It_Is_Me

I've never cruised the Caribbean in December. I'm starting to think about what evening clothes to pack, and I'm torn between tropical resort wear (sleeveless summer dresses, white pants with dressy tops) or the darker/winter colors that I would wear in Michigan. Typical daytime temperatures seem to be in the mid-80s for the USVI and BVI. I have some silky dressy tops in winter colors (wine, darker blue) that go with black pants. In the air conditioning I don't think I'll be too hot, but I'm wondering if that look will seem out of place.

Three days ago I booked a concierge guarantee cabin on the Reflection Nov 25 sailing. At that time there was only one veranda room available and it had an obstructed view and was the very last aft veranda cabin. For $100 more, I chose the Concierge Guarantee cabin. Three days later I am pleased to see that we are assigned a great cabin on Sky Deck (10). It is a cabin I would have chosen. It is close to the front of the ship (which we don't mind) and it is well away from the stairs/elevators (our preference also). I was nervous about the guarantee but it worked out for us. I reserved over the phone directly with Celebrity, and the phone agent told me that sometimes they assign guarantee cabins right away and other times it is closer to sailing. I'm a plan-ahead kind of girl, so I'm excited to know my cabin number. I realize it doesn't really matter, but I just like knowing it. 🙂

Such great tips! Thank-you! I had forgotten about the Spa Cafe (we enjoyed it on a previous cruise). I am also excited to hear about the stir-fry station in the buffet. I didn't recall that from previous cruises. Many times the fruit offerings are whole apples, whole oranges, cut grapefruit, melons, and pineapple. Any tips for getting fresh berries or fresh mango (my favorites)?

My husband and I are excited to be traveling on Equinox on May 4th. I've found that I feel best when I limit my eating of sugar and processed carbs. I'll definitely be splurging a bit on vacation, but not at every meal. Please give me your best tips for healthy and delicious foods that might be available on my cruise! We are not Aqua Class, but I'm considering placing a Move Up bid but not sure it is worth the $650 per person minimum bid.

Thank you all for the helpful replies! We are indeed disembarking in Ft Lauderdale on Sunday. I should be able to convince her to not pack sandwiches since it is expressly against the rules to take meat/cheese off the ship. She is a Platinum cruiser, so might even remember the rules when reminded. She has her own supply of packaged snacks and we will be getting into our own car at the port so we can stop anywhere we please. And @cruizinsusan70, I DO have the drink package AND a separate cabin! It’s been a lovely trip and mom goes to bed early. 🙂.

Are there any checks to prevent passengers from taking food off a cruise ship? My 80-year-old mother wants to get extra sandwiches from the buffet tomorrow and take them off the ship with us on Sunday morning. She is wheelchair-bound and on oxygen, so really she will want me to carry the sandwiches off the ship. Please tell me that there will be dogs sniffing our bags and they will confiscate sandwiches. If I tell her I won’t do it, she will argue with me, and she’ll probably bring the sandwiches anyway. But if I can convince her that customs has sandwich-sniffing dogs, then maybe she will drop the whole topic. Please Lord, give me patience for the 3 day drive back to Michigan after we get off the cruise! (Mom can’t fly due to her lung disease).

Are there any checks to prevent passengers from taking food off a cruise ship? My 80-year-old mother wants to get extra sandwiches from the buffet tomorrow and take them off the ship with us on Sunday morning. She is wheelchair-bound and on oxygen, so really she will want me to carry the sandwiches off the ship. Please tell me that there will be dogs sniffing our bags and they will confiscate sandwiches. If I tell her I won’t do it, she will argue with me, and she’ll probably bring the sandwiches anyway. But if I can convince her that customs has sandwich, sniffing dogs, then maybe she will drop the whole topic. Please Lord, give me patience for the 3 day drive back to Michigan after we get off the cruise! (Mom can’t fly due to her lung disease).