Hoski

Nude beach on French side...big let down.   And by letdown I’m referring to what gravity does to older humans. 
We found ourselves there by accident. Some things can’t be unseen.

My mom lives in Charleston. I go all the time. Luckily the cruise port is right in the middle of town. So everything is in walking distance, the market,  the Battery, good food, places to get a drink. If you time time to spare I suggest doing a carriage ride. Only takes about 90 min and it's a big red barn right close to Port area. 

Welcome to the boards!
We we’re just in Charleston two weeks ago on a cruise. Super easy to just walk off the ship and see interesting things. I recommend the market and Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit!

Same in my state. Cheaper on board and often cheaper still in Caribbean ports.
The difference in price is usually the taxes, has nothing to do with blue laws. Duty free=no tax.  The last cruise I was on I bought two bottles of bourbon for $50. Back home those  would cost at least $30/each. When we went ashore, same bottles were $2/bottle cheaper than on board.
And not to mention that cruise ships often sell liter bottles instead of 750 ml (fifth) bottles. So you get more for less.

A grand suite is a lot more room and for 9 nights will be more comfortable.  We enjoy the extra suite perks like unlimited drinks evenings in the suite lounge with snacks and lattes.  Some suite perks aren't happening right now because of Covid but depending on when you are sailing they may be back. 

A grand suite is a lot more room and for 9 nights will be more comfortable.  We enjoy the extra suite perks like unlimited drinks evenings in the suite lounge with snacks and lattes.  Some suite perks aren't happening right now because of Covid but depending on when you are sailing they may be back. 

Cruised in February with 2 of the worst waiters I’ve ever seen.  Kids dining room and meals took 2 hours.  Promises of refills on water/bread never happened.  They must have known they were bad because when it came time to ask for a good rating in the survey they could barely get the words out.   Same ship, the next week, different dining room and I had impeccable service,  chair pulled out for me, attentive to details,  not overbearing, asked if we needed to be at the show at “x” time, properly moved utensils, informed us of next day dining for breakfast lunch and port disembarkation and all aboard.  I couldn’t think of a thing they could have improved on. They even brought us Indian food one evening, just because someone asked a question about it….
same ship following month, different dining room….an overbearing waiter who insisted you wanted more, couldn’t ask enough times how the food  is and how important it is we are happy (multiple mentions each meal EVERY night) however he was good in a lot of respects.  I finally spoke with him 2Nd to last night regarding his repetition of asking, only because it was driving my table mates nuts, I had tuned it out. I also praised him for all the things he did well.   He seemed receptive, who knows.
anyhow 3 very different service types on the same ship and I enjoyed each cruise.  Dinner is only one item out of a cruise so I won’t let it ruin my cruise.  The survey is there for a reason.
I think the more cruises we do the more things we can compare.  If it’s “that bad” the complaints can be made to head staff or guest services and/or on the survey.
some complainers just like to complain or have the “all” approach….it’s all this it’s all that….they cannot see any good.  Hit them with the positives, sometimes they come around.  

The very nature of cruising where you end up forming some relationship with crew members leads itself to setting high expectations for future cruises.

I think you hit the nail on the head, something I just couldn't come up with/figure what it was.  MARLA KNOWS HOW TO READ PEOPLE, that's it.  She'd probably make a good detective.  Within the first hour of the cruise she was sitting down with us, very relaxed, not looking at her watch/phone and just talking to us, asking fact finding questions.  She must have done that for about 45 minutes.  After that, we didn't want for anything.   

I personally find it to be a matter of expectations (and managing them!). If people are chasing D, D+, Pin, etc. because they *expect* better ____ (service, food, experiences, etc.) then they will be disappointed. The benefits should be like add-ons.
My wife and I enjoy the cruise experience. The idea that we don't have to cook, clean, etc. just by itself is wonderful, especially for a vacation. Our other vacation go-to is a timeshare where we do have to do those things. Never quite feels like a vacation to me. But I get a lot of relaxation in, anyway.
That said, having a waiter remember my name, drink order, etc., makes the cruise exceptional and I can ignore even mediocre food with great service. I don't go hungry on a cruise, even if the MDR quality is subpar. We enjoy the suite lounge when the regular crowds get to be too much, or the extras the genies provide, or the early boarding, etc. But we are not cruising for the perks.
We find that if we set our expectations at "we will enjoy this come what may" then the extras just ratchet it up to "we really enjoyed this immensely."

Some people are only happy when they have something to complain about.  I think it’s easier than thinking of interesting or valuable to talk about.  
I was a waiter 30 years ago and had regulars that complained or were at least unimpressed with everything but they came in all the time.  I asked one older couple why they come back, when they don’t seem thrilled with the food, or even the service.  They were shocked, said coming in for dinner was the highlight of their week.  I think the complaining gave them something  talk about.  Some people are just miserable and want others to be miserable too.  Some people like to act like they’re above everything.  
It seems like sad way to go through life if you ask me.

Many pinnacles wear their gold name tags. I saw quite a few.  Frankly I think they’re pretty silly.  Put my pin on every morning??  Heck I’m happy I remember my underwear!!!!  Hubby wants one though 🙄🙄😄

The pin they were wearing.  (I can only assume they didn't buy it off e-bay -  LOL) 

I think that there will always be a certain segment that will complain about anything.I also think that as you do things more you just notice things that others don’t.  However I think the complainer group also had a lot of “do you know who I am” when it comes to status and think they should have more say in things. I’m a “problem solver” as part of my career, so I do write suggestions and leave them at the front desk when things are “off”, but there really has to be some major issues for me to complain about something.
I’m curious how you know they were Pinnacle? I would never think to mention my C&A status and would find it weird if someone asked me about it.
We are more of a “go with the flow” type of traveler.

Voyager and Freedom class have the in-cabin volume controls.  They even work on some of them.  The catch is they play background music when there are no announcements so if you aren't into their music choices the volume will remain off.  

Yeah, my comment was a joke because they haven't worked since the early 2000s.

From what I remember/heard, the control of announcements IN a stateroom is controlled by the person making the announcement from within the bridge or wherever.  They don't like to make in cabin announcements, especially in late night/early evening, unless it is very very important.  

For the ships I've been on - On the "desk" panel there is a cream colored knob that is labeled something announcement related with a volume control.  To date, no amount of adjustment allows any announcements into the room.  We hear them in the hall and then crack the door open to hear them better 🙂

What in-cabin PA system volume controls?  🤣

Ahhhh…the puzzle of the light switches. Always a fun game pushing switches to see what does what. 😂

How about the light switches.  Was in a Grand Suite on Oasis and after 7 days I still couldn't figure them out.

The tub/shower combination in the Junior Suite on the Wonder leaves a lot to be desired. The step up and over isn’t too bad, but the space inside is tiny. I mean Munchkin Land or Lilliputian tiny! I’m a slender guy (or so I tell myself) and I still feel squeezed in. The drain is a pain! I keep stepping on it and it is very uncomfortable. Also, there is a half glass that covers only the front of the shower/tub. It swings open if you lean on it…or hold on for support…surprise!  
However, I highly recommend the Jr Suite on the Wonder. The space is large, the walk-in closet is nice, the balcony is huge and the bathroom itself is spacious. The Jr Suite is bright and airy and tastefully decorated. I love it! Too bad the shower/tub is so narrow.

Ha I had not thought of that! Also, those little cannister showers are a challenge.  I'm not a fan of body wash so I bring a bar of soap in with me and simply hope I don't drop it mid-lather.... I'd have to get out of the shower completely to be able to pick it up again. 

ooh ooh! let's talk about the mountain climbing adventure that is getting into the tubs in the suites!
I'm a little bit out of the first quarter of my life but I still have to do some yoga and send a prayer to the ocean gods that I don't snap my ankle against the edge or pull a muscle getting in!🤣
Still beats the capsule shower though!

If you're going to take advantage of the suite perks, then only a couple hundred is worth it. You could make up a couple hundred on free drinks alone