RCVoyager

I'll go out on a limb here:  For the most part, I've found that when you treat anyone with kindness and respect, the other party will do the same.  I've found that to be especially true in the travel/tourism industry.  I'll give you an example:
Two weeks ago, my wife and I spent a wonderful week in the Turks and Caicos Islands.  We wanted to have dinner at an oceanfront restaurant called 'Hemmingways' on our last night (Friday).  Being that my cellphone was expensive there and we had a car, I stopped in on Tuesday to make a reservation.  The nice lady said "sorry, we're booked to half Friday, and since it's supposed to rain Friday, and half of our seating is on the beach, we can't add any more reservations now."  She went on to say, "come by Friday morning, and we'll see if anything has changed."  I stopped in Friday morning at 10:00 only to be turned away without a reservation again by the same nice lady as there was still rain in the evening forecast.  She was as pleasant as can be, and I was to her as well.  She did say that "if you and your wife can be here at 5:45 this evening, I will try to help you".  We arrived at 5:45 and it was not raining.  She said "I was hoping you would come back, and I was able to save the best table on the beach for the two of you".  We had a really good, albeit pricey, meal with a front row view of the sunset over Grace Bay Beach.
 
Point is, kindness, respect, and working with people goes a long way.  Talking down to people and issuing threats seldom works.  Based upon the reaction of the OP to other posts in this thread, I can see what happened.
 
 

I have seen small "potty" greens for dogs on cruise ships, most likely for service dogs.  The problem is that people often claim they have a service dog when it's not really a service dog. A trained service dog would NEVER do that. It's people like this who make it very difficult for those who depend on their well-trained, well-behaved service dogs to take them into public. Emotional Support dogs are NOT service dogs.

It is kind of fun to watch people running and make it onto the ship.  It does put a different light on the situation when they don't make it.  However, there is a 99% chance this was not a simple misfortune, but rather a neglect of responsibility. 
 
If we can leap from misfortune to neglect, we can then leap to the possibility that it's not the first time they've pushed the envelope in any number of instances when in a public setting.  In that you get a little piece of karma.
 
I wish they'd have made it and this topic didn't come up, but as mentioned, there is a very good chance this isn't the first time.

It is kind of fun to watch people running and make it onto the ship.  It does put a different light on the situation when they don't make it.  However, there is a 99% chance this was not a simple misfortune, but rather a neglect of responsibility. 
 
If we can leap from misfortune to neglect, we can then leap to the possibility that it's not the first time they've pushed the envelope in any number of instances when in a public setting.  In that you get a little piece of karma.
 
I wish they'd have made it and this topic didn't come up, but as mentioned, there is a very good chance this isn't the first time.

It is kind of fun to watch people running and make it onto the ship.  It does put a different light on the situation when they don't make it.  However, there is a 99% chance this was not a simple misfortune, but rather a neglect of responsibility. 
 
If we can leap from misfortune to neglect, we can then leap to the possibility that it's not the first time they've pushed the envelope in any number of instances when in a public setting.  In that you get a little piece of karma.
 
I wish they'd have made it and this topic didn't come up, but as mentioned, there is a very good chance this isn't the first time.

I have cruised with the Barenaked Ladies twice.  Both were chartered cruises through a company called Sixth Man.  While these two cruises, when only considering the ship and itinerary  weren't the best of the cruises I've been on, when combined with the entertainment, they remain the best cruises I've experienced.
On both trips, the band set the tone at the outset.  They were there with their families, and so if seen with family, they wanted privacy.  Other than that, they wanted to meet the passengers and talk to them.  They had many more events than were promised in the schedule, and they signed and talked to passengers constantly.  It really was an up close experience.
On top of that there was the now famous "Barenaked at Sea" photo and we met the band Gaelic Storm which is without a doubt, the most entertaining and fan friendly band there is right now.
So, no it's not really a random famous person sighting, but it was an up close experience for sure.

That has got to be the most hilarious thing I have read today.  As if people buy insurance planning on using it.
"Gee, I didn't buy life insurance because I didn't plan on dying soon."
"Gee, I didn't get car insurance because I didn't plan on crashing it."
"Gee, I didn't get homeowner insurance because I didn't plan on that tornado hitting."
I love how people think that their excuse should exclude them from the rules and how horribly shameful it is that they are treated exactly like everyone else.  To the point of joining a forum just to complain.  Nope, family member being diagnosed does NOT make a difference.  Nope, your fixed income does NOT make a difference.  This is a sad situation, but one that was preventable.  Your failure to prevent the financial loss is nobody's fault but your own.
Best of luck to your family member, I do sincerely hope for a happy outcome there.

I'm sorry to hear about your personal life changes, but you gambled and lost on this one.
Seriously though....is it really taking advantage of people when they lay out all the ground rules in advance and you even had the option to purchase insurance but declined?
 

One of the coolest things I've done on a ship involves the bathrobes.  January of 2007 on the Carnival Legend was Ships and Dips 1 which was the Barenaked Ladies Cruise.  One morning an announcement came as an invitation to go to our staterooms, remove all clothing, put on the robe, and report to the Lido Deck.
 
With robes on, 700 of us were staged for a photo.  the band was there too.  After about 10 minutes to set the whole thing up, we were told on the count of 3, drop the robes.  You can still find the "Barenaked as Sea" photo on the internet.  We were naked for about 5 seconds, and now 700 people I will never see again were part of one of the coolest things ever.
 
You can check it out.

I never miss a chance to talk about Gaelic Storm because I think the plastic world of today's entertainment is missing out on the absolute best.
 
If you get a chance to spend 15 minutes check out the songs 'Damn Near Died in Killaloe' and 'Raised on Black and Tans'.  Fans also love 'Don't Go For the One' and 'The Night I Punched Russell Crowe in the Head' which is billed as a true story.
Here's another great story abut them.  One night in Indy they did an all ages show (many of their shows are 21 and up).  My friend's son was about 11 and LOVES Gaelic Storm.  Pat saw us in the crowd and saw the boy with his 'Designated Driver' shirt on.  Pat called the boy up onto the stage and had him play the symbol in the song 'What's the Rumpus' which has a heavy symbol.  By the end of the song, Pat had Michael running across the stage jumping in the air and coming down hard on the symbol.  The kid will never forget it.  
Additonally after every show, they come out and do a meet great until every fan has gone.  No other band would dare do such a thing.
 
That's Gaelic Storm.

It really was a lot of fun, and something none of us will forget.  I have a copy of the photo that was given to everyone who did it by the Barenaked Ladies.
 
They were amazing hosts.  Totally accessable and did more appearances than advertised.  I also have an 8 X 10 portrait that was also a gift from the band.  It is the 5 of them and the 4 of us in our travel party.
 
Not only that, but that was the cruise were we discovered Gaelic Storm which has become the favorite band of virtually everyone in my family and many of our friends.  Great music, an unmatched stage presence, so entertaining, and the most fan friendly band you will ever meet.  A couple of years later my brother became ill with ALS.  The last time he saw Gaelic Storm he had a cane.  Patrick, one of the two front men, asked him about it.  He was visibly shaken as he had gotten to know us.  We lost my brother 5 years ago, and Pat still asks me about him  and his family every time I see the band.    Even dedicated a song to him last Spring in Indy.

One of the coolest things I've done on a ship involves the bathrobes.  January of 2007 on the Carnival Legend was Ships and Dips 1 which was the Barenaked Ladies Cruise.  One morning an announcement came as an invitation to go to our staterooms, remove all clothing, put on the robe, and report to the Lido Deck.
 
With robes on, 700 of us were staged for a photo.  the band was there too.  After about 10 minutes to set the whole thing up, we were told on the count of 3, drop the robes.  You can still find the "Barenaked as Sea" photo on the internet.  We were naked for about 5 seconds, and now 700 people I will never see again were part of one of the coolest things ever.
 
You can check it out.

@JLMoran And @RCVoyager I will say the native Hawaiians have a low level of trust regarding outsiders  and a percentage are still fairly angry over how HI became a state and the horrible treatment levied against their last queen (justified, but I think it’s time to move on and let history be history IMHO). All that said, they are fun loving people (just quite poor as so many indigenous people have ended up and not entirely of their own doing). Not making a political statement, just adding context since most or all of the areas considered unsafe are  those with large percentages of native Hawaiians. But, I am very European looking (no one will mistake me for Hawaiian LOL) and I have never felt frightened in those areas because I know Hawaiians are fun-loving, non-critical, easy-going people. They have their own ways, but they are genuinely loving people; plus, I have never been treated with more respect by nieces and nephews than when I am there and I was raised in the South US where respect for elders is highly valued. They have very little, but what they gave they will share with you
I hope that you will go back some day. And hey, if you need to experience some real  Aloha, just me know and I can set you up with the real deal! Just avoid the poi ??‍♀️??‍♀️?
 
P.S. for me Pearl Harbor was a must see..12+ uncles, my father-in-law and father served in WWII. My father was on Omaha Beach on DDay and the Battle of the Bulge. I could not help but cry some for all those young people, all that was lost, all that was saved, and all those lives effected. 

I agree with this.  We had a great time, but we felt rushed almost every day.  At that time, in order to get to Pearl Harbor, we had a book an all day tour through Carnival.  Pearl Harbor was awesome, but the rest of the tour was not so great.  If we did it again, we would book the tour again so we could see Pearl Harbor, but then grab a cab at the end of Pearl Harbor and skip the bus and the rest of the tour.

@RCVoyager Of course I googled- how could I not lol. The picture is hysterical. It’s such a large group that you really can’t see much but you can definitely tell. 
I think I would do this- but NOT be in the front lol.

Hey Tiny.  I'm always interested in what happened to the old ships I have been on, and I look at cruise history in the profile of other posters on the forum.  The old NCL Seaward is alive and well and still serving her owners.  She is now the SuperStar Libra sailing for Star Cruises.  Pretty cool. 

Ok, no one throw tomatoes.... but DH is from HI and most of his maternal family remains there - it is my opinion is (and always has been) that Hawaii is not a place ideal for cruising.  There Is far too much to see, and far too many important things to see such as Pearl Harbor, that are spread across the islands (and even a single island, like Oahu) to have any worthwhile visit over even multiple days from a cruise ship.  I love cruising, but there are places that I believe don’t lend themselves well  to that type of travel. The first time we went to Oahu, we were there 2 weeks and we were busy every day.
Any military retiree and active duty military can use the beautiful Hale Koa property in Waikiki (there is a charge, but it is far less than you would find st the Hilton next door). We love it there!
ok, back to cruising ?❤️
Lynn 
And welcome to the forum P.A. ?

I never miss a chance to talk about Gaelic Storm because I think the plastic world of today's entertainment is missing out on the absolute best.
 
If you get a chance to spend 15 minutes check out the songs 'Damn Near Died in Killaloe' and 'Raised on Black and Tans'.  Fans also love 'Don't Go For the One' and 'The Night I Punched Russell Crowe in the Head' which is billed as a true story.
Here's another great story abut them.  One night in Indy they did an all ages show (many of their shows are 21 and up).  My friend's son was about 11 and LOVES Gaelic Storm.  Pat saw us in the crowd and saw the boy with his 'Designated Driver' shirt on.  Pat called the boy up onto the stage and had him play the symbol in the song 'What's the Rumpus' which has a heavy symbol.  By the end of the song, Pat had Michael running across the stage jumping in the air and coming down hard on the symbol.  The kid will never forget it.  
Additonally after every show, they come out and do a meet great until every fan has gone.  No other band would dare do such a thing.
 
That's Gaelic Storm.

It really was a lot of fun, and something none of us will forget.  I have a copy of the photo that was given to everyone who did it by the Barenaked Ladies.
 
They were amazing hosts.  Totally accessable and did more appearances than advertised.  I also have an 8 X 10 portrait that was also a gift from the band.  It is the 5 of them and the 4 of us in our travel party.
 
Not only that, but that was the cruise were we discovered Gaelic Storm which has become the favorite band of virtually everyone in my family and many of our friends.  Great music, an unmatched stage presence, so entertaining, and the most fan friendly band you will ever meet.  A couple of years later my brother became ill with ALS.  The last time he saw Gaelic Storm he had a cane.  Patrick, one of the two front men, asked him about it.  He was visibly shaken as he had gotten to know us.  We lost my brother 5 years ago, and Pat still asks me about him  and his family every time I see the band.    Even dedicated a song to him last Spring in Indy.

I never miss a chance to talk about Gaelic Storm because I think the plastic world of today's entertainment is missing out on the absolute best.
 
If you get a chance to spend 15 minutes check out the songs 'Damn Near Died in Killaloe' and 'Raised on Black and Tans'.  Fans also love 'Don't Go For the One' and 'The Night I Punched Russell Crowe in the Head' which is billed as a true story.
Here's another great story abut them.  One night in Indy they did an all ages show (many of their shows are 21 and up).  My friend's son was about 11 and LOVES Gaelic Storm.  Pat saw us in the crowd and saw the boy with his 'Designated Driver' shirt on.  Pat called the boy up onto the stage and had him play the symbol in the song 'What's the Rumpus' which has a heavy symbol.  By the end of the song, Pat had Michael running across the stage jumping in the air and coming down hard on the symbol.  The kid will never forget it.  
Additonally after every show, they come out and do a meet great until every fan has gone.  No other band would dare do such a thing.
 
That's Gaelic Storm.

It really was a lot of fun, and something none of us will forget.  I have a copy of the photo that was given to everyone who did it by the Barenaked Ladies.
 
They were amazing hosts.  Totally accessable and did more appearances than advertised.  I also have an 8 X 10 portrait that was also a gift from the band.  It is the 5 of them and the 4 of us in our travel party.
 
Not only that, but that was the cruise were we discovered Gaelic Storm which has become the favorite band of virtually everyone in my family and many of our friends.  Great music, an unmatched stage presence, so entertaining, and the most fan friendly band you will ever meet.  A couple of years later my brother became ill with ALS.  The last time he saw Gaelic Storm he had a cane.  Patrick, one of the two front men, asked him about it.  He was visibly shaken as he had gotten to know us.  We lost my brother 5 years ago, and Pat still asks me about him  and his family every time I see the band.    Even dedicated a song to him last Spring in Indy.

It really was a lot of fun, and something none of us will forget.  I have a copy of the photo that was given to everyone who did it by the Barenaked Ladies.
 
They were amazing hosts.  Totally accessable and did more appearances than advertised.  I also have an 8 X 10 portrait that was also a gift from the band.  It is the 5 of them and the 4 of us in our travel party.
 
Not only that, but that was the cruise were we discovered Gaelic Storm which has become the favorite band of virtually everyone in my family and many of our friends.  Great music, an unmatched stage presence, so entertaining, and the most fan friendly band you will ever meet.  A couple of years later my brother became ill with ALS.  The last time he saw Gaelic Storm he had a cane.  Patrick, one of the two front men, asked him about it.  He was visibly shaken as he had gotten to know us.  We lost my brother 5 years ago, and Pat still asks me about him  and his family every time I see the band.    Even dedicated a song to him last Spring in Indy.

One of the coolest things I've done on a ship involves the bathrobes.  January of 2007 on the Carnival Legend was Ships and Dips 1 which was the Barenaked Ladies Cruise.  One morning an announcement came as an invitation to go to our staterooms, remove all clothing, put on the robe, and report to the Lido Deck.
 
With robes on, 700 of us were staged for a photo.  the band was there too.  After about 10 minutes to set the whole thing up, we were told on the count of 3, drop the robes.  You can still find the "Barenaked as Sea" photo on the internet.  We were naked for about 5 seconds, and now 700 people I will never see again were part of one of the coolest things ever.
 
You can check it out.

@RCVoyager, very sorry for your loss.
And that was really classy of Gaelic Storm. So many performers wouldn’t interact or get so involved with the passengers, never mind remember them over the course of years.

It really was a lot of fun, and something none of us will forget.  I have a copy of the photo that was given to everyone who did it by the Barenaked Ladies.
 
They were amazing hosts.  Totally accessable and did more appearances than advertised.  I also have an 8 X 10 portrait that was also a gift from the band.  It is the 5 of them and the 4 of us in our travel party.
 
Not only that, but that was the cruise were we discovered Gaelic Storm which has become the favorite band of virtually everyone in my family and many of our friends.  Great music, an unmatched stage presence, so entertaining, and the most fan friendly band you will ever meet.  A couple of years later my brother became ill with ALS.  The last time he saw Gaelic Storm he had a cane.  Patrick, one of the two front men, asked him about it.  He was visibly shaken as he had gotten to know us.  We lost my brother 5 years ago, and Pat still asks me about him  and his family every time I see the band.    Even dedicated a song to him last Spring in Indy.