Grandma Dazzles

We use a variety of airline and hotel credit cards, plus have a RC card. Charge all our purchases, plus DH used to travel extensively on business and earned a lot of points. Used the RC card strictly for cruise purchases and for a few months prior to a cruise to get some OBC.

Some time ago did check into Capital One (they are always sending applications), at the time I checked, I did not like their airline reimbursement. It was pretty simple - you pay a dollar amount - say $200 for a fare - I understood that would cost 20,000 points. Trouble is that few air fares are that cheap. Most of the ones we get are in the $500-$600 range, which would mean 50,000 or more points. Airline frequent flyer miles were less (in most cases), especially when you book pretty far out and can take advantage of a super-saver- type airline mile deal.

We have done several cabin crawls and all have been a lot of fun.

We have done several variations - all similar to what was already mentioned. Most of them have begun with an inside stateroom and worked their way up to a large suite (if you are fortunate enough to have someone offer to let everyone view the suite). We also had stayed in the suite afterwards for a small party - ordering room service snacks.

We also did one in conjunction with a slot pull - after finishing we went to the casino - all chipped in $10 and did a slot pull - again a great mixer and a lot of fun.

In all cases everyone went to all the cabins .... we kind of snaked through the hallways ... probably laughing and singing along the way! It was mid day so hopefully didn't wake anyone! The people whose cabin was next headed up the line and opened up their cabin and then went to the end of the line.

We did let our room steward know we were coming - he made a delightful "dummy" using my husband's shorts, hat, glasses, book, etc., and when you opened the door it looked like someone was sitting in the room reading!

Highly recommend .... a great way to see a variety of different rooms.

I have a feeling this isn't limited to just the cruise line tours... I'm sure the local guides help out their friends & family by making sure the tour stops at their business..

Had to comment on this - a little off the subject - but brought back many happy memories. We booked a cab driver in Barbados to give us a tour of the island - he was wonderful - we arranged the price ahead of time for a 4-hour tour and he did not disappoint us.

The fun part was when he included a drive past his home on the tour - he also stopped at his mother's home and introduced us and went and picked bananas from a tree in her yard. He did also stop at a few local businesses and also his church. I felt he probably had a "deal" going with the businesses - they knew him very well; however, he was such a great tour guide we didn't mind. We paid him the agreed price, plus a good tip.

We also took his business card and recommended him to friends and family for future trips.