Saturngrl

Thank you for this information. I am not a beach person, so I will be happy to enjoy the other offerings on Labadee before claiming hot tub space on the ship. :rolleyes:

I agree with Park n' Go. We had a great experience with them, as did the friends who sailed with us and a relative who sailed on a different cruise a few weeks later. Even though there were 9 ships in port on the day we sailed, they delivered fast and wonderful service!

P.S. the monkeys at the entrance were darling!

I'm with most of the other people who have posted on this thread. When we arrive to our cabin, the first thing is to wipe EVERYTHING down with antiseptic wipes. We then unpack our carry-ons. Whenever our luggage arrives, we immediately unpack (but we don't wait in the cabin for the luggage).

Happy cruising!

Personally, I go by a nickname and hate being called by my first name. Every cruise I introduced myself to various crew members, most of whom remembered my nickname. To help, on my last cruise, I had personalized stateroom door magnets made for each person in my party. They LOVED the magnets and we had fun switching them or moving them around our stateroom doors. The stewards joined in the fun and always addressed me by my preferred nickname.

I've sailed Carnival, RC and Celebrity and can report receiving great service on all three cruiselines. :)

In Lean business practice, every time a product is used, it "pulls" the next item to the shelf. This prevents overstocking of inventory and waste in the system.

RC is probably conducting the same practice as your local grocery store and manufacturing plant. This keeps costs down for their customers who can enjoy a cruise for a reasonable cost. It also keeps the price of drink packages down...yay!

Add me to the list of Bonine fans on this site! The last two of my total four cruises involved sailing in the Atlantic with some rough seas. I start Bonine 25 mg twice daily at least 48 hours before sailing. While on the ship, I found green apples and ginger tablets helped seal the deal to prevent any major motion sickness.

I also admit to drinking a medicinal amount of champagne in the morning (mimosas!) and having an adult beverage every few hours through a sea day. The alcohol serves as a Central Nervous System depressant, just like the Bonine. I am easily prone to motion sickness, but thanks to this regimen, I am a seasoned cruiser and can't wait for my next cruise!

It's a mixed bag for sure.

On my first cruise on Carnival Legend in 2013, I purchased a Fossil watch that was $20 less than in my local department store.

Second cruise on Celebrity Constellation in 2014, I purchased a gorgeous Bulova for $100 that sold for $300 in my local department store.

Third and fourth cruises (Royal Caribbean FOS 2016 and Celebrity Sillhouette in 2016) I purchased Anne Kleins for approximately $10-$25 less than in my local department store.

My favorite watch is Invicta---I currently own 15 Invicta watches and bought them all online. Both RCI and Celebrity sold Invictas for much higher prices than World of Watches, EvineLive, Amazon and even the Invicta store at my local mall!

Do your homework before you sail...the bargains are out them on board ship. :rolleyes:

Nice to know it's possible to meet someone during a cruise. I've attended the singles meet n' greet on several cruises but found them lacking in male attendance.

Will try it again on my next cruise....yay!

Great words of wisdom from so many! I recently cruised for the first time since being diagnosed as diabetic last August. When I was diagnosed, I decided I would do my best to reverse the diabetes and, with help (doctor, diabetes nutritionist and fitness trainer), I was able to enjoy my recent cruise.

Making good food choices is fairly easy when counting carbohydrate exchanges. Exercise is a MUST on a cruise: this last cruise I was able to take the ship's stairs 80% of the time (elevator for distances higher than 8 decks) and worked out in the gym almost every day. My glucose readings continued in the normal range (both fasting and post-prandial) and, despite my enjoying LOTS of great food, I LOST 2 pounds!!! :o

YOU CAN DO IT!!! Enjoy your cruise!

Are the muster stations on Oasis outside, where they line you up to stand, or inside, where you are allowed to sit?

We're sailing the Oasis next February and will have side-by-side cabins. Do the partitions open between the oceanview balconies?

We did this on our recent Celebrity cruise (4 adjoining cabins) and had several parties for our group of 8 on the balcony on sea days. :rolleyes:

Just back two weeks ago from a week on the Silhouette. I don't know what the expectations from the negative reviewers were, but our experience was outstanding! I LOVE Celebrity! There's something about 5-star living and stellar service that one cannot dislike.

We upgraded from the Classic to the Premium drink package before we boarded---great decision! We had fabulous martinis, great wines, wonderful specialty teas, all without worrying about the price. The Lawn Club Grille, the Porch and QSine are not to be missed!

We loved playing Bocce on the lawn on the top deck. We had massages at Port charges early one morning. After our massages, we lounged in the spa's relaxation area, sipped tea and had front-row seats while we docked in St. Kitt's. AMAZING!

We are sailing on the Oasis in February 2017 from Port Canaveral....very excited! It's a newer, nicer port than its current berth and shorter drive for those of us from Central Florida and north.

I was on this sailing as well. My friend and I booked the specialty dinner package when we boarded the ship. We found every specialty restaurant well-worth the $36 we paid for each (in the package). Lawn Club Grill and QSine were the BEST. Murano and Tuscan Grill also were wonderful and all restaurants had service far superior to the Main Dining Room.

Yes, this ship is fraught with constant, pushy sales pitches. They almost seemed disappointed when we told them we already had the Premium drink package and reservations in all the specialty restaurants. The sales people were very helpful and I still dream of purchasing a floating diamond ring when my own personal ship comes in.....

Regarding the lawn....there's nothing like a fierce Bocce competition while sipping Bellinis up there.....

We had a great time!!!

Just got off the Silhouette last Sunday from Cabin 9257. Yes, there are lifeboats below your cabin, but the view itself is unobstructed. The boats in no way hinder your balcony experience....we loved it!

I love living the 5-star life! Yes, I enjoy cocktail attire on formal/elegant chic nights. I also dress nicely for dinner every night.

Yes, I wear business attire 5 or more days a week, church attire on Sundays and casual whenever I can between those times. I work 50+ hours a week and subsequently enjoy the fruits of these labors.

Enjoy living life YOUR way, be it casual, upscale, or other!

I'm the Queen of Seasickness and have discovered the following formula to work well:

Starting 48 hours before sailing, begin Meclazine (Bonine) 25 mg. every 12 hours. Supplement this during the cruise with imbibing from the Premium drink package through the day, beginning with a Mimosa in the morning and ending with wine with dinner at night. Both the Meclazine and alcohol are Central Nervous System depressants, which will help prevent seasickness.

Last year, we were on some rocking seas in the Atlantic and ginger pills helped supplement my usual regimen.

I am not a fan of the patch. It's Scopolamine and has potentially dangerous side effects, including the contacts event previously posted, dry mouth and withdrawal symptoms. Not worth it to me....

Hope this info helps....

According to Port Everglades' ship schedule, Equinox is assigned to Terminal 18 this week. Hope this helps...

Has anyone ever experienced the Five Senses meal in Murano? My friend and I are considering doing this, probably while the ship is in port. Me thinks we may be able to negotiate a discounted price while the ship is docked in port and few people will dine on the ship that evening.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Passport, Credit Card and X-press pass, PLUS:

• If you purchased any packages, services, upgrades etc. and they're not printed on your x-press pass, bring printed documentation. Example: I have Classic drink package on my X-press pass, but have paid for an upgrade to Premium. I'm bringing my receipt when I check in at the port, as well as the receipt for the cheese tray I ordered for our stateroom embarkation day.
  
• Travel insurance ID card (not for checking in on the ship,but for general trip purposes)
  

On our upcoming sailing on the Silly in February, my cabinmate and I will request:

1. Twin beds (if not already configuered that way)

2. Ice in the bucket

3. Sharps container for our glucometer needles (we both watch our glucose carefully)

Enjoy your cruise!

Great hints from everyone, so far!

Just a few more:

• If you plan to use a credit card in port, be sure to notify your bank of the dates and places you'll be. This will avoid them investigating any potential fraud and protect you if your card is lost/stolen in a port of call.
  
• I always go above and beyond the pre-paid gratuities. I budget approximately $100 for MDR waiters, a special bartender or two, stateroom steward and anyone else who makes my cruise special.
  
• If you gamble, be sure to set (and stay with) a budgeted amount of cash.
  
• I agree there isn't much to purchase that's special in the way of souveniers in the Carribean. I do buy vanilla when visiting Mexico, rum in Puerto Rico, and usually some liquor. art or other item not available in the U.S.A.
  
• If you're into watches, jewelry or gold, the ships usually have great prices. Just be very knowledgeable about existing prices where you live, to comparison shop (much like buying from outlet stores).
  

Enjoy your cruise!

My support turkey.

LOL!!! Great quip from a previous forum post!!! Thank you for the laugh of my day!

I was diagnosed Type II in August. My glucometer will be in my carry-on. I agree that consulting with a Diabetes Dietician will be helpful to you. I've also been working with a professional trainer at my gym, who is helping me achieve some fitness goals in regard to my upcoming cruise. My cabin-mate and I have agreed we will plan time each day in the ship's gym, and will take the stairs on board, whenever possible.

In my past cruises, I have never gained weight because I prefer the stairs to the elevators. This cruise, it is anticipated I will lose at least 1 pound or more, thanks to the combination of diet and exercise.

Hope you and your DW enjoy your next cruise....with good food/drink choices and exercise....you'll have a blast!

I'm on that sailing as well...we leave on a Sun. Would you know if that's the assigned terminal for both departure and arrival? :eek: Or is that info not known until closer to sail date? I looked on my docs and online, but couldn't find specific terminal info.

According to Port Everglades' ship schedule, the Silhouette sails out of Terminal 25. The ship schedule is available via Port Everglades' website. I'll be on the ship February 14th and can't wait!

Terminal 29 is currently regularly used for one small RC ship, one day a week. Otherwise, it's assigned to cargo ships. Hope this helps.