Cuervosar

Not yet. Have a yacht club cabin reserved on Divina. Normally we do Celebrity.

Seaside looks amazing, Maraviglia just launched. I think they're worth considering across the board.

Throw MSC in the mix as well.

Marinetraffic.com has the track of the sea trials if anyone is interested.

She is currently doing donuts north west of Trieste. Listed as a cargo ship.

Ensenada is pretty safe. Even the cartels don't want it.

Rules are for the birds. The cruise lines have become so lax it really has turned into a more relaxing atmosphere.

The only time anybody has said anything to me was the time I went to guest services on the way to dinner in my swim diaper to get the auto gratuity removed. Apparently shirts are requred?

I forgot to add Yacht Club:

Exclusive restaurant with dining when you choose. Butler will follow you around the ship with a cart and your plates if need be.

Per the MSC Website;

Bella is assigned dining between either an early or late seating. It looks like they assign you a time between two 2 hour windows. This is not flexible dining.

Fantastica looks like the same option, you choose early or late and they give you an arrival time for the duration of the trip for the MDR, however balconies and above on Opera, Armonia or Sinfonia can do a felxible "My Choice" dining. Does not seem to apply on Seaside.

Wellness Experience can choose beteween assigned or My Choice on Seaside, make your choice at booking.

Aurea includes My Choice Dining.

My advice would be to book either a Wellness or Aurea cabin, and you will have the flexibility you are looking for.

All of the above is based on my cursory reading of the MSC website, if incorrect please correct this post.

Can't help with the actual Greek Islands trip I'm afraid, still on my to-do list.

Crashing around the web, Royal looks like they have a sweet 9 day Rome to Naples that would fit the bill.

MSC has their new Meraviglia in the Med. from August through November. There are still a few Yacht Club cabins available here and there under 5K for two which could be interesting. That would be a big ship with all the latest bells and whistles albeit a more European vibe than the RCL experience.

Air fare to Europe is the tricky bit.

The Greek Islands would be a good choice.

My choice would be the Panama Canal, but it may be beyond the time you have allotted to travel. But if you are just looking for suggestions, a 14-15 day full transit. It is an amazing trip. Other options are partial transits which can be done in your 10 day window.

I just took a quick look at Celebrity, they have trips leaving Oct & Nov and you could get an Ocean View cabin in the $4,000 price range for the two of you.

Not bad for 15 days.

Bea rocks, always solid information, one of the true lights around here.

Buyers beware! My family was told by RCL that shopping in the plaza by the pier was safe and recommended, HA! I have been battling with the store and my credit card co for months. We cruised in March of 2017.

 

I purchased what I was told was genuine tanzanite and diamond jewelry from a store called Opalo Cuzamil. When I got home, one of the "diamonds" fell out. When I took it in to be repaired, I was told it was all FAKE! Cubic Zirconia. I had to have it appraised, which cost me more money. Capital One is dragging me over the coals about covering me for the fraud. I will not be putting it back in my wallet!!

 

Please do not waste your money on anything other than cheap tourist items and Tequila while in Cozumel.

You got ripped off at a tourist trap? Shocking.

Honestly, what did you think was going on?

On the other hand, I can take care of Capitol One for you. Small upfront fee, bit of a contract but no worries, I'll clear it up. Do it all the time.

PT Barnum lives!

Grammar on this site can get.......depressing.

I think it should read an ironing only service.

(Sorry to sound like the grammar police, but I think in this instance it warrants a comment)

 

What you have written sounds like they don't offer a wash and iron service, which they do, and in addition they offer an iron only, (no washing), service.

 

 

pete

You should probably just skip it.

So, I've read that unlike other zip lines, you stop on these via gravity. :eek:

 

So what if you are flying down the line and gravity doesn't cooperate? Do you stop by crashing into a small Honduran worker or a tree or what?

 

I've never been zip lining but it sounds strange not to have a brake at least as a back up. ???

 

Anyone who has been to PoC before or who has experience zip lining, should I be concerned? Cause I am and don't want to chicken out on site. :o

Tequila.

Hi: I am not a first-time cruiser, but I thought this would be a good forum to get some advice. I would like recommendations for prescription seasickness medication. The medicine I have used in the past, Scopace pills, worked great for me but has been discontinued. It was the same medicine that is contained in the patch, but at a lower dose and could be taken on an "as needed" basis. I will bring Bonine, but I have found it doesn't always work 100% for me in rougher seas. I am considering the Transderm Scop patch, but I have heard so many negative stories. Scopace pills were good because the dose was lower than the patch. Please share your suggestions for prescription meds (I already have all the info I need on over-the-counter or non-drug interventions).

Here is how I would go about it.

Let's think this through. 2 cases is 48 cans, weight wise, what are we talking about? Maybe 20lbs? Not sure, I drink out of bottles with corks in them. 20 lbs is too much to cart around needlessly, so I'm thinking the purchase needs to be made as close to dockside as possible. If it were me, I'd go 4 twelvers. I wouldn't bother with them being cold either. They're going to sweat.

Ok, now I have 4 12 packs. We're going to want to spread those around to lessen the chance of detection. So I need at least 4 bags. Hopefully you're not traveling alone. I usually only have one big bag and a messenger bag. (I'm hip like that) 4 bags gives us better odds of getting at least one twelve pack through.

Ok so, at the pier, but out of sight of security, open the 4 bags, and then open the 12 packs and distribute cans randomly. One big lump is too obvious. Then, repack the bags.

Next, I would make a deal with a random fellow passenger, preferably somebody with some sweet tats. Those bro's are always down for schenanagins.

Switch some of your bags and luggage tags with them, and coordinate a rendezvous at a later time. You could let them in on a piece of the action for the trouble. Now we've introduced even more randomization. Gotta get at least one of those babies through.

Then, surreptitiously put a knife in the carry on of the person in front of you. When that gets checked (if they are checking) it will give security both a distraction and a "win". They'll be less scrutiny for you.

As soon as it is time for your little band to go through, have somebody fake a medical emergency. Something noisy, but not too bad that they go all 911. Mild seizures usually work for this, blame the heat. (If you want to step up your game hire a non-cruising stranger for this part, then they can get transported away. Gives you more time. )

With that much randomization, and the two distractions, you've got a chance.

Or, just buy a fracking beverage package. That works too.

Not a big liquor fan, so I was wanting some tips on how to bring beer on board. Can you just unload the cans into your checked baggage or do you have to be more discreet than that. I'm going on a Carnival Cruise if that helps. Already know about the fridge pack idea. But I was thinking of something that involved a little more bulk (2 cases) spread out over four bags.

Love the thought that interiors are better because you don't spend time in the cabin. You don't spend time in interiors because they blow.

Get a balcony, have room service breakfast out there. You have your own private space. There are exactly two categories of cabins: those with balconies, and "I'm not going."

Does anybody know if Bob got out ok?

Van runs over pedestrians on sidewalk...hostages being held in restaurant...Brilliance of the Seas currently in port...police call this a terrorist attack

The problem is basically a design flaw. When they initially did the maths for the ship, they failed to anticipate the ever expanding girth of the average American. With a captive population of over 5,000 on board and the CDC reporting Americans gain about 2 lbs of fat per day the engines just can't handle the load.

So do you know exactly what the problem is?

There are three things I never leave my home State without; my passport, my lawyers cell phone #, and $2,000 in small bills. There are ususally a few weapons scattered about as well, but never without the top 3.

Hi. I'm slowly putting things aside to pack - and thanks to this board, I've learned to bring things like a power strip, maybe a few clothes pins, and a spray bottle to spray clothes to help wrinkles fall out. What are your "must bring" items? Thanks!!!

 

 

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There is a reason there are bars in airports.

We have a 7:30pm flight home from Fort Lauderdale after our cruise. I wouldn't mind so much except I don't know what to do with our luggage ? any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

MSC Cruises. I hear good things about the Divina. I hear better things about the Yacht Club.

My Wife and I just returned from an 8 day cruise to the Southern Caribbean on the Carnival Vista this morning and while we come home saying we had a lovely vacation, we are somewhat taken back by how underwhelming everything was in comparison to past and fairly recent Carnival cruises we've taken.

 

One year ago we took a week long trip on the Magic and we had a phenomenal time (had been 5 years since our last cruise). Needless to say my decision to stay with Carnival for my cruising needs was good to go. We booked a short cruise on the Victory in November following that cruise and we had a good time, but we both feel the ship was extremely aged (obvious due to age) but more that it just was not kept up with well. After spending a few days on the Vista we felt the same way about the Vista as we did the Victory. The ship was overall extremely dirty, or neglected seems to be the better way to describe.

 

Without getting into to much of our experience I am just wondering if we are alone in this thought? After this cruise we are already looking at other cruise lines for different options more then we have before. We do have a future cruise on the Sunshine booked already for September 2018 and we are hoping not to be disappointed in the same way we were this time. We have a booked cruise on Disney this November that we booked prior to this trip and are now looking at another line for one in between these two.

 

The majority of my cruise history is with Carnival and it kind of sucks to be so disappointed.

 

Thank you for any input!

Do not go to Hollywood Blvd unless you are trying to score drugs or escorts.

You really don't have time to do much, and San Pedro is near... nothing.

Long Beach is a possibility, best case scenario, you would get there around 7:30 - 8:00 pm if your plane lands on time, and hotel check in goes well. I'm assuming you are not renting a car, and are relying on hotel shuttles.

If your plane is landing at LAX, and if you have your own transportation or are willing to pay for Uber or something else, I would recommend 3rd Street in Santa Monica coupled with the Santa Monica Pier.

Santa Monica is relatively close to the airport, 3rd Street has decent food and a few shops, or at least it did. The pier is

quintessential Southern California.

http://www.santamonica.com/santa-monica-neighborhoods/downtown-santa-monica-third-street-promenade/

When you are done with Santa Monica, figure out a way to get to your hotel. Oh wait, you have luggage....So I guess Long Beach is the better option, there is a tourist area near Shorline Village.

And since you have the time, stop at In n Out. Either the one just outside LAX or in San Pedro, 1090 N Western Ave, San Pedro, CA 90732

Hubby and I have never been to California and we are traveling all the way from the Midwest. Our plan was to fly in early in the morning the day before the cruise, and spend the day in LA sightseeing, spend the night at Crowne Plaza and then go to the ship.

 

Well when I booked our EZ air tickets somehow I got a 4:30 arrival time which really doesn't give us time to do much. I tried rebooking to an earlier time or even coming a day earlier, but the departure flights are now only red eyes and they don't work with our schedule. The airlines prices are much higher. So I think we are stuck with these tickets.

 

I was hoping to go to Hollywood Blvd, but it sounds like we might get in too late? Any suggestions for what we could see in one evening?

 

Our flight after the cruise is at 2:05 pm at LAX.

It's a bit a matter of attitude and awareness. If you want to maximize your safety, stick with ship based excursions.

If you don't want to do that and would like to venture off on your own, keep your head up, don't look like a tourist, and don't wear anything that could identify you with your boat, if you are an American try dressing more to the local customs, (If you want to spot an American male abroad, just look at the shoes.)

In short, if you don't look like a victim, you are less likely to become one. Theives and muggars are lazy, they'll happily pass you by for an easier mark. And for what it's worth, all the stupid travel belts, hidden pockets, and whatever other ideas for security that stupid tourists wear are the very thing that gives them away.

Be confident, be alert, and it would't hurt to learn an armbar technique or two.

Doing a solo cruise next year to Mediterranean and would like to know is its safe to do your own sightseeing off ship... have read tourist have been targeted off the ships!

 

 

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If you're on... you're drinking.....

Carnival -- Natty Light

Royal Caribbean -- Heineken

Norweigan -- Miller Light

Norweigan in The Haven -- Samuel Adams Boston Lager

P&O -- Boddingtons Bitter

Aida -- Doppelbock

Costa -- Mescal (at least the Captain is anyway)

Holland America -- Scotch & Soda

MSC -- Antonori Marchese Chianti Classico Riserva 2013

MSC Yacht Club -- Il Marroneto Brunello Madonne delle Grazie 2012

Disney -- Dad's Root Beer

Princess -- Rochioli South River Vineyard Chardonnay 2003

Celebrity -- Mayback Family Vineyards Materium 2005

Azamara -- Absinthe

Crystal -- Dom Perignon 1998

Cunard --Krug Vintage Brut 1988

Fred Olsen -- An Old Fashoined

Windstar -- A Very Dry Martini

Regent -- Geritol

Silversea -- Natures Answer Liquid Fiber

#1&2 You should be able to arrange by calling customer service or on the web site.

#4, Depends on your preference, you should be able to arrange this in advance by calling customer service. "Traditional dining" is at the same time every day, and usually seated with other passengers, table will be the same every day. We request a table for 6, normally three couples. We have met wonderful people this way, others hate the thought of dining with strangers. Tables for two are available. "My time dining or it's equivalent is a crapshoot, we've never tried it.

My cruise is on RL in November, 5 nights, we are in our 60s, I find that if I do a lot of planning before I go somewhere then I can spend my time relaxing when I get there (instead of researching info):

 

1. How do I book in advance our desired meal time?

2. How do I book in advance a specialty restaurant?

3. How can I find out in advance which restaurants on the ship are the best?

4 In the regular dining room do they put you at tables with other people? The same people every night?

5 You can bring on 2 bottles of wine, can you bring them to dinner?

6 How can I find out what shows will be on? How can I rebook in advance the shows I want to attend?

7 How can I find out in specific all the activities offered by each day on board?

8 If I do not take excursions what is there to do on board?

9 How can I get a printable layout of my ship to see where everything is located in relation to my stateroom?

10 How can I find out in advance what music/dancing is offered and where?