trixiegal

I love it! The only comment I have is it may look a little "too" trendy for your age but sounds like you have it planned to go with a very sophisticated dress. I love the whole Grecian vibe. DD even went with a Grecian look for prom and it was gorgeous. I'm 39 and used to wear ALL of the trends each season as a bonafide fashionista (before that term was even popular) up until a few years ago. Now I look for more classic pieces and go for more sophisticated and understated clothing. Never thought I'd get there but my DD is 17 and I can't dress the same as she does.

But ROCK IT and have fun. It is a cruise and most people aren't very fashion conscious from what I witnessed, especially on Carnival. DD and I were overdressed on both elegant nights but we didn't care because we looked fantastic. We also had the Dream professional photos done (not the ones with the background) and we looked like models in them.

Yea. Minerals like salt and calcium and potassium that naturally occur in sea water. Thalasso literally means "sea water". Google it. And that's what it is, as are all the pools and hot tubs. Although the regular hot tubs are desalinated I think. So, they lack those all important minerals. But you could always swim at the beach. They usually have plenty of those on cruises.. I'm curious what the minerals smell like though.. Do they smell like sea water?

I don't need to Google anything, I know what that means as I frequent spas with mineral baths. Anyway, swimming at the beach does not duplicate being in a large, very warm pool with many jets surrounding you on all sides and built-in reclining seating. It is an EXPERIENCE. I don't particularly find it relaxing to be in one of the hot tubs or pools on the decks. Part of the allure of the thalasso pool is it's relaxing and semi-private. In fact, I wish it wasn't overlooking the gym. Only issue I had with it. I understand you don't think it's worth it but I do so I paid to enjoy it on my cruise. To each his very own.

No, it smelled like a mineral bath.

It's not any different. It's just a big hot tub, nothing more.

Actually, the thalasso pool is filled with minerals and ionized water, so it's not just a "big hot tub." Helped with my legs and feet swelling, so I can attest to the fact that it's not just a basic hot tub. You can also smell the minerals in the water. Well worth it even though I failed to use it everyday like I planned. Not enough time in the day to do it all on the Dream.

So other than the view and refreshments is there anything else to the relaxation room? And what constitutes a 'VIP spa guest'? We have a spa cabin booked on the Dream in November.

There were about six lounge chairs facing the floor-to-ceiling windows. I'm pretty sure there was also an attendant present to assist with drinks, etc.

If you're in a spa cabin, you are considered a VIP spa guest with all access to heated spa rooms and the thalosatherapy pool. Enjoy!

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That pool was a highlight of my Dream cruise. I was usually the only one in there, or just one other guest. One thing I didn't know about until the last day of my cruise was the relaxation room for the VIP Spa guests down the hall from the special locker room. It had an incredible view and water and tea for the guests. When I asked for the locker room, I was directed to the main locker room across from the spa reception desk. I wish someone from the spa had given me a tour so I could have used that room all week.

One day he had a 11 pm curfew, next day living in a party dorm on my $$$.

THIS. You made me literally laugh out loud! I'm one year away from that. Did he go to parties at all in high school? My DD has never been or had the desire to go to any of those typical unsupervised HS parties even though she is popular. I've been encouraging her to go to at least one because I'm terrified she'll be a fish out of water in college. She's such a good girl, teacher's pet just like a little Miss Congeniality and I love that about her but wonder how that translates to college in that kind of party atmosphere. I don't want her to be too naive.

She avoided the HS on the ship even though I kept telling her to try and make friends. The MTV party crowd is just not her thing.

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I put myself in the category between a helicopter parent and totally hands off parent, with the exception that I talk to my kids about EVERYTHING. I've observed throughout my years of parenting other parents who make assumptions about who their kids are and what they're doing without really knowing their kid because they don't effectively communicate with him/her. Those are the kids that my kids come home and tell me are doing drugs, drinking, having sexual relations with more than one partner, failing at school, etc. But their parents seem utterly clueless! How hard is it to just casually talk to your kid and slip in a warning or admonishment about right/wrong without seeming overly preachy?

Granted, I'm a younger parent (had them in my early 20s) but I just make it a point to know what my kids are doing at school, who they're friends with and what their interests are. I'm amazed that more people don't know they CAN be friends with their kids and be a disciplinarian. Works for me and I'm a a divorced, single mom. You just have to have consistent and clear boundaries for them and don't waver. I've read countless parenting books and that's usually the overall message I get from them.

Implementing those same rules on cruise ships, there shouldn't be problems. Thats why I like idea of a contract, even for teens. But I do worry about drinking when we're cruising, especially if they are gone from me all day with no check ins other than dinner. Good kids like to experiment, too. I know because I was one of them! ;) So I made DS meet me for lunch on our last cruise even if it interfered with a planned activity at Circle C. DD didn't make an effort to join Club O2 activities after the first night and hung out with me. I needed to see him more than just at dinner, especially because he didn't have a phone to text me his whereabouts.

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Simply because if charges. There is no one she needs to keep in contact with except us. We have decided to leave notes and meeting in person at designated times.

 

 

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Okay, I agree but my kids are teens and know not to use the phone when we are not in the regular service area. We actually put all of our phones on airplane mode when we were at sea. They were only allowed to use them on the ship the day we left the port and the night before we returned. We also used them at the ports because there was free Wifi where we would eat lunch. What can I say, we are all addicted to social media! ;)

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The contract is a fantastic idea! Many thanks for sharing it here. Yes, I'd like to use it as well for my next cruise with DD and DS, though both behaved very well as teens on our last cruise. I'd delete the "no cell phone" though for sail days and the return evening when we are close to the port. I like to keep track of my kids' whereabouts that way. I'm curious why you don't let your kids have their phone?

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I'm amazed of the amount of people that are just chewing on me

for not being Mr professional due to the way my typing is coming

across. Get over it people if you can't help out a person that has interest

in something that you have expierence in with out critizing them

then perhaps you should just not respond.......after all this is a forum that's

open for new comers to learn how to cruise right??

 

ok with that being said i apologize to all others if i made the post difficult

to read i believe i have fixed the issue lol

 

with the advice that's been given i will look at purchasing three

tickets my wife ,me and our 4 year old.daughter then offer the invitation

to all others.

it sounds like we should try a caribean cruise and from what i gather

so far is we should go with carnival as some others cost much more

and there is not much big diffrrence. will feb/may be ok to criise

Some of these posters that are regulars on CC are downright rude and nasty. There is a way to address a newcomer without coming off as a scolding English teacher. And the entitlement kills me. If you can't read it, move on to another thread. I can't stand Internet bullies and have no problem calling them out. Glad some people are doing the same!

Anyway... To the OP-

Google a website called 90 Day Cruise Ticker. You can view all the upcoming cruises in the Caribbean and comparison shop. I check there first, then move on to the cruise line websites. My advice is to read, read and read some more to familiarize yourself with all things cruising. There is great advice on most of these boards.

Also, make sure to make reservations at a specialty restaurant for you and your wife to celebrate her birthday while on board. You will have a fine dining experience and memories to last forever. It's worth the extra cost. Trust me.

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I bought bottles of Don Ramon Reposado and El Mandamas Blanco, one at the port in Cozumel and the latter in Costa Maya for $60 total. I looked online and they are sold for 30% higher than what I paid. I'm going again to Cozumel in November on the Disney Magic and I think I'll purchase a bottle of Clase Azul Reposado and sample some of the suggested tequilas I've been reading about on this forum. I hate Patron but I love tequila, especially the lesser known brands you can only buy in Mexico. But I wouldn't ever pay over $50 for a bottle.

Just a thought...

Try looking on renttherunway.com. I love ordering high end dresses from them for special occasions or events. They have an extensive designer collection and you can rent a beautiful dress, even casual ones, for a fraction of the cost of purchasing it. Their customer service is superb and I've only had one issue of a dress being in questionable condition. They refunded my $$ immediately with no hesitation. Check them out!

I would do a city or Mayan ruins tour. You can book it right at the pier as soon as you get off the tender. I considered it but we were slow getting off the ship that day and the time difference meant we may have to rush through some things. It does take 30-45 minutes to get most places but the tour guides have a map that will show you how far your attraction is before you book. The guides have on a uniform shirt with khaki pants. They were very professional and left me alone when I changed my mind. I'd say their prices are $15-20 cheaper than the cruise line's shore excursion prices.

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No probs! Your hair is gorgeous in the photo, too.

Where should I buy nice quality blonde hair extensions. The color is always an issue for me.

Lexi I was thinking the same thing. Human hair sheds but will not clump/mat/tangle that horribly bcuz of swimming. There was something not right with that hair.

We're talking about 1994. I envy you ladies that wear them now because the hair is so much nicer these days. Yes, that hair was no good. I went back and got it redone but, of course, it wasn't as nice in my mind. The experience just stick with me and I never want to relive it. In all honesty, I'm very low-key when it comes to doing my own hair so I admire people that spend hours perfecting their look. I'm all about the wash'n'go unless I need it done at a salon for an event.

Trixiegal,

 

My hair and my skin behave very well in the Caribbean...actually better than at home. I don't know why but my cuticles actually cooperate out to sea. Maybe it's the moisture in the air? I'd try to rock your own hair...it's so much easier than trying to blend a half wig with the natural texture of your hair....plus I don't know how many cruises you have been on but if you walk around in the evening...with that wind you get sometimes..I think it would be difficult to disguise.

 

My cousin got a wet and wavy sew in before her cruise but it drove her crazy. When she came back home it was gone. She said she took it out in the middle of the cruise.

 

What is your hair texture? 3c 4a 4b 4c?

Thanks for your advice. I don't have much choice now because I sail in 2days (!!!) and I'm not up to searching all the beauty supply stores looking for a better match. I don't really like the whole hair typing thing because I have 3 or 4 textures but I'd say my hair is a mix of 4's with most of the thickness and kinkiness at the middle crown. So it shrinks up and frizzes out in humid climates. I lived in Florida for 5 years, I've been to the Caribbean several times and on a few cruises. I usually don't do anything o my hair and end up with pics with it pulled back. I think I'm going to experiment with the new products I bought and try to wear it out or up in a high bun with scarves. I also have a few cute straw fedoras I can throw on.

I can relate to your cousin. I paid hundreds of $ for a long human hair weave back in the Janet Jackson wet and wavy look days for a trip to Jamaica. LOL. Well, as soon as I jumped in the sea off a catamaran in Ochos Rios it clumped up and matted. I had only been there a day or two! We all tried combing through it with a bottle of conditioner but it was useless. I ended up cutting it out. No more sew ins for me!

Just got that Freetress half wig and I don't know...

The one I got has so much brown in it and not as much blonde on the top or sides. Way more brown than all the pics online I looked at before I bought it. I know colors can vary so maybe it's my bad luck.

I just bought Roux Porosity Control conditioner from Sally's and used it this morning. I think I like it. My hair has more tiny ringlets/curls and less frizz. So maybe I can just rock my OWN hair on this cruise(even though it's shorter than the wig). I'm not sure I want to mess with it, though, because my hair is so tempermental in different temperatures and water types. Then I'd have to slick it back in a bun the whole trip like I do at home. *sigh*

I'm a recovering product junkie! Luckily, if I can't use a product I will give it to my daughter, who has a loose wave and doesn't require as much hold as I do, or my sister, whose hair isn't as porous as mine. I'm definitely going to try out the Sabino Moisture Block and the Oyin Handmade products. They have a new product called Boing! that sounds right for my hair.

One thing I do now to save $$$ and prevent me from buying products all the time is use natural oils and things like castor oil, yogurt, honey and even Apple Cider Vinegar to help condition and seal my hair. The results have been close to getting a texturizer without the chemicals. I've found some great suggestions on Pinterest and YouTube.

This thread is AMAZING!!!

Took me a few hours to get through it but glad I read all the posts. I just ordered that Freetress Creta Girl synthetic half wig on Amazon.com and I'm super excited about rocking big, kinky curls with my natural hair. I'm a natural blonde and I can NEVER find the right shade in synthetic wigs but I think this will be perfect for the cruise. I've been a bad girl this summer and used the John Frieda go Blonder lightener (basically Sun In) and it tore my hair up. It made it super dry. So bad I had to stop putting any products in my hair and just did natural deep conditioning treatments (olive oil, honey, yogurt, avocado, etc.). This wig will give my frayed ends a break and I can still look cute. LOL. I also just bought Infusium 23 to detangle my hair without combing it all out and a few online reviews said that's a good detangler for the wig. So I don't have to go buy anymore products. Yipppeeeee!

 

I use Ecostyler Olive Oil gel to slick back, and I co-wash with Kinky Curly products- Love love love Knot Today leave-in!

I like the KC Curling Custard but I can't use the Knot Today. For some reason it tangles my hair and leaves it feeling brittle and rough. They had a deal on it at Target but I'm taking it back.

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Thanks for these reviews. I'm also a first-timer to Carnival and your pics of Dream have made me SUPER excited! I seriously don't know which shore excursions to choose from based on everywhere you've been in the Western Caribbean. Too many choices and I'm so indecisive lol.