kmorg1234

As long as bananas in a bowl by the ketchup and mayo don't bother you, you should be fine.

I'm just glad I never noticed something as egregious as bananas in a bowl next to the ketchup and mayo, so far away from their compadres- probably would have completely ruined my trip. I understand Ribbonlady's compassion, and applaud her for bringing this to our attention.

That is very exciting- congrats! Somehow the cruise is a bit more fun when it is free. Enjoy!

I've never won the free cruise, but did split 2 jackpot bingos on a couple of different occasions. Nice cash amounts; helped pay for the cruise.

And unless you follow these boards I would bet the majority of people booking Star have no idea what was or wasn't offered at the start and what has been adjusted.

I certainly hope not. I know that I booked one of these suites with full expectations, but now seeing cutbacks. Don't know what to think- but I know that I am boarding with full expectation that despite my not making any dining or entertainment reservations, our party will be able to attend any show we please, when we choose to see it. We paid for a service; I am hoping against hope we got what we paid for. Wish me luck!

In addition I''d like another TV news station besides CNN International, which spends way too much time on scrolling temperatures around the world. We didn't realize when we booked our November B2B that we would be at sea on election night. I hope we'll be able to get up-to-date information without hanging out on line.

Margy

We are going to be on the Allure on election night. Hope we can follow closely! Already requested the absentee ballot.

Maybe it depends on the ship and/or itinerary? My sister and I were on the Jewel out of Rome this summer and we ALWAYS got a seat in the Diamond Lounge. The lounge was very small, about 6 or so small tables. It seemed to be the same people every day. We just wanted a quiet place to enjoy a glass of wine and to watch the scenery. We also went to the lounge on the Anthem and while that lounge was larger, we again never had a problem with a seat. Maybe it was because we always went just before dinner?

This was our experience on the Jewel out of Rome this summer as well- Lounges were always quiet, the SL more so than the DL. SL was so quiet, that we couldn't stay there out of boredom- like Cello, we like to join others, mingle, and have a good time. The folks in the DL were very friendly, so we hung out there despite the SL being a prettier, more sophisticated looking lounge. It's all about your fellow travelers.

I've taken to sitting down anyway, while offering; "I will happily give up the seat when your party arrives".

Love this! If we all started doing this, the problem would likely solve itself.

The other thing we really enjoyed was having breakfast items from CK delivered to the suite. Love having breakfast on the balcony without having to get all dressed up!

We usually book the later flight, but then high-tail it to the airport and wind up on the early flight-in they will switch you to the earlier flight for free. Win win, no stress. Worst thing I saw one time was an immigration problem- one person would not clear for whatever reason; no one was allowed off the ship until about 10 am. Nightmare. But it can be done if all stars align, so I am cheering for you!

Thanks Nado44, good to know!

Does everyone in your party have GOES?

Thank you for this fun review- I also travel with mom, and we always have a blast. Never occurred to us to see shows twice or seek out the actors in other venues, but it makes perfect sense! They are talented individuals what are asked to perform all over the ship. We also are low key, and go with the flow, but always have fun ordering cheese and crackers (ok, so caviar when we are on the other ships) to go without private happy hour before dinner on the balcony. May you continue to have fun times together.

Technically for an 18 year old you won't need a letter to travel, but I'd get one for medical consents if he becomes unable to make medical decisions on her own. Have fun!

About 20 minutes after it leaves, so I'd look between 4:15 and 4:30, assuming it leaves approximately on time.

Although for this particular sailing today, I think you are spot on.

Sounds like the OP got a nice deal! Granted, $1500 is not chump change, but if it really is a Sky Loft Suite, you got a great deal. I hope you have a fabulous cruise, and that you enjoy every second. We were pleasantly surprised with an upgrade at checkin from a Crown Loft to a Sky Loft on the Allure, and that was before the whole Genie program. We loved it!

Very glad you are pleased with the final outcome, but seems like you worried a whole lot! Enjoy your cruise.

Why do well behaved kids in the same room bother you? If they are not sitting at the same little table as you are, what difference does it make? I can see if there was a wailing infant or tantrum throwing toddler being allowed to carry on that would bother you, but why a well behaved kid? If you are discussing sensitive topics, then you should be just as uncomfortable discussing them within earshot of the adults near you as well. I truly just don't understand it, but wish I could since it seems so important to so many. And aren't the night clubs adults only?

What is your itinerary? I wonder if you will go north to outrun the storm, even if a planned southern itinerary? But then again, on a 5 day, you'd probably still hit it. Please keep us posted, and be safe.

We were on the Jewel in July, and debarkation was super easy. Had low baggage numbers, and left the boat at 7:45 to be picked up by private driver at 8 am. We were at the airport within the hour for an 11:55 flight- plenty of time. Airline checkin was a bit of a wait even in priority line, as was passport control. Still spent close to 2 hours in the (ratty) lounge before boarding. BTW, boarding was interesting- seems everyone there pushes and shoves to get on the plane first, not really paying attention to the priority or zone boarding announcements.

It was an overall great trip- enjoy! Loved Turkey and Ephesus the most. Would love to go back again.

It is not a violation of HIPPA (which by the way was originally intended to ease health insurance availability) what would be a violation would be to announce the name of someone.

You are indeed correct in saying that there was no HIPAA violation in that there was no patient identification involved in an announcement, but the fact that others witnessed the resuscitation and COULD identify the party, that is a violation. You are also right in saying that it's original intentions are so far from what we are held accountable for.

The HIPAA (NOT HIPPA) laws are meant to protect us, but have failed miserably. They have served to impede medical care in so many ways... This is not the forum for this. Reading this thread, I commend the Doctor, nurses, and everyone else that cared for this person in distress.

I send good thoughts and prayers for all involved, esp the pt, their family, any crew involved, and all cruisers that were involved in any way.

It's tough to give that last line, when your spouse isn't getting up early to get a chair as well. Not that I disagree with you on that, I think saving a chair for a spouse is not that big a deal, so long as it's not too long a time.

 

The problem, especially when you throw in the "sometimes even 4 chairs", is for some that could turn into "sometimes even 16 chairs" if they're there with a big family group. Is there a limit in your view of how many chairs you can save, and is that limit based on just because you need 2-4 chairs?

I don't mind people saving a chair for another adult for a little while, But when they save one for each child who is going to spend the day in the pool anyway, I think that is wrong.

Might be the Lifestyle folks. They seem to book the Tampa ship in Dec/Jan.

If it was Bob or the Bliss folks, they have not announced it yet.

I would think that announcing to the passengers information about someone's health issues would be a HIPAA violation. Similar scenario occurred on a cruise we took 2 years ago where someone started bleeding out by the pool. Pt was intubated poolside, taken to the medical facility, then came the overhead announcements asking for blood donors. This unfortunate gentleman did not survive either, but no announcement was made- I happened to find out privately.

Another thought is about the poor Anthem- I love that ship, but she seems to be a bit cursed. An inordinate amount of adverse events have occurred in her short tenure at sea. Hope her luck improves.

Sending prayers for that family, and hoping that she makes it back to Bayonne in time.

I was wondering, did you ever speak to Diego to let him know that you were disappointed and that you were not happy with the service from the bar service in the CL? If so, was the situation rectified?

We did not speak with him about the bar service since we stopped hanging out in the CL as we simply preferred the DL- were some very fun people there that we started dining with. We did speak with Diego re things we would like, and he was amazingly receptive and more than helpful. Like I stated upfront, he is a really, really nice guy, and gave us his personal contact info at the end. We are going to his home country in January, and wants to give us info about things to do there.

I bring tape to tape the invites/itinerary/events/reservation cards to the inside of a closet door to keep myself organized. Otherwise I miss things! Also I like suction cups to stick on a wall to hold hats and purses.

Do they also give you conditioner in a suite?

On the Jewel last week they did give us separate conditioner as well, but did not like that product at all- glad I had brought my own. And I am not even that picky, but just didn't seem to work very well.