Seazond

On Silhouette last Januar y, there was a separate chef on a different grill for veggie burgers.  

Hubby and I stood in line for his burger, and I said just fries, I don't eat meat.  Server pointed out that : "But they have veggie burgers" so I got one.  Maybe because there were so many people lined up, that the demand warranted a separate station?

So sorry about Mrcatlady.

I did this ship over the Christmas break. Love her!  We had a group of 14 cabins, and dinner was anywhere from 12 - 20 nightly.  Our serving staff was so helpful!  I am not just vegetarian, but vegan.  I know having to avoid dairy (and dairy for me is an allergy, not just a preference) is much more difficult.  I literally just told our server "I'll have what you chose for me" and never regretted it.  He was so proud he and the chef could come up with things for me to enjoy each night! Really, except for no animal products, I'm not a picky eater!

looking forward to following along with the rest of your trip!

I know there are saunas in the changing rooms, but I thought the steam was part of the thermal suite package ($$$).  

And, the steam is open to both sexes. 

Just back from Brilliance over Christmas.  The formal night is once, on the first sea day.

Park Cafe in the Solarium normally had "snacks".  I didn't notice if that included the first day, though.  And by snacks, I mean salad, fruit, some prepare sandwiches and a carved type sandwich along with one soup and small sweet offerings   Always good stuff!

Just off Brilliance -  somewhat related.

hubs and I had the beverage package (no alcohol). For the first time, I had to swipe my card each time I was served for the first time daily, then subsequently just show it.  Each day, hubs needed to do the same. After that first swipe, I could return to that bar to order, but could only get one beverage unless I had both cards.   In the past, with virgin drinks, I could double up no problem, but not this trip.  

Just back from a five night on Brilliance.  I did as suggested, emailed the special_needs@rccl.com.  I got a response that I would need to inform the maitre d and our server.  I did so, but still I felt the need to ask about each item.  Once I even ordered something in a cream sauce ( undisclosed by description) and our waiter never said a word.  When it was presented I then said I was not able to eat it and he said he'd get me something else.  After that night, I felt MUCH better about saying to the waiter that I would eat what he chose for me, knowing my needs.  I was not disappointed after that one meal!  

Just to be clear, allergy info is not listed in the menu, nor sometimes within a description of an item.  There is no separate menu for food exclusions.  I chose to eat a vegan diet, and have a dairy allergy. I was under the impression there would be an alternate menu provided.  There was not.  Our waiter would personally speak to the chef and come with my meals.  I did not make any requests nor was I given a choice.  For me, that was perfectly fine. I had risotto, lentils, and pasta dishes.  One night I did ask for a plate of the roasted veggies, and he brought them right over.  On the last night I got a glimpse of what he went through for me, as he said he'd got something special, and went to the kitchen three times and three times my meal was wrong!   My table mates were getting surf and turf, and he served me veggies and rice stir fry that looked superb! Well worth the wait.

Anyway, sorry for the long post, just wanted to ensure you had the proper expectation.  With an allergy, you may need to ask daily about ingredients just to make sure your meals are safe for yiu.

My condolences.

I'm not sure I understand your question, though. Are you flying to your cruise departure port? If so, I would ask the airline.

I love how the innocent question originally posed has morphed into this current thread....

OP, if you and your kids can utilize smartphones - then text or message away! It works at home, and if you pay for or can find a way to get the service, it will be most natural to the kids.

Second option could be the walkies. As someone else stated, though, carrying a squawking box around isn't fun on vacation.

The third is likely what has worked best for most - a combination of "check in at such-and-such a time" and leaving messages on the cabin phone or notes in the cabin. The biggest problem with this last is - if the check in time is missed, or a change in plan needs to be conveyed - chaos ensues, since there is no backup communication plan. Likely this will result in one person staying at a "home base" location and the other searching all likely hang outs until each missing person is located.

In an urgent situation, the cabin stewards and other staff members (kids club, etc) can be enlisted to help. In a true emergency, there is an intercom / PA system to relay messages. (Mr. Smith, please dial guest services).

Yes, kids will be kids - parental supervision can be less than ideal, etc. The real issue is that each family needs to establish their expectations and rules, and then imagine the "what if's" and come up with contingencies.

I agree that the adults will remember, and that should be good enough - but I also will add this: my early childhood was spent traveling internationally with either or both parents. It was no big deal, and to me very normal. I also lived near a border, so crossing into another country could be achieved in less than an hour. Again, no big deal.

Fast forward to married life, and I discover I am married to a man who never traveled. Never left his home state until moving at 12 to another home state he didn't leave. Well, there's a real FEAR that developed in him toward travel. He didn't know how. Panic set in when we crossed the border into Canada (accidentally) and we changed plans and decided to take another route out of the country. After much exposure, he is now a happy cruiser and will take any trip I throw his way.

I contend that a child develops many skills, abilities, experiences, expectations and such from being exposed to travel. These are not just the immediate day to day travails. Exposure to early travel sets them up for being open to the future adventures of life.

Oh no - I'm type O!

I wash very often, with lots of soap and warm water. I don't touch railings and use elbows for doors if possible. I carry wipes with me, and wipe my hands after ordering anything (How many other hands have touched your menu before you?)

I carry a small can of Lysol onto the ship and spray the cabin often.

I read somewhere that the Purell-type hand sanitizer does nothing for Noro, as Noro is a virus and sanitizers kill primarily bacteria. So it's good for keeping away many other types of illness but not Noro.

Just a thought - how about a wrap / sling / baby carrier, instead of a stroller? My DD is a big fan of them, and often has her one year old on the front and the 3 year old on the back. It's a lot of weight for the parent to carry around, but also both hands are free.... I've gone to amusement parks with her, and we swap off the older one - he's much easier to control in a wrap!

We always did early, with the exception of our last two cruises. The first of those, we had ATD. I was not a fan... to me it seemed the service was second rate, and the food coming to table was not warm enough. Maybe they got mine ready first each night, then gathered up the tablemates' and presented at table - I am not sure, but I was not very impressed. I agree that in theory one can schedule their day's activities in whatever way works for them and then do dinner around that. But the reality is most will still pick a set time and keep it each day.

The last cruise we had late dining, as dh and I felt the need for a change. We don't really do too many late night activities and there was so much going on in the clubs, etc. We also travelled with another couple who always took late dining. We found we were not enjoying the dancing, etc since we had just eaten. And we were forcing ourselves to be night owls when naturally we are larks. I think the most sleep we got on that last cruise was six hours - and that on a sea day!

I think what I have learned is to mirror your natural cycles on a cruise. If it feels normal to eat earlier, then do so. If you are a late eater, do that... that's why there's more than one choice.

If you read the comments under the article posted by rlkubi, there is at least one commenter who gives a possible scenario... I know it's only rumor, but if the commenter is correct - then we have our answer. And if it's true, I doubt Carnival would release that info.

Another alternative, mostly utilized for larger family groups is to use the gym / spa area showers. Actually, they are really nice - and you have a much bigger dressing room as well!

I've been looking for about a week... sometimes I log in and sometimes I do a check as a "newbie", just to see if there is a deal for past guests. Most of the time there is no deal.

Got the call from a PVP last night. Unfortunately, I told him I was just looking. As soon as I hung up, dh asked why I didn't book anything! Sigh - going to have to check them out again and make some plans....

BTW, my old PVP has moved on... this new caller is not someone I am familiar with. But, my old PVP did let me know of deals that I was not aware of. We once booked one week different than the week we reserved just to get some OBC and reduced fare.

I agree with the pp - similar, but not EXACTLY the same.

To the OP - the buffet is set up with stations, each normally following a theme and there are choices at each. There will be a variety of meats, seafood, and vegetarian meals at each station.

You can go check the MDR menus each day, as well as the specialty restaurants, and make eating decisions then. If you see something in the MDR, and for whatever reason don't wish to have the entire meal there, order for room service. (One could even get room service for one item, then go to the buffet to round out the meal).

The bottom line is - I don't think you will be disappointed at all in the choices on HAL. Give it a try!

From what I recall, the adult comedy shows were at 11PM. Should be plenty of time to eat dinner and then snag a seat.

They did have a more family friendly show earlier, and you'd need to miss that one with late dining.

Another thing I seem to recall is the doors to the comedy area did not open up until about 15 minutes before the show. (Is that all ships, or just the one we were on?) This kept the people from grabbing seats and just camping out - seemed to be more of an equitable situation for getting seats.

The production shows are done twice nightly to allow for both late and early dinner guests. Same show, so you won't miss anything.

I would delete your history/cookies and try again.

That said, you're not the only one.

I travel several times a year with various grandchildren. I always have a notarized medical release form signed by both parents.

I have not yet been fortunate to cruise with the grands - but I am given to understand there may be forms specific to the cruise line to authorize minor travel. Just something to check, wouldn't want to get to the gate and be denied on a formality.

Happy cruising!

Not just you - I just tried to find a cruise by date. I knew it was there before.... could only populate one cruise found, and not my departure port or destination. FOR THE WHOLE MONTH - one cruise! Wrong-o!

I went back to the specific ship, then searched - found it!

Verandah cabin - storage ottoman only.

We sailed Jan 5th.

I couldn't see the room with both an ottoman and a chair - where would you put it?

Having recently returned from a NA cruise, I have a new appreciation for the posters who are adamant shipwide formal dressers.... for the first time ever, we received a communication in our cabin that on formal night, so as to be uniform (paraphrasing) ALL guest should maintain their formal wear when in any public area.... I have heard (read) this quoted on this site numberous times, and didn't know if it was a HA policy or someone's recommendation.

Having said that, we would normally "dress" for dinner, then run to the cabin and change into something more comfortable for the shows and clubs. This time, we maintained our formal wear and noticed most everyone else did too.... However, one of our formal nights was somewhat rocky, and I took off my heals and carried them. (Please don't tell my mom - she'd be horrified!)

We did a cruise with Carnival in October, and a day before the departure we recieved an email asking us not to arrive until 2PM. I thought the "window" for departure at 4PM was too small, so we continued as planned and arrived at noon. There were no lines or delays and our cabin was immediately available.

I think there is an effort by all lines to gauge demand, and shift some away from peak times.

The first picture on my memory cards is of my business card. :)

^This^ What a great idea!

I found a bracelet guest services thought I was weird for turning it in but it wasn't mine

^ This! Our friends found a bracelet on the floor of one of the clubs. It looked "real" - who can tell? The dj made an announcement, and nobody claimed it, so we went and turned it in... Later, someone who had been at the club recognized my friend, asked what she had done with the bracelet - and we heard the bracelet "was not at guest services". My friend was given a receipt for it, so we all went back down there - the finders and the losers - and suddenly it was located.... seems someone put it in a safe not normally utilized for lost and found. Hmmmm....