CunucuMom

Yesssssss! Absolutely enjoying the food porn as well as the beautiful non-food photos and your narrative. Thank you for taking the time to share. Best wishes for a Happy Anniversary and many more years of shared joy. ❤️

Recent expedited passport renewal experience: 6/8/23: Mailed to Philadelphia via USPS Priority Mail (printed from home) 6/10: Received @ Phila Processing Center 6/12: Check cashed 7/14: Renewal Approved 7/18: Arriving today per Informed Delivery. I had paid for express return shipping. I didn't lie on the application about my travel date (9/16/23) and was worried that I might not be prioritized but the process went quicker than expected.

My hair is fine and color treated and the first time I had a full (vs express) Keratin treatment, I thought I had died and gone to Heaven. For the first time ever my hair was silky smooth, didn't frizz or kink in humid weather and it even took less time to dry. The express service doesn't take near as much time but be aware of the aftercare reqt to use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner. I'm sure you can buy the products on board but they'll probably be pricey compared to buying at home. Because the process entails flat-ironing thin sections of hair after the Keratin is applied (tedious!), if you decide to go ahead, perhaps book a free consultation with the stylist so you can get a feel for his/her experience and expertise. I once had a poor express treatment with a novice; my hair didn't fall out or break ir turn weird colors but the treatment was expensive and just didn't last as long as expected. If you decide to go for it. I think you'll love it. Good luck!

Sooooo, how was the return ferry trip? 🫢🤢🤮

What an interesting thread. I would have considered fellow pax demographics and/or groups a larger factor over the CD in terms of a "better" cruise experience.

Sounds like you had some compelling reasons (not your fault) to book the March 2024 sailing. That said, you've received several wise suggestions in this thread and it seems you lean towards prioritizing your wife's business over the opportunity to travel together. If that's the case, enjoy a wonderful cruise and hopefully your next vacay will fit both of your schedules.

Exactly the logic we used in deciding to go AI or not. Even if we end up with a net "loss," for me it's the price of peace of mind not having to think about a running drink tab. Speaking of mimosas, is there such a thing as fresh squeezed OJ other than at Spa Cafe? Is it included with the premium package?

Perhaps your wife can inform her regular customers that she's planning a family vacation over the Easter holiday and let them know she won't be doing Easter Sunday deliveries. Give customers the option of early delivery with storage instructions. My guess is her customers would be very disappointed if they knew your wife considered passing on this cruise to stay home and fill orders. If the situation were reversed, I doubt her customers would opt to miss out on an Easter cruise because they were worried about disappointing your wife by not purchasing the eggs and bunnies, right?

Perhaps post your question in the applicable cruise company forum since you've already identified a Nicaragua itinerary.

Good to know! Do they have anything in the room advising pax to not leave balcony doors open? I would probably be "that guy" inadvertently throwing off the cabin temps of my fellow pax so I'm glad I asked. Many thanks for a delightful trip report and best wishes for an uneventful and safe trip home.

Excellent point; the online system facilitates the "get there" process but not necessarily the review process. I'm guessing the folks who sent in renewals when the online system was operable received their passports quickly because it was prior to the summer crunch, not because they applied online.

Please excuse my "newbieness" but I'm curious about the interest in open door sleepers. Is it because you can hear snoring or other sounds? Does it impact your cabin temp or humidity if neighboring doors are open? Smoking/vaping smells?

This will probably get me booted from CC but it seems like if there are $$ resources to hire 86K armed IRS agents, "they" should be able to hire sufficient staff to work through the passport backlog or at least restart the online renewal system.

Thank you for a delightful trip report and for fixing the photos. Especially love the *adorable* honeymoon pic! 💕💕 Happy 25th and best wishes for many, many years of happiness!

My hubby attributed the crude behavior to the somewhat shorter cruise over a summer holiday. I just don't get the obscenities and lewd comments directed at other boaters. Aren't we all blessed to be on the water on a hot summer day whether on a beautiful cruise ship or a dinghy? 🤷‍♀️ I'm hoping the targets of the crude behavior chalked it up to excess alcohol consumption and not a reflection of typical X passengers.

@Georgia_PeachesI was the one asking about bringing wine on board. Actually, today I received an email reply from Celebrity in response to a query I sent a few weeks ago: In terms of alcoholic drinks, starting on July 1, 2023 guests are allowed to bring only one (1) 750 mL bottle wine/champagne, per adult of drinking age, per sailing on embarkation day. No other alcoholic beverages are permitted to be carried on. Kindly note, there is a $25.00-per-bottle corkage fee for guests who choose to consume this alcohol in any of the ship’s bars, lounges or restaurants. Should you have any lingering questions or concerns, I encourage you to contact us at 844-418-6824. ***************** Enjoy your cruise! PS: Love the face shirt!!

Speaking of carry-on wine, @Georgia_Peaches do your cruise docs allow you to bring 1 or 2 bottles pp on board?

Question for the experienced cruisers; are the current smoking areas packed on ships like the smoking rooms in airports? Were those folks sending emails to corporate complaining about the "no smoking" policies? Seems odd that corporate would change the policy unless the majority of pax were complaining. Then again....

Newbie question; how is AI impacted for cruises reserved and/or paid in full? Will I receive an invoice for the tip increase?

Thank you for sharing such a detailed travelog and your gorgeous photos. I think I'll check Sherwin Williams to see if they carry "Greek Sky" or "Greek Blue" paint colors. 😂 Enjoy the rest of your amazing trip!

During your walking tour of Mangrove Park, did you notice the kayak tour? Website shows as $20 pp and but I'm not sure if that includes kayak and life vest rental. Enjoying following along in your journey!

I suggest you follow @AbbyCruiser45 as she's currently doing a live trip report from the Equinox. Lots of beautiful photos and menu pics and fun to read.

Any changes to your Aruba itinerary due to the Miami diversion last night? Hopefully the passenger is ok and will be able to do this cruise another time. Many thanks for the live updates and photos!

We're doing this EQ itinerary in September so it will be fun to follow along on your journey. Many congrats on your academic achievements!! 👩‍🎓🧑‍🎓 P.S. Sorry for volunteering you to order and photograph the infamous MDR double cheeseburger! 🤣

As others have noted, your climate/humidity preference is a key factor in your itinerary choice. I love the Caribbean weather and warm waters year-round so I'm definitely biased. The bigger issue is how weather may impact your travel plans to the port city. Would you be flying or driving? If flying, I suggest you plan to arrive at least the day prior to sailing to give yourself a travel buffer for flight delays and cancelations. Also purchase travel insurance.