CowPrincess

That meal looks wonderful! Thanks (again) for sharing your pictures. IMHO a couple of dinners there will definitely help offset the sub-optimal promenade deck, for DH and me. :)

Okay, one more attempt.

1of4, please email me at

nakitathedog@yahoo.ca

Question for you members more experienced in these issues: someone just posted a picture I took about a year ago. Now I know I don't "own" pictures I choose to post but it did irk me that someone would search through one of my old threads, copy a picture and post it without acknowledging that they did not take the picture.

 

I guess I will have to figure out how to watermark my pictures which will significantly slow down my photo reviews, if I chose to do them sick I am a bit creeper out right now.

 

Up to now I have always been asked if someone could copy one of my photos.

That picture seems to have not come from CC. So not from your thread :( :eek: via the recent poster. Possibly that other website "borrowed" your picture? Another :eek: and :mad:

If you want, email me at nakitathedog@yahoo.ca for what I have found out.....

This possibility was considered, then dropped back when we moved to a new software resource. Reason? It would require incurring the cost and potential disruption of the routine use of the software for something that really isn't significant at all.

 

Way back around the turn of the century (I love saying that because my grandparents used to say that back when I was growing up...just a different century) my handle was Shiptender, then CL Walt (Community Leader Walt) then finally Host Walt. Each time my handle was changed, my post count was reset to 0.

 

As a Host, the only time I pay any attention to a member's post count is when I run into a roll call type post in the main boards. If it's someone with, say, 18 posts, it's fair to guess that the Member is new to CC so when the post is moved to the roll call section I handle it differently than a similar situation by someone who has, say, 20,000 posts.

 

Also, when someone gets into an inappropriate travel agent discussion, the new member gets a note about our TA rules where the 20,000 member just gets a hand slap or worse.

Thanks Walt, and your "turn of the century" made me :D and LOL

(I suspect that having Host in front of your name carries more weight than having an accurate post count!)

In Skagway, the sidewalks on the main street are wood planks, so that may affect how much walking your husband will want to do.

(I just google street viewed , and it looks like the cross streets also have wood plank sidewalks)

And back to more or less the original topic. To me, post counts mean nothing. Someone who shows 50 posts could easily have been cruising for years, while someone who shows 10,000 may have cruised once, a decade ago. The 50-post poster may have had (as Walt mentioned) another ID that had 1000s of posts, and for some reason lost the post count. The 10,000-post poster may have just enjoyed the camaraderie of CC, so continued to visit and post.

Changing your username doesn't always result in a reset of your post count--maybe only when it's for the reason Walt gave? I changed my user name about five years ago because of a divorce. I had to make a request and explain why (old user name was a portion of my ex-husband's business name and I didn't want to continue with that) and when they changed my user name to Q_C my post count wasn't impacted. Thank goodness, because I wouldn't have a record of those times I've contributed valuable information to the community! :rolleyes::rolleyes: LOL.

I can see why you'd want to change your name ;)

The difference, I think, is that Walt was referencing an involuntary change due to technical issues, so I'm presuming something about the old user ID/profile got corrupted, so could no longer be used. Whereas your previous name was still "good"/"usable" so hey-presto, with a few key strokes from the Admin people, now you are Quilting Cruiser, complete with your previous info and profile and such....

For Ketchikan, have you thought about taking a cab to Cape Fox Lodge to see their totems and have a coffee in the restaurant that overlooks the waterfront? Then a cab back to the ship. Or a cab to the Totem Heritage Center, which is small and indoors so it is probably suitable for your husband?

My last trip to Totem Bight was many years ago, and I can't remember how much walking was involved.

You're right but I think that's apart from the issue here. The issue is NYT and similar like-minded media organizations demonizing those who are somewhat successful. That's what's making people upset and causing them to defend themselves.

Well I guess my "Canadian" is showing, because when I read that article, it didn't strike me as a class-warfare piece. It struck me as a slow news day item, to be honest ;) But perhaps everyone who saw it as rabble-rousing was correct, and I just missed the point :)

As to my comments being "apart from the issue", and people defending themselves (as opposed to being smug and self-congratulatory).... I really wanted to comment on kangforpres's comment about good fortune. Too many people don't realize how fortunate they/we are to be able to travel at all or, in my case today, to have enough free time to spend half an hour trying to reply coherently to someone on the internet :) I appreciate gratitude, that's all. :) And kangforpres expressed gratitude.

That's it for salad? Wow :( disappointing, and I like hummus and stuffed grape leaves. But that's the lunch time salad offering? Any hope that it is because of the ports that were missed, so regular "salad fixins' " could not be replenished?

I'm also sorry to read your report on the suppertime offerings in the Lido :(

As to the NYT article, to me it just doesn't seem based in reality. I had a hard time seeing how the talk of the NCL and RCCL having special perqs for higher-end cabins has anything to do with the 1% the article also references.

And this bit?

“That segment of the population wants to be surrounded by people with similar characteristics.”

It sort-of made me laugh. But then, most snob-appeal things make me laugh ;)

>SNIP<

 

Now I'm upper middle class and I get to fly first class and stay in Neptune Suites. I'm forever grateful for the good fortune, I always knew when i could afford to I would travel often if for nothing else just for the experience because i didn't get to do it when I was younger and some of my friends where spending summers "abroad" like they were entitled to it.

 

>SNIP<

 

(bolding mine)

Thank you for mentioning "good fortune".

There are loads of smug, self-congratulatory posts on CC. "I worked hard and saved" "I went to school to better myself" "I didn't spend money frivilously" "I made travel a priority" and on and on.

While that may be true, good fortune plays a part too. Sometimes random events occur so despite hard work, careful planning, and fiscal responsibility some people just don't have the options that some others of us have.

IMHO it is a myth that people who are financially "okay" got there only because they are hard-working and motivated while people who lack financial resources are lazy, uneducated, spendthrifts. The reality is, hard work and a good attitude can't always overcome the results of an accident, a debilitating illness, or a natural disaster :(

Thank you so much! Your pictures and commentary are great! :)

That deserves a celebration!

 

 

Congratulatons, KK!

dakarewser's picture is perfect!

Congratulations KK, and another "thanks for all your help!"

It looks like a fabulous evening. Thanks again for taking time to keep us in the loop :)

Thanks for the suggestions and advice. I knew the knife would be expensive, but had plan on spending the extra for it. Our son is a chef and we wanted to bring him back something he would enjoy. As for the other items, we may have to count the cost. I definitely don't want to buy something made in China. Will look for the logo. I did want to make sure we don't pass up a good shop in one port, thinking the next port might have something better. I will do some searches. Thanks again for the suggestions!

Don't pack it in your carry on for your flight back home. Voice of experience here :eek: Couldn't figure out how the TSA guy knew we'd been in Alaska... until he mentioned our souvenir in my carry on bag :eek: :)

A poncho in the wind and rains of Alaska is absolutely useless. You will be spending your whole time holding is down. If it gives you a sense of security by packing one in your bag as an emergency garment....then do so. You are just a whole lot better off bring along and unlined, waterproof, windproof shell that you can wear a fleece or sweater under.

After our recent experience with ponchos at that big bridge attraction near you, I totally agree :D Good grief, it was the worst, and wasn't very effective at keeping us dry, either !

Umbrellas are as annoying as ponchos, even more awkward, and can present a real hazard to people around you.

OP imho you will be much happier and much more comfortable with a waterproof hooded jacket. If you want to do it on the cheap, check out thrift stores. One of mine cost $8, and a decade later is still keeping me dry :)

>SNIP<

 

 

In a few cases technical issues have arisen that required involuntary member name changes which also caused post counts to be impacted.

>SNIP<

Thanks for that info, Walt! I'm not sure if you can answer this but I got to thinking :) Couldn't the post count for someone who is forced into a name change (because of tech issues) be set with a couple of lines of code, along the lines of PostCount=5,556 or something? And what happens to any demerits (or whatever they are called) if a poster ends up forced into a name change because of tech issues? Are they poof-gone? Or do they carry over?

Please forgive me if this question has previously been answered and discussed. I find that scarves/shawls are a quick and easy way to add versatility to my cruising wardrobe. My mother-in-law recently gave me a beautiful pashmina silk shawl, and I'd appreciate any tips for cleaning it. Thank you very much in advance.

Hi MAM! I wash virtually everything, in part because the so-called dry cleaner in our rinky-dink little down is a fabric murderer, so I've been forced to take matters into my own hands (literally). ;)

That said, I will not wash my own pashminas. I take them onto the ship and send them for drycleaning on the ship when necessary. My hesitations are the fabric mix, and the relatively loose weave of a pashmina (compared to the tight weave of my vintage Hermes scarves, or most other 100% silk items such as blouses).

In reading that link, it seems to mention using cold and then lukewarm water. In my experience, that has the potential to create problems as the change of temp can cause silk to get crunchy (for lack of a better word).

Just another point of view :) Whatever you decide, enjoy that lovely gift!

We have cruised on Princess 5 times; 1 in Alaska and 4 in Carribean.

 

We depart this coming Sunday on RCL Liberty to Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Falmouth. We have never been to Cayman or Jamaica. When in Cozumel we just got off the tender and got on the tender "ride from/to hell" to go see ruins. That was also our tender experience in Belize. We are also just tired of endless bus rides and roadside "retail experiences."

 

We are seriously considering making this an excursion-less cruise and just hanging around the the port areas or even just staying on the ship. We are five days from departure and have not booked anything.

 

Any advice from seasoned cruisers would genuinely be appreciated. We welcome any advice.

 

Many thanks from San Antonio.

 

ECS

We did a no-excursion cruise once to the southern Carib. Everything we considered was beach/snorkel (DH loves the water), so we didn't book anything in advance. It was without a doubt the most r-e-l-a-x-i-n-g cruise we have ever taken. Woke up when we wanted, went ashore when we wanted, did what we wanted where we wanted for the length of time we wanted. Then back to the ship to enjoy it. I'd do it again without hesitation.

The point about tender ports is a really good one. This is a cruise I'd been considering for when we sell the big house, and now, I'm giving all the tender ports a lot of consideration. Maybe we shouldn't do this cruise. Certainly I will look at how many tender ports for future cruises.

Thanks for the picture! I think it looks great for a solo. I haven't sailed in that cabin, but when I priced it the cost was nearly as much as regular OV cabin. This was my experience for the one cruise I was shopping. I'm sure it can vary. I'd be happy in that cabin for a good price. Thanks for sharing.

OK, now I'm confused. I just priced OO cabins for the Jan. 15, 2017 Koningsdam sailing. Used 2 different TA websites (couldn't get HAL site to work :mad:), and the quotes came back at $2,340 and $2,940 :eek:. Keep in mind the OOs are only 133 sq. ft. Both websites quoted an E outside (192 sq. ft.) at $1,419 for 1 passenger. What gives? Pricing makes no sense to me.

 

Roz

To me, that "nearly the same" pricing makes no sense. I would think that they would want to encourage solos to book those cabins. If the cabins a true "solo" cabins, can they be offered as upsells if they remain unsold? Can they in fact be used as two-person cabins? If not, it seems silly to have unattractive pricing on them.

I am writing this from the top floor overlooking the water at the Best Western Plus Bayside. We are staying for 2 nights before boarding the Niuew Amsterdam on Monday. It's a great location and walking distance to so much. Since it is our first time staying in San Diego in over 25 years we chose a king bay view room. Price was $188 per night.

 

They provide free shuttle to/from airport as well as cruise port. They also provide a complimentary breakfast hot/cold buffet (which we will experience tomorrow).

 

>SNIP<

We usually stay there because

• we can use Air Miles,
  
• there is a floor for smokers (or there used to be), and
  
• the location is decent.
  

Aesthetically, nothing appeals to us, but it keeps us dry and not sleeping on the street :) For us, the pros outweigh the cons and the staff were very pleasant, better than the actual hotel would have led us to expect.

I'll be interested in your feedback about the complimentary breakfast. Is it still done at that place that is a bit away from the hotel, down the stairs, sort of basement but with big windows and some outdoor area?

Thanks for the pictures! The ones that aren't rain soaked show a beautiful place!

Sapper1, I understand why you feel that way, I think. This is truly a bucket-list cruise for many of us following along. For us, it would be a trip of a lifetime, with no chance to do it again, I think.

IMHO you are all demonstrating a great attitude, given the challenges. Who would expect the South Pacific (where we all thing "sun, warm, gentle breezes") to provide such challenging weather this time?

I wonder if DH will pay me $9.50 to deliver Eggs Benedict to the cabin :) I really like that they've made the PG and Tamarind items officially available via room service, even though there is a delivery charge.