Pack My Bags

Smoked duck appetizer on RCI & Carnival!

This is a GREAT RESOURCE!

Especially all the past CDs info.

THANKS!

Free time - I am sailing Carnival this week, no RCI until November.

They unfun thing they don't tell you about is the VAT tax on sailings in the med. 11%on food and beverage and 22% on clothing and other shopping.

You are able to get a partial VAT refund, but they charge $29euro(they don't tell you about that, either, or that you don't get the whole amount back, only about 13%) for the convenience, and you must have your recipt stamped by customs at the airport, before security, and then collect your refund at the special counter after you pass through passport control.

Did not know this..

THANKS for the info!

Just like getting the GST form when returning from Canada.

If children running amok is a problem for you, avoid booking during....

Christmas break

Presidents week

Spring Break

Easter Vacation

The last week before Labor Day (last week before school starts)

Also know the LONGER the cruise, the LESS KIDS on board!!!!!

Do not miss.......

1. An opportunity for a free makeover & free samples. Go to the makeup seminar on deck 5 (if offered)

2. Love & marriage show.

3. Check your cruise compass for skating show ticket distribution time. It should be in the morning on a sea day sometime. If you happen to miss it, no worries.. They will have remaining tix left at guest services desk on deck 5.

4. Sunshine bars at the cafe promenade.

5. The SHIP! Especially if you're doing a western itinerary. Keep ship`s time.

6. Chocolate souffles in the MDR on the first formal night.

7. Captain & crew Q & A always learn something new or hear a good story!

8. The lamb chops & carpaccio at Portofino.

9. Nightly showtime, he said-she said, Battle of the Sexes , late night adult comedy & slot tournaments!

10. BY ALL MEANS......

Stay up late,

Go early & get a good seat

Wear comfortable shoes

And dont miss.....

THE QUEST!!!!!

Dear OP,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts, particularly regarding the children's programs. It was very helpful to hear your perspective.

I must go start packing now!!!

And on that note I must bid you all

FAREWELL,

HAPPY FATHERS DAY ,

SAFE TRAVELS &

SMOOTH SAILING.

Dont think it would bother me unless the people in the hot tubs were very noisy.

That's what I was thinking. I'm sure it will be fine. LOL!

Thanks for your assistance. I got a phenomenal rate & was not about to pass it down. Nevertheless... I'm sure it will be a great cruise & we will enjoy ourselves. Can't come soon enough!

Hi everybody.

Hope somebody can give us some insight. Sailing on the Breeze in 2 weeks. There are 4 of us & we wanted connecting rms so we were limited. I booked mid ship deck 6 & looked to avoid being over the piano bar & night club.

Then I realized my balcony will overlook the hot tub. I don't really mind that I don't have the view directly down to the ocean, but my concern is will people in the hot tub be in my face every time I sit out on my balcony?? Are those open 24/7?

I will still gladly take this stateroom versus being under a pool deck or the galley. It is what it is -- we will make the best of it & have a great time!!! Just wondering if anybody has some experience with this.

I found this photo and I'm trying to gauge it.

Thanks & Happy sailing!

Yes, just not sure if that's what they called it on Carnival as well. Excellent, thanks!

Moving right along...

Speaking of customer service, does anyone know if Carnival still offers the "take your own luggage off disembarkation" option?

I love how people here quibble with a poster's point of view. It is really arrogant to think that somehow your point of view from 1, 10, 100, or 1000 cruises is somehow better or more enlightened than another poster's. It isn't about how you feel a poster should feel about their cruise; it is how they feel about their cruise.

 

Thanks to the OP for your thoughts on your family's cruises!!

There's that word again... "Arrogant" LOL!

I'm sorry, did I hit a nerve or miss something here? I hope this was not intended about me. I did not mean to offend anyone. Not bashing anyone as I am an equal opportunity cruiser & just believe that everyone has their own budget, views, taste level & needs on vacation. Then again... that's what these forums are for. To share ideas & thoughts. If you're going to post something for all to see, you need to understand that people WILL comment on it! Not pointing any fingers.. Just a general statement here folks! LOL!

HAPPY CRUISING &

SMOOTH SAILING!

To the poster who is upset about RCI not allowing you to cancel a booking & rebook under a promo...

May I ask... Will an airline allow you a return a ticket so you can buy a new fare? Will a wireless phone or cable company give you a promo if you are an existing customer? NO. It's not unheard of... You're reaching.

Each line has it's strong points & it's weaker points. This is subjective & all depends on what's more important to you or your family's needs. I have over 20 cruises under my belt (must update my signature.) And yes, while I get many perks as a RCI Diamond member I am sailing on the CARNIVAL BREEZE in a mere 14 days & I CANT WAIT!!!

This time around it's a matter of price point, date, itinerary & ship. PLUS we felt like we didn't want to dress to the nines since we are flying. And for this... Carnival is most lenient -- Apparently khakis & a hawaiian shirt qualify as formal wear. If the rest of my party could travel one day earlier, we would have been on another ship. We know that either way -- We will enjoy ourselves.

I have also learned that you cannot base your entire decision on a line by just one ship or itinerary. Each ship has it's own persona & vibe. And something else to consider is WHAT PORT you're cruising from. Depending on where you cruise from will also dictate the crowd on board & that too can greatly affect your cruise. Have you ever sailed in Europe? Or from San Juan or the Dominican Republic? Even the difference between NY, Baltimore or Tampa. ALL VERY DIFFERENT!

Here's my 2 cents.

If I want to have FUN & be well taken care of: RCI hands down. Best mix of people: all age ranges & lots of activities. LOVE LOVE their ships, staff, decor & easy to navigate around the ships!

If I want to have fun, pay less & don't mind carefree parents & kids running everywhere: CARNIVAL. I LOVE not having to dress up, the lido buffet & tandoor station. Their ships are a little cluttered with narrow passageways & low ceilings but I always have fun!!

If I want to RELAX in style: CELEBRITY. Great food, excellent service, less activities, less kids, less announcements, but also much less nightlife. The best solariums & eggs Benedict station ever!

I have been on NCL didn't care for it in 2002 but that was when they first came out with freestyle dining. It was early in the concept & they've changed a lot since then. Would not be my first choice, but would not say no.

Also must try PRINCESS next. Hear they are most like RCI & apparently they have the best pizza on the seas. I am looking for a new ship & itinerary I like.

In the end......

ANY CRUISE is better than being in the office!

There is a small dial on your desk that controls the volume of the internal speaker system. This speaker is under your desk. Meaning... Sometimes the capt wants to make a specific announcement or his daily 12:00 update, (which interrupts the TV movie by the way.)

Anyhow this speaker is a double edged sword. You do want to keep it ON, but low... If you hear an announcement you can always turn it up. If you keep it on all the time you'll think you're nuts & wonder why you keep hearing it but..... During the time that announcements are NOT MADE you will hear the slightest tinge of elevator music!!!!

Mind you.... When the ship docks in port & you are clear to disembark your will NOT hear these announcements in your room speaker, but out in the hallways. So if you want to hear those clearly you may need to just open your door for a moment.

If you pre tip your room steward $10-$20 upon checkin your suitcases will Most likely be waiting for you in your room rather than waiting in the hallway when being delivered.

Many first timers are so concerned with preparing that they waste space on foolish items. For instance, they will usually bring a soap case or tooth box case like this.

When in fact, they can easily avoid that by just putting a bar of soap in your luggage in its wrapper (because you'll go through it) & leave the rest behind.

Same goes for shampoo if you get inexpensive shampoo like Suave. I often leave the rest behind. Less to carry & more room for souvenirs. (Unless you are good with Cruiseline shampoo which saves you from carrying shampoo as well!)

Another option for toothbrush space saving are these great suction cup covers that stick on any mirror surface!!! I love these!

OR you can use these toothbrush caps & put all the brushes in the bathroom water glass. These are usually found at cvs.

I usually bring as little as possible. Dinner Shoes that go with every dinner outfit. Tops that match with all my bottoms. Sometimes I even wear out my el cheapo flip flops & will toss them by cruise end as well. Some may think I'm silly, but If I happen to bring tennis socks for my sneakers, I bring the ones with the holes & get rid of them. I also RARELY bring all my makeup or cologne. I wait to buy new stuff on board @ duty free in the shops. For instance, I am sailing in 18 days & am desperate for new bronzing powder, but will wait to buy.

A few other key packing tips. You don't need ALL your keys with you. Just your house keys. I also will dissect my wallet & only take a small zip pouch wallet with license, CC, debit card & insurance cards. I TRY not to take denim as it weighs more, but my capris somehow make their way in the suitcase! Don't bring the HUGE purse. Wristlets work fine. And for goodness sakes... Leave the laptop & electronics HOME! Maybe a kindle, but that's it!!!!

HAPPY SAILING!

Don't forget: the last week before Labor Day is a huge cruise/kids week before school starts. And Presidents week is also a huge doozy. We also pass on those.

A good option is to cruise for more than a week. Usually parents & children aren't able to travel for more than a week at a time. The longer the cruise, the less kids!

You don't have to put your life story, name or photo... You can put anything on your door!

Ahhhhh another one. If you are cruising AGAIN & want to take advantage of the on board credit or promos for on board booking go to the loyalty desk & book your appointment IMMEDIATELY.

1. There is a book on the desk with desk hours & time slots. Find a spot, put in your name & cabin # to claim your appt.

2. If you research which ship, sail date & stateroom category you want ahead of time, it will be seamless.

3. Appts are better earlier in the cruise. The lines to squeeze in an appointment the last 2-3 days in the cruise are ridiculous!

Here's a secret to becoming the most unpopular RCI cruiser on CruseCritic:

 

Show up an hour late to dinner in the MDR on formal night and pull a Rum Runner out of your cargo shorts pocket, and pour yourself a drink at the table while loudly explaining you were delayed by the wait at Guest Services to get your gratuity removed, then disappear for another 15 minutes so you can put out your towel to reserve your lounger for the next morning and cut in the line at the windjammer for a roll before heading back down to dinner. ;)

Don't forget...... Elevator Etiquette!!!

Meaning, if the door opens & it's full, don't squeeze in! Also... If the door opens in front of you & you see other people there before you they should go in first!

Happy Cruising folks!!

You won't be charged anything extra for getting cash if you put your seapass into a slot machine, load the desired amount into the machine (as if to play - you do have to set yourself up with a pin), promptly cash it out and take the ticket to the cashier.

Of course, this must all be done when the casino is open for business.

That is also what I meant!!!

Thanks for the back up!

They do charge 5% when you take cash out at the casino against your SeaPass card.

Really? I don't recall. Maybe 2 or 3 but 5%??

Well... STILL BETTER than paying 28% APR on your credit card for a cash advance. OR $5 for ship's ATM charge plus whatever your bank charges for not using their ATM.

You never know what some islands have to offer or how far you may need to go for cash. Also, believe it or not I have been on board a ship & the ATM was out of service.

Thanks for the update.

If you need money, you can avoid $5.00 ATM fees & cash advance APR fees on your credit card by taking out "cash" from the casino by charging it on your sea pass at the cashier cafe. This way, it is just a regular charge in your credit card.

This of course, being in case you need money legitimately, and NOT to gamble on your credit line.

I take a bright bandana (tye dye one from Michaels craft store) & cut it in 1/2 diagonally & tie to the handle. Also use day glow luggage tags. Oh..... And my suitcases are purple.