mek

We've had Central Park, (which we liked very much - especially for the price), Boardwalk - which was just OK, and OV on the hump balconies. I guess I'd rather have the option of fresh air and being able to sit outside regardless of the location over a room w/o a balcony.

I've done both and we had a nice experience in Maui, but IMO, nothing compares to the whales in Alaska.

Great prices are still out there and IMO, always will be. But if it's necessary to book a year or more in advance and have a particular cabin/location, ship, then options will be, as they always have, more expensive.

Once I was on Navigator the first week of January and the decorations were up until the 3rd or 4th day of the cruise.

I never reduce or remove tips, give extra at the end of the cruise to those who directly provide a service to me, and always give a cash tip for each of my voucher drinks, but personally think pooling tips is a bad idea. It assumes everyone provides the same level of service, which is definitely not the case.

IMO that would be totally crazy. Not everyone pays the same rate for a particular cabin class - not talking about suites, Star Class...... Why should a cabin attendant be make less from me because I found a super low rate - which I frequently do.

Just had one on the aft hump on Allure - not a problem.

Not a particularly exciting itinerary. There are some great TA's with interesting itineraries, but it really depends on what you are looking for. Since you will be on the ship for a couple of weeks, do your homework and make sure they offer you the options that are important to you.

I have done the HAL itinerary on Royal and thought it was great. I agree with you abut the Royal itinerary - not especially exciting. I would probably do the HAL cruise.

It just amazes me that people don't know how to handle a situation where they're not happy with something like this. A simple, "It's been very nice chatting with you, but now we would like some private time" should do the trick and if not, then speak to the head waiter. Why fume about something that you have total control over?

We had that on one of our Royal eastbound TA's and it really was annoying. It screwed up early dinner.

However, you won't have to wait for large group to board the bus before you depart the ship or leave the destination.. If you want to make a potty stop, you won't have to wait in a long line. You most definitely will save time once you arrive and will see more than a Royal excursion. I've taken many private tours in Europe and have never missed the ship, but I understand everyone has a different comfort level with private tours.

Possibly true for those in the UK, but my response was directed to the OP, who is from Canada.

One more thought - have you considered looking into a private excursion and seeing if you can get a small group together on your roll call? Private guides are amazing and know how to avoid long lines.

We were on Allure last month and never once were we approached to buy anything and we were sitting right in front of Sorrento's while we waited for our room. I never thought about it until now, but it never happened on this last cruise.

In my opinion, Amsterdam is the easiest port to sail from. Hotels are not far away and the airport is close. The season is short - suggest you just check prices and see what pops up.

It will be a long trip, but if you think it might be your only chance to go and it's something you want to see it, then I say go for it

My favorite holiday and best day of the year. Happy Turkey Day to everyone.

I had this happen years ago on NCL. We had a 10 nt. Panama Canal booked and they called us with several offers - the best one, which we took, was a 14 nt cruise up the west coast of South America from Santiago through the canal, and ending in Ft Lauderdale including air, which we had not yet booked for the original cruise. The deal was worth several thousand $'s for us to change.

Lots of good things and fun on Carnival. I'm Diamond on Royal and Platinum on Carnival and I have found the ships/passengers to me more similar than not

Where have you been for the past 2 1/2 years? Protocols/testing/vaccination requirements have changed at the speed of light and it really didn't make any difference what they were when someone booked - the cruise lines have the right to change them at any time. Let's all hope nothing goes backwards, but never say never.

Absolutely agree. Too bad the OP has never returned - I always question these one post rants.

Guess it depends on what you consider to be high end. I would never put Booker's or Blanton's in a cocktail, but I use Knob Creek, Elijah Craig in Manhattan's because I think you can taste the difference in something like that.

Last month, French Toast in the Windjammer was ice cold.

So have I - it's almost always because someone has shorts on in the MDR for dinner or during some special events such as wine tasting.