SewMuch

The easiest way to tell is by the expression on their face when they step on board. When first time cruisers see the glitz and glamour in the atrium their whole face lights up with WOW. Experienced cruisers hardly notice it anymore.

To the pop-up hamper and over-the-door hanger people: Do you take these items everywhere you go, say a week at a resort, or just on cruises? No judgement, just curious.

Do you only use the card as a door key and not purchase anything? Doesn't the extra key ring get in the way when swiping cards for purchasing? Just curious.

The card still swipes just fine

We're sailing on the Coral next year, southbound after a 5 day land portion. For us the train isn't scheduled to arrive in Whittier until 6:30 pm, sail away is 8:30 pm. I imagine the muster drill will be soon after we get on board. From what I have read, dinner that first night will be open seating. (Although I have also read we will get a card while on the train giving us an assigned dinner time for that night only.) I am not planning on changing outfits because I do not think there will be time. Besides, according to the Princess website, jeans are OK in the dining room on casual nights as long as they don't have holes. And none of my jeans have holes! (If I show up in torn jeans you'll know I've been attacked by a bear!)

I get the card punched then put a keyring (just the ring, not the key fob) thru the hole. It makes it easier to clip to a lanyard, or I can slip a long sparkly necklace through it.

I guess the only thing I would add is to try and bring enough sunscreen with you so you don't have to buy it on the ship. But if necessary, you can buy it on the ship or in Port. And I'm sure you know this but just in case you don't, I'll also add that it is possible to get sunburned even on cloudy days. Good luck, have a great cruise!

It's a roll of the dice. You may get lucky and find nice dining companions... As Dirty Harry once said, "Do you feel lucky, punk?"

Yes, I guess I feel lucky. We've never had horrible dinner companions, and so we will continue to do traditional dining with strangers. I would not want to miss out on the friendships that develop just because of the slim chance that we may end up with an unpleasant group. If it ever happens, we'll deal with it.

Rustoleum makes a great product called Never Wet and I used it with great results. Great reminder to order another bottle.

While you're at it, you might want to waterproof your tote bag too.

Katgoesonholiday - Yours is the best answer yet. What fine young gentlemen you are raising. And your niece is lucky to have you.

No! Really?? It's just easier traveling with a Nook or Kindle. Who wants to haul a bunch of books/magazines with them on vacation? Thanks for your input though. [emoji849]

 

 

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I also travel with a tablet full of books, but sometimes there is a book I want to read that isn't available in my format. Then I get it from the library in hardcover and read it at home. Just advocating flexibility. Actually, most of the books I read on my tablet are downloaded for free from my library. Not everyone is aware of this option

There was a time when I would have asked why both Nook AND Kindle. But there's a book that I want and it seems like it's only available to Kindle on Amazon. Dead End Girl by L. T. Vargus. It's only $4.99! :( Maybe it will be on Nook soon.

There's this wonderful institution called a library. All the books are free and they can be read inside or out in the sun.

Lots of reviews mention Tracy's Crab Shack but yours is the first I've seen that describes the process of eating there, which will be helpful when we go next year. We will know to look for the specialty menu! Your whole review was wonderful with just the right balance of info, opinions and photos. Thank you

Probably the best move would be to call whichever lodge you are staying at directly. Just Google the name of the lodge to get the phone number

If I understand it correctly, in an actual abandon ship type of emergency you would go to your muster station and then be led to your lifeboat. Each lifeboat only holds a certain number of passengers. So you can't just add two more people that aren't assigned to that station because there would be no room for them on a lifeboat.

All the major car rentals have good prices for renting a car at the airport and dropping it off by the the port, which is in Cocoa Beach. Then they will shuttle you to the port for free. Same thing on the return. It's probably cheaper than the Carnival transfers. I would suggest getting out of Orlando and researching things to do in Cocoa Beach. There's a great pier with shops, a giant Ron Jons store, and the Kennedy Space Center, among other things. By the time you pick up your luggage, drive to Cocoa Beach and have breakfast, at least some things should be open.

Google Row by Row Experience to find the official site. Basically, participating quilt shops around the country have each designed their own unique pattern. Each is one row and can be put together however you like, or made into wall hangings.

We eventually will receive a refund of somewhat. They did not know at the time we were filling out refund forms on the bus how much. They did say it would take about 4 to 6 weeks to receive.

 

Sandra

Well that's something anyway, although I'm sure you would rather have had the actual tour.

Did you get any money back since your Denali tour was so short?

Maybe they will eventually do what RCI does. Offer a steak every night in the MDR but you pay additional for it. I'm sort of surprised they haven't done that already.

No, it doesn't get old because you never know what the reaction will be. It's always entertaining. Besides, he can only do it when he doesn't have a fork (which is only occasionally), it's not like he hides the one he has.

My son used to be a waiter at Olive Garden, and it's not easy. The waiters just want to do their job. Giving them a hard time so you can get a chuckle is not amusing to them at all.

Thanks for the great pictures. Do you stow your stuff under your own seat, or under the seat in front of you like on an airplane?

Actually it's a 7 night cruise.

 

 

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Depends on the cruise line. Royal calls it a 7 night but Princess still calls it 7 days

There was a young woman on her first cruise complaining that her 7 day cruise was only 6 days. It could be argued that she was correct.

There's lots of talk about how adorable the puppies are. It sounds like they are bred in large quantities to keep a steady supply for all the tourists. My question is, does anyone know what happens to the puppies who aren't good sled dogs, and older dogs who can no longer pull? I doubt there are enough people in Alaska to adopt them all.

My husband clogged the toilet. Does that count?