MagnoliaBlossom

I’ve been to a clothing optional beach in St Maarten and no one, I mean NO ONE, who was nude needed to be seen without clothing 🤮

But the best part of the day was watching two boys, maybe 11 or 12.  They were bouncing on a big floaty th No in the water when a couple came down the beach and they both fell off because they were so distracted.  And they couldn’t get back until there fast enough for more of the show.  It was years ago and we still talk about it.

On 4/29/2024 at 5:34 PM, Kp125 said:

Has anyone ever filed against the included trip insurance? Just wondering if I need as much trip insurance 

There is a cruise/travel insurance thread, that may provide you with more information.

We are frugal, but by that I mean we weigh the cost/benefit.   We had been away from PCL for several years, before they had the plus program.  We looked at gratuities and our alcohol expenditures and decided it was a good deal for us and the sushi and pizza place was langniappe.  It’s nice to not worry about individual costs.  ie, if I’ve never tried a whatever drink I could order it, and if it was not to my liking, I could get something else.  That is a nice option, whereas otherwise you’ve paid the $10 plus cost of a drink you didn’t care for,   If yu are not a drinker, I’d say less than three drinks a day, this may not be to you ur advantage.  Only yu can judge its value.

Well, thus far we have come out ahead on every cruise.  I know people won’t believe it, but DH sets a Dalit limit for his ante and it’s very low, but he is very good at what he does and he always knows when to walk away.  He doesn’t chase the cards but plays the odds and more often than not walk away with chips in his pocket.   We’ve received the carnival casino offers for some time, but the bigger offers happened after Ballys bought out a casino in Shreveport where we gamble once a week.  I’m positive they know which way the scales tilt on his account and yet they offer us more “free” stuff. 😉

I know we are probably ananomoly, but it works for us.

On 4/25/2024 at 8:35 PM, Elaine5715 said:

I have gotten that offer by email every day for the past years, and once a month but surface mail.   We have booked five or six cruises using it, but lately the offers are only short cruises from MIA or LA, which doesn’t interest us at all.

we got an offer for a TA from NOLA to Barcelona for $100,and an insane 30 day Australia to Alaska for $300.  😲.  
 

And we leave Saturday for a spa balcony on the Jubilee. I truly don’t understand it because DH gambles but. It big money at all and only a few hours a day.

same goes for offers from Bally’s.  About every other month we get an offer for a “free” cruise.  Sometimes it’s just Carnival, last two were Carnival, Princess or Holland.  Some of them up to 12 days.  He plays about two hours a week at Ballys at $5 tables.

On 4/27/2024 at 6:44 AM, BirdTravels said:

 

It is good that there are no USB outlets. From a cybersecurity perspective, you should never, ever plug your device into a USB outlet that you don't own. Not in a mall. Not in an airport. Not in a hotel. Not on a cruise ship. 

I didn’t know that.  Thanks.

Good idea, as funnels could be used to fill tea kettles. 😉

When we began sailing Carnival I took my four cup travel coffee pot and it was confiscated.  One day at a meet n greet I asked the captain about the coffee pot rule and he said he didn’t even have a coffee pot in his cabin.   Carnival went through a period some years ago where they had several fires onboard.  I suspect that added to their ban of coffee pots, etc.  

Nothing with a heating element is allowed in the cabins, with the exception of curling irons. Etc.   It’s a fire hazard and they will confiscate the item if you bring your own onboard.  It’s a huge complaint of mine against CCL because I love to have a cup of coffee on the balcony each morning.

Only way to find out is do it today.

I’ve been getting that Play n Chill offer for months, every day by email, today I got it as a post card.  Problem is recently it is only for four or five day cruises from LA or Miami.   We have four booked this year through that offer code out of our home port of Galveston and a TA from New Orleans.

lately though Galvestons traffic has really picked up and they are just not there.  😩

Great news.  We will board her on 6/24 for a family cruise, first time on NCL for others so hoping for a good impression.

Interesting article.

We cruise often and bought out shares at rock bottom price during the COVID shut down.  We’ve more than made our money back and still have the goose, laying those golden eggs.  We use it on Princess well as Carnival.  It is good on all Carnival lines.

Thank you all for your comments and photos.  I am a huge fan of chopping, but that serving is enormous!  We have a lot of OBC so we are looking forward to several nice meals.  Based on comments and the menu, I’ve booked two nights at Rudi’s.  We now live in Texas, so we can get excellent steaks anywhere, so this will be a nice treat for us.  

We are Louisiana natives and accustomed to good seafood, although lobster and scallops are outside our area of local product,  hope what is offered is well prepared.

1 hour ago, weezal said:

search for rudi's seagrill

Yes, I have the menus, I was hoping for personal experience .

We will be on the Jubilee in two weeks and the menu for the seafood restaurant has me drooling.  Anyone who has eaten there, can you describe your experience, please?

I don’t know how Princess does it, but when we sail from Galvestonbwe are always on the ship between 10:20 and 10:30.  So nice to walk straight on.

I know they were offering the ant cabin double up offer in February when we were on the Prima.  We booked a cruise onboard and another after coming home before the offer expired.  

Call the casino number and talk to a human.

Recap for late viewers.

1) Go to Military Appreciation area of the NCL page and verify your status via IDMe.  Takes about five minutes.  If you have a spouse, register them, too.

2) the MAP discount will automatically appear on any quotes and bookings in the future,  No one should have to re-verify your status, it’s attached to your profile.

3) if you are travelling with family and they are not military, the veteran can book one cabin and receive a discount, and the spouse of the vet can book the other and receive the discount.

4) We have received an invite for the gathering on every cruise since the program began.

Well said. A very confusing issue for many people.

The peach sangria is very nice and refreshing.  Made with white wine or Prosecco, don’t remember which.

It is not a discount but non-refundable OBC.  Amount varies by length of cruise, anywhere from $50-250 per cabin.  You must have 100 shares and there is no limit on how many times you can use it.  I’ve used it on 1 cruises since we bought it at rock bottom during the shut down.

onlt restriction is, it is not available if you are on a complimentary cruise such as a casino comp.  Very easy to apply for,,

oops I did not see the above post before posting. 🤭