DaNana

Do to work constraints we have been sidelined to take a land trip. Las Vegas is very nice in November so we decided to sign up for M-Life. Looks like we can save a LOT on the room price. We registered, then called M-Life who verified our RCI status. then fixed our M-Life status to Gold. Now we are all set. We will get cards when we go to our first stay. So far so good. :D

Anyone been to a M-Life property and used the benefit yet? Thoughts on your experience?

I'm also going in December on Carnival Glory.... i have been looking at these tours also and I'm torn it's just my son and I so I was thinking a group tour would be better.... ahhhhh :eek: decisions decisions

We actually had a group from our roll call that went together. That way, if you son is a teen, perhaps there is someone else with a teen who want to do the private tour. Either way, This is a great tour!

It's only about a 5 hour drive from Dallas to Galveston.

Thought it was about the same as Phoenix to LA/San Diego. That really seems like the best and most efficient way to me.

You might want to spend some time reading these boards about the high price of getting to Galveston from Houston. You would have to fly to Houston unless you are taking a bus. Then you would need to obtain transportation to Galveston. You live close enough to drive fairly quick and save a lot of money. You can stay at a hotel that offers free parking for the cruise week. Take an extra day off work and drive back relaxed the day after the cruise. We usually drive to CA when cruising from there. Much better option!

We used Victor Bodden Tours March 2011 and will be using them again November 2014. We LOVED the private tour, the monkeys, birds, zipline and the great time we had shopping, hitting the beach plus eating at a great local place. I felt safe, and got a good value for my money. You can go to their website. They respond quickly. They are top rated on TripAdvisor!;)

We were in 9308 in May and booked this same JS for November 30, 2014 we liked it so well. Happy Cruising!:D

Used to carry it on, now we have Brita bottles with filters and carry the flavor packets if we want it. We have saved time and some dollars by this method. I will not go back to buying the water after this. :rolleyes:

My DH has a skin condition and I have eczema. We use a natural product to wash. That being said, we have never had any outbreaks from being on a cruise ship for a few nights. I would think if someone were that sensitive they might want to take sleep items that cover the arms, legs and torso, plus socks all washed in your own laundry choice.

Have so enjoyed reliving our May Rome adventure. The Fallo trip though, has to be the frosting on it! The photos of the country side are phenomenal. I want to go and stay and take day trips! One day we will. Thank you for sharing!:)

March 2011 we took VOS out of Galveston to Honduras, Belize & Mexico. We did not encounter any fog (did watch the port cam for a couple of weeks to know what was happening!).

People say it costs a lot to get to Galveston from Houston. We feel it was comparable to New York from the airport to the hotel and same in Rome then to the Port. So cost is a matter of what have you paid. Also there are a LOT of strings on the port forum that will give you ideas.

We booked the NOS while on board this time. We enjoyed the cruise out of Galveston more than any other except this Mediterranean cruise. We met so many people and enjoyed them so much. One couple is joining us on this next cruise!

There are so many great places to eat in Galveston, and lots to see. Can hardly wait until we return! :D

As someone else said, it is a lot closer to Galveston than FL! Cruise on!

Here is my Voyager review:

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/getreviews.cfm?action=ship&ShipID=105&sort=date_newest&StartRow=251

Here is my Navigator review:

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=220333

Cabin

 

Cabin

 

Balcony

 

Balcony

 

More here: http://travel.webshots.com/album/575216470JknEsk

I keep getting an error message on all your pictures and the above album saying they are no longer available. :confused:

Sounds like when RCCL pulled out of San Diego & LA for their mexican cruises, really sucks thats the only cruise we can catch on the west coast is in Seattle for an Alaskan cruise, living in AZ it really sucks when you have to travel so far to cruise, hopefully they'll return soon for something in California.

So concur that it is sad RCI is not in CA doing Mexico. We loved that itinerary. It was easy to get to CA. :(

When I search for "Ship Mate", several app choices appear. Would you mind posting a picture of your app please? I think it's the one that is $1.99 that shows Cruise Ship Mate-Carnival, Royal Carribean...... is that the one you are using?

 

Thanks, Sue

It is the Royal Caribbean app that has this and it was free.

We bought several park west pieces on NCL ships and really were pleased!

Concur that we bought on RCI and we have been to land auctions. We have never felt cheated by them. They have always done exactly what they said and we feel the price we paid was fair.

GalleryDirectArt dotcom. Their website is pretty easy to navigate. I got the piece in a similar gold frame that it was displayed in on the ship. I probably could have saved a few dollars if I got it framed myself after receiving the canvas, but it still came out cheaper than Royal's and I was fed up and just wanted it already.

We have had quite a few pieces of art framed in the last few years. From knowing that Park West used to charge $250 and that was a deal for what we had to pay from a frame shop with a 50% off. Even Michael's was more expensive. I would have it framed if I bought on the ship, now that I have done both.

There has been talk here on CC that a "fee" is due to enter Greece. RCI will be paying that, I also believe that RCI holds our passports. Just a thought.

I don't know the answer but if I didn't get an answer here, I would go to trip advisor also. I Would NOT give out my information! That is like giving my SSN!

If I saw anyone using their phone on a cruise I think I'd do them a favor and throw it overboard.

This is the second rude remark to someone about using a cell phone on a cruise. WOW! I am amazed that a cell phone on a ship with someone using it can get such a negative response. :( The last cruise we were on, my husband's sister was in ICU as we were leaving port. We used the WIFI to stay in touch in case we had to return home. Wonder how it would have been for my husband if someone had responded in such a manner. He was so concerned about his sister. Live and Let Live :)

Thank you for taking time to share. I have laughed, sighed, took a deep breathe of concern and gotten many great ideas for our cruise May 5! This is why I love CC, you "meet" some of the greatest folks of all time!

Sure, but you will be paying big time for data roaming. Check with Verizon to confirm data rates on the ship. With AT&T it was $20/MB.

On my iPhone under Settings, General, turn off Cellular and there are no roaming charges. You can use the WiFi w/o an issue once you sign up for it:).

You are doing a great job! Thank you for sharing, even if it is late. I am also on the May 5 with the same itinerary. I love that you ate at Hard Rock. Sometimes you just have to do what you have to do! ;)

It sounds like you have a problem with drinking.

If it makes you feel bad, why are you doing it?

:p No problem with drinking for you or others, I just learned at an early age, I did not like paying to puke or have a headache. I can drink without doing too much and still remember what I did the night before. Each to their own!;)

2 bottles of wine at dinner $70 and $32 for a couple of $8 drinks each comes to $102

The premium package would be $110.

 

If drinking makes you feel bad, by all means, don't do it.

I have absolutely no issue with others drinking and I do drink when I desire. I am just not sold on spending that much of my money on it. My DH likes a better wine and for us a bottle or two is all we will need. Nice they have something for everyone! ;)

We will be Diamond after our May cruise! :D

We booked our flights about 6 weeks ago for our May cruise. In discussing our trip, we decided DH should check our seating again & try to move us if we had bad seats. He gets on and there is a notice that our flight itinerary had changed. He could not "see" it so called. It was the flight from Rome to New York. We had decided to stay in Rome an extra day and not be stressed about getting to the airport (like we have discussed on this thread). Our flight was to leave at 11:30 or 11:50. However, the flight time has changed to 9:50!:eek: I am so thankful the one night stay will be a lot less than a missed flight!;)