jacketwatch

HI Larry,  I know Jan will try to help explain your airplane questions but on the subject of Quebec....I highly recommend it!  We spent two days there prior to the cruise, and then overnighted there on the cruise and it still was not enough.  The atmosphere with everyone out strolling, especially in the evening, with street entertainers, art vendors, sidewalk cafes, the lights overlooking the seaway....it is magical.  And taking the funicular between upper town and lower town seems so quaint and old-fashioned.  And you alight on a pedestrian cobblestone street lined with little boutiques, ice cream shops and restaurants.  It is so rich in history as well and the scenery...wow!  Yes...we will go back!
 

Thank you for the review. We were on her sister ship the Getaway and I too was dismayed by how they allocated pool space.  I don't think they have enough for adults.
As for the chair hogs the fault lies with the crew for being lax in enforcing the rules. On the Getaway one day a guy by the pool was toasted and shouting out including some f bombs. I mentioned this to one of the crew who told me it would be better if I called security!!  Really. I did but left before they arrived so I don't know what happened. I do know hen I saw him afterwards he was cool. 
Its a shame how rowdy, unruly passengers can disrupt things especially when their behavior is tolerated. Something happened several years ago with a family or really a tribe of people ran amok for a few days before finally getting tossed. I saw videos of their actions and they were nearly assaulting the crew too. Should not have gone on that long. At the first sign hammer down. 

Thank you for the review.  We were on that ship in the summer of 2008 and though that was not spring break it was vacation time and it was packed with kids.  We too loved the ship especially the promenade area.  We also had seats on the beach and watch those zip liners and go past us like crazy and that is really something! 

I need to vent just a bit. We went to a wedding Saturday downtown Chicago. All was ok until the reception. Guess how many people spoke then? Usually its a few like the brides dad, best man, maid of honor, maybe a couple more. Well they had 13, yes 13 people give speeches! Major buzz kill. One guy, an uncle of the bride rambled on for 15 minutes and finally his wife had to sit him down. ☺️ People were falling asleep, we went to the lobby to watch tv. Well dinner was very late and afterwards we just went to bed as we had a room in the hotel. Took the fun out of it. Just goes to show why wedding planners are in business. Cheers folks! 

I definitely would have dozed off. ? Don’t people consider the guests’ comfort and enjoyment when planning weddings? I saw your photos and videos on Facebook. It looked like a beautiful wedding, otherwise.

These days you can be on hold for inordinate amounts of time with airlines. We booked a flight early next year through the UA website with legs on Air China and Air Canada so seats for these cant be assigned through United. I was on hold twice with Air Canada each time literally nearly an hour but finally got through. Air China was another crazy hold time too. I was on hold three separate occasions for 40 minutes before I gave up. Then I thought to look at contact numbers per the Air China website and it showed  several offices in the US. I called the one in Honolulu and spoke to a live person after 4 rings. This is promising I thought. Next thing you know BINGO!  Got the seats. So if there is a clogged artery try going around it.   Maybe I learned a trick or two during my 24 years of taking care of patients post coronary bypass surgery. ?
BTW my emails to Air China unanswered for 4 days. ?

The MDR’s are just fine with us. It  seems to me that people who criticize them are comparing them to fine dining restaurants when in fact these are supposed to be more like banquet style meals and I think for the most part they succeed at that.  

We did enjoy the Rooftop Garden Grill and did not feel the cost was outrageous and we got a discount on La Petite Chef due to them cancelling another choice, but felt the experience and food was worth the full cost.  We were perfectly happy with the various MDRs, though.

Not only are the prices going up for Specialty Dining, but the suggestion for reservations at the complimentary dining rooms is annoying. I simply don't know when, where or if I'll feel like eating a big meal after a long day in port. I've been cruising Norwegian often in the last few years, and pushing advance reservation defeats the purpose of their "Freestyle" cruising. More often than not, we wait until after 8 to eat to avoid the lines for those without a reservation.
 

Right now, I'm only seeing Emeril's listed for Mardi Gras, which will also have Guy's Burger Joint and Guy's Pig and Anchor. Guy's Burgers and Guy's P&A is also on Horizon and will be on the new Panorama.

So is the Edge an Oasis class ship? 
So often I have read reviews that make me wary but I just dont get it as you experiences have always been just fine. I suppose if I read reviews that were all praiseworthy I should worry. ☺️
Glad you had a great time! 

Sounds like a great itinerary Larry.  We are always looking for new places to visit.  You will love the Jewel, we have sailed on her many times and are huge fans of the Radiance class ships, they're just the perfect size!

Congratulations Larry on your new booking!

Same here - we are cruising RCI in March and they first started advertising 20% off the drink package but we didn't bite....low and behold, this past weekend it was up to 30% off....we bit.  Not sure if it will go higher, but we thought 30% off a fair price.

I have heard that the Jewel is a nice ship - I'm sure you will have a great time!

Hey Larry, it's great to see you and CONGRATS on your booking.  Hope to see you around here often once again!

Its a long way out but we booked a 7 day cruise for Feb. 3 2020 out of Dubai. This has been a dream destination for some time and took advantage of RCI's sale of 60% off second passenger. The port stops are Abu Dhabi, Doha in Qatar, Bahrain and Sir Bani Yas. We have an amidships balcony in one of those bump out cabins. really looking forward to this cruise and we will certainly spend some time in Dubai too! 
 

It may be a year away, Larry, but planning is half the fun, and you’ll have plenty of time to do just that!?

If the service haas been good as it almost always is we tip the cabin attendant and our wait staff a little more on top of the auto gratuity.  As for the service charge for drinks we usually never add to  that.  IME the staff has never push for more on all our 16 cruises. 

That's one of those incredible experiences that never leave you. It must have been amazing!

Yeah, Andi - this article doesn’t make much sense. Are they talking about those that don’t leave an extra something for crew members over and above the auto tipping? Or do the room stewards eyeball the final bills outside each passenger’s cabin the morning of departure and compare notes to see who removed auto tipping the day before?  I would think they are busy enough getting the turn around complete to give it much thought.

I just want to wish all the friendly folks here a most pleasant holiday season and best wished for 2019. 
 
Thank you  for your friendship and cordiality!! 

Makes me think of that little old couple in “Dirty Dancing” who got caught stealing.?

How unfortunate and sad for the couple. Cuba is on the same clock as the East Coast port of departure, so that wasn’t the issue. I have to side with the cruise line here. If they did indeed give multiple notices on board about the schedule change, then the couple should have known this. However, it’s very possible they never got the notice that the cruise line says they sent out a month before. Its not unusual for important notices to get lost in cyber space or never sent. 
Funny, I just mentioned to someone how American credit cards are not accepted in Cuba - including the airport, too, I guess.
I’m curious as to whether a lot of other people missed the ship, as well. If so, then the cruise line definitely has a communication issue.