my3guys

The way I read it, Sammy won the game but didn't receive his prize. Kinda like winning the race but not getting the medal.

Whether or not Sammy knew it was taped down, and whatever the prize may be, it's still pretty shady of the video game owner/operator/contractor to knowingly rig or manipulate a kids arcade game.

Binoculars

Soda package (if they drink soda)

My parents went on a cruise this past spring with three other couples. They usually fly in the day before, but flew in very early on the morning of the cruise and fortunately made it with several hours to spare. However, one of the couples who were supposed to cruise with them OVERSLEPT and missed their flight! They didn't even bother to find a way to meet the ship (I think they were embarrassed).

If they had flown in the day before and overslept, they would have all been on that ship together. So sad because this would have been that couples' first cruise.

I grew up in Va. Beach...my friend had a small sailboat, and off we went one day...coming back to shore, we were surrounded by dolphins....close enough to touch...they were keeping pace with us (and looking at us!) and so close, we had to pull up the keel! Now THAT was an "encounter"!

My husband and I grew up in VB also! He's told me stories of when he would go out surfing, the dolphins would play in the water near him and his surf buddies. We once went parasailing near the 1st street jetty and we looked down and saw a small pod of dolphins jumping through the water below us :)

IMHO, the best place to encounter a dolphin is in their natural habitat, not in a concrete prison.

For the beach, I bought a 6' steel cable tie-out for dogs at the dollar store and I secure it through our backpack zippers. Then I wrap it around a lounger or tree and lock it with a combination lock. It's not exactly theft-proof but it's worked well at keeping our things safe. As for shopping in port, I always wear a dry sundress type coverup.

One other note, don't have him wear camouflage in the islands. That is a major issue, especially on adults.

Wow, I had no idea! For all the times we've been on cruises and land-based vacations in the Caribbean, this is certainly news to me. I guess I won't be packing the camo shorts now :(

We love BOTH so we alternate between our favorite AI in Cancun one year and then go on a cruise the next year.

If one of your ports of call is Puerto Rico or the USVI, you can wait until then. We have Verizon and did that in PR to call our parents.

Yes --- South of The Border --- worth a stop; but it is such a circus, it somehow reminds me of that post-apocalyptic trading post in "Road Warrior - Beyond Thunderdome".

I visited there a few times as a kid on our way from Virginia to Tampa to see our cousins. Yeah, it's pretty "kitschy" but my boys love it. We always stop for ice cream and later go to the top of the sombrero. It's become somewhat of a tradition for us since we drive to Orlando every couple of years to see Mickey.

You did the right thing.

Your husband will enjoy your balcony as well and the privacy for the 2 of you.

 

I agree! We couldn't afford to do a separate vacation this year for just hubby and I, so having our own cabin across the hall from the kids (and utilizing the kids club, which they both love) is the next best thing ;)

We are driving to Port Canaveral for our cruise in June. But when we cruised out of Miami last November, we flew.

We figured since we are driving 14+ hours (with a halfway stop in South Carolina and the always obligatory visit to South of the Border), and since we are already there, we would spend a week at Disney/Universal before our cruise. After our week at WDW, we are driving to my in-laws' house in Palm Bay (one hour away from PC) and leaving our car there.

We live ninety minutes from Baltimore and hope to cruise out of there one day soon. Just waiting for the right ship and/or itinerary.

Thanks, rstout! I didn't know that was an option. I wish I had because there was a cruise to Nassau that I had my eye on. It would have been great to take our younger son there, as he's never been. I'll definitely keep that in one in mind ;)

I would also suggest Comfort Suites (we stayed there for eight nights and had full access to the Atlantis); however, since the OP is only in port from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m., then this would not be practical as check-in is usually 3 p.m.

Maybe you can call the Comfort Suites and see if they offer a day pass as opposed to actually "checking in". I do agree that the Atlantis excursion prices the cruises are charging are outrageous! You really have to be there all day to justify the cost.

Hi

I can't help with your question, sorry! But I just wanted to say that I hope you do make it out to the Caribbean and have a wonderful cruise (in whatever mode of transport you choose). Safe and happy travels to you!

We went on a Disney cruise during Thanksgiving and did the Atlantis beach day (no pools or waterslides as our son was only two at the time). It was windy that day so they closed the beach :mad: They did; however, take us to a small "lake" where my son was able to go in the water and play in the sand.

I'm subscribing to this thread and taking lots of notes ;)

The thing that annoys me are the people who not only "hog" chairs, but hog extra chairs.

I have seen a party of two put stuff on 4 chairs and no one uses the other chairs.

 

Barb

I read on a Cancun forum that someone at an all-inclusive resort went out early one morning and put yellow caution tape around a bunch of chairs. Not sure when that person's posse finally showed up but, as Stephanie Tanner would say: "How rude!" (my teen and tween love that show).

Do yourself a favor and carry it on. On a cruise a few years ago, my mother had a bottle break in her checked baggage. All of her clothes were soaked in it.

We are red wine drinkers and were so afraid this would happen to us! We bought two "Wine Skins" and they worked like a charm. I would have preferred that they were reusable, but they were definitely worth it.

As bad as I want a balcony, I think you're right. I'm not sure of the space difference. I don't think it's much.

 

Oh, 17 and 11

If you really want the balcony cabin, see if you can find one with the most square feet. Our family of four did that last year and it was fine (after all, we're only in the room to sleep). The balcony is nice and does make the room feel bigger.

As far as showering, maybe one or two of you could use the showers at the gym or spa? I've never done this myself but I've read many posts where families split up and it's worked out well for them. I even read that those showers are a lot bigger than the ones in the cabin.

We bring trail mix and turkey/beef jerky for port visits. Great for a no-excursion, souvenir shopping day. I will probably bring some Crystal Light or MIO for my water to save calories so I can have just one more fruity cocktail ;)

Any chance you can swing a balcony or an ocean view for the adults and an interior for the kids? With kids that age, two rooms would better

I concur. We will have a balcony room for me and my husband and an interior promenade room directly across the hall for our two boys. With the four of us in one room, bathroom space, and space in general, is very limited. If the cost of an ocean view and an interior is not much more than one, I would do two cabins, especially with a teen. Ours will probably end up sleeping in until noon anyway.

We did a Disney cruise when our older son was two-and-a-half and only paid port fees and taxes as his fare. It was our first cruise: in a porthole room for four nights. We were there during the holidays and the entire ship was beautifully decorated. It was a wonderful experience and one we will never forget. Unfortunately, Disney cruise fares have become cost prohibitive.

We have found other cruise lines that offer great itineraries and on-board amenities. We enjoyed Disney's Castaway Cay but absolutely loved Carnival's Half Moon Cay. We are very much looking forward to the Flow Rider, rock climbing wall, and ice skating rink on the Freedom of the Seas. With the more affordable rates of the other cruise lines, we are able to get a promenade room for our boys AND a balcony room across the hall for me and my husband for SEVEN nights.

We are not doing a Disney cruise, but since we will already be in Florida for our RCCL cruise, we are spending a week at WDW before our cruise from Port Canaveral.

Win/Win

Thanks for the reassurances. We will stick to the original plan and have breakfast at our resort in Orlando and a late lunch on the ship! :)