Morisnfan

10 hours ago, mamkmm2 said:

 

True.  I think that most people don't realize how tight the hygiene issues are becoming on board the cruise ships.  We took 4 cruises this year, three of them on Princess.  All three of them either started or ended with hygiene protocols in place.  One of them lasted the entire cruise.  All three had crew manning the wash stations and calling people back that tried to avoid washing their hands.  All three hand someone manning the beverage stations or had the beverage stations turned off so that in most cases you could not self serve - except after the hygiene protocols were lifted on our recent Caribbean Princess cruise - and at none of them were you permitted to fill bottles or carafes.  Staff would offer to fill them from a pitcher or you were directly to use a glass or cup provided by the ship.

 

Bucking the rules is getting harder and harder to do and it is making some people decidedly cranky.

I personally love it when the crew makes people stop & wash hands!  Some of the stuff we see people do on board baffles me.  So many women I see in the loo still not washing up after restroom visits,  I just dont get it.  Even if I just washed my hands, I dont mind doing it again or sanitizing when asked.  I have to wonder why some are so defiant with these cleanliness requests.

Can you order using the drink package in the dining room?

You can also purchase specialty coffees (espresso drinks etc) during or after dinner! Sometimes we'd order one with a shot of baileys or amaretto!

Thank you, my CC friends! I'll be checking a few of these out!

I take a variety of supplements daily (which I put in the usual pill travel case)

But I also take a powder L Glutamine, which might be a bit trickier. Its a dusty white powder, which could look a little suspect. I have clear small plastic containers (size of an old film canister) or small plastic baggies. The original jar is WAY too large to take.

For you seasoned travelers, which do you think would be safest? Or, is there an alternative I haven't thought of? I am planning on clearly labeling whatever I end up with.

I just scored a great deal on small tight lidded containers. I was looking around in the craft stores and saw packages of 8 for 1.95 (they had 3 sizes-maybe 1 oz, 2 oz & 3oz!) all the same price! I am going to have to find a way to use them up, since I bought so many!

Always worth it for us! We both get the package and have calculated it! Hubby & I are sparkling water drinkers and also coffee people, so it all adds up, not just alcoholic drinks (we like Bloody Marys in the am and wine in the evening, as well as trying fun mixed drinks!). It also includes sodas, and fresh squeezed juices too!

Why not spoil yourself on a cruise!!!

I have gone on many cruises after carefully self tanning and as soon as I hit a beach, pool, or get a massage, its smudgy and gross, as one would expect. So this year, Im on the hunt for a quick fix for after Im out of the water and all smudged up. Ive only tried Tarte brand, and it seems to have changed and doesnt work for me now.

I realize its vain to be so concerned with this, but I had huge health issues for about a year now and am finally done with treatments. My hair is barely growing back, and I just want to somehow feel pretty on my trip.

Any advice?

Hello, fellow papaya friend!

Anybody out there just off the Royal? I'm wondering if any of the ships still have papaya on the buffet for breakfast. My past couple of cruises didnt.

64 loooong days!

I'd love to know this as well. The Enclave looks so relaxing!

Yep, hold a gun to their head and make them spend that money! Of course, since it wasn't their money to start with they'rereally not out any money anyway. Of course they could always spend that free money on some food items they could then give to their steward or other people they know, or even just donate that free money to the gratuities pot by filling out a form at Passenger Services. That way somebody would get some use out of the money. Nah, probably just better to complain about being forced to buy junk. That way we can create a problem where none existed before.

 

Tom

I totally agree! So many complainers on this board!

How do they force people to spend OBC on stuff they dont want or need?

We love the Platinum/Elite lounge drinks and apps! Havent tried the new ones, but we are open to new tastes, and can't wait to try it with new offerings!

I like the idea of a mens shirt from Goodwill! Why pay tons of money when you dont have to? Ill be looking for those my next trip to GW!

We are actually going on the Royal for Thanksgiving this year. We have done Mexican Riviera a few times, so its a nice change. And with a short stay in FL before coming home to the cold Pacific NW, I'm happy for a bit of fun in the sun and ocean swimming!

Things have changed a bit over the years (Hubby introduced me to cruising in 2001) but life has changed too. Cost of living, gas prices, passenger preferences etc are different than they used to be, but why is that a bad thing? We've been on a cruise or two where the food was not awesome in the dining room, or a cabin steward wasn't perfect, or tenders took forever. That's life! Humans are not perfect, and as I'm sure we have all been less than stellar a day or two in our jobs, so have cruise staff! As others have said, sometimes things are out of the cruise lines control too. I look at it as a vacation, a time with friends, or just Hubby & I to recharge and relax!

Just started...again! Gotta get back into the groove! Cruising the Royal Princess in 95 days!

I wish it would be ready for the Royal in time for our Thanksgiving cruise, but it seems from all the posts here that it probably wont be. (Unless one of the "in the know" people have further info)?

Looks so beautiful and modern. I can't wait!!!

I like special "cruise scents" for me, that I generally only wear on cruises, or maybe a summer weekend getaway. For years, its been the special edition Escada scents, which all smell a little similar. Pacific Paradise, Sunset heat, Ocean Lounge, and my new favorite, Sorbetto Rosso. Ironically, I seldom wear any obvious fragrance. I love philosophys light natural scents, but for vacation... I need fun, tropical fruity, ocean scents!

Yup, the AIBP is a total scam.

Not really. Some people get value from it. We actually kept track of our drinks, coffees, waters etc the first time we tried the package and found over $100 in savings. Ever since, we've gotten the package, whether buying it or in a sip n sail promo.

I realize how quick the turnaround is and how hard the crew works to get the ships ready for the next cruise.

 

As soon as I get in the cabin I Lysol spray the door handles,(inside and outside ) light switches, television remotes, telephone, luggage handles, faucets and toilet handle.I figure if it doesn't help it can't hurt- especially for the next family who moves on in and does nothing. It may seem a little extreme but it seems to work for me. I also try to NEVER touch my eyes,nose,mouth while out and about on the ship. I'd rather be overly cautious and a little OCD than sick on my vacation.:cool:

Yes!!!!!

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Eating cucumbers, or adding them to water (like fancy spa water) helps with fluid retention!

I carry individually wrapped handwipes (that state they kill norovirus) to use after getting to my seat after buffet visit. I also use them after ordering and returning the menu to waiter in dining venues. In my cabin, I wipe doorknobs, sink faucets, light switches, remotes, etc with lysol wipes pretty consistantly during my cruise. Yes, Im super paranoid of yucky germs viruses! Also very very good about handwashing. Knock on wood...no sickness for me or hubby on any of our cruises over the past 15 years.