CruisingRavyn

I know they have wheelchairs they can use for boarding but I would recommend calling the airline to address getting the scooter to your destination. You may also want to speak with them about mobility on the plane re: restrooms etc.

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I've found each individual person has a preference for port days or sea days. I have found that I love sea days. While the ports are fun I do like the relaxing days at sea. If you turn out to be more of a port lover then a TA may not be for you. My suggestion for a first time cruise would be to book something that has some port days. You will know immediately which you prefer and then can make the decision on the next cruise if you think 14 days at sea is right for you. Port people are going to find this boring. I myself would love to be able to do a TA.

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In April we will be going to the sloth sanctuary in Honduras to cuddle the cuties!

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Thank you, great answer!! I think we'll just do a nightly quick call from room.

 

 

 

I do have one more question... Clients text me to make appointments. And I plan on not answering until home. So my question is this.... will I receive the texts while onboard or will they get sent to me as soon as cruise is over and I'm back in Miami or will I just not get them at all?

 

 

 

Not matter how long in advance I warn them i'll be unavailable its certain someone will try to bother me loll.

If your phone is in airplane mode with the wifi enabled you will only get messages that won't affect your bill (like iMessage that uses wifi)

When you disembark at the end of the cruise and you take the Airplane mode off your phone will go crazy for a few minutes receiving all the texts/voicemails that were sent while you were away.

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Has anyone used this and is it useful? Also how bad are the internet charges for it? Does it only charge while you are actually using it? Thanks

 

 

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We liked it because it is easy to keep up with the FUN Times rather than carrying the paper schedule around it's there on your phone. We always get the $25 social media package. I don't know if you can use that app for free. May want to check with guest services about it.

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Hi all, I have virgin mobile, Samsung phone. First cruise. I have a couple questions on this topic:

 

 

 

1. To avoid unwanted costs, when I get on the ship, what should I do with my phone? In other words should I shut off wifi, put phone on airplane mode or do nothing with it? I get texts from clients on m cell and do not want a text coming to me to cost me extra.

 

 

 

2. I have 2 children at home that I would like to text once per day to check up on. Any clue at all how much that text would cost me? I checked virgin mobile and can't find info. And also will the text even go thru if I don't have wifi on? Sorry, not so tech savvy lol

 

 

 

3. Is the internet café on board norwegin escape only for people who have bought internet packages? and if not, what can you do from there... can I send a facebook message to kids from there?

 

 

 

This is the one aspect of our trip that my mind can't wrap its head around lol. I just need to avoid added charges and know how to contact my kids once per day. Thank you all so much for replies!!!!

When you board, put your phone in airplane mode. You can turn on the wifi and use the ships wifi if you have purchased an internet package which vary between cruise lines.

If you are ok texting your kids use a social media app like FB messenger which you can use through wifi. If you need to call you can also do so through the social media apps over wifi but many times the wifi signal is not strong enough to call unless you purchase the highest internet package. Also Skype is available depending on the wifi you purchase.

DO NOT use you cell to call unless you have spoken with the wireless carrier and understand the charges AND have spoken with guest services to see is there is an additional charge to use the ships phone tower.

Another option is to pick up the cabin phone and call. It's usually $1.99/minute (price should be posted on the phone) which is pricey but you know what you are being charged and can time you calls to keep the cost down.

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Can you access the "non-rocky" beach from Margaritaville? I see people in beach chairs....I assume you can rent those?

Not certain about the chairs on that side. On the side opposite margaritaville the chairs are free and first come basis. I would assume it is the same on the other side but it is very crowded. if they are plan to get off ship early if you want to get one.

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If you just want to make a few quick calls you can do so issuing your cabin phone. It is $1.99 per minute but you know you won't get a crazy phone bill when you get home or insane ship charges for calling with your phone. Also if the kiddos have FB or will be with someone that has FB you can use the messenger app to text and call using the wifi service. We always purchase the $5/day which is actually only $25 total if you purchase it for the entire duration (they give you a little discount). I have been able to call on the messenger app using this plan before but the service isn't great and it is a crap shoot as to whether it will connect or not. If you can survive texting for the duration this is the way to go.

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On our last cruise, we just downloaded the Ship Mate app and communicated/texted that way. No problems and it's free.

May I ask what ship? We are sailing on Grandeur of the Seas in July and RCCL doesn't offer low cost text only options on their older ships. I'm wondering if this will work. I just need to be able to text to others in the party.

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The shoreline just inside the waters edge can be rocky/hard. I would recommend taking water shoes. The waves are generally fairly calm but you will likely have to hold hands of the littles to help navigate rocks/waves until you are past the breakers. After that's it's easy swimming in crystal clear water.

I haven't done the excursions, all the beaches on Grand Turk are public and the beach to the left (right if your on the ship) of the pier tends to be less busy (probably because it's a bit more rocky).

My then 10 year old running on the beach. the beach to the left of the pier (looking at the beach from the ship) was packed.

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Balmoral island in Nassau does NOT allow private cameras. It was a horrible experience and I would caution anyone on this one.

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This is exactly what we did! No parking fees and the van was cheaper than a Tahoe.

 

Woah! Virginia to Canaveral. Excitement always gets me to the cruise and pure determination gets me home! [emoji23]

 

 

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You ain't lying! 12 hours+ but we are stopping and staying the night in Flagler beach area then will do the last 2 hours stretch the day of the cruise. 1 kid, 1 pre-teen, 1 teen and an elderly with memory issues. That drink package is going to pay for itself! [emoji23][emoji23][emoji484][emoji484]

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Very true. We did find a direct line between Atlanta and Fort Lauderdale, so that was a plus. There are six of us cruising this time and trying to plan out the most cost effective way to get down there and back. My father in law and his wife won't be able to drive the whole way and they won't fit in our car.

 

 

 

First world problems, I know! ;)

Rent a minivan on a one way rental. Then rent another for the return trip. It Has to be less expensive for six people than plane, train or bus tickets. I can fit 6 people, 5 LARGE suitcases and carryons in my Sienna. You'd be amazed at what a minivan can carry. Way more than an SUV. We are getting ready to drive from VA to Port Canaveral for April cruise with six people in the Yota. It's just so much more cost effective than trying to get everyone plane tickets and to the airport.

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Nice!

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If you are not comfortable getting to and from the terminal on your own I would suggest the exclusions through the cruise line. While a bit more pricey, if they are delayed in returning your group to the ship the ship will wait. You don't have to worry about coordinating. Check to see what is offered, most will say if they are not kid friendly.

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Goportcanaveral.com is always handy.

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The drink package is also nice because you don't have to constantly worry about what your bill is. You pay it up front and relax and enjoy your cruise. Welcome aboard to the world of cruising!

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Purchase the Cheers ahead of time and let the OBC pay for gratuities.

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There is a pirate museum there. I've never been but I've heard it's nice especially for the kiddos.

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Carnival offers a social media package for $25 per cruise. If she has an iPhone she will be able to use iMessage. If not she can use FB messenger or other social media to communicate back home. Just make sure her phone is in airplane mode when on board.

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You could consider walkie talkies. There are some about the same size of a cell phone available on Amazon and are very simple to use.

Thank you! I actually have a set and have been considering them but I have also been told that due to the ship having so much metal the reception can be iffie but I'm definitely thinking of taking them as a backup!

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I don't even think I want to know how much celebrity charges. We are generally Carnival cruisers and are apparently spoiled by the $25 entire cruise social media package. [emoji23]. We are close to Baltimore and couldn't resist a 9 night cruise only 2 hours away from us! So much better than the 12 hour trek to FL! Thanks again to everyone that has offered suggestions! Happy sailing!

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And she still gets to hold onto her independence.

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It really isn't that difficult to locate people or communicate in other ways other than texting on board. Especially on a ship such as Grandeur which is a relatively small ship with only a handful of likely venues in which to find someone. We've never had to rely on texting to keep in touch on any of our cruises. Just discuss daily plans, meeting places and times, along with door messages, etc., and you should be fine.

Thank you for the info and I appreciate your reply but As previously stated while the text helps with the teens it's not necessary. The main concern is an elderly traveler in the early stages of cognitive memory loss. She isn't a danger and isn't near a point that she needs constant care but does tend to get easily turned around on the ships and often can't figure out where she is then forgets where she was going when she gets flustered with the realization of not knowing where she is. Texting has been a blessing as we can usually either tell her where she is by her surroundings or come get her if she gets too overwhelmed. When she gets flustered she's not going to remember a conversation about where everyone will be that happened that morning.

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As Bob mentioned in an earlier post, check with your carrier on what is possible (and cost) with the shipboard cell service. If you don't expect other texts/calls and will only need texting between two devices, that might be a cheaper option. While Surf is offered on board it is about the same price as Stream purchased online. You do not need to purchase the 5 device package - a two device package (one for the mother's device and the second for another device) would suffice.

Thank you for the help. Ideally we would like to have 5, mine, my DS, my DM and the 2 teen/pre-teens we have in the group but if necessary we can make do with 2. I try not to be a helicopter parent but when DD isn't where she's supposed to be or plans get crossed/changed. It's nice to be able to text rather than searching the ship. We may even need to go back to white boards on room doors. Thanks again for the info/advice.

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