Pack My Bags

Heard lots of controversy over the express elevator. Some say it always works, some never. Seems selfish when there are elderly or wheelchair guests waiting for elevators & they pass with only 1-2 people in them.

If its under four floors,

I TAKE THE STAIRS!

What line are you traveling on? If you're on Royal the parking garage is just across the street. You can unload & park easy least from there!

If you are overnighting from the night prior in Pt. Canaveral, the Marriott Residence Inn offers free parking for guests for the duration of the cruise & they offer a shuttle to the port for under $10 pp round trip! Plus tips. I have done this at least 3 times (It was $6-7pp) & car was always safe. Hotel is sparkling. That's a lot of savings!

Enjoy!!!!!

Tiger -- Many places or online have see thru pouches, but I am not a fan. I prefer ones like these.

Happy happy Cruising!

Around the ship I generally don't carry anything, I put my card on a lanyard, maybe a small tote for sunscreen & a book. At dinner I have a small wristlet to hold some casino cash, my camera, my card & a mint or gum.

In port, I must be hands free. I bring a good roomy backpack. One with zippered compartments & not just a snap. Beach stuff & all our purchases go in there. MORE importantly, I wear a water wallet around my neck for cash, credit card, ID & sea pass so I can swim worry free. I like the ones that are the size of a pack of cigarettes. You can pick them up in the cruise shop, in ports or in your local waterpark.

Enjoy your trip!

Benedryl just in case you get bitten by something or get a rash or reaction to the pool or hot tub chemicals, etc. BOTH have happened to us!

Also, over the counter cold medicine. Got a REALLY bad sunburn once & I got a fever & chills. Took some Tussin, slept it off & was fine the next day!

Both are available on board, but cost a fortune!!!

Workout clothing.... YEAH, OK??!?!!!!

I'm on vacation!

Brought it so many times & never use it. No need for treadmills! ALWAYS TAKE THE STAIRS!!!

Robyn - Hi there!

How are you doing?? Have you booked the Quantum yet????? I am booked for April 12, 2015 & its selling so fast rates are UP!! Long way off but the roll call is BANANAS over 3,000+ posts already! Very hard to keep up with it!

Wondering..... Can you please give me some info on the Hilton Barbados? You were raving! How much were day passes, what kind of facilities did you have access to, food & bar options? taxi costs, length, beach quality, etc.???? Last time around in Barbados a cabbie finagled & took me where he wanted to go just to fill his cab. Ended up at Rockley/Accra instead of Cockspur/Malibu. Ended up a nice day, but not as Epic as yours sounded! :)

If you like feel free to send it to cruise718 at yahoo Hope you and your family are doing well!

Happy Cruising!!!!

Robyn - It feels like our cruise was foreverrr ago! I cant wait to do it all over again. Thanks for all your great correspondence. I hope our paths cross again soon & we meet up one day!

Hi Lee! Yes! Henry Saxby was lots of fun, engaging & even some funny quirks! i.e. "Piano Man" will cost you a surcharge & Freebird or Coldplay are off limits! Haha!!! He has quite a few interactive bits & is extremely versatile. He will even give USB's of his material. Word has it he is working on compiling a performance show for the ship theatre. We were on B2B & got a good opportunity to meet & get to know him. He would stay on much later past his shift if the crowd was good. Great, talented guy.

Robyn,

Hi there. We were on board at 11:30 yesterday. Hit the pool but was unable to make sail away. Deck 5 my time was really backed up from the muster drill & dinner went way over. Sorry. Slept luke a baby! Ill be in the casino tonight for raffle giveaways. Playing "Catch a wave,!

Must agree. IMHO compulsion is the best band on board. The Columbian trio is lacking. Food has been great so far. Can tell that there is new life & efforts in their dishes.

My port deck 7 fwd balcony room steward Maybeline is very very sweet & attentive.

Sitting on the beach at Buccaneer Beach resort. Started off overcast, but ended up a beautiful day.

Robyn,

Hi there. Great it's going so well. Wondering... Would you please report....

Besides the mid cruise "$25 for a bag full of laundry promo" I am wondering when it's time for B2B did they offer you a "free laundry coupon" going into the 2nd leg? (Celebrity does this, wondering if RCI does too.)

Thanks!!!! :)

Those of you who still keep your sea legs after cruising means you are also really dehydrated. You can't just have foofoo drinks. Thats a lot of sun!!! You need to drink MUCH more water ON the cruise to battle the balance issues.

Robyn is playing the Life of Luxury machine right now. Cha Ching! (I hope!)

I am sailing back to back this Sunday & RCL has revamped all their menus. Printed them out & I have seen some of my favorites leave, but lots of new stuff that looks interesting. Open minded, I have 2 weeks to try everything.

I'll be back!

Here's what I have come to believe about buns...

Ships have to fight the moisture in the air. I know if I leave my balcony door open for a little my clothes sitting out get a mustiness to them. That's why even the potato chips get stale quickly. So perhaps they have to slightly toast all the buns to keep them from getting soggy? Then they sit under those heat lamps that just keep toasting them & toasting them?

Now as for the hot dogs? Those are just plain bad. The lines have partnered up with so many, they should partner up with Nathan's or Sabretts in there!!

I WISH!!! I fly down on Friday the 22nd.

Let me know about the slot situation. See you on the 24th! CAN'T WAIT!!!!

Thanks Linda, I will see what I can do :rolleyes: hopefully my sig is not too annoying???? (just in case) LOL!

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Readers can turn off peoples signatures on their own computers. Check the "edit options" & then look at the bottom right hand corner.

ROBYN - Don't worry about yours, you are already doing so much!

YOU be safe, ENJOY & report.

WE shall SCROLL! :) :) :)

Robyn,

Don't forget it's your vaykay & to have FUN! See you at the pool bar on March 3rd! Safe travels & Bon Voyage!

Anyone? Anyone?

Hello. I am currently booked on the sea trek helmet dive in St. Lucia excursion. Does anyone know if underwater cameras are permitted or if you are restricted & can only purchase photos from the excursion carrier? Also, Im sure its frowned upon, but do people bring food to feed fish?

Any info on this excursion would be most helpful.

Thanks!

8102 is a fine room. Just fine though. No frills. Despite being a handicapped Accessible room it does have it's drawbacks. There was NO couch, just a small chair, no desktop storage space just a small table. The bed is soooo close to the room door that it DOES hit the mattress. The bed should be turned in another direction. The window is very big allowing light, despite the lifeboat obstruction. An excellent value.

Been to Marrakesh restaurant at EPCOT and loved it too. You can almost always walk right in because many would rather go to Italy or China for something more "familiar." Marrakesh had the most amazzzing braised lamb shank I have EVER had (RCI should get the recipe) and thats coming from a GREEK home cook. They also had some wonderful other kabob entrees & appetizers. We loved the belly dancer & even bought goods & spices from the Moroccan gift shop.

FYI There are many different kinds of curries. Besides being a spice, a curry also means a "sauce" that may or may not contain curry in it. Curries are complex & FULL of flavor. Some are milder, sweeter, spicier, earthier, etc...

The prior suggestions from Indian food lovers are correct. Start simple with tandoori chicken with some grilled onions, naan pita bread (yum) & simple basmati rice. If you like greek tzatziki sauce you will like Indian raita. If you like sweet & sour sauce you will like mango chutney.

Spaghetti, Sloppy joes, nachos, tacos & chili are not sloppy foods? Those are so messy & are around every day in our lives. Just because it's not fried stuff covered with cheese, between a bun or served with fries & ketchup doesn't mean it won't be good.

Try something new.

You just might like it.

There are no secrets on cruise critic!!!:)

Hahahahahahaha!!! I like this one!

Thank you for being so thorough. This is perfect. My parents will be fine.

Happy Cruising.

:)

Someone mentioned not enough, then ample storage space. Are there any drawers for storage or just the two closets & shelving along the side of them?

Is there a chair, couch, desk or vanity? I should definite send them with a shoe organizer. Is there anywhere to hang it outside the bathroom?