4ensic

April 5 2024 on the Edge R/T Sydney via NZ and Tasmania for 9 nights, then staying aboard for the 18 night cruise to Hawaii.  Retracing the crossing in late October (Hawaii -> Sydney).

On 1/23/2023 at 9:13 PM, jbrinkm said:

 

Because we met all the criteria, and were in the furthest distance and furthest time part of the grid, my family of 4 each received reimbursement of 600 Euros, which was a little over $600pp at the time. And we only paid $700 for the flights in the first place. It took a while and some work, but that money paid for my flights to Galveston this upcoming April for our next cruise.

Just document everything if you miss the flight - why you missed it, what times you took off & landed, etc...

Had a United flight in Barcelona delayed by a day (after getting as far as testing the engines at the departure gate) and filed for mandatory EU Compensation on an online form at UA.  They actually offered $1,000 in travel credit or $700 cash.  Pretty seamless process.  Best of luck with Lufthansa.

On 8/11/2022 at 2:13 PM, Zacharius said:

Also, funny story (I think) from the first time I got a drink package. We got on the ship at about 12pm, if not earlier, and went immediately to the pool (even before I had a drink...which means I broke the law I stated above, and paid the consequences as you'll see). As I was getting in, I slipped and sprained my thumb. So the very first drink I got with my drink package was a can of Budweiser so I could use it as an ice pack. It served double purpose - kept me from having to visit the doctor on the ship, and got the party going. 

You've found the best use for a can of Bud (From someone who originally worked close to the original A-0B Brewery in St. Louis).

Central Park for the shy and Promenade for the bold !

April 13, 2023 back on the Infinity from Rio to Lisbon.  The ship was small enough to get to know a lot of the crew (bartenders, stewards, waiters, and performers) and really appreciate them as people.  A big majority will still be onboard for the repositioning.  

This is the only time I've ever sailed because of the personnel rather than the ship's amenities, cruise cost, or the itinerary.  That's how good these people are.

Obligatory cast shot for attention.

11-28-22 to 12-13-22 on the Celebrity Infinity from FLL to Rio De Janeiro.  It'll be my first time on Celebrity with their status match program.

17 hours ago, Ray said:

Given the amount of Filipino crew on ships im surprised they do not stock Redhorse onboard. 

Maybe we should start a petition

 

I'd be almost as happy if they served Tanduay rum onboard.  I can get an 8 year old 750ml bottle of Tanduay for about $6 in Cebu.  Out in the provinces we settle for a 750ml of 65 proof for about $3.50.

Though Kraken is an excellent consolation drink.

19 hours ago, Eddie Ireland said:

Now im wondering is it possible to try every drink they serve on the boat twice.

"All you can drink" is a challenge, not a description.  (J/K, your liver is on holiday also).

1 hour ago, Zacharius said:

Also, funny story (I think) from the first time I got a drink package. We got on the ship at about 12pm, if not earlier, and went immediately to the pool (even before I had a drink...which means I broke the law I stated above, and paid the consequences as you'll see). As I was getting in, I slipped and sprained my thumb. So the very first drink I got with my drink package was a can of Budweiser so I could use it as an ice pack. It served double purpose - kept me from having to visit the doctor on the ship, and got the party going. 

As a native St. Louisan, I can tell you that you've discovered the proper use for a can of Bud.  (Too bad InBev doesn't ship Natty Daddy - an 8% ale - out of the St. Louis area).  In the Philippines, younger Filipinos drink Bud since it's an import.  I pay about half the cost for a Red Horse since it still seems like an import to me.  Different strokes...

9 hours ago, USCG Teacher said:

 

Excellent!

Some other possible improvements:

Rum Tum Tigger and Old Mephistopheles get fixed (No more Jellicle Balls for them).

The cast meets Feral Rescue and is adopted by different families, never to meet again.

Old Yeller visits Cats. Grizabella falls for a doomed dog and comes down with rabies herself.

Wow!  I lived in St. Louis a long time and didn't realize our ribs were a special style,  I thought they were kind of generic.

Grease is my favorite.  It's a toss up between The Book and Cats for least favorite.

Just now saw that Royal is casting for Cats in NYC.  Maybe if we don't feed them they'll go away.

Never been to South America, so friends and I are going to try the Infinity on November 28, from Ft. Lauderdale to Rio.  The itinerary is different from most RCCL cruises, I've only been to one stop before (Barbados) and look forward to seeing it again.

I'm somewhat new to Celebrity but the entertainment looks good - a Motown and a Broadway jukebox/production show, plus "Star Factory" which appears to be a wide selection of pop tunes.  This is a change from the usual Broadway shows on Royal or the musicals written specially for Princess.      

It'll be different going back to a smaller ship after being on huge ones the last few years.  

...That's Hedley.

From Wonder of the Seas - Malaga.

25 days until a B2B on the Wonder.  Haven't started to pack yet, but laid out some things so I won't forget them.  Looking forward to all those sea days on the T/A leg of the cruise and having  mask optional onboard.

Had a solo 10 day Mexican Riveria cruise last month and befriended a couple headliner performers with production photos,  hope the cast on Wonder will enjoy their images.   Working while cruising is the best, but cruising with friends this time is a big plus.

April 15, 2022 on the Wonder - only 5 days.  But then....stay in the cabin for the T/A to Barcelona.

US Passport arrived in 25 days from mailing to receipt (Expedited service, but not expedited mailing), including a holiday. Kind of impressive considering the mammoth backlogs a couple months ago.

I'm a big fan of Solomon Jaye.  As a beginning stage photographer, Solomon was the first performer to publish my photos of his act (singer, dancer, guitar player) and gave me a start.

Thankfully, no.  I pay the "RCI Tax" and book directly from Royal.  Our group used to take some independent tours (and saved quite a bit of cash), but after a couple had a perfect storm of problems (Last stop before a T/A leg, coach had a severe oil leak that caused accidents on the main road on St. Maarten blocking its way back to port) the ship spent about 2 1/2 hours extra in port waiting for about 30 folks on that tour.  

Thankfully the couple booked through Royal.  Now I guess if they'd have been OK if they'd have booked a different indie tour since the RCI tour held up the ship for everyone, but that's a pretty big gamble for a couple of dollars.

A factor to consider is how far away the independent tour travels from the ship.  Something close in would benefit more from an RCI tour further out being delayed more by traffic while a "Ring Road Tour of X Island" has more of a risk of being on the bad side of a traffic jam with a better chance for RCI coaches being closer in traffic.

38 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

OY

Hosti gezen in dayne lebn?

A couple of years back our waiter said that there are actually two Indian menus (meat and meatless) nightly on all ships.  This was in response to the rise of middle class Indians cruising on Royal and requesting local dishes in the MDR.

1 hour ago, Pam13 said:

Maybe if it were called Dogs.....

They'd chase the Jellicle Ball and bring it to their friend, not try to attend it.

Hi BillyBob and welcome,

If you prepay gratuities you are not expected to tip further, everyone including the behind-the-scenes staff are compensated by your payment.

That said, if you give the bartenders a cash tip you may want to watch how strong they make the drinks.  Some will pour you doubles or triples without asking if you tip them.  

You can certainly give extra tips to anyone who goes out of their way, but it isn't expected.

Have a great time on your cruise,

Brad

10 minutes ago, Matt said:

Because the cruise industry is held to a double standard.

The general public thinks of cruise ships and instantly thinks of:

• Covid on Diamond Princess
• Covid on Grand Princess
• Covid on Ruby Princess
• Icebergs
• Carnival poop cruise

It's obviously not fair, but this is the world we live in. And when there is one case (turned out to be a false positive), it makes big headlines.

When there's a covid case elsewhere, it doesnt garner much, if any, attention.

It's too bad the Carnival Triumph was remembered for the geysers of feces.

The same cruise also featured a total loss of power, so besides being stranded there was no power and therefore no cooking.  For days.

46 minutes ago, twangster said:

When Royal installs a show on a ship it has to have legs to go the distance.  (pun intended) 

Off on a tangent here. The show with the most legs would be kind of a cool (and really inexpensive) choice for a small ship - The Fantasticks!  (The only way there'd be a Can-Can is if they rewrote "Plant a Radish" to "Plant a 'Shroom".) 

40 years continuous Off Broadway.  And I'd bet some of the current performers were in a high school production.

Stage build out:  Raised diamond with two columns.  That's all.

The rights have to be inexpensive.  Maybe RCI could negotiate with the rightsholders to have a CGI Jerry Orbach as El Gallo.  Let's face it, an expensive set piece is the star of Flight,  so RCI has relied on outside tech to impress an audience.  Plus the show is guaranteed a 7 year run  and including a virtual character that doesn't interact with the live cast is easier than trying to  move around a ghost.