dlg64

Thanks for all the suggestions folks very helpful. Now just to find a cruise that leaves from our home port (so she can bring all her own hoists commode etc) that doesn't already have all the accessible cabins already booked !! We're an isloated lil town over here in Auz and not many ships come our way...not for short cruises anyway.

It would be worth $800 for me to move. You actually just pack up your stuff, leave the hanging items on the hanger and everything shows up in your new cabin, which you can access as soon as you get back on board.

Thank you everyone for your input and advice .... The Guarantee cabin is such a good saving and there is always a small chance of a win ...probably better than LOTTO !! :) ...that we MAY stay put.

So It sounds like moving wont be too much of a drama as i didn't realise your cabin steward would assist. It is all the packing of everything away into the suitcase that i would hate. :):D

Hi we have booked B2B cruise next year with RCL on Voyager with a guarantee balcony option.

Has anyone got any experience or success in getting the same cabin allocated or do most people think we have no hope and will have to move cabins???:rolleyes::o:rolleyes::o

cheers Deb

We are planning a b2b on the same ship (Voyager) and wondering if any other RCL regulars have ever been given the same cabin when booking a guarantee balcony? Is there any special way of trying to ask for same cabin??.

Its about an extra 400 (each) to pick a specific cabin and that is drink $$ and casino $$. Advise please...

Hi We have a young 21yr old client who would love to do a cruise (Australian based) but there are several questions i cannot find answers to on forums and advice sites.

1. She takes no oral food and has all nutrition via gastrostomy tube, so has formula supplied by medical company. Can passengers get a discount on their cruise price if the food component is definitely not going to be used??

2. She has some pretty active "spasm wriggle" moments and requires padded bedrails at night. Any chance cruise ships would have anything like this to supply or would we have to be inventive with chairs etc ??

3. She has an overnight continuous feed and at home use a tall metal pole to hang machine and feed from but cannot bring this onto ship.... is there some place could place a hook or something to hang feed off ??

4. Worried about if there is a limit to the degree of disability that a ship will accept, they dont ask when booking so hopefully you wont get denied boarding on presentation or if you have to have medical review before boarding from ships team. Yes we have a medical clearence from her DR this end but i would hate for her to be embarrased and refused boarding.??

Thanks in advance for any advice or directions to where to find answers....

This is why I only do carryon....once waited til 11 pm for our luggage to appear....made me realize I never wanted to risk having it be lost....we carry it on the ship as well...I hope you have a wonderful trip...

IT would be my worst nightmare.... I am about to purchase a larger size carry on bag so I can pack a few days worth as backup, this will be my first ever cruise and I don't need a lost bag to add to my nervousness.

I am a plus, plus size lady and there is no way I could buy clothes on my cruise coming up in Asia. :confused:

Once we went to Phuket (over 16 yrs ago now) and I forgot to pack both my swimwear and bra's :eek:.....I only had the one I was wearing and days of stalking shops gave up nothing at all anywhere in bra nor swimwear line even close to my size !!:mad:

I now always have a packing list and make sure I tick it off !!:D

I know in Bali they often offer me "KIng Kong" size as I am passing stalls but rarely do they fit me so I think I would be seriously in trouble if my suitcase did not arrive and my two week cruise is about to depart !!

I recently was trying on some evening dresses with my cruise companion and she made a simply lovely statement..... "Deb you are what you are...if it feels nice and is comfortable then buy it and forgot others viewpoints"

That made my day... and roll on 18 sleeps to my RCL departing Singapore AND then 2016 for my bariatric surgery turn !!:eek:

As a high risk OB nurse and a childbirth educater this just makes me so angry. I dont know why anyone with a viable pregnancy would be sailing in the middle of an ocean. I feel a woman really shouldn't cruise past 22weeks. 23 weekers have survived but not born outside a hospital with a NICU. I've taken care of a lot of women whose water broke or they went into preterm labor between 22-24 weeks. Many times we could keep them pregnant for several more weeks and then have a good outcome. Not so if born in the middle of the ocean. Ignoring the cruiseline rules then expecting there to be doctors that could take care of a preterm birth is just negligent.

i agree totally.... as an Aussie Midwife (OB nurse) we have the same issues here with travellers lack of awareness / education.

This is especially problematic in Perth where flights to Bali take only 3 hours and so many couples go there for honeymoons / Babymoons when pregnant and then expect the Govt to fund the rescue flight when they get "Bali Belly" (gastro) which occurs easily and often over there and that often stimulates early labour. :eek:

It really needs GP / Dr clinics / Antenatal clinics to be educating and offering relevant warnings.... it is almost like the younger generation feel that they are bullet proof because technology is so good, my baby will be safe....maybe in your own backyard !!:cool:

I was told that they ask for many reasons... but these two are what I have been told by many different people..:)

1) for future cruise stats and planning

2) for singles / solo travellers so they are aware of how many solo people there are onbaord and possibly (not all cruise lines do this ) will notify you in your cabin of any singles events that may be planned on your cruise.

That is why I enter my status.... I hate to miss out !! :D

Hi Hazelbagel - when you were onboard were there pilates classes? If so, how often and what was the cost?

We are cruising on Legend in 6 weeks time and I can't find info anywhere.

Cheers Charlotte

MY countdown is shorter.... only 18 sleeps left Singapore to Perth !! Yaaaay

I will check it out on board and post on here and let you know before your cruise :)

Well I am a non starter really... I am a wannabe cruiser and am on the countdown ... (18 sleeps) to my first cruise with RCL and hopefully I get addicted and book many more. :)

I was told that month of August is prime cruise line sale time and lots of promotions but I've not seen much on offer except last minutes for 2015.

I would like to consider booking another for next year but am wary until I really know if I have 'sea legs' or not !! :eek: :rolleyes:

In the meantime you guys are all so infectious with your enthusiasm that I just had to read this thread !! Keep the cruise industry alive I say !!:)

cheers Deb

Could someone please tell me what the LOTS stateroom doors are made of? Are they magnetic so you can stick things to them or do I need to bring bluetac/ sticky gooo !!

We cruise to be out on the sea. We always get a balcony because, well, the sea it right outside our room! We would never consider going on a cruise and minimizing the access to the ocean we are there to enjoy. Balconies and views of the ocean go together like cake and frosting!

Its always going to be a good debate... but I have to say that out of all the comments this one really nails it for me..... I agree and I love some solitude and I have not even cruised yet !! 30 days and counting now.....

(and no it is not just because I LOVE the frosting on a cake!!):):D

We used Downy Wrinkle Release it worked pretty good

 

I used my wife's flat iron on shirts sleeves, not easy and poor results, but well it's not designed for that.

I have also tried out my hair straighteners / flat iron and found that my hair-dryer worked best !! This was done at home one morning when my iron died suddenly before an interview !! ##@$#

I just use a few mls of fabric softener in a spray bottle with water and it works similar to Downy (which we can't buy here in Australia!) and then blow the hairdryer quite close and the wrinkles come out.

I have brought a mini steamer for my next cruise and I hope that it will be allowed on board. :D 45 days and counting down....:):)

I find this an interesting topic thread as I am about to embark on my first cruise in SEPT.

Most of my holidays have been to Thailand and Bali and washing is incredibly cheap in those places so to come home with a whole case load of clean wonderful smelling clothes is bliss. :) It is wonderful when you open your cupboards weeks later and you get that lovely fragrance floating up which really helps your post holiday 'blues'.

My up coming cruise is only 14 days but I will be away for 19 days so I guess some washing will be necessary. RCL (Legend) does not have a laundry ... (well i cannot see it on any deck plans ??) so I guess I need to budget for at least 1 or 2 wash loads thru room service.

So where do I find out the cost of washing on my ship ?? :confused:

One needs this info to budget accordingly !!:D

cheers Deb

I would be very interested to do a behind the scenes ships tour but the one advertised on my (first) cruise in Sept is about the US$180 mark so that is a crazy price as far as I am concerned.... although I did pay that for a concert ticket so I have to question myself there !! LOL :)

Maybe one day when I am sailing one one of the bigger more modern ships I will factor this sort of tour into my budget but I think for my first cruise on a small and older ship I will not be considering this tour. :rolleyes:

Sorry you feel that way. I asked on the Roll Call and about half of the people thought it was a great idea. It wasn't mandatory, and in no way affected the folks that didn't want to wear a mask. Some of the folks really bought elaborate masks.

 

Yes, we tossed the ribbon streamers slightly in the air, but no they didn't go overboard. All of the CC folks in attendance helped with the clean up. The crew cleaned up the refreshments. And I made sure the area was all clean when we left it.

 

A lot of the folks in attendance remarked on this board, that it was the best M&G they had ever attended, so guess I didn't do too bad a job.

I think it sounds fabulous and as a 'newbie' I would have found it added a great level of excitement to my cruise. :)

I am on my roll call and am a bit hesitant to suggest anything being the 'newbie'. A cabin crawl sounds good and I love the poker cards idea too.

Each to their own and like other posters have said.... not your thing then don't go / attend and don't bother commenting negatives either !!!! :D

The funniest story I heard was about someone who bought a 6 foot wooden giraffe in Mombasa. The kept it on the bridge of the ship for 6 months until they landed at a port near the owner:)

Hehehe ... don't tempt me I actually quite like Giraffes !!! :):D

50 days to go for my first cruise RCl out of Singapore.... I am almost ready to get my suitcase out and start packing !!~ Almost !:)

We always decorate our doors on RCCL. Only had a wreath taken one Christmas - and the room steward recognized it on another door and returned it to us.

Now - we personalize the decorations with our Cabin Number or a nickname.

Be sure to label with permanent marker or ink and we've never lost another decoration.

Suggestions please.....I am feeling a bit 'Blank' here.... what do you use to decorate your door with if it is not Xmas or an 'occasion' time of year ??:rolleyes:

I have heard from a friend that when they cruised it was her birthday so the cabin steward places balloons on their door which was a lovely surprise and she said they left them on for entire cruise as it was great to be able to see them from down the end of corridor and know exactly where their room was when they were tired or had a few drinks!:)!

I have read this thread with great interest..... I am about to embark on my first cruise (RCL LOTS) and was going solo however I managed to convince one of my work colleagues to sail with me... her hubby was ok hiring her out !!

She has done about 8 or so cruises so it is great to have her knowledge and experience's..... so much so that she went and upgraded our booking to a JS as she saw they were available for not much extra $$ and I guess knows the difference !! :p

But GEEZ It has made me ever so much more excited for departure day to arrive.....:D

It does all sound very nice and I hope she does gets the double points but I am wondering how the points work when two different people (not family members) book a cabin ?? Do we both accrue points or do they only go to one person per cabin ?? Curious....

I am a bit worried that now that I wont be able to cope with small cabins if I do any future cruises.... all presuming that I even like cruising !!!:cool:

No forget that last..... bit I am DETERMINED to LOVE cruising... ..I even wanted to work on a cruise ship when I was young before marriage n kids came along.:D

LOL!!!

 

We should so set up a cruise!

Count me in :D.... I am about to go on my first cruise Singapore to Aus in 50 days and I am single but have sooooo wanted to cruise for a long time !!:o

I have found (read 'conned') a work colleague to share my cabin this time but I don't think her husband is going to let me 'borrow' her every year so count me in to a singles cruise..... how do you find out if there are single supplement free cruises ??

cheers Deb:)

:eek: I have spent days after days scrolling thru zillions of posts as I come up for my first "real" cruise in Sept on RCL.

My question that I cannot find an answer for is... can someone please clarify what all the different dining options mean ?? My time dining.... YTD ?? ... making a booking option or NOT ....etc

I have only done one short 3 day sampler cruise with P & O and we mostly went to the buffet and only went to the main dining room twice.

Both times we just rocked up to the front desk and stated we didn't have a reservation but were seated just the same.

However both times we were placed onto a table of 6 others whom were already seated and had already ordered but no food as yet....which was just fine and both evenings companions were very friendly, interesting and chatty lovely folks. :p

What I don't get is that we passed many, many empty tables of 2, 4, 6 and 8 and we were never asked how we wanted to be seated (ie: to share or not) so how do the dining staff make the choice of who you get to dine with ??

Also on P & O we only got the daily itinerary in evening which we would preview and highlight events to attend....so the times we had a booking we rang and cancelled as there were shows on at similar time that we didn't want to miss. So how does it work if you have set dining times and you want to attend shows ??

Also many posts indicated that you were allocated a table and kept going back to that same table to the same people each evening ?? I like variety and whilst it is nice to see the same folks a few times I wouldn't want to eat with them every night for an extended cruise.

I'm curious....:confused: cheers Deb

No restriction other than making sure it fits for your flight home.

 

Keith

No flights involved...

Have the vendor ship the items home.

I dont want to go that option it takes a LOT of organising and can be tricky at this end and really It is not worth it as I dont want anything that large jsut moderate sizes too small for a ship container and too large to fly home when I am usually in Bali.

Thanks Sail7seas..... I had not thought about security scanners...whilst they will go thru ok they will be large and heavy to lift up for a scanner. Might have to use the hand wand !!

A few points to think about.... But I am still going shopping !!:D:D

We sailing with RCL from Singapore in Sept and our last international stop is Bali so I would like to know others experience of buying large items and bringing them on board.

I am not talking HUGE :eek: just some medium size metal wall art pieces and moderate stone statues (less than 60cm high) that I have never been able to bring home on an air plane flight before in all my Bali trips.

I was thinking this is a perfect opportunity ....but are there rules that ships have regarding this ?? :confused:

I will be sailing into my home port so that is not an issue....and yes I imagine I would have to find room in my cabin to store items...OR DO I ??

Can you request to store 'souvenirs' else where on board??

If I am day dreaming then tell me.... its my first cruise !! :p

The expense of the laundry is one point, but even when they have the all-you-can-jam-in-a-bag specials, I'm not crazy about the idea of having my expensive underwear and delicate knits subjected to the rigors of hot water in a commercial washer and the heat if a commercial dryer.

 

And doing laundry by hand in a sink is NOT the way I want to spend vacation time. I like the Princess ships that have washer and dryers on board.

My first cruise on RCL in 7 weeks has NO laundry and I hate going home with a heap of washing from any holiday. I will do one bag thru the room service but for the rest T's and smalls I have purchased a "Scrubba bag".... Google scrubba wash bag and buy one of these they are really good and a new product on the market that I saw on Shark tank show. ;)

I am also taking only 1 black evening trousers and 1 skirt and then lots of evening tops to mix and match but as always shoes are an issue for ladies.

I have almost read all of this thread and now have pages of packing ideas in my notebook so thank you all forum members for some wonderful posts that kept me up VERY late last night !! hehehehe....:D