Nebr.cruiser

I wash some things in the shower too as well as the sink and roll them in towels. They dry very fast after some time in the towel. I don't really wash anything large or heavy by hand though.

My son has gone through surgery for this and wished he hadn't. But then he developed an extremely difficult infection that required a second surgery and months and months of high powered antibiotics with the possibility of losing his arm. He is ok now, but doesn't have full functionality partly due to the amount of muscle they had to take out to try to fight the infection. So far we are too cheap to use porters!!!

My reason for trying to take smaller luggage is how hard it is for me to manage even a 24" case. Mine was very packed full but still under 50 lbs. As well I had a fairly small but full carry-on--maybe the 15" size. I'm a small 78 year old woman and maneuvering big cases around airports and hotels gets harder every year.. My husband has his own issues, and I don't expect him to help except in extreme circumstances. Enjoy your trip--it sounds fantastic. Yes, expect very hot weather in the canal and cool to cold in Alaska, especially in April. Try not to overpack!!! It''s hard, especially shoes, and I have small feet! My carry-on has a separate shoe compartment and I wear my walking shoes and a light jacket.

Also, I believe these illnesses quite often come from the air travel before or after the cruise. My husband, especially seems to be affected by this.

We spent 6 weeks in Australia and New Zealand last year with temps ranging from 40's in the fiords of New Zealand to over 108 in the Red Center (Uluru area). And everything in-between. We each brought one 24" suitcase and a small carryon. Since most of our days were spent in 70-80 degree temps we packed mostly for that. We had light jackets and each packed one of the puffy jackets that roll up into a very small case. For Alaska I'd pack some kind of waterproof or water resistant jacket as well--even plastic poncho types would work. I've been to Alaska in late May, not April and weather ranged from 40's (Glacier Bay) to 70's, with some light rain. Our trip last year included two cruises and some land travel. I tried my darndest to keep my luggage to a 21" carry-on size but just couldn't do it. We have free laundry on Princess, did laundry in hotel self-service laundry rooms and some hand washing. For a hint, my husband usually wears a sport jacket on the plane so he doesn't have to take up room in his suitcase. But, on our Princess and RCI cruise, you didn't really need one.

That means you can go when you want, within dining hours of course. Without a reservation you may have a wait at busy times, usually before 7 or so. Even with a reservation there may be a short wait. We hardly ever have reservations and the wait is usually a couple of minutes up to ten: however, we don't want to eat early and usually eat after the first show, say 8ish.

We've done both land tours, independent and organized, and cruises. At this point in our life, cruises are just so much easier--unpack once, still get to see many wonderful areas that would be difficult or at least take lot more effort than cruises.. Also, we definitely spend more on land tours and so far have never been on a cruise where the food is 'inedible'. Some recent land trips that involved a lot of driving and hotel stays have shown us how much easier cruising is. We will still do land trips if it's the only way to see an area, but by cruising we have been to so many places we would probably never have seen otherwise.

It was weird. It definitely wasn't another cruise line though, as it was on my sisters account and it was the first time she had cruised in many years--it was positively on Princess. All I can think is just some glitch in the billing. It was taken care of, just a little hassle to get it removed.

We hadn't either, before that happened.

Someone in our party did have a towel charge once. It was removed but they still had to trek down to customer service and talk to someone. So it does; happen, watch your billing.

You don't check them out and you can get more than one. I usually get two. It's also easy to return them in various places near the pool deck. If you keep one in your room or take one on shore, be sure to return or you may be charged.

We've used several of the big name online website and have never had a problem. We usually get a better price and on-board credit, sometimes other amenities as well. So far the agents we have worked with have been pretty good.

It's less about the ship now and more about the destination, but we still enjoy just bring on a ship.

Don't have to with precheck anyway, but guess I'll take whatever 'perks' come with bring 78!

Now that I've passed 75, I am starting to notice this. I get it, even though I am healthy and active, but I am sure more things do happen with older cruisers. I do understand 'why'--but I don't have to like it! I have been on tours that had people who should not have been doing that tour--they weren't all over 75 either! You may find more flexibility with private excursions.

I do quite a bit of baking. Not sure what else it could be used for. I use about one bottle a year and do use the vanilla from Mexico.

Exactly! No matter how tired you are, do not go to sleep until what would be bed time in the new time zone. Get outside for some sunshine, hopefully, walk, shop, eat, do whatever you can to stay awake. I did this both ends of our trip to Australia last year and had little to no jet lag, and that was after red eyes with almost no sleep on the plane. I have done the opposite (crashed about 4 pm after a long flight) and had problems for days.

We could and in fact have for almost a year--not to save up for a big cruise, but because DH has developed back problems. We've already cancelled a South America cruise last Dec. and Med this May. But we probably wouldn't do it just for a 'special' cruise, meaning I guess either very exotic or very expensive, or both. We've been lucky to visit many wonderful locations, cruising or not, and although I still have my bucket list, I can't complain about the amount of trave we've done. Cruising is still high on the list as we age due to comfort and convenience. A recent quick trip with 14+ hour days in the car and hauling luggage in and out of hotels was a wake-up call! We don't handle that as well as a few years ago.

Yes, I have worn cover ups before but I prefer the look of a knee length little sundress or shorts . I have found several in the $10 range too! Also looks nicer if I want to head to the buffet or some other area without going back to the room to change. I really don't like seeing cabin robes on the pool deck though. They are so bath-roomy looking

There are often robes in the cabin, but they are really bulky and ugly. I put on my swimsuit and either wear a light sundress, or usually, pull on shorts and tee over it. I don't know if I've ever seen one in the halls, etc., in just a swimsuit.

We've both been able to get deferrals when jury duty popped up before a cruise. There was no problem, it seemed to be almost a given that we would be excused.

We'd love to do that 32 day cruise too but I just don't think it will work out, darn it. Price is absolutely unbeatable. Sigh.

All this, plus no International Cafe! One of our favorites for a quick snack/meal.

Gosh, I reread favorites all the time. I have several that I read at least once a year. Not because I have forgotten them, but I am caught up in the writing and story. I notice fewer and fewer books in ship libraries, if they even have a library. I get it, I use my Kindle most of the time for convenience, especially when traveling. Easier to hold, I have hundreds of books on it and get a lot of free books as well, some actually pretty good. I am also happy to say that two of my five grandkids, all in their early 20's, are avid readers. I guess 2 out of 5 isn't bad these days.

The men were playing boules the day they were there. One of my favorite memories along with wandering the charming streets and eating wonderful crepes--and my husband found of the best licorice he has ever tasted. I'm not a licorice fan, but he loved it. Monaco was fine, but I enjoyed the feel of a at least somewhat real French village.