popcicle

Dont sweat the small stuff, I was panicked to take my aspie on his first cruise, we had a ball, Freedom is perfect! It's the time together that counts!

last cruise I tried to order a grasshopper and a pink squirrel, they were clueless......ended up with a kaluah and cream which was fine, not a big drinker, don't do soda, so we will do one fluffy drink during the day on sea days, and one in the evening, bringing my own green tea bags to throw in a bottle of water........and what ever is free at meal time......

ordered a grasshopper last cruise and they did not even know what it was, no pink squirrel either....

I have always loved the Voyager and Freedom class ships, just big enough to run with the big boys, but small enough to handle. Remember you are on vacation, go with the flow, be happy, nothing is ever perfect, but it's better than sitting home in a blizzard. Have fun!

So what happens if you have a early shore excursion, does that trump the key or are we screwed if key peeps want to go first?

Same thing happened to us, crusing on Adventure August 31, 2019, 9 months out, and early was waitlisted, (hubby is hypoglycemic, so cant wait till 8:30) I waitlisted early, but booked mtd at 5:45pm everynight, so we are good which ever way it shakes out. Good luck.

Texas does have some weird liquor laws, we couldn't get a drink on Liberty until we were out at sea, unless we chose a few specified labels, and the charge to bring any back negated the saving you got in other ports.

You can get plastic luggage tag covers for your cruise specific tags on amazon (search cruise luggage tags for RCCL), that way they are protected from rain, and ripping off, or cover them in clear packing tape before you affix them to your bags, and put them on your carry ons as well, less chance of loosing them!

Lisab

3 hours ago, Lisab31 said:

Booked to go on explorer of seas 5 th November just wondered are there likely to be lots of children not problem I know uk are in term time not sure about other nationalities tia

I am with you on this one, I tend to book my cruises when the kids are in school, I like kids, and mine have cruised with us before, but I also like cruising when things are calmer. November 5 you will have kids who are home schooled, and those too young to be in school, but the majority of American kids are in session at that time. Hope this helps.

Just now, Ocean Boy said:

I don't know. Seemed to me that the folks in steerage on the Titanic were having a blast.... until the ship sunk.

Lol, true dat, thinking I would much rather be in steerage anyway. I am on my 6th cruise because I love it, not for the perks!

Christinand, I just booked mtd at 545 everynight of our cruise in August, traditional early seating at 530 was completely unavailable.

Really disappointing, might as well put the gates back up and separate us by class again, not much fun to be in steerage eh?   Disney and many others already do this, money is power.......

My husband and I have mtd for the first time this cruise because early seating was not available, hubby needs to eat earlier rather than later, I don't mind a table for two, but love talking with others as well, will see how it goes. 

BillOh, I do the same thing, just after final payment, double points on rccl purchases! And within the 6 months, it's a win, win! And then I don't feel guilty about my fufu drinks!

I got a confirmation yesterday of my request, cruise is not until August, so may not get a response quite as quickly, but at the very least they got it. 

Thank you, just requested the extension cord and water on RCI special needs form. Will see if that works, also a place to indicated other needs on form which is kind of nice.

yea, it was a mess, we were on Liberty shortly after it was installed and the slide was down before, during and after our cruise, as I remember the darned thing was flipping riders at the top of the wave.

I know cpaps are old news, new to us since last cruise and  cant remember, is there an outlet by the head of the bed? How do you bring your distilled water?     Also sis in law is on oxygen, can she have a tank in her room, or how it that handled? Thanks

We used ezcruiseparking.com in 2017 $80 for 7 days with a shuttle, $65 if you walked, we walked, not too far from the ship, fenced in and easy in and out. We were happy.

Where I live I rarely have the opportunity to dress up and enjoy a meal at a fancy restaurant. I like to do that on formal nights, and you will find a great number of people who do the same. My son who is special needs asked me to make him a 1800's regency style outfit with brocade tails. He was stylin and enjoying every complement and giggle he got from others. According to Ashlund, that was also inappropriate dress, but I think he fit right in. A gentleman at the next table wore a hawaiian shirt, shorts, and tennis shoes, I think he felt more out of place than we did. So wear what you like, or go to the windjammer on formal nights, your cruise, you choice......

Hi, I do not recall seeing any cans of pop on board. You can get just a soda package, no more machines, had to go to the bar to get our cokes. As far as oatmeal, you can get it room service, and windjammer, so I imagine you can get it in the mdr as well. Good oatmeal! They have regular breakfast fair in the mdr, and I hear the salad is good there too. I have always eaten in the windjammer for breakfast and lunch, if you go early many are still in bed. Hope this helps!

Some kids need to be familiarized with things before you throw them headlong into it. My son who is on the spectrum fared much better when we ramped up especially to a big trip because of the drastic changes in schedule and surroundings. By the time we got on the ship he had lost his deer in the headlights stare! I am a big planner so it works for me too!

I am trying to stick to a whole foods based regiment, it always seems easier for me to stick to it on a cruise because everything is already prepared, be it salad items chopped, fruit precut, ect. all I have to do is choose wisely.....and I have never gained weight because I am more active. Can't wait to see what the fitbit totals are on my week at sea! Don't stress it you will do fine!

Bon Voyage! Cruising Liberty in January, can't wait!

yea, I wouldn't recommend it either. If you are worried about noro just make sure you wash your hands with soap often, they are squirting sanitizer every where on board these days, I used it going in and back out of the dining areas, and back on the ship at ports, can't hurt I guess, but not sure it helps either......as for queezieness, I took ginger capsules all week on Freedom and never had a problem with my stomach, no outbreaks on Freedom last week either. Have a great cruise!:)