MaidMirawyn

Keep in mind, while the $50 Spa gift card is really not enough for a service, it's also good for product. You can get creams, etc.

Don't let it go to waste.:'):')

I got a fire and ice manicure. :) I just paid gratuity, which was less than a plain manicure ashore.

Last year we cruised on our twentieth anniversary, and there were gift cards in our room after dinner. I didn't expect this; I had simply filled out the "special celebration" section or whatever on the website.

Well, we're sailing for our anniversary again, but I didn't see that on our online check-in. Did I miss it, or has it been discontinued?

Help appreciated from more experienced Carnival cruisers! Thanks.

I wore it four times on our last cruise (after washing it in the sink after the first two wearings).

I couldn't remember how quickly it dried. But I wore my dress last weekend, so I washed it yesterday. I put it on the drying rack around 10 pm, and it was dry by 7 am! Definitely fast drying. :)

I've got a selection of brands, since I buy mine from Marshall's or TJ Maxx when they're on a deep discount. So far, so good. We also have one set of the Ikea cubes.

Applying the sunscreen in my cabin before getting dressed seems to work best for me. I can take my time doing it and can make sure it's applied everywhere needed for its initial application.

I have to do that this year! Last year, I waited until we were at the beach, but I ended up burned. I'm pretty sure it's because I was sweaty by the time I applied it! I tried to dry off first, but I don't think it worked well.

Please, please, please take into consideration the reefs (and marine life in general)! Most of all, avoid these ingredients: oxybenzone, butylparaben, octinoxate, and 4-methylbenzylidine camphor (not allowed in the US). These are the primary causes of coral reef bleaching and death. Thousands of tons of sunscreen wash off in reef areas every year, and sunscreen residue in rivers and lakes and from waste treatment can wash into the ocean.

Badger is a good, affordable brand. All their sunscreens rate well at EWG, and they're all reef safe. It's also widely available. If you really want a spray sunscreen, there are some that use safe ingredients.

We like Neutrogena sunscreen. For a spray on, their Beach Defense (in the yellow can) dries fast and doesn't feel sticky. For lotion their Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch is good.

Neutrogena Beach Defense and Ultra Sheer Dry Touch both contain oxybenzone. But the Pure and Free Baby Sunscreen (which doesn't mean it's for babies, really) and Sheer Zinc Dry Touch SPF 30 and 50 sunscreens scored very well with EWG and are free of the four ingredients above. (Neutrogena used to be my brand of choice due to sensitive skin.)

Consumer Reports just released their list of the top rated sunscreens. The Wal-Mart brand (Equate Sport SPF 30) was ranked really high for the 2nd year in a row. http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/sunscreens/buying-guide

Equate Sport scored very poorly at EWG. It's also not reef safe; oxybenzone in particular is a major culprit in coral reef damage. (Actually, every one of the Equate sunscreens that I saw contained oxybenzone, except one daily moisturizer with sunscreen.)

I'm in my early 60's and wear dresses and shirts with no sleeves. I have several friends that think when your arms start to wrinkle you need to wear sleeves. My arms are in good shape but they are really starting to wrinkle. Would love to hear from other women my age about what they think?

I'm 43, not your age, but I have plenty of friends in their sixties. Some like wearing sleeveless tops, and I say good for them! They are fabulous women, and I think they look great! (Our society really has some odd hangups about stuff like wrinkles...)

Full disclosure: I may not be the "norm." I bought a pair of fringed knee high boots this year, despite my age, because I love them and they look great and make me feel great. So I guess I'm biased.

But seriously, I wouldn't stop wearing sleeveless tops because of wrinkles. Be comfortable! If you're fine with it, don't let others make you self conscious!

My grandkids don't know what they are either, but when they were younger they liked to put my old ones on to dress up. They also don't know what a 'hanky' ie handerchief is for! And were grossed out when I explained!

I'm 43 and a Georgia native. The last time I wore pantyhose was for a cousin's spring wedding in Pennsylvania a couple of years ago, and that was pure desperation! (It was so chilly, and it barely helped.) Before that, it was probably fifteen years. I definitely never wear them on cruises.

Maybe it's regional. Here, women don't wear them to weddings—even very dressy ones—or the opera, or the theatre. Girls don't even wear hose to prom anymore!

Hello! Has anyone found a good quality convertible dress? If so, could you please share the link :). Thanks!

I bought a midi-length convertible dress from Atom Attire on Etsy. It’s worked out great for me, and the price was reasonable. She’ll send you swatches (which you order through her website) to assist in color selection. (I went with basic black, which is my favorite color in the world…) She was also very quick; just message if you need it in a particular timeline to check the schedule!

I was surprised just how versatile it is! I wore it four times on our last cruise (after washing it in the sink after the first two wearings). On embarkation day, I wore it as a tunic with leggings (Henkaa's Kylie style, with the straps pulled wide), adding fancier jewelry for dinner. I wore it for both formal nights (different styles and different jewelry), and it was a skirt for dinner one night (Henkaa's Sandy style), with a red drapey top. I pack it in a tiny packing cube with the tube tops, and it doesn’t wrinkle at all!

If you’re modest or busty, I recommend adding the tube top; I am very busty, so I bought one to cover my bra. (No way I can use one of those stick-on things!) I also bought a second one in a dark red, to use as a sash.

I have since worn it as a tunic and a skirt several times, and once more as a dress. Of course it’s going on our cruise next month!

Carnival was absolutely fantastic in dealing with Celiac / Gluten Free dining and made what is normally a stressful situation (eating out) into a wonderful experience. Kudos to them!

Okay, wow. Thanks for posting. This was nothing like my experience last June on the Dream!

First, my waiters in the main dining room were awesome. They made sure to find out what was gluten free before I got there each evening, and always had bread for me. And when I ate at other meals, like brunch, they would warn me off non-safe meal options if they were there. In fact, I can tolerate small amounts of gluten, so on the two occasions I ate a bit of wheat (cheesecake crust!), I had to reassure them that, yes, since I had been so diligent the rest of the time, I could have a wee bit of gluten. :) Good for them to make sure I understood what I was getting!

I did note online that I was gluten intolerant, but no one said anything at any point about contacting special needs, either beforehand or on the ship. I'm sailing again this June (Fantasy this time), and intend to make sure this is handled correctly!

Has anyone found foods that were gluten-free at the afternoon tea on Carnival? Besides just a little bite of fruit?

I was on the Carnival Dream June 2016. I loved afternoon tea, even though it's not exactly friendly to those of us who are gluten intolerant. It's just so serene.

I can eat a little gluten. If I recall, there was usually a mini tart or cheesecake bites. If cross-contamination isn't an issue, you can simply eat the filling.

We're sailing on the Carnival Fantasy this June. I hope there are better options this year, but I'm not too optimistic.

A FB said they just got married April 1st. Got in an argument with his wife and jumped off.

According to one of the news sites, they have been married a little over a year (I think it said November 2015). Renewed their vows 4/1 and took a delayed honeymoon.

So tragic.

FYI, Decatur is part of Atlanta. There is a blurb on the AJC website with updates. According to the latest updates, he did, indeed, jump.

It's terrible. Can't even imagine why anyone would do that, much less on a cruise.

http://www.ajc.com/news/local/search-continues-for-decatur-man-missing-from-cruise-ship/vePLbDzuI4iyxzX263WDWO/

My husband has just informed me how much he is looking forward to kayaking again, but THIS IS THE FIRST TIME HE MENTIONED IT!

We sail today on the Carnival Dream. Anyone have advice for kayaking and swimming in Roatan? Where? How do we get there? We embark in FOUR HOURS! And all the Carnival excursions include snorkeling, which he doesn't like.

Can anyone help us?

There are so many other places to cruise and many more land vacations. Hope you have thought your priorities through. Personally I would not put off starting my family for a few hours in each of these countries

Well, we had already considered taking a break for other reasons. Just another factor.

Great news! I'm pregnant. At 38 + other factors, we thought we might have troubles conceiving, but nope! First try.

 

Terrible news!!! We were going to have our last hurrah 4/10 on the Splendor at about 16 weeks along. Unfortunately, with the Zika virus spreading down there, it's not possible. We already cancelled a July cruise since I'll be too far along. So sad. Looks like I've taken my last cruise for a while.

 

My coworkers aren't really getting it, so I thought venting to someone who would actually understand might help.

 

Thanks for "listening!"

Congrats on the pregnancy!

Maybe you can still find a cruise to safe destinations? Or take a different cruise?

We have been trying to conceive for a while, so this topic has me concerned. We had planned to go to Roatan (Honduras), Belize, and Cozumel this summer. Now we are trying to decide if we should change our travel plans. My husband suggested we stop trying until after the cruise. Once back, we could get checked out and decide when to start trying again. But this is not an easy issue; I think I have to do a lot more research!

Good luck to everyone facing this issue. Really, if the risk is as great as the media is making it out to be, it sounds as if every women who could conceive and has a partner who could be fertile needs to take measures to make sure she doesn't before she knows she is clear. And they say it could some to the Southern states, where I live!

Then again, the media and local governments could be panicking because of how Ebola spiraled out of control.

Inexpensive? In may I bought a camera in Walmart that has sound, video and will take photos in up to 10 feet of water. Takes a micro SD card. Not rechargeable - takes 2 AAA batteries but it wasn't hard on them.

 

I paid $44.99 or 49.99 in Bangor, ME (and $9.99 more for the SD card).

 

.....

 

If you're interested in the brand/model, just add on to this post and I'll go "unpack" it and get the information for you - I don't mind doing that if you want to know.

No rush, but when you do get a chance, I would like to know! I want to buy an underwater camera before my next cruise, in June. I figure it's best to start shopping early, because last minute shopping leaves you stuck with what you find. And we know that what you can find then is rarely the best deal! LOL

Me too! lol I'm thinking, "they're wearing dirty clothes". :eek:

If I only wear something for a couple of hours to dinner or in the the evening or early morning (basically, I didn't sweat or spill), I will wear it again. Middle of day, all day, in port—that's different. But I am quite willing to wash one load of clothes in the middle of the week. If it means I don't have to mess wth lots of bags, it's worth it to me.

. . . As long as I don't have to iron. I HATE ironing with a fiery passion!

Forward dining room on every ship I've ever been on. Also, always at 3pm on Sea Days.

 

It will be listed in the Fun Times.

The editor's review of the Dream says it's in the Crimson Restaurant, which is the smaller, sort of midship dining room. (At least it look mid-ish on the plans. I know Scarlett is the bigger one, aft.) But I don't know how recent that is.

The Carnival Fantasy was an exception, at least when we sailed in 2012. Tea was held in a smaller space; I think it may have been a piano bar by night? It was fun, with a more intimate sort of feel. Not overtly romantic, but it felt like an event with a small group of friends or family.

My husband was very happy to hear that they do, indeed do tea on the Dream. We loved it on the Fantasy! And the couple we sat next to on the second day were so nice; it was a great opportunity for a quiet chat. I'm hoping we enjoy it as much on the Dream.

I had bought a small bottle of contact lense solution for my DS to travel with.

Fast forward to the morning waking up in hotel to get ready to go to the ship. I hear my son screen out from the bathroom....I had bought sterilizer not the regular solution. He had put one of his contacts in and burned his eye:eek: We flushed it with cold water and his eye was red and puffy for hours. I felt so bad for him. DH walked to a CVS and bought the correct solution. This was really my "worst packing mistake".

This one's very serious. On our previous cruise, I forgot to bring a second set of lenses, lens solution, or my glasses; all I had was the solution in my two lens cases. This was potentially very bad. I was worried I would end up with an eye infection, but I made it back home safely. Fortunately, I have the type you can sleep in!

Going bare-eyed was not an option. You know that big "E" at the top of the eye chart? It's just a big blur without correction. I would have been so screwed if I had lost a lenses or gotten an eye infection.

Five months out from our next cruise, I already have a bottle in the suitcase, to transfer to my 3-1-1 bag. I have ordered my next six month supply of lenses, and one pair will be joining the bottle when they arrive. No way I'm ever risking that again!

I am a list crazed cruiser also!

So glad to know I'm not alone.

 

It absolutely drives my husband insane.

I'll go over my lists constantly and he will say "we just went over this the other day!"

He appreciates it eventually when he has everything he needs and isn't paying $20 for a bottle of shampoo in the middle of the ocean.

 

I have a packing list, toiletries list, documents list, excursions list, cash needed list, pre cruise list, post cruise list.

Within these lists, I have a timeline of what needs to be done and when, broken down by days before/after the cruise.

Also an obsessive list-maker. I do it by hand, and eventually transfer it to the Pack My Bag app in my iPad.

For our next cruise, I have made a list from scratch at least four times. I will at some point compare the lists side by side to see how the items differ, reevaluate every item, then make a new, consolidated list. If I get bored waiting somewhere, I may pull my lists out and review.

Oh yeah, we sail in June. And haven't actually booked the cruise yet; we're doing that Saturday.

I do this because I am simultaneously really organized and incredibly unorganized. But I do NOT want to have to spend my hard-earned money unnecessarily; I would rather spend $20 on something cool from Belize than on a bottle of sunscreen that wouldn't meet my standards anyway, and certainly wouldn't be used when I get home! And since I'm determined to travel carry-on only, that gets tricky.

Thanks for the heads up! Tomorrow I'm booking a trip on the Carnival Dream out of New Orleans, sailing 06/12/16.

This is my second cruise, and I'll admit that the one part I wasn't looking forward to was check in and boarding. But I'm an optimist, so I until I hear otherwise, I'm going to look forward to an improved boarding process.

And choose a fairly early boarding time, so I can have beignets and coffee with my husband, then get on board the ship! I loved sitting by the rail and knitting or working in my journal. Relaxing and exciting, all at the same time!

The way I see it, if I can't get a time quite as early as I would like, I would rather spend a little more time relaxing at a cafe or by the river in New Orleans instead of spending more time standing in line!

We are freshly-returned from the Fantasy. We chose it because we love Charleston, and it's only a five-and-a-half hour drive from Atlanta. Here's our short version of a review.

We love the Fantasy! The carpet in the corridors and other public areas is the type of stuff you would see in a hotel or conference area, but that's what we expected. The central area is glitzy, with marble, neon, and shiny, shiny surfaces. But it was fun. The Celebration Dining Room was tasteful, and my husband loved the Universe Lounge. The Electricity Disco was also fun, and I liked that it was a bit small.

Cleopatra's Piano Bar was a great setting for tea time. Small tables for two or four, plus the round "piano" bar (which wasn't used at tea). The windows are large enough that even people sitting at tables that aren't directly in front of them can see out. The Pavillion Library had a nice, if basic, set of games, and a strangely diverse collection of books. It was very pleasant, with plenty of seats and tables and a great view out of large windows.

The food in the Celebration Dining Room was excellent. Nothing disappointed. The staff was wonderful, friendly and helpful. The head hostess knew our name before the end of the five-day cruise, which I didn't expect. Serenity and Lido aft were exceptionally pleasant and relaxing. The port side Lido area past the tables was a pleasant spot to hang out at the railing, and we only encountered smokers there a couple of times. (Starboard is for smokers; port is non-smoking.) We spent very little time on the rest of the Lido, but everyone seemed to have a blast.

The Promenade was a favorite indoor spot, but not as much once the photographers set up. We loved the long, cushy lounges facing padded window seats, and even napped there our first sea day.

Our cabin was pleasant. With an interior room, it is small, but that's to be expected. There's very little drawer space—think underwear, socks, swimsuits, and tees—but plenty of closets, both hanging and shelves. They make good use of space. The faux window (a curtain on the wall where a window would be) does help it feel less closed in. We had an Empress port-side aft cabin, and loved the location. Not at all noisy, and we were around the corner from the stealth stairs to the Serenity deck, then on up to port aft Lido. Perfect!

When I write a real review, I'll link it.