Baletrina

12 minutes ago, jbethel11 said:

I would advise against calling someone a "Becky." They are not the most cynical person on these boards, by a mile! I think they are just stating the truth, which quite frankly, was a little harsh. Yes, some posters are very open to voicing their opinion, but that doesn't warrant such a harsh term. 

You’re right. I let them get to me and I’m 

better than that. 

...

...

https://www.vovconcierge.com/service/easy-luggage-service/

Found a company!

On 6/16/2019 at 10:49 PM, zamabehr said:

Thanks for the recommendations! I feel like luggage is going to be our biggest issue - we are combining several trips into one, so we are packing heavier than usual for us, but definitely keeping in mind we need to stay small and light for maneuvering. 

 

I've been trying to do my research, it's looking like we might be better off staying off the island. Doesn't sound like we are going to need 5 days to see Venice, so we might catch a train to visit another relatively close city as well.

We stayed in an AirBNB near the Canal. It was charming and perfect. Made us feel Italian! 

As as far as luggage, there are porters you can hire with carts that will move your bags over the many steps and cobblestones pathways. We saw them as my poor husband dragged 3 suitcases while I pushed/carried 2 kids. Next time we will find those guys! 

On 3/13/2019 at 1:01 AM, jbethel11 said:

Yes, with younger cruisers, kids sail free is great. But once your little ones become teenagers, it's like a middle ground of discounted rates and full paying adult rates. MSC also has a Kids Sail Free on Select Sailings sale. Norwegian supposedly has a "3rd and 4th" sail free, but the adult rates are outrageous! Simply too high! 

Depends where you go. 

Just booked our 2nd cruise with MSC to the Med. Kids are free($56 in port fees) and for my husband and I it’s less than $1500. Flights to Europe are just a little more than a flight to Miami. There’s a reason I tell people it’s cheaper to go to Europe than Disney!

On 10/4/2018 at 2:34 PM, Pedro2400 said:

We will be staying for two nights in July 2019 for our Oasis of the seas cruise, we would like to use our Marriott points.

Any good ( no too expensive) Marriott only hotel recommendations ?

Which hotel did you choose? Just booked for 2020 and am starting the search. 

I love this post. I hope people read this and take it to heart while traveling. My rule of thumb for Europe is to plan what you would wear here say “casual” and bump it up a notch or two to “business casual”  or “dressy casual.” *looking at you in the white socks, white sneakers and shorts!

Kid friendly bug spray! I prob post this on every kid packing list post. Who knew Venice had nasty mosquitoes?

9 hours ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

don't know what to tell you besides - make the 6 yo walk. DS stopped using a stroller at 14 months when he discovered walking and running.

He started cruising at 3, still taking naps, but never needed to use a stroller or for us to carry him back to the ship after a long, exhausting day of fun at the beach. No, he is not hyper, just the opposite, a very laid back kid.

He too was 49/55# at 6. Using a stroller with a regular (not a low-tone special needs) kid seems a bit extra to me personally. Trust me, a typical 6 yo child has a lot more energy than his parent in 30-50s. No stroller - no problem. Sorry, kiddo, if my 70 yo mom with disabilities can swim all day with flippers and then walk back to the ship without using a wheelchair, so can you.

A little harsh... A lot of unsolicited advice on here moms! 🙄

We have a 3 and 5 year old. The girls are almost done with strollers but on long travel days they are a must. We have used 2 options. First is a Joovy umbrella stroller with an universal boogie board attached to it. Depending on who is more tired they are happy to trade riding standing or sitting. The second option we use is a Joovy Caboose(essentially a Sit N’ Stand) that I bought used for $40 on Craigslist when the boogie board got broken on an airplane. I didn’t want to fork over a few hundred for a new stroller but knew I needed one for the trip. Secondhand is a great option in that case. I hope that helps! 

By now any MSC cruisers should of seen your email. Georgetown and Ocho Rios instead of Havana. Here is ours: 

1 hour ago, Cru-Zin said:

Booked on MSC in October.  Any word yet on their plans?

Here is a screenshot from the MSC page. We are booked for November but will choose a different cruise. 

Go with the lightest option since you will have to move it around from ship to tinder to bus to street quite often. We opt for an umbrella(Joovy Groove) and this stroller board (Lascal BuggyBoard Maxi, Universal Ride-On Stroller Board, Fits More Strollers Than Any Other Board Using The Patented Universal Adapter, Quick Connect and Disconnect, Holds Up To 66 lbs., Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002ZSP72G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_jS29CbWWT06DR) which fits on 99% of strollers.  We carry the baby if the older one wants to sit. 

Made the mistake of buying a Lillebaby toddler carrier which my kids were not used to. Was hoping to push the 4 year old and carry the baby. Nope. She hated it. Make sure they like it before hauling it around the world. 

So I would choose option 1 but modified. 

24 minutes ago, drafterdw said:

where did you see this.....someone told me this but cannot find confirmation.

 

1 hour ago, RVAcruiser said:

I don't know that it's a clear-cut that if you already paid in full for your cruise, you will still go to Cuba, and if you have only partially paid, you won't.  

 

https://cruiseradio.net/how-the-cuba-travel-ban-will-impact-your-cruise/

Our cruise is in November. We have not paid in full. Should we do that today and cross fingers that we go?

We are only taking a one day tour our second day in Cuba. What sites did you or did you not see on the first day? Trying to plan ahead what we should do the first day. 

Great ideas from all!

Little toys like Wiki Sticks, jelly clings and Mad Matter are great for the plane and long dinners in the MDR. New ones are even better!

Bring all all the meds, bandages, hydro cortisone, neosporin, etc. I’ve been asked to share meds by other parents who were less prepared!

At least two pairs of good daily shoes each. Our youngest at 1 threw her shoe at Disney. Luckily Disney bought her a pair but eek. Fiasco. 

Sunhat, sunscreen, bug spray  and a compact umbrella. The Caribbean sun is harsh. 

Just roll with it. The people that say to leave the kids at home are the ones that aren’t flexible. Just go with it and just enjoy every moment together even if that means snuggles in your stateroom versus cocktails in the casino!

Save yourself the grief and always take a later flight!

Oh I know the music very well! Especially since it repeats every 16-32 bars. 🤣🤣🤣

12 hours ago, cruiselove87 said:

Thank you. Where in Italy and Greece did you go? Any advice on things to do?

Venice, Bari - Italy

Katakolon, Athens, Mykonos- Greece

Walk and enjoy. Limit museums/churches. Let the kids run through piazzas. Eat lots of gelato. Enjoy the beach. Bring bug spray. There’s no big to do’s. Just enjoy family time. With littles in tow it makes for a more enjoyable trip for all!

I do recommend highering a vacation photographer for an hour in your most picturesque location. Instagram/Xmas card ready shots that you will cherish forever. 

Thanks for this suggestion! Contacted Yosel through email and he was quick to respond. Booking for November! 

My question for for you is that our ship docks at 10am. Do you think that’s too late(giving myself a window to get off the ship and through the port) to do the tour that day? Or should we plan for the next full day? 

Back with an update. Originally I have booked all members of my family under the same email address. Since the system was revamped last fall every Voyager account must have a separate email. Makes zero sense since I will not open an email account for my 3 year old just for MSC but I remember on VC sign up you HAD to enter an email account for each person.  They cleared the emails from everyone else and reset and said I should be ok to sign on now. I’m not. Account still not found. Calling again tomorrow. 🙁

And my PCC has not called or answered my email from 10 days ago. 

I need this answer too! I’ve called MSC and gotten nowhere. 🙁

From what I’ve read the Kids Club is open 7-11pm but most people on the Tropicana excursion get back to the ship around midnight which leaves a one hour gap in care. Supposedly Kids Around the Club kicks in from 11-2am where there is a small charge but the MSC rep could not answer specifics. She said we would have to ask on the ship. But how can we book Tropicana if we don’t know 110% we will have childcare. Arg. So frustrating.

I will try to call again tomorrow to get some answers. 

Meanwhile I’m hopeful a past guest on Armonia can give definitive answers. 🤞🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽

I was also worried when we did Italy, Greece, Croatia, Albania about cobblestones, large curbs and stairs. Turns out I had nothing to worry about! We used our Joovy Groove with a detachable Buggy Board. Worked great! I love the Joovy because it is easy to maneuver, lays almost flat, has lots of storage and has taken quite a beating from lots of flights and dusty roads. Still works like new. 

I also brought a Lillebaby carrier but didn’t use it much. 

6 hours ago, NayaSantaFe said:

I was looking at buying a little crossbody backpack:

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07CBNQC5Y/ref=sspa_mw_detail_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&th=1

 

Like you said I think it will be alot more practical than a little purse...I don't carry diapers or anything anymore, but I do carry baby wioes, hand santizer, etc, so I need a little extra space.

 

Also, thanks for the repellent idea. I usually take one to our trips but for some reason I wasn't thinking I would need it on this trip.

That bag is perfect! Time to order it and start the Spreadsheet packing list. Lol. 

They do. Once you book a cruise and receive your booking information you will see the information for the person who you spoke with and handled booking your cruise. I was informed that is my PCC.