Plantcrone

I can't tell you how much I appreciated yout attempt to pull this thread back on topic. As I posted in the very first post of the thread..I know the dangers if too much sun but I wasn't interested un taking a Caribbean cruise and never going in the sun..what a waste for me.

My base tan did exactly what I wanted. I never burned while snorkeling our swimming or walking around. I only laid out in the sun twice and then for just an hour in the AM. And I came home with somr color to my pale skin but NO BURN..which was the point. I used sunscreen but didn't freak out about it. Cautious tanning was a good decision and since this is mt first experience with a tanning bed, I hardly think I'll get skin cancer from it..actually it was agreed to by my doctor since he'd seen me burned after trips to central America when I got a terrible fever blister in my lip that needed medication.

I too have gotten burned in the scalp so I always wear a hat un the sun. This made a fun trip better for me and if I ever cruise to the sunny latitudes again I'll tan again.

Plantcrone

Well...I was able to take my own favorite of scotch in my luggage. I put it into soft vinyl containers ans out each in a sock in checked luggage..no problem getting it thru though others who tried to bring bottles had them confiscated.

For the happy hour drink, I chose Jamison's after trying all the under $6.00 bourbon/whiskeys they had available and liked the Jamison's better than anything else available. At the dinner table I splurged for the MacCallam 12year old @$12.00 + their added in sur charge.

I found a nice bartender in the crows deck who would pour me very generous drinks after starting Sunday night with a $5.00 tip and tipping a buck or two for every happy hour which was 4:30-5:30 as we had a 5:30seated dinner in the MDR nightly this worked out nicely for me The last 2 days he poured me MacCallam doubles for Jamison's price at the end of happy hour. He got a generous tip the last evening. And I got to try all the scotches the ship had. I have to say their selection is quite limited. I'm going to write to the office and make some comments about the allowance given for wine drinkers that isn't available to other liquor drinkers.

HAL puts in lovely dinners, the ship was beautifully decorated and grand daughter lived the kids social club. Both she and I got seasick one night..our seas were very choppy several days in a row a d the ship was full of people who were suffering seasickness..me included for a couple of days. I don't much drink during the day so it wasn't liquor causing my distress but the big waves and the ship going up and down.

All in all a good time..I'd do it again

Elle

My Christmas holiday Caribbean Cruise was full of pale skinned ladies who were determined to get a tan in a week. By Christmas day the red skin matched the plethora of red dresses. I simply put SPF 15 on and continued to get a tiny more bit of color. I only went out to "tan" by the pool from 9:00 to 11:00 and for no more than an hour in the morning. There is so much to do that I didn't want to spend my whole day by the pool.

We had some very choppy seas and I wasn't prepared for motion sicknrss..never had it before. The front desk carried a version of OTC motion sickness tablet tad I discovered I wasn't alone in my request for crackers and grapes and green apples to treat the whole thing. As much as I enjoyed the cruise I wouldn't want to go thru this again. I'll have to talk to my dic about getting a patch for next cruise. My daughter wants all of us to come for their 20 th anniversary cruise party in 6 years. We want to do the Panama Canal over 20 days..start in FLL and end in Seattle. We can take a train home from Seattle rather than do another 14 hour flight

I'd consider a Baja Mexico Sea of California cruise alone or a river boat cruise but I'm a bit insecure about a Mediterranian cruise by myself.

I did have a fall down the stairs one day when we were at sea and the waves were very choppy. And I ended up with awful inner ear motion sensing all day today..been down most if the day as I'm tending to fall down. Bummer.

I did have a lot of fun, had fun being social and discovered that cruise ships are full of friendly people who love to chat..no one is a stranger on a cruise ship. Sharing the stateroom with grand daughter was great..we all took turns keeping her at night so everyone got to see shows go to the spa or, like I did, hang out with the one man who showed up for single social hour. Of course he was 36 and as I commented, I have purses older than he is, or Greatful dead albums older than he is..but we both drank scotch and he and his sister were great fun. He was supposed to come with a girlfriend but she broke up with him so he brought his sister..she was a kick too.

Lots of great food, good tours though everything was closed Xmas Day. Really the only negative were the choppy seas which the cruise director said were unusual for that week. Next time I won't take a chance and will start prior to leaving on medication.

Full review later

Hugs

Elle

Thanks gal..what a great pic you have posted for your profile on CC.

It's madness here! Between daughter and I we are running around going crazy, trying to work time for mani/pedi, haircut etc..arranging for dog sitters-shes much more excitable than I am but I can catch it from her.

We had grand daughters dance companies big Holiday show last night..I sure don't know where this child got her athletic talent from, but it isn't my side of the family..She takes 2 different gymnastics classes and 2 different dance classes and got invited to participate with the older girls..junior high school age-and she is in the 3rd grade!-to dance with them just a month before the recital so she had to work hard to learn the routine..it was so great though..and much of the family came to see it…she is such a flexible cutie!

Guess what-I found my dresses and the dry cleaners will have them friday for me-they were in the bottom of my recycle grocery bags..here in Portland, there is a new law that you have to have your own recycled grocery bags so everyone has bags of bags to take to the store. Apparently I had put them into a bag to take to the cleaners and then folded the rest of the bags on top. I went to the store Sunday and there they were, on the bottom of the grocery bags.

I don't worry about jewelry-I sell jewelry and make whatever I want out of my beads or turquoise and coral. I have much too much jewelry! I'm not going to take my diamond earrings because i tend to take earrings off in the middle of the night and set them on the nightstand-then they get lost..I have enough jewelry for every woman on the ship!

Be well and pics for sure when I get home..gotta remember to pack the camera-right!

MacCallan isn't offered on the 'Drinks in your cabin' list thats posted online..you know-the packages you can buy ahead of time for set-up in your room?

I needed to call HAL today and make sure my low salt, no wheat medical issues are on file and was bemoaning the lack of nice single malt scotches available in my room..I said I'd be willing to pay the ships price for the bottle with a 6 pack of soda..not that I use it, but grand daughter likes plain soda water.

The very nice woman I spoke with put in a special order for me to have MacCallan in my room..and made sure my food issues were on file and would be addressed.

I guess it just goes to show that asking nicely can get you something a bit different. None of the liquor in the package deals was to my liking..I even bought airline bottles of the blended scotches that HAL offered en suite just to see if there was anything I could drink..there wasn't.

I guess if you just ask for what you want all they can say is "no" and they may just say "yes"!!!!

I have a week to go..leaving for Fla on 12/19 and sailing out on 12/22. We are considering doing Disneyland for a day or so but my ex husband wants us to come visit him so he can meet his 8 year old grand daughter..maybe I'll go to Disneyland by myself…visit with the ex doesn't sound like a good start to vacation relaxation.

Thanks for all the help from you Single Malt Scotch drinkers. It was very appreciated.

I'm on this ship as I'm typing. There is no reason that you can't go to the lido and get whatever you want - the menu is huge everyday. All shapes, sizes and description.

The room service menu has been shared. I had gastric bypass. Cruises are perfect

Thanks for this note..I was sure there were others in the same position as I am. I've worked so hard for so long keeping the weight just right I dread gaining or losing too much!

Good for your husband!

I didn't realize the MDR and the Lido were different things..it's going to be a real learning experience! I thought the primary eating area was buffet and then there were all these specialty cost extra restaurants. I do want to try the buffet some time..I know we are going to one of the specialty restaurants for My son-in-laws father (what does that make jim to me? is there an actual name for him other than s-i-l's father?) anyhow it's his 70th birthday one of the nights were on the ship. It ought to be fun to have a celebration on board.

Best wishes everyone

Thanks, Heather, for all your support. You're right-I've packed and unpacked about as often as I tan! I've never found my mother of the bride dresses..I don't know where they went to. I probably put them in a bag to take to the dry cleaner the week I was sick and stashed the bag someplace. In any case, daughter found me several of her dresses that are a bit young for me but fit like a dream..they are the ones she bought in Hawaii on her Honeymoon, 10 years ago! But Hawaiian style dresses never go out of style..they aren't mu-mus they are more asian/hawaiian style with tropical flower prints. She also found me a great Christmas Red jersey dress to take-very easy to pack these things, much easier than the mother of the bride dresses. No doubt I'll find them when I get home.

Yep my base color is fine..I wouldn't want it to be any more tan than it is..I'll never be a copper tone girl..If only these freckles would get together I'd be a lovely color!

I will report on my trip when we get home..which will be New Years Eve day. I tried to talk her into staying and going to Disney world for New Years Eve..but daughter says she want's to come home. I'm used to taking long vacations-being retired, I've gone for months in Costa Rica. She's got a business to run and hubby has to go back to work, and of course grand daughter will have to go back to school. The only thing I could do is visit my ex husband..NOT!

Be well and have a great holiday up there in the cold part of the northwest.

I bought an tanning intensifier to go with my tanning bed experience. I'm only going every 3rd day but I've worked up to 10 minutes in the stand up bed.

I have a nice collection of freckles on my nose.

Actually I'm using a SPF 18 on my face when I'm in the booth so I have some color with the freckles.

I was putting makeup on last weekend and realized my face wasn't my makeup color any more..had to buy a medium beige foundation instead of light.

I think I'll get a new one just before I leave thats a shade darker..gotta cover those freckles up!

All in all I'm very glad I decided to use the tanning bed prior to my cruise. I've been reading the weather and it's quite hot..after all it's the middle of tropical summer now! I feel a bit strange standing naked in the stand up tanner but like it much better than the lay down one.

I got offered a 50% off discount to extend my 1 month membership and declined. I don't use it enough and won't use it until I go to the caribbean again . Since I lost a crown a few days ago (rats), I know I'll be back in Costa Rica for dental work next year but it won't be summer when I go so no worries about the sun. I'll have an implant instead of a crown I'm sure..it's so inexpensive there.

Thanks for almost all the replies..at least for the positive ones…We are leaving to fly to Florida on the 19th but not sailing until the 22nd. we don't want to have to rush rush rush and daughter got a good room price in Ft Lauderdale.

I have a list of things to pick up prior to going on the ship..like a case of bottled water for the family and a pair of flip flops for beach wear and just leave. Not worth packing and I'm sure they are more available there in Fla. not so much in the Great Northwest right now. We got a dog sitter lined up and are anxiously waiting to go.

I was a swimming instrctor when i was in my teens, 20s and 30s and have the skin and the skin cancers to prove it. I wish I had known then what i know now. STAY OUT OF THE SUN as much as you can.

And I was a surfer and water skier in So California until I moved to oregon at age 35..I also got the skin cancer and have had surgery.

I know that I will be in the sun because I am a water baby. I spoke with my dermatologist, who has lectured me about burning..which is worse than an occasional light tan.

Saying "Stay out of the sun" isn't practical on a Caribbean cruise. It's no different than saying don't over eat on your cruise. I appreciate your comment but obviously you didn't read my initial posting on the subject.

If you talk to any dermatologist, they will tell you that a burn is worse than a light tan any day. I haven't been in the sun to tan for 25 years and have no sign of cancer since my initial experience. I'm not going to spend my cruise inside my cabin hiding from the sun, just like I go to the beach when I travel to Central America. Burning in the tropics is much worse than a bit of base tan, which is what I have now. I feel better too. There may be something to that Vitamin D theory about tanning beds.

I wondered about the whys of some of these suggestions. For example, when I was in the nursing home I used a walker. I get the impression that walkers and wheelchairs aren't all that rare on HAL cruises as there are rules about leaving them in the hallways etc. So when using a walker or a cane someone is usually much slower than others no so disabled. What is wrong with going around this person, especially if you're not interested in the food they are stopped at.

I'm also a bit confused about the MDR-Main Dining Room? Is that a buffet or is it like a restaurant? We have early seating..daughters decision..but I couldn't tell if that means we are served our meals or if it's a buffet line.

There is so much to learn about cruising! I'm getting really excited about going-tanning every 3 days so I don't burn aboard ship.

So much to look forward to

Hi Katzpur..I'm in your relative age group and going on my first cruise in a week ..Flying into FLL then doing the Caribbean.

It was mentioned, correctly, that seasons are opposite in the central american and caribbean area. I usually go to Mexico or Costa Rica in February because I'm sick of winter and want sun. You'll be heading to the area in 'early fall' aka 'The Green Season' which might mean rain, rain and more rain. You might want to rethink your timeline or destination.

We booked this Santa at Sea cruise as a family holiday present and during school vacation for my grand daughter..I believe if you avoid going during school vacation times you'll not be in with the party crowd. My daughter, who is 38, cruises HAL and says I'll feel comfortable as there will be lots of seniors, but there will also be families and youngsters..a nice mix of generations.

I hope HAL's not an 'old Fogey line' as is often mentioned but is a nice mix of ages.

I guess I misread the 'Suggestions' , which were worded quite sternly, as Rules. Glad to hear that they aren't and flexibility is allowed.

This is the current cabin room service menu -- there should be a copy of it your cabin inside what appears to be an open book with all kinds of ship information -- sitting usually on the cabin desk:

 

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Thank you so much for this list..it's very helpful

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1514&et_cid=1138338&et_rid=96586027

The article is sort of a common sense list of being polite at buffets and was informative for me..but CC calls it RULES so I was under the impression it was exactly that.

New cruisers like me really don't have a clue as to how cruises work. I've spend several months reading the boards here and usually end up even more confused.!!

Thanks for the info about 24 hour service. And for the info about a fruit bowl. I really was concerned that I'd have to try and stuff myself at meals, then get sick and stay in bed for a couple of days.

Due to digestive surgery 15 years ago, I can't/don't eat much at meals..I eat about 6 very small meals a day. I also have food allergies that I've told HAL about..nothing unusual but it makes getting sufficient nutritious calories difficult sometimes. Obviously I don't go to buffets often because of the no doggie bag philosophy, but at regular restaurants I frequently take half my meal home for next days lunch or only order appetizers.

Reading about the buffets I'm wondering how I'm going to work getting sufficient nutrition. Cruise Critic has a new "List of Rules" concerning the buffets and most of them I understand, but I can't take a munchie back to my cabin for later? A banana and half a sandwich, a fresh tomato during veggie season or some such is pretty common for me to have as an in-between meals meal.

I'm really thin as it is and can't afford to lose weight..I can see it now..!!!Elle-the only woman to lose weight on a cruise!!! but I do have to make sure I get sufficient calories in each day. I don't eat a lot of junk food..not a pizza or hamburger and fries, person..I'm lactose intolerant so no ice cream besides it's not nutritious calories…. so the quickie stands by the pool aren't going to work.

Should I tell the matre'd I intend to take a plate back to my cabin after dinner to have before bedtime? Would they make one up and cover it with plastic wrap for me? I've had that before when I was in a nursing home recovering from a hip fracture? Should I take a case of Ensure (which I hate and is full of chemicals?) or can they make protein shakes for me if I bring the protein packets?

This is a serious question..Whats the appropriate procedure for someone like me?

Fortunately it didn't rub off on my sheets, but it's sure left me streaky, especially on my legs and back, which is so hard for me to do anyhow..plus I put some sunscreen over my tattoos..I have 3-a large one on my lower back, an ankle piece and the inevitable impulse tat after meeting a tattoo artist in a cantina in Costa Rica...I started talking about what memento of Costa Rica I should get..we'd been drinking the local distilled grain alcohol (and it isn't prime Single Malt Scotch) and both of us were tipsy. I ended up getting a phoenix, which is on the label of the local beer, Imperial Cervesa. I can always tell when someone has been to Costa Rica after the see that tattoo--they come up and ask me! Most people just think it's a phoenix though, and it isn't a very good tat. Still I like to keep my tats nice and dark and sunlamps + sun fade them out! So I'm using 'fake a bake' lotion and sunscreen and it seems to be working just fine.

Yeah I hope that Kim-the newby at the salon, is history..I can understand just learning a job but she made so many mistakes with me-and I was there for so long..oh well.

Hope you like the stand up tan booth. Have lots of fun at your party!

And I've packed and unpacked about10 times...changing what I want to bring, taking things out to get the weight down. I bought large bottles of sunscreen, aloe vera gel and higher level sunscreen for my face-I freckle badly and I think freckles are cute on a kid but not a 70 year old!

Best wishes Elle

Although I'm new to cruising, I have travelled to several caribbean countries and had medical care 3 times! I always purchase travelers insurance, which covers medical care-emergency at least- I've been in medical offices in Beliez, Costa Rica and Panama and had english speaking doctors and excellent care in all 3 countries.

I wouldn't hesitate going to a doctors office or emergency hospital in a major city anywhere in the Caribbean. This is not deepest darkest Africa you're going to-these countries are set up to deal with medical issues of most types.

I've tried the laying down booth twice and the stand up tanning booth once and frankly I think I prefer the stand up one. When I purchased tanning lotion I didn't realize it was also a skin dye..again I was dealing with a new clerk who didn't know squat. I think shes been let go as she hasn't been back at the salon the 2 times I've been there.

Anyhow I'm not sure if I am getting a tan or just dying my skin with the lotion I purchased. The 2 times I've use the lay down bed, I didn't feel like I was getting any tan.not like I could tell using the stand up booth. I'll use the stand up one for 8 minutes on Sunday and se how it goes.

I discovered the lotion was a skin dye as I had a band-aid on and the lotion left a pale spot where the band aid was I could tell it was from the lotion because it was an uneven edge, like the lotion had oozed under the edges of the band-aid and the tan machine wouldn't do that.

Anyhow I'm being much more careful applying the lotion, wiping it off my fingers so I don't have weird colored lines at the fingers....I still don't look tan at all, but I've got 3 more weeks to go.

thanks for all the help-especially from middlehaitch (what is your name anyhow?)

elle

I'd bet anyone would welcome another person at the table if you want company..As I'm considering a solo cruise next year or the year after-depends-I've been reading threads that apply to that line.

Depending on how you have your dinner time set up-if you've wanted to be free to decide when you want to eat or if you've selected a set time, you have the opportunity to tell tell the hostess that you'd like to be seated with other singles, or with a family.

Speaking for my family-we always have singles to out house on thanksgiving and Christmas day dinner..I'm hoping we can meet new people on the cruise.

In any case, enjoy yourself! I envy your trip to Australia. We will be in Puerto Rica that day and I'm sure everything will be closed. Oh well-the ocean is still there.

I don't understand??

 

 

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think JulieRose is saying she was just a 'swimmer' or sperm when JFK died..at least thats what I got out of her funny post.

I went to the store-did some other running around today...I was amazed when a young lady clerking asked ME why people were talking about 50 years ago today all day.

I asked her why she asked me and she said I looked old enough to know what they were talking about.

I think, for many, especially younger people, JFK is history-before their time history. Not something they can relate to like those of us who were -at very east-alive even if we were in primary school. For those of us who were adults then it may be even more significant as we can feel the loss-the reality of losing a president so many of us had our hopes for a peaceful world- in our hearts

I went for the expensive machine that I could stand up in...the front desk person was new to the company and didn't know squat however she gave me a great deal for being patient while she called her boss leventeen-hundred times to ask questions..she didn't even know how to start the stand up machine..apparently there are 2 buttons to push start.

And she forgot to sell me eye covers...after I'd gotten all my clothes off I realized I didn't have them!

Then she said she'd give me 10 minutes to get ready and apply the super dooper lotion that I got at 50% off..I asked her for 6 minutes t0 start and she gave me 6 minutes t get ready and 10 tan minutes...not I am the original pale bodied woman and though it was difficult to read the countdown clock I could tell by how my boobs and legs were starting to get that 'too much sun' feeling so I turned the machine off..at 5 minutes.

I'm not burned but my face is ruddy and my back feels tight- I forgot to put lotion on my face!

I'l go again-for 5 minutes on Sunday, weds and friday and maybe up the time next weekend. Maybe.

I only signed up for a month even though I got the hard sell..it's way too expensive for me, even with the 'special' I got. I could have paid less for the old style machines but the new one has a deeper tanning - more like equatorial sun - according to new girl.

If the other salon wasn't even more expensive I would have gone there, but this one is very close-right next to my gym so I can go work out after tanning if I get going early enough in the morning.

Thanks everyone for all the advise.

I think all of us who were adults and who realized what was going on, no matter what political leaning we had, were in a state of shock that weekend. My family were staunch conservatives and my dad (who was sure I'd become a communist by voting democrat and working for Kennedy) was as emotionally wrecked as I was. After working that day, college classes were cancelled for the night so I went home to my folks house where we all sat and watched TV for 3 straight days. I think Walter Cronkite became the voice of the country during that time.

I had a 5 month old baby who was fussy all weekend and I just wasn't interested in being a mom right then...my husband kept wanting me to come home and I told him to come over to moms..I just couldn't leave.

It is so hard to believe it was 50 years ago tomorrow, isn't it

The HAL drink package only includes drinks that sell for under $7. This means that there are no single malt scotches you can get with the drink packages. The Scotches that sell for $6.99 would be things like JW Red, Chivas Regal, Dewars, Cutty Sark, etc.

 

Hank

Has anyone paid the difference in cash or on your prepay amount or whatever it's called? Maybe I'll just buy the flat rate $200.00 card that doesn't have a limit on it.

So many decisions..but thanks Hank for all your help

elle