CaribbeanCrush

Celebrated final payment day yesterday! 89 days to go!

1 minute ago, skrapngal said:

Ok, so technically NOT single digits to board the cruise, but single digits to get on a plane in advance of boarding the cruise!!!

 

WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOO!!!

That's worth celebrating! I always included pre boarding days as part of it!

On 10/23/2019 at 7:43 PM, soremekun said:

Just Allure and Harmony for now.  I just checked all ships in the app.

Thanks! We'll be on the Allure in January

26 minutes ago, Judyrem said:

Ah the dreaded passport(phone/wallet too) nightmare I have once a week!  I have this terrible fear of traveling and forgetting my passport, makes me a nervous wreck!

I usually have this dream days before the cruise, which causes me to check and recheck for them an unhealthy number of times while packing and leaving for the airport! 😂

17 hours ago, Zephanor said:

I used to fly a lot for work, domestic and international... I always fly in the day before. I understand some can't do this for good reasons but man, it's a risk even if it's a low one. I've had flights canceled due to rain and had to fly out the next day, flights that missed connections due to congested air traffic and had to fly out the next day, etc, wouldn't be cool with a cruise.

 

Yes, it's extra cost for hotel, meals, etc. but I've enjoyed treating it like a date night. And honestly, it's always been a good time with the anticipation of the cruise that starts the next day, like a vacation Christmas Eve! 😉 

Yep, I always enjoy the extra day. We always find something fun to do, even if it is just hanging out at the pool. Knowing that it's the least crowded pool we'll see all week!

On 10/19/2019 at 3:16 PM, artypharty said:

We did not always fly in the day before but a very close call convinced us otherwise.  We have an hour drive to the airport and if we have an early morning flight, will even get a hotel at the airport the day before the flight.  We almost missed an early flight once because of a traffic accident on the interstate.  There is a lot to be said about peace of mind and the early start to the vacation is never a  bad thing! 😉   

I just suggested that idea to my wife. We live 20-25 minutes from the airport, but our flight for our next trip is at 7:20! Might be nice to already be there!

On 10/19/2019 at 12:02 PM, MalteseMama2 said:

We always fly a day ahead and it has proven to be the correct idea several times. Last Dec it allowed our luggage to catch up with us. I’ve come to enjoy that precruise day.  We get to relax a bit before heading to the ship, we eat dinner at restaurants that are unique to the area and we get to the ship early on embarkation day. 
Once we were notifying an airport authority that our luggage hadn’t arrived and the man asked if we could wait while he assisted his coworker in trying to get a family to the port because their ship was leaving in 1hour. We knew we had plenty of time and said of course we didn’t mind. I don’t know if they made it or not. 

So true. I couldn't imagine the stress of flying and getting to the port on time on the same day. I know lots of people do it, but we are like you. We enjoy restaurants, local beaches, we've even gone to watch some sail aways on the day before our cruise.

On 10/18/2019 at 8:09 PM, sdrocks said:

Cruising on Anthem tomorrow for a b2b.  Booked our flight s in July to get specific times & seats.  That plan fell apart at 1 am this morning when Delta begin

texting changes.  After 4 changes finally got a final departure time of 6:15.  After we scrambled to the airport to find seats downgraded and an extra leg

added with no current seat assignments I was in a panic.  (Had totally confirmed the flights 24 hrs before with no problems identified)  The upshot was we

had extra transfers added and didn't get into Newark until 5 pm.  Didn't get out of airport until 5:30.  (Our original time was arrival of 145 which still would be 

late for same day cruise.

So just an example of how flights can go wrong & we don't take the chance of waiting to fly the same day.

We were excited our luggage actually arrived the same time we did.  LOL !

 

We always have planned to arrive at our departure port at least a day early. We have never had a issue, but hearing stories like yours reminds us that it is a worthwhile practice. We did have our flight change for our upcoming trip, fortunately we are still months out and we were able to get it resolved. Got better flights than we booked initially!

2 hours ago, Esprit said:

It will be my first time on Allure this Sunday.

 

The Gym is DEFINITELY the only part of the ship I wont explore. Other than using the stairs everywhere the only other exercise I'll perform is raising a beer to my mouth. I'm even ambidextrous at that too😉👍

Sounds like you are going to have a great cruise! haha

I'm looking forward to some workouts to burn those extra cruise calories. What is the fitness center like? Was it crowded?

110 days, we'll be on the Allure!

Definitely when we book. Then starts all the planning, airfare, hotels, extra days, etc.

3 hours ago, sealeggs said:

Ours is when we book the cruise start planning and reviewing and researching the ship and the islands we will be visiting IF we haven't been to any which is getting harder to do.

Most cruises that I've been on have had disappointing sail aways. I'm interested in hearing the responses to this question.

The last time we cruised bringing your own bottles of wine onboard was something new. Is the policy still the same?

28 minutes ago, HBE4 said:

 

It's even less strict now.  Some ships have done away with "Formal night" and now call it "Dress your best" night....of course, "your best" is strictly subjective. lol

LOL

29 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Pre-cruise reservations for entertainment on the biggest ships.  Fewer views to the outside from public venues on Oasis class ships.

Thanks!

1 minute ago, George C said:

I believe there was a dress code six years ago, now its just a suggestion. Agree entertainment on oasis class is fantastic.

There was a dress code, although it wasn't very strictly enforced....

2 minutes ago, HBE4 said:

 

Correct, you'll need to call to get the refreshment package. They will not allow the mix of the two drink packages online.

 

When you are doing the math to see if its worth it, the deluxe package also includes bottles of water, specialty coffee (not Starbucks), juices ,smoothies, etc. So if you can snag the package during the numerous, on-going "sales events" for $50 or less pp/pd, the breakeven point may only be 3 or 4 adult beverages, depending on your drinking style.

Thanks. I'll keep a look out for any sales!

40 minutes ago, taglovestocruise said:

Be sure to book all your shows as soon as they appear in your cruise planner.  One oddity of Oasis class is that other then up on deck there is almost no view of the ocean from anywhere inside the ship. Love the mega ships. happy cruising

Thank! We'll be sure to do that. 

42 minutes ago, jaminvermont said:

If someone wants the drink package, all adults in the room have to buy it. They do sometimes make an exception and allow the purchase of the Refreshment package instead, if you call. I think that may be new to you...

 

Yep! Thank you.

57 minutes ago, dplusd said:

A lot more opportunities to spend money on board.  Drink prices and specialty restaurants are a lot higher.  

That's not good news. Sounds like I might consider a drink package.

57 minutes ago, dreamer976 said:

The entertainment, hands down. Production value on the Oasis class is VERY high. 

 

Enjoy your cruise! 😁

 

Ellen

I'm looking forward to that! Thanks

My wife and I just book a cruise on the Allure. By the time we sail it will have been 6 years since we've been on a ship. The biggest one we've been on so far has been the Freedom. So I'm wondering what changes we will notice (besides the size of the ship)? 

If that is our first port we use it as a snorkeling tune-up. Not much to see, but the water is pretty calm so it's good practice time.

She spoke to me.

 

Woke up at 4:40, walked outside and there she was. Grabbed camera, put big lens on, adjusted the settings, and voila.

 

 

She's about 5 miles south of the port entrance.

 

Not totally clear, longer exposure than ideal.

 

 

Back to bed, not quite 5am

 

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Nice!