steverk

16 hours ago, baltodave said:

That’s a pretty ignorant thing to say. All they needed to do is check a calendar or Google. Also, I’m sure there are some Jewish employees they can check with. 

I'm sorry this date falls on an important holiday for you, and I sympathize with you irritation.

However, I once saw a calendar that tried to list the holidays for every culture and religion in the world. Every single day is a holiday for someone. Most have 2 or 3. Hopefully, next year will work for both of us and I'll see you on board. 

I've had this problem while using the wifi on board.  Turning on a VPN has always resolved the issue for me.

I do a lot of 5 day cruises out of Galveston.  No real difference in atmosphere. 

I do a lot of 5 day cruises out of Galveston.  No real difference in atmosphere. 

It sounds like you really don't have many options. Either a Radiance class or nothing.  If that's really the case, then there really isn't much of a decision 

2 hours ago, ChessE4 said:

we could stop if we wanted to...

Speak for yourself! 

I had a nightmare once. It was the last night of my cruise and I didn't have another booked.  Terrifying!

5 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

If it's in service by 2027, it basically needs to be announced by the end of the year to get a shipyard slot. Unless those future Icon slots are really for Discovery.

While I agree that an announcement has to be very, very soon to be here by 2027, I wonder if it is possible for Royal to hide the slots using a shell company or some other way to obscure the orders.

2 hours ago, Doug_Texas said:

We live in Dallas and drive to KC all the time for family.  We also drive to Galveston all the time to cruise.  If it were me I would drive rom KC to Corsicana (9.5 hours) or Madisonville and get a a real cheap hotel.  Madisonville is only 2.5 hours to the cruise terminal.  Galveston hotels are not cheap.  Madisonville has a wonderful Buc-eyes for grabbing to go breakfast and coffee.  Stray flexible in case North Texas has one of our ice storms.

I agree.  Stay 2-3 hours north of Galveston. Save money and break up the trip

I have decorated my door!

I'm with @matt. Forgetting my passport at home. Everything else can work itself out with a little hassle, and maybe money.

13 hours ago, Jmccaffrey said:

Has anyone heard any updates on the Discovery of the Seas? I am looking forward to a new smaller class of ship.

I just asked the Captain on Explorer. He didn't add much other than the current plan is for a class of ships the same size as Voyager class.

I'd take that as confirmation that the program is still in progress. However, there was no indication of timing.

Unfortunately, booking directly with the airline or an aggregator, like priceline, would have triggered the same, or even greater, penalty.

Sorry you had such a bad experience. 

Any idea when the release the short Caribbean cruises? I noticed they aren't out yet.

21 hours ago, TXcruzer said:

Where precisely are they targeting tourists? Outside of Labadee there’s not a tourist on the whole island.

I said I would no continue on this thread, but I cannot allow this to remain unchallenged. 

3 US flagged aircraft were struck by gunfire within 1 week in Haiti. Whether the passengers were tourists or visiting for some other reason is a distinction without a difference. 

To put another way, a terrorist located anywhere in the world isn't going to choose a target and then reconsider based on the target's reason for being there.

3 hours ago, JustMeJoe said:

Three per guest per sailing .

Ouch! I just booked number 6 on this sailing! Lol!

6 minutes ago, GatorCruiser said:

Next cruise was very dangerous to us on this cruise. Booked 2 more. We have a cruising problem. Super Mario was aboard and hosted a trivia today at schooner! 

NextCruise has a way of being dangerous at this time of year. I plan booking a bunch tomorrow.  Is there a limit to how many you can book there?

3 hours ago, Pattycruise said:

Key, pinnacle and Diamond plus all get the same area of reserved seating.  In my opinion the seats pretty much stink.  The balcony middle section which is fine for “listening” things but if you want to be up close for magician, shows forget these.  The front row (2 rows even) of has the rail of the balcony block your view. I’m tall and experience this a bit less than the “short people”-probably of average height-who all sit and then get up and move.  
they open those seats to general population  about 10-15 minutes before the show begins. 

I agree about those being less than desirable seats. On Radiance, it appeared they weren't on the balcony, but they were the ones way on the side of the balcony. Terrible seats.

But hey, they're advertised as "exclusive" not as "good"!

I was able to put a hold on a suite. Went back to look some more, but it was gone. So, I guess they are in the process of loading now.

6 hours ago, Clif809 said:

and my insurance is void if we go to Haiti.

I feel your pain.

As @teddy mentioned, Labadee has been discussed at length, and I have nothing to add about it.

I visited Puerto Plata back in January, so maybe I can put your mind somewhat at ease.

The first thing to note is that Puerto Plata has the nicest secure area I've ever seen.  It has a small beach, lazy river, flowrider in addition to extensive shopping and dining. Therefore, you don't need to leave the secure area to enjoy this port.

Second, the Dominican Republic values tourism and recognizes that passenger safety has to be a priority.  While I was on my walking excursion, I saw dozens of police cars patrolling the town and port area. We had no issues and felt very safe. That doesn't mean I'd walk around alone at night, but it seemed great while we were there.

As far as things to do nearby, the fort is about a 1/2 mile away. It wasn't much, but it was a pretty spot.

The town was interesting, but you'll want a taxi to get there.

There's a cable car going up a mountain about 1.5 miles away. I didn't do this one, but it is a national park and is supposed to have great views and decent hiking.

So this is the week they should be released. I know they came come out at any time. 

But when are they usually released? Tuesday night about midnight or some other time?

This is going to be my last post on this thread.  

I can see that many people are willing to take the risks to go to Labadee. Fair enough. There are risks everywhere in life. We can't just sit around clutching our pearls all day.

However, early in this thread, there was a letter produced that showed a large number of people that have concerns. The concerns are spelled out, and it's fair that they aren't comfortable taking these risks.

A productive response would be to acknowledge those concerns and show they are not as serious or probable as the people believe. There are a few attempts at this, and I applaud those that tried.

However, I'm surprised by how many people are so intent on getting back to Labadee that they are willing to dismiss those concerns and risks out of hand as illegitimate and then insult the people by calling them "complainers." If this describes you, then you should be ashamed!

1 hour ago, TXcruzer said:

One's travel insurance inadequacies is of no legitimate concern to Royal, no

It's a legitimate concern to the "complainers" is it not?

1 hour ago, TXcruzer said:

The last 2 word of your statement summed it up.  

'Legitimate concern", most feel this is not

Their travel insurance won't cover them.  Is that not legitimate?