Bolthead

We have only been on one Celebrity cruise and although we found the ship more modern and fresh looking than most of the Princess ships we have been on we found the food and entertainment to be sub par compared to Princess. As for the cabin stewards we found no difference.

Thank you for a great report. It was not only interesting but very entertaining as well.

Your underwater photography is excellent. Can you tell me what camera you are using? Enjoying the review.

No wine packages however they do have drink packages that I believe include wine. I am happy to be corrected. I think they are a little expensive for the amount I drink but if you like bending the arm it may be ok.

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Anywhere between $8-$15 depending on type of drink. Cocktails can be expensive however they often have happy hour as well. I agree with you. I seriously looked at the drink package and decided to forgo this expensive. My liver couldn't handle it.

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We are leaving in 2 weeks on Carnival Magic out of Galveston, TX. We have never been to Progresso and are wondering if there are any nice beaches close to the port? If not, are there any within walking distance? Or, can anyone tell me the best/ cheapest way to get there? It will be a mom/daughter trip and want to stay safe out there! :) Thank you!

Seeing that nobody else has contributed as yet I thought I would Google the area as I haven't heard of the place before. (not unusual considering I live half way around the world) You may have already done this but here is a link to TripAdvisor that may help you. Have a great trip.

http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attraction_Review-g150811-d256079-Reviews-Progreso-Merida_Yucatan_Peninsula.html

:)

Put it on their Facebook page. I find you get a quicker response especially if they are slow to respond to your emails.

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Thanks for a great report. Enjoyed it immensely :)

......... [snip] bagage handlers at the cruise port..

That reminds me of a story, we were going on the Sea Princess from Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco. We pulled up in the front of the terminal and the baggage handlers were there. This large overweight gentleman just sat in his chair and said 'just place your bag in the cage sir' he didn't lift a finger and then he had the audacity to ask for a tip. I responded with 'you have to be joking, are you the comedy entertainment on the ship'... I then walked off. My wife was worried that our bags would not turn up. They did....

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LOL! Nope, we tip just about everybody, waiters, bartenders, hairdresser, hotel maids, the guy who calls a taxi for you at the hotel, cruise port, airport, etc. house painters, mail carrier, garbage pickup, lawn service, car wash, baggage handlers at the airport, baggage handlers at the cruise port, the guy who put a small wooden chair in my trunck from the furniture store, the limo driver, the taxi driver, the paper boy, the pet nanny, the moving company, snow plow guy, pizza delivery, babysitters, nanny's, house cleaners, down to the guy who holds the door open at grand central train station.

Anyone want to add to the list as I'm sure I left out quite a few others...

How about doctors, nurses, policemen, firemen, teachers, paramedics, social workers, volunteers, politicians..... no, no, no, I take back politicians. [emoji1]

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I know that in the tourism and hospitality industries there are certain nationalities that are avoided. I can now assume Aussies are one.:mad:

Strangely enough in Australia we employ in the most Australians. I don't find any Americans working as cabin stewards or waiters on any ships I have been on.

can you possibly justify not tipping because your airfare, cruise fare and exchange rates suck compared to Americans. So, the people who live on tips should have to pay your additional cost of vacationing?

I agree with this statement. We choose to live in the best country in the world and there is a cost for that. No, people who rely on tips to supplement their wage should not have to pay our additional costs for vactioning. It is their employers responsibiliy to pay the additional costs. The employer inturns charges us a cost called a 'fare'.

, by the way, on the HAL boards one time someone who supposedly knew that facts said a printout of those opting out of the gratuities as posted in the back of the house. Hope you guys enjoy wondering what's in your food.:D

Maybe on HAL but I asked somebody who we know that has worked in the cruise industry and she said that was bulls%@t. (her words not mine) If that list made it to the pax. then hell would break out.

Tipping is an unneecaary toxic cancer that needs to be erradicated sooner not later.

Found this on the net...

Here are the top 10 ways to get water out of your ear.

1. Gravity

The best way to remove water from your ear is to let gravity do the work.

1. Tilt your head sideways and hold the affected ear parallel to the ground.

2. Place the palm of your hand flat against your ear and press hard for a few seconds. Quickly remove your hand. A temporary vacuum will form that will dislodge the fluid.

3. Use a cotton ear bud to very carefully remove the fluid draining from the ear.

Yawning or chewing motions can also help get water out of the ear canal by creating pressure in the middle ear and stretching the ear canal.

Note: Do not insert the ear bud into the ear.

2. Valsalva Maneuver

Performing the Valsalva maneuver will help pop your ears to*open the Eustachian tubes and push water out of your ears.

1. Close your mouth and pinch your nostrils closed with your fingers, then take a deep breath.

2. Gently blow air out of your nose to regulate the air pressure. If done correctly, you will hear a slight popping sound which means the Eustachian tubes are open again.

Note: Don’t blow your nose too hard as it may cause damage to the ear drum.

3. Blow Dryer

A blow dryer can also be used to speed up evaporation of the trapped fluid. The warm, dry air will turn the water to steam and eventually help it dissipate out of the ear.

1. Pull your ear lobe away from your body.

2. Hold a blow dryer about 10 to 12 inches away from your ear.

3. Set the dryer heat to warm and air flow to low.

4. Turn the dryer on and aim it directly into the ear canal.

5. Hold the dryer in position for approximately 30 seconds.

6. If required, repeat again.

Now: Do not do this for more than a few minutes at one time.

4. Rubbing Alcohol and Vinegar

Rubbing alcohol and vinegar is an age-old home remedy to get rid of fluid in the ear. While the antibacterial properties of vinegar will help kill germs present in the ear, rubbing alcohol helps dry up the water in the ear.

1. Mix together one teaspoon each of rubbing alcohol and vinegar.

2. Using a dropper, put two to three drops of this solution into the affected ear.

3. Rub the opening of the ear canal gently.

4. Wait for 30 seconds.

5. Tilt your head so that the fluid can easily drain out.

5. Heat Therapy

Heat therapy can help free your ears of fluid quickly. The heat compress will help open the Eustachian tube (where fluid typically builds up), so that the fluid can escape easily.

1. Dip a washcloth in a bowl of hot water, and wring out the excess water.

2. Place the hot washcloth against the affected ear for 30 seconds.

3. Wait for a minute, and then repeat.

4. Do this four or five times at a stretch.

5. Lie down on your side to help the fluid drain out.

6. Steam

Inhaling steam is another easy way to ease fluid buildup in the ear. Steam will help open the Eustachian tube, in turn encouraging the release of fluid trapped in the ear.

1. Pour hot steaming water in a large bowl.

2. Cover your head with a towel and inhale the steam slowly for five to 10 minutes.

3. Tilt your head to one side.

4. Fluid will start coming out of the ear.

You can also take a hot shower to draw fluid out of the ear canal.

7. Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is another very effective option to get rid of fluid in ear. Due to its effervescent property, hydrogen peroxide can easily remove the trapped fluid, along with ear wax and debris from the ear canal.

1. Using a dropper, put four to five drops of three percent hydrogen peroxide into the affected ear.

2. Allow it to settle for one or two minutes.

3. Tilt your head downwards to allow the fluid to drain out easily.

9. Salt

Salt can be used to treat fluid in ear as it easily absorbs water. The heat from the hot salt compress also will help the fluid evaporate and relieve pain.

1. Heat one-fourth cup of salt in the microwave.

2. Put the salt in a cotton cloth and tie it tightly.

3. Hold this cloth near the opening of the affected ear for two to three minutes.

8. Garlic

Garlic is another great treatment to dislodge fluid in the ear. Plus, garlic has antibacterial properties that help prevent ear infection as well as reduce pain.

1. Press a few garlic cloves to extract the juice.

2. Put two or three drops of garlic juice in the affected ear.

3. Wait for one minute, and then blow dry the ear from about 12 inches away from the head. (See Blow Dryer remedy above)

10. Olive Oil

Olive oil is a great remedy to facilitate the flow of fluid trapped in the ear. Also, its antiseptic properties will reduce the risk of ear infection.

1. Slightly warm some olive oil in a small bowl.

2. Using a dropper, a few drops of warm olive oil in the ear.

3. Allow it to settle for 10 minutes.

4. Next, turn your head sideways and remove the oil as well as the fluid with a soft ear bud.

Putting two to three drops of olive oil in*each ear before going for swimming will lubricate the tissues lining the ear canal and help prevent water from getting trapped in the ears.

If none of these tips work and you still have fluid in ear, consult a doctor to avoid further complications.

Hope it helps

Ok thanks... should have known that but being new to the forum I have to get use to the abbreviations.

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Mentioned a few times... what is FCC?

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Depending on the cruise line they may offer you incentives to book. Things like OBC, drink packages and free gratuities may be offered. Of course if it is a popular cruise then you will be one of the first in line.

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With 56 days to go to our cruise, reading reviews like this only makes the time go slower. (Sydney - Singapore) I AZ m enjoying this report and it only motivates me to do s similar review when we sail.

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Good luck from Australia, break a leg (not literally). North Carolina is my daughters favourite place in the states. She was a camp leader near Raleigh.

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We certainly always go for inside rooms because of price. However because of Princess' crazy pricing policy we always check all pricing. Last year we got a balcony for much less than an inside room. Sorry OT and don't get me started on their pricing policy.