Bearcat1946

If you mean the East Caribbean Dollar, $31 ECD = $11.50 USD.

If you mean Cayman Islands Dollars, $31 CID = $ 36.9395 USD

Just wondering why you don't contact the Tuxedo people before the cruise and arrange for the tux to be in your cabin when you embark? We do this with my DH (who is large as well) We have learned to bring extra shirt that we know will fit as that is the one piece of the rental we have had problems with. That would solve the no tux problem if you really want to attend the Formal nights.

I thought I could do it on-board. They had nothing in big sizes to choose from. I will bring a suit with me next time (I still see no reason to formally dress on a vacation, but I do not get the meals if I don't). I will ride around on my scooter, with my suit on, and my soft cuddly shoes used because of swollen feet.

Well, I just got off the 29 August-5 September Emerald Princess Western Caribbean cruise and it happened again. I requested a 2-person table, close to the entrance. They gave me a 2-person, all the way up against the far wall. I went to see the maitre 'd before the first meal and they moved me completely out of the original dining room and moved me down one deck to Michelangelo. When I went to the Tuxedo people, I was informed they had nothing to fit me. I explained this to the maitre 'd and he told me in no-uncertain-terms that there would be no exceptions to the formal nights and I could just go to the Horizon or Caribe or the hot dog place. I was informed that the formal nights were for the benefit of the Europeans who enjoy the formal activities, and they do not wish to be around others who are not dressed appropriately. It's not like I didn't try to get a tux.

BTW, I called room service and got a very nice club sandwich and a chefs salad. Just for sh*ts and giggles, I also ordered a hot dog, sat there with my Beck's beer and watched baseball on ESPN.

Freaking amazing.

I am "handicapped" in that I'm 63 years old, Agent Orange in Viet Nam, now have insulin dependent Diabetes 2, am 6'3" and 430 lbs. I was 6'3" and 225, ran 6 miles a day and did 100 sit-ups and push-ups when I retired from the Army, and then diabetes kicked me in the head. Been interesting ever since.

I have a Rascal scooter provided by the VA and could not get around without it. I started cruising in 2008 on the Crown Princess and have also gone on the Emerald and Ruby. Going back on the Emerald on August 29 for the 7 day Western Caribbean. I refuse to let my inability to walk keep me from doing what I want to do.

When I do cruise, I end up getting an accessible room, but since I do not have a partner, I still have to pay for 2 beds. In the accessible rooms I have been on (Princess, RCI and Costa) I have had no problems whatsoever with the toilets and the shower stools. The cabins are wonderful. Additionally, the doors are 32" wide so me and my rental scooter always fit.

Like others, my biggest problems are finding a place to rest/park my scooter and enjoy what I'm doing. I have found that on Princess, I just pull up to the bar, and they serve me right away. Particularly in the Crooner's Lounge. Also, at the Schooners on Enchantment of the Seas. Like others, I have a problem with sitting at the tables unless I have a armless chair. One of my pet peeves is unless I have an understanding Matre D', they don't want me in the traditional dining room during formal nights, yet they do not have Tuxedos large enough for me to rent. Damned if I do, damned if I don't.

Then, there is the, "well we have to tender in, so you will have to stay aboard". This cruise, we go to 4 places, and I can get off only at Ocho Rios and Cozumel. I can't take any tours because of the weight of me and the scooter.

I still have a great time. The room is good. I have the steward bring a wooden, armless chair for the balcony, and I love being treated like a king for a week. And, Lord knows the food is good!