srlafleur

If something were to happen to a relative (or pet) while I'm on a cruise, I wouldn't want to be notified unless there was something I would need to do (make or help with arrangements, comfort the grieving, etc.)

Obviously, it would make a difference how long and where the cruise is. If it would take days to get to the next port, make flight arrangements and fly home, and there are only a few left of the cruise, anyway, then no. What difference would it make?

If I'm a couple of days into an 18-nighter, well, that's a different story.

We selected a hotel relatively close to the terminal, but it was still lots of stairs and pulling the bags over bumpy pavers (As in Rome and other European cities, I don't know how the local women can wear stilettos!) We managed, ultimately, just fine, but it was an adventure.

The reason that they insist in dining separately is that they do not want to socialize with anyone drinking alcohol. It has been reported on this forum that they will turn their backs on people drinking wine in an elevator.

igraf

Is it wrong that I would feel the need to behave "badly" just to torque them in a passive-aggressive way?:evilsmile::rolleyes:

Since the ship is arriving the night before there should be few, if any delays in debarkation, so making a relatively early flight should be no problem whatsoever.

The 11 AM flight mentioned would be a bit more dicey if the ship were arriving that morning, but even then, I think it would be doable with a really early docking time. Potentially heart-pounding, but doable.

There is no way we could travel with anything less than a small backpack each. We did 8 days in Orlando with that, and it was fine. For toiletries, what they sell in the shops on board are extremely limited and extremely expensive. What they sell for clothing: ditto. What if they don't have your size? And do you plan to wash everything out every evening after a sweaty day ashore? That would be more of an aggravation than dealing with a small carryon! Could get pretty ripe, there, buddy, by the end of the week!

Do you have meds you need to carry?

Does your wife prefer a certain shampoo?

perhaps you're thinking of layering all your undies on for your flight?

 

But there is a definite difference in the clothes in the MDR depending on where the cruise is. In the Caribbean you'll see much more casual clothes, but on our cruise to Norway and Iceland the clothes were much nicer in the MDR. Or maybe it's a difference in mostly-American vs mostly-European cruisers.

I've definitely noticed this! Many more tuxedos and proper gowns when sailing out of Southampton. Perhaps a bit less so sailing out of Mediterranean ports, but still way more than any Caribbean cruise.

What I do to cut down a bit is wear to dinner the top I'll then wear the next day. I'm not a sit out in the sun, beach, bathing suit person, but if it's been a sticky day, you'll likely want to change to be fresh for dinner. I just pack tops that are nice enough to dress up a bit with accessories to look nice for dinner, but comfy and light enough for day wear. Of course, this doesn't apply for formal dining outfits. The same rotation could go for sundresses, if that's your preference. With the AC cranking, you might want a light sweater or something in the evening, so even the flimsiest of tank tops will be fine at dinner.

Since we choose our cruises for the itinerary over anything else (price excluded), we cruise on any line/ship that will take us where we want to go for a price we're willing to pay.

So, in addition to Carnival, we've sailed Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Celebrity, Princess and Holland America. We've enjoyed them all.

I purchased the drinks package on Princess (yes, I know this is a Carnival thread) on our last cruise. I was well aware, at the time, that we would probably, at best, break even, since it was a pretty port-intensive intinerary (Japan).

I never did the math after the fact, nor do I care to.

What I liked was that I didn't feel "nickel-and-dimed" every time I picked up a bottle of water for an excursion, when I wanted fresh-squeezed OJ, when I wanted a double espresso or other "fancy" coffee. I never had to have a thought like "that drink sounds interesting, but what if I don't like it?" (I tend toward penny-pinching)

On the whole, it simply made the cruise experience feel more luxurious and was worth the money, to me.

It's not nearly as fussy as, say, going to a prom. We change into more suitable clothes every night anyway (golf shirt and long pants for hubby, something other than jeans and shorts for me), so changing clothes into something a bit "fancier" isn't a hassle, really. I have cocktail dresses that pack nicely and bring the hubby's suit, etc. but it's not absolutely necessary. A man's gotta wear a shirt anyway, so making it a "dress" shirt and throwing on a tie (no jacket required) isn't much hassle.

You've got to pack and put on clothing anyway, so making one outfit a bit dressier isn't a big deal.

Ballgowns and tuxedos are not required.

Yes, I would, since it wouldn't impact me in the least.

No, I wouldn't pay a premium, because people smoking in dedicated areas doesn't impact me, either.

I look forward to eating in the MDR, any cruise, any line. I love having all the choices - appetizers, soups, salads, etc.

The only times I've disliked anything was when what I ordered wasn't quite what I expected; not that it was made badly, but my choice wasn't to my liking. One example would be when I ordered beef lasagne. Now, when I make lasagna, it's very cheesy, almost to the point of "soupy" when it's still very hot. The lasagna I got was almost meatloaf sandwiched between pasta, with a little cheese. Was it terrible? No. It wasn't what I expected. I'm sure there were plenty of people who loved it.

Probably why I try to order things I couldn't or wouldn't make at home.

Now, I rarely eat steak or other "whole" meats, preferring to stick to casserole or stir-fry type foods, duck (yum), pasta, and the like, so obviously YMMV.

While I'm sure I'd enjoy a cruise on a mega-ship, because, well, it's still a cruise and a vacation, I much prefer to feel as if I'm on a ship on the water rather than in the Mall of America or Las Vegas.

There's also room service. The menu, hours, and/or charges vary according to the cruise line. If there are fees, they're minimal (not like the heart failure inducing prices in a hotel).

If we know what line you're sailing, we can give more specific info....

Yes, usually on formal nights, to make my legs look a bit better with shorter cocktail dresses, to eliminate panty lines, and for shoe comfort (mostly this). I don't really give a rat's patootie what anyone else thinks about it.

I'm 63, from New England, and mostly don't cruise in the Caribbean.

Some people really just need to feel superior to someone. They would never shop at...,do that...,sail on...!

But any mainstream cruise line's short Caribbean itineraries or school vacation cruises (particularly spring break/senior trip) are going to feel a whole lot different from the longer itineraries to more far-flung places when the kids are in school. That's just a fact of cruising. Carnival is more geared to a party atmosphere, in general, than, say, HAL. But, that having been said, the "hardest" I've ever partied was on a HAL cruise, so YMMV.

Nope, nor on any other line. (somewhere between 20-30 cruises). Also, I've traveled fairly extensively for both work and leisure, as has my hubby (more than I have, for work, in particular), and we've never had the "pleasure" of encountering bbugs. (knock wood).

I hardly bring any jewelry. I don't accessorize much, if at all, during the day. I might bring some bracelets to stack and maybe a necklace or two for when I dress for dinner. A couple of blingier costume pieces that match my "formal wear". That's it, tops. None of it's expensive.

I no longer get motion sickness from riding in a car...unless circumstances are just right (wrong?), like too hot PLUS sitting in the back seat PLUS already having a headache, etc.

BUT both my hubby (who hasn't really ever experienced motion sickness) and I take preventative 24 hour Bonine (whatever the generic is) starting early on the day of the cruise (don't wait until you're feeling ill!). He might take it for a second day or if the seas are particularly rocky (if I remind him) just in case. I'll take it for a couple of days and then if we're anticipating a twisty-turny bus ride, potentially rocky tender, or small-boat ride on an excursion. On smooth seas, I probably wouldn't have a problem at all, but I don't want to chance it.

I want a cruise ship to be "boatier". If I wanted an amusement park, I'd go to one.

Also, I'd like to see more local culture...food and crafts, history and culture talks (instead of sales and shopping pitches), souvenirs relevant to the itinerary, etc. I went on one cruise (I can't for the life of me remember which one) and all the souvenirs available were for a completely different locale. :(

I've stayed in many hotels, ranging from dives in NYC to boutique inns/B&Bs to the Venetian in Las Vegas and a Waldorf Astoria property in Rome, and every level in between. I've been on over 20 cruises on nearly every main stream line.

While I've had mostly positive service experiences at the land venues (I'm pretty easy to please), they don't come close to the service on any of my cruises. With very few exceptions, the service is far more attentive and personal than anything I've experienced on land.

If you run into an issue, address the problem immediately (and calmly) to the proper person and it will almost always be taken care of immediately (within reason, of course). This goes for things not working properly in your stateroom (talk to your steward or guest services) right down to not liking the entree you ordered (the waiter will bring you something else).

Well, he went home, poor little guy. Hopefully, the sympathy factor wasn't why they kept him so long in the first place.

I agreed with the winner. I thought it was a stunning look, overall. I didn't see any of the negatives that the judges mentioned, at all.

I thought they really didn't give them enough time this week, considering the challenge with the lights and all. It seemed even more rushed than normal. Some of those kids must be speed-demon sewers! I couldn't make half of what they do in that amount of time, not even with a pattern and instructions!

Are you all following project runway jr? I am over A'kai. Too whiney. Surprised that Tim Gunn saved him.

OMG, me too! I haven't seen anything from him, especially in his behavior, that would warrant keeping him there!

I know he's very young, compared to most of the other contestants (is he the youngest?), but the maturity difference between last year's winner Maya (who was, IIRC, the youngest) and A'kai is day and night!

Sorry to say it, but he's almost like a bad imitation of the character Steve Urkel!

DH hates the beach.

Our last POA trip (which was our second to Hawaii), neither the hubs nor I even brought our bathing suits. While we like seeing and admiring beautiful beaches, we really aren't "beach people". We'd rather hit the open road on a motorcycle and explore wherever it takes us, which is what we did at every stop. "Wonder where that road goes?" "Dunno, let's go find out!"

As soon as I've unpacked and muster is over. THEN I'm on vacation.