Onessa

As to those posters who dis their child's pediatrian, I must say that I LOVE my DD's doctor -- he has a wonderful report with children of all ages and really goes out of his way to offer advice based upon his knowledge and training, without "judging" anyone's differences.

DD (now 14YO) went in with a sinus infection (to check it was "just" a sinus infection) -- DD had been working on a science project on anti-biotic resistent bacteria. He was very encouraging when she questioned whether the antibiotic he had suggested was "necessary" since only xx percent of sinus infections are bacterial (most are viral or mold related she tells me) and he was ok with having her use a netty pot(sp?) and waiting until the culture came back rather than starting the antibiotics that day (since her ears and throat were clear). HE called us with the results (not bacterial) and told her that she had been right.

So shop around and demand a physician that meets your needs and expectations!

I nursed DD exclusively through 12M - I expressed and she used bottles for daycare and other times I was away at feeding time. The milk would be refrigerated and she'd take the bottle right out of the fridge -- no warming.

After 12M I nursed prior to bed and in the morning but switched to whole cows milk -- in a sippy cup, straight from fridge.

Different strokes for different folks I suppose.

We've done Athens twice on cruises. First time was with taxis both ways, last time was with the train/subway. Train was 1E each, taxi 18E (with tip for three of us) - each way.

The train is very do-able, but taxis are easier. But do negotiate taxi prices with the driver BEFORE stepping into the taxi. If you take the train, read the threads here that discuss pickpockets in Athens carefully, since the train/subway are among the pickpockets favorite places. (they did get one of our traveling companions "play" wallets that had a wad of play money and a promotional blockbuster video "card" -- the guy has a wierd sense of humor :D)

It is nice to be at the Acopolis when the hoards of tour buses are not there. It is a easy walk to the National Gardens and Parliment area (changing of the guards on the hour). Platka shopping area is also very close. Very walkable.

It appears you have Kotakolan covered. There again, do whatever you can to avoid the hoards!

In Rhodes, we downloaded a walking tour for our MP3 player (15E for the download, they were ok with me putting it on all three of our players). It was a great tour and I really got a lot more out of the experience than just wandering around myself with a tour book. That took us about 2+ hours. We are not beach people but found enough spots to people watch and enough street vendors to keep us happily occupied. Since it is within easy walking distance of the ships, we ate onboard and then went back for more happy wandering. As expected, the vendors "outside" the walls are cheaper than those inside the walls.

Terry I hate to admit I am not a "real history buff" but really enjoy looking at beautiful things for just that their beauty not necessarily why they are, or how they became that way. So I am looking to enjoy many aspects of Athens, not just running from museum to museum. We love photography and that includes buildings and people. We also love to have a meal or drinks in places we visit. We love the independence of doing it on our own and usually save tours for places that are far from port or maybe safer by doing an excursions. . .

I'm with Karen on this -- much of what is beautiful in Athens is related to the history. The Acropolis area is gorgeous -- lots of details to photograph, great views from the top of the hill of the rest of the city. Be certain to take the time to explore the acroplis area below the hill (the area around the Theatre of Dionysus Eleuthereuse).

Much of the marbles and other stuff in the museums are also beautiful (even when ignoring the history :) )

Also, behind the Tomb of the Unknown solder on Amalias street, at the top of Syntagma Square is the National Garden (fka "Kings Garden"). It is beautiful and peaceful.

Don't miss the changing of the guards at the parliment building. Very cool (or as my 5YO niece described "guys carrying guns wearing skirts with pompoms on their shoes -- and the shoes clicked really loud")

The National gardens (next to parliment) are also very nice.

Treat us better immediately before and after a cruise. RCCI had "sold out" of transfers for our last cruise - so we had no choice but to arrange for our own transport. While RCCI indicated that there was a shuttle to and from Plaza Roma in Venice to the dock, they could not provide any information as to where within the plaza the bus would be or how to recognize it. Then on the debark, they indicated that the shuttle would be available -- again NO info as to where it might be (it did NOT pick up in the same spot where it dropped off) and NO indication that it did not start running until 9:00am. And no indication that no taxis bother to come by either. We schlepped our luggage and walked. The shopping consultant on board was the only person who could provide info on where we could store our luggage while on shore.

It seems to be good business sense that RCCI would like to have your cruise start out on the right foot and have your last impression of the trip be positive. Even though they are not making money with transfers or last day excursions, it still makes sense that they'd want to leave us with a positive experience.

Such a wonderful outcome! Seems bear had quite the adventure for everyone to remember. Thanks for sharing.

You know this whole mess can be solved by the cruiselines stepping up and making an infant area. . .

The issue is complying with federal health laws. Since RCCI (and most cruise lines) use sea water in their pools and drain it into the ocean - they cannot use chlorine and most other common pool chemicals. That makes the hygene issues surrounding an infant pool very difficult to deal with.

We were playing ping-pong while patiently :rolleyes: waiting to debark the VOS in Bayonne when the health inspectors came to check out the children's area pools. I have never seen so many samples and test strips and stuff in my whole life -- there were three inspectors and 4 RCCI folks. It looked like CSI had invaded!

RCCI's web site for their new ships indicate that they are actively working on this issue but do not appear to have it all nailed down. In matters of hygene I'm glad that the line errs in the way of good hygene rather than taking short cuts. In the mean time it is nice that you can at least be responsible for your own pool.

PS - loved the pics!

-oops double post. The ad gremlin got me!

Maybe we should make them really cranky and bring one big enough for US to sit in.:D Maybe we could make it a theme cruise and everyone bring their blowup pools!:D

Just be certain to bring a tux for the blowup pool for formal night!

. . . To whoever is against the babies....Lighten up! Live abit! Think about your kids? Think about your grand babies? That is a problem with our society in general. Parents not spending time with their kids and giving them positive experiences. Every child derserves that. I think that it is great that parents are doing family vacations. When you see a baby in the dining room, smile...when you see a baby in the hall, smile...when you see a baby in a blow up pool , smile.... Know that baby is LOVED . Quit being a party pooper and enjoy your vacation....because we will enjoy ours. . . .

If you follow many of the "kids/babies on board" posts, you will find many of the same folks making a fuss about any family related topic. If you follow the boards much at all, you'll also discover that many of these folks are childless (not all!) and seem to take all of the cruise "rules" far too seriously.

There does seem to be a subgroup of people in society who are so absorbed in themselves that they cannot tolerate anything even a little different. If all of the kids on board disappeared tomorrow, these are the same glass-half-full sort of folks who would need to find someone else to beat up upon.

95% of the cruising public are perfectly cool with families cruising (take a look at how many "adults-only" cruise ships and/or cruise lines are either now allowing families or have gone belly up!). Don't let the small (mean spirited) minority out there get you down -go, have fun! Best yet, practice good parenting so that these prunes have NOTHING about which to complain!!! It will drive them nuts!:D

I think many people get upset with the attitude of "entitlement". No, your child is not entitled to all of the same amenties. People in general will welcome a well behaved, polite child. If your child causes a disruption, for instance at dinner, remove them and quiet them down. Some parents are pretty oblivious to other passengers. It makes it difficult for parents who try to do the right thing.

 

Anyway, have a great trip!

I think these people who get upset that kids are passengers too, need to get a clue. Cruise lines actively court families with children. When a family pays a third/fourth pax fare OR pays full price for their kids to be in their own cabin, the kids are passengers.

There may be guidelines that prohibit the child from certain venues, but there are guidelines that prohibit other pax from certain venues as well (there are age restrictions for use of the kiddy pools, the kids program areas, purchase of alchol, etc.) Just because a child is not allowed to play craps in the casino does not mean that the child should be barred from the dining room, or from a deck chair, or from a seat in the theatre (if the show is age appropriate).

Kids are passengers - kids are people. If a child pax is poorly behaved, it should be treated no differently than when a adult pax is poorly behaved.

While I fully support the ban on non-potty trained children in the pools for the regulatory, sanitary, and liability reasons that the cruise lines cite in defending their rules; there is no reason for children to be treated like steerage-class passengers (and they are not).

If a passenger chooses to bring a small blow up pool for their toddler - takes responsiblity for the pool (it's inflation, deflation and storage), strategically places the pool so that it is not impeding flow of pedestrians, and responsibly fills and empties said pool - there in no reason why the pax should be prohibited from doing so.

I've seen adult pax set up for games or event just for visiting in such a way as to 'misuse' deck space (making it impossible to get past the group, using extra tables or deck chairs as "barriers", spilling food and drinks, etc.). Why go picking on a 2YO?

~~I have never seen a drain on a balcony.

 

I have - Radiance of the Sea cabin 8666 for example (just got off). All of the decks have drainage and drains - because, guess what the ocean is made out of water :D The drain may not be on your balcony but next door, scope out the situation prior to "dumping".

The kiddie pools really don't hold much water - and with an infant or toddler, you really don't want much more than an inch or two tops -- they are for splashing not for the backstroke! If you bring a sponge you should be able to remove most of the water with the same small pail or cup you filled it with and then sponge up any remainder - so you won't even need a drain

I'm an iternary person. You'd have to pay me to do an itenerary where there were a lot of sea days - I like ports. Based upon that a HI cruise on any of the Pride ships would be my pick.

The negative posts about the Pride of ships seem to come down to the folks who cruise for the "cruise experence" vs those of us who cruise 'cause it is a fun way to get from one port to the next. If you are a "cruise experience" person do the Jewel. If you are a "cruise as a great method of transportation" person, do the POHi.

It doesn't have to be reserved for just during the hours of 10:00PM to Midnight you know! :confused:

Check the kids into the kids program for a couple of hours, buy a couple of those froo-froo drinks and look deeply into each other's eyes. If it is 2:00PM or 7:00PM, what do you care?

I've seen parents with these. I do not believe any line has a rule against them. Common sense would indicate that you would need to find one of the less popular spots in which to set it up (if you do it on deck) and that you'd go with one pretty small.

As to blowing it up, I assume either by mouth or bring a hand pump. As to draining it, set up near a drain - the are all over the place on deck (how else could they 'swab' the decks :) ).

I don't know that I'd count on the ship providing one.

It's about the only time I lose weight (average of about a pound a day) - The dining room serves appropiate sized portions with a variety of foods. They make it easier to eat fruits and veggies rather than junk food. Don't conciously exercise while on a cruise, but we like sightseeing and tend to walk and hike alot so it evens out.

Subhash from India on Radiance (AK 6/03). He had a daughter back home the same age (within 3 days) our our daughter who was travelling with us - He made our DD feel so very special.

Been through Phillips multiple times on our way "south". We live just outside of Cornucopia - Applefest weekend is generally a good weekend to visit the twinkie cities!

No tanning booths for me - I'd just end up deep fried to a crackly-crisp!

We're from Northernmost WI (Bayfield Co.). One DD (now 9) - five cruises with her.

We only cruise to the "cooler" spots - Baltic, AK, Maritime provinces (geez, I can see Ontario across the lake - it's a clear day, but I can't spell province?). But this year we're heading to HI on NCL Pride of America. - I'm hoping the palm trees provide adequate shade:D !

The good thing about being from the northlands, is that I never need a nightlight, as my legs are SO white that they glow in the dark!

Anything interesting to buy in Sitka? Any shops I shouldn't miss?

Sitka has a lot of Russian Heritage shops - like everywhere else, check the origins tags and/or ask - you don't want to be buying matrushka dolls made in China! You'll find the Russian stuff in other ports, but Sitka's generally got the best. Be certain to check out the Orthodox Catherdal and Bishop's quarters - nice, genuine orthodox icons.

In general in AK, I collect prints from local artists and have gotten several native carved items (a really cool 'moon face' charm carved from fossilized mamoth tusk). Move a few blocks in from the main street and away from the port and you'll find the better shops.

Just FYI for one of the earlier posters - they are not "eskimo" dolls, typically the dress that I've seen on those dolls is Inuit, there are other tribes as well. Talk to the shop keepers and get some information on what you are getting so that you can share some of the heritage with the folks to whom you are giving. Collectively, you may want to refer to them as Native American (or in Canada as First Peoples)