margeecruiser

I was able to start check-in on my computer, but not able to post a picture that way.  I then tried to finish it on my phone, but got a message the app was needing an update  I started that process, but I am aware it may take some time  Whenever that process is finished, how do I post my picture?  I am 80 years old so do not know how to do this.  Thanks for your help.

Mary

We've used Falstaff Parking a couple of times now.  They have a shuttle to the ship and are located some distance away but are in a parking garage.  We wanted covered parking without the prospect of flooding during storm season.  Falstaff is on higher ground.  Easy to get tickets on their website.  

Mary

Is there a dedicated, private space on Independence where they hold the Chef's Table dinners?

Mary

Jameson and Ginger

martini

wine

repeat ...

I think some people do mention their status to others while in conversation.  We discuss our travels, our cruises and other interests.  I sure don't point to my pin; why on earth would I?  I'm offended by your remark.  You seem to want to insult me.  Why?

Mary

We are D+ and wear our pins most of the time on the ship.  We have gotten some snarky comments, but they didn't bother us.  We wear them because we like them and enjoy wearing them.  We don't mention our status, ever.

Mary

By the way, the space the staff used to store our wine had our name on our bottles and the names of others who also were using this service.

Several times we have bought really nice ($$$) bottles of wine at the main bar or Vintages and asked that they store them for us for the entire cruise.  They asked us when we were dining and where.  They opened the bottles at the proper time for them to breathe, and then brought them to the dining room or specialty restaurant when we went there.  The restaurant staff was slightly miffed that they did not get the gratuity or credit for selling a great bottle, but we got the service we wanted.  We tipped the bar staff properly too.

We like really good wine and appreciate wine service that enhances the experience.  The bar staff has also decanted the wine if we request it based on the wine selected.

By the way, we are known as Mr. and Mrs. (blank - name of wine) by the waitstaff and bartenders around the ship.  Even years later.

Mary

I keep my detailed itinerary books for each cruise.  I start a new book when I book the cruise.  This is a word document that I type in hotel, air, tours, transfers, etc. information.  When planning is complete, I type the document and add several lines between each day of the trip, so I have room to add information while on the ship.  This includes special events, dining, new information, people contacts, etc.  I have the book(?) bound before we leave.  When I get home I store the book.  I have referred to these books several times.  Which hotel in Venice?  Which tour company, guide in Ireland?  What was the email of the company in Greece?

I'm always surprised when friends, or even people I've met onboard, ask me about stuff from several years ago.  They know I store that stuff and have been able to supply the information they need.

I'm not technology-smart enough to do all this in a spreadsheet.  I like my method and like having the data even though I might not have it on my phone or computer.

Mary

We had a big 50th Wedding Anniversary cruise planned for 2009.  Bought our cruise in 2007 so we could pay for it over time.  We had 3 big price drops -- ended up paying about a third less than when we booked.  Cruise was not sold out.  We had a JS aft on Summit.

Mary

6 minutes ago, AlanF65 said:

I pack one of these https://www.klymit.com/double-v-sleeping-pad.html

Bought it onsale at Costco or Amazon for about half that, give it to the steward and ask him to fill it.

 

We use the Klymit sleeping pad too.  We've used it several years for multiple cruises and it has not leaked at all.  We tell the steward we have it and we put it on the bed the first night.  One time the steward came to introduce himself the first day and saw us blowing up the pads.  He immediately came in and tore into the bedding and put the pad on and remade the bed.  He seems upset that we were going to make the bed ourselves.  He got an extra tip that time.

Mary

13 hours ago, mapleleaves said:

A taxi or car service can take you and your luggage directly to the pier.  ( no need for an additional water taxi )

Have the hotel call a cab for you .... its about 45E. 

Wow, that sounds so easy.  I guess I was making it more difficult than necessary.  Thanks!!

Mary

We are researching for a transfer from our hotel near the VCE airport to the ship.  We will use the hotel shuttle from the airport to the hotel, but need to arrange for a pickup and transport to the pier on the day of sailing.  From what I can guess, it would be a car service and then the water taxi to the pier.  My husband cannot walk very far.  I don't know how to handle the luggage.  We were in Venice 12 years ago and Royal Caribbean had a hotel and transfer package, so everything was handled for us.  They no longer have this service.  What are some options, please?

Mary

The Falstaff is only one level, but the entire place is on a high point of the island.  I have not used EZ cruise.  SSB stated up-thread that it is higher than other parking lots around the port.  He lives there and is very informed about all things Galveston.  The parking is 10-12 feet above the street in front, so I don't think it would flood like the others have done in the past, during flooding conditions.

I use a Walkstool brand folding stool.  Very easy to open up and light-weight.  Stable if you take care with the placement of the legs.  Bought it on Amazon.  I needed a seat occasionally because I can't stand for long periods.  I don't need a cane for stability, just a seat when standing long.  This has been great.  I take it on excursions and pack it in my carry-on through airports so I can sit if things come to a stop through immigration.  I've taken it on several cruises and many people have asked where it got it.  Hope this helps.

Margee

When we cruise for 4 weeks plus hotel stays, sometimes on both ends of our cruise, we take small 100 ml bottles in travel case for the hotel for toothpaste.  Use hotel soap/body wash and shampoo and conditioner.  When we get to our European hotel, we go buy large bottles of shampoo, conditioner, hand wash gel, and body wash gel.  The hotel can tell us where the nearest place to buy.  We then pack these in our large suitcases, wrapped in heavy duty plastic bags.  We do not have space issues, just weight issues in our large suitcases for the airplane.

By the way, it's fun to shop in foreign ports.  We have been to pharmacy like places, and places like Wal-Mart type places.  Its fun to see what items they stock.  Even if the label is in another language, the label shows what it's for, or we ask (sometimes using hand signals to show washing your hands) to make sure the product is what we want.

hi, Lee

They said the area around the parking garage is being redeveloped, with a new hotel and the old brewery building is going to have a restaurant and shops.  The infrastructure is completed.  This area is ripe for development.

When Oasis comes to Galveston, new parking is a must.

See you soon , I hope.

Margee

I wanted to post here about our great experience this last week using Falstaff Parking.  This is a new business that has repurposed the old Falstaff Brewery facility.  We booked this several weeks before our cruise online and it was very easy.  When we got to the parking garage, there was a person waiting to inform us that we just dropped our luggage at the front with me waiting, and then DH went down to the entrance of the garage to park.  We waited a short time for the shuttle, the driver loaded our luggage and we drove to the port.  We first dropped off the Carnival passengers then on to the Royal Caribbean passengers.  When we returned, we went to the designated parking spot for their shuttle.  Again, short wait and then back to our car.  The shuttle driver was very professional and we enjoyed our trip with him.  We were in our car with the wheels turning by 9:00 am!!  Cost was about $75 for the week.  We chose this parking facility because it is covered parking and with the bad weather with hail in the spring, we want some protection from bad weather.

Mary

Just a suggestion, but you might try using a magnet on the ceiling air vent (out flow/discharge?) and clipping the air freshener to the magnet.  The ships i'm familiar with had ceiling vents with little holes for air flow, not fins/slats.

Mary

15 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

Usually $20-$30 on top of prepaid gratuities

We have never had a bad cabin attendant.  We usually give them $50 for each 7 day cruise; more if the cruise is 10-14+ days.  We hand them the cash in an envelope with a handshake and a big smile.  We are friendly and polite throughout the cruise and have had exceptional service throughout the ship.

Margee

We had our bags left out in a torrential rain storm in Texas, which left our clothes wet.  Fortunately, we were on our way home, so no problem.  Ever since, we have lines our luggage with plastic sheeting (painters drop clothes) before we pack things inside.  We fill up the suitcases, then wrap the plastic sort of like a burrito to keep things dry.  We have soft sided luggage, which we also spray with waterproofing.  We have not had a problem since.

Margee

I'm always afraid of taxi strikes in Barcelona, so we always book a transfer to the airport.  There are frequent taxi strikes in Barcelona, as well as elsewhere, in Europe.  The taxis in Barcelona are all independent operators and not operated by a large company.  Beware!!

Margee

On Royal, the Next Cruise staff have had a sheet showing the b2b options, especially including TA’s. Sometimes you have to ask. They can certainly help you if they haven’t already printed one.

A really good TA might have some ideas, but they wouldn’t know all there is available.

Margee

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Hi, Lee and Mary

Are you saying the new Oasis class would be coming in May 2020 too? I was hoping for another transatlantic or repositioning. They may just move one of the Florida-based ships over. Whatever happens I want to be in on it[emoji16][emoji16]

Margee

Sent from my iPad using Forums

If anyone hears about a repositioning or transatlantic for the new Oasis class ship coming to Galveston, please post. We will be booking ASAP. I’m always the last to know.

Margee

Sent from my iPad using Forums