke a few cigars a month (living in the northeast limits my outdoor consumption), so when I partake I'm particular to brand and size (the fatter the better). Good to know I can just bring my travel humidor with me. My drinks question was really around whether there is a limited and separate menu specific to the CC; sounds like the answer is 'no', which is what I was hoping for. I normally sip bourbon with a cigar, but sometimes like tequila or even some wines. Looks like I'm going to love those sea days. Thanks for the info!

Same goes for that extra dessert brought to the dinner table by your friendly waiter because you couldn't decide between the two. Scientifically proven fact, it is both fat and calorie free.

Bed head...if I had that much hair I'd wear it any way I liked. Enjoy it! (oh and yes, that is a nice shirt)

Ah, nostalgia...if memory serves that low rise building on the left was one of the hotels we stayed in at The Rocks.

So I'm sailing on the Grandeur next year and as a Regent newbie I've a question (questions, actually) on the Connoisseur Club. First, are you allowed to bring your own cigars or must you purchase one at the club? Second, can you order any booze or are you limited to those listed on their menu? And lastly, would anyone happen to have a recent cigar/bar menu from the Explorer/Splendor/Grandeur? Thanks in advance!

Hahaha! Thanks for that. But in all seriousness, I'm fine with paying the incremental amount for better booze. But these days basic prices are jumping and upper echelon bottles are either hard to get or priced out of my reach.

Not unless they're forced to, no. If I recall properly from my MBA classes last century: Big Corporate 101 taught us to low ball all first offers because many will be happy taking just that...then sweeten the offer ONLY if the negative PR wave is evident and swelling ('the squeaky wheel theory'). And throughout, stick to your PR-corporate-speak guns (your original story), repeat it often enough and that's what people will remember in the long run....Regent doing all it can to go green by 2050. Happy they sweetened the deal and hopefully that makes it right by all those on the cruise.

Somehow I think you two will find a way to bring some colour/style to black tie formal.

I tend to eat at BYO restaurants as I've already got the cellar and I cannot stand the mark ups at my nicer local places.

Does it look like the winners were spread out so everyone won something (other than Seabourne!)

Not to pour salt in the wound, but I wish it were nickels and dimes rather than $3s and $5s. (gallows humour)

Yeah I read about that and saw part of the video, just horrible. Just goes to show you that money doesn't equal taste or class. (and booze can also strip away the veneer of class that some exhibit). I fear this next year leading up to the election will be fraught with political peril no matter where we go, as for some reason people feel the need to bring up the topic in otherwise polite conversation.

Visited Kamakura a few times when I lived in Japan in the 90's. Beautiful, and I imagine it's not changed much in the last 25yrs. 😁 @chaunceyb--btw...it's funny how where one lives can redefine long vs short trips. I think for most people a 9hr flight would be quite long, but not if you live in the 50th state (which I think is where most of us Northeasterners would prefer to be right about now--35degrees and cloudy here).

@the_dylaness as an insider can you please work on getting the distilleries to stop raising prices. 😪 Actually in reality I think it's been the wholesalers/retailers that are the ones jacking up pricing and keeping the fatter margins. Prices have gone totally insane. I was lucky (dare I say smart) enough to stock up on cases of my favorite bourbons 7-8yrs ago. But I've giddily drank my way through most of it--down to about 1-2yrs remaining at current consumption levels. So I need prices to start dropping, por favor! 😁

Interesting...I wouldn't have expected that either.

We stayed at Lillianfels on our honeymoon a while back. We were cleaning out a closet last month and I found the red Lillianfels polo-style shirt I bought on that trip....and it almost fits....almost...😇 All of the Blue Mountain region was just gorgeous. We hired a guide for a day-long private tour so we got to see a lot of the area. We picked up some hand-carved wookwork from Leura that we still have on display at home. Hope your birthday getaway was a good one. We loved Sydney too!

Good morning, Jim. Tsunamis and cyclones....but so far the worst is a broken glass panel on the Magic Carpet and a bidet-like toilet. You lead a charmed life, Jim (and we're not even talking about Iain yet)! Btw--on our Edge cruise last year we were in 11105, but lucky for us there were no tender ports so no anchor noises. There was, however a prodigious pot smoker either in 101 or 103 (and I DO mean prodigious). 😁

You'll love it, Terry (assuming nothing much has changed in the last few decades). If time permits, see if you can take a boat through the mangroves and look for salt water crocks.

We spent part of our honeymoon in the Daintree (Cape Tribulation); was pretty cool having rainforest on one side of the road and beach on the other. But it was a 3hr drive from Cairns so likely to far for you to drive (if you didn't visit on one of your prior trips).

🤣 (btw--you've got Burger King above and a Wendy's line from below...still waiting for McDonalds and KFC)

Yes, thanks @Anchorbuoy. Had been talking 2024 cruises so I didn't elaborate, apologies. Needed something close, simple and relaxing. And while I'd prefer not to return to Costa Maya...beggar's can't be choosers. For me this cruise is just about getting away and enjoying all the ship has to offer. p.s.--for the record I'm neither a VIP nor a TA. 😇

Good God, Jim those dishes look delicious...longing for scallops and lamb myself!

Nice to see you, Mrs chemmo! Yeah I started availing myself of X's BYO policy back in 2022 when I found it harder and harder to consistently find what I liked on board. Bit of a hassle to lug it on the plane, but I've ALWAYS been happy drinking it on board. And since DW and I are turning into lightweights, there is usually 1-2 glasses per bottle to share with the staff after dinner. (shhh....). I need to work my way though my cellar somehow!🥂