WAYNO

And one more edit... It's now day 6 on Navigator. I have skipped 2 meals in the MDR just because there was nothing on the menu interesting to me. At the same time, our tablemates thought the changes were wonderful, but they never ordered steak or prime rib even when they had the choice. Bottom line... It's not just about me. The changes, although unwelcome to some, are welcomed by far more.

We also have changed our dining time a couple of times over the years with no problem. Go to the kiosk and ask. If they can, they will... Only speaking of my own experience.

On Navigator now... Yep, the menu is slightly trimmed back, but the impact to me has so far been minimal.... Edited to add... Day 4, no comfort food on MDR menu. I understand it's a theme night, but I still expected a traditional/default beef entree. I don't do roasted tofu or enchiladas in a place where I'm expected to change into long pants. But for the folks that appreciate such a menu, I'm still happy for you Edited again... Not to worry, I'll just go to Windjammers. It was save money night there too. No carvery and no minute steaks. So I filled up on salad, hamburger patties and sweet and sour chicken. Glad I had a nice lunch in Mazatlan. I really thought the new menu would not be an issue. I've since changed my mind. Just possibly, this could be a reason to get more folks into specialty dining.

I am on Navigator as we speak. Two of these bags were delivered to our room and I've gotta say these bags are very substantial, very well made, and very attractive. When I get home in a week I'll post some actual photos.

I just received word that our Crystal Block is on the way! It's here!

The last day pre-cruise and it is always a very long day. We must leave our house at 3 AM Friday for the airport. I can try to get a couple hours sleep tonight, but that's not likely. Can't sleep on planes. I will end up with self inflicted jet lag. Oh the sacrifices we make for a week of heaven.

1-1/2 Days. Whoo Hoo! And I just finished packing. Mostly.

... We've cruised Explorer multiple times and very much like this ship.

Oh I knew someone would need to correct me. Believe me, I've been on them all. I still say, they are all large, and for a first time cruise, even a little tiny Explorer-class is overwhelming in size. I don't cruise only to be on the largest ship afloat, but also because of the itinerary. My kids or family are not gonna whine because they had to be on the little tiny Explorer. But then again, maybe I underestimate the need for grandiose gratification.

Folks speak of Explorer as being tiny when compared to Oasis. Gee, one is 1186 feet long, and the other is 1025 feet long. They are both astonishingly huge ships. I cannot pick one over the other. They are both gigantic and they both offer more activities than I've ever used or participated.

It's comfort food. And it's convenient. Although I wont compare it to my pizza joints at home, it's still tolerable considering the mission it's supposed to perform. Often I get the little finger sandwiches while my Wife gets the pizza. At midnight, it does the job. I have sensed no changes in their product.

Being mostly summertime cruises, yes there will be children. More than I'd see on a winter cruise in the Caribbean. There being so relatively few cruise ships to Alaska compared to sunny destinations, an Alaskan cruise is often a bucket-list cruise. And if Mom and Dad are wanting this cruise, the kids just have to tough it up and be included. That said, I don't remember children ever being an issue.

You are lucky. In spite of a failed cruise, you got your money back. That sounds more like an irresponsible or unscrupulous travel agent than a scam. And that's much of why I never use a travel agent. An irresponsible employee of an otherwise decent travel agency, or an unscrupulous or irresponsible travel agency itself... the results are the same. Unless I'm on top of everything myself, I'm not comfortable.

I'm from a weed legal state, so everywhere I go, there's an excellent chance of catching some weed aroma. Even driving down the freeway or stopped at an intersection we smell it. But I have never smelled it on a ship. This surprises me. Just like the folks that say nobody's gonna tell them what to wear in the dining room, nobody's gonna tell them they can't smoke their weed. It really doesn't matter to me, but it seems to me they're taking a real chance. Seems not long ago, there was a young lady basketball player incarcerated in Russia, when nobody was gonna tell her what to do either.

And we each use a hard-sided roll around for our carry-on. I've tried many other options, but this one works the best for us. And it makes for a great overflow when the cruise is done. We always bring much more home than we came with. On our last cruise, our main luggage didn't make it to our room til way late. A roomy rolling carry on is a God-send when you have to live out of it.

Well, being one of Amazon's best supporters, and because of the link you provided, I have purchased a set of these. Thanks.

I wont help pile it on, as I can't put my finger on it or be constructive, but... It is not a port I care to re-visit. If we end up there because it's part of a cruise that we otherwise chose, I'll still go on tour there. But more than that, I specifically try to choose cruises that do NOT go there. On the other hand... I fully know and respect that a bunch of folks love Nassau. That's quite okay too. .

Gotta say, I laugh a little bit, at both of us... My Wife is already packing her suitcase. She was worried she was behind schedule. Ya know, there's only two weeks left. I on the other hand, do my best packing at the last minute.

But, plan a contingency if the facial recognition system is not cooperative. Getting off Navigator in November, they pulled my wife and I out of line to instead use the facial recognition line. It recognized me, but did not recognize her. They had to see her passport anyway.

I'm glad to see this thread. Thanks. I did not even know these or other gift items were available. I bought the bag with water. I would have bought the bag even without the water. These items were obscure on the cruise planner. Scrolling all the way to the bottom, the gift section was hidden without scrolling sideways. I found them only by accident. And going to that page again, I scrolled some more and found the same bag, also with a 6-pack of diet Coke. So I had to buy it too. Cool gifts to bring home.

All I know is we bought the shuttle from the ship to Hobby. If they sell a shuttle to other airports, it's beyond my knowledge. I don't see it on the cruise planner, so I buy such shuttles while onboard. And my wife has bought similar shuttles via the app. I am not app savvy, so I leave app business to her. I cannot understand why it's available to her on the app, and available for purchase on the ship, but not available on the cruise planner.

From the ship back to the airport, we book the shuttle bus on the ship itself. We do it that way now on every cruise.

As long as it fits on the door... I look forward to seeing doors as lavishly decorated as a Christmas tree. That's how I find the party folks.

I tried this and it worked. My correct total points are now shown. Thanks.

Original reply deleted. Later in this thread, another cruiser posted how he corrected the point count issue. I tried it and it worked.