abitaturbodog

Ok, after reading all the responses I'm going to amend my goal. I will eat a couple bites of the WCMC but not the whole thing. (I might need someone to physically pull me away from it, but I'll work that out with my varsity football player sons.) I will also reject the elevator at all times and keep away from the ice cream machine. (What about frozen yogurt?)

I think I can implement these changes and hopefully come home close to my sailing weight...hopefully. Thanks for the advice!

I'd never heard of this type of diamond until now. I did a little quick internet research and now I WANT ONE! They are gorgeous! Enjoy your beautiful ring.

I'm heading out on the Fascination in 10 days and in an effort to reduce caloric intake I'm making it my goal to NOT order any desserts including my favorite...the warm chocolate melting cake...GASP! :eek:

Has anyone else ever tried this? Is it humanly possible? Am I setting myself up for failure? Comments and advice appreciated.

I have a busy family of 4 and dinner together is something that we look forward to on a cruise. I want to re-connect with my children and hubby. Getting to know strangers is not on my to-do list when I'm on vacation.

No way, Jose. We've sailed in all sorts of cabins and haven't noticed any difference in service because of the cabin we're in. We have had different levels of service, but it's usually due to the availability of the steward. Sometimes we see our steward all the time and are able to convey needs/wants/compliments. While other times we never see the steward and aren't really able to tell him/her what we'd like.

Either way, we've always had really good service on board and it ALWAYS beat the service I get at my own home...which is NONE!:D

With the exception of our first cruise, my DH and I have always taken our kids with us. Last year we decided to do a short cruise without the kids...and I had anxiety about NOT having the kids with us. Just thought it was funny that us mamas will worry about just about anything!;)

We live in Beaufort, SC (about an hour from Charleston) and would never sail out of there because the destinations out of Charleston are so blah, and you don't even go to the Caribbean.

Pick either PC sailing. I'd go with the 8 day because you only live once! And like other posters said, PC hotels have really good stay and sail programs. We've used the Country Inn and Suites and it was a great deal. There's just nothing like waking up in the morning and seeing your cruise ship out of your hotel window. It makes the extra cost of going out of PC worthwhile.

Bonine is the only way to go for me because it won't make me sleepy like Benedryl and Dramamine. I HATE going on vacation and then not being able to keep my eyes open!

If you want to use the patch, try it out a couple of weeks before you sail. I had the worst side effects with the patch, pretty much made me miserable during my first cruise. I would never do the patch again. Go with Bonine!

I don't think I would take a "couples" cruise over Christmas. Too many kids, teens and families. Yes, you could hide out in Serenity or on your balcony, but where's the fun in that?

Shows will be overcrowded along with the pools, bars, buffet, etc. See if you can go the first or second week in Dec? We almost always cruise between Thanksgiving and Christmas and the ships are quiet and the rates are awesome. Good luck!

As a general rule, June-August, Thanksgiving, Christmas,New Years, college Spring Break and Easter holidays usually have ships full of children.

That's a lot of money for just a little extra space and no "perks."

If you feel that your kids are responsible enough, why don't you spurge on an inside cabin across the hall of your balcony for them? This will be our 4th cruise with our teenaged boys in their own cabin...it's wonderful! Well worth the extra cost.

I agree that I wouldn't spend the extra money to upgrade on this sailing. Save the cash and book another cruise.

The Lido buffet also offers the food that they serve in the dining room. This is a great option for eating with kids. You won't have wait service, but you can go anytime and it's usually very quiet and uncrowded. IMO, it's much nicer than eating room service in your cabin.

You've already gotten the answer to your question, but I thought that I'd add that the sun sets much earlier and so it gets cooler, earlier in the day. We've cruised a lot in Nov and Dec, and when the sun goes down, we go inside.

I wouldn't take it. Paying $300 for a slightly larger cabin isn't worth it, in my opinion. I'd rather spend the money on drinks, excursions or some jewelry.

I remember when guests could come on board and visit before the ship sailed.

I hate that you'd have to miss Belize, it's one of my favorite places. But, if you must, why don't you grab a lounger in the Serenity and catch up with a great book? I like to bring my pillow up on deck and take a little nappy!:D

Wow! Thanks for opening my eyes to a potential issue in St. Maartin. We're hoping to spend time in Little Bay, but will probably opt for another beach now.

I can only partially respond. We stayed at CI&S (Thanks Priceline!) on October 21, 2011. We also stayed there the previous October prior to a cruise. In both cases, we didn't use their shuttle but instead rented a car for our drive from Orlando to Cocoa. BUT I will say, that the breakfast madhouse we experienced in 2010 was not repeated this year. I did not ask whether the hotel was full or not, but I believe it was sold out in 2010 which may have been the problem then. I did see folks waiting for the shuttle out front on the porch as we were loading up to head to the rental car return and shuttle but it seemed orderly. There was a person with a clipboard at the door of the hotel asking if you were taking the shuttle who I also saw directing folks where to wait.

 

Good Luck - Have a great cruise.

Thanks for the info to everyone who responded. I guess it depends on if the hotel is full. I hope to take the shuttle, but will call a taxi (again) if I have to. We just like to get to the port early!!

Has anyone stayed at the Country Inn and Suites lately and taken the shuttle to the port?

The past 2 times my family has stayed at a hotel and relied on the hotel shuttle for a trip to the port, we've taken a cab after waiting in a crowded, crazy lobby for an hour. I have a room at the Country Inn pre-cruise in December and am worried that the same thing is going to happen. I'd rather just park at the off site parking place if this is the case.

So, what is your experience with the shuttle to the port? When did you get your shuttle time--when you checked in? Could you sign up for a shuttle before you arrived? Was the lobby a crazy mess on Saturday morning?

Thanks for the input!

I just read this review of the Splendor and the couple that traveled in the 1A cabin were able to get the bed and sofa pushed together! Here's a link to the review and some pictures of the beds together:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1502922

We have a cabin like this on our upcoming Dream cruise. No, you can not push the beds together.

Thanks for posting such a complete review. Your pictures were wonderful!

Also, the 10% off coupon has been removed from their site.

I understand that if you are on a 7 day cruise, you will be charged for 8 days; a 5 day cruise will be charged for 6 days.

Still cheaper than the port.

Just checked the rate today and they're back up to $6.99/day.