bucky0926

Just now, Anton said:

Some display them on a shelf or in a cabinet (like me), some don't care a bit about them and leave them in the box or sell them on eBay.   I have a dozen of the old style and yes, they make dusting a chore.  I'm due for another block in July.  If it's the new style I don't know if I'll continue displaying them.

Can you show a picture of the old style one?  If not no problem.....

Just now, Ourusualbeach said:

Wish they still had the classy look.  Not impressed with the new ones

Could you explain the difference?  What made the older ones classy looking?

Just now, OCSC Mike said:

 

They're excellent dust collectors! Some people sell them on ebay. I got my first one last year... it's still in the box. Harmony like yours...

 

 

Hey if it fetches a good price on ebay.....

Got one on my last cruise on Harmony of the Seas (the ship I was on).  Just curious, what do people do with these?

 I am not Diamond but Emerald and I am supposed to get 50% off 2 wine or beer per cruise and then 10% for all after that.  You tell them to do it and over half the time its never done.  Then down to guest services to get it fixed.  This last cruise they just took off all the drinks in total-so that was great (I think it was a total of 3 for me and DH).  But you would think if it is part of the loyalty program that the system would keep track-it doesn't.

On 4/23/2023 at 10:31 AM, mahdnc said:

 

 

 

@bucky0926, sorry for the delay.  @wonton, thanks again for the reminder. 

 

Here are the dimensions of our Wavy Bowl: The wavy crown measured 9 inches at maximum diameter.  I measured the crown across two different points to make sure.  The height is 5 3/4" (note in the photo that there is about a 1/4 inch gap between the end of the ruler and where 0 begins which I took into account).  The base of the bowl is about 5 inches in diameter (in the photo that dimension is not that clear, but I measured 5 inches).  Tap or click on the individual photos to make them larger and the ruler more readable.

 

Please remember that these pieces are custom made by hand and the dimensions will vary.  When it is made, there are no rulers or weigh scales used.  For that reason, it would be valuable if others posted dimensions of their Wavy Bowl.

 

 

 

 

Thank you so much.  Sorry for my delay but just got off a cruise yesterday.  
At least I have an idea of what I am dealing with size wise. 

12 hours ago, pengu1n said:

I don't like the float strap, because it messes with my arm movement. I use a wrist strap with a slider, so it's snuggly attached to my wrist.

I must be dense because I thought the float strap was a wrist strap.  What am I missing? 

I was at blue bay end of March 2023.  It was me and my DH and we took a cab for $40.00 from the terminal.  We asked the driver to come back at a certain time and he was there and it was $40.00 back to the pedestrian bridge so we could shop.  I tipped him $10.00.  It was $12.00 per person for access to a chair and beach and we went under one of those huts to get out of the sun.  The snorkeling was great, fish were abundant and so was the coral.  The dive shop was right behind us and plenty were going out for shore dives as it drops pretty fast.  Clean, great snorkeling, bathrooms, full bar/restaurant (but we did not partake).  A little pricey but highly recommended and IMO worth every penny.  A ship excursion would be more and then I am on their time and not mine.  I was impressed with Blue Bay and my snorkeling site on Bonaire so much that as soon as we got home we booked another cruise  next year to the ABC islands.

1 hour ago, donaldsc said:

 

Just remember that some of the underwater cameras including the TG series DO NOT FLOAT.  This means that if you let go of it underwater they sink.  I bought a positive buoyancy strap for mine.  Test whatever you buy at home in the bathtub before you leave.  https://www.amazon.com/Waterproof-Camera-Float-Strap-Underwater/dp/B00YR8ZNDU

 

DON

So if I get a housing for the T6 I think it will sink.  After all with the housing and the camera I don't think there is a float strap strong enough to hold up both. 

Just came back from there and didn't do any snorkeling because didn't really find anything while researching or even in port.  Also heard (but didn't experience) beaches weren't clean.  Did not find either port worthwhile for future stops if beaches and snorkeling are on your agenda.  The only good things about those two ports were that they led to the ABC islands where the beaches were clean and the snorkeling some of the best I've ever done.  Came back and immediately booked a cruise for next year to the ABC's with a stop in Grand Cayman.

• 25% no tear baby shampoo and water.  Spray and rub around.  Do NOT rinse with anything.  Once you put it on do not let the air get to it.  If you take it off, for any reason, be prepared to spray and rub again.  I learned this on a snorkel trip swimming with manatees.  We were in the water for 2 hours straight and my mask didn't fog once.  Have since snorkeled numerous times and don't fog any longer.

I second FlightMedic555.  Blue Bay was beautiful with great snorkeling, chairs, bathrooms and restaurant.  The dive shop is right on the beach and the people coming back from dives said it was amazing.  Also was not very crowded.

Use a safego (on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/SAFEGO-Portable-Indoor-Outdoor-Combination/dp/B017RR15YI/ref=sr_1_16?crid=2KNYRQNJLEFDP&keywords=plastic%2Bvacation%2Bvault&qid=1681271025&sprefix=plastic%2Bvacation%2Bvault%2Caps%2C115&sr=8-16&th=1).  We bought one for our son when he went to camp in 3rd grade (it was called a vacation vault then).  He is now 27 and my DH and I have commandeered it for the past15 years or so.  We attach it to both our chairs so they can't just take one chair.  It will hold your phones, cash/cc, sea pass, some smaller kindles.This way we don't even have to take it in the water with us.

4 hours ago, pierces said:

If all you want to take is casual shots, consider a GoPro.

A go pro is too complex for this senior woman.  I've read too many nightmares where people who know what they are doing couldn't get the photos/videos off the card into their computers or phones.  I need something easy.  Just would like a video or 2 that I am really proud of and some great stills.  Just got back from a cruise that went to Bonaire and Curacao and the snorkeling was outstanding.  Going back next Feb. on an ABC cruise and would love a great camera.  Going on my next cruise 4/22/23 so really thinking of getting something as I can use it on the cruise and if something happens I can come home and return it.  Just a chicken to pull the punch as I've explained in a message above.  I'm really jealous of people who don't really have to think about spending $1000.00.  To me that is a big purchase and one not to be taken lightly.

4 hours ago, sight-sea-er said:

Have you considered using your cellphone?

Have not considered that b/c they are older (have 2 samsungs an S8 and S10+) and not waterproof in anyway and I don't trust the "housings" they have for them.  Can't lose my info and replacing phones is more expensive than buying an underwater camera....

I was thinking of getting a TG6 but here is what I am frightened of (yes frightened).  That I will get a dud and ruin my card with memories already on it.  That where I purchase the camera from won't be qualified for the warranty (someone on Amazon complained of that but didn't mention which vendor they got it from-maybe even Amazon themselves).  That I will go to send it back but won't be allowed to by the usps or ups because it has a Lion battery and then be stuck with a $500.00 paperweight.  That I will have to buy lots of extra batteries and a charger that have to be oem to keep warranty in tact that will cost a lot.  That I won't be able to switch out the batteries while snorkeling each day as I am out there in the water approx 3 hours per day on a beach 7+ hours without a bucket of tap water or even running water.  If I can't clean it properly how can I change batteries in the middle of the day?  So then I won't be able to use it every time I get in the water?  Not happy that I have to invest $500.00 on camera, $277 on a housing, and then numerous funds on things like lens cap and a battery charger (which IMO should be included), batteries, a case, etc.  This will wind up being a $1000 investment that I will have to get retrofitted with new gaskets every year.  Your pictures are great (yes very nice color-not the traditionally greenish from less expensive cameras) but I go on two cruises a year and that is really the only time I get to snorkel.  Am I being overly nervous?  

I wish I could just rent a camera each time and be done with it...  In fact I wish the cruise lines would just rent them and then I wouldn't even have to pack it.  Should I just bite the bullet and take the chance?  With my luck i would get it all set up and then they would announce the arrival the the next best thing...

I am looking for a good camera I can take snorkeling without breaking the bank so no $1500+ housings please. Someone said get an Olympus T6 with the optional housing so in case of a failure you are still covered.  What do you use and why?  thanks

I used to book with Travel guard but now they are allianz and just from listening to their announcements prior to buying new insurance they sound more difficult to use.  Has anone been able to confirm this?

21 hours ago, mahdnc said:

 

I have seen the Hot Glass Class on sale, but CaroleSS's advice is very good: book now and if you see a sale afterward, you can always cancel and rebook to lock in the savings. 

 

My family made the wavy bowl as well as several other pieces on Christmas Day 2019 while on Solstice. We packed it very carefully in our carry-on luggage and managed to get off the ship at Sydney and flew home to Chicago without breaking it. The Hot Glass Class doesn't offer anything to pack it in other then maybe some bubble wrap. So you're pretty much on your own. If you know that you're going to make a wavy bowl ahead of time (we didn't), you can at least come prepared with materials and a plan. If you'd like, I can measure the dimensions of our wavy bowl if you're thinking of bringing some kind of rigid box or container to house it in. 

 

 Yes, if you could supply the approximate dimensions that would be helpful.  I have quite a while until this cruise and am sure I will order something from Amazon that would be appropriate to take it home in.  Would be heartbroken if it broke.

One last series of questions:  I see right now that there is a 5% discount (113.99 for one and 208.99 for two).  Do the prices ever go down? Or am I better off just securing my spot now and not worry about additional money off? 

For anyone who has made the wavy bowl: How hard was it getting it off the ship?  I am an overpacker but do self assist when leaving.  Will I be able to safely pack this in my luggage or be prepared to somehow carry this off with my third hand?  LOL 

Hubby and I just booked our first Celebrity cruise aboard Equinox for 2024.  I am very interested in these hot glass classes but have lots of questions.  How many people are in the class at the same time (I get that we will not all be blowing at the same time from SusieAV8R).  Can we both be in there at the same time?  How many others will be with us?  Is the 20 minutes for each person to "create" their piece or the whole group together?  Is this done during sea days or will I be forced to do this on port days?  I'm trying to wrap my head around this but have no schema on what actually goes on.  Can someone who has taken the class please tell me how it works?  Thanks in advance

Was the snorkeling good?  This sounds right up my alley but I would hate to go to a resort where there is no reef from the beach.  Thanks

I don't like the slot machines and don't like that table games (unless you bet big) don't gather as many points as the slots do.  I probably drop more money in the casino than the average slot player yet they get the offers and I get zip.  I sail Royal Caribbean.  Not fair.