TLex
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Posts posted by TLex
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LOL - you guys slay me. :p So many replies by those who have not sailed Jewel. I have, I stood in the Cigar Bar, I know it's there. :D
OP, enjoy your cruise. Jewel is magnificent.
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Noted that on Serenade the CL and DL are now in the Viking Crown area and the Hollywood Odyssey appears to be gone. I asked on another cigar thread whether the renovated Radiance class ships would have a cigar area or, if like I experienced on Allure, the cigar area, if retained, will be outside.
The Connoisseur Club on the Voyager class ships were outstanding. Too bad the concept was not carried forward to Oasis and Allure.
Any info would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.
VR,
T Lex
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Boarding was very late today...it was pushing 12:30 before they started. By the time they started boarding, it had gotten very uncomfortable in the terminal.
No matter...we're here now!
Drink?! :D :D :D
Late, miserable boarding or not: wanna' trade? :p
Will watch the cams for your Sailaway.
VR,
T Lex
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Thanks! We're leaving in about 30 minutes!:)
Do you still have the gmail account? I have some pictures I want to send you when we get back. Nothing like waiting a year!:rolleyes::o
I will try to find it. :D. And will check it when you get back. Please....have one final toast to Mariner for us. I'd rather be sailing with you than finishing taxes. :(. :D
VR,
T Lex
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Welcome back, Mariner! If you folks who are on the ship right now would be so kind as to disembark quickly, I would appreciate it!:D Thank you very much!
Cindy, have a great FINAL cruise on Mariner! Almost posted on your Roll Call but figured it was gauche to "crash" it. :p
Sure hope for good news next Thursday. And we're locked and cocked for Navigator next March.
In YOUR favorite cabin, of course! :D :D
BR,
T Lex
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That might explain why there are TAs for Serenade, both from NOLA and back to NOLA in Nov 2014 for the 2014-15 season as well as for Indy, Liberty, Splendor, etc. But NOTHING for Navigator, yet, either from Galveston after April 2014 much less returning in the autumn.
When I first noted the dichotomy, I hoped it meant that RCI was leaving Navigator for year round, especially since Disney pulled out of the market and all of Carnival's woes. Upon reflection and reading further posts here, I'm afraid it may mean that RCI won't cruise from Galveston after April 2014.
But it's all sheer speculation until deployments come out o/a 18 April per the deployment schedule.
VR,
T Lex
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Carla,
Separating the self-assist from the regular disembark passengers should help. Last March we had the escorted suite departure, but it didn't matter because we still got stuck behind the line of over a thousand self-assisters.
Maybe RCCL could install a special plank, er, um, I meant gangway for them on the port side in Galveston.
:D :D :D
VR,
T Lex "Incarnate Evil of the Seas"
P.S. and to all my fellow Galveston cruisers who self-disembark, Just Kidding!!! :D
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Boarding for our Mariner Christmas cruise was a mess due to a long disembarkation process from the preceding cruise. The reason we heard for the slow disembarkation was that Belize was on that itinerary which causes extra scrutiny from customs. That doesn't square with smoother disembarkation's from the Crown which also calls at Belize. Our cruise didn't go to Belize and had a super smooth disembarkation when we returned.
Anyway, Friday we disembarked from HAL's Zuiderdam in Ft Lauderdale. The line for customs was long and slow. We had a 10:55 flight which wasn't a problem because we had some disembarkation advantages (suite passengers and a wheelchair plus lots of disembarkation experience) so we were at the airport with time to spare. Without those advantages I doubt that we would have made our flight. It seemed to me that there weren't any less customs agents than normal but they were taking more time on each person. There had been lots of reports on CC before our cruise about disastrous disembarkation's from normally smooth running Ft Lauderdale so we made sure we were off the ship as quickly as our situation allowed.
We embarked on Allure on Sunday, 10 March, and didn't actually enter the ship until noon although we were processed and parked in the "suite holding lounge" at 1030. At that time, the announcements were that CPB only had two agents working to clear 6000 Pax. RCL even printed a handout to all of us asking for patience and understanding. But we made it to Giovanni's Table in time for our 1230 lunch.
On Sunday, 17 March, we disembarked relatively quickly but that was due to using luggage valet and the fact we had to declare so we were escorted directly to POE customs holding area and were in a taxi by 0830. I was told by other folks, however, that the disembarkation was lengthy and the CPB officers told me that on that particular Sunday, there were only 5 CPB officers available to clear the ship and work duty collection. I was impressed with their professionalism and so commented, but for 6000 pax, I can see where times may have been increased.
Finally, I was on the same Mariner cruise with Cindy a year ago St Patrick's Day and it was a mell of a hess disembarking; took us over two hours and were allegedly the "first off" as suite pax and escorted by Luca to the gangway. What we later learned is that the self-debarkation had nearly 1000 or so pax and they weren't cleared so the entire gangway got jammed and it was a shoving and jostling nightmare. The culpability in 2012 was NOT aimed at CPB.
Of course, having read a lot of posts during 2012 on this thread and others dealing with Mariner, I recall that there were numerous instances of very slow disembarkation, sometimes due to the fog, sometimes due to insufficient agents, and I even remember one OP who recounted how some pax nearly got into fistfights! None of that at FLL and hopefully nothing like that next year on Navigator! :D
VR,
T Lex
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Wow! This thread sure fell off of the radar...had to plow down to page 12 to find it. Hope my post wasn't the " kiss of death " to it! :D
Cindy, if you're still with us, would appreciate if you...or any of the long time cruisers out of Texas...would check out post no. 59 on our thread for spring break, March 9, 2014. Looking for possible sanity check on something I recently didn't find on RCL itineraries for TA 2014. :rolleyes:
Thanks!
VR,
T Lex
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Hey D! Great review! You beat me to it, girl (don't know if I'll ever get around to one and yet I have all these silly compasses I saved to post and some good food porn, so I'll feel guilty of I don't...which side of my consciousness wins out is still to be determined :p).
Anyway, I'm pretty sure you went to Chicago too... otherwise, I have no idea who the pretty blonde was that I sat next to :p:D.
I agree with Debbie's thoughts on Sanchos COMPLETELY! Hector was running full force (seriously...running at full speed from table to table and everyone was yelling his name) and couldn't possibly keep up. We were packed in the place like sardines. We got a canopy bed on the beach, which was wonderful, but there were people packed all around you, so I can't imagine how it could be 'romantic' (which is how it's titled and sold). We left after only 2 hours after I developed a headache. I won't ever revisit this place.
I also agree with a lot of what Debbie had to say about the Pro Party. It wasn't set up well if you want to mingle (if you want to listen to music or dance it's great). The snacks were GROSS and I had the same desire to spit out what I tried that Debbie did (don't go hungry). However, I really liked the gin punches and had my $35 worth ;). Once we congregated at the back I had a fabulous time and everyone really went out to dress up which was fun! I would do it again.
Also, like Debbie said, the sequester had caused delays with customs and, like her, we didn't get on board until 12:20 and had to run to our 12:30 lunch reservations at Giovanni's with no time to absorb anything about our first time on board. And disembarking meant 1.5 hrs from gangplank to customs agent with only 4 agents available.... no fault of RCCL though. We did watch a young man being escorted out in handcuffs by a rcl security guard and a Broward County Sheriff.... Hmmm....wonder what he did?!
Debbie, we loved, loved, loved meeting you and your family and hope to sail with you again, my friend! I'm going through withdrawals from my on board friends!
It was so great to finally my meet you!
And it was great to meet me, at last, wasn't it Kenlorz? :D
BTW, it's "the sequestration." Technically, "sequester" is a verb. Can't help it if all of the politicians and newsfolks don't use it correctly. And, boy, should I know THAT! :p
Anyway, what are you waiting for, an engraved invitation? Post up the review and all of Ken's incredible, "Gambee-challenging" photographs! As soon as my thumb recovers somewhat, I will add to this.
BTW: just crossed the equator and got to Diamond Plus, at last! To quote an inimitable thread organizer from upper PA, "Woo-Hoo!"
Now come on down to Texas and we can do it all over again....
VR,
T Lex
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Retirement is lovely!:) I'm working (VERY part-time) as a supervisor of principal interns for the Regional Service Center, and spending a lot of time on my photography. We're heading out on the Mariner with the Lynches on April 14th. Looking forward to a Galveston cruise that's NOT during Spring Break!
Sorry about your thumb and back.:( I broke a pinky toe in St. Thomas in December, and it took FOREVER to feel better!
Guess who's organizing a cabin crawl next month?:rolleyes: It won't be the same without you!
It sure won't be the same without you, Ms. Cindy! You were, without question, the greatest Cabin Crawl organizer EVER! But unless you decided to splurge, you won't get a finale the same as with ME!!! :D
VR,
T Lex
P.S. OK, trying again, the message board dumped my last attempt. We just returned from a Spring Break, heck, the Mother of All Spring Break cruises out of Fort Lauderdale on Allure and Debbie AKA Pabrett 46 has posted a review on this board and Lori of Kenlorz should follow. I would like to write a long review with pictures but until this sore thumb heals some more, it's difficult to write even this. But FWIW, we didn't have any unpleasant experiences with all of the spring break families. And that may have something to do with the fact that we had a Crown Loft Suite on deck 17 and you have to have a special access key in the gold seapass to enter the deck. Very, very quiet. Nevertheless, after the hassles at FLL getting back to Texas and the general "heck" of packing for airport travel, we're going back to Navigator next year from 9-16 March and looking forward to staying in Texas and driving down to Galveston. :) Not too late if you want to reconsider your "NEVER, EVER ANOTHER SPRING BREAK CRUISE" promise!! :D
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Becci -- the wind is just awful! Neither ship was able to turn around this morning. I don't think Mariner is going to move until Magic is safely turned and headed out.
Missed ya' this year, Miss Cindy. How is retirement working out for you! :D
If we're not permanently furloughed, we return to Galveston next year for your favorite suite on Navigator. So, frankly, I kind of hope both Magic AND Mariner can get out of port! :p
Wind was quite fierce in Bexar today, too, but easing off now....
Anyway, we did Allure for spring break and aside from my smashed and broken thumb ( which really interferes with typing) and cracked back, we found it to be an awesome ship. Not so much with FLL, especially on spring break. So from now on,if I can't drive to the port, I may not go....:D
VR,
T Lex
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We decided to stay with the Prohibition party booking. We are sailing in a week and I just spoke with a couple who just got off the Allure (neighbors around our age and with relatively similar tastes). They loved it and said it was one of the most fun nights of the cruise. So what the heck, while it may not be everyone's cup of tea, I think we will just go for it! :) We are booked after all and it's all paid for at this point. :D
Katherine
Katherine, you may not remember me, but I remember you since we were "neighbors" on the Mariner for the Thanksgiving Week cruise on 21 Nov 2010. We did the Mariner again out of Galveston (suite 1620 that time) in March 2012 and had a CLS on Allure for this cruise. Debbie was one of our most constant posters on the Board. And my reputation, unfortunately, was not diminished....:D
Anyway, I would have posted a long(er) review of our experience on the Allure from 10-17 March but managed to smash and fracture my thumb on Wednesday so typing is rather difficult. But I, too, went to the Prohibition party and after imbibing copious quantities of Hendricks gin, I found it to be a fantastic event! At least, from the photograph that they took, I must have....:rolleyes:
To the extent that I thought that the event would engage cast members from the Chicago show, I was disappointed. And I can't comment on the food because I ate too much at late seating so by the time the party started, I wasn't hungry. But the jazz was good, IMO, and the overall atmosphere wasn't crowded although Debbie and the rest of the flappers, as I recall, gravitated to a less noisy and noisome locale in the Club.
As for the rest of the cruise, the specialty restaurants were excellent (Chops "redeemed" itself from a poor showing on the 2010 cruise), the entertainment good, the ship awesome, and the entire experience a bit overwhelming. Frankly, my entire family loved Allure but we are looking forward to returning to a Voyager-class next spring (Navigator out of Galveston) and Radiance class in 2015. To me, the ship could have been "The Grand Hotel Allure" and that point was driven home to me on Monday when, while we were seated in the VERY large Royal Promenade to watch the parade, I gazed up through the skylight three decks above into Central Park and realized that we might as well have been on a major resort hotel situated on the water. Sort of like what they tried to do with the Queen Mary! :D
Have a great cruise...
VR,
T Lex
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Evening, folks. Not trying to "bump" this thread, per se, but it seems to have been swallowed by dozens of other postings this weekend and I would still like to know if anyone is aware of whether the term "specialty restaurant" includes the Chef's Table.
Thanks, very much (and, yes, I resisted the urge to write "Bueller? Bueller?...but given that this thread fell all the way back to page 5 and may have been lost to the other posters, it was tempting!! :D)
VR,
T Lex
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Curious: does the "specialty restaurant" include the Chef's Table?
VR,
T Lex
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:D
I want to echo what Trout said...my husband and I thought Luca was a great concierge. Everything we asked for was done efficiently and with a smile. I never saw Luca sitting at his desk when there were passengers in the lounge...he was constantly circulating and chatting with groups of passengers. Even on the last day, during the disembarkation from Hades, Luca was down in the line leading to the baggage claim area, chatting with guests and apologizing.Luca was also a big help with our Cabin Crawl. We had 5 suites on the crawl, including the RS. Luca helped arrange for food plates so we could have a little party at the end of the crawl. I would happily sail with Luca as the concierge again!:D
Sorry this took so long to get to posting, but it's been a rough week after a cruise.
Actually, EVERY week is a rough week after a cruise!!:D
I, too, echo the praises of Luca. BTW: his name is Luca Iorio, NOT Lorio. For some reason, folks keep spelling it with the "L" when it's an "I." So please correct the listing, thanks.
Luca went out of his way to assist us in virtually every aspect of the cruise, from the Cabin Crawl (which, thanks to Cindy, was far, far better than the M&M itself and a heckuva lot more fun) to making pre-cruise spa and salon arrangements, rescheduling our Portofino reservation once we boarded, and going out of his way to meet with all of the guests (at least, based on my observation) in the CL. And we "thanked" him accordingly!
VR,
T Lex
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We recently did a back to back on Mariner, and we really missed Israel. We have had others, but nobody as good as he is. Luca isn't anything compared to Israel. Maybe something good will happen with Israel; we hope so.
We had Israel on Voyager and he was great. But our cruise is upcoming in March and folks on our Roll Call were hoping to hear about Luca....preferably GOOD things about Luca....
Without intending to touch off any firestorms, can you elaborate somewhat on whether Luca provided good service as the Concierge and, if not, why not?:confused:
Thanks,
VR,
T Lex
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Can anyone comment on Luca's service on Mariner, please? Nadia is going to be a hard act to follow. And I have never heard of Luca before.
I'd like to echo the question. We're sailing in a few weeks, have heard some (positive) feedback on Luca's service but would appreciate if any who see this and have sailed in the GS or above on Mariner since Luca returned could provide some comments, please.
Thank you.
VR,
T Lex
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Kathy, quick question. On Mariner, is the first name "Lucia" (as spelled on the list) or "Luca?" I've seen both spellings but thought it was "Luca."
Thanks!
VR,
T Lex
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Bruce-R (Great first name): Thanks for the information on the refresher course. Yes, you're correct, I was typing rapidly and used a term that was technically inartful ("recertification"); once you've earned the "C" card you don't have to go through the course again. But the "refresher" training is what I'd intended; note that a number of the SCUBA excursions (and it's been my experience in Caymans, Cozumel, and Panama) state that the dive is limited to C card holders who have dived within the last two years and I think that I probably need some sort of "paper" or entry in the dive log to qualify. And the "refresher" was exactly what I was looking for.
Now...I didn't find that particular entry on the FAQ's, the excursion lists for, e.g., Cozumel, etc., so I'll recheck the RCCL website. But I'd also appreciate it if you could post me to the cite. Thanks, again.
T LEX
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Posted earlier on the other thread.
Quick question, please. This thread deals principally with initial or basic certification. But what about those of us who hold a C card but haven't dived in a number of years? There aren't many dive shops in our area and only one appears to offer a PADI recertification course.
I've checked existing threads and found no discussion on recertification. Has anyone taken such a course while on-board to requalify for open water dive excursions? If so, would be interested in cost and time requirement (we're currently scheduled for Voyager in spring 2009 and I presume that such courses, if available, would be offered on Voyager and Freedom class vessels). Thanks,
T Lex
Cigar bar
in Royal Caribbean International
Posted
Yeah, really, really wonderful.....:rolleyes:
And try arriving just as they pack it up and close down the bar...at 2300!
At least on Mariner and Voyager, they stayed open until after midnight, the walk in humidor was great, and the ambiance excellent.
Trying to choose between Navigator (great suite) and Serenade (really great suite) and the option of smoking my one or two cigars per year outside is not particularly appealing. Point for Navigator!
VR,
T Lex