ladysail2

7 minutes ago, sanmarcosman said:

 

Isn’t that a hoot!  Now I’ve seen a horse race!  Very entertaining for sure!

Thanks for posting that! 😊

11 minutes ago, sanmarcosman said:

In 1991 we didn't get to the pier in this:

Interesting….they call it a horse car…and rapid transit…well, I’ve been to Manchester, NH…but never saw a horse car…🤣

1 minute ago, firefly333 said:

When I saw it at the pool, probably on ecstasy. The horses were on a board and wore different colors and dice were rolled how many spaces the horses could move. People werent wearing the horses. 

 

It was a poolside game and lots of loud cheering even if you didnt bet.

I never thought that the people were wearing horse costumes, but holding a horse cut-out attached to a stick type holder (like a protest sign). Now I see how the horses advanced…a roll of the dice….like Monopoly.  I can imagine there’d be alot of cheering!!   

4 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

There is that variation. and others.

Thanks! In the depths of my mind I remember seeing pictures of people holding the horse cut-outs and talking about racing horses on a ship. I’ve never actually seen a race.

11 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

I was just thinking of the horse racing and thought no one but me would remember it.

Is that the game where people actually carried a horse cut-out on a stick?

12 minutes ago, topaz123 said:

IF staying healthy was the concern...there would be NO cruising.

Don’t agree. One has to takes the safety controls in one’s own hands. I know lots of friends and folks who have cruised in the last year and have stayed healthy.

2 hours ago, milolii said:

@ladysail2 You are a trooper!  

LOL….where’s there’s a will, there’s a way!  I really enjoyed the day!

5 hours ago, MSPCUBS said:

Thanks for the tip about taking a taxi to the entrance.  I was wondering how I was going to get up that hill.

 

It’s not a steep hill, but taking a taxi would save steps and energy. 

Yes, it was a long day…started in the dark and ended in the dark, LOL. I took the subway/tube to, I think St.Pancras station early in the morning, then got on the train to Edinburgh. I made sure I knew the time of the return train. Had a really nice day in Edinburgh, then took the train back.  Arrived in London about 11pm, but lots of people around and felt safe. Even the walk from the tube station to my hotel at that time felt fine. I’m glad I did it.

I did the EC on my own. Took the train from London, bought the audio guide and did it myself. I had to go slowly so that I could ‘see’ what the audio guide was talking about. There was alot of history explained at different point in the castle.  It was thoroughly enjoyable.  I hope you enjoy it too!

1 minute ago, lionheart said:

Ah ok so my large suitcases might be tough to carry on for the scanner

I believe that all luggage has to be x-rayed before being allowed on the ship. Not sure where you would take a standard sized suitcase, but I’m sure someone could help you.

2 minutes ago, broberts said:

 

I remember Port Canaveral because it is on Cape Canaveral where NASA missions are launched, i.e. the rocket place. 🙂 (I'm a bit of a space enthusiast.)

That’s a good trigger. I need to do something like that. 

On 7/18/2022 at 2:01 PM, mz-s said:

No one respects the check-in times in any ports. It's just that some ports are better than others at enforcing them.

It might seem that no one respects the boarding time, but I’m sure some do. I know that I do. Others with me also respect their boarding times.

39 minutes ago, TEMPLE said:

ok Is there a certain amount of cash they will want to open the account?

I don’t believe that there is a minimum.  I’ve given about $200 to register the sail & sign account. They have never said it wasn’t enough. I don’t usually have any OBC, and I don’t like handing over my cc. The cash account works well. As someone suggested, keep an eye on it and either add more cash if necessary or put a cc on account if your spending needs it.  Make sure you go collect any leftover the night before the cruise ends. 

8 hours ago, broberts said:

 

Port Everglades is the port facility serving Fort Lauderdale, https://www.porteverglades.net/cruise/.

 

Port Canaveral is east of Orlando, https://www.portcanaveral.com/Cruise/Port-Cruise-Facts.

I keep getting the port names mixed up….should call them by their real names and then I’ll remember them.  Thanks for the info. 😊

On 7/18/2022 at 1:47 PM, lx200gps said:

As mentioned, there's LOTS of opinions over the Florida Departures board re hotels near Port Everglades and that's the starting point for hotel discussions. We've stayed at most of them, and IMHO the best ones near the port are the Hyatt Place, the Renaissance and the Hilton Marina. The Embassy Suites has had a lot of bad reviews lately. The 17th Street strip is where the closest hotels are, and there are plenty of restaurants, shopping and even a huge Total Wines outlet if you need to stock up on booze or wine pre-cruise. We've backed off of the Hyatt Place in recent years (good hotel but a bit cramped, tiny lobby etc) and are booked into the Renaissance for our next three trips out of PE.  Easy 10 minute walk to Terminal 2 if that's where you are departing from, a great restaurant called the Boatyard (canal-front dining) literally next door and right across 17th St from a big Walgreen's pharmacy. It's great to wake up in your upper level room and stare out at your ship docked in PE right outside your window.  Google Maps will show you all the hotels etc on 17th Street, there's a lot to choose from. Exactly when are you traveling and with which cruise line?

I believe you mean Fort Lauderdale and not Port Everglades.  Isn’t Port Everglades the port East of Orlando?

I wonder how this will affect testing when a cruise ship leaves from a non-US port, ie..Southampton….but ends in the US?  

Just heard that the CDC has pulled itself out of controlling cruise health/safety rules.  Do you think that means that pre-cruise testing will end??

1 hour ago, Fouremco said:

Maybe this would help. 😇

 

 

Amazon.ca…..?  Comes in various sizes…?   

15 hours ago, Crown Vic said:

A coupla years ago, pre Covid, we boarded the QM2 in Southampton on November 11th for a west bound crossing to New York. At 11 a.m. precisely, everything and everybody in the terminal stopped for the two minutes of silence. Very touching and, IMO, as it should be. Cheers!

p.s. We were wearing our poppies.

Good for you for observing the sacrifice that so many made. Being from Ontario, you know what happens here in Canada. I also observe the ceremonies and stop what I’m doing to honour those that served, and are serving.  You’re right, it is quite touching! 

The Maritime provinces have alot in beauty, history, interesting sites and calm. The people are very friendly and helpful.  Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley, near the Bay of Fundy is really pretty and more so in the Fall.  There are the usual tourist sites like Peggy’s Cove and Sydney. Prince Edward Island has very pretty beaches, and is small enough to drive around in a day. New Brunswick has the Reversing Falls, and a big candy production in St. Stephan’s.  You won’t be bored no matter where you go. 

Like most of the suggestions, I think you’d be better using Canadian currency, especially if you plan to only buy small items. I don’t know what cities you’re visiting and you don’t really want to spend your port time finding a bank or currency exchange business.  The ship may well exchange your US dollars to Canadian currency. You could try your own banks at home, or a currency exchange service at the airport before you leave.  Most places of business in Canada take Visa or Mastercard…American Express is iffy.   Enjoy your trip!

I’ve taken trains alot. I feel the room attendant is the person to tip. I really don’t feel that the kitchen staff and servers expect anything but compliments on their meals. The room attendant (I presume you will have a sleeper or bedroom) is the one who will make up your beds, morning and evening, have towels, water, coffee, etc and try to make your trip comfortable. 
What lacks in the viewing experience through Northern Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan will be more than made up as you enter the foothills in Alberta. Hope your train has a dome car…sitting in that at night is breathtaking.  Enjoy your trip!

9 hours ago, windsor26 said:

Just wondered do you get a complimentary bottle wine on first night steak house on Carnival like P&O Australia

Yes, you are supposed to, one bottle per table. Be insistent if you see the server filling up everyone’s glass with the same bottle. We ended up with about 2” of wine and that was all. We were a table of 2. Next time I’ll ask the server to leave the bottle on the table. 

16 hours ago, BallFour4 said:

Since I am adopted me might be related. I could be your over 60 uncle from Texas...

I truncated your post, but the advice you give is spot on.
 We take a 1/2" binder with a copy of our birth certificates, passports (and the originals) drivers license, Carnival's policies on fans and ham radios, a copy of my ham radio license and a copy of our paid booking information.
 To your point we also print off all the prepaid items like soda plans, internet and specialty dining. Raise the geek level one notch my Stand On Guard For Thee friend and I laminate a couple of these for the binder.
 I know, I was that kid that ran the projector in 4th grade.  

 See You At Sea!

 

.
 

🤣🤣.  Yes, I dare say that we might be geek-related!  But we’re organized, right!!  I don’t laminate pages as I don’t have a laminator…but…that could be in my future and there’s  always Staples!   The binder for my next cruise is a 1-inch, and it is stuffed like a Christmas turkey…..I won’t stop printing and organizing until I know in my mind exactly what I’m planning and doing!

And you got to run the projector??  No fair!!

See you at sea, and if not, Enjoy!