Bowie MeMe

We did a similar cruise with 11 only difference being the oldest grandchild was 14 and the youngest was 8 or 9, but there were 5 of them. We did a catamaran cruise excursion with snorkeling and beach. Gramps and I stayed on the boat for the snorkeling and took pics of everyone else (perhaps some special games, etc.. and the 3 yr.old could also stay onboard with grandparents). It was a little difficult getting off and on the catamaran at the beach for the "old" folks, and might be for your little one. However ,the crew was was VERY helpful and we managed quite well. The Excursion included music, dancing (fun stuff that the kids loved) and a pretty good buffet lunch. The excursion lasted about 4-5 hrs. and was a really fun experience for the whole family. Yes, it did cost some money (although NOT a "fortune"), but the fun had and memories made were definitely worth it.

 

Hope your cruise is wonderful!:D

Thank you. Where did you do the excursion? I think maybe one blow out excursion and the rest will be out and about and back to the ship to eat. People that don't cruise much don't understand the excursion to a small boat but some of them have been so much fun. How did you go about setting it up? Guess go to the ports section and see what folks have had fun with. Really looking forward to this trip. All of us cruise but usually not together (Grandparents are the problem-- they love 40-50 day trips -- blow the budget for the year all in one BIG check.

Any more ideas for how to set up fun times in the Islands for 11 folks. Families probably will walk most places but the grands need transportation. We did guide in van but at that time had only 8. Actually we all love being together because it is pretty rare that we gather in one place and it is most often a ship or resort now. (I don't have beds or cooking for 11 now -- just easier to meet somewhere and Granddaddy pays!) If you have any ideas let me know. 3 year old is a walker and tough. 9 year old runs a mile or two each day (runs with Dad) . Meme and Grandaddy are the limiting factors.

Looking forward to this trip but have 3 week fly/drive trip this month and holiday trips and then Cuba cruise in Feb. Gotta go while you can still do it.;p

;p

We are taking ll people on a cruise for our 50th wedding anniversary. Ages 70's grandparents 40's parents 18,18,17,9 and 3 for grandchildren. All the kids but the 18 year olds have cruised since they were 6 months old. We have all been in the Caribbean many many times (lived in Florida for years) so no new ports on the itinerary. How would you go about excursions? Youngest still must have car seat to travel by car (US rules ). What fits 11? All can walk pretty well except grandparents (we don't walk over a mile at a time -- get teased alot by the fitness crazy kids!). I have often hired guides in Asia and Africa but not for more than a car full. If anyone has done this type of trip or can suggest activities Eastern Caribbean on Caribbean Princess would appreciate an assist. (11 on excursion sounds like a fortune!)

I'm so anxious to get on our next cruise, but I'm having a really hard time finding an itinerary that we're interested in. I may have more options if I wait till the summer, that way I can leave out of the north east and have more options other than Florida/ Bahamas. This means cruising with a 14 month old vs a 10 month old. This kind of scares me lol! Our son's 1st cruise he was almost 2, he had just gotten into TV so it was easy to distract him during dinner with a video and he was steady on his feet so he could explore the ship or was content to sleep in a stroller. I feel like at 14 months they're all over the place, too old too sit still, too young to be distracted for long. At 10 months they're fairly immobile and distracted easily enough with some cherrios. Should I suck it up and get down to Florida with the baby at 10 months or wait it out and go with a toddler?

Oh my you hurry up and book a cruise with the idea 10 months is not so mobile and then you get kids like mine -- they all started walking right about 9 months! Mother Nature sure likes to laugh at us.

My daughters have traveled with both babies (pre walkers about 6 months old) and children 18 months old (all grands born in January). They have done fine at all ages. One daughter particularly likes to have oceanview or inside cabin -- afraid of balcony with daredevil kids. She found a "Parental " waiter -- one who loves kids and asked for them each night. Generally you get your own table with kids;p;p;p;). If it isn't working for you -- just take the child out for a few minutes and try again. I have one mother who uses Iphone movies often and one mother who does not allow any screens until after age 2 (brain scientist and doesn't want blue light). So you go and you do what works for your family. You adjust things when necessary and try to keep somewhat to schedule. Know it will not be the vacation you had before vacation but I think it is better. Enjoy your child and know that your child has the best mother in the world for him/her -- that mother is you. Relax.

We are on the 3/25/19 sailing from Miami to NYC with an overnight in Havana. What kind of cruise is departing on 3/24; is it a one day?

You have my very favorite cabin on the R type ship. I have been in 4050 on Oceania 4 times for a total of about 60 days. It is so easy to get to the bathroom from shore excursions! Perfect placement to run back if forgot something. Next cruise we booked later than usual and I am in 4008 so will see if the back hall is as good. Enjoy your cruise.

Do you get much snail mail or email from Azamara? We took a Bali to Osaka cruise 2 years ago. No mail since then. We have sailed at least 5 times with Oceania and I get mail from them (and Viking) every other day. I had sort of forgotten about Azamara though we loved the cruise we did with them.

Oceania is a smaller ship, more intimate. Cruisers in my opinion are very active 50-70 year old people who have done some to extensive traveling. Most educated very well but not stuffy and not overbearing for most part. Less entertainment/comics/night light. This crowd like fine food (much better than Princess IMO), lectures, conversations and exotic ports (small ship gets in where the big ships can't go). Service is probably better than Princess and you get a few meals in the specialty restaurants included. I generally prefer the MDR -- food is good and you eat in less than 90 minutes. Try it and see if it fits your idea of a good cruise. I would try it at least once before going for 6 months. Lots like the ATW cruise but many are like hubby and me -- we take segments over a few years -- have pretty much completed the cruise now. Heading off tomorrow to Bridgetown to Cape Town segment of 2018 ATW cruise and I am excited. Can't wait to get back to O and Insignia.

I'm packed now for segment 2 of 2018 RTWC Bridgetown to Cape Town starting Jan. 13. I'd like to see what is going on . If you find the blog would you please post it. The family has a homeschooled boy about age 10 years so might be a unique view from a young person's view.

We have been on 40 cruises with many many ports (most recent a world cruise with 90 ports). Just as many (or more) land trips going through customs ... have never been asked for receipts for my cameras ... new or old ... at one point, between my husband and I, we were carrying two DSLRs, point & shoot, phones, and two video cameras.

That is more or less what I thought. Being old I remember when the latest Japanese cameras had to prove not sneaking it into country.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I just bought yesterday a Nikon CoolPix A900 in silver. I liked the fact that it has 35X zoom -- that's my thing -- zoom for seeing the animals and zoom for seeing far away (sort of use as binoculars!). It also has an adjustable screen that you can position to get less glare in sunlight. I use my phone also but still wanted a point and shoot. This replaced Panasonic with Luminix lenses and 20x zoom. Great little camera but mine has gone on at least 12 very long trips and spent way too much time dangling from my neck and hanging out in the bottom of my purse/tote bag.Minor broken imput door and very scratched screen and camera very dirty after a very brief fall into the desert sand outside of Dubai. OOOPS. When hubby's Nikon DLSR froze in the delete photo phase we took out for the only real camera store in Maryland -- all others have closed. We have 4 days before a 50 day trip including a segment of the Oceania World Cruise from Bridgetown Barbados to Cape Town South Africa with Victoria Falls and Abu Dhabi added on. Seriously not the time for camera problems. DH replaced his base and kept his two nicest lenses. Added 32 memory card. I got the coolpix 9. I might not be a great photographer but I am enthusiastic! I take thousands and pick the good ones looking better than I am. with a little luck. Usually would have done much research but ---. Camera store says there are very few higher end point and shoots. Everybody normal just uses their phone. I HAVE A QUESTION: New cameras many ports and customs. Do I need to carry the receipt for the cameras with me or will they leave old grandmas alone?

This time next year we will be on a Carnival cruise. We don't usually travel in the winter, so I hadn't given it much thought, but currently both my kids are sick, and it has me thinking "what if this happened this time next year?" I know that if we are sick before the cruise that insurance will cover our cancelling the trip, but what if someone gets sick while on the ship? This year we made it home for Christmas just fine, but of course, three days into our trip, my youngest wakes up with an ear infection. If something like this happens three days into our Christmas cruise next year, I'm hoping that our trip insurance will cover the ships doctor! I know one thing for sure, I'm going to be loading my kids up with vitamins and preaching hand washing dawn til dusk, before our cruise next year!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

6 E;mails in 12 minutes Oceania!! what the hell? And they're all the same thing. Take away the eggnog from whomever is pressing the send button.

ME TOO! 6 emails in 4minutes oops there is another one. The vibrations are getting to me!:evilsmile:

If you decide to stay in Abu Dhabi, I recommend the InterContinental Hotel. Good facilities (though older) with a good set of restaurants. Resorts and hotels being large probably won’t be able to walk around to restaurants “on the street”For the 2nd time this year decided to do the inclusive rate with IC includes breakfast lunch dinner in their 9 restaurants. We figured cost wise fair no transportation cost (walk) restaurants very nice and buffet outstanding in variety.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

LoL. Surprised to see they are still available.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Big-Chief-Writing-Primary-Western/dp/B0094IV3DC

Yeah you made snort my milk and sugar cookies! Thanks for the laugh.

Are taxis available at the cruise terminal 24 hours a day? Our ship is due to overnight in Dubai Dec. 31-Jan. 1 and we are considering a very early tour that would depart from a nearby hotel at 6 am on Jan. 1. Just wonder if we would be able to find a taxi to get us there that early as you cannot walk out of the port.

From all the notices on the hotel sights and tourist attractions I think that New Year's Eve is the most expensive night of the year and has large surcharges on the better restaurants and clubs. Know before you get there what you plan to do. You will not have that magic congeierce desk to make things happen from the ship. Arabian Adventures is the big tourist mover in the area -- might be able to get a van for several people. Dubai is really great place. Hope no buildings burn like last year's New Years eve.

In Vietnam, to me the most fascinating thing is watching the traffic! Seeing what goes by the bus window usually on a motorbike or a put together unique vehicle that certainly would not pass inspection in our part of the world. Biggest family on motorbike =6 Mom with baby tied to front, 10 year old girl in school uniform , 6 year old boy with no shoes, father with toddler on his back -- father was steering around mother and girl. Most interesting look -- a full mobile tea shop with kettle , table, 2 stools and a dishpan hanging off the bicycle. Boy and girl making out on a motorbike -- light changed and I didn't see if he got to "2nd" base. Police car that was mix of smart car size on motorbike platform.2 cops inside and one standing on rear bumper. 4 old men playing a card game at the jammed up intersection! 3 pigs trussed up on a motorbike! Barreling down the road to market. Never ever boring. Some most excellent "people watching" because it is so different from US. Have a great time and leave time to just be in the streets and culture. Life is happening while we sit in tourist shows.

One thing that is unique to Vietnam (and Hanoi in particular) is a water puppet show. It's not only for children - it's a cultural experience with Vietnamese music and singing accompanying this unique show,

Where else can one see this? :)

I went to this cultural show a few years ago. I love puppets and have several kinds of puppets of my own that I used as a school librarian. I used puppets with small kids to do our own puppet shows written and directed by my little ones using sometimes homemade puppets sometimes my Folkmanis puppets. I say this so you know that I really like puppets and this was one of the highlights I was looking forward to. I was just underwhelmed. Very much an old craft -- the puppets were very much simple wooden shapes and because of the water were peeling their paint. The benches were like oldfashioned wooden benches that were more than a little hard and narrow (OK so I am just too big a body person to fit into much of anything in Viet Nam -- all seats too small :o) I would say still go. It is a cultural experience. Just don't build up your expectations too much. As the experience mellowed I liked it more -- but not my favorite. The best puppet experience ever was in Yogyakarta Indonesia. A private guide took us to a puppet maker and he showed us how they make the large and/or very small shadow puppets and hand puppets used to recite the religious stories and cultural stories of the region. They are truly works of art and each must have the features and characteristics of the religious figure so that the story is told without words in parts and to inform the populations that can not read the "holy books". This was just an added stop (guide had never gone there but knew who to ask) and it was so interesting we ended up spending most of the afternoon. Put it on your bucket list -- a good one added to Borobudur Temple and Pranbanan Temple

We want a tablet to use mostly for home communication and bill paying while on Insignia for part of the world cruise. Last year had a bit of a problem using the computer lab and would like to have the privacy of our own tablet. Any suggestions. Right now we have a windows desktop computer, I phone 6 (2) and are used to bill paying and other functions. Any of the tablets good enough to skype or face time. Specific to Insignia and Nautica -- the R ships.

Thanks so much. We don't leave until Jan 8 so have a little time to spend Christmas gift :D

On our recent Eclipse Caribbean cruise we received a pair of ladies white capri pants in our laundry (not mine) but were missing a pair of my underwear. Our cabin steward took the said capris and a description of my missing underwear, she returned an hour later with the item.

 

I call this wonderful service for a small item being returned, this is just my experience.

 

Liz.

Check around the safe and life jackets. Is it possible got rolled up with the luggage drop cloth on the bed the first day? (under the bed or in the far top of clothes closet. When you disembark really check under the “lining “ of the safe— I have found money, credit card (black American Express!) and mini photo memory cards. All important things. I once found a missing floppy sunhat behind the curtain and in the corner

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

We spent precruise week in Dubai and postcruise week in Abu Dhabi. Flew in and out of Dubai (DBX). (flew to Singapore to catch Insignia and then disembarked in Abu Dhabi). The ride from Abu Dhabi to DBX (well the Holiday Inn Express at airport). took less than 2 hours -- had a lady driver from India who was quiet but nice. No problem, really easy. Arranged through hotel desk (wanted a van for 3 people's luggage). There is a bus that goes from Dubai to Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi to Dubai. Not sure of the scheduling or the cost but it seemed to me that it was included in the price of air fare. Check it out because I don't remember exactly and that set of notes is gone. Emirates and Etihad both have limo service included for BC and FC fares -- some classes of tickets the limo will take you to Abu Dhabi . Read the airline page maybe.

I hope that your husband is doing well in treatment and that he enjoys this trip. Visas and rules and regulations are hard but it is much easier to do things early than standing in front of someone who maybe does not know all the rules themselves but can and will keep you from coming into a country. A little power and an official can be tough! Happy Trails to you.

Ship’s photographer is a good opportunity to get photos that are more formal than selfies and casual vacation. on ships with formal nights where you are dressed up a bit often visit the photographer or 2 and then choose the ones like best. Lately though these old folks have been showing up in the package! I’d pay more if the “lighting” was better🤨. Almost always take pictures on family cruises as don’t get all 9 together often enough and I do display at home.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

You still need to get the certificate even if there are medical reasons for you not to have the vaccination. The doctors letter stating that the person cannot have the vaccination on medical grounds needs to be taken to the clinic that gives the yellow fever vaccinations and they will issue the official YF certificate stating that the holder is exempt on medical grounds... At least that's how it worked for a colleague of mine travelling to a country that required it for entry...

 

Anne...

Has your husband ever had yellow fever certificate? When we went to the travel medicine Dr., we took our old yellow fever cards that expired at least 10 years before. The Dr. now says that the Health Organizations of the world consider Yellow Fever vaccination to be lifetime. For one of us, she issued a new certificate stating lifetime vaccination and on the other one she updated and certified that card as lifetime. (one card was very "fragile" one was in good shape). So a travel medicine specialist can and does translate YFC into acceptable forms. She also added all our other vaccinations on this form. USA does not have YF vaccine now and must import doses from another country. It takes time to get the vaccine. Schedule with a specialist and they can help in most cases with precision. She checked our itinerary port by port and by date we'd be there to see what the risks were. One country no need for malaria medication because mosquito not present at the time we were visiting and on another the area we would visit had no danger while going inland 10 miles would need vaccination because of reported cases of disease. So these specialists are good at helping you decide exactly what is needed. They also could advise on husband's special vaccination and health needs.

Bowie MeMe,

 

Did you rent an abaya to visit the mosque or were you suitably covered in your own clothes?

Hi! the two women in the party wore their own clothes.I had on an ankle length skirt and t-shirt with a longsleeve blouse (one that I use for sun screening) My friend had on long pants and a t-shirt with a blouse over the t-shirt. Both covered ankle to neck and down the arm to wrist. We tied an ordinary scarf on our heads. Long scarves are available in all the markets and they are beautiful (and cheap) to bring home so saw lots of those. The rental or borrowed (I don't know the fee) wear is dark brown zippered robe with a hood. Sort of like a monk. Wear shoes that are easy to slip on and off -- there is limited seating for removing shoes and people tended to take their time resting up a bit on the shoe benches. You leave your shoes in long rows of boxes for the shoes -- shoe parking lot.

Men and women use separate lines to enter the security lines (like airport with scanners and watch off etc). The clothing take/return was right after security. All meet up outside security building and all tour the same (men's) elaborate temple. Signs direct you -- I don't think a formal tour with guide.

For folks going to Abu Dhabi, we stayed at the InterContinental in Abu Dhabi. We took full board and it worked out very well in expensive AD. there are 3 or 4 restaurants and a buffet. Very good selection on the buffet for breakfast and lunch. We were allowed to eat in the "fancy" seafood restaurant and the Brazilian steakhouse with entertainment in the evening. They packed a lunch for us on the day we were out all day. It is not mentioned much on-line but I read about it here on cruise critic. I might only be during special times of the year? we were there in early April 2017. I called the IGH loyalty club ambassador for the information -- they will have to look it up. I think we saved much money. Very few of the hotels in AD are located where you can walk to other restaurants. Good luck in getting this deal -- We were pleased with the hotel and the food plan and the service. Older and not fancy by AD standards but maybe you don't need the marble driveway and gold elevators. AD is such a fabulous place to visit. Do not miss the huge mosque! It is probably the most beautiful building I have ever experienced -- just wonderful. They do go to excess!!!