angelndscz

21 hours ago, jalves said:

Not all the balcony dividers on the Wish open to adjacent rooms.  We've sailed on her twice and neither cabin had both dividers that could open.  They only had the divider on one side what was openable.  

@Jalves, do you recall the room type.  I am concerned about this... but the cast member on the call center checked and said there was no reason they could see that it wouldn't open.

@Jalves, do you recall the room type.  I am concerned about this... but the cast member on the call center checked and said there was no reason they could see that it wouldn't open.

After speaking to two agents on the phone, we went ahead adn booked the non-connecting room.  Neither saw an issue with the verandah opening between the two and one asked her supervisor.  I had to call twice for some other questions, I didn't call just for that...  

One agent was great and suggested changing to the other side of the ship as the ship backs in to Castaway Cay and we would see the island from the starboard side vs. port side!  Those are the tips I love!

So, we put our deposit down.  If the verandah won't open, then we will just deal... it's my adult daughter and her boyfriend in the next room over, so the connect rooms wasn't a necessity, but would be awesome to gather on the verandah.  If for some reason they can't open it, we will just have to deal with that too. I choose the rooms being at the bump out because I heard those were slightly larger. 

For the AFT rooms marked for disabled... I really am curious about those. I am 100% disabled Veteran but I do not use a wheelchair nor do I need special bathroom... but maybe I can learn more about that in the future.  My hubby uses a walking boot frequently, knee scooter occasionally, and once had to rent a mobility scooter for him when we had a planned trip to Disney with out-of-state relatives, but he should be fine unless he has some unexpected flare up.   We learned the hard way not to have medical procedures before a planned vacation as he had a medical procedure before our family came for the Disney trip that required him to go off most of his meds, and then one of his issues flared up where he couldn't put weight on one leg to walk, thus needing a wheelchair.

I haven't been in these groups for a long time and I am trying to book a Disney Cruise. I have only been on Carnival once and used an agent.  So my Disney account shows Florida Resident and Disney Plus.  Are these discounts added automatically if they are available?

Also, two of the people coming with us are Cast Members (daughter and boyfriend).  She says her discount calendar doesn't go out to Thanksgiving of next year yet... If available at a later time, can they add cast member discount/pricing?   I have them in one room and me and hubby in another, for discounts, would it be better to be my daughter and I in one room, and hubby and boyfriend in another?  I haven' finished booking yet, but put the reservation on hold...

Same question for military... on my Disney account, I don't see how to add that my husband and I are retired military. If available, can I add that after booking? 

I may just need to call... Of course, I want all the discounts available.

Disney Wish,

I am looking at Deck 8, booking 2 rooms. The rooms themselves do not need to connect (no kids on trip), but I would like to open the balcony wall. Do all of them open?  Specifically, it is at the edge of a bump out and one balcony seems to be a good size, but the "room" doesn't connect, but if the balcony does, that would be fine.

Also, I have the option of this set-up by the laundry room (port side) or by a big white space (port side).  Which would you choose?  Everyone in the group are 20-63 years old. The laundry room probably isn't loud, but more guests with small kids are likely.  Which noise doesn't bother us too much.

There is also rooms on Deck 10 I like but is under the stage, so I think I will skip that even if noise doesn't bother us.

I keep changing the rooms over and over and need to make a firm decision before these are booked. 

Thanks!

I'd

 

Maybe NCL might be better than Royal? I've never sailed them so I'm not sure, but unfortunately the Royal ships doing shorter cruises don't have all the big bells and whistles of the bigger ships, or even like Freedom class.

I found an article about teens on cruises and NCL was one of the recommendations. A former co-worker was a cruise addict and took more cruises than anyone I know. She and her husband (no kids at the time) would get great last minute cruise deals. I remember she said after a NCL cruise that she felt it had the best on board activities but the smallest rooms. I am okay with a small room. I would probably book two rooms, one balcony and one inside. DH and my son would be coming too and would be in the separate room.

Princess has an outdoor area for teens which sounds nice. I don't think Princess sails from the ports I want. :(

https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=159

When I search RCI departing from Tampa in March 2019, I found Western Caribbean on Brilliance of the Seas. Is that not a good ship for teens? It is listed as 5 nights.

One Stops in Key West and Cozumel.

Another stops in George Town, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel.

We can't do the 7 day because the girls may miss school. It doesn't have to be Western Caribbean.

So I thought I posted this a couple days ago but I don't see the thread.

I am planning a Spring Break cruise for my daughter's 16th birthday with a few of her friends. Which ships are the best for teenagers as far as teen activities?

Port Preference: Tampa or Cape Canaveral

Western Caribbean preferred.

Length 4-5 days.

We have only been on one cruise and it was on the Carnival Sensation to the Bahamas. I don't think this is a great ship for teens as it was lacking teen activities.

My daughter's 16th birthday falls on Spring Break 2019, so thinking of taking her and three friends on a cruise instead of a traditional party.

Which ship is best. Looking at ports out of Tampa or Cape Canaveral (we live in Tampa). Would prefer a 4 night cruise. I would like Western Caribbean, but I think the ship is probably what would drive my selection. I want one that has a lot of teen activities.

The agent at Explorer Cruise and Travel was able to get the price down using our USAA member points. After adding insurance the new price is $1555 (previous price didn't include insurance).

1530 is damn cheap for four people

It's the rack rate for an interior room. I wouldn't call it "damn cheap" but it it's not "overly expensive" either. I have only cruised with balcony rooms in the past but trying to keep the costs down since our trip to D.C. was only going to cost us $600 overall after hotel, gas, food, and a few tours. :p

Does anyone know of any August specials, discount codes, etc? I have it on hold but looking for some discounts. I am calling the travel company I used last time since I have over 25K points with them and even using points the travel company quote online is the same. Pretty much the points only start to give a decent discount on more expensive cabins. A balcony room was going to be just under $2900.

Also, these prices I am providing does not include the gratuity I would need to leave. For the suite that was $1530 the gratuity Carnival website listed would be an additional $190. I do tend to tip above what is mandatory. Plus, additional money for anything we want to do at the ports.

$1530 is just the price to book the trip, not what we will spend total when all is said and done.

So our current August vacation we have to cancel so now I am looking at replacing it with a cruise. I see the Sensation departing Aug 9th so that works with our schedule. I am getting a quote online for $1530 for the four of us (me, DH, and two kids ages 12 and 13). That doesn't include gratuities. Are there any discount codes out there?

We are Florida residents and DH and I are both retired military. I have it on hold now. When I went to the travel agent website I used before I am getting the exact same quote with our points through them.

This is just for an interior room. The vacation we cancelled was to D.C. and would have only ran us maybe $600 for the week staying on military bases and staying on a tight budget. We no longer have a week to spend in D.C. and I don't think it's worth going to D.C. to only have 2 full days (a day to drive up and a day to drive back, so four days) when we live in Florida and can do a 3-4 day cruise. We can save D.C. for another time.

My husband has a nice suede sports coat from Men's Warehouse that I love (I picked it out). He wears it with an button down with open collar and dark jeans. It looks fab on him. The outfit you described would look better with dark jeans.

You have to take people's comments here with a grain of salt. No insult to the members but over the years of coming here some feel a buying dress pants at a thrift store or on clearance at JcPenny's for $10 is more "formal" than a pair of $250 jeans. That is just their personal opinion. Jeans can be dressed up and is a stylish and sexy look. Wear what you are most comfortable in and what your lady likes to see you in.

I lived in Valdosta, GA for a couple years. I find it an easy drive I-75 to turnpike to Orlando. I may have been lucky as there traffic was always flowing at expected speeds, no accidents, etc. Even slowing down to the toll in cash was no issues. I also drive Valdosta, GA to Tampa almost every weekend, and Tampa to Orlando about once a month. The non-toll roads I have ran into constant accidents that slow down traffic.

Just pay cash at the tolls, not a big deal to slow down a few times.

I am a 40-year old woman and I like the single-breast peaked lapel. I picture the double breasted on a heavier and older man and think it looks old fashioned. Since it is a formal suit I like the peaked lapel and it looks clean, sharp, and formal. I think the peaked lapel is more timeless and classic. I don't like the shawl collar at all.

I just did a google search for Brad Pitt Tuxedo and the majority were peaked lapel and looks great on him. The few shawl collar I don't think look good on him at all. It doesn't give that same formal, clean, classic look.

I really like Ipsy and I don't think it is just for teenagers. I have found lots of cool products that I wouldn't have ever picked up on my own and for $10 a month it is fun to get a pretty pink bubble envelope of goodies in the mail. Also a lot of the products are seasonal, such as beachy hair scrunch spray in the summer. You fill out a profile about your likes and dislikes. I said I "hate" nail polish since I only go to the salon for that, so I never get nail polish in my bags. There is at least one high end product. Last month it was Urban Decay's new Perversion mascara.

 

I have now signed up for three monthly boxes and want to do PopSugar now! I can see this being addicting. Yes I actually do not mind the sample/travel sizes over full-sizes because we probably wouldn't go through a full-size fast enough to keep getting more the next month. And since she is young she just likes to try a bunch of different things. Mostly at home she plays with make-up and at school just wears mascara and lip gloss. When we built her Ipsy profile we did select the "simple" and "retro" style over the styles that seemed like the would be too bold or glittery for her. She is an all-star cheerleader so for competitions we have to do the over-the-top glitter as eyeshadow, lips, etc. (we use BA Star glitter). We don't want that for an everyday look. ;)

I have been watching Youtube reviews on different boxes. There are so many choices. Yesterday I signed up for BirchBox (Beauty), Wantables (Accessories). My 11 year old tells me today (she is home sick) about Ipsy so I looked at reviews and ordered that for her. I am thinking about the PopSugar Box?

I am very fair, blue eyes, blonde hair. DD is half-mexican with medium skin, brown hair, brown eyes, so we can't share some beauty items because of skin tone differences.

I just don't want a box that sends a bunch of food items because I am not interested in that. Watching Youtube I see there are many types of boxes from so many companies. I am just trying to see which ones are the best deal.

I recently discovered a few websites and reviews about mail subscriptions to receive beauty products, makeup, accessories, even intimates and fitness boxes. I am interested in signing up for the beauty product box and accessories box (two different companies) but am wondering if anyone here has used these services and were happy or disappointed in what they received?

I am not listing the websites because I am not trying to promote a specific company, just curious if anyone are members of such subscriptions and have feedback about the service?

I am not very fashion savvy in picking out my own items so receiving random selections may not be a bad way to build up my collection. I have an extremely small collection now since I wear work uniforms instead of office clothes. :)

We are looking at a Summer 2018 quinceanera cruise. This will be the summer between her 15th and 16th birthday. This is still our plan and our relatives who have never been on a cruise are looking forward to it as well.

We have only been on one cruise. We do live in Florida but all of our relatives are in Texas, Michigan, and South Carolina so there is not "one" location we could pick that doesn't require relatives to travel anyways.

:p

I find it annoying for people to call "men's swim briefs" speedos when there are many namebrand swim briefs. It just shows ignorance. Swim briefs are the most common swimwear for men outside of North America. I lived in Asia for 5 years and the majority there still wear briefs over trunks although trunks are picking up in popularity in the college age crowd. Mainly because they like to wear the same gear that pro-athletes wear. Even if a family is going bicycling they wear gear like the pro's. For someone swimming for fitness, you want the proper fitting swimwear to swim laps. A former boss of mine competed in body building competitions and he would run in his swim briefs on his lunch break because it could kill two birds with one stone running and increasing his tan at the same time. :p

... now where is the 11 page thread making fun of women in swimwear that does not look good on them?

My daughter (11 years old) has one that is a small cross body, perfect for just a wallet, cell phone, and maybe sunglasses. I bought it for her after she dropped her cell phone carrying it around. So when she goes out now I always tell her to take one of her purses (she as a few now) to put her phone in. When I bought it last year, the lady at the store said it was popular among the college age girls. Academy Sports sells them as well.

http://www.kavu.com/Category/72_1/Bags.aspx

My daughter loves Bethany Mota! She has never watched this show but I bet she will watch because of Bethany Mota. Perhaps they are trying to pull in new audience by expanding their dancers.

Vera Bradley used to sell an eyeglass case I loved. I bought three and used them for ages and when I wanted to replace them........ gone.

 

They were for a single pair of glasses and were slim and no bulk to them. All I can find now (including on e-bay) are soft cases that hold two glasses and the hardshell cases that take too much room in my purse.

 

If anyone knows where I can find the slim case, PLEASE let me know. :) Thanks.

 

I have two that have never or barely used, just sits in my drawer. LoL.

$100.00 for a black cardigan? Is it cashmere?

 

Many of the stores mentioned have them in the 20.00--40.00

range.

Actually, I said less than $100. Some in the prices you listed. Anyone interested could go to the website and get the exact price. I never pay full price at White House Black Market as their sales are awesome.

Holy hot!

Not any hotter than underwear, especially if the pants are thin. Also, OP didn't say where she was wearing the pants to. Lots of A/C on ships as well.

I am pale white and white looks better than beige on me since beige is no where close to my skin tone.