Strophic

Okay but regular hand washing is always possible on a cruise. So...people should be doing that instead.

I wasn't being hostile in my response, I just figured you were making the suggestion to me specifically since you quoted me in your response, so I was just explaining why your suggestion doesn't really work for me.

I am using SmugMug now and so far I am happy with SmugMug. I have the basic plan which gives me unlimited storage and unlimited third party linking. However, SmugMug has no free option. My plan is $48 per year.

I'm not paying for image hosting when there are so many good free alternatives. And if I did want to use any host's premium features, it would be Imgur since that's what I use heavily on every site on the internet except Cruise Critic.

Lol, ok. This is literally a discussion about alternative image hosts to Photobucket, so I am completely on-topic. What you're quoting—conveniently, the parts that you didn't paste in—is specifically about discussing the banning of users/removal of posts/locking of topics/etc. There's a reason why there was a huge discussion thread about the changes to the forum style and signatures that lasted for weeks, and that's because it wasn't against the rules.

I have definitely not violated any forum rules. Would you like to point out the specific rule that you think I broke?

Here's the thing though...you can upload rule-breaking images to Photobucket and Flickr. The site that you upload them to has zero impact on whether or not you are capable of doing that. No image host has in its terms of service "by the way, uploading images that are against cruisecritic.com's forum rules isn't allowed." So...no, it actually doesn't answer my question in the slightest because there's no "problem" created in Imgur and Gyazo that couldn't be created in Photobucket or Flickr.

As for the admin thing...I have been an admin of my own site for several years now, and I can say with confidence that image hosts do not create problems. That just...isn't even a concept that makes sense. Users create problems, and they create them when they choose to break the rules—they can choose to break them using Photobucket or Imgur as their conduit and it doesn't make a lick of difference.

By default, a forum does not discriminate against image hosts. That is something that needs to be specifically implemented. Imgur and Gyazo are specifically being blocked by this forum. There must be a reason for that, and so far no one has provided a clear or rational explanation as to why that is. But if you have a reason other than "Papa CC knows best," I'm all ears.

I emailed CC about allowing a couple of additional image hosts that currently get auto-blocked, and I...sort of got given the runaround? She mostly focused on why I wasn't using Flickr (because that's not what I asked about?) and sort of gave a vague response about how some image hosts "gave them serious problems in the past". Well...okay. It's just a site to upload your images, one can't really "cause problems" more than another one as long as the images people choose to upload aren't rule-breaking.

I asked for some clarification but didn't get a response. I really am not a fan of Flickr and I'm not going out of my way to make an account on there just for one site. With Photobucket functionally useless and Imgur and Gyazo not allowed by the forum, I am kind of grasping for alternatives over here.

Overuse of hand sanitizer is actually causing some big problems. The US Center for Disease Control found that people who used hand sanitizer over normal hand washing were significantly more likely to develop norovirus in the event of an outbreak. When people use sanitizer over and over when they don't really need to, it eliminates beneficial (and less harmful) bacteria that keeps the "super bugs" in check. With frequent use it also weakens your immune system.

Reaching for hand sanitizer just for mundane things like buffet tongs and railings is overblown paranoia, and it's actually causing you more problems even if it might give you peace of mind. Just...live your life and don't be afraid of such insignificant things? Unless you are completely immune compromised, a little bacteria on things touched by a lot of people is not going to hurt you. Bacteria is all around us, all over us, and living inside of us, and most of it doesn't hurt us. You can't turn the world into a sanitized plastic bubble.

Lose your Itinerary - Might be good for some people, might not be for others. I am the kind of person who tends to faff about and waste my vacation time when I "wing it" too much, so I prefer to have at least somewhat of a schedule. Doing stuff like sitting on the beach doesn't really interest me, I'd rather be doing an activity.

Embarrass Yourself - Definitely going to happen eventually, and I think it can be a good thing. I think the spirit of this one is "put yourself out there and take risks."

Get Lost - One of my best trip memories was picking a random exit to get out of the Grand Bazaar in Turkey and, starting from a position of being completely lost, finding my way back to my hotel.

Lose Your Tour Group - Wasn't an option for me on any trip I've been on, so I'm not sure about this one. I feel like it would be selfish to go off and have "personal time" while the others in your group might be putting their vacation on hold to look for you.

Visit a County where you don't Speak the Language - Definitely recommend! One of the best ways to get out of your comfort zone. And to be honest, a lot of English-speakers need to be taken down a peg in the ethnocentrism department. If you're one of those people who assumes that someone is stupid just because they are struggling to communicate with you in English, it will benefit you to be in the middle of a role-reversal.

Lose Your Luggage - This is one of the ones that actually annoys me. Maybe if you have a ton of disposable income it can be a ~fun adventure~ to lose all your belongings, but not everyone can afford to replace a big chunk of their wardrobe like that. This one is Instagram hippie BS.

Book Seats Separate from your Travelling Companions - Might not be a bad idea, just don't get too upset if the person next to you would rather be left alone than fulfil your quirky travel fantasy.

Miss Your Flight - Again, here's Johhny Moneybags telling you that it's no big deal to be out hundreds of dollars for a plane ticket or take an extra few days time off that you might not have.

Visit a Third World Country - Definitely recommend. "Third World" is a very nebulous term, and pretty much every list/map of "third world countries" is different because there's no single, agreed-upon definition. But I wouldn't skip out on South Africa, Mexico, India, Thailand, Iran, or Cambodia just because they have this distinction.

Let People Know You're a Tourist - Trust me, they know.

I would, too. Several people seem to be laughing but as someone who's immune system is low, it does make me be extra careful. Not to the extent of wearing gloves but I have avoided some items if I've seen someone doing something gross lol

Totally agree with you. Parents who laugh off their kids' misbehavior annoy me to no end. Children are disgusting X|

You're the one responding, haha.

Flying is a lot of fun. I understand why a lot of people are afraid of it, but it's never bothered me. Statistically speaking, driving a car is the most dangerous method of transport (although I know not all fears are rational.)

I use telepathy to get my food to jump onto my plate ( and into my mouth at the table so never touching a utensil).

I know you mean telekinesis, but I laughed really hard imagining you telepathically communicating to a dinner roll and convincing it diplomatically to get up and hop onto your plate.

To stay in context: there is an inherent contradiction when someone who, without experience in either mode of transportation, is afraid of traveling by ship but not by plane.

Um...no? That logic makes absolutely no sense.

Maybe he's scared of falling over a railing or scared of the ocean in general. That might make him afraid of the idea of cruising, but they're not applicable to being in a plane. You don't categorize a fear as "modes of transportation," you categorize is by the specific things that you are afraid of.

If someone is afraid of planes because they are a mile up in the air, that doesn't obligate them to be afraid of bicycles just because they are both modes of transport.

Eating with your fingers while in line is not gross. But the majority of those finger eaters then clean their fingers by licking them and then going on to touch other stuff.... that is the gross part.

I'm not sure about that, I explicitly said that I only take bites of dry/non-residue foods (therefore, no finger licking) and people still reacted negatively. I am still scratching my head wondering where these germs are magically coming from.

To say nothing of the fact that it all becomes moot when you step outside and lean on a railing that has been touched by hundreds of hands.

Obviously she means exactly what she said: her husband isn't afraid to fly. The default position before trying something new is not fear. Flying is not an inherently scary activity like wrestling a crocodile is. I wasn't afraid of flying before I tried it, then I tried it and I still wasn't afraid.

a woman on his side who's not nagging him to do something he doesn't want to do (but will do it to make her happy ((or make her shut up :rolleyes:)) )

Lovely. I'm sure your wife is your biggest fan.

Congrats! My boyfriend also took some convincing to go on our first cruise, but now he's hooked. I'm sure your husband will love it once he gives it a chance, and if not...well, nothing ventured, nothing gained. There will be plenty more opportunities for vacations—land and sea—that suit you both.

I feel like I am one of those people who will occasionally take a quick bite of something on my plate while I'm in line. I mean...I'm not going to grab a handful of curry or anything with a significant amount of residue, but if I've got something like a dinner roll or a waffle on there, sure I'll take a bite. It's not like I shove my fingers in my mouth up to the second knuckle and slurp food right off my hand, so to be honest I don't see how it's a very germy thing to do.

"Politically correct" is a meaningless conservative buzzword. For some extra fun, there's actually a chrome app that replaces all instances of the term with "treating people with kindness and respect." Install it and laugh at how ridiculous the headlines have become.

"Has treating people with kindness and respect gone too far??"

I'm very certain the people complaining about NOT using "the orient" are the same types who would go around calling people queers and negros and complaining that that's suddenly not allowed either.

Maybe offensive terms don't bother you because you enjoy a position in which no real cutting terms exist for people in your group. You might get annoyed at the word "cracker," maybe, but that term is so toothless. You don't know how it feels to be the target of a real slur, to feel that punch to the gut.

I feel kind of silly saying this but...I actually did not check the Royal Caribbean excursions at all!

Last year I did 100% of our bookings through TripAdvisor, so I didn't even think to check...there is an RC rainforest excursion in Puerto Rico for a not-crazy amount of money.

@Matondo, Don't worry about your husband! My boyfriend was VERY hesitant about cruising. He would get stressed thinking about the money whenever I mentioned our upcoming cruise to him and wasn't showing any enthusism—I even made a thread here asking for advice about it. But by the time the cruise rolled around he was really pumped to go, and by the time we got back he was begging to book another one right away. So your husband probably just needs a little time :)

they were from the orient

You mean...Asia?

Man, sometimes I feel like these forums are a time portal back to the 50's.

Unfortunately all the rain forest excursions I have found wouldn't get back to the ship on time, we are leaving Puerto Rico at 3pm.

To be perfectly frank, Belize City is not super photogenic. Many areas are in rough shape, and even the richest homes have bars on their windows. Our cave tubing excursion with Butts Up included a brief city tour at the beginning, which I thought was perfect—I don't think it's the kind of city where a tour can be the "main event," but as a supplement to another activity it was great.

I've got my restaurant and show reservations done :) Excursions are still on the to-do list, but I want to book them this week. Gonna do the Rhino Safari in St. Maarten for sure, but undecided on Labadee and/or San Juan. We don't have a lot of time in Puerto Rico so it would have to be a short activity—but not TOO short. I just couldn't bring myself to spend $70+ for 30 minutes of Snuba ;_;

I've only been on one other cruise as an adult—Carnival Magic last year. My boyfriend and I are sailing on Oasis in December and I am just. So excited.

I'm just about dying right now because I booked out December 2016 cruise in August 2016, and that wait was agonizing enough. We booked this cruise right after we got back from the last one, so I've already waited 8 months...and I still have "The Wait" from last year in its entirety to go...if that makes sense at all.

But I am really stoked to try Royal Caribbean for the first time and to be on such a large ship with so many restaurants and activities. I'm also getting +3 on the list of countries I've visited, so that's pretty cool. I just really hope this wait goes by quickly!