dyslexic pirate

Very interested to know your thoughts on the Zumba classes and the fitness center on the Jewel. We are work out fanatics (mostly because we love to EAT!) and would love to read your reviews.

If you only have a few drinks or just soda each day do they still automatically charge you the full 18 percent gratuity as if you'd maxed out the value of the program?

I apologize in advance if this info has already been shared elsewhere...but I am trying to find out what the most current price is on the Jewel for the unlimited internet package. I have to work while on my cruise and I hate to waste time dashing to the nearest land based internet cafe each time we pull into port as I've done in the past. Hoping internet fees have vastly improved since the last time I sailed.

We used school issued photo id cards for our kids and NEVER had any problems. We've even know other parents who used year book pictures.

If all else fails - and you have to get official id's - you could just surprise the kids ahead of time with the knowledge about the cruise and then they will have the excitement of looking forward to it and researching everything they will get to do at sea and on land. :)

On our last Star cruise we met the Captain briefly in the Star Bar and the next day had an invite to join him along with another couple we were cruising with for dinner at Le Bistro.

We had a great time and talked for more than a couple of hours about everything under the sun! It was a fantastic unexpected surprise.

The ironic thing is just the night before DH and I ate at Le Bistro and probably were given the worst seats in the place right next to where they put the food out for the servers to pick up. They remembered us from the previous evening and had shocked looks on their faces when we strolled in with the Captain. They really were nervous waiting on our table with the Captain. We got such a kick out of it and told them afterwards that we had enjoyed BOTH evenings at LeBistro! :)

If you ever get the chance to dine with the Captain do it! :)

This thread is incredible. My DH has cancer. Ironically his mother died on the very day she was supposed to embark on her first cruise. She had colon cancer. DH has something different and for now it's under control. (for enquiring minds = yes they had the cruise insurance that I encouraged them to buy. FIL joined us two years later utilizing some of that money on another cruise.)

You never know how many tomorrows you have. While my MIL was dealing with her colon cancer my SIL flew out to care for her etc. Ironically it was my SIL who died first, in a head on car accident (not her fault). So it just goes to prove you never, NEVER know.

We've taken our kids out of school many times to go on vacation to warm areas in Feb/March. We don't feel a need to apologize. They are all good kids, get their work done etc.

Memories are everything!!! We believe the bonds and adventures we've formed are the glue that holds us together!

The saddest thing I've ever encountered on a cruise was a conversation I had with an elderly man who wondered why he'd put off cruising all these years and here he was taking what would probably be his last cruise.

For those that don't take time off for vacation, the rich shareholders thank you from the private top-of-the-line suite they are enjoying on the cruise paid for by your hard work and sweat! If you have time off available TAKE IT!!!!

It really used to bother me.

Now I pop Dramamine throughout my cruise and continue with it for another 3-4 days after and I don't have any more problems.

I try to avoid the rich foods on board and drink only bottled water but I always wind up with stomach flu like syptoms at the end or just after a cruise.

Anyone else experience this? If so what have you don't to lessen your symptoms or avoid a recurrence on your next cruise?:(