Andy & Sheryl Unwin

As a florida resident, its easy to get to any of the 4 cruise ports here for me, so I would volunteer in a heartbeat

My best memory from our last cruise (Navigator, Feb 2020) was springing one surprise after another on Sheryl for her birthday.

I just read the blog article (thank you Matt). Totally tickled pink and looking forward to next year with renewed optimism. Let the fun begin

Q: What swims at the bottom of the sea and scares the other fish ? A: Jack the Kipper

Submarine racing

My thought is yes. I routinely fly a lot on business and know only too well how often flights are cancelled, delayed or diverted. Personally if I were flying for a cruise with a departure deadline, I would rather hibernate in a hotel overnight than risk not making it onboard

Ahh as a former Royal Navy signalman, this is right up my street. This is not a maritime law per se, but nautical etiquette. A foreign flagged vessel, (RCL ships are registered in the Bahamas) visiting a port, routinely fly the flag of the country they are visiting from a prominent position. Usually the masthead, or starboard outer yardarm as a mark of respect. The flag for the country of registration is normally displayed from the Ensign Staff, at the stern. It is endearing to see such maritime tradiitions continue in the modern age

Over the years, I have seen many former British warships dragged up this same slipway by their own anchor chains. When I see it happening, I remember them not as hulks being cut to shreds and trucked away to be melted down, but as the glorious ships they once were, the pride of those who served aboard them. Sadly, the lot of a ship, whether it be a sleek grey messenger of Freedom, or a luxurious passenger ship, is set from the date of its creation. Sooner or later, it will meet the scrapper and the cutting torch (unless it is sunk as a reef, used as a target, or preserved as a memorial). For those of us who spent our lives maintaining our homes of the sea around us, it is one of the most tragic sights ever. However, we all take heart that although the steel of the ship may now be in different forms, the ships are alive, and can never be taken from us. They live on, in thoughts, in memories, in photographs. It is in this way they not only pass into history, but they become "immortal"

I have to say, the thought of using a TA had not occurred to us until we saw the idea on Matts YouTube advising of the benefits. Previously and currently, we use the website directly after booking onboard. It is too late now for our current booking, but we have agreed the next one, which we will probably book onboard (I hope) will go through MEI.

We use the RC Credit card specifically for cruise expenses. For us its easier to control that way. We do occassionally add a small item here and there to keep the card active, but immediately cleared.

Not a hotel with a view, but this is the one we use for Miami departures. Its close to the port and there are plenty of restuarants in the area withing easy walking distance COURTYARD MIAMI DOWNTOWN/BRICKELL AREA 200 SE Second Avenue, Miami, Florida 33131 USA +1 305-374-3000

I like the idea of a small ziplock baggie, it totally makes sense.

More good news, tis all well received and can only have a positive effect.

Oh we love the hotel stay, it adds another day to the vacation, and takes some stress away on the day of departure. But this time, it may not be an option for the reasons stated.

We are fortunate in this regard, Miami and Ft Lauderdale are less than 3 hours away, so driving is always the option for us. However, we are reconsidering our ususal hotel stay the night before. Instead we may elect to leave the house very early on the day of departure, thereby minimising our potential exposure a day prior. As I say, we are considering and have not yet made a firm decision.

The $20.00 to the cabin attendant is a sound investment as far as we are concerned. We learned of it towards the end of our first cruise on Brilliance. Thereafter its something we do as a matter of course.

lol, have at it, but only from an intellectual stand point. It will be interesting to see how much benefit can be gained from the drinks package on an 8 day

100% in agreement, we tip on every drink.. I dont think $3.00 here and there makes a huge difference, not even on my bar bill.

Former Royal Navy, I was trained by the best

Like many, Sheryl and I dislike the masks, but accept them as a necessary part of life and dont complain about them. Similarly, we are each always in possession of our cell phones when onboard. The built in cameras are great for still and video captures, we are able to make notes about members of staff for later complimenting and rewarding, and to keep in touch with each other while we are apart. (using a messenger app, not a cell connection with associated roaming fees) All in all, we are in favour of whatever gets us back to cruising, no matter what hoops we all have to jump through, and we know there will be some, our time onboard is worth it.

On our latest cruise on Navigator in Feb, I tracked how much value we obtained from the drinks package. Simply a check mark on a notes page in my cellphone: I estimated drink cost at $13.00 each, and please remember, there were two of us, not just me. ? Also, I did not track soft drinks Mon 02/17/2020 - 14 x 13 = $182.00 Tue 02/18/2020 - 16 x 13 = $208 Wed 02/19/2020 - 20 x 13 = $260.00 Thu 02/20/2020 - 8 x 13 = $104 Running total $754 Package cost $432 Benefit $322.00

Sheryl and I used QR menus at a restuarant recently, and I have to say it was childs play. We dont have issues with that in any way and it is a small price to pay to be at sea

You are correct, I have edited to make it more accurate. Less confusing that way

Empress is currently in Cyprus (Souda) as it happens, Majesty is now on route to Malta, it will be interesting to see where her next port is

At this time, any positive news is a welcome sign of change