DocJohnB

46 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 It really surprised me how little the stateroom attendants make.

Jim,

First off, I am really enjoying this blog.  I came late to your "table" as I only found this yesterday afternoon.  Finished reading up until this morning's post LATE last night.  Great pictures.

As to the above quote:  It appears that the "regular" attendants" are paid $3.59 - 4.09.  When I was on the Reflection in February, I only had one attendant (no helper).  I think this dollar amount has pretty much stayed the same the "automatic gratuity" was initiated a few years back.  I believe he told me he service 18 rooms a day.  If I am not mistaken, the gratuity is in "addition" to the "pittance" they receive as a wage.

The figure that surprised me is the "housekeeping service personnel".  I am not even sure who these people are.

Now, I see on the PTZ (Fort Lauderdale) webcam that y'all are berthed at 19(?).  As long as PTZ is working later on and my BHG (Brain Housing Group) remains intact, I will be viewing your sail-away this afternoon.  The port info has y'all departing at 16:00.  Is that what the ship is saying?

If I miss sail-away, Bon Voyage and hope you enjoy fair winds and following seas.

52 minutes ago, Copper10-8 said:

Here's the video of the 2013 Westerdam medevac in the Pacific

Copper,

Thanks for posting that incredible video.  The guys who fly these missions (CG, AF and some others) are not only incredibly brave, they are incredibly trained and talented.

3 hours ago, myjillian said:

When did this happen???  On our last HAL cruise ( a few yrs ago ) they were not giving them out !!! Thank you my husband will be so happy !!!

I received the Bronze medallion on my last HAL cruise last spring on the Volendam.

Whoa boy!  That was hilarious!  Thanks for brightening my day!

Åh de svenska männen. Vilket lustigt gäng. 
Which I am told translates (roughly) to, "Oh those Swedish men.  They are always such kind gentlemen"

YES!

5 minutes ago, Copper10-8 said:

But the media is always right and never jumps to conclusions.....🤣

But, of course.

8 hours ago, seamist said:

Yep, got another flower arrangement to enjoy on the trip home,

I could certainly enjoy this gorgeous arrangement in my cabin.

12 hours ago, JRG said:

When you go back and re-read it you will see what I mean.👍

On 3/24/2019 at 11:22 AM, JRG said:

Why don't you use the CC search function to answer your question?

 

Its always a good to search before you post!

I did go back and re-read your post and agree that you were answering somebody other than the OP who was asking "what is a speciality dining cruise".

Off I went to to the search function and typed in those words.  Absolutely nothing about a "speciality dining cruise".  However I was referred to "speciality dining" where ten thousand (10,000, 10K) hits were referenced.  Now at 77 years of age I do not have the patience AND I CERTAINLY DON'T HAVE THE TIME LEFT ON EARTH to dig through 10,000 posts to POSSIBLY find an answer to a question.

Most times it is much, much easier to ask the question and suffer the barbs of the inevitable few hoping to get a reasonable response from those willing to share their knowledge.

19 hours ago, tommui987 said:

Almost the same feeling you get on Azamara Cruise - all their ships are "R" class

To expand on what aka cruiser posted.

HAL's and Azamara's R class ships are not the same at all.  Azamara's are roughly half the size.  Some comparisons:

HAL

Length - 778'

Gross Tonnage - 61,000 t  (Actually a bit under)

Passengers - 1432

Azamara

Length - 594'

Gross Tonnage - 30,000 t. (Actually a bit over)

Passengers - 668

1 hour ago, seamist said:

 

8 hours ago, DocJohnB said:

Have you ran across "Santa Claus" lately?

See him all the time.

 

When you see him next, please tell him Jack from the Panama Canal cruise says hello and wishes him well.

Have you ran across "Santa Claus" lately?

seamist - thanks for taking the time to post this blog.  It has been most interesting and I look forward to reading the rest of it as you go forward on the cruise.

On 3/12/2019 at 3:53 PM, seamist said:

On a funny note I saw Santa Claus!  He does indeed vacation to Tahiti in the off season 😁.  Very interesting gentleman with a flowing white beard, red polo, and Green shorts

I met this gentleman on a Panama Canal transit a while back.  If you see him around would you please tell him that Jack (aka Doc) from the Panama Canal cruise says hello!

oops!

Mike,

I am terribly saddened to hear that your lovely wife Carol has passed away.  Please accept my most sincere condolences.  I will offer prayers for her and that you and you family will find peace and comfort.🙏🙏

Bon Voyage Master Chief.  May you and your traveling companion(s) enjoy "Fair Winds and Following Seas".

In a word, Meh!

3 hours ago, Debbborra said:

It feels like it may be a long three months. Is this normal? 

Please read the above responses.  Yes it is absolutely normal.  Unfortunately, not much one can do about it.

If the cruise doesn't meet your expectations you will probably notice a decline in the dreams.  However, if the cruise meets your expectations they will probably never stop, just decrease a bit until you book your next cruise.  Now, if your expectations are exceeded, lord help you.  You are in the early stages of cruise addiction and they will never cease.  My addiction started 25 years ago and the dreams continue.  

16 hours ago, CruiserBruce said:

Might try some research on the East Coast Departures board,  as this is not about Holland America. 

Sure it is, seeing as how Holland America frequently leaves/arrives in Boston.

16 hours ago, Maya_C said:

I'm sure the ride to the airport would take longer with commuter traffic on a weekday.  

Excellent point.  If debarking on the weekend, no problem should arise with the 10:15 a.m. time (if domestic flight).  Having been in and out of Boston on numerous occasions I can say with certainty that week day traffic ranges from, "eh, not to bad" to horrendous.  10:15 could be cutting it close on those days.

4 minutes ago, Luvcrusn said:

As far as my comment about some people loving to complain, I stand by that and don't aim it at any person in particular.

And, I totally agree.

5 minutes ago, MizDemeanor said:

Maybe its not a head count of staff that is missed....

Mizdemeanor,

I honestly believe it is the head count (short staffing) that is missed.  All that you mention was certainly very nice and much appreciated, and, unfortunately, it is no longer available, but I came up in the Navy where we had none of this.  However, when we suffered through cutbacks back then, I certainly felt that.  Just as I felt (saw) the shortage of staff on my cruise.

3 hours ago, Luvcrusn said:

Don't be depressed. Be excited. Some people love to complain. Nothing is the same as 20 years ago, the world is changing. Take a look at the Cruise Critic's Choice Awards. Celebrity ships did very well. You'll have a wonderful time.

I believe I am the author of the post the OP in this thread was referring to.

Your comment, IMO, regarding people and complaining is painted with a way too huge a brush.  Bringing real (or perceived) complaints to the fore can be providing valid information vs "complaining". Of course, NOTHING is the same as it was 20 years ago.  However there are items that are improved upon and items that have declined.  

I was not "complaining" in my post, but I was trying to point out what I saw as shortcomings in the product Celebrity is presenting.  And, as I said, nothing I wrote about either singularly or combined RUINED MY CRUISE.

Now as to your  Cruise Critic's Choice Awards comment, I believe I have been on these boards a lot longer than you.  These awards are certainly nice to read, but they are quite simply, IMO, nothing more than popularity contests.

 

I didn't even know this existed.  Sure could make a difference in my packing for a 14 night cruise.  Just have to weight the value ($7/day) vs how many times I would use it.  Still, nice to know it exists.

On 2/24/2019 at 6:36 PM, sail7seas said:

I wonder if that means that those   of   us who sail solo and pay for two persons will get a $10 credit each day for 'mystery person for whom we paid but   eats no food the whole cruise as  they do not exist but for full      payment for them  being rendered?

As a 'single' cruiser I believe this to be an outstanding proposal.