rkacruiser

The cuisine that I have enjoyed in Murano and the Tuscan Grille on Celebrity Eclipse was superior to what I ate in the MDR. The cuisine served on HAL in Sel de Mer, whether a stand alone venue or a pop-up, is superior than what is served in the MDR. On HAL, the Pinnacle Grill and the Italian and Asian Fusion restaurants may or may not be.

The nationalities of the guests may also have an influence on one's experience. My Mother and I sailed on a Christmas Panama Canal cruise from San Juan on the original Royal Princess. There were many guests of a certain nationality who caused the Maitre d' to recommend that our preferred second sitting dining be changed to first sitting. (That nationality insisted on second sitting.) Their actions on the ship in some venues justified his recommendation. I must say, however, that is the only cruise that I have experienced where the nationality of so many guests made any difference in my cruise experience.

Hey, Terry. Haven't you heard? The cruise line stocks are doing the Limbo Dance. 😆

My visits to Russia have been to St. Petersburg and Petropavlosk. My interactions with the citizens in these two sections of the country were quite different. Warm welcome with positive interactions in Petropavlosk. Not so in St. Petersburg with too many Russians whom I encountered. The Smithsonian Channel broadcast a program on their Air Disasters series this evening about the flight of MH 17. Their is NO doubt that that plane was destroyed by a Russian missile fired from the Donbas region. The Russians got away with this event. The leadership continues to defy international norms with what we are witnessing in the Ukraine. Will they get away from responsibility again? There will be no further visits by me to Russia.

Are you aware of the number of shares that the Arison family and the various entities tied to them hold? Your scenario is most unlikely in my opinion.

You haven't figured it out yet? The stock is performing the Limbo Dance. 😄

Absolutely! When the agents see a Porter with guests/luggage in tow, they are allowed to jump the line as the end of the line gets closer to the inspection point.

Park at the port. It's so convenient.

Locally, an upscale grocery has Copper River Sockeye Salmon for sale at $24.99/lb. I am surprised that it isn't more expensive than that.

Very interesting! I had not thought about that. On a 7-10 day cruise, maybe that is a reason why Lobster is more likely to appear on the last Gala/Formal night menu and not earlier.

I appreciate you replying to my question. Thank you. Does each party that decides to join the group make their own bookings or is a group booking done with one travel agent?

Plus, if my understanding from what I am reading on the Boards is correct, trying to get in touch with the air department of any cruise line to request "assistance" is becoming problematical because of the volume of calls that they are receiving.

I thought that I was correct remembering that the funnel had been modified, but didn't remember that it was due to a change in power plant. Personally, I think she looked better after the new funnel was put in place and painted the proper Cunard colors. I am glad you got an answer to when the card was produced.

I was fortunately employed in my profession as I began my graduate education, but those years prior to my B.A., working in the jobs that I did: lawn work, hamburger restaurant, salesman for a well known soft water company, phone sales solicitor for a company--I certainly learned what I DID not want to do for a living. But, I am grateful for having all of those experiences. I think they have helped to make me just that much more appreciative of my position in life today.

Or, maybe one should if one is a contrarian. The market is as irrational as these years since March, 2020 have been in so many facets of life.

slidergirl's post is what I had in mind when I made my comment. Certainly, when one is visiting a site that is apt to be crowded as part of a shore excursion, the need to "keep up with the group" and the time constraints does complicate the situation. Even then, one can be prepared and mentally have a plan to be able to enjoy as much as they possibly can within those constraints. There are some times when being part of a crowd helps to make that event special. What would a high school or college commencement be like if there were not many in attendance? What would a festival or fair be like if there were not others enjoying what you were enjoying?

There are many good reasons to question the actions of some in our government, but, I can't believe that anyone in their right mind would put a Master at the helm of a multi-billion dollar vessel. But, I wonder if our Navy is experiencing what I have experienced with the Masters of some cruise ships being younger than they once were. Thanks for asking an excellent question. Interesting to read Heidi13's response. I have experienced this as well. The really noticeable change that I experienced was in wine service on a Noordam Caribbean sailing out of New York. Wine service was excellent; stewards friendly and were knowledgeable. Mid-cruise, a Head Sommelier came aboard. She must have intimidated them because the service became more less friendly and "stiff".

That is an oddity! A bit of whimsy on the part of someone. Date? From the funnel colors, it was sometime after QE2's introduction into service when the funnel was painted in the traditional Cunard colors. (Was the funnel modified at that time as well?)

I have no credit cards affiliated with an airline or cruise line. My main credit card that I have used most often for all sorts of purchases, including paying for cruises and other travel expenses, is a Marriott Rewards cards. Over the years, I have accumulated and used many, many points that have paid for many free hotel stays. A few of those stays were at properties that I would not have booked without the points because of their price. And, have received nice upgrades because of my Marriott loyalty. The best was at the Marriott Harbor Beach Hotel in Fort Lauderdale, an upgrade to a two room oceanfront suite.

If one is a non-PG guest for breakfast in the MDR, make your request for a selection of pastries known to the Assistant Maitre d' on duty. It can be done.

A few more table could be added and since there is no seating at the bar, does it need to be so big?

If Silverseas does acquire the Crystal Endeavor, I think it will be a smart business decision.

"Inflation proof"? I have not thought of myself in those terms. Once, I was not. (Should I spend $4.95 for that steak dinner?) But, I have viewed myself in recent years as "comfortable" and if I want to spend some money on a luxury cruise experience, what will that mean? Not a great deal other than those individuals and institutions whom I have named in my Will will receive a somewhat smaller check. if our economy does dip into recession, as I think it will, cruise lines such as Silverseas may benefit. Their guests ought to have the means to travel. The news that Crystal Endeavor will become part of the Silverseas fleet ought to be good news for the cruise line. Antarctic and Polar cruises are popular and they will command the pricing that will be beneficial to RCI's bottom line. That has already happened with the trip to the breakers of many ships of RCI and CCL. It probably needs to happen, (to the breakers? not so sure about that, but to moth balls or on the for sale block), to some of RCI's "apartments of the Seas". There is too much capacity for the demand that currently exists. If a recession begins, that situation will not improve. Many times when the answer to my question of "can I afford a $4.95 steak dinner" was a dinner visit to Burger King for a Big Chef and Fries. (If anyone remembers them.)

Looking at their web site, this might be of more interest to the typical cruise guest than the Alaska State Museum. Next time in Juneau, I hope to make a visit.

Welcome new member Vagabond51 to our community! This is a suggestion that has never been made before on CC. Thanks for posting this. I recommend Alaska Fish & Chips Company for the best Halibut and Chips that I have eaten. They are in the same building as Hanger on the Wharf with the same great view, plus, they have an outside seating area overlooking the harbor and float plane activity. I just looked at their menu and their Halibut and Chips is $2 less than Hanger's. I was shopping at my grocery this afternoon. The cost of fresh seafood is shockingly high. OP, respectfully, I think you need to adjust your thinking about the prices you are going to find in Alaska.