IslandDreamers

I use this for all trips

 

If I can pack everything I need into a medium or small suitcase, I put that suitcase inside a larger one. That way I have a 'spare' for the return trip for goodies and/or to separate the things that need washed from everything else.

We do this also-works out really well!!! Amazing how much dirty clothes can weigh! :p

Here's one more item I never leave home without....learned about it back in the days when I was a flight attendant-bring a flashlight and pack it with your carry on. You can get one of those nice little finger sized "Mag-lite" that works well.

You never know when the power will go out or when you will be stuck in the dark.

Our first cruise, we lost ALL power for the better part of a day. Since we had an inside room- the flash light really came in handy!!!

Happy Packing!

Growing up in Maine the first cruise lobster experience was interesting for my parents. They both ordered the lobster and didn't know what to say my, dad said it didn't taste like lobster, and having the waiter take it out of the shell was also foreign to him, in the tourist restaurants in maine they have what is often called "lazy man's lobster" already shelled and at about double the price. To a Mainer lobster is a casual food often eaten outdoors with the same tools that you use to crack nuts.

 

I can see how many would like it especially if you haven't been spoiled growing up with the good stuff, but to a Mainer lobster isn't usually a formal affair!

 

So if you enjoy cruise ship lobster eat up, but if you ever find yourself in new england eat the real deal. In Bar Harbor Maine, you can often find early bird lobster dinners (whole lobster) for around $15.

 

MAC

When's a good time to go to NE for lobster? We've always wanted to but don't know when the "season" is.

Living in Mn-WI all I have to offer is....fresh snow! Who wants fresh snow?!?! All the fresh snow you can eat! (the yellow stuff is more expensive though)

haa haa!

Yes, enjoy your lobsters on the cruise if you like them!

Enjoy your lobsters with jeans, if you're so lucky!

Just as long as you SAVOR and ENJOY!!!!!!

We too are fairly new to cruising. We started in 2000 and have seen many changes since then.

Our first RCCL cruise, they had ice water and lemon-aide at each port as you would reboard from a day out and about. Nice idea...

Service has also seemed to go down a little. We have started bringing on a "little something" from our home state for our room steward in hopes of starting off on a good foot! haa haa!

A couple of years ago we took a 13 night Panama Canal cruise that offered the soft serve ice cream (average age on that cruise was 110) the soft serve machine was on the outside part of the windjammer. The line would wrap around the pool!! We had a fun time watching all the old timers wait in line for their daily treat!

RCCL offers "gifts" to their Crown & Anchor members. We've gotten pleather picture frames, fanny packs, a shoulder harness-pack, water wallets....you know-useful things.....:eek:

Anyway, we are just thankful and happy to be able to afford to cruise!!

It would have been nice to have all the fine perks of days gone by though!!!

(one more thing)

On one of our cruises, we saw a VERY intoxicated man (in his soaking wet swim shorts) walk into the dining room on formal night and sit on some random older lady's lap.

He was "escorted" out and led to the brig.

Yah! The BING BONG and the capt- I like!!

Also, the horn (that makes me jump every time)

oh-and me asking DH "Now? Now? Now?" Never knowing when we cross from the gangway onto the ship.....the the big dumb grin I get when we finally do cross over!!!

Oh boy! Where do I start?! Reading these I've remembered a few funny things.....

1. While on Grandeur of the Seas, my husband and some of his newly made guy friends were admiring a pretty, young, little thing that couldn't have been more than 20-and her bikini-clad bod proved this.

So-there she was, standing on the ledge around the pool showing them her tattoo on the small of her back when I snuck up behind my husband and peered over his shoulder.

Without missing a beat, he says, "Honey look! A tattoo just like the one you want! I was studying it closely so I knew how to describe it to the tattoo artist!"

(If only I had wanted a tattoo....)

:p

2. Same trip-at our Mexico stop, the cruise had Margaritas on special. After a few of those...Dh gives me the "eye". We race down to our room for a little pre-dinner ..... anyway- at dinner we hear this older couple talking about this couple next door to them. He said, "I thought be was going to kill her she was moaning so loud!"

We kinda laughed, not giving it another thought.....until we bumped into them later that night......while going to our respective rooms!!!!!!! :o