cowprintrabbit

We took a half-day tour from and older Polynesian man named Robert this morning, driving a blue Citroën. Our prearranged transportation from the port in Papeete fell through and he rescued us, so we don't have contact info for him or I would happily recommend him! He was wonderfully informative and let us spend exactly how much time we wanted at each site and even took us to a museum he doesn't normally include.

If this rings a bell for anyone, please let me know - we left a small camera case in his car and he drove all the way back from his home on the leeward side of the island to bring it to us at the Le Meriden! He left again before we had a chance to thank him or get info to recommend him to others.

I had a problem with ant bites at the Le Meriden Tahiti before our cruise, and then didn't see another bug (except flies and the occasional HUGE wasp) until we had one mosquito in our van on our post-cruise island tour. Our guide said the mosquitoes are worse on the leeward side of the island.

We checked in around 11:30 and it was clear they had been open for a while already. Sorry I can't be more specific, but hope that helps!!!

You can by a single (mono-pole) that can also be used for photography since it has a fitting in the top to take a camera mount. Pretty much a hiking pole.

 

That's the kind I have - it goes everywhere with me, or should! I'm still recovering from a fall I took in India because I didn't think I'd need it that day... I like only having the one because it leaves my other hand free for my camera.

It has a basket that really helped in the snow, and also the rubber tip removes for a better grip on ice or dirt. If you plan on hiking up the slopes to get a better view, or some cool pictures of the ship from above I highly recommend one!

DH and I are finding lots of reviews that mention Sterling Steakhouse and Sabatini's being open alternate nights on the Ocean Princess; but we're looking for an opinion whether they're worth the extra $.

One of the things we love about cruising is getting to know our dinner table, but if there's something amazing only available in the specialty restaurants, we might consider one night.

Just of the Grand. Along as the bottle has the corkage paid sticker on it you are allowed to take it to any of the venues above. No questions were asked throughout the ship. I even brought two bottles one night to the Crown Grill.

I was wondering if they were going to put a sticker or something on them, thanks! Does your allotted free bottle per person get a different sticker?

I have a small white noise maker I take without issue. However, I just discovered apps for your smart phone that make different noise... waves, rain, etc

I don't go ANYWHERE without my Marsona; I even use it at home! I spent a few dollars extra to get the one that works with 220 or 110; you just need the plug adapter, which comes with it.

We also travel with a small battery operated fan, DH is a hot sleeper. Have not been on Carnival in a while - fingers crossed! Thank you to the OP, I am packing right now and it wasn't in the suitcase yet!!! :eek:

Can you tell me what those drops are called as I know many many allergy sufferers and would pass this info along?;) Thanks

Mine are called Allergy EZ - your doctor may use a different brand, but they're the kind they formulate after doing the scratch test on your back.

TSA regulations below: The best place to get answers to your liquid related questions is via TSA.gov. The 3-1-1 rule is 3.4 ounces or less, 1 quart size bag for every 1 passenger. Thousands of people fly each day with liquid medications. If you follow the rules you will be fine.

 

{snip}

 

You are allowed reasonable amounts over 3.4 ounces (100ml) of the items above in your carry-on baggage, but you will need to perform the following:

1. Separate these items from the liquids, gels, and aerosols in your quart-size and zip-top bag.
   
2. Declare you have the items to one of our Security Officers at the security checkpoint.
   
3. Present these items for additional inspection once reaching the X-ray. These items are subject to additional screening.
   

I do this part all the time, we travel A LOT, just nervous because I have never declared medical liquids before...

My drops come in bottles like this

http://www.lacrosseallergy.com/AboutOurTreatment/HowSlitWorks/default.aspx

 

I get them through my doctor - I actually switched to an ENT as allergies were causing vertigo, ear infections, bronchitis, pneumonia and other health issues. The first year they did prick test and IgE tests. The next year to determine what was still going on (my insurance wouldn't pay for two tests in one year) they did IgG tests. I have been on new food and enviroment drops for a full year as a result of the IgG test. They found I had a severe egg allergy that was not discovered in 2010. Even though 2012 has been warm and most people have suffered lots of allergies - I have been very healthy. They really work.

 

I take daily - I have been taking the enviromental ones for two years and have noticed huge improvements...

 

Back to traveling... No problems with them... They are labeled. Even if they want to look at - so, I don't care if they do!!;)

Thanks, that makes me feel better, both about travelling with them, and that there is an end in sight to the constant sinus infection I have from my allergies!

It may make your life easier if you take a note from the doctor with you. While medical liquids are allowed, TSA has been known to be a pain about it.

Good idea, thanks! I once had them take away a 3oz bottle of sunscreen because it was hand-labeled; now I am paranoid :o. Sometimes I think it depends on whether they had a good breakfast before coming to work that day...

sounds like they might be a better substitute for the escargot than the ceviche they are "substituting"!

I am in the middle of a course of allergy drops (like the shots, but no needles!) They are really expensive so I'd rather not check them - it also says they need to stay room temperature and I'm worried about extremes under the plane.

Does anyone have experience declaring "medical liquids" going through TSA? Also, is ship security going to have a problem? It is 8 tiny bottles (think travel eyedrop size) in a paperback book sized case with foam lining and cutouts for the bottles.

Make sure that your ship is going to be in the first 3 piers if you are going to walk. Even that is almost a half a mile and that's a lot of schlepping. 99% of people take a taxi.

Oh wow, thanks! I guess I've never used a cruise terminal that big! Does Princess have a normal slot or is it hit/miss?

We are going into Long Beach, CA and they have a website where you can look up your ships berthing assignment ahead of time!

Hilton Marina might be one block closer to the port entrance but ES is closer to lots of restaurants and stores and includes free happy hour and breakfast.

Thanks for the info! For one night, I don't think we'll be venturing out of the hotel; and that one block makes a huge difference when I have a 22" pullman, a spinner garment bag, a carryon and my camera bag :o

We are trying to decide between the Embassy Suites Ft Lauderdale and the Hilton Ft Lauderdale Marina, both on 17th. We'll be using Hilton points from my husband's business travel to stay there the night before our cruise. The most important thing to us us walking distance to the entrance of the cruise terminal - they both claim to be close to the terminal itself. We're leaning toward the Hilton Marina?

Nothing wrong w/Reb Lobster.:) I get my lobster fix there about once a month (or at one of our casinos). They've alive and I choose my own, and I've always found they were cooked perfectly.

Completely unfair! I was in one in TX in January and they had a lobster tank, too! I have to drive an hour north or south from my house to get to one and neither has a tank. But like I said - any port in a lobster craving "storm" :)

Maybe it varies - I can't remember whether the one in Honolulu has one...

I think it's all in how much you like lobster - I will take it in any shape or form. I'm pickier about my chocolate than I am about my lobster - I'll even eat it a Red Lobster :eek:

Before desert was served I looked over again and EVERYONE of them had their spoons on their noses. Needless to say - People watching became my very favorite dinner past time.

This wasn't us - but on our last cruise we could tell that our waitress was having a very bad day one day (it turned out a relative had died back in her own country.) We decided to do something to cheer her up, and when she came out with our desserts, our table, which was 2 guys about to go off to college, my husband and I, and a group of friends 60-80 who were very dignified, were all sitting there with completely straight faces and spoons on our noses. She laughed until she cried, then told us what was going on; and thanked us for brightening her day.

One night we were on our way back to the cabin, and this very intoxicated man, all dressed up in his tux, was weaving first to the left and then to the right. We kept trying to pass him but it seemed like he always went the opposite way that we expected him to, so we were having difficulty trying to get around him. finally he lurched so far to the left that he bumped into the wall. As we were finally passing him he seemed somewhat embarrassed and slurred "These damn big waves, ya can't even walk like a normal person." Of course the sea was very calm. So every time we see someone walking a little unsteady on their feet, no matter where we are, we say "yep it must be those damn waves!" :D

On our first cruise (Norwegian Sky to Alaska) I was going from the casino to the restroom and back on formal night. The itinerary was up the inside passage slowly and down the outside rather quickly. At the time, I was considerably younger than most of the passengers and trying to appear dignified while tipsy in a long gown and fancy shoes. The ship shifted, and an older man careened out of nowhere and grabbed my arm for balance, slurring,"Am I thinker than I drunk I am, or is the ship moving?" I stammered something about "er, both?", which he thought was so funny I had to hide in the ladies for 20 minutes until he got tired of waiting for his new friend and left.