pseudoware

+1 for Keen. I've had mine since 2004, and it feels like I could get another 10 years out of them.

Salomon also has good stuff, imo.

http://www.salomon.com/us/product/techamphibian-3.html

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Please let me be clearer: I posted in the wrong thread, and edited out the content posted in the wrong thread.

 

 

This message may have been entered using voice recognition. Please excuse any typos.

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I do not understand paying for wifi. What ways will you use it? first time cruiser.

You can watch TV and other streaming video on your phone.

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That actually worked with 2007-era cruise internet bandwidth too?

Looking back now, I might have been on cell data. I recall the start of the episode and port departure happening around the same time. The stream crapped out about halfway through the show.

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I've worn khakis or "nice" jeans with a polo shirt.

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No hair. No problem.

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I'm not trying to call you out here, but the Sopranos series finale was back in early June 2007, before iPhones were even on the market or there was such a thing as "streaming HBO". Are you sure that's the show you meant?

 

If so, I'm really curious how you pulled that off from a technical standpoint, since you seem to be implying you were watching it live on a phone.

BUSTED!

[emoji6] j/k

I had a Slingbox (TV streaming media device) at home and was watching on an HTC 8525, which is a Windows Mobile smartphone. Watching on a Windows PC was possible using the SlingPlayer desktop program, and fortunately there was also Windows Mobile support with SlingPlayer Mobile.

Yeah, watching TV on my phone was a novel thing back then that would occasionally generate intrigue and comments from people that noticed it.

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I happened to embark the night of The Sopranos series finale. I was watching on my phone during dinner in the MDR.

I've been fortunate to always cruise with a family member w/free wifi as a loyalty perk, but I'd likely pay for at least some minimal time if that wasn't the case.

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We always wear lanyards on cruises. In particular, we make sure they are prominently displayed on our persons in the MDR during formal night, or whatever it's now called. I might even wear one or two extras for the occasion. We also proudly decorate our cabin door with lanyards.

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The "free" coffee is garbage, and the paid stuff adds up. Bring some Starbucks Via packets and get hot water from the Int'l Cafe (or wherever).

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Layers. Bring a lightweight rain jacket and a fleece and/or sweatshirt. One of each, and we were prepared for the range of conditions we encountered on this cruise.

Once we were close enough to the islands, the "warm" clothes were put away until we were back to roughly that same point in the trip, weather-wise, in the other direction, several days later.

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Maybe it's something in the water on the Emerald?

 

 

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Or maybe some relationships just fall apart and at least one of them has issues w/anger mgmt.

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Something tells me your mind is rarely at ease.

 

 

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With dinner, traditional seating will have a line until most are seated, so don't get there before your dining time!

With the 1st seating, usually around 6:00pm, I've been on many cruises where there was no wait. We just walked in and sat at our assigned table. But it likely varies.

Another benefit of a 4-top - you won't run the risk of possibly spending an extra 30 valuable seconds or so while your table mates join hands and say a blessing. ;)

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I would recommend arranging 6:00pm fixed time dining for your cruise, with a table for just the four of you. In our experience, this has been a more time-efficient approach, in general, than other options.

We still have the option for specialty or buffet dining on any given night. But there's no waiting to dine, not dependent on other pax, and we're usually done with plenty of time to choose evening activities and arrive early as needed for decent seats.

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Skirt or pants/trousers (no holes, rips or tears) complemented by sweater or blouse.

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When abroad w/T-mobile, you're roaming on their partner networks at no add'l cost for text or data. So, performance varies, but based on experience in Europe, it's been mostly good, pretty much on par with what I experience at home. You likely won't always (rarely maybe) get the fastest data speeds, but no issue for me. I'm not there to tweet, snapchat, lurk on CC, etc.

One nice thing is upon arrival in port and connecting to the regional network, I'd get an SMS welcoming me to that country and informing me of the carrier and per minute voice charge.

I used OneSimCard for one trip. You'll find mixed reviews on this. I'll just say it can be cost-effective and useful for some, but do your homework and understand the nuances and fine print. You'll see this card ripped on Amazon, but read the top positive review. It's not for everyone, but for someone willing to figure it out who doesn't want to change carriers and has specific communication needs, it could be a good solution.

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But acid washed denim shorts are cool, right?

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All these great tips has made me aware that 1 day just isn't enough.. .

Visited London twice, each for a week, and I don't think that's enough, lol. Enjoy your trip.

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Definitely take the Eurostar to Paris for the day.

;) j/k Agreed, for an excellent "sampler" the HOHO bus is great. Maybe work in a sightseeing boat ride on the Thames.

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Agree with turning off mobile data while on board, or remove your sim card. For sure way to prevent mobile surprises on your next statement.

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We prefer to be with other people. After 46 years of marriage we have covered every conceivable subject several times and I don't like to repeat myself. This one of the reasons we do not like Anytime dining. We usually get stuck alone. I like to talk and people are interesting. Over the years we have met some pretty diverse cruisers. One year we had a professional belly dancer seated with us. Then there was a detective from Detroit, a jeweler, a professional makeup artist who airbrushed models, ( yes, I asked for a job application), and a beautiful newly wed bride who sang like a bird. On RC we had another couple from Vietnam who's main topic was money. I didn't have much input on that one.

 

We were at a 8 person table with some retired school teachers. One of whom looked familiar. She should have, she and her hubby had the Kettle Corn Concession at Silver Dollar City in Branson. They had sold us Kettle Corn a couple of months before the cruise. The world is getting smaller.

Most of our cruises have been with my wife & kids, my parents, my sister & her family, etc. We always think "just us" when it comes to dining, and we'd hit up the maître d first thing upon boarding to ensure that's the case.

If/when my wife & I cruise by ourselves, we'll likely cross this bridge and likely be more open to the possibility of dining with others for some of the reasons mentioned. We did cruise once together pre-kids and dined with two other couples, both older than us at the time. The first, we'd gladly dine with pax like them. Really enjoyed their company & conversation. The other, they were kinda weird. Definitely gave my wife & I something to chat about later in the evening. That said, maybe we were weird to them, as well. We understand it's hit & miss. As mentioned previously, it does come down to "Do you feel lucky, punk?"

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We make kids club (Adventure Ocean) arrangements ASAP. Depending on the cruise/ship, it could fill up. If there's any drop in time that 1st day, we take advantage of some.

The H2O Zone will have to wait, at least for us. We won't leave young kids there unattended, for reasons that are apparently not obvious to some parents.

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Yes, we pack a hole puncher.

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Bluetooth speaker

Digital movies and an HDMI cable

2 sets of swimwear - cuz one seems to still be wet when it's time to wear it the next day

Hole puncher - we're big into lanyards ;)

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