1interpreter

Must be nice. That right there is my future goal once the hubby and I hit retirement. Lol! Until then, one at a time is all we get 😞 We will be cruising again in May or June for our daughter's high school graduation. We have already been asking her where she wants to go, but she is so indecisive that all she keeps saying is "I don't know". We will look at booking while on the Indy next month, maybe she will have an idea of where she wants to go by then. Hoping her other siblings can join us as well. She is the baby, and the spoiled one, mostly by the oldest brother. They are the closest, as they both ended up injured one summer (different accidents) and spent the summer bonding over their injuries and lack of being able to get around very well. She has since learned that if she wants something and Mom and Dad say no, big brother will usually get it for her.

You must be a packing rock star! I'm a one swim suit kind of gal. It always cracks me up to see those who bring multiple with them. Why??? I always bring sample packs of laundry detergent so mine does get washed so it's not like I'm wearing a dirty one. I also don't mind wearing the same outfit more than once either. Again, they can be washed, it will save space in my carry one, and it's not like I'm gonna see any of my cruise mates again. I'm on vacation so I really don't mind.

We always pay ours either the day before or the day that final payment is due. This allows us the chance to call as often as we want up to that point and check and see if the price has dropped and get it adjusted (something you can't do after final payment). We always book direct so we don't have to deal with any extra fees of having our TA adjust the rate because the price dropped. I know some do that.

I've actually done this before for short trips, just ones that weren't cruises. I don't want to forget something that I would end up having to get on the ship or in port because we all know how expensive and/or next to impossible some of those things are to find. There is nothing unrealistic about this and there is no need for a reality check. Maybe my wording in my original post wasn't specific enough for those of you that only see in black and white. I wasn't inquiring about ways to save money on my travel or my luggage. I was inquiring about ways to make the most of my packing space. Over my years of cruising I have learned how to minimize things already because in the past so much of what we brought either wasn't worn or wasn't used. I'm not expecting to take this trip living like first class on a water budget. Could we if we wanted to? You bet we could, but we have other things that we would rather spend our money on.

Thank you for the advice. I have already planned on rolling the clothes in our carry on bags, and have considered packing cubes. If you can do 1 checked bag and one carry on and 2 personal items for a 3 week trip then I don't see how what I'm trying to so unrealistic.

Finally someone who gets it! We DID check prices (with and without checked luggage). Spirit was still the best deal (luggage included). We don't want to nix the formal wear as we will be celebrating our 22nd anniversary and, quite honestly, we like dressing up for formal night. I was asking for packing hacks and tips, not lectures on taking the wrong airline, and suggestions of divorce. At this point, I would have had better luck turning to Youtube for my answers.

Oh I know you have to pay on pretty much any airline, but was hoping to fly Southwest.

Good morning everyone. I'm needing some tips and tricks please. We (my husband, 17 yr old daughter and I) are cruising on the Indy on November 28th (4 night cruise) and this time we are flying to get to the ship. We have cruised what feels like a millions times already (Diamond status) but have always driven to the port. We are flying on Spirit, so for those of you who have flown with them before, already know that your carry on bags are limited to one and it cannot exceed 18" x 14" x 8" measurements, which isn't even the same size and the smallest luggage carry on with wheels. You also have to pay for each checked bag. Yeah this stinks but the hubby was the one who booked the airfare not me. Lol! So, long story short, we are going to pack every thing in one suit case (which will primarily hold our formal wear and shoes) and then each bring a carry on bag that will hopefully hold most if not all of our other clothes, meds, toiletries, etc). I'm hoping that those of you who have lots of experience flying to the ports can help me out with some great tips and tricks to help me minimize on things so we don't over pack. Below are some of the things I have already thought of and/or already do. 1) I usually bring 2 pairs of dress shoes, tennis shoes, flip flops, and an older pair of flip flops that I wear to the pool that I don't mind getting wet. I have already decided to only bring one pair of dress shoes, the tennis shoes (which I will already be wearing) and one pair of flops. 2) As for my skin care products, I plan on putting them in contact lens cases so that will free up some room instead of bringing the containers themselves. 3) I have no problem wearing the same skirt with different shirts for dinner. I always bring little sample packs of laundry detergent should I need to wash anything I can. 4) I tend to overpack on my cosmetics bringing way to many colors of eyeshadow and 2-3 different colors of lipstick. Nope, not this time. Just sticking to the basics. One eyeshadow palette, one lipstick, and my little VS roll on perfume. 5) I always travel with the travel sized shampoo, conditioner, and body wash so that's not an issue. I know there are other hacks that I haven't thought of. Help me out here please, and thank you!

Well, that's interesting.

Oh that's a good idea!

OMG, I just read your story from your link. That whole experience was horrible. I can't even begin to imagine what you all went through. Certainly makes you appreciate our health care here much better. I'm so sorry this happened to her. I hope she is doing much better.

It's better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

So as far as the Diamond drink vouchers go. I know they can be used anywhere on the ship, but can they be used on any drink as well? I know they apply to alcoholic drinks but how about sodas, fresh squeezed juices, milk shakes from JR's and coffee from the speciality coffee shops? The vouchers are a new thing since the last time we sailed. We cruise again on the Indy on 11-28 and are trying to decide on which (if any) beverage packages we want to get.

Yes, I do! I just found it. Thanks so much.

We will be sailing on the Indy on Nov. 28th. Just hoping that someone can share the MDR menu here so I can see what they will be offering. It's been since pre-COVID since we last cruised and I'm SO READY TO GO!!!