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twangster

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Everything posted by twangster

  1. twangster
    Majesty has a computer area with printer just off the Centrum on deck 4.
  2. twangster
    Any word from Carnival and Princess? They are big operators from CA ports. How are they embracing the changes?
  3. twangster
    Schooner Bar feels bigger than other classes.
  4. twangster
    After I packed I headed to the Schooner Bar to use up the last of OBC. Early start tomorrow so I headed to bed at a decent hour.
  5. twangster
    Lazy day in Key West. When at the NAS pier there is a shuttle used to get "downtown". I stayed on the ship like a few others did today. It's my 3rd visit in a month so I decided to skip it this time. Soon enough it was the Diamond event. Service has been great, long before my drink is empty another one magically appears. Sunset from the aft section of the VCL. Maybe I've been at sea too long, I'm seeing faces in the sunsets now. Or a Jack o' Lantern... In Boleros there was live music.
  6. twangster
    Viking Crown Lounge when it's not hosting the nightly Diamond event. There is a bar but I've never seen it used. When waiters are present they use the area behind this as a service bar for serving drinks during the Diamond event but also I saw them serving non-Diamonds in the aft section of the VCL (paid using a SeaPass card).
  7. twangster
    Fitness Center There is a steam room in the change room. I'm assuming the ladies change room has one as well.
  8. twangster
    Adventure Ocean and the Living Room Arcade
  9. twangster
    Since I booked this cruise with the intent of capturing Majesty in photos here are some of the Schooner Bar. You don't get views of the sea like this on the big ships.
  10. twangster
    It is stealing. No matter how you attempt to console yourself, it is wrong and you are stealing.
  11. twangster
    Libery has much more capacity than 3,000 guests. I’m not disputing your source but these types of inquires occur all the time by all cruise lines. We never hear about them. This “leak” is cute, but in the bigger picture means nothing. Now if every port on the West coast reported every inquiry that would be interesting. This one sounds like local politics. In isolation it means little.
  12. twangster
    I’m on the Matt Hochberg Appreciation Cruise in 7 days on Navigator.
  13. twangster
    Drat. I knew this was going to happen. It's after 5pm on my last night on board and I have yet to pack. How could I let this happen?
  14. twangster
    I for one have stopped trying to promote the cruise industry and agree wholeheartedly with everything they said. The last thing I need is more people to book cruises (driving up the cost for me). It's terrible out there folks. The sea was 90' yesterday (away from the Promenade deck). I hear that 99% of all cruise ships got stranded (away from a boring existence) yesterday. Everyone on board is sick (of being on land). I went missing (and none of my clients know I'm on a ship). There were 75 mph winds (for anyone driving on the interstate with their hands out the window in Florida). Yep, it's not a life for the faint of heart. Avoid cruising (so I can book cheaper cruises). If they don't want to go, please don't try to correct them.
  15. twangster
    True, if you are a citizen of Australia. The rest pay. From your article: The new travel authorization and tourist tax affects U.S. citizens visiting New Zealand starting October 1, 2019. All international visitors—except for Australians—will be charged NZD$35 (about US$23) per person. The government hopes that this new tax will bring in an additional NZD$57-$80 million (US$39-$54 million) a year. The new tax will be collected during your eTA application and also will be valid for up to two years and multiple visits to New Zealand. Where it gets more complex is when you apply on the government of NZ's website. There is no "cruise ship" category. The cost is actually higher than $23 USD because you are required to pay the conservation fee ($70 USD) as well. Transit passengers like if you land and fly out the same day don't have to pay the conservation fee which is clearly targeted at cruise ship passengers. Note - it's a work around by not calling it a VISA, it's an eTA. U.S. Citizens are not required to have a VISA, but we sure need an eTA and we get to pay the conservation tax as well.
  16. twangster
    Where do you draw the line? When is stealing okay versus stealing is bad? Pay hundreds for a hotel room and steal mini-bottles from the bar or refill them will apple juice because you paid for the room? I'm sorry, stealing is never okay and hopefully you'll remember that when karma bites you really hard in the rear end. It's because of people like you that causes the rest of us to pay higher rates. It's not okay to steal, period.
  17. twangster
    You got it. The original Dragon's Breath remains the same. New cables were pulled and a new landing zone was created for the Fire (superman style).
  18. twangster
    Personally I bring dish soap with me in a TSA friendly 2oz shampoo style refillable travel container and use the sink. It works.
  19. twangster
    I’m all for a drink package in the Caribbean but I tend to avoid them in Alaska unless I’m in with a group that likes to drink. In Alaska I’m all about experiencing Alaska including late nights to see everything since the days are longer. With long port days I’m all about being off the ship and experiencing Alaskan ports. With a port intensive itinerary there isn’t as much opportunity to drink on sea days. Most important I like to take pictures in the evening so I’m outside watching magnificent sunsets and sunrises in the morning. Drinking seems to hinder that so I have a few but drink a lot less compared to the Caribbean.
  20. twangster
    They've been hinting at this for a while. Now the question becomes... which ship? 3,000 passengers are noted which matches to Celebrity better. This could be a request for Celebrity. The only bad news is that the requested days of the week were not available, only Wednesday was offered. The requested Saturday/Tuesday suggests a 3/4 night rotation. With just Wednesday offered Royal may decide it simply doesn't work for them. "Wednesdays were offered to the ship’s agent for consideration."
  21. twangster
    I had a hot date this morning that was a not to be missed... with CBP. The Spectrum lounge was a staging area while we waited for our turn. Muster station 9 was called first and eventually muster station 10 was called. We were led in a procession out of the lounge, down the stairs, around the Centrum and down one more flight, back around the Centrum, through the Schooner Bar and into the theater where our cards were scanned and CBP officers were there to inspect our documents. With that complete I was cleared so my day could proceed.
  22. twangster
    Day 5 - Key West An early start to the day to watch as the Starship Majesty came in for a landing in Key West. Just kidding, the channel markers strobe every few seconds so I did a 30 second exposure as we made our way through the channel. Today we'll be at the NAS pier. Looks like the Carnival Sensation snagged the better spot closer to Mallory Square.
  23. twangster
    Day 4 continued... Majesty has the old style TV's and map displays. Our progress... Getting my steps in before... ... heading up to the VCL for the Diamond event. Like most Diamond events there are finger foods every night. The bridge crew did their best to avoid the downpours as day turned into night.
  24. twangster
    On top of $212 in OBC for this being a cancelled Cuba cruise I discovered another $50 in OBC on my account that must be from my TA. I'm actually having trouble spending it all. On CocoCay I bought a shirt at a Royal Shop kiosk where they take SeaPass cards (the straw market is cash). On CocoCay they don't apply the logo shop C&A discount plus since it is the Bahamas there is a 12% VAT on any purchase. Last night I ate more Ben & Jerry's and had an iced coffee to burn up some OBC. I asked at guest services and they tell me my non-refundable TA OBC should be consumed first and any of the refundable OBC left over should be applied to my credit card as a credit after the cruise.
  25. twangster
    Formal nights on Empress are not unlike most ships in the fleet but with fewer guests the ones that wear a tux or gown will stand out in the crowd more. I've seen pictures of the Hotel Director's table where a pinnacle was wearing short sleeve polo type shirt standing beside another guest in a tux. As long as you don't mind being "that guy" you are fine, just know there will be people more formal than you in the MDR.
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