Mum2Mercury

See, I'm the opposite -- for me, bulk matters more. We're close enough to drive to the port, and our luggage is on wheels. So I have to get everything into the suitcase, but the weight doesn't really matter to me, which is good because I also "pack tightly".

I don't know Soma -- I guess it's something we don't have here. I don't go to Dillard's often (kinda out of my way), but I will give it a shot; I'll check them out online right now. Most of my clothes come from such places -- or Ebay. I can always find a great selection at low prices, so why should I pay more? I have a couple favorite brands with sizes that're sure, and I mostly stick to them. It's not my favorite thing, but you're absolutely not going to be inappropriate if you dress "elegantly". You and I are opposites. At 4'11", I always have to hem things. Those would fit in well on most cruise ship's "formal nights". I used to enjoy Dress Barn, but they're gone from my area now. I find that odd because I live in a booming area! Seriously, housing, retail and industrial areas pop up overnight here, and our roads need widening. So how'd they go out of biz? Hate 'em. Being short, they're totally wrong for me. Though my height/weight are proportional, I'd look like a little fire hydrant ... wide and short.

We're planning to visit Chanknaab on our next cruise, and we're doing the same thing for several reasons: - If it happens to rain, we aren't committed. No one wants a beach day in the rain. - We're traveling in the fall, so I'm not worried about the place filling up /admission being unavailable. - A taxi (both ways) and admission are significantly cheaper than an excursion. We don't plan to swim with dolphins, etc. Here are some pictures off the internet. We will get a couple snacks -- I'm definitely with you on the shrimp, but I don't really care to sign on for a full-on buffet. I like the way these menus show prices in pesos and US dollars.

By "official", do you mean ship-sponsored excursions? A couple things to understand: - Be sure you understand what they're guaranteeing: they promise they'll get you back to the ship on time to re-board. A whole lot of people don't return to the ship immediately; instead, a lot of people shop or drink in the shadow of the ship ... and those are the people who tend to be left behind. - It's easy to watch You Tube videos and get the idea that being left behind is common ... that it happens to a couple people at every stop! No, in reality the vast majority of cruisers make it back welllll within the time limit. Pier runners aren't even common. - Private excursions are definitely better. They tend to be small groups led by tour guides who are motivated to please you (and to earn tips). They ask what you want and give your group choices, whereas ship-sponsored excursions tend to crawl at the speed of the slowest old lady ... they make you stop for an hour in a straw market that doesn't interest you, then they hurry you past a cute little bar (or bathroom!). - Having said that, there's a time and place for ship's excursions: If you're going on a tour that's more than an hour from the port and/or requires multiple forms of transportation (especially in a country where you don't speak the language), it might be wise to go on the ship's excursion ... or make a different choice for that port. Two hours is my personal comfort level. If you aim to be back with at least two hours to spare, then you're safe if something happens (getting lost, twisting an ankle, bad traffic). I also make a point to know where I'm going (not trusting blindly in other people) and to have cash for a taxi, if necessary. And don't let your group break up. Make that ALL private guides. On these boards we hear people who are afraid of being left behind, but you won't read a whole lot about people to whom it's happened ... and I've never read a story about someone who was left behind by a tour guide. I think this is what most people do ... and it's very easy to schedule your day this way. Personally, we tend to be back on the ship for a late lunch, and I think we're in the majority. I don't think a whole lot of people are pushing their limits.

You're very, very right, and I know I'm guilty of forgetting this.

Try after New Year's too. We found one of my daughters' prom dresses on a clearance rack after New Year's. Super nice dress, and I think it cost about $30. In my world I call two-piece sleepwear with shorts /pants on the bottom "pajamas" and one-piece dress-like sleepwear "nightgowns". I'd like to have some elegant nightgowns, but I don't see them in stores anymore. I thought maybe the world had lost interest?

Sounds like the choices are: - Carry a ship's towel, which can be traded in for a fresh one any time, though it takes more space in the backpack. - Carry a tiny towel, but once it's dirty you don't really have a good way to wash it onboard.

I have never seen such an outfit. If would not wear it.

Anyone open this thinking it was about sleep clothing? Back to the point: My grandmother owned many evening gowns and regularly attended club meetings, etc. where it was appropriate to wear such items. That was a different era.

Here's how I see it: Benefits of using your Sea Pass Card: - Will automatically be issued to you at no cost - Fits in a pocket easily - Useful around the ship AND gets you on/off at island stops Benefits of getting the WOW band: - You must go to Guest Services once you're onboard; cutting into your time and money. You can use the band again on future cruises, but you'll have to return to Guest Services again. - Good for a teen who is old enough to have a bit of freedom on the ship, but who isn't always responsible with the card. - Good for people who will be in and out of the pool and don't want to leave their card unattended on a pool chair. - Good for people who are going to drink a lot and might lose their cards.

I'd like to do that tour ... but I don't want to pay that price. Back to your question though, I suspect they slipped in a little qualifying phrase like "on participating ships". They probably covered their butts. Still, I hope you get the tour you wanted.

I can relate to all of that. We must be close in age.

I've been investigating the canned soda thing, and I've found that Royal has a leg to stand on here: The Refreshment Package does not include canned sodas. Note that they specify FOUNTAIN SODAS (as opposed to BOTTLED WATER). The Deluxe Package also specifies FOUNTAIN SODAS. Bummer. Fountain soda and refills at any venue Coca-Cola® Freestyle beverages* Coca-Cola® souvenir cup Non-alcoholic cocktails (mocktails) Johnny Rockets milkshakes Bottled still and sparkling water Premium coffees and teas Fresh-squeezed juices

I'm hearing disagreement about the canned sodas. This is disappointing, as I would like to have a few cans in my room for early /late treats. Oh,yes! I hadn't thought of Strawberry Margaritas! No, I think the other poster meant you can get bottled water with either the Deluxe or the Refreshment package. Blame it on the keyboard.

If you were talking about an adult, yes ... but the rules are different for kids. Let me throw out another thought: When my girls were teens (I don't have any idea how old your kids are), I bought them the soda package because I didn't want them to feel obligated to finish a drink that'd been out of their sight, even for a moment. I also emphasized to them that they were only to accept a drink from the hand of a bartender /not another teen. Maybe I was overly cautious, but we never had any trouble. When my grandson's a teen, I'll do the same for him.

Interesting ... you're making me want to weigh my clothes. I'd ask though: What matters most? The weight of the shoes or their bulk? I don't know whether my gauzy tops are chiffon or not, but I definitely agree with the concept. If I need to, I rinse my tops in the sink (using ship shampoo), roll them up in a towel, then hang them on a hanger on the clothesline. I don't do that because I have to get everything back into the suitcase at the end of the trip. Also, I don't unzip those extra couple inches on my suitcase ... this allows me a little extra space for the trip home. I don't know that my numbers would be the same, but I could say something very similar. Me neither! Dinner is so often a sea of black ... why not wear something that is more cheerful and stands out a bit? Well, I can't say I DON'T wear black; for example, one of my favorite cruise dresses is bright floral on a black background. I wear black as an accent, not as a main color. I tend to take three pairs: Tennis shoes (like little white Keds or Vans), walking sandals, and wedges for dinner. IF I'm planning a water-based shore excursion, I'll take water shoes too ... but I wouldn't bring them just for a beach day.

Eh, I'll say again, I've been around a while and have only heard people on this board suggesting candy or trinkets as an addition to tips. I've never heard tips discussed onboard. Speaking only for myself, I always pay tips in advance. I tip extra only if I ask the staff for something that requires extra effort. About half the time I bring candy bars and leave them for my cabin steward in addition to the tips.

That's the assumption: That people would drop the cash to provide a trinket. Personally, if I were going to leave a bit of candy or whatever, it would be in addition to the standard tips. Said differently, the trinket would have zero effect on the amount of the tip. I've personally never heard anyone on these boards on onboard saying they're substituting a small gift for candy; in fact, on this board everyone says the exact opposite. And I've never heard of anyone giving a key chain or ball cap. Do cruise ship staff have "regulars"?

Shoes are the make-or-break of packing light /packing in just a carry-on: - Take only one pair in any given style. I mean, don't take two pairs of tennis shoes or two pairs of walking sandals; instead, make sure the one pair you take in any given category will work with all the clothes you bring. - Don't take any shoe that you think you'll only wear once. - Bring water shoes only if you expect to need them for a shore excursion. Yes! I don't like the ship's shampoo as shampoo ... but it's good for washing clothes. I don't know ... they'd be thicker and would need to be washed after wearing. Agree!

No -- that's a deflection. You said, "The expense is subtracted from the gratuity budget ... " That's an assumption. A whole lot of people would do candy or whatever in addition to the tip ... but -- without the chocolate -- would not say, "Oh, let's throw in another dollar."

Eh, yeah, the ones I have are thick enough to be "real shorts". But I like them, and they are definitely practical under a casual dress for an active day. I'm pretty sure you can get thinner under-shorts, but I don't personally have any of them. I wouldn't have known that, but it's a good reason to do your homework before traveling! I'm only 4'11" and most of mine are just over my knee. A comfortable length, in my opinion. I remember other kids wearing those. I never did.

That's an assumption.

1. Well, none of us want to experience the loss of a passport. While catastrophic is too strong a word, it would definitely put a damper on the vacation. 2. This fear suggests that the staff would steal from the safe. While possible, it seems rather unlikely. Yeah, totally agree: carrying your passport around opens you to the possibility of loss or pickpocketing. Sure, sure, you're careful, but thieves do this job every day all day, and they're going to beat someone. Might be you or me. On the other hand, it's very easy to read a watch and get back with a safe time buffer. As for valuables, I don't have a whole lot of nice jewelry, but it isn't useful or enjoyable if it stays at home. Definitely. It's remotely possible that a bad hotel staff member will break into your safe, but it's a whole lot more possible that a thief on the streets will choose you as a victim.

That's a great idea, but sometimes -- in spite of our best intentions -- we get separated. If you're talking about an adult couple, it's pretty easy to stick together, but if your group is larger or if you're also wrangling kids, it's harder. That's a useful tip!

As irritating as this is, you did get what you want. Best to walk away and take the win.