squadron

On 2/8/2023 at 6:58 PM, knbcruisers said:

Hi all, city of  Monterey has just announced it is closed to cruises for the foreseeable future. You should check your booking itinerary.  Likely substitute is Santa Barbara.

The Radiance cruise leaving Vancouver Sept - cancelled the stop in Santa Barbara.  I was not happy with that and the replacement of LA.

4 hours ago, binro01 said:

This is probably the most valid reason I have seen to quell my conscious! Thank You!

Not all solos book like that.

On 1/4/2023 at 12:12 PM, Blizzard54 said:

On our Serenade trip in November the choices were to take it or decline it, no option to have it shipped.

On Radiance took option to have it shipped to Canada - big mistake!  It was stopped in Cdn customs - Tried to find my address in that city - not where  I live! Called Royal who had it shipped back to Florida and tried again - got a call from customs who wanted my account #?  Called Royal who fixed something and - Mid Feb - sailed in late Sept. I finally got my block.  Some delay was because they changed supplies of block.  Advice - take your block when onboard.

21 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Because the poster is married to him. 

Definitely   not!

10 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

Why did a man at the table have an opinion or feel the need to share it? 

Because he was rude?  Maybe thought it was nervy of a single solo woman to make a request?   

17 hours ago, fredmdcruisers said:

September was long before the new menus were introduced. 

I realize that - I was just showing the contrast to new policy which will cause some complaints unless the lobster served is of good quality.

On 2/6/2023 at 12:52 PM, islandwannabee said:

I don't eat lobster, so asked if I could get mine and give to husband. First I had to eat my regular chicken meal, then they brought out the lobster, even sat it in front of me, knowing it was for my husband. He said he was being watched.

 

Can see a revolt coming!  On my cruise in Sept I asked for two tails  - got them with no comment from the waiter but a man at the table  expressed his disapproval.

8 hours ago, Spurschick said:

They can book what they want with TA just not under group rate.

My TA books me with the group rate and Refundable.  The deposit is larger however under the TA or at least is with the parent company she works for.

On 8/12/2022 at 5:34 PM, marco2111 said:

WE also planned to use the hop on/off bus to fill the day after we get off the ship. We have until 11pm to wait for our plane! The recent reviews sound horrible.

I found a day trip up to Whistler  but haven't found any other trips that we can take our luggage and get dropped at the airport. Any suggestions?

 

 

 

I usually look for a ship tour for that last day and then drops at airport.

On 1/24/2023 at 7:23 AM, cruisegirl1 said:

I see plenty of vaping around the pool and casino in the nonsmoking sections.    Easy to hide the devise. 

M

Except for the "cloud" and smell

2 hours ago, Biker19 said:

It may already be gone from the current menu as well - well, there's a thing called lamb chops, but it's some bone in loin thing substitute (nowhere near as good).

What I got on Radiance last fall were mutton chops with fat edge curling up over the edges. 

37 minutes ago, nelblu said:

Supposedly, the $16.99 is for an off the menu Maine lobster tail and pay the same price for a 2nd lobster on lobster night.  Hopefully, someone sill comment on the size and texture of.

Is there an added 18% added?

5 hours ago, nelblu said:

So, the steak, macaroni dish and the salmon will no longer be available as standard, that would sucks.  Paxs complain the present menu is limited, now if the above listed entrees are confirmed then it's even more limited. 

last cruise on Radiance I often ordered the salmon or  steak.  Not a pasta fan .  The classics were more to my liking. No variety in salads.  Sorry to see no savory bites in the bread basket - ho hum dinner rolls instead.  Shortage of staff is the cause of too long dinner time not too many choices.

On 11/12/2022 at 4:11 PM, Bleueyes44 said:

Just got back from a cruise on Adventure with my sister and friend all 3 of us got a crystal Blick.  The only change was, we went to C/A to ask for it.  Last time I  received a letter telling me I  could get it delivered to my cabin, or mailed to me , or decline it.  Ambassador  told us they no longer mail them thats the only change.

On Radiance in Sept and was told  I had the choice of having it mailed.

2 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

Tell that to the residents of Bar Harbor who have an average household income of $68,000.

Yet the time I visited I felt  a non welcoming vibe but merchants were happy when overpriced souvenirs were purchased.  

12 hours ago, time4u2go said:

The quality of the lobster really isn't that good so no big deal to me either way.

Had it on the Radiance and it was quite good.  

20 hours ago, reallyitsmema said:

Portland, Maine also had a similar ballot question on Tuesday but it did not pass.

I visited Portland on a Snowbird cruise 4 years ago and enjoyed my day there - however Bar Harbor merchants made it clear that they didn't like tourists  but  accepted payment for overpriced meals and souvenirs .  One merchant actually said he was glad we were the last ship in.

3 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

But, if you've only had a lobster on a ship, you haven't really had a Maine lobster.  And, there is no guarantee it is actually a Maine lobster, it could be the inferior Canadian version.

On a North Eastern cruise I found the lobster dinner I had in PEI was far superior to the one I had in Maine.

3 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

I don't think the service itself is any slower per se, but just passengers getting into the flow of things that slow down the wait staff.

People seem to take longer to order - maybe don't remember the procedure or new to cruising or to the line.

On 7/23/2022 at 11:04 AM, barely said:

No not hospital serious.. but It is more unpleasant  than any previous  Bad flu episode.. And it seemingly lingers.     Seriously annoying, as we all had survived 2+ years .. Covid free.               

 Noting that All of us had 4 vaccine shots as well... presumably it could have been worse.

I have had 4 shot also so am worried about upcoming  cruise to Hawaii.

On 8/8/2022 at 10:09 PM, rudeney said:

The way I interpret this is that if you arrive "by sea in a private boat" then you don't have to be tested, but because cruise ships are "petri dishes of COVID" you must be tested. 

Doesn't make me feel secure - petri dish!

3 hours ago, broberts said:

Tilley's and other brands of travel clothing have light, rapid drying offerings from skin out. It means frequent washing which you may not want to do, but does make for compact extended stay packing.

[ have First Ascent by Eddie Bauer items for travel - can be washed in sink but stains seem to repel off anyway. Can be purchased online or at stores.   Like the SFP of 45 and 50 in many items as I have had several skin cancer incidents.

On 6/30/2022 at 5:22 AM, CruiserBruce said:

The ships don't sail to Hawaii in those months...the ships are committed elsewhere, typically Alaska, because the revenues are better. The standard West Coast-Hawaii season is October-May. 

Vancouver to Hawaii - Sept 23 this year Radiance of the Seas

On 7/9/2022 at 5:55 PM, Cruisercl said:

This is good advice. I have done this and it does promote conversation.

Just to be clear, when I went to the RCL CC arranged get together, it was for sail away but not a solo only event....

NP but I was surprised that it was well planned yet that's what happened, it made me laugh actually.

I also waited for awhile, had one drink, then left. 

I found the RCL people to be a tough crowd, JMHO. 😛

Yes, I am stereotyping...lol.

Problem with a sail away roll call party is that it is impossible to get the bartenders attention - seem to think only the men are ordering  drinks so I must be just standing while someone is getting one for me!

On 7/19/2022 at 1:42 PM, rkacruiser said:

 

But, breakfast in the MDR is even better regardless of the time.  😀

Staff seem to push solo diners into a table with others whether you want to share or not. I don't want to join family groups for breakfast as I am sure they want to have family only also.  This happens at breakfast more than at lunch time.