This is the Title Part 3

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This is the Title Part 3

Post: # 3101Post drib »

Crystal Endeavor Makes its US Debut with New October 2021 Voyage from Miami
drib wrote:It's not just that this new Caribbean Endeavor itinerary is more expensive than a Caribbean Serenity itinerary. This new Caribbean Endeavor itinerary is more expensive per day than an Antarctica Endeavor itinerary!

For Endeavor, I start with Cat S2 because S1 and S2 are 68% of the ship. (There's only one S7 cabin so it's bogus to even advertise that as an entry fare for Endeavor.) This new itinerary is $1,833 per day for an S2. The first Antarctica itinerary, November 18, is only $1,532 per day for an S2.

I'm sure there are some advantages to sailing on an expedition ship in the Caribbean - I can't think of any, but I'm sure there are - but that per day is exorbitant no matter how you look at it.

======

Also of note, there is one 16 day gap before the new itinerary, and one 15 day gap after. So be on the lookout for Crystal to fill in those gaps.
keith1010 wrote:Interesting comments.

I just want to remind everyone that some people say the same thing about taking a cruise on Symphony or Serenity because they normally spend less when the sail say Viking or Princess or whatever.

Yes it is a different experience sailing Symphony and Serenity versus say Viking or Princess.

Same goes for Endeavor. Yes, there is certainly several things in common because after all it is the Crystal product but there are many differences since it is an expedition ship and let's not forget it is a new ship. For many years the pricing on Serenity was considerably more than Symphony as it was considered new.

Some of the difference include more public space for guests, more space in the suites, a much higher ratio of crew (including expedition) members to guests, many excursions included, and a vessel carrying not more than 200 guests. There are other differences rated to size and ratio of crew to guests which you will see in the quality of the meals (same ingredients mainly but cooking for less makes a difference).

For some this will provide a possible opportunity to try out Endeavor without long flights as the vast majority of Endeavor Itineraries for the moment involve long flights for those in the USA/Canada/Mexico. I know things could change but in 2022 there are a few itineraries such as the Montreal to West Palm Beach one which I believe is 14 days and I think some Alaska ones which are closer for those in North America but I believe for now there are no itineraries like these for Endeavor in 2023.

Anyway, it's not for everyone and the price per diem is certainly higher compared to ocean but remember even within a ship such as Serenity and Symphony the price is certainly higher for those in a CP, PS, PH, Seabreeze Categories compare to various of the standard rooms yet you are on the same sailing and most things are the same.

I suspect the itinerary will indeed appeal to many who would like to try it and being closer to home will matter.

Keith
Hey, who was the asshole that like that post?

drib wrote:The average fare for an S2, West Palm Beach to Panama City, is $978 per day.

So this new itinerary strikes me as price gouging, taking advantage of the fact that cruisers are so frustrated by the pandemic that they may pay these preposterous fares.

They are creating new itineraries by the seat of their pants - I should probably applaud them for being so proactive - but maybe there is a kind of irrational exuberance, made from haste. Maybe this itinerary is priced in error. That's the only explanation I can think of as to why a Caribbean itinerary is more than an Antarctic itinerary.

In any event, for anyone really wanting to board this new ship, with an eye on their wallet, there are actually 16 existing itineraries where an S2 would cost you between $900 and $1100 per day.
drib wrote:Here's another way to look at how absurd the fares on this new itinerary are, for you bean counters out there ....

Suppose they succeed in putting 2 fannies in every cabin on board, that amounts to $3,513,800 in gross revenue. Compare that to a typical Antarctica cruise where 11 days is around $4 million gross revenue - divided by 11, times 9 (days in the overpriced cruise), that's around 3.3 million. How much more difficult is it, you suppose, to sail and provision from Ushuaia? Ridiculous, or possibly, Riduckulous.
Actually, the meaning of Riduckulous is misplaced above.
keith1010 wrote:People will determine if it is price gouging. If the price is way too high and they don't sell it then everyone loses.

I don't see the pricing as taking advantage of anything. I don't see any arm twisting to book. If it is outlandish no one would book it. This is when I'll say time will tell and if prices too high and sales not going well they will be adjusted downward which is not the first time that has happened but if they sell then prices will stay the same.

Right now I can't see how they are making money on Serenity and Symphony and that is an unsustainable model.

Anyway like most things this is not for everyone but hopefully for those who want to try out Endeavor and are willing to pay more money it offers an opportunity.

Speaking of price gauging many months ago I booked a Hotel in Hawaii for October. I checked the pricing a few months ago and the price doubled. And the starting price was not cheap as this is a village at a Hotel. I went to book a rental car with another company given the issues with rental cars so I wanted a backup and the price was close to double. In Nassau, I booked early and the prices for flights went up significantly if you tried to book the same flights a month later and the same goes for the hotels.

So I would call it supply and demand and in this case the haven't seen the demand yet but they will get to see what the demand is in the coming weeks.

Finally, for many people the ease of the itinerary is a factor and in this time of COVID-19 something easy is better for most with things changing by the minute and for many the price of flying will likely be better on this itinerary than on others where a much longer flight is needed. In fact, for some they might not have a drive on one half the itinerary.

And there is probably more certainty about this itinerary not changing than some of the others. It might not have been on your list but I know people either booked on the Antarctica itinerary or considering it and they would love to do it but the unknown is where it will be leaving from and I suspect even now this is not certain.

Like most things we are all adults and we all will make the choice which works for us.

I've been on this board for years and I remember very well when there were three ships (Harmony, Symphony and Serenity) some saying they would not consider Serenity because of its pricing when they could sail the same itinerary for less money choosing Harmony or Symphony.

And finally, I wouldn't call it creating them by the seat of their pants as often they are working on them for much longer than one thinks but have to work out the details. But in this world of COVID-19 for the cruise lines too choices; revise itineraries or shut it down. Even though it looks at times to be crazy with changes I vote for the former and not the latter because you can only shut down so many times.

Keith
Hey, who was the asshole (or very sardonic person) that laughed there?
drib wrote: [responding to Keith's paragraph starting speaking of] Keith, you are practically making my case for me.

Even in supply and demand situations, gouging is generally frowned upon.

Maybe saminina is on to something ... maybe there's some kind of tie-in with Foxy's that we don't know about.
keith1010 wrote:I did some thinking of this today and the experience on this ship is highly unique and thus the much higher price than an Ocean Vessel?

Why because you get the combined experience of a luxurious vessel combined with a high end expedition experience. In short, it is two experience wrapped into one.

This is why the price is much different than booking an Ocean Vessel doing a similar itinerary because the experience will be quite a lot different.

It is not for everyone both in terms of not only the affordability but in terms of enjoying the expedition experience. Some people who can afford this experience would not be able or interested in doing some of the expedition activities which are offered while others who would enjoy the expedition activities sailing on a vessel as luxurious as Endeavor would not be in their budget.

This is no different than many things in life in the air, on land or in the sea.

It's not for everyone but nothing is and it doesn't have to be. In time and without COVID hanging over most things it can be very successful as there are few products out there IMHO which compare to it.

I haven't analyzed the per diems. I did take a quick look at the total price for two in the category we are sailing now and on other voyages we have booked and while not the lowest it is not the highest either.

What I can say is the experience is truly amazing. Is it worth the cost? Well that is a personal opinion and please remember that some people we all know question why any of us would spend the money to sail on Crystal or any of the luxury lines where you could spend much less to sail on a mainstream line and see many of the same places. As many of us know there is a difference but not everyone see it that way nor thinks it is worth it.

So it goes.
drib wrote:I never compared Endeavor to Crystal's ocean ships. What I compared was Endeavor to itself, an outrageously-priced Caribbean itinerary to an Antarctica itinerary , which I believe is priced in line with other Antarctica expedition cruises. I will stipulate that Endeavor is a beautiful, luxurious, expedition ship, albeit one where you can't order a chicken salad sandwich, hold the chicken, from room service whenever you want.

I greatly enjoyed Catlover54's account, both words and photographs, of her recent Endeavor cruise. And that's from me, a well-known cat hater. (Cats!) It's probably not the experience I would look for in a cruise simply because there are so many luxuries that I would miss from an ocean ship - including the much older Crystal ocean ships. But I'm sure Endeavor will be at the top of its class ... once they finish building it.

Now, let's get back to this:

12 hours ago, drib said:
They are creating new itineraries by the seat of their pants - I should probably applaud them for being so proactive - but maybe there is a kind of irrational exuberance, made from haste. Maybe this itinerary is priced in error. That's the only explanation I can think of as to why a Caribbean itinerary is more than an Antarctic itinerary.

I stand by that statement.

Let's see ... Crystal tried restarting their cruise business with round-trip itineraries from Antigua. That didn't work out. And then - the sequence is hard to remember, so just jump and correct me when I have it wrong - they tried sailing out of Nassau instead. And then Bimini, in addition to. And then Miami, putting on a brave face for the unvaccinated? So it became like a three ring circus - except the rings, instead of being side-by-side, were more like a Venn diagram, overlapping with embarkations and debarkations every other day! And then, in Bimini, bobbety-boo, their parent company resort tried to charge Crystal passengers for the use of their property. How is that not a detail that they work out in advance?

Okay, so then they are Bermuda itineraries, from both Beantown and New York City. And the ship has to dock at King's Wharf, which has scant-little charm, instead of Hamilton, which allows for beautiful sail-ins, sail-outs, is in the center of everything, and has oodles of charm. Sure, you can spend several hours of your vacation going back and forth from King's Wharf to Hamilton - by ferry or bus because it's not safe to walk Bermuda's narrow roads - I tried! But if you spent all your time getting to where all that charm is, in Hamilton, then you've wasted your {pause} shot. {pause} {rimshot}

Meanwhile, back in the North Atlantic, Endeavor has to scramble to get to Lisbon because they can't sail to Tromso, Norway. And kudos to Crystal for figuring this part out - those ports in Scotland are worthy replacements. They get to the one itinerary to Lisbon intact, but then we still don't know how they get from Lisbon to Miami in time for the bank-busting Caribbean cruise to San Juan. That's 16 days. Will there be passengers anywhere to Miami? And if so, isn't that the Endeavor US debut? And following San Juan, that's 15 days to Ushuaia. I'd sure want to know how they intend to do that if I was booked on one of the (now relatively inexpensive) Antarctica cruises.

There are still web pages for Serenity for the 2022 World Cruise. Why are those still up? Are they still selling those hoping for a miracle? And Symphony has the converse problem - it took down the web pages that Crystal has no intention of sailing, and in its place is what? (That was rhetorical - the answer is a 141 day gap from New York City to Athens.

Now, if that's not planning by the seat of your pants, then what is?

I'll end this long rant on a positive note. I really do think it's admirable that Crystal is being so proactive - I've faulted them in the past for not being that way. And another good thing: they're wearing pants.

======

I'm a bourbon man, KenzSailings - make that an Old Fashioned, and serve it in a dirty glass.
keith1010 wrote:Although we have a spike in Covid-19 cases so we are far from normal this thread is taking me back to the days before Covid-19 hit so I guess at least on this board we are back to normal.

In the end demand for the product at the price it is being sold at will help to drive the pricing. I believe this is called Capitalism.

Is the Four Seasons prices in Nassau worth it where a room there is a few times the price of one even at Baha Mar and where I saw the price literally double with two months for the same date????? For me it was not, but obviously for others it was.

Anyway glad to see with each passing day there is more and more normalcy here including although at times we would be better off without the sarcasm.

Oh well. This is what makes the world go around.

Keith
drib wrote:Sorry ... I timed-out.

As it happens, I was talking with a Crystal fan boy, just the other day, about this exact accounting problem, and the conversation went something like this:

Me: You've been on a lot of Crystal Cruises, you must know all the staff.

Fan Boy: I certainly do. They're like family to me.

Me: Well you know I've never met the staff, so why don't you tell me their names.

Fan Boy: Oh, well they have very peculiar names. Let's see, Who is in sales, What is in accounting, and I Don't Know makes up the itineraries.

Me: Are you going to tell me their names?

Fan Boy: I just did. Who is in sales, What is in accounting, and I Don't Know makes up the itineraries.

Me: I heard that Crystal has a new expedition ship.

Fan Boy: Oh, yes - that's the Endeavor, and she is a beauty!

Me: Who makes its itineraries?

Fan Boy: No, Who sells its cruises.

Me: I don't know.

Fan Boy: He makes up the itineraries.

Me: And who sells them?

Fan Boy: Naturally.

Me: Let's say that I purchase a cruise, but later, I have to cancel. Who refunds my money?

Fan Boy: No, Who sells the cruise. What refunds your money?

Me: What's going to give me back my money?

Fan Boy: Eventually.

Me: What does?

Fan Boy: That's right.

Me: I hear the Caribbean is a very nice place to cruise.

Fan Boy: Absolutely! A Caribbean cruise is beautiful, and very affordable too.

Me: Who makes up the itinerary?

Fan Boy: I Don't Know.

Me: You don't know. Who knows?

Fan Boy: Well he should know, he has to sell it.

Me: Who does?

Fan Boy: Naturally.

Me: This itinerary, who determines the fare?

Fan Boy: No, What determines the fare.

Me: I'm asking you!

Fan Boy: I Don't Know creates the itinerary, What determines the fare, and Who sells the cruise.

Me: And if I have to get a refund, who pays that?

Fan Boy: What pays that.

Me: What pays it?

Fan Boy: Sometimes.

Me: Let me get this straight - I buy a cruise from Who, but I find out online that the fares are much higher than they ought to be, so I cancel the cruise, and What returns my money. When?

Fan Boy: Probably not soon.

Me: Well who priced the fares so high?

Fan Boy: No, What priced the fares so high.

Me: But he's like your family!

Fan Boy: Families gouge too.

Me: You know what - this cruise business is for the birds!

Fan Boy: What did you say?

Me: I said that this cruise business is for the birds!

Fan Boy: For The Birds? Oh, he's in Destination Services.
Keith1010 wrote:Yea we are back to normal.

Anyway, each person will decide which cruise lines they sail and which ships and what they consider value.

We have enjoyed every minute on board Endeavor and look forward to sailing her again. And next time could be even better with the Solarium fully opened, and the remaining finishing touches in place.

Keith
drib wrote:This is not Love Story. Capitalism doesn't mean you never have to say you're sorry.

And Capitalism is not Nam', Donny, there are rules.
drib wrote: Morning addenda:

1. All this talk about CAPITALISM is a red herring. The itinerary in question, the one with the HUGE price tag, will be the first time ENDEAVOR is in the UNITED STATES. Surely CRYSTAL will fill up any unsold cabins with TRAVEL AGENTS, and that's to be expected with a new ship. However, it's also been the MODUS OPERANDI of Crystal going back several years when they first started STRUGGLING to fill their older ocean ships. We had this discussion before, right here on CRUISE CRITIC.

2. flyingshoes: "Say what you will about the tenets of Socialism, at least it's an ethos." (approximately)

3. I was hoping that someone, maybe someone with a keen eye for symbology, would ask me why I would want my bourbon served in a dirty glass. Well, that's how tough-guy private eye Perry Gunite liked it.



As a reminder, this is the episode where Fred thinks Wilma is fooling around because he found creepy love letters written to her. The letters were actually quite beautiful. For example: "You're a perfect peach, my love, together we make a pear." And also this epic verse:

I love thee Wilma, with hair like silk,
Lips like cherries, and skin like milk,
Your shell-like ears, your dainty hands,
And eyes as black, as frying pans.

Anyway, wishing everyone a nice day today, and I hope that you all get to have the last word on this topic. I will cede this honor to whomever wants it the most.

======

Do not ask for whom the time tells, it tells for me. - John Donne (approximately)

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The Bistro- Off topic and fun posts!

Post: # 3102Post drib »

drib wrote:I'm going to answer a question in another topic here because I promised that I wouldn't have the last word there. @sierrafloridacruiser, I hope you will find me here.

I think you are certainly correct that a Caribbean cruise is not price gouging in the legal sense. I was just using those words to express outrage, colorfully ... although I still think the fares as shown on the Crystal web site could be an error - some kind of [Al Gore image]-rhythm, because that's happened before on what they now call their legacy system.

Those fares are just so out of line for a Caribbean cruise especially when you compare them to an Antarctica cruise, with a much greater degree of difficulty, on the same ship. But maybe the fare includes a ride into outer-space or something - I just don't know.

There are definitely cases where gouging is a legal thing, like selling water at exorbitant prices after a natural disaster. Or maybe like that guy that marked-up the price of epi-pens - I don't remember if he did fines and times, but he certainly sparked a lot of outrage. But that doesn't apply here. Others were correct, no one is being forced to purchase that cruise.

I'd also like to correct that a verse in the love-letter to Wilma. She had shell-like ears, not hair.
I posted something in the off-topic forum this morning and it went to "hidden" which I guess means that a moderator has to review it for content.
drib wrote:I'm guessing that everyone already knows how this episode ends, but just in case, let me give you some more background and a quick synopsis of it, as best as I can remember. In the beginning - a lot of great stories start out that way - Fred finds the love letters, and confides in Barney that he thinks Wilma is seeing another guy. In that exchange, Barney says something, like "After all, Fred, Wilma is a very attractive women," which is unarguably true, but it annoys Fred that Barney said this. And then Barney says, "I'm just married, Fred. I'm not dead."

So Fred goes out looking to hire Perry Gunite - in the clip posted on the Endeavor Caribbean thread ...  

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2 ... t=61653815

Gunite shadows Wilma and comes back to Fred with a photograph of Barney and Wilma in a very compromising situation. (This was just a misunderstanding. Everyone had their clothes on.) Gunite says to Fred, "There's only one way to handle this kind of situation." And Fred says something like, "I'm going to find him and clobber that little snake-in-the-grass," roughly. Gunite says, "That's the way."

So Fred starts to do just that, but Wilma breaks them up and reminds Fred that it was he who wrote those letters. Fred starts to recall more of his poetry:

You're sweet,
You're nice,
You're paradise,

... and stuff like that there. And then Wilma gives Fred an anniversary present, a sundial watch or something, which had fallen under the couch while she was showing it to Barney and Gunite took the photograph. Fred asks for forgiveness, and Wilma asks Fred if her eyes still look as black as frying pans. Fred says, "They sure do, Wilma, they sure do." - the rough equivalent of the Honeymooners frequent ending, "Alice, you're the Greatest!" And then, presumably Fred and Wilma have make-up sex (after Barney leaves).

Kind of a classic episode. 

And now, back to our regularly scheduled program. 
My best guess is that the auto-censor doesn't like make-up sex. Or maybe I've been suspended because I can't see any activity under my profile. (Although all my posts are still there other than the above.)

Bodogbogdog, Iamheisenberg, Suite Travels - I'm coming for you.

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Re: This is the Title Part 3

Post: # 3104Post drib »

I wasn't canned, but most of the posts above - the good ones anyway - were removed.

This dribnut was up from like 10:00 last night until maybe 6 this morning when I walked the dog, and then it was gone by 7am.

Image

Of course, it's also on the original dribnuts restored page 17:

rollcall/dribnuts/dribnuts.php?page=17

As I don't have much use for drib critic until I start sailing again - probably not until late 2022 or 2023 - I think I'll take my leave there with a final post. And when I come back, I'll come back as somebody else, so pay attention. If you can guess my new identity then, there is a prize involved.

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final post on cruise fucking critic

Post: # 3105Post drib »

I'm going to sail off into the sunset now - the only sailing I will be doing until maybe late 2022 or 2023 - but before I do, I'm going to borrow from rafinmd and post my parting shot(s).

First, because it's time critical, I forgot to mention that the Goldbelly 20% off coupon is good for unlimited uses, but only through tomorrow, and only on regular-priced items, some vendors excluded. Some items include shipping, others charge extra for that. Maybe buy Rosh Hashanah dinner from Ken and Ziggy's, why cook it yourself? (Take the carrot souffle, leave the kugel.) The best meal I ever purchased there was from Zahav. Zahav is pricey, but hey 20% off, and it's much less expensive, relatively, then some Endeavor Caribbean cruises. Be on the lookout for a holiday meal there too, or just get the Hummus and Salatim spread to go with your dinner.

I hope no one here ever gets so pretentious that they can't enjoy the Flintstones now and then. Or the Jetson, Rocky and Bullwinkle, George of the Jungle, and many others. (The biggest show in town is Huckleberry Hound - and the best huckleberry pie is from Elles Bakery, Bozeman Montana, available on Goldbelly.) The Flintstones are historic Americana, as are Abbott and Costello - and here I go off on a tangent again - did I ever mention that my first landlord in California was Eddie Forman, a writer for Abbott and Costello? No kidding! He wasn't very funny though, especially not about the rent.

And finally, my last parting shot: Please spay and neuter your pets.

No, that's can't be it ... although there are some critters here where that might not be a bad idea. How about Happy trails to you? Not that either. Thanks for the memories? That's all folks!? Maybe all the above.

No, none of the above. I think I'll go with Clarabelle's final words, which were also Clarabelle's first words: "Goodbye kids."

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Re: This is the Title Part 3

Post: # 3107Post drib »

Regent Forum
Topic: Cruise Itineraries 2023
drib wrote:Greyhound Crazy, if you want to travel in the Caribbean sooner, there are some tremendous bargains there on Crystal, just announced today.

Crystal service is always excellent, and their cuisine is mostly excellent. Their two ocean ships are luxury as it was defined 25 years ago - some balcony-less cabins, and cabins much smaller than you might find on Regent, Seabourn or Silversea, for example. But they are nicely appointed and it's a step up from some mainstream lines.

On the other end of the scale, there is a rare Endeavor (the Crystal expedition ship) Caribbean itinerary for only about $1,800 per day per person. The one positive thing I can say about that is that 1,800 is a number greater than zero.

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What Are You Waiting For

Post: # 3108Post drib »

keith1010 wrote:For those of you who want to cruise and COVID-19 is not the reason why you are not booking than I wonder what some of you are waiting for.

I know some are waiting for itineraries with lots of seas days and ones which are longer than just a week.

I realize some want to go to exotic places and not to Nassau and in some cases not to Bermuda.

Here is my take.

Given a choice of staying at home or sailing on one of the Crystal Vessels I go with Crystal.

Given a choice of going on an itinerary which was not in your top ten itineraries versus staying home I would go with Crystal.

Given a choice of going on an itinerary which is not as long as you desire I would go with Crystal and consider booking a back to back cruise.

If you look at most of the reviews and comments from Serenity's and Endeavor and I suspect Symphony will be th same the overalll comments are very positive. In other words people are having a great time.

I also am concerned what if people don't start to book Crystal that this is going put a large strain on the company and the ships.

In the end, each person needs to figure out if they are ready to travel and, if so, will the itinerary work for them given the circumstances we face.

For Anne Marie and for myself it was an easy decision.

And this is a decision we are happy with as we had a wonderful time on Serenity and an amazing time on Endeavor.

I am a believer not to put those things off till tomorrow that you can do today. What things will be like in this COVID world tomorrow (eg., six months to one year from now) I have no clue so we just said let's go.

Whatever you do I hope you all have a wonderful time.
drib wrote:In business, you should buy low, and sell high.

In Covid, you should sail when it's low (or no), and stay home when it's high. Right now, it's high.

The other thing that I would wait for is to see if the company can stay financially afloat. They are practically a nonprofit corporation, just not by design.

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Re: This is the Title Part 3

Post: # 3109Post SuziQ »

Yep, supply vs demand. Ho ho ho - the way of the world. You know, one thing I've noticed lately about "The Oracle's" posts ... he (and I think it's a "he"? :? ) is that he seems to be a proper little tyrant. Mmmm, doesn't like your post, ergo, it's removed. Probably because he's just a big fish in a very small pond. Delusions of grandeur perhaps? A few years ago he and his good lady wife did a cruise on QM2 in Queens Suite (or whatever they're called - not my personal style) not a duplex, just an ordinary Queen suite. Didn't like it much. It's not much fun being a very small fish in a huge ocean, is it?

But boy, I do wish someone with a decent grasp of grammar and syntax would proof read his announcements. :no

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this and that

Post: # 3110Post drib »

I've got two thoughts to contribute today, and I'll try to serve those up into two "fun-size" posts.

Regarding vaccinations, I used to turn down the flu shot when offered because I used to be indestructible, and that was true, until it wasn't. I only started getting flu shots in 2014, a few months before the birth of my first grandchild, because my daughter said that I can neither play with nor hold the baby if I did not. And now I get all the jabs - flu pneumonia, coronavirus - shoot me up, doc.


Fun-sized post #2:

I have this thought about the title of this thread, and perhaps the motivation for posting it. I think there are similarities between this thread, and the Twilight Zone episode with the title "To Serve Man."


Fun-sized post #3:

If you can wait until spring, a good alternative to ocean cruises itineraries with boring ports is a Great Lakes cruise. A lot of those cruises include Mackinac Island, which is definitely on my bucket list. I was looking at Viking's new expedition ship with multiple itineraries on the Great Lakes. I also discussed this with a board member who is booked on a Pontant ship on the great lakes - and of course Pontant is within one degree of separation to Crystal.
stickman1990 wrote:No go on and give us a long long lecture - go on I dare ya!
Tell us your philosophy and secret to surviving - and tell me what I should do - and when
drib wrote:I am not some pink-cheeked seminarian who doesn't know the difference between a supernatural event and a bad clam!

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Re: this and that

Post: # 3111Post drib »

drib wrote: Thu Aug 19, 2021 11:56 amFun-sized post #2:

I have this thought about the title of this thread, and perhaps the motivation for posting it. I think there are similarities between this thread, and the Twilight Zone episode with the title "To Serve Man."
This one was removed within an hour.

I bet the meaning of it was lost on whomever made that decision. I wasn't suggesting that the Thread Starter (Original Poster, whatever) was a cannibal. What I meant was that he wants to use board members as steerage so that he can continue to cruise.
drib wrote:I'm reposting fun-sized post #2 because I originally posted it within seconds of #1 and maybe that's not allowed, or maybe there was a database glitch, which I've heard mentioned on Cruise Critic.

I have this thought about the title and purpose of this thread - I think there are similarities between it and the Twilight Zone episode "To Serve Man."

Also, I would like to mention that the Goldbelly coupon I mentioned in the off-topic thread, where I am not posting anymore, was extended through Friday. I guess their sales are soft too.

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New Symphony itineraries posted

Post: # 3112Post drib »

keith1010 wrote:I am not sure how much you would need to put down but maybe book both.
If the suggestion is to make two bookings with the intention of only sailing on one, I don't think that is kosher. You can do that, but as Nixon (the president, not the dog) might say, it would be wrong.

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fun-sized posts #1 and 2 are gone

Post: # 3113Post drib »

So now it's time to bring in the heavy ammunition.
drib wrote:Another reason to wait is that the future of the US economy, as indicated by the stock markets, is uncertain.

Most recently, the stock markets tanked massively in 1999, 2001 and 2008. There were other down years, but those are the big ones. In those cases, it took years to recover. So if you can't wait, maybe eight years, as was the case from 2008 to 2016, you might not want to drop a large chunk of change on a cruise.

Is the US economy built on a house of cards? We spent trillions and trillions of dollars in stimulus to prop it up - speaking of not sustainable - and interest rates are as low as they can go, so we can't use that trick pony again going forward. (Plus, low interest rates are terrible for seniors - not the ones that can afford a Crystal cruise, but everyone else.)

I don't mean to be drib Downer, but in answer to the topic, this is a reason some of you might want to wait it out.
drib wrote:In addition to Covid concerns and concerns about the US economy, I would be hesitant to book an Arctic or Antarctica cruise until we know what in the wild, wild world of sports is going on down (and up) there.

Antarctica is falling apart.

Polar bears are losing their habitats daily.

I'm worried about these things. And also about why Liev Schreiber has sunk to doing mattress commercials.
keith wrote:I don't want to debate this but I have had the opposite experience.

I don't like it when there are large swings in the market such as large annual highs because eventually there is payback time when the pendulum swings in the other direction.

So I believe in this thing called diversity and looking for opportunities to sell high and buy low and use simple logic.

I remember talking to a good friend on Serenity during the 2010 World Cruise and we were saying that back in the day when we had to pay for these cruises very early either because of the early payment, the high deposits and also because back in the day even to make shore excursion reservations in PCPC we had to pay in full. So for the 2010 World Cruise I paid that off before the major downfall of the Market began in 2008 into 2009 and he did too and we said that was one of our better decisions because had we waited we would have been selling at lows rather than at highs for the time frame. Many had waited and I remember bookings were way down for a few years after that.

So timing is everything as is diversity and when it comes to the stock market not being a "pig".

And I do agree if one is too aggressive in money spending thinking the market will continue to grow they could be in a heap of trouble. But for those who are cautious they can find the proper balance. Also we are not talking about a World Cruise and these are some of the lowest price cruises since many are 7 to 10 days versus longer cruises.

Just my two cents and it's definitely OK if one person says wait as you did and another says why wait as I did.

Also I am reminded that waiting could have a pitfall because of age and health. I've known many who put off and waited and then due to other circumstances health/age could no longer go.

Decisions. Decisions.
drib wrote:You just did, though

Financial advisors say a lot of things, but how many of them guarantee their advice?

As always, past performance is no guarantee of future results, I think that's how the legalese goes.

4-1, Dodgers over your Mets, in the top of the 8th, as I write. (Yet another bull-pen game for the Blue Crew!) Five more strikeouts and everybody gets a Jumbo Jack. Not gonna happen tonight, though.
drib wrote:In addition to Covid concerns and concerns about the US economy, I would be hesitant to book an Arctic or Antarctica cruise until we know what in the wild, wild world of sports is going on down (and up) there.

Antarctica is falling apart.

Polar bears are losing their habitats daily.

I'm worried about these things. And also about why Liev Schreiber has sunk to doing mattress commercials.

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Re: This is the Title Part 3

Post: # 3114Post drib »

SuziQ wrote: Thu Aug 19, 2021 1:34 am Yep, supply vs demand. Ho ho ho - the way of the world. You know, one thing I've noticed lately about "The Oracle's" posts ... he (and I think it's a "he"? :? ) is that he seems to be a proper little tyrant. Mmmm, doesn't like your post, ergo, it's removed. Probably because he's just a big fish in a very small pond. Delusions of grandeur perhaps? A few years ago he and his good lady wife did a cruise on QM2 in Queens Suite (or whatever they're called - not my personal style) not a duplex, just an ordinary Queen suite. Didn't like it much. It's not much fun being a very small fish in a huge ocean, is it?

But boy, I do wish someone with a decent grasp of grammar and syntax would proof read his announcements. :no
I'm sorry that I didn't see your post yesterday. I think it got lost in a flurry of my own posts.

You're talking about the King Keith Kritic (KKK) aren't you? Well, at least I peed on his thread.

I loved the QM2. I've sailed on her twice, and I don't think any line can beat her for things to do on at sea days.

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last post

Post: # 3115Post drib »

Roland4 wrote:You would be surprised how many people did (pre-COVID) exactly that. While it might be ethically questionable, there are no rules against doing it, you just need to make sure you select the refundable deposit pricing.
Oh, I'm not surprised, Roland 4.

I remember, back in the early 60s, we were living in New Jersey and we used to visit my grandparents in Florida, pretty much twice a year when school was out for Christmas and Spring breaks.

My grandparents had a cabana at the old Hollywood Beach Hotel, which for a kid, was awesome. They always served milk and cookies around the pool at precisely 4pm. (The milk was in those little half-pint cartons, and you had to get there early to get the chocolate ones.) The hotel was on the boardwalk - well, what they called boardwalk - and I could walk down to Garfield Street, by myself, and have lunch at a pharmacy there that served hot dogs on a hamburger bun. They let us stay up late for the early New Years Eve show. One time, I remember, the headliner was Dick Shawn, and I didn't understand any of the jokes, but I enjoyed clapping for him, which was done with the provided wooden knockers, like ball-hammers, which we got to take home.

My mother would book our flights to Florida on multiple airlines - great old airlines like Eastern, National and Branniff - out of Newark. The flights were never full because a lot of people were scared of flying, there being several hijackings to Cuba, and maybe two cases of someone blowing up a plane to collect the insurance for their family. (What about Cuba? Would more of you be interested in a Caribbean itinerary if it had ports in Cuba? Yes, no, yes, no, and yes again)

We always flew out of the old Newark Airport, which I loved, loved, loved as a kid. There were no portways - you walked on the tarmac to the stairway to board a plane, or jet, like a president or a king. We got dressed up to fly, and sometimes we got to eat at The Newarker restaurant, which served fabulous French onion soup. (I also remember the old Tavern Restaurant, near Weequahic Park, for special Sunday dinners, where my grandfather got steak, served on a hot plate, and we kids got Salisbury steak, which also had the word "steak" in its name.)

Once before this "flying" story - and I'm going to get back to the point of it, eventually - I remember making that same trip by train. The conductor asked me how old I was, and I said "I'm five years old, but I'm four on a train." Everyone laughed because I was adorable. (I don't know whether or not my parents had to pay the higher fare for a five-year old because of my honesty.)

So ... my mother used to book multiple flights out of Newark, the same day, but different times. (I had both parents in the train story, but she was a single mom now, and she did everything for us.) And I remember asking her about how we could go on all three flights on the same day. She said that we were booking three flights, but that we would only fly on one. (I'm guessing that no payment was involved until we got to the airport. I really don't know how things got paid for in those days. I don't think credit cards were everywhere back then - maybe just Diner's Club. Did people just carry around loads of cash?)

So I asked my mother if booking flights we weren't going to use was an okay thing to do.

"Dribby," my mother said - she was the only one who called me dribby.

"Dribby," she said, "ethics are for other people."

Good times, noodle salad.

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Re: This is the Title Part 3

Post: # 3116Post SuziQ »

LOL, no worries Drib. LOL "KKK", yep, that's who I meant. I would love to sail on QM2 one day but I don't need to be in the Grilles, just an ordinary balcony cabin would do me. I don't need hot and cold running butlers and syncophants to wipe my nose (and other things) and lead me by the hand through an airport.

I enjoyed your reminissing about flying back in the old days. I well remember walking out on the tarmac to climb the stairs into the plane. Yes, it was more "glamorous" back then and one certainly 'tarted' oneself up to travel.

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Re: This is the Title Part 3

Post: # 3117Post drib »

SuziQ wrote: Fri Aug 20, 2021 6:20 pmYes, it was more "glamorous" back then and one certainly 'tarted' oneself up to travel.
I don't know that we have the same definition of "tarted" up over.

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Re: This is the Title Part 3

Post: # 3119Post SuziQ »

Drib, I suspect we have the same definition of "tarted" up. You know, mutton done up as lamb? In my case it's mutton done up as ... well mutton. I don't travel with 500 suitcases - just a carry on. So I am what I am! If you don't like it, that's your problem not mine. Oh and while we are at it ... have a noyce day! Sorry, but I'm so sick of whankers and dickheads pretending they are sooo much better than the rest of us.

Cheers ... SuziQ in lockdown - yet again. :violin:

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Re: This is the Title Part 3

Post: # 3120Post drib »

SuziQ wrote: Mon Aug 23, 2021 2:06 am Drib, I suspect we have the same definition of "tarted" up. You know, mutton done up as lamb? ...
I think in the US that would be mutton dressed in fishnet stockings.

Anyway, this is my brother, my sister, and me (right) all tarted-up, at the Colonial Inn, which was a little bit north of Miami, and south of Hollywood, Florida. The image is from the early 60s, no later than 1962.

Image

I'm happy to report that my brother stopped growing after this. I was at least a whole head taller than he by the end of the decade. (Well, maybe only four inches ... but he's shrinking faster!)

The Colonial Inn had an interesting history. It was owned by Meyer Lansky, the gangster accountant. In "The Godfather," Lansky was the model for Hyman Roth. The building, itself, was blindingly white, and made to look colonial in the exterior with an abundance of columns. But you can tell by this image that it was also very mid-century modern in the interior.

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Re: This is the Title Part 3

Post: # 3121Post drib »

drib wrote: Tue Aug 17, 2021 8:30 am I wasn't canned, but most of the posts above - the good ones anyway - were removed.

This dribnut was up from like 10:00 last night until maybe 6 this morning when I walked the dog, and then it was gone by 7am.

Image
Today, I got an email giving me a warning and saying I must acknowledge it before I can post again. Since I'm not planning to post again, I won't acknowledge it.
cruise critic wrote:Harassment of our members is never allowed; this includes comments meant to humiliate or mock, personal comments directed to them, or references to their behavior elsewhere on the forum or in real life.

Repeated instances of harassment in any form may result in suspension of your posting privileges.

Post removed.

Depending upon the number of prior reminders you have received, this removal/reminder may result in an auto-suspension of your posting privileges.
The only member I mentioned by name is Stickman, it must mean that they think I was trying to humiliate or mock him.

The name "The Spinner" had a double meaning. I meant it as someone who spins the facts toward something more suitable of their own needs. That it could also refer to someone known to do a lot of cycling in the fitness center, well, that was completely accidental. In either case, it was intended to sound like a Batman villain, like The Joker or The Riddler.

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Re: This is the Title Part 3

Post: # 3122Post bodogbodog »

Looks like you’re edging closer to joining that illustrious group of Suite Travels, Bodogbodog and Heinsberg (Sp? - what was his name again?)
Congratulations on your first warning from CC - a badge of honour :clap:
Email - bodogodog@gmail.com

Future Cruises - who knows if cruising ever resumes? But maybe they’ll include these ones
May 2022 - Silversea Silver Muse - Tokyo to Vancouver - 21 days - nope Japan was closed
Dec 2022 - RSSC Explorer - Singapore to Sydney
Feb 2023 - Silver Muse - Cairns to Singapore
September 2023 - RSSC Explorer - Vancouver to Tokyo
December 2023 - RSSC Explorer - Sydney to Auckland
Dec 2023 - Crystal Symphony - Auckland to Melbourne - 16 days - nope Crystal went belly up

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Re: This is the Title Part 3

Post: # 3123Post bodogbodog »

SuziQ wrote: Mon Aug 23, 2021 2:06 am Drib, I suspect we have the same definition of "tarted" up. You know, mutton done up as lamb? In my case it's mutton done up as ... well mutton. I don't travel with 500 suitcases - just a carry on. So I am what I am! If you don't like it, that's your problem not mine. Oh and while we are at it ... have a noyce day! Sorry, but I'm so sick of whankers and dickheads pretending they are sooo much better than the rest of us.

Cheers ... SuziQ in lockdown - yet again. :violin:
I’m with Drib - Tarted up means - dressed up - but I can see your link with the term Tart - not the food variety

Hi SuziQ - haven’t seen you in the Crystal forums too much lately - even refunds are no fun anymore
I’ll take your lockdown and raise you!
Bodogbodog in Sydney lockdown week 9 with 6 weeks more already locked in - see ya all at the end of September by which time we might be able to leave Sydneyvand travel inside our State
Email - bodogodog@gmail.com

Future Cruises - who knows if cruising ever resumes? But maybe they’ll include these ones
May 2022 - Silversea Silver Muse - Tokyo to Vancouver - 21 days - nope Japan was closed
Dec 2022 - RSSC Explorer - Singapore to Sydney
Feb 2023 - Silver Muse - Cairns to Singapore
September 2023 - RSSC Explorer - Vancouver to Tokyo
December 2023 - RSSC Explorer - Sydney to Auckland
Dec 2023 - Crystal Symphony - Auckland to Melbourne - 16 days - nope Crystal went belly up

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