WAYNO

First of all, this is only my experience, and my opinion... I have pretty severe arthritis. I have some not-so-good days, and some better days. I don't know when or why some days are so totally different than other days. I don't use a wheelchair or scooter, but I have to be deliberate with every step I take. On my last Navigator cruise, I asked for a cabin 'closer' to an elevator, and explained the reason. The rep put us in an accessible cabin. When I attempted to argue out of it, he insisted and said that's exactly what accessible rooms are for. And once in the cabin, although I did not need the extra room, I surely appreciated the absence of thresholds to step over.

I don't expect a lot, and my expectations should be easy to accomplish. I am easily pleased with a Costco hot dog as Costco sells them from their snack bar. Simple. Always fresh and hot. And a nice tender bun. So good, I usually use no condiments. Yum. But the hot dog stand on the ship just does not get this. And as far as a hotdog being smothered in vegetables? And relish? Gross. That part I am glad the ship doesn't do. And proof our tastes are all fortunately different.

I treat my servers well. Most of them treat me well. That said, I appreciated the read here. I have asked my servers, and most of them have responded that they do get something automatically from every drink served via the 18% added or with pre-paid gratuities. But some folks on this forum have been adamant that the bar folks receive none of it. Either way, I continue to grease their palm, so to speak.

For the folks residing near a cruise port, a mini-cruise could work well. For folks like me that it takes a 12-hour+ flight window plus a motel stay once I get to the cruise city, a mini-cruise would be a waste of travel resources. That said, as I get multiple cruise offers in my mail box every week, the most recent ones have been for these abbreviated cruises. Seems they are indeed trying to fill these rooms.

I never even considered this, but I am not opposed to doing so. Next time, if necessary, I'll look into it.

I have also found on multiple visits, these coffee machines to be out of service. They are serviced or repaired, only to break down again. Apparently, very fragile and/or requiring high maintenance.

My experience in the Crown Lounge(s). Their coffee machine is an automatic, per cup device. By pushing buttons, you'll have choices of black coffees, regular or unleaded, and these machines have multiple choices of lattes, although not understanding lattes, I cannot tell the difference between any of the choices. Bottom line, yes, if you want a reasonably hot decaf, they have it. .

Oh yes I did listen to the radio many nights. And in my car many days. And I knew Bill Withers other songs very well. I just don't know how this particular song got past me.

As children of the fifties and sixties, my brain has a huge repertoire of music and artists. And when I first read this thread, I wondered about the song. I didn't know it, and I've never heard it. My Wife has an even better memory of artists and music, and when I asked her, she also did not know the song. So if the little washy-washy type folks are playing this song, either in the Windjammer or on the island, I wouldn't have known what it was.

I think a pre-flight tour of the city would be wonderful. We tried doing it on our own before our cruise, but became hopelessly lost in a culture that lends very little hospitality. We gave up and went back to our hotel in Bayonne, even before we left the train tunnel at Penn Station. I would love to see the city in a guided tour.

I have bid many times, both high and low, and the only bid I've won, was a Balcony to a Spacious Balcony. But I'm sure I'll keep trying.

Yes, Royal has that memo. Cruises to and from Seattle pass strategically close to Victoria. It's an easy stop. They do it every week during the Alaska cruise season. For some, Victoria is the highlight of the cruise. And Victoria is still in Canada. .

Speaking of variety... I like cruising from L.A. also. It's an easy 2-hour flight within the same time zone. It would be nice, with an extra ship, if they'd expand their offerings from L.A. Our Mexican Riviera cruises are quite redundant. There's another whole coast of Central and South America that could be opened up to Royal. Even regular cruises, L.A. to San Francisco to Seattle. In the old days, I cruised Royal from Seattle to Astoria, San Francisco, and Victoria, and back to Seattle. It was a terrific trip.

I'll bite. Pun intended. What's a Chicago dog?

Uh oh. Thank you for the education. I would think those folks may ask, "what's that old geezer wearing that shirt for", and I might just get a pass. Or maybe the old Grammas might just think I'm hot.

Please explain the "no pineapple" thing. I've seen this reference elsewhere and I am lost. I just bought a Hawaiian shirt with pineapples. I hope wearing it isn't the cause of a faux pas.

This will be very nice. We so much enjoy and appreciate seeing all the door decorations as we walk down the hallways. Thanks for helping make all this cruise stuff so much fun.

gettin closer...

Magnetic hooks/clips. Luggage tag and Sea Pass holders. Cruising Ducks. Hand wipes and other sanitation items.

May or may not be an official ship function, but... In the past there have been green drinks and green crew members. And definitely green passengers. It is your responsibility to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. You will not be alone!

Folks see what they want to see, so answers will be polarized. What is viewed as pushy to one, may be seen as a quaint custom to another. Last time I was in Labadee, I professed the vendors to be the pushiest of any in the Caribbean. They are your friend. What's your name?, they ask. If you tell them, in seconds they'll have your name carved on one of their coconut trinkets. Then you better darn well buy it. My Wife was there a few days ago, bringing with her a friend who's never been there. My wife said it's even worse now. Vendors were grabbing their arms, separating them, and attempting to drag them into their little vendor shacks. These vendors were ravenous. My Wife had to yell at them to leave them alone, causing attention from the other vendors and other tourists. It was because of this, the vendors backed off. I am done with Labadee, other than the beach areas.

I've shown similar examples before... My Wife just got off Oasis yesterday. And in the week she was away, we've received all these offers in the mail. I don't know how the cruise ship advertising industry works. Does Royal/Casino Royale pay for all this advertising, or allow an advertising agency to foot the expense, with the agency keeping a portion of the sales? And if so, just maybe we are on the easy-sell list.

My Wife just got off Oasis yesterday. I've not paid any attention to the criteria for additional blocks, but this was in her room. Not to be a gift-horse basher, I will just say this newest glass block is different than the previous version.

This was a very nice and fun presentation. Thank you.