mousey

Just before our last cruise this past April on Carnival we were waitlisted for our late seating choice. On the Carnival board I learned that most people on our cruise were waitlisted for their choice of dining time. It was not a problem. When we checked in we were given the dinner time we had requested. I'm not sure why they do the "waitlisting" thing, but it is nothing to worry about. :D

Why people... why? The OP asked a very legitimate question and did not solicit your parenting skills regarding what might be appropriate for their kids on their vacation. If some teens want to use their Playstation/Xbox in their cabin.... they should! If THEIR parents have an objection, it's a family decision.... not a general debate. Simple as that... I personally feel it's a good way for them to be entertained late at night. We all know they are going to stay up late anyway.... If they are under 18 and the teen club is closed, their only alternative is to hang out at the pizzeria or find some way to get into trouble ;). I'm sure there are plenty of other threads regarding this issue (teens hanging out all at all hours of the night) where the response is about having a curfew like RCCL. How are they missing out on "so much to see and do" by playing some Madden with their friends (as long as they aren't making noise to disturb their fellow guests of course ;))? A vacation is about relaxing and enjoying yourself. Is someone reading a book in their cabin missing out on all the things the ship has to offer? Same idea.....

Very well said! I was thinking the same thing. A question was asked, no opinion was requested!:cool:

So, is this a foot fetish thread or what?!:D I too take pictures of my feet! It's a running joke with my SIL and our cousin. They have always commented on my "pretty feet". One year when we were again all together on vacation at the SIL's timeshare in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, they again were saying stuff like; "She has the prettiest feet! Aren't they great!" 'Yeah, she does!" I usually always get a manicure and pedicure before I go on any vacation, so I'm sure that helps!;) Anyway, just for the fun of it, I put on some really bright, neon pink toenail polish, a toe ring, and ankle bracelet, and took a picture of my feet in the water on the pool steps! I sent the pictures to them after we got back home (we all live in different areas of the U.S.), and they got some really big laughs, so I'm told!:D Anyway, now I do it every time we travel somewhere together! Just a fun thing to share with the girls!:D The guys used to think we were nuts!!!!:eek:

The DH, DS, and I collect lapel pins from every country or U.S. city we travel to. We have tons of them! I used to collect water globes and shot glasses, but I ended up with way too many, and it got wierd! We also collect Christmas ornaments from each place we visit.

Try the BLT from room service. It is awesome. But you have to order two because they are that good.

Thanks for the tip! I passed it along to the DH and he's looking forward to having some when we cruise in April! Can't wait!:D

This is a great thread! So far, I've copied down about 12 different drink recipes, ordered a single-serving blender from Wal-Mart, and am ready to party!:D

I read on another thread that if you sail out of San Juan, they are pretty liberal about allowing you to bring on a bottle of rum without any hassels, as long as its in a backpack, and not just in plain site.:) So, since San Juan is our first port stop, that's what I'm going to do. Thanks for all the wonderful ideas and recipes. I've got a mini cocktail shaker that's going in my checked bag!:D

I just bought a small blender, no bigger than a coffee cup with a "coke can" size glass/blending container, for $15 at Wally World.

 

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5924588

Thank you for that!:) Not that I would take it on a ship and mix booze in it!:p Yeah baby! This'll work!:D Thanks again!!!!!

This year 1/08, on Pearl, the process was similar. However, I took on 6 bottles. After paying the corkage fee (just sign voucher), each bottle got a sticker "corkage fee paid". I then carried them on. The room was not "ready", but I was able to put them in the room right away anyway.

You know what, maybe I was wrong. Now that you mention it, I believe I did get my bottle back with a receipt for the corkage fee. I think I remember taking it to the restaurant myself.:o

Last year was the first time that I took wine onboard with me. We didn't have to fly because we live in LA and sailed out of San Pedro. I took one bottle of wine and was charged a $15 fee. They took the bottle and when we went to dinner it was brought to our table right away. It was well worth the fee since you can't buy a bottle of wine on a cruise for $15. I carried the bottle in my carry on bag. Just before you board the ship they have a table set up where you pay the corkage fee. They take and keep the bottle for you. At dinner you give them your room number and they bring the bottle to your table. If you don't drink the whole thing, they cork it up and have it ready for the next time you want it.:)

A fellow passenger told me that she had tried to sneak some booze on in her checked luggage. Because they scan checked luggage as well as carryon luggage, she got caught.:eek: She was sent to the "naughty room" where they had her bag. They made her take the liquor out and give it to them. They told her she could get it back when she disembarked. She said she was pretty embarassed, but she didn't let it ruin her trip.

Word to the wise!

If you do a poll make sure that you're very upfront about the cost. Most people have no idea what to expect cost-wise and without spelling it out for them it will skew the results.

 

And also include the cost for anyone traveling as a single -- at the ten year mark there will probably be many of them too. That's one advantage to a more traditional type of reunion -- singles don't get penalized for being single as they do on a cruise.

I went to the reunion without my husband as he wasn't really interested in hanging with schoolmates he didn't know. I called one of my best girlfriends from my school days and she and I went on the cruise together. We had a really great time reconnecting with each other, and meeting up with old boyfriends, and other friends. It was fun to see how everyone had changed (or not).:eek:

I agree about being upfront about as much of the costs as you can. Also, give lots of notice. Because my invitation for the reunion came about 6 months before the cruise, I was able to save up for it.:D

I went to high school in Florida, but moved to California about 10 yrs after I graduated. I received an invitation to our 20 yr. reunion, which was going to be a 4-day cruise to the Bahamas. I didn't hesitate. I went and had a really great time! The invitation included all the information as to how much it would cost, including taxs, tips, and parking charges, etc. The rest of the costs I figured out myself. It was a really fun time!:D

Yes, some people can't afford it, or won't like to cruise. But then, some people can't afford other events either, and still others don't like to travel at all. You can't please everyone. Just send out invitations and see who wants to go. Those that do, will and those that don't, won't. It was a big expense for me, but the invitation came about 6 months before the actual cruise so I was able to save up for it. It was worth every penny!:)

Wow, just when I thought I had heard everything there is to know about what to bring on a cruise, you guys come up with some new stuff. I love the idea about giving crew members chocolate candy and souviners (sp?) from where you live. I'm going back to the 99 cents store to get candy and some key chains from California. I also love the idea about tipping with a $2 bill! Great ideas everyone!!!!!:D I think I will make up some Easter goody bags for the room stewards on my 4/7 cruise. Such a great idea from the person that gave her room steward a Christmas stocking. What a thoughtful person! It is amazing isn't how such a small gesture can make another person's day a little brighter. I always compliment people that I meet during the day on something they are wearing. The great smiles I get in return make my day!! Love the daughter that got her mom all the stuff from the dollar store! What a sweet daughter you are. Your mom raised you right! Actually there are lots of nice, generous people on this thread! Not a single person complaining or flamming anyone! Love it!:D

I love it when I take my first step onto the ship itself, and leave everything behind.

The DH loves exploring the new ship and seeing where everything is.

He loves to go by and read the menus everyday.

The DS loves making new friends and being free from his parents for a couple of hours on his own!

We love, love, love to cruise!:D

One addition to the list - with all the electronic items we travel with, phones, PDA's, Ipods, camera, bluetooths, laptops etc I purchased one charger that you just change the tips for the device to be charged. It can charge two items at the same time. No more extra cords and plugs for me.

Thanks for the updated list.

What a great idea! Where did you get this device?

John, thanks for starting this really great thread! It is very helpful and most of all very funny. You have attracted some of the nicest postings I have seen yet on these boards. No ones arguing, no ones flamming anyone. I love it!!!!:D