AmativeDame

So, first can I say how excited I am?? Boyfriend and I are going on our first cruise November 14 to the Caribbean. Warm air, warm water, beach -- goodness it's my version of Heaven. BUT -- I'm super concerned about burning. I'm porcelain and I burn bad. I usually take the craziest precautions when I have beach vacations but obviously the Caribbean sun is way different. I literally bought 100+ sun screen (maybe that doesn't even work and it's psychological lol). Also have a nice big jug of Aloe.

 

I have a cute cover-up that won't cover my shoulders so that's more pool wear, for the actual beach I have a light, long-sleeved white button-up. If my legs get burnt, so be it, but my shoulders/back/face is Hell, usually gives me a fever -- from a typical burn, not a burned-so-bad-it's-sun-poisoning. I think I need to buy a floppy, wide-brimmed hat. I think I have one of those shirts you can wear in the water too. If I didn't throw it out x years ago I'll definitely be bringing it.

 

So to all my fair, pasty white friends, what measures do you take? Do my plans sound good or must I do more? ;):D

I am late to the game, but if you burn badly.. I would order from a place like coolibar.

I burned on our trip to the Caribbean and I had only had sunburn on rare occasions before that. I reapplied sunscreen a lot and came prepared and really thought we were covered. Its a bit concern for me now whenever I am in the sun on a cruise.

Coolibar (and other similar brands) make long sleeve swim tops and pants. I would get a set to put on for extended beach time. It would allow you to enjoy the day without being sequestered from everything. With a set like that and a wide brimmed hat you could majorly cut down on your potential to burn but still be in the water and the sun. It would be more than worth the money to me.. because once I burn I can't be in the sun and that would ruin a vacation for me. I am all about the beach!

I am a "plush", fluffy or plus size woman and looking at getting a new bathing suit. I am thinking about a tankini/skirtini for ease of sizing, getting it on (yeah, hate the struggle) and for bathroom break.

 

What do you think? What experiences have you had? Do the top and bottom roll away from each other? Will I be constantly pulling the top down?

Last year I found that onestopplus.com had quite a few swimdresses with DETATCHED bottoms. Love love love them. Since they are cut like a dress they are a bit flowy and there is no worry about the top riding up. With the bottom detached it is easy on and off.

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My partner bought me a carry on last year as an early anniversary gift for our trip. He gave it to me not quite two months before our actual 1 yr mark, so it was early. I was glad he did as it added another layer of excitement, but also happy because I was planning on buying one!

I would give her a heads up. I bet she will be excited and you do not risk the odds of her thinking she should get one and then having two. I know what you mean about spilling the beans too... so I would go with it! :)

Hi! Help! Need Plantar Fasciitis shoes!! Can anyone recommend any SPECIFIC shoes/sandals/flip-flops (that are at least semi-hip/stylish/cool looking) for walking around the islands in the Caribbean - that are Plantar Fasciitis-friendly?? I get really HOT, and I do NOT want to have to wear sturdy running shoes with socks the whole time! :(

I wear Orthoheel, I know they get great reviews from people who have plantar fasilitis and I believe they are suposed to cater to that. I love them, and while some of their styles are not total fashion they do have a LOT more fashionable options this year.

Might be worth a look? They have a large selection on their site, and you can buy them on 6pm.com, zappos, and one of the tv shopping channels (forget which one.)

Were there data roaming charges for usung your "hot spot" out of the US? If not, I assume I can use the Internet on my phone at sea?

Hawaii is a US state, so there is no roaming in port (especially if you have "no roaming" turned off.)

All these things are to detour the amateur thief. The professional can get thru almost anything.

Found a blog about a guy who used a ScottVest jacket. He has no idea how a pickpocket got into some of the pockets. Similar to a theif getting into a woman's bra.

 

DD's University Police discourage bike chains and only recommend solid steel Ushaped locks.

This is why I made the choice to not buy a Kyss or Lock-a-bye (locking handle bag) because I question how it would really make a difference. It may deter the amateur ones but are they the ones I should really worry about?

I would think it would just signal to a serious thief that I have something worth going after. At least the Lock-a-bye IMO screams "I am a locking bag, steal me" a bit less since the mechanism is just a handle and not a chain. I just wonder if the reason we don't hear about theft in these bags is just the reason we don't hear about theft in general much. Most of us are careful enough to avoid the ones you really need to worry about.

Has anyone heard of Pig Beach/Big Major Cay? I randomly came across a link about this place earlier today. It seems as though its a seperate uninhabited island in/near Exuma.

I was curious is anyone has ever gone there? It sounds like it might be a stretch for us cruise go-ers since its not really near Freeport of Nausau? I just thought it sounded neat and it would be a little different then your normal beach day so it has me curious.

If you haven't heard anything and are curious, here are a couple links I have found..

Bahams.com (UK) website has a little bio (but not the US version of the site)

Wikipedia Page

Telegraph (UK)

Flickr

I am another vote for the Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern! It is a big favorite of mine, although I fell in love with it audiobook style first.

I also love Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. I love the writing style of the book and the perspective its written from. Book is so quirky.

50 ways to hex your lover by lida Wisdom is another quirky funny one. I always make sure its on my kindle before I hit the beach since it can be a light and quick read.

I found flamingis and dolphins at Walmart for $1. They were called Boca Clips.

I got two sets last year from Walmart on clearance for $2.50. For the cute favor (and because I love anything flamingo) I picked a few up. If you really like the idea they do tend to go on clearance. Might be worth looking out for at the end of the season.

I did get mine at GNC....make sure you call ahead...some of the smaller ones don't carry them.

They cost $15.99 for 60 days. I am in Grand Caymen right now, using their free internet. I have even walked down the stairs on the ship.

I hate to admit this, but I had an old moment, and forgot my capsules at home. Tried to find a GNC in Key West, but would have cost a fortune to get here. So I am surviving on Aspirin, water pills, and compression socks. And I STILL can walk aroun the ports, etc.

They are a blessing.

Melanie

Cherries have natural anti-inflammatory properties, and are also a natural source of melatonin as other posters have mentioned.

I don't know about how they help with swelling but I use tart cherry concentrate twice a day (versus pills) because it helps manage my pain from fibromyalgia. Its made a HUGE difference in my quality of life. There has been a few studies about the effects of the tart cherries but its not something a lot of medical professionals are aware of. This wouldn't help on a cruise, but if you enjoy the effects of the cherries and want to do it everyday most stores carry a concentrate in the refrigerated juice section/near the produce section where you would find juices like pom wonderful juice or health smoothies like bolthouse. Cherry concentrate is a really neat product and the pain relief has given me an excuse to have a cherry limeade (cherry concentrate, seltzer & wedge of lime) everyday with no guilt.

I never really thought about it until I saw this thread but it does make a difference in my swollen joints on a daily basis. I think I will have to pick up a bottle of the capsules for traveling.

Elizanessie:

 

Wow!! That strikes me as extremely selfish for lack of a better word. And somewhat curious. A grown adult going to not one but ALL THREE character breakfasts???

 

Sorry to not mince words, but for some families, a cruise might be the trip of their (and their kids') lifetimes. The memories that they (won't) have since you've booked a space at ALL THREE character breakfasts... well, I don't really know what to say.

 

Maybe I will bring my kids into the CL during cocktail hours. Just kidding. I won't. I believe in a certain level of decorum. Too bad us folks are sometimes in the minority.

I feel like this thread was started to create trouble (quite frankly more then the kids in the CL thread ever did!) I do understand the annoyance that an adult's choice to go to the character breakfast or get their face painting might cause if you don't get to go.

But is that child's life really going to get because they didn't get to see a person dress up in a costume? Is it really going to ruin the whole vacation? Could it be a disappointment? Sure! I more then understand that, I really do - but it is only a huge deal if you let it be a huge deal. In the grand scheme of things this is such a tiny thing to get angry about? Ruin the trip of a lifetime? Really?

When I was searching for new luggage I saw a lot of those luggage tags with sayings like "this is not your bag!" in a lot of the online stores.

I was in the dollar tree (louisville, KY) this weekend and up front they have a couple dozen of the same tags! If you like the "this is not your bag", "hands off!" & "I am not yours!" type tags this could be a neat find. They are not the international traveler brand tags but I bought two since I figured it wouldn't hurt to have a bright luggage tag. They seem to be pretty good quality and this particular brand is selling for $7-8 on some other sites.