My bags are packed, I'm ready to go...

[Scooter]

...and in the morning I'm leaving on a jet plane for Miami, where I will board a cruise ship for a week in the Caribbean sun.

I'd say I'll be thinking of you, but I'd probably be lying, because I won't be thinking of much of anything except warm rays and ocean breezes and cool drinks and which handsome man I'll ask to rub sunscreen on my back.

[Sue U]

Bon voyage! Have enough fun to last the winter!

[Daisy]

Have a great time Scooter!

[Crackpot]

I'm leaving for Marquette today

[Lord Jim]

Oh man, I could really go for a Caribbean cruise..

I'd tell you to have fun, but it's kind of impossible not too...

[Rick]

Fun's a given, don't get sick...

[Big RR]

Enjoy.

[Joe Guy]

Be sure to use a lot of sunscreen on your face. You don't want to lose that healthy green complexion that you have.

[rubato]

"Traditional Dining"?

We've really enjoyed the people we've met on cruises.

Yrs,
Rubato

[Guinevere]

Bon voyage!

[Scooter]

Thanks to all for the good wishes, I had a great time. But some things that I either didn't notice or don't remember from previous cruisers, like how every point of contact with a passenger is seen as an opportunity to sell overpriced shit that no one needs, including designing the ports as a big duty-free shopping mall to buy liquor, cigarettes, jewelry, and souvenirs made in Indonesia.

Nor have I ever witnessed so many people stuffing their faces beyond all measure. The food was good, to be sure, but there were people at dinner ordering 3 or 4 appetizers, 2 entrees, and 2 or 3 desserts every night. I suppose they want to be sure to get their money's worth, but there comes a point...

[dgs49]

"Up-selling" (or whatever it's called) is not confined to cruises, but I think they have taken it to the extreme. "Everything" is included in your cruise price, but if you want anything nice you have to pay extra - and usually it's a LOT extra.

Exhibit A is the bar tabs which, if you take the time to read them (in the dark venue), tell you that they have already added 15% to your tab, but they kindly include a line for "Additional Tip," I suppose hoping that some people are so clueless as not to notice that the tip is already included.

Over-eating on a cruise seems to be part of the culture.

[Scooter]

I don't mean stuff like spa services or internet connections (which I did without). But, for example, there is a chain of gem and jewelry stores that has a location practically right on the pier of every port of call. And there are seminars offered onboard on how to select gemstones and which types are expected to increase in value and could be bought as an investment. Carnival either owns or has some substantial financial interest in that chain, and several others we saw in every port. The whole thing had the feel of someone selling swampland in Florida.

On the other hand, they were very upfront with us about the bar gratuity. I appreaciated not having to calculate the tip every time, and there were a few occasions when I did want to add a bit extra for a bartender who was being particularly attentive (and I would notice some substantial overpours in my drinks, go figure).

To my surprise I ate three solid meals and never felt the need to snack in beteween, and if anything I lost a couple of pounds

[Long Run]

On the other hand, they were very upfront with us about the bar gratuity. I appreaciated not having to calculate the tip every time, and there were a few occasions when I did want to add a bit extra for a bartender who was being particularly attentive (and I would notice some substantial overpours in my drinks, go figure).

You would know better than most since you (or your avatar) have much experience in tending bar. Glad you had a good time!

[Lord Jim]

but there were people at dinner ordering 3 or 4 appetizers, 2 entrees, and 2 or 3 desserts every night.

I'm sure they were hitting the Stair Master, every morning in the gym...

(The only time I ask for extra entrees when I'm on a cruise is when lobster tails are on offer...)

Carnival either owns or has some substantial financial interest in that chain,

I love Carnival Cruise...

I know they've had some bad press lately, but I've never had a bad experience...

And cabin upgrades are really easy...

You can upgrade from an exterior cabin to an exterior suite with a private deck, fairly inexpensively...

And Carnival is also great for kids...

They have a thing called "Camp Carnival" where your kids spend as much or as little time under their supervision as you wish, doing fun things like riding down pool shutes...

The only really unpleasant part of a cruise is "the life boat drill"...

And what's particularly pernicious about it, is that they spring this on you after you've gotten settled into your quarters, and spent a little time on deck enjoying a bit of rum punch...

The first cruise I went on I was a bit naive about "the lifeboat drill"...

When they first announced it, I said, "Well, we can just stay here. It's not like they're going to bang on the door and demand that we participate...."

Which is precisely what they did...

[Scooter]

Don't get me wrong, I don't have any complaints about the facilities or the service. And when we went to the safety drill, it was clear that they had learned from experience and had adapted accordingly. I just found the overemphasis on peddling merchandise a bit offputting.

[dgs49]

Lifeboat drill from hell: My recent cruise to the Baltic did the lifeboat drill instructions in five languages (English, Spanish, German, French, and Italian).

If you think it's boring when you can understand it, how about when it's basically all gibberish?

How about a two-hour seminar on the fine points of Russian lacquer boxes? Spellbinding.

[Big RR]

Ah, the joys of cruising. I also recall "art" auctions, shopping seminars prior to each port, and the crew trying to sell you "crackers" (NCL's answer to the instant lottery ticket) every time you sat down (near the pool, for the show, etc.).

[Gob]

Never fancied a cruise meself, but glad you had a great time!

[oldr_n_wsr]

On the other hand, they were very upfront with us about the bar gratuity. I appreaciated not having to calculate the tip every time, and there were a few occasions when I did want to add a bit extra for a bartender who was being particularly attentive (and I would notice some substantial overpours in my drinks, go figure).

The last cruise we went on I had a $1000 bar bill, not including tips as they didn't have the gratuity thing added in at that time. My tips were made in cash directly to my favorite bartenders. And my wife and in-laws don't really drink.