Jan115

Have a wonderful cruise full of fun, relaxation and new adventures. Bon Voyage!

Have a wonderful cruise full of fun, relaxation and new adventures. Bon Voyage!

Have a wonderful cruise full of fun, relaxation and new adventures. Bon Voyage!

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

I totally agree, Miranda - it's Princess all the way! I also agree about Skywalkers. On the old Grand, it provided shade on a hot day in the Caribbean for those of us who like a break from the sun but still sit by the rear pool. Just the same, the ship looks great now with the renovations - especially the Piazza and the addition of the International Cafe. Just wish they would re-cover those cabin balcony floors.

Think yours was the cruise from hell? Here are some REAL signs you're on a really bad cruise: 1. Upon embarkation, you hear a computer voice calmly announcing that “this ship will self-destruct in 5, 4, 3 ….” 2. The Captain’s name is Jack Sparrow, and he wants to know, “Where’s all the rum gone?” 3. The Atrium resembles a waiting room, with a sofa, folding chairs, and a coffee table containing a copy of “The World’s Biggest Cruise Ship Disasters Ever”. 4. “Stewart”, you’re cabin attendant, greets you on the first day, happily announces he’s going on vacation, and hands you a bucket and a sponge. 5. That “size-of-a-closet” inside cabin you booked (against the advice of your travel agent) is just that - an actual closet. 6. Your cabin is semi-private, and the bathroom is shared with the cabin next door. 7. On a visit to the bridge, “re-CALC-ulating” is repeatedly heard from the ship’s GPS. 8. The crewmembers are all wearing life jackets. 9. It’s Day 3 of a 4-night cruise, and you still haven’t left port. 10. Each passenger boarding the tender boat to go ashore is handed a pair of oars. 11. Tonight’s “Surf and Turf” dining selection is Tuna Helper and Spam in a Can. 12. Your dining room seat cushion also serves as your flotation device. 13. The only song the band knows is “There’s Got to Be a Morning After” (remember the original Poseidon Adventure?) 14. All the towel animals look like the Grim Reaper. 15. There are sharks swimming circles in the pool. 16. The end of the water slide is positioned off the side of the ship. 17. The lido deck is occupied by chair hogs – the live, curly tailed, 4-legged animal kind. 18. Dr. Hannibal Lecter is the doctor on call. 19. The ship needs a jump-start at every port. 20. The chief engineer is overheard mumbling something about a “bucket ‘o bolts”.

The cruise lines are gradually improving their environmental footprint - and I think it's great. The fact that new ships are now being made to connect to shore power in order to turn off their idling dirty-fuel burning engines is a huge step in the right direction. Unfortunately, it's going to take more technology, time and money to bring all ships up to environmental speed. What does Friends of the Earth want the cruise lines to do? Take all the old ships out of the water and watch the cruise lines go bankrupt? Probably.

My pleasure!

Well stated, Duncane. The first time I was in a cruise ship pool at 6 AM was on the Brilliance 3 weeks ago - The Solarium pool, right after they opened. I never knew they opened that early.

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

Shon - I never met a cruise ship I didn't like. But if I had to choose, I'd choose the Emerald Princess, for many reasons - the food, fresh water pools, International Cafe, and a true promenade deck!