nanwel

I cannot just put gear in my mouth that I am not sure of. I will continue to bring my own on board or not snorkel!!! Not worth the risk ever in my mind. Not sure if the products they use to sanitize have been used for a day/week/month etc without being replaced!! not worth my life to find out!!!!!!

oops no Target in Canada anymore - will try wallmart

I always take my own mask and mouth piece. usually rent flippers. but if they will not let me have just part of the rental pkg, I go barefoot.

I never rent a mouth piece.

Thanks I just took 5 lanyards out of my packed bag. will get ones with a plastic sleeve instead - do not want to lug useless junk, I try to travel light. (haha)f Dollar store here I come.

What is RFID? and does that mean I cannot get a hole punched in our cards on Harmony??

I usually do that on all cruises, makes in so much easier to keep track of .

I did a plastic holder a couple of times. Found that awkward at times, digging card out. I ended up adding stuff to the plastic container (should not have done that) ie tickets etc when going to a show. So, now I just get cards punched asap getting on ship.

never think to ask when I check in if they can do that for me.

Perfect - yes thanks - looking forward to my cruise.

Do not think there is a bad cruise - all just a little different, like going to a different city - ie - do not expect a hotel brand in Hong Kong to be the same as the one in any other city in the world.

They put us all on the elevator to buffet on Carnival too. I went in and right back out. Love to just walk around once I board, cannot take the noise of sitting in the buffet tripping over everyone and their kids/luggage etc. Get a feel for where things are located etc. Probably just take the stairs and walk walk walk. Not like I am starving and have to get "free" food asap. (haha)!

Looking forward to trying Costa - just like going to a "new" location. and experience.!

Have been to both ports many times. Belize is safe outside the "gated" area if you want to just go for a walk. Huge market of locals selling their stuff, they can be a little pushy, but if you politely tell them no they back away. I find that interesting, love to talk to the locals.Last trip went to Caye Caulker - taxi each way was reasonable. Nice beach, walked to small shops, snorkeled (take own gear) I happen to like the ship to shore transfer, it was not closed in but could be in a storm. Could sit inside or out.

Have been to ruins in Costa Maya, so just did a private resort last time. They took me(alone) to a table with two other couples from the ship, we had a great time. Swim, eat eat eat and drink drink drink....

Drinks were not strong, a little watered,beach, private pool, hot tub, kids area - lots of taxi to take you to port when you are ready, they just fill a cab you and anyone else riding.

Do not like long day at ruins, prefer to stay closer to port.

Junk to buy everywhere if you want if you want it.

I love asking locals about their life and talking to them, but do not keep them from making a sale with other customers...

you can make up your mind once on shore, there is always someone will take you where ever, but if not a ship trip beware of time.

I sometimes just ask a local taxi to take me a short ride - usually they are very informative and love their small area. I love to see how the "real" locals live.

Thank you for the update on your latest cruise. I have cruised on many lines, but going out Feb 22 for 10 nights.

Looking forward to getting away from snow, snow and more snow....

At least there will be none of that on the ship.

Good advice that there will NOT be coffee for us early risers, do you happen to know if it is available somewhere else on the ship - usually go for an early walk and love to sit and drink a coffee as the ship docks.

Usually sail RC, but have been on Hal - had a good trip, Princess, Seabourn, Azamara, Norweign (not keen on that one), Carnival - good trip even if my travel agent said I would not like it, Disney.

Taking this trip because it worked with my timing to go in March on Harmony with family. Dining on Allure was a disaster - hope to do better this year. No such thing as "mytime"!

Want to sit and relax, can do that on any ship. Not a picky eater, so hope to find stuff I like.

How was it getting on/off after shore days, hope they do not have huge lines/waits.

Have been to all the ports, some several times, so used to doing "my thing". Is there a library? Quiet area to sit and read on deck? if yes, all good.

Is 1st or 2nd dinner a better choice?

Looking forward to my experience. N

Thoughts from a grandma

make sure grandkids/kids have shoes,not just flip flops, some games running around - flip flops trip hazard.

cannot wear just bathing suit to kids club, need shorts and top.

do not leave the for a long time the first day - so they do not feel panic you are not coming back - you can leave them again, but just check in.

Ask them if they would like to try a meal in the kids club or come out and join you - they do get a meal, but nice to ask them what they want.

some cruises they connect with the club, other times they do not - depends on ages of kids that show up and if they have fun. If they do not want to stay do not push it, maybe try later in the cruise.

I do not consider not wasting a new plastic bottle every time I would like a drink of water being cheap. I do not believe in using all that manufactured plastic to get a fresh drink of water. I buy as few bottles as possible - I have seen the floating islands of garbage in the ocean - mostly plastic - that never goes away! I will continue to try to help the environment and use my own bottle for water whenever possible!

I often fill my bottle in the room and if I have a mini fridge chill it before taking it ashore.

I have been on Liberty, and of course it does not compare to Disney for kids, but I found no complaints

But, did not have kids with me.

Flying in and out of Houston, no problems. I used Galveston Limo to get there, they forgot to pick me up after cruise - used a regular taxi - long lines of them to pick you up - exact same price so no need to book a limo - no difference in my mind - taxi was clean, driver friendly. ask for flat rate to airport, not meter rate.

I cruised 1 week, stayed 1 week at the Hilton (a little far away for walking downtown but great beach!!)

I did a day in Galveston on the main street - great little town, loved it. the pier charges - you have to buy tickets, so I did not go on it. (not like SanFran where you pay as you go).

Went on Norweign and on off ship excellent - RC not so, very late getting off ship for some reason - long lines - I was staying in Holiday Inn in Houston for the night, was not in a rush, just sat and read, but with kids that could be difficult and if you have an early flight - would not fly early just in case there is a delay.

Loved the ports - that is why I did that as a getting away port, and Galveston is a very nice place to spend a few extra days. I was there 2 yrs ago and new port was only 1/2 open - hope it is fully open now.

If you come in the day of the cruise, try to arrive extra early, drop your luggage at ship and go into Galveston - only a couple of blocks and very walkable - huge candy/icecream store!

Loved the aft suite - had that 4 years ago, me, my two daughters and 2 grandkids. Lived on our deck 10 balc. Kids played musical beds - slept in the inside bedroom most nights, in the living room 2 nights as a sleepover with their aunt. 2 full baths made it we all were able to get ready and go easily with little waiting around. Wanted to go that way this year, but they were all sold out before I got booked, so ended up with 2 rooms. Hope you do not get tooo high up - harder to see the acua theather - there are practices there too, so the kids were happy always something to see! Even watching the climbing wall, oh and the ocean.

Filling a bottle to take ashore is not the problem. I do it all the time. But you MUST use a clean glass to fill your bottle - people think they can just put their dirty old bottle up to the dispenser spout and fill - no wonder they were told NO, Not allowed!

Some people are just clueless - I do not want the bottle that was on anyone's mouth anywhere near my next glass of clean water.

I was only once asked to empty my bottle upon retuning to the ship (sorry I do not remember what ship I was on when that happened).

They say he was taken by friends to his room. Guess they thought he could sleep it off.

Too bad they did not take him to the clinic instead... outcome may have been different.

That makes me wonder, usually tons of staff around, why did they not intervene and take his for medical help?

Perhaps he was just appearing drunk?

in any case, too bad about the outcome. the "it will never happen to me" attitude applies!

Sad.

I have been on around 40 cruises, mostly single. I travel all over the world, and love any cruise I am on.

I only once had an experience that bugged me - had another lady get my room number and she kept calling me twice or more a day wanting me to do things with her. (I am a lady traveler)

I did once or twice but really like doing what I want when I want, and did not need her to plan my time. she was ok, but not my ideal compainion for a week. She was bugged when I asked her to not call, I would speak to her when I saw her, finally she seemed to find someone else to cling to - so my point, do not give out your room number, I think she got it off my card or maybe at the meet and greet.

I never find it difficult to find someone to talk to if I want. but also enjoy sitting looking at the view or reading all by myself.

Join a table with your lunch or breafast ask people about themselves, where they are going etc, but do not feel you have to be alone all the time.

Being solo, I usually pay for 2, if I wanted to have someone with me - there are lots of people that would come if I was paying their way.... NOT

Being solo is not a bad thing!!!

Unfortunately, there will always be enough people that pay to make it worthwhile for their bottom line.

Those that don't pay still have lots of free/included options.

Sad, but once they start charging for something we got used to for "free" it does not seem to revert back to free.

But, when you can go to a performance in major cities for less than seeing it on a cruise, I am not interested, that will not be something I fork over for.

Phone would work, but curling iorn no - have fried a few of them using the power without an adaptor

Gee Bob no curly little wisps. haha

Thanks, I know they put those electric outlets in the bathrooms in the hardest places ( I am only 4 10) - at least my curling iron and phone do not need to be in the bathroom.

I will carry a short regular extension cord, come's in handy for things. I like to plug my phone in overnight, but do not like to leave it across the room, use it as an alarm clock.

Funny, everything runs on time, and a lot of cruise ships do not give you a clock. And before someone reminds me, yes, I can book a wake up call, but prefer my own alarm. Not so jolting!

I have travelled single on most lines.

yes, Seabourn is great, but expensive.

Holland America I was with a great group of singles and kept in touch for years.

Princess, have a single share table, but only in fixed dining times.

Princess similar, but when I changed to a group table, have had great table mates, best on that line.

Azamara - have singles at tables with a hostess.

Norwegian was with family, not single

RC - travel there mostly, always get a balcony. do not like the anytime dining - it is awful, they expect you to prebook for each day or you get a single table. I prefer a set table, call the cruise line before boading and tell them what you want and they will change it. It seems to be standard to just put anytime on all reservations now.

Host at all dining venues are too busy to do anything other than just put you at a table and walk away. I have gone back and told them, ok no one is joining me

I took a Carnival cruise from that port.

Singles were seated together. We could make friends and do things together during the cruise or not as we wanted.

I enjoyed that cruise very much.

My price was 150%, not double. And I had a balcony, not an inside.

Thank you,

sorry, I knew I did not write this correctly, happens sometimes - had been busy reading looking for the answer, and just sent off my question without thinking.

And, Mary Ann - thank you for the answer. No my phone does not have dual voltage. But thanks to your answer, I know I can just plug it in to charge it and use my curing iron without taking a dual volatage outlet - 1 less thing to pack/carry.

Quick question - do I need to pack my electrical outlet to change the voltage for my Canadian 2 prong phone charger and curling iron?

I am going on Deliziosa in March - trying to plan ahead (haha). Anything else I will need on that ship that would be unique? I have cruised many times 30ish - but never on Costa.

I am sure someone asked this - but could not find it.

Thanks

took both my grandkids 3 Disney cruises -= loved it

go to $ store before you leave and buy a cheap pail and shovel and some similar toys- you can use them at the toddler pool if they are clean, also at the beach - if you loose them no biggy, they keep that age busy. Also take water wings if she is afraid of water. A hat and sunshirt.

Try out the kids drop off area on the ship - my granddaughter loved it - they did sparkles one day and she rolled around in them - we still has sparkles on her head when we left ship - hard to get all that out. Try 1/2 hour, then 1hour etc to see if she is ok, gives you and her a break. The staff are fab with kids.

Try to get to the kids pool early in the day so you get a seat near the pool.

Meals are easy, kids menu is good, but allow her to order from adult menu as a treat if she really wants something special.

Make sure you use cabin washroom as you leave, did not find family washroom, so you have to trust her to go alone - had to ask staff to go in and see if my grandson was ok once, he likes to sit and think....

Lots to do, and see. - buy sunscreen and anything you may need before boarding the shops charge 2 or 3 times the shore price.

Relax have fun!

Arriving march to port. Is there anything open interesting for a 14yr old boy? I wanted to do a tour of the island, is that possible or is the fort ok and doable. Was at the fort yrs ago, and do not remember there being much there.

Do not want to feel if we tour we are just gawkers. Is there a "free" beach clear and available so we could do some shops/then swim/buy lunch?

Took both my grandkids from 9months

rented a stroller in Port Canaveral - then they could sleep - it was small enough to use on the ship and not an umbroller do not like them for a whole week. Were asked to leave that in the hall before coming in to the dinning room and most other venues so we did not always take it.

Had to store in the bathtub at night - not allowed left on the balcony, in the way for floor space.

Did take a carrier and used that a lot!

They provided a pac and play for bed.

Asked us to use special bags for disposable diapers.

Did not use a babysitting service - we had me (grandma) along for the cruise in the adjoining room.

They brought a plate of watermelon or fruit to the table when we sat down at night for them to eat while we waited for dinner and ate - we found if they ate that right away, they were bored when we ate, so we covered it with the napkin till we were actually eating.

Stroller most usefull on the outside decks, they could sleep when we swam/ate slept etc.

Baby food is hit and miss, bring stuff you know you will need. We stocked up at a market before boarding (we came from Canada).

You can request a special fridge before you leave, but it probably will not arrived until you keep bugging them

my daughter pumped some, and used that each day so it never needed freezing.

Enjoy!

We were on 3 different cruises with infants and Disney was best, but RC came in a close 2nd for baby stuff.