Sigyn

I really don't know. I'm assuming I just chose to not know. I've had pools at home for many years and just believed in the power of chlorine.

I cancelled the Misty Fjords boat tour after everyone's advice here. I didn't book anything for Ketchikan. I think we'll just walk around and visit a pub or two and see the sights in the town.

I'm kind of freaking myself out. Okay, no "kind of" about it. We're cruising on Harmony of the Seas in three days and I never thought about how the hot tubs on cruise ships (or hotels for that matter) were bacteria-filled pits of Primordial soup until reading another post on CC. Now? Well, now my eyes are opened. And I'm utterly disgusted. The feces, the urine, the hot, steamy potential for bacteria growth and everything else up to Legionnaire's disease. Here's one article I found that points out "Hot tubs are frequent transfer stations for bacteria, including one type of infection known as "hot tub rash": https://www.vice.com/en/article/4354ed/how-gross-is-the-hot-tub-in-my-hotel-or-spa and if you google the topic there are legions (pun intended) of others. How did I live for five decades without knowing this?

Or you could just say, "Oh, a free book!" And sit down and start reading.

ack. now I can't, either. I hadn't thought about that until now. 🤢

Only someone who had really wanted to cancel this particular cruise they're on for April 1 but couldn't due to losing the entire cost of the cruise, or who wanted to add a person to their cabin or add another entire cabin, but couldn't, because the cruise is sold out. This way they could have those extra friends or family cruise with them. I agree, it's not a good option and very, very few people will accept it.

On the day that we're at CocoCay on Harmony of the Seas we'll also be there with Oasis of the Seas, so, two giant ships at the same time. Is there a problem finding seats at the beach or pool on these busy days at CocoCay? I'll be there next week and it will be my first visit to the island. I bought a water park pass for my 15-year-old son but I just plan to wander around, find a place to chill and sit in the shade, see the ocean, and read a book and drink a few frozen cocktails. Thanks so much for any input.

I might book a future cruise when I'm on board Harmony of the Seas in a few days. If I do that, is there a reduced deposit? I feel like I've read that there is. What other benefits are offered?

It varies on every ship. We're about to sail on Harmony of the Seas in five days and it's $161.99 on sale on that ship for 100 photos. Here's the description for it today.

When I was a teenager I was super sad I couldn't tan, but as a middle-aged mom it's moments like these that make me happy I am not a sunbather, have never (past the age of 16) laid out in a lounger, and and cannot tan if my life depended on it. Chair hogs are just so rude.

Haven't packed yet.

Or lacks compassion.

I've heard of people doing that and being able to get a reservation and board a ship.

I always book a balcony and feel absolutely fine about not having access to the fancier parts of the ship, regardless of which cruise line I'm on. I don't think about it, the cruise line doesn't make it obvious that they're there, you have sooo much to do that it's not an issue. I was on Norwegian in December and the comedian at the Improv made jokes about the Haven (their version of the Retreat) and how they were too fancy to come out to the regular part of the ship. The Haven guests were there and laughed along with everyone else. I hadn't thought about them until then. You'll have an amazing experience, no matter which cabin you're in, if you decide you're going to enjoy it beforehand. That advice comes directly from my beloved aunt, who passed away in 2019. She and my uncle were a military family and she told me when I was 21 years old and about to move to Arizona that I simply needed to tell myself that I was going to love it and then I would. She said that was what she told herself before every move they made in the military. That she was going to love their new home and new city, and discover everything amazing about it. And then she did. It's all about the mindset you have going into a new place and situation that creates a positive experience. Worry begets worry. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding in Santorini!!!!

Actually, there are many cruises I wouldn't do for free, either. A few years ago, at my last job, I was often offered cruises for $100 pp. (that's right, $100 pp) Cruises on the luxury cruise lines as well as the regular ones. They were last minute cruises, with 4-8 weeks notice, unfilled cabins. Some that were going for up to $8,000 pp if you were buying them at that moment for yourself. With butlers and concierge service. In suites. I didn't go because while they sounded nice, I simply didn't want to spend the time rushing and trying to deal with everything to go last minute. And I was busy in my job, and sometimes our kids were in school, etc. Instead, I offered them to my friends, who did go and had a fabulous time. But not everyone wants a free cruise. I can definitely say that I wouldn't take one if the cruise line, schedule, and itinerary didn't interest me.

Ack. That sounds like a nightmare cruise to me. A non-stop party? Even a high-end (as in, non-Carnival cruise) style party? Nope. I'm 55 and that is not my style.

I want to ring in and say that this is awful. I'm so sorry you're not finding excursions that are suitable. My mom must use a wheelchair for any activity that requires walking more than 20-30 feet (she uses a walker otherwise) and so this is near and dear to my heart. It's not appropriate to not have a full range of excursions available. Perhaps it is due to the excursion providers, but regardless, I'm sure if Celebrity pushed for it, they would provide it. I am cruising on both Royal Caribbean and Celebrity in the next few months, and I see several excursions for Royal Caribbean that say they are for people with mobility issues but I don't see any with that notation for my Celebrity cruise to Alaska. With Celebrity, when I filter for those activities with only mild exertion required, it often says that "full participation" will require walking over cobblestones, etc. It makes me wonder if there is an alternative to full participation. It should say that, however, if it is an option.

I shouldn't be dead yet, so, sure.

Great point! I have a platinum AmEx that I use for most of my purchases.

that's good they're sending out the info. I don't arrive until March 31, so it will be long over by then.

If your liver says yes, then go for it!

Carnival has issued a warning to passengers that this weekend will be insanely busy in Miami due to the Ultra Music Festival from March 24-26. TheStreet pointed out in its article that Royal Caribbean, Virgin, MSC and other cruise lines should have issued the same alert to their passengers. Here's the key info from TheStreet: https://www.thestreet.com/travel/carnival-cruise-line-issues-warning-for-passengers?puc=yahoo&cm_ven=YAHOO “While you prepare for your cruise, we’d like to inform you that the City of Miami will be hosting Ultra Music Festival in the downtown area from Friday, March 24 through Sunday, March 26, 2023. As a result, there will be numerous street closures and heavier than normal traffic in and around the city,” the cruise line shared in an email to passengers on ships sailing from Miami on those dates. That means that hotel shuttles could be overwhelmed with more passengers needing that service. In addition, ride-sharing services Uber and Lyft will be both busy and have higher-than-usual prices.

I think it really varies. I'm sailing on 4/1 and the reservations opened up on 3/6 mid-morning. But I've heard different windows - like 30 days out, or the first day of the month prior to the sailing - from others.

I rarely use them, either, but it's because they're too crowded and then I have to be weirdly social with utter strangers. Curious why you, and others, don't like them?