srlafleur

There is no way I would try it. I've driven/ridden back and forth quite a number of times, New England/Florida, without incident, but there was one break-down that required an overnight stay, and another time that the traffic on 95 in FL was dead stopped for hours because of an accident.

I would definitely allot an additional day, at least!

I don't really care if they want to scan my Kindle, but I'll really be p.o.'d if they decide we can't carry electronics on at all! I mean, yeah, I can deal with just bringing old-school magazines and paperbacks, but can you imagine a long flight with kids (and even older) and no access to games, music, movies and all that? :eek:

I also know some business people who would probably stroke out if they couldn't bring their electronics. Isn't that a major complaint - folks who want to use their laptops not having room to work when the person in front of them has reclined their seat? Ugh. Think people are getting ugly now...

It won't happen on U.S. domestic flights for all the reasons you mentioned. Airlines would lose a fortune and they know it

Yes, you're probably right, but many of us fly internationally, and those can be some very long flights.

I don't really care if they want to scan my Kindle, but I'll really be p.o.'d if they decide we can't carry electronics on at all! I mean, yeah, I can deal with just bringing old-school magazines and paperbacks, but can you imagine a long flight with kids (and even older) and no access to games, music, movies and all that? :eek:

I also know some business people who would probably stroke out if they couldn't bring their electronics. Isn't that a major complaint - folks who want to use their laptops not having room to work when the person in front of them has reclined their seat? Ugh. Think people are getting ugly now...

I make my choice depending on which line/ship will get me to where I want to go for a price I'm willing to pay. I have never made a selection based on the ship alone or, for that matter, on the cruise line. Itinerary and price are my #1 priority.

The only time I had a problem was in Le Bistro. I wanted a glass of champagne (not prosecco) that was listed on the menu for $12.95/glass. They told me it wasn't included because they would have to open a whole bottle.

They why do they even offer it by the glass? That's a poor excuse!

The only reason I sail ANY cruise line is that they're going someplace I want to go for a price I'm willing to pay. If I should happen to reach any status at all, that's a bonus, but it isn't my goal when I book a cruise.

Aft balconies are all we ever book (when we can), and the amount of soot, if there has been any, has been negligible. I can't vouch for every ship on every line, but we've been on quite a few different ships and different lines.

On Celebrity site:

Smart Casual and Above

Shirts must have sleeves.

This doesn't mean long sleeves. It just means sleeves. Short, long, or in-between. What they don't want is hairy pits hanging out. It says collared sport shirts, most of which are short sleeved.

We have the beverage package our our upcoming 18 day (it was included!) and I'm happy we have it. We sailed on Princess last fall and bought their package. It was worth every penny, whether or not we drank the dollar equivalent. It felt so nice, so much more "luxe" to order an espresso, or fancy iced tea, grab a bottled water, get fresh-squeezed juice for breakfast without giving the bottom line a thought! Add in the alcohol that we drank - not all that much, truthfully (it was a busy cruise) - we never kept tabs. Doing that would have spoiled the vibe of not having a care in the world, which is one of the great things about cruising.

Thanks. I have seen that suggestion and will definitely do so. I just don't want to be locked into a specific time slot and would like to meet some new people each night rather than dine with the same group.

 

Lisa N.

If you prefer to dine with other people, you probably won't really need a reservation. I think those requesting a two-top, or a table just for their group are more likely to need a reservation if they don't want to wait. That's been my experience on every cruise, every cruise line that offers any time dining. Any time is our preference, and even requesting a table for two we haven't had to wait very long most nights. YMMV, but I'd actually prefer to wait a bit than have to decide early in the day when I'll feel like eating dinner.

How does one go about finding that match while browsing cosmetics at my local Ulta? :confused:

Also, the inside of your lips/gums is a good "neutral". Easier than nipples.

For me, Covergirl Outlast Canyon Rose works, but YMMV.

I have never had a really bad meal on any cruise, Carnival or any other. There have been items that I didn't love, but, for the most part, that was because of my selections not being what I expected, more than that there was anything intrinsically wrong with them.

Glitches and hiccups? Sure.

Less than perfection in the buffet? Naturally, which is why I avoid eating in the buffet (on any cruise line) for more than a lighter meal, snacks, and breakfast. I can always find something palatable, but prefer to be seated and served at dinner.

People are always ready to write reviews when things go wrong, but most people don't even think about it when everything goes as expected.

I don't see that it's a big deal. For people who don't have high limits on their credit cards and/or want to pay them off in full each month without breaking the bank, it makes sense. So what if you can basically do that on your own already? If some folks find it easier this way, what's the problem? It's not required of anyone else.

Of all of our cruises, I found our Princess cruise to Alaska to be the least formal "formal night", and that was a decade ago, when formal was still called formal vs. elegant. It was in May, and perhaps it was the case of people needing to pack more and heavier clothing, thus foregoing the super-formal gear.

There are always exceptions, of course, so the dress did run the gamut from "Sunday-go-to-meeting" outfits all the way up to tuxes and gowns.

When we went to Norway and took ship's excursions, we booked the ones that included lunch, or at least a "snack". Yes, the excursions were pricey, but it was a way to sample the local cuisine without sticker shock, having already paid up front.

Also, once I had Krone in hand, the equivalent of U.S.$ that I was comfortable spending, I didn't look at it and think "this equals this many dollars", I just spent what I wanted, keeping an eye only on how much I had left to spend. I came home with NOK left.

Hubby says he will never sail less than a balcony, but I might, and that's a BIG might, consider an inside, dependent upon the itinerary, if it came down to a choice between an inside or no cruise at all, particularly if sailing solo.

I have had an inside and an outside, but mostly balconies.

On a bus tour/excursion in Barcelona there were a group of people (maybe 1/4 of the bus or more) who decided to have a sing-along in their own language while the rest of the bus was trying to listen to the tour guide. Completely clueless and totally rude to the tour guide and the rest of the passengers. They were reprimanded by the guide, because she was finding it difficult enough to speak English as it was (though she did a wonderful job).

Oh, and of course, they were in the front of the bus.

I play slots and sometimes win enough to keep me playing for a while and I feel lucky with that. I have a friend, who is luckier than I, who has basically won the cost of her cruise a couple of times...and she rarely plays and bets very little!

We wore sneakers, same as we'd wear at home in all but the most inclement winter weather or hottest summer days (we live in New England, if that makes a difference). No problems.

We did some walking, but not what I'd call hiking.

If the more luxury lines are out of your budget, you might try the more mainstream lines like Celebrity, Princess and HAL, but while the kids are in school (avoid holidays, summer, February, March and April- school vacation) and/or a longer itinerary of 10+ days (which is where you'll also find a bit more of the road less traveled itineraries).

We saw very few kids on a Princess cruise in Japan in August (gosh, now that I think about it, I don't remember seeing any, but there must have been a few), even though it was only a 1 week cruise.

OP, if I were you, I'd give it another try on a different cruise line and more port-intensive itinerary.

We love cruising, but would never choose an itinerary with mostly sea days! For us, the point of cruising is seeing as many ports as possible. After many cruises (stopped counting), we are taking our longest ever at 18 nights - 11 ports including an overnight , with nicely interspersed sea days for relaxation.

We also love road-tripping, because, let's face it, cruise ships can't go everywhere. But, while on a road trip, we get disappointed that we have to live out of suitcases and have to find restaurants when we don't really feel like going out in search...so then we miss cruising, as much as we enjoy those land adventures.

What is the cruise line? Aren't they the ones who usually set the deposit? Non-refundable 18 months out sounds unreasonable.

I used to think I could retire on a cruise ship, happily. My thinking was that my kids could take vacations on board to visit, and obviously, we could take "time off" from the cruise just as easily as leaving any retirement location.

Then the grandkids came along. That, along with the realization that I'd end up getting bored with the same locations over and over, ad nauseum. (We are SO over the Caribbean.) Not to mention that hubby and I would end up weighing a ton a piece. I mean, sure, once the novelty wears off, even on a 7-day, you end up eating less and making wiser choices, but still....

Now, taking a good part of a year for a world cruise....THAT, I think I could do. But let's start with our upcoming 18 night, shall we, and see how we like it.

Why would you even bother to bring jewelry that you're afraid to lose? Just don't wear any jewelry at all, or wear something simple and inexpensive if you feel "naked" without. Who are you trying to impress, anyway?

Nobody cares what jewelry you're wearing (or not wearing), and, except for your own party, nobody knows what you usually wear.

Really, fellow passengers won't judge you for a lack of jewelry.

Since I can't get it off my finger, yes, I wear my wedding ring. We were flat broke when we got married, so the monetary value is negligible and it's not at all flashy. Hubby hasn't worn his ring in years due to jewelry restrictions when working, and I doubt he could get it onto his finger anymore.

I only wear some bling-y costume jewelry when I dress for dinner. I don't bother packing any actual valuables (what little I have).