pyropoodle

5 minutes ago, Organized Chaos said:

 

In my defense, I never said rolling was the best or most efficient way. I just said it takes up less space than normal folding. I wouldn't say I leave much dead space. Not enough to make a difference, anyway. I combine rolling most clothes with folding others that are difficult to roll, plus miscellaneous things to fill in the gaps. I can get a pretty tight fit. All those years of playing Tetris as a teenager have really paid off in life. 🤣 Packing a suitcase, loading a car trunk, etc. The method you showed is definitely...unique. She only packed a dress, 3 shirts, and 2 pairs of pants, but I'll take your word for it that it works. Looks like it'll be a bit difficult trying to lay down everything in just the right places on all sides so they fold over the next layer just right. I never was very good at wrapping presents. It's not that I want or need to leave stuff rolled in the closet, but they're already packed that way, and they come out wrinkle free, so what the heck. It's easy to unpack. I'll hang my nicer shirts that I wear to the MDR, many of those usually aren't rolled anyway.

I think everyone should pack in a way that works for them, but if packing a lot of stuff in a small space is what you are after, this is the way to go.   I am not a neat, organized person, but found this method to be really, really easy.  I also take waaaayyyy too many clothes but, I can't change my ways.  I was able pack both my and my husband's clothing in one suitcase (larger suitcase) then use the smaller suitcase for my son's clothes, swim toys, and have plenty of room to bring back souvenirs  that I DO NOT NEED (shouting at myself here ) , again, I can't change. 

Excuse me while it sit here and live vicariously through you....great review!

On ‎5‎/‎1‎/‎2019 at 1:17 PM, shof515 said:

 

no pool. a very small hot tub

 

 

, well, that doesn't look very serene does it?   I AM glad they didn't turn the aft pool into an adults only area, because I prefer the aft pool to the mid ship, but wow, I'm kinda surprised by this area.  I've never used a serenity area, so not sure if this is typical or not

anywho.....Sunrise has been sailing for days now, so WHERE ARE THE PICSSSSS, I am DYING over  here.  please, if you are sailing or have sailed, give us some pics.  I neeed to see it

We will hit double digits in 7 days!  I am celebrating by taking my almost 5 year old to the dollar store and letting him help me pick out some things he might like for the cruise...maybe a crazy cruise cup or a toy,  whatever we can find

he's already excited and has been watching youtube videos, so the dollar tree excursion should also help us pass the time

17 hours ago, Organized Chaos said:

 

 

I roll all of my T-shirts when packing. Believe it or not, rolling them takes up less space than folding. I actually took the time to test it. I needed to know...FOR SCIENCE! I'll even roll jean shorts and khaki shorts, but those are a little harder to do. Other things, like button up/collared shirts, jeans & khaki pants, can be difficult to roll, so I'll usually just fold those. I'm very careful when rolling my T-shirts, making sure to smooth out any wrinkles as I roll them. It's a bit tedious, but in doing this, I've been able to leave the shirts rolled up for an entire week and not have any wrinkles when they're unrolled.

 

 

Rolling isn't THE best or most efficient way.  I used to roll my things too, then I discovered this method --->  https://www.purewow.com/travel/how-to-pack-to-prevent-wrinkles

it changed everything.  I can pack twice as much in the same space.   rolling leaves dead spaces between things, so for science, I think you should try both methods and see which one wins.   :)

it's at least another option, but it really works. I don't do it to prevent wrinkles, that's just an added bonus.   It DOES take a bit of work to unpack it all and hang it up, but to me it's worth it.    

if you are the type of person who leaves stuff rolled up in the closet, this method wouldn't work for you, but if you are looking to put as much stuff in the suitcase as possible, this is the way to go.  

I LOVE your 80's costumes.  I just now read through your review because I'm having an unusually slow day at work, but boy am I glad I did! it was great. we are taking this exact cruise in like, 658 or so days..no idea (New year's 2020 into 2021, so it's pretty far out there, but it's never too early to take notes)

Can I ask, what are your kid's age differences?  I have an almost 5 year old boy and an almost 2 year old girl and she has recently learned how to have amazing tantrums because my son is so good at them. :P 

I'm taking her on her first cruise the day she turns 2 so I can offload them into the kid's clubs and have a break.  we haven't had any kind of vacation since I found out I was pregnant with her, so momma needs a cruise!

Did your kids go to the kids clubs at all?  

again, thank you for sharing your experiences and for being so real with your review of your family as well as the cruise.  You are doing a great job momma-ing and one day, your son will look back and remember all these things and love you all the more.

adding, I have never been to the museum myself, but looked into it when we booked our cruise. it closes at 3:30 and we dock at 3, sooooooo.  I didn't get much further than that.

44 minutes ago, cparkerkite said:

 

What is the name of the port we will dock?  Also, are all the things you mentioned within walking distance?

 I can't think of the port where we dock at the  moment, but I believe the museum is in Old San Juan.  you should be able to walk to it or hop on the free trolley if you see it pass by and it should take you there.

18 minutes ago, Organized Chaos said:

 

Dmdiver is right. They don't need a photo ID until they're 16. Basically, parents vouch for children under 16 when in port. Whether or not you take anyone's passports off the ship with you is entirely up to you. Some never leave the ship without it (as a "just in case"), some never take it off the ship.

 

 

 

Thank your for this.  I did find it on the carnival website eventually.  I cruised with my son when he was two and could not remember if we had an id for him or not other than his S&S.  we never take our passports off. they stay in the safe.  we have ony taken our DL's for a pic id.  

following. I have a 5 year old and 2 year old AND we are getting to port late, so after the children's museum closes. 

there is a children's museum that I'm sure kids would love and the forts, but for us, since we are late, I have no idea

I saw someone post about going to the Chocobar Cortes, the restaurant that serves everything chocolate, so we might check that out, and then maybe visit umbrella street for some photos, but other than that, I'm at a loss myself.

19 hours ago, dmdiver said:

 

 

As to the picture ID issue in port - they are constantly announcing that you need your photo ID as well as S&S card to get back on the ship.  Yet, every trip we see someone in port having a panic attack because they can't get through security at the dock.  You don't have to have your passport at the ones you are going to, but you do need to take your driver license along with your S&S card.  

this is something you may or may not know, and I haven't checked Carnival FAQ yet, but I certainly will...we have 2 littles (aged 2 & 5) obviously with no photo id except their passports. will we need to take those off with us or at least copies?   now I'm curious.

Thank you for the follow up.  we are going in August, sailing out of NYC, so I'm sure it will be hot.  it's not until august of 2020, so starting the research early :)   

carnival hasn't even added any excursions yet.

I am still believing that our Cuba cruise for next year will happen, so proceeding under that assumption... 

great review so far and really appreciating the information.

quick question, there will be 4 of us going, my hubs, myself, a 6 and 3 year old.  I know we couldn't do this as a full day excursion because my kids will be toast after 3 or 4 hours, but would you recommend this tour for half day for young children?  it sounds like a great way to see some things before we head back to the boat, give them a nap and then waterworks them until sundown.

They also make powdered formula in Onesies, so they don't weigh as much as the liquid.  you just add water when you are ready to mix and use.

you could dump it back into the shower.   they only put enough in it for the baby to splash and stay cool in.  they didn't fill it up, so dumping in the shower could be an option???

22 minutes ago, SuperGrace2002 said:

 

 we may buy the premade bottles already so we wont have to worry about washing any.  Plus its only a 3 day, so I think we will be ok..

You can also use drop ins.  they were a lifesaver for us.  We only had to wash the nipples and rings, and toss the liners.   they are amazing.

https://www.amazon.com/Playtex-Nurser-Drop-Ins-Disposable-Breastfeeding/dp/B06XCP5RSF/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=drop+ins&qid=1556637862&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1

21 hours ago, Sersee said:

 

 

So if I have the drink packages( soda one for the kids), there shouldn't be to much else on ship that I will spend money on correct besides casino, spa and excursions?

 

 

I have only read this far in the thread, so someone else might have mentioned it...for the Soda drink package, unless your kids just drink a ton of soda, this might be something you want to skip on.   you can bring a 12 pack of soda per person on board.  I'm not a soda drinker, but I think like one or 2 sodas a day is a lot.   you might put that money toward an excursion.  but if you drink a lot of soda, then you should get the soda package.  just putting that out there for you.

also, you might want to contact carnival to check, but on my last cruise, I did see a family that had a small inflatable blow up bathtub. they had the baby on an upper deck, away from the pool area, but put water in the bathtub using a buck of water.  it wasn't full, just enough to sit and splash in.  I never saw anyone tell them they couldn't do this, so you might try it.  or if you have a balcony, you can put it out there.  just put it away when you aren't using it. 

*note, I said inflatable bathtub, not a huge baby pool.  it was small, but the baby seemed to enjoy it.

Children who are not potty trained are not allowed in the pool.  it's probably ok to sit on the side of the pool with her. I doubt they would say anything to you.

110---we are so close to  double digits!

....and, for now and forever, I will ALWAYS have a balcony.   I did interior ONCE and was miserable.  I neeeeed the fresh air and the private (ish) space.  so, you can't go wrong keeping your balcony.

I def don't think that price is worth it for a 5 day.  Maaaaybe $500 total.    I've been in a suite once and I'm on one again for our Sunrise cruise in August, but I booked really early and got what I thought was an acceptable price.   I don't think if I were booked in a balcony and got offered a $1,000 upgrade that I would take it.   in the first suite, I was in a balcony and had the upgrade offer for a suite for $350 total (for 3 people). I think that was a great deal.

only 112 more days for me.  getting here slowly, so please inundate me with pics already.  

Definitely NOT Crocs..they are like walking on ice any time there is a drop of water on the ground. 

8 minutes ago, 2xsin12mths said:

Soooo....If I leave next Saturday on Paradise to Cuba it's now not happening??

When does this take effect ... and how safe is this now?  Ugh!!!

you are probably fine for next week. not sure they would put anything in place that quickly.   but who knows after that?