BobbiSox

I cruise a lot, on lots of lines, and I try NEVER to break the rules, not even a little bit. What could be worse than getting all the way to the boarding process only to be pulled out of line, seaarched, and possible sent away (witho NO REFUND, BTW), and all this if the presence of a thousand passengers. Trying to get away with side-stepping the law is really serious on a ship; they have a multi-billion dollar business maintain and aren't going to be jepordized by someone who cant go a few days without gummies (or whatever). Grow up.

I have been in cabins where I simply rearranged the furniture to suit my needs, then put it back on the last morning. No one seemed to mind. Sometimes they are willing to remove a small piece of furniture (a night table, perhaps) if you ask. All depends on the ship, the cabin, and the mood of the crew attending to you. Good luck and happy sailing!

Most crruise ships are very strict about liquids being brought aboard. Passengers have many creative ways to sneak liquor into their luggage. It's frustrating to have them toss your coffee creamer, but it's a rule you'll have to comply with. I'm partial to my own brand of creamer, but it's really a small sacrifice so I don't mind going without for a short time.

I bring a carton of Coke Zero in my carry on bag. It's allowed. I would rather drink tap water than Pepsi.

I just home Monday from 4-day to Bimini and Freeport. I know what to expect because I live near Jax-Port and have sailed Elation many times. I go for the casino, although I miss the 'old' games, most of which had a very small minimum bet. The 'free' drinks offer is a joke; the waiter came around once every hour, or less, and took 30 minutes for the drinks to be delivered. Better off paying for a drink at the bar unless you like warm beer. Lots of 'almost nude' women in the pool. Lots of unsupervised small children everywhere, including the pool. I'll wait and go back in the winter months when most children are in school. Everything else was the normal 'just okay' and I'm fine with it.

I wish all of the concerned tippers on this board were around when I was working for tips decades ago. It's always interesting to me to find a post where someone is so concerned with tipping the 'proper' amount, over and above the mandatory tips which are already automatically charged. It's so generous of those 'over-tippers' who need help deciding how much to 'over-tip'.

That is a horrible situation and I'm so sorry that you had to tolerate it. The whole thing was handled poorly. You should have been offered an apology, another cabin, and\or a full refund. The 'settlement' of the few dollars they offered was poor judgement on their part. It's shocking, really. I can't blame you if you never sail HAL again.

I tried that and my Norton wouldn't connect me; they said the sites were 'unsafe'.

Last time I was in Freeport was over ten years ago. I see online it has grown. I can't find information about nightlife, or resorts with casinos. Please help. Leaving tomorrow morning to head down that way. Thanks.

Went on a Rotterdam B/B last year and booked a midship adjoining balcony. Big mistake. We could hear every word the neighbors spoke, even though they spoke quietly. We could hear their television programs as well. And their music. Pretty much every sound, as though they were in our cabin with us. They left after the first leg and no one occupied the cabin for the next leg, thank goodness. I won't do that again.

Stopped there on my HAL 42-day Viking Cruise July/August of last year. We walked to a 'village' where there was a small grocery store, and nothing else. We were not welcomed there. The locals are begging for money; the whole town was impoverished. There is alittle 'museum' there, which is not much bigger than a closet. I couldn't believe cruise ships even stop there. Stay on the ship, is my advice. I know you would enjoy Iceland; it's fabulous.

I've been first cain next to the glass elevators and neer heard a sound. It was a Vista Suite. Forgot which ship, lol.

I'm sorry you are having to deal with this. What bad luck! Hope you can settle all the details without too much inconvenience.

I don't know it star status matters, but I get phone calls to 'bump up' (usually to s suite) since I became 5-star. I always ask for the location options before I commit. The cost is minimal. I almost always take the offer.

I don't see why you would 'lose' the existing booking! Just add another! You may want to consider adjoining cabins, if available. A good agent would be able to make suggestions for the best arrangements.

The coolest part of waiting for a future cruise is the 'ten-day countdown'. It's a very exciting ten days! It's always nice to have something to look forward to.

Sometimes it's more convenient to transfer your liquids to a more managable size so you don't have to lug then both ways. I always just bring the amount product that I know I will use and enough for one extra day, just in case. I use a ziplock bag to tote them, to avoid leaks.

My only problem with booking onboard is picking a cabin area, especially if you are unfamiliar with the ships. One agent at the Future Cruise desk booked us a Vista Suite, then come to find out it was nextdoor to a utility closet. There was noise 24/7, plus mops and buckets just outside our door most of the time. I never trusted those agents again to book a cruise for me.

There is a map near every elevator as mentioned by a previous poster, but be sure to have your eyeglasses and a falshlight when you're trying to read it.

I always book early to be sure I get a cabin that I will like. I actually spend a lot of time in the cabin, so it's worth it to me to pay whatever extra money I have to pay to get it. If I end up paying more for the early booking, who cares.

Nieuw Statendam is one of my favorite ships. I love the Dutch Cafe, and the gelato bar! Wish all the ships offered these options.

Usually the free drinks, when you are a casino guest, are only served in the casino, while you are seated and actively playing. Best way to know is to ask your Casino Host. It's my experience that perks vary from ship to ship, even though that fact is not advertised.

So sorry this happened to you. I hope you didn't let it spoil your cruise. It's sentimental value can't be replaced, of course, but you'll always have the memory of it. Hopefully it was insured and you can at least file a claim and perhaps you can replace it with something similar.

I agree with weezal. The Lido is mostly empty between mealtimes.

There's a more proper name for it, but those of us who play it refer to it as 'Chinese Babies'. Where else in can you find a machine that offers a 38 cent bet! And yes, I win on that little bet all the time.