pammypoo

From Maryland USA,  Pam and Sam will be on this cruise.  We are really looking forward to this trip!  

Carnival had already cancelled 2 cruises we had planned for.  First cruise we were given an onboard credit of $300 for rebooking the cruise.  The fares were about the same, air fare went up, which, considering the onboard credit, made this cancellation a wash.  It was though a real pain to have to reschedule work, cat sitter, new airfare, etc. as well as the hours spent on the phone with Carnival.  Second cruise was cancelled too but we were offered on board credit and a beverage package to rebook.  Cabin price slightly more ($200) Airfare went up again.  Now we are dealing with the third cancellation of the ship Paradise in Feb.  This rebook deal is $300 on board credit.  Carnival informed me that we only qualify for one on board credit.  Price increase of $300/ person balcony cabin, $200 per person airfare increases.  So, to reschedule with Carnival will cost us $500 more per person on tickets that originally cost  less than $400, effectively double what we would have paid, not even considering the cruise credits  previously provided.  While I certainly don't want Carnival to go under, I believe that this cancellation is solely for Carnival's financial benefit.  Has this type of thing happened to any of you?  What did you do?  Thanks!

The only time I have ever been asked anything about diabetic medications, either with syringe or in pen form, is by one TSA agent who asked me how happy I was with Victoza. Also, read your print outs very carefully, most pens or vials do not need medication if used in 30 days or less.

And (this is very helpful) many airlines offer sharps containers that look like over sized test tubes. Safe disposal of syringes, needles and lancets have always been a problem and these are very helpful. I usually beg an additional sharps container from a flight attendant to take with me on shore excursions.

The most important characteristic of a tour guide is not knowing where all of the tourist hot spots are, but to be able to put together a day that meets the interests of his clients. Dean of http://baliwithdean.blogspot.com meets that need perfectly. I am usually very cautious in choosing drivers, especially on day trips from cruises, because not only do I insist that our interests are met, but getting back to the boat on time- without getting back too early, is imperative.

I contacted numerous companies from the web for our trip to Bali on a cruise. Our requirements were to visit beautiful scenes off the beaten track, exposure to real people, and as much as possible for an 8 hour tour, feel like we at least glimpsed the “real” Bali. Dean was perfect!! He had a very neat and clean car with good a/c, and we definitely were off the beaten track. The highlight for me was visiting a Hindu temple preparing for a celebration. We were able to wander around the temple, and watched the women make exquisite offerings to be used at the celebration. My husband took some phenomenal photos, that he admits that Dean pointed out. We wandered through rice paddies, down dirt roads, and really felt like we saw the real Bali. We did visit a few “touristy” sites including Tanah Lot Temple. If you are going to spend the money and put forth the effort to travel to Bali exploring Bali with Dean is the way to experience Bali to the fullest.

The most important characteristic of a tour guide is not knowing where all of the tourist hot spots are, but to be able to put together a day that meets the interests of his clients. Dean of http://baliwithdean.blogspot.com meets that need perfectly. I am usually very cautious in choosing drivers, especially on day trips from cruises, because not only do I insist that our interests are met, but getting back to the boat on time- without getting back too early, is imperative.

I contacted numerous companies from the web for our trip to Bali on a cruise. Our requirements were to visit beautiful scenes off the beaten track, exposure to real people, and as much as possible for an 8 hour tour, feel like we at least glimpsed the “real” Bali. Dean was perfect!! He had a very neat and clean car with good a/c, and we definitely were off the beaten track. The highlight for me was visiting a Hindu temple preparing for a celebration. We were able to wander around the temple, and watched the women make exquisite offerings to be used at the celebration. My husband took some phenomenal photos, that he admits that Dean pointed out. We wandered through rice paddies, down dirt roads, and really felt like we saw the real Bali. We did visit a few “touristy” sites including Tanah Lot Temple. If you are going to spend the money and put forth the effort to travel to Bali exploring Bali with Dean is the way to experience Bali to the fullest.

We always go lowest level midship outside. Our son is now an adult, has grown up the HAL. 3 big points:

1) Pack realistically, closets are adequate for 3, but not excessive. There is limited table top space for clocks, kindles, I-pods- I pads, etc.

2) Keep the cabin picked up, if it is neat it will look bigger.

3) Have the steward make up the sofa bed daily. Or, get a 4 person room and have daughter in the pull down bunk, and twins for yourself and husband.

It is not hard at all to do. Enjoy your family cruise!

HAL goes out of the way to make a Shabbat service, which will be passenger led. They provide wine, challah, and snacks for a Kiddush, kippahs and prayer books (I think Sim Shalom- but am not sure) If you want anything special- just ask. The only downer is that there are no Shabbat candles (fire hazard). If this is important to you- your best bet is to bring battery operated candles. If you feel at all confident to lead the service, pick up a book before hand and have a short service planned out beforehand. I have had the misfortune of encountering some cantor or Rabbi wannabes that have gone on and on and on!

HAL has a military rate for active duty only.

I would think VERY seriously before investing that kind of $$ into a shore excursion. We went to Peru specifically to see Macchu Picchu and cruised afterwards. Took 3 days to acclimate in the Sacred Valley- and I still had altitude sickness. My main memory of Macchu Picchu is walking around feeling like my head would explode and that I was being suffocated. Plus. because I gutted it out, I was too sick to enjoy the rest of the cruise. (If altitude sickness is bad enough, you will not just "bounce back" once you get to a lower altitude.) I am fairly young and in good shape, so you can never tell who it will hit. That being said, it is a fantastic experience, but one you could probably duplicate in a distinct "peru only" trip for not too much more than the shore excursion.

Sharps are a biohazard. The container is sealed, placed in a red biohazard bag, and incinerated. Since razor blades potentially come in contact with body fluids (blood) it is appropriate to request a sharps container.

While most of the sugar free desserts taste good, keep in mind that refined carbohydrates (white flour) raise your blood sugar just as much as sugar. As a diabetic I find meals on HAL to be a delicious minefield. There are too many courses, and the portions are just too large. We always get assigned seating so that I can introduce myself (and my food requirements) not only to the waiters but also the maitre'd. That way, I can get reduced portions, and help in deciding what to order. I often just ask the waiter to serve what looks good that I can eat, and have never been steered wrong.