rccampbell

I would like to see a GENERAL Store type shop where you could buy all kinds of things from magnets and salt water taffy to sandals, clothes and jewelry. Unique type items would be a good draw.

One of the things we noticed on our last cruise was so many of the shops in the ports were not unique to the local, but often made in China, Taiwan, etc. I was not impressed.

Nothing like buying a cute little vase to take home, and later discovering a made in china stamp and then finding the same thing on Amazon. Suddenly that souvenir doesn't feel so special.

When abroad my passport lives in my money belt. It is physically attached to me. Not in a vest. Not in a bag stowed overhead.

 

I want to be able to get home as easily as possible at any point in the trip. My passport is the key to that. It is the most valuable thing I have. I literally wear it.

This is the type of point I was trying to make. My fear of being told you cannot go back to the USA even for a day or so scares me to death. I think I will keep it on me, have a photo on my phone and email a copy to myself.

I think electronic back-up, whether it be online, a phone, etc are all excellent ideas.

Hi, I am sure we all have heard about the plane crash in Mexico this week. Thank goodness no one lost their lives.

It was reported in the news this morning that at least 60 of the passengers held U.S. or U.S./Mexican citizenship but lost their passports in the fire. They were unable to retrieve their carry on bags as they escaped the plane.

They will have to remain in Mexico until replacements/ proof of citizenship is determined.

This tells me that I just might want to keep my passport physically on my person anytime I am travelling by plane outside of the country. In a fanny pack, purse, coat pocket, etc.

I know this isn't directly related to cruising, but many do fly to or from far away cruise ports and anything can happen.

Don't RSOs have to register with any local they live in and the community notified that the offender has moved into your neighborhood?

I would think something similar would come into play if an RSO is on a ship for any amount of time with children or vulnerable adults say for a week or two.

I do not think any ship lines would want the responsibility associated with this, nor would I be comfortable as a parent or grandparent of a potential victim, wondering if that nice person sitting next to that child in the theater or near the pool is safe.

Really? Nothing could be worse? In this scenario I can’t pay for the expenses associated with the emergency but I can cruise. Guess we all have different priorities.

We are talking about regular everyday people that plan for a cruise up to 2 years in advance. Would be nice to sit back and know the once in a life time trip is paid for even if the world ends hypothetically.

Rather than making payments on a cruise, why not put the money into a savings account so that you earn some interest? It's a much better option than depositing your money into Carnival's account and letting them earn interest off your money (since it is your money until the final payment date).

Because some folks just prefer to get it paid off as fast as possible. Some folks are not good with savings either especially if you are on a tight budget.

Nothing would be worse than to have an emergency come up right before final payment that required you to take all of that money in savings and then have to scramble to make final.

My DH thought it was dumb the first time around, but after our 2015 cruise and enjoying a slot pull, cabin crawl to see what other category staterooms were like, meeting the captain at our meet and mingle and getting a bridge tour, he was "So are you doing that thing online again this time?" :cool::cool::cool::cool::cool:

Thumbs up to him! :D

It is very possible that many or most of those on your sailing are not on CC. And sometimes people just prefer their own company and that of their travel companions. My DH is one of those types as I learned on our last cruise. He wanted nothing to do with meeting up with others outside our group of long time friends.

I am just the opposite and love to talk to everybody, but must say that I do not look to cruising as my way to make friends.

With the internet and hand held communication devices everywhere, people tend to keep their attention on the close friends and not so much with the world immediately around them.

Hopefully if no one joins the roll call, you will find other like minded folks when you get on board.

You can also check out threads in the Float Away Lounge section of CC. Lots of folks come over there to have discussions, play puzzle games, etc. just for fun.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=209

The thread you quoted was not serious.

LOL, thanks for pointing that out because I honestly pictured someone making clogs in their work shop ;p

Yep. I know exactly what you mean. They get all giddy when I give them a refrigerator magnet with our hometown on it, or a rabbit foot key chain (I make them myself, four at a time!) or a framed photo of my wife and I. And my wife's home knitted ski masks are always a big hit. The wooden clogs that I make in my garage workshop are also a much appreciated gift.

 

They are so full of gratitude of these wonderful gifts that they are left speechless, with mouth agape in excitement. The response has been so overwhelming that I am seriously thinking of removing all tips and only giving them our homemade gifts next cruise. So many smiling faces, it beings tears of joy to my eyes.

Please do not remove auto-tips. Those tips also go to crew members that you never see or come in contact with, but provide a valuable service to make your cruise enjoyable. Also from what we understand, if you remove the tips, this puts a negative mark on their performance reviews with the cruise line and could effect further contracts for them.

Is the father going on the cruise? If not, you may need written permission to take the children out of the country.

If he is going, you will need to check with his probation or parole officer as to if he can go at all.

As a mom of 4 kids, grand-mom of eight kids, just make a rule before you leave that no body gets more than 15 mins in the bathroom. If more time is going to be needed go to the restrooms at the gym or spa.

Many of us older folks grew up in homes with many kids and had only one bathroom. In my case, 9 kids, 1 grandma, and 2 parents, in 3 bedroom house, 1 bathroom and we made it work.

This can be done on a ship too. Blow drying hair and curling irons, makeup can be done at the desk in the stateroom usually.

Holland is generally the oldest demographic. Celebrity is kind of mixed, but not far behind. NCL and Carnival have mainly younger or family groups, and Carnival certainly has the most weight challenged guests.

 

The timing and length of a cruise certainly affects the guest mix. Longer cruises, newer ships and "exotic" ports tend to attract older or more experienced cruisers, while school breaks and vacations as well as 7 day or shorter cruises tend to be popular with families. The shortest 3 or 4 day cruises are usually called booze cruises here on CC.

 

Like all generalizations, there are always exceptions.

 

I think Celebrity would be fantastic for a honeymoon, no matter what age group the OP belongs to. Hopefully they booked a balcony or suite and will have a few specialty dinners during their cruise to make it even more memorable. Happy honeymoon sailing!

You really didn't mean to say anything about Carnival guests and weight did you?;)

Not so fast!

 

Very often it's the "butter wouldn't melt in her mouth" type of goody-goody who decides, after a lifetime of playing by the rules, to cut loose after seeing what a great time all the rascals and hooligans seem to have.

 

I think you need watching.

Not me :halo::halo::halo::halo:

Obviously, this drastic action is situation specific, depending on the totality of facts and circumstances. A decision would be made involving the captain, security, and corporate. Others in the party may be compelled to leave or not.

 

I can imagine this conversation, "Sorry you're getting tossed off the ship, honey, but I'll be finishing the cruise. See you at home."

That would be me if the DH was put off. ;)LOL

Why are you so concerned about this? Do you plan on acting liking a real jerk on your next cruise?

 

Roz

Not hardly, I am a very much past middle age woman and have never even had a traffic ticket. My misbehaving days are long past over if I ever had any. Just curious based on things I had read about groups of people being put off.

Just Curious.....I had asked this on another thread about something else, then decided to do a search, no luck so here I am....

If someone misbehaves so badly that they have to be removed from the ship, is the entire party/ cabin mates removed or just the perpetrator?

I understand if it is a minor, the parents have to go and if it is the adults, the children can't stay on the ship, but what about the roommates, or spouses, etc.?

If someone I am travelling with gets into enough trouble to be removed from the ship, why should I have to leave too? Am I my brother's keeper?

Even the DH. If he is misbehaved that badly, he can just stay wherever we are and I will sign the divorce papers on the spot...lol

We prefer to pre-pay ahead because I do not want that bill at the end of the trip. By pre-paying ahead of time, I can budget dollars over a longer period of time and get it off my plate.

To prevent over spending on upsells, trinkets, etc. make a budget for extra spending and know that that is all you will allow yourself. Makes it easier to say no.

I thought it funny when we were in the Caribbean, a seller in the port had a beautiful hammock for sale. Price was $140.00 usd. By the time I walked away from her stall she was willing to part with it for $30.00 usd. I didn't buy it because I knew it would blow my luggage weight with the airline.

We couldn't find acceptable airfare or hotel prices spring break 2017 for embarking from Fort Lauderdale.

Decided to check out flying into a different airport. Worked beautifully to..... fly into West Palm beach, rent a car, stay night before cruise midway between airport and cruise port, return car at port, go cruise, come back, rent car, drive back to West Palm, stay overnight again, get on plane and fly home. All of this for less than the airfare to Ft Lauderdale and one night hotel there.

Just keep watching and checking all options. I actually did not find the lower airfare until about 4 months out from cruise. And yes I was starting to panic a little.

As a newbie cruiser last year, we found it most helpful that we were cruising with friends that were familiar.

Also once booked, we read everything we could on the carrier website, found this website and once familiar, drilled down to specific threads related to our specific cruise, example, Princess Cruises thread, Fort Lauderdale Port thread, dining thread, Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao port threads, photography thread, and roll call for our specific cruise thread.

Then I also bought 2 books related to cruising.

Important take aways were:

1. Arrive a day ahead if flying to your cruise port. If we had traveled the same day, we would have missed the ship as it turned out.

2. Bring more money than clothes.

3. Leave your passport and phone in the safe in your stateroom, you do not need them.

4. Don't sweat the small stuff because its all small stuff is true on a cruise.

5. Enjoy yourself, its an expensive vacation and you deserve to enjoy it.

6. Do not approach it with any other expectation than you are going to have fun, period.

This is good info, especially for young people that book their cruises 12-18 months in advance. Anything can happen during that time including getting pregnant. If your cruise line has a pregnancy cut off time frame, know what it is and do some calculations before final payment or before you actually get on the plane or drive across country.