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Items are set in the guest room, then culled down from want to need. Goal is always carry on only (we fly) so we are practiced at putting it together. Then we work together packing though I am the one that puts the puzzle together. Just checked in for next trip - 11 night TA, inter Europe flight, 6 day land then river cruise. Now to see if carry on only will work.

Just had a great time in VRBO in Key West with 6 adults and cute 3 year old GS. Lots of fun but I got tired of feeling like Mom - shopping, cooking, cleaning up to keep things tidy (not without help but the onus did fall to me or I felt the need to do it as no one else thought about it and I can't abide a mess. Price wise our cruise with 3 interior cabins was about the same and I did not have to do any of those things. Next we are trying an AI for the same reason.

Sorry - likely I mixed up sites.

Agree - we travel with refillable water bottles and find the tap water very nice (drink RO at home too). Hate to see all the single use plastic bottles even though the ship does separate plastic for recycle purposes.

And the family that kept bringing in a tot in a diaper, trying to say it was a swim diaper when challenged, walked out and waited until security left and came right back. A swim diaper is just a bodily function tea bag.

Send the note about medical reason to not drink - at least other people have had success with that.

We enjoy sailing Celebrity out of San Juan (or almost anywhere). We did sail RCCL out of San Juan and the large number of family groups and kids who seemed to take over public spaces all day and night made it a less pleasant experience for us as we wanted to listen to music or visit with friends and often couldn't find a space.

Another consideration is that an airport or cruise port are federal property where it is illegal.

We really enjoy Blu on the S class ship - most recent it was 14 nights on Solstice and we thought the food was very nice and sometimes excellent. Portions are small for some appetites but we were pleased with that aspect, in fact I often order 3 starters and call it dinner. Not sure why someone told you other classes could eat their - only suite passenger if there is room.

Under Manage Reservation tab in your sailing, at the top left it gives the reservation #, then you can see bed configuration with the option to Edit.

You can set that in your reservation, online.

On Apex in August we found arriving at about 6:45 (folks leaving to make the 7:00 pm show) was perfect for us and we never waited more than 5 minutes to be seated. I had made reservations on line but since everyone lined up to be seated they were not helpful.

Just our experience but we have made 10:15 flights three times including last summer - luckily you are headed out of town toward the airport so traffic may impact you less. This August we are still hunting for flights because everything is so expensive.

Yes - early in the month so I hope we see the pink salmon running again.

I would see if I couldn't book a flight from Atlanta - the drive is pretty easy 7 hours on the interstate and you would be south of the worst weather.

Congratulations on your anniversary. We love sailing Alaska and have been lucky to visit 5 times in different months and can't wait for August to sail again. I hate lots of luggage so we travel with carry-on only, a 22" roller bag and personal item each (last trip was 22 days including Iceland and Norway). Best tip is lightweight layers - tee shirt, then a long sleeve wool shirt plus a top layer of either fleece or raincoat worked everywhere except at the glacier. There are many inexpensive puffer vests and jackets that roll into tiny bags, work great for travel. For shoes we wear waterproofed walking shoes/athletic shoes and wool socks, never had a need for boots. In August we have hiked in shorts and had rain but never really cold days. On the ship it will be very casual and even evenings are not dressy unless you want to - relax and enjoy the trip. A swimsuit is nice if you want to use the pool or hot tub. The long standing joke is to get your clothes together, then remove half.

From what I see the Vitamin Water, Red Bull, smoothies, and perhaps other types of bottled water were added but the price more than doubled.

I had the NonAlcohol package on the Solstice and was served exactly what I had originally paid for as far as drinks - those products added when they sold Zero Proof (and increased the price) were not covered. Your card will be the clue as to which products the computer system will recognize as included at no extra charge.

On Solstice we had a shower head as well as body aimed heads you could choose to use. Some fitness classes do have a charge and you get to attend at no charge. Can't comment on spa packages as I have never used them.

In January they were 7 and 9pm - we had time to eat dinner around 6:45 and make the late show.

Did B2B in January and had a great time. Our meals were in Blu which I really enjoy due to size, large windows and ship being half full. We did eat a bit at OVC and the food was fine to nice, I have an idea what not to get from a steam tray and we could find plenty to eat. The ice cream is excellent. We did check out OVC for dinner and the selection has been pared down - pasta, pizza, salad bar, breads and desserts as well as a hot food station. Our dinner at Raw on 5 was delicious. Tuscan is usually a favorite but it fell a bit flat this cruise- lack luster waiter, food was fine (bronzino was excellent) but portions too large, and the waiter was the only crew to beg for rating. The quartet Barricade Boys were terrific, Broadway show tunes was okay and DH really enjoyed the Rock Show.

We had the chance to board tenders from the MC on the apex when sailing Ireland and it was the easiest I have experienced - that day the seas were lovely.

Old habits - anything with a bodily fluid which might transmit any disease is considered a biohazard.

My laboratory background jumps in my head when I see the possibility of taking my actual test with me. First, the appearance of the test can be altered by prolonged time after the end of the testing and carrying around a biohazard sample is also not the best idea (inside a sealed plastic bag does negate that part). If someone cares they can cheat the system with the photo.

To fairly test her claim of being the "food" cruise line - on board in disguise and eat at MDR and OVC. That is the only way to experience what the vast majority of cruisers have available in Food service.