brucelegs

1 hour ago, andychris said:

Looks like a fantastic time! 
Question about Starbucks.  Free at sea includes free Starbucks. Are you able to use your app for stars and still not have to pay? 
thank you!

No, you cannot use the app if you have the Starbucks package

and this is a good reason to purchase "Cancel For Any Reason" travel insurance.

1 hour ago, andymattmom said:

How many days prior to cruise did you get flight information?

Showed up in my eDocs at around 50 days - that's when I saw the 8 PM flight and made the call

I was successful in getting a change.  My original return  flight was at 8 PM on American.  I called the premium air dept, was on old for 20 minutes and then the most professional Wendy picked up and I pleasantly explained what I was hoping to achieve. (I knew there was a noon and 2 PM flight with available seats from checking AA.com).  Wendy was like "Who would want an 8 PM fight?  Let me get you changed I will send you and mail when I have you re-booked"  Two hours later I had an email from Premium Air informing me that my return flight was now 2 PM.  Score - thank you Wendy !

Who did you contact?

We just got our free flight info.  We would, like to change our return flight from 8PM to something earlier.  Has anyone had luck doing that?  Who did you contact?  I know it would not be our Cruise Consultant.  Can I do it directly with the airline?  Yes I know it was a free perk, just trying to tweak that return flight - I certainly didn't think it would be 8PM 😉

thanks in advance for any advice.

The Missha is not a matte finish I have to use a setting powder.  The Skin 79 which I also use is my go to for cruising with some bronzer.

Despite the change in ports we had a great time. Thursday night we switched out some shorts and tank tops for a couple of long sleeves, removed the snorkeling equipment and reloaded the luggage in the car.

We were lucky enough to win a bid for a suite - 2 bedroom with balcony (lots of space for 2 from our original booked mid ship balcony) Roel was the concierge and we had the wonderful Johnathan as our butler and Mochamed as our steward. Danielle at the suite breakfast and lunch was a delight - and her ever-changing assortment of eyewear - well I need to have her hook me up with her friends in Brazil so I can be just as fashionable! All were accessible, friendly and great to get to know.

Not much of a chance to research the new ports but we did our best doing the hop on hop off pink bus in Halifax and St. John and the big pink bus in Sydney. Bar Harbor we just popped on the tender and walked through town sightseeing (if I had known earlier about the free LL Bean bus to various sites around I would have planned something more - or even booked that cool schooner cruise around the port). Halifax was our favorite followed by Sydney. I could see us making a nice little drive up there from our home in NH to see more than we could in a day. I like the hop on hop off buses since they allow you to do the whole loop then decide where you would like to go back to later in your day.

I do love the Dawn and think that Alain, the hotel director has assembled a great team who really like their jobs for the most part. It shows in everyone we had contact with - chatting with the buffet staff in the quiet of the evenings for a late night snack to the waiters/servers at the restaurants. When you think of the numerous countries, religions and languages that is quite an accomplishment.

We did not do the behind the scenes tour since we had done it before, but highly encourage all to do it at least once - the operations of a floating city and what it takes to pull it all off are quite amazing.

Weather was lovely all week for a relaxing, laid back cruise. We only did 2 shows - the crew talent show (I like the exposure they get to showcase their countries) and the PJ Wen magic show (do not miss this show if he is on your cruise)

We did specialty dining 6 of our 7 nights (thank you dining package and platinum benefits) - Cagney's, Teppenaki, Los Lobos, La Cucina and LeBistro X2)/ the new MDR menus have been out for a couple of weeks and we enjoyed our meal there as well.

Coffee is one our vices and having that Lavazza maker in our cabin made for happy mornings and peaceful evenings on our balcony - we let Johnathan know to keep us stocked well with decaf pods, cream and of course peanut M&Ms. No in suite dining or room service this cruise although the hubby should have requested a plate of the yummy banana bread.

Missing Bermuda, hurt just a bit especially since in talking with the some of the crew, they missed saying good bye to their many friends they have made in Bermuda over the years. They told them they would see them this past week to say good byes for the season and that opportunity was gone for them - so they were also greatly affected by the change to Canada, not just us passengers.

we had a wonderful time on this excursion - lots of fish, knowledgeable folks and great photos

I used to get mine permed and died and it worked really well (do they even do that anymore??). I've never done the extensions but considering it too especially since I wear less make up on the cruise.

yes, they now call it a 'lash lift' - great for the summer and cruising since I do not have to wear mascara during the day. If I want to glam it up for the night I add some mascara.

I just got a great Travelon cross body at TJ Maxx last week so it looks like the summer travel bags are starting to show up in the stores.

Marie, so very happy to see you back on Cruise Critic. Your style sense is inspiring - you are living your best life and I thank you for sharing so much of yourself. No request to be added to the raffle - I have no need at the time, but wanted to thank you for the kind raffle offer.

I knew better and I still didn't do it. Didn't want to bring Nyquil or Dayquil and risk having them leak in the suitcase. "If we need them, we'll buy them later." Duh!! If you're at ALL prone to catching colds, bring your medicines with you. Maybe it will ensure you don't need them!

 

My husband started coughing a few days into our 14-day cruise. I did bring a whole bag of cough drops, but we figured he needed something more. Because we had arrived in port that morning, the duty-free store was CLOSED all day. The port of Puntarenas didn't look like it had a "pharmacia" nearby. So we went to the ship's medical center figuring he could get some cough syrup. Started with the $149 fee to see the doctor, and it would have been more but this was the 1.5 hour window when they're open in the morning. Nice doctor recommended an EKG because husband is 75 and has high blood pressure, and a chest X-ray because he heard some wheezing. What do I say--"Nah, skip all that" and have something happen?? Then they recommended a nebulizer treatment to "clear the airways." Drew blood and did at least three tests on it, determining it was a bacterial infection. Bottom line: Four days of antibiotics, little bottle of cough syrup, and the carefully itemized cost came to $1291. Haven't checked to see yet whether our insurance will cover at least some of it. This is undoubtedly a major profit center for the ship. I heard of two other cases on our cruise where the cost was closer to $3,000.

 

When the ship's store opened the next day, we bought Nyquil and Dayquil tablet packages at $14.95 each, undoubtedly FAR more than I would have paid for the generics at Walmart ahead of time.

 

My brother and I both DID catch the same thing on the trip but toughed it out with the Dayquil and a lot of cough drops.

 

Lesson learned!!

Well at 75 years old and a bacterial infection that required antibiotics, I think you would have needed more than just NyQuil anyway. You did the right thing especially for a 14 day cruise. This is why we always purchase additional travel/medical insurance.

asking for a friend whose girlfriend is in a wheelchair. I thought I had read that there are now the big wheeled chairs that can be rented at the beach. I would like to pass this info along to them since on their last visit they mostly hung around the port and she never dipped her toes in the beautiful sand and ocean. Also any info on where to get off the ferries in Hamilton or St. George and something they could tour together without too much problem.

thank you so much in advance

I really like the Missha BB cream - I got a sample and then bought a full size

wicked good deals at SwimsuitsForAll right now (not affiliated, but I am stocking up)

$16 - $38

http://www.swimsuitsforall.com/Splash-Sale-Swimwear-Shop-All-L?couponcode=17APR33&utm_source=EM&utm_medium=SwimDeals4.21&utm_campaign=7161229_2017-04-22+Promo%253A+Swim+Deals+%252817APR33%2529+v2+%2528Filter%253A+Buyers-10D%2529&sv_sveme=223be80cde38536ebeea4c3b52b49af9&tpopdontshow=1&dismissLargeSizeModal=Y&go=Y&page=1&filters=&sortBy=

Nominating myself for membership - I confess to being a shoe diva. It began the day I was born and the doctor told my Mom that I "had a good foundation" i.e. big feet. Yep I wore a ladies size 10 in the 4th grade. Back then the largest size easily found was usually a 9. I could never wear the cute girly shoes. Now that I have topped off at a beautiful size 12 there are so many options for me and I take full advantage of that availability. Since I never grew up in high school being able to find heels in my size, I never got the practice of wearing them so many of my shoes top out at 2.5" heel with some kind of platform. I have tried taller heels but lets just say they are saved for private time with the hubby since walking in them is next to impossible;-)

Anyway hope to be accepted to the group. My favorite places to shop are at Nordstrom Rack, Nordstrom online, Zappos and yes, even eBay too. I also am able to get some really great deals on 6PM.com and Zuliliy.com.

I have the same spider veins. I used to get a spray tan before the cruise and then I would bring Tan Towels with me once it began to fade and get blotchy. the key to Tan Towel is to use in a circular motion. I would apply before bed and wake up with a natural color. It does not transfer to bedding with and no self tanner smell. If you want darker repeat the following night.

Tan Towels are individually wrapped so easy to carry.

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod510320

this spring I discovered a product from Clarins that you mix with your regular moisturizer and I am very happy with it as well. You put a few drops of this oil with your regular moisturizer - really works, pricey but you only use 4-5 drops at a time and it will last me more than just the summer !

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod13851007

and out March 19 10-day was also cancelled due to "charters" like heck - it is due to dry dock (an educated consumer)

Nordstrom, Lord & Taylor, Talbot's Woman, even Coldwater Creek are my usual go-to shops. Never pay regular retail either. I have occasional good luck at Macy's and TJ Maxx. I am very fortunate to have the only Eileen Fisher Outlet nearby in Burlington, MA - such deals!

I still vividly remember this from one of our cruises. We took the upsell to one of the suites one year. Our butler was just a lovely, lovely man. We knew he had some "high maintenance" cabins and guests on his list. We were in an aft suite ( a bit out of the way from many of the other suites on the ship really).

One day as he was delivering our afternoon snacks, we were engaged in a short very pleasant conversation about himself, his family, etc. when his phone rings 'yes one Mudslide? Yes, thank you I will bring it right up". He excused himself to go and fetch the mudslide for the cabin. I said to my husband - really? calling the butler for a bar drink to be delivered? "Get you own dasm Mudslide" became our little phrase. I must admit I was kind of shocked that someone would call the butler to get them a drink from the bar. Requesting M&Ms sure. Dinner, breakfast, I understand - it was lovely having breakfast brought in one morning complete with linens and silverware, but a phone call for a bar drink? If you created a standing request for a drink to be delivered at a certain time every day, yes OK, but an on the fly request for a bar drink is a bit over the top to me.

We love the Dawn and Bermuda - just the right size ship. I think the Dawn have those dials outside your door where you select "Welcome", "Do Not Disturb", "Make Up Room", etc? Perhaps that was not noticed.

I am pretty happy that as a plus size woman I can finally enjoy those lovely prints - have my browser ready to go online and buy

There's an extra charge for a smoke free cruise experience.

depends on the ship .. either 7.95 or 4.95

Found this on a webpage

If you have a late flight or time to take in some of the local sights, stop by our CONCIERGE DESK in both Cruise Terminal 2 or Cruise Terminal 3.

S

They offer luggage storage which would help us out since our flight is not until 4PM Is anyone familiar with this?