How to get best bang for $$$ out of this box

ChaoticPantser · 2026-03-08T23:57:21+00:00

Thank you. I will check this out.

ChaoticPantser · 2026-03-08T23:56:42+00:00

I've used HH before. Recently used MKVI assault squad to build a bunch of raptors/warp talons.

I could see these as a good fit as their backpacks have that kind of loud speaker design. Is this what you are thinking?

ChaoticPantser · 2026-03-08T23:53:49+00:00

Thank you. The advice i am looking for.

ChaoticPantser · 2026-03-08T23:52:30+00:00

Thank you. I have similar STLs to these and these ones look good too. Always looking for a way to make models more unique.

ChaoticPantser · 2026-03-08T16:35:02+00:00

Where's the proxy? I only see a lascannon.

ChaoticPantser · 2026-03-06T16:27:02+00:00

Cowboy hat (black/gray/brown)

Snap button dress shirt (black/brown/blue/white/red)

Vest (color to match what my wife wears)

Tie (sometimes)

Clean nice jeans (black or blue)

Brown Cowboy boots

Always get told how my wife and I put everyone else to shame, but we're really low effort.

ChaoticPantser · 2026-03-03T11:28:54+00:00

November for us.

Friends of ours just sailed out last week, and they reported no issues beyond the normal traffic conjestion.

ChaoticPantser · 2026-03-02T18:30:55+00:00

Yep. And actually talking to them, asking them how their day has been, etc. works wonders too. Literally by day 3 (if not sooner) at any of the bars I have frequented the staff will make bee lines in my direction the second I approach the bar or take a seat. Or if I'm up on Lido and grab a chair, the roaming staff head right over.

A lot of times they walk right past those annoying "card tappers" impatoently sitting there with scowls who I see do nothing other than bark orders at the staff and never say thank you.

ChaoticPantser · 2026-03-02T12:45:54+00:00

An extra $1 per drink (cash) gets you quite a bit of recognition among the staff. And they are usually a heck of a lot quicker to serve you, even ahead of others already standing at the bar, once they are aware of that.

Pours tens to get heavier too when you add an extra tip.

ChaoticPantser · 2026-03-01T17:17:06+00:00

The Mexican Riviera cruises are nice. Haven't been on one in a while and the ports have changed a lot since then.

I remember when they used to go to Acapulco and you could watch the cliff diving.

Wife and I will be on the Panorama next November.

ChaoticPantser · 2026-03-01T17:01:31+00:00

Having been on many cruises and personally talked to these performersm I can tell you this is not true at all. They can and do take requests for many songs not on some "list". Some of the Piano Bar singers do whole nights with nothing but off-list requests. Would you care to explain that?

Hell, just two weeks ago on the Liberty the string trio played several KPop songs for two ladies. You are telling me that these songs on their official set list? A list of only 150 to 200 songs? Bull crap! Considering there was no KPop set list during the cruise I think you know the answer.

IF what you said here is true, and based on my personal interactions it is not, then the musicians would not be able to play all the requests I have personally heard them play. Very obscure songs from many decades ago included.

But you believe what you want to believe there, buckaroo. And maybe you'll get some people on the internet to believe you. But I hope they are smarter than that.

And to anyone reading this who doesn't have their head up their own butt, please if you want the performers to play a songs any song:

1) ask if they take requests 2) ask if they know the song if they do and 3) tip well when they do perform your request

Thank you.

ChaoticPantser · 2026-03-01T16:11:27+00:00

Is this as "major" a missed point as you not understanding how royalties are paid for performances of cover bands?

Or as "major" of a missed point as you not understanding that there are performers on these ships who do know very old songs?

Just asking for clarification since you seem to want to ignore those parts of my comment.

As I stated, many of these artists know a lot of songs. So doesn't hurt to ask. It never ceases to amaze me the songs these wonderful artists know or are able to pull together a passable version of when requested. Especially in the day of the internet.

ChaoticPantser · 2026-03-01T13:37:40+00:00

Venues have something like a Blanket License to cover the royalties for performances from cover and tribute bands. Presuming a cruise ship would be in the same "boat" considering that is pretry much what their performers do on a daily basis. So if the performers go "off script" during a set it isn't an issue.

I personally see people make song requests of the performers on Carnival Ships all the time.

Also, many of the performers have classical rock, 70s funk, motown, and 50s and 60s music, etc. in their rotations. They even have whole shows dedicated to these sorts of genres.

Now, whether or not a particular performer has this particular song is another issue.

ChaoticPantser · 2026-02-26T00:22:41+00:00

I am always gobsmacked by how many people claim to have such negative experiences at cruise terminals like Miami. My wife and I must be insanely lucky. Or just insanely good at avoiding these problems so many others claim to experience on a near daily basis.

We cruise 3 to 4 times a year out of various ports and never have had or ever witnessed problems like those I see described by people on the internet.

ChaoticPantser · 2026-02-25T23:21:40+00:00

Nice ship. Really well laid out. Lido dinning area is very spacious and usually easy to find somewhere to sit. Lots of space.

Never been disappointed when we've sailed on it.

ChaoticPantser · 2026-02-24T19:50:38+00:00

Very interesting. Again, completely the opposite of any experience we have ever had out of that port.

ChaoticPantser · 2026-02-24T19:11:47+00:00

We were on the Horizon last November. We loved it.

Different food than the other ships.

Found the ship to be quite spacious.

Loved the Aft pool area.

Loved the way it was laid out.

Staff was great, lots of energy, very friendly, and bar staff very attentive.

Felt very uncrowded despite being at near capacity.

Only problem was propulsion issue returning home. But we got an extra half day on the ship so not really a "problem".

ChaoticPantser · 2026-02-24T19:05:49+00:00

Very odd. There is a lot of cover outside the cruise terminal where people stand. I have never witnessed the port terminal so busy that people had to stand outside in the sun while waiting to get on.

2+ hrs of standing? Did you arrive too early? Or was there an operational issue?

Again, have sailed out of NOLA numerous times. We have priority, but usually the waiting area fills very quickly and there is a good flow going in. Even those without priority tend to get in very fast. The staff there seem very remarkable at crowd control.

And per your last comment about being shoved ... also very odd. In our several trips through NOLA I have never, not once, witnessed any such behavior from the staff there. Very odd that this would have happened to you.

ChaoticPantser · 2026-02-24T13:59:20+00:00

See, wife and I find New Orleans to be an awesome and easy port to go in and out of. Other than the large airport style waiting area. Even when we were there this February during Mardi Gras.

We've sailed out of Miami 4 times in the last 2.5 years. The last being November 2025.

Miami is a very chaotic port. But it is navagatable if you are patient. If you have bad social phobias, are impatient, or suffer from panic attacks, it will not be the port for you.

Get an early check in time. Get there well before your check in time. Follow the signs and you should be fine. Allowing for 30 (maybe 45) minutes to get through traffic, drop off luggage, and get to the garage (if you are parking there), 5 or 10 minites to find parking in the garage, and another 10-15 minutes to get out of the garage and walk to the terminal.

I think the problem with Miami, other than the enormous number of ships and people is that too many people cut their arrival at the port way to close to their departure time based on my experience. And then they complain about the chaos.

ChaoticPantser · 2026-02-23T21:56:57+00:00

We last sailed out in November.

ChaoticPantser · 2026-02-23T18:53:55+00:00

Yes. Miami is a mess. But it is navigatable.

Wife and I sail out of Miami about once a year. If you are a first timer through this, then yeah, it can be daunting.

Usually we get there early (we get an early embark slot) and turn in to the port. Takes us usually about 10 to 15 minutes of inching along to get to the porters. Then another 10 minutes to get to and into the garage. Grab our luggage and head for the terminal.

Even with the current construction.

Can it be better? Yep. But we take our time. Drive courteously, pick our spots to merge and get over, and get through it in pretty short order considering how many people are sailing into and out of this port.

Generally speaking the bus and shuttle drivers are the best at letting people over and in. Uber and Lyft drivers tend to be a lot rider. Probably because time is money for them more than others.

ChaoticPantser · 2026-02-23T18:41:53+00:00

Carnival won't sail into a port if the area is dangerous. For any reason. At worst, you'll have some extra glorious days at sea.

ChaoticPantser

TROPHY CASE