UtterCaro

My luggage and I have taken separate vacations on more than one occasion, despite clear contact information/itinerary packed inside. I consider myself lucky that we've been reunited (eventually) every time.

I've gone back to zippy bags after being unimpressed with packing cubes, too. Yes, my clothes are probably more wrinkled -- but they match my face. :p

Like sparks, I don't think there's a single cruiseline now which permits either smoking or vaping on balconies or in most public rooms

I think Costa still allows smoking on balconies, but they're the only line I can think of that does.

I figured out what "budgie smugglers" were from context. Thank goodness I didn't Google it.

For those planning on getting a flu shot before you cruise, please don't wait until the day before. The immunization is not immediate, the shot takes about 10 -14 days to become fully effective.

Yep. Plus, handling your luggage (including hoisting it into overhead bins on flights) is harder with a sore arm.

~~

 

Ripple in still water

When there is no pebble tossed

Nor wind to blow

 

My favorite song ever. I've told my family and friends that if they don't sing this when I die, I'm coming back to haunt them. Seriously.

I know this is an old(er) thread, but I sailed on the Zuiderdam as a solo in an inside cabin. Very comfortable, and I was completely pleased with my decision.

If you find the free coffee is not to your liking, you may decide to cough up the bucks for the good stuff at the coffee bar.

I was in single digits, but now I'm back to double -- because I'm counting hours instead of days. Woohoo!

Do TA's get very full?

Yep. I've done crossings on four different (larger) ships, all sailing at or very near capacity.

"I'm/We're busy right now. Perhaps we can chat at dinner." Repeat as necessary.

I was just wondering if I can expect the sky at night to be bursting with stars or if the ship's lights dampen the effect.

Both. :D A lot will depend on the weather and moon phase -- I've done crossings where on clear, moonless nights the stars were phenomenal, even with the ship's light pollution. Best of stargazer's luck to you!

my very first cruise aboard the Celebrity Century

She was my first, too. I'll never forget seeing her for the first time; I was flabbergasted at the sheer size. I was blessed with fabulous tablemates, too, and promptly fell in love for life with cruising. Thanks for those lovely memories, Heather!

Caro

Jimmy Buffett's "Boat Drinks" with my first sailaway mojito. Bliss!

Lost weight? Yep. (It's all the exercise.)

Stayed up all night? Yep.

Ordered only appetizers for dinner? Yep.

Regretted a single day on Mother Ocean? Nope.

I really hate stopping at the store on the way home.

I do, too -- but that's the only way I can get fresh flowers, which are oh-so-important for my first morning home. It's just too demoralizing otherwise.

I still fail to see how having a set time/place/ and group of strangers to eat with every night is anything that would be enjoyable on a cruise.

Those are also called "traditional dining" and "making new friends." They may not suit you personally, but many people find them enjoyable.

Caro

I'm so glad to hear you're on the mend now, and that Carnival's medical staff was responsive to your needs. (I'm especially glad to hear it was on the Ecstasy, since I'll be aboard her next month!)

I developed pneumonia on a transatlantic cruise, and having (non-cruiseline) trip insurance saved my financial butt. At the price of a few drinks, I absolutely won't cruise without it.

Caro

Thanks to Zydecocruiser, complete with pictures

I really appreciate that, dacsmom. Zydecocruiser, whomever and wherever you are, I certainly thank you, too!

Caro

So does anyone have a recent menu for this they'd be kind enough to post?

Caro

No, you won't store your insulin at Guest Services. You'll store it in your cabin in a meds cooler, for which there is limited availability and a $70 deposit. (You do have to stand in line at GS to get this on the first day, which is an unavoidable hassle.) Call the Special Needs desk at 305-599-2600 ext. 70025 to confirm this.

Caro

I tend to cruise in inside cabins, and those things are REALLY dark. So I bring along a flameless tea light for the nightstand, which gives me just enough light to find the light switch without banging my toes into unfamiliar furniture.

If we weren't arriving 5 days before the cruise, I wouldn't be trying to rush to the airport. Also, it would be nice to get home and have one day to do laundry and get over jet lag before work on Monday.

I wouldn't risk it. I'd either pick a new activity or re-book the favorite of the pre-cruise activities to catch the next day's direct flight, or choose the shortest of the non-direct (later) flights for disembarkation day. You can do laundry on the ship -- and jet lag is largely an avoidable matter of dehydration. Good luck with whatever decision you make!

Caro

There's very little that I don't love about cruising, but if I had to pick my absolute favorite part, it would be watching land get smaller and smaller as we sail away. That makes me smile so hard, my face aches.

Having fallen in love with Venice before a westbound transatlantic cruise, I now look for crossings that embark there -- and fly over extra early so I can spend more time there. That way I get the best of both worlds. :)