jiwdurando

Your parents raised you just fine I assume. No doubt they can handle a dog for a week or so But it does sound like the $1.99 per minute is the way to go. Just set a time everyday you will call. To save money you could tell them to only pickup the phone if something is wrong (or some such strategy).

O I am sure my parents will be ok, its more that my parents are older and I worry about them watching her. I'm sure they will be ok, its more just me worrying.

I bring one of these, which is not surge protected. I can charge my phone, my kindle and my camera with something like this. My husband and I have found it's enough for all those devices since it seems no more than 2 need charging at once.

 

I actually have those, hadn't even thought to bring them.

Do your parents have a FB account? You can send instant messages that way using the Social Media package that runs $5 per day. Otherwise you're paying more for the internet package.

 

I completely understand keeping track of the fur babies while on vacation. I do the same thing. :)

No they are old school, no facebok, though I've tried lol

Before our Baltimore sailings I printed a map of Chesapeake Bay with locations of all the Lighthouses on the Bay. It was fun to try to locate them as we sailed by.

My mom would absolutely love to do that lol, she loves lighthouses. I've seen most of the ones on the east coast lol. I can't wait to sail along the bay. We live on the Eastern Shore of the bay and this will be a new perspective for me.

Thanks, I will have to check out the tea time!!!

While we are gone I have my parents watching my dog. I am hoping to be able to email home once a day just to check in with them. I looked at the internet packages but I'm not sure I need all that. Is there someone where on the Carnival Pride where you can check and send emails? I appreciate the help. We haven't left the dog for this long before so I'm a bit anxious.

Sea Day brunch is my favorite event, I love the Steak and Eggs and the Bloody Mary.

I saw that in a youtube video! It looks yummy.

Either, but good wheels makes it easier to maneuver.

 

A few thoughts:

• order a package or 2 of bottled water for shore excursions - water on ship is fine, but bottled is fairly inexpensive
  
• look at Bubbles vs. carry your own (12 cans/cartons pp) vs. just pay as you go for soft drinks (kids or non-drinkers)
  
• each adult over 21 can bring a 750ml bottle of wine, David's steakhouse gives a comp. bottle of house wine or 50% off any other wine on 1st night and 1st formal night
  
• consider Cheers vs. pay as you go
  
• Arcade: There is a game where you play until you win a rubber duck (I think $1) - inexpensive souvenir. There is also a "power hour" where games are either 1/2 price or BOGO
  
• review the Fun Times and Hub app for things that interest you, but allow time to just relax too - don't try to do everything
  
• Sea Day Brunch and Tea Time can be nice options
  
• our cards came with a hole punched, so you can clip the card directly to the lanyard if you want
  
• playing cards are sometimes available at guest services
  

probably more, but that's what I could think of for now:)

Ok def looking into buying water before hand!

My kids and I don't drink soda anymore, neither does my husband so thats a nonissue for us. Alcohol will probably be a pay as . you go as well because we don't drink much anymore. Husband is allergic to a lot of different types of alcohol.

Is Tea Time included?

I’m addicted to Disney too (and Universal)! I only have 1 cruise under my belt, but I think I learned from some of my mistakes. Here’s what I learned so far. It’s already been said to bring OTC meds, and bring plenty (alka-seltzer, non-drowsy cold meds, non-drowsy allergy meds if you have those issues, anti-diarrea meds, pain reliever, melatonin if anyone has sleep issues, and Dramamine II or a generic equivalent. I used the Walgreen’s brand with no problems, but make sure it’s non-drowsy because regular dramamine isn’t.

 

 

1.Those scented diaper sacks in the baby aisle at Wal-Mart are good if you have to store or dispose of anything stinky (https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sassy-Baby-Diaper-Sack-50-Ct/40485745).

2.Bring some lysol wipes in a travel pack. It helps to wipe things down while on an excursion.

3. A popup mesh hamper, wrinkle release and a travel bottle of Febreze.

4. In hindsight, I wished I packed wipes like these for our excursion (https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ban-Total-Refresh-Cooling-Body-Cloths-Restore-10-Count/704168670) and a travel stick of deodorant. Between the sweat and the deet in the insect repellant, we felt sticky at the end and it would have been nice to wipe all that gunk off our arms, legs and face. TMI I know, but it would have been handy. Facial wipes to would also be a lot easier to transport instead of bars and bottles.

5. Some nice lounge wear like yoga pants and a nice t shirt would have come in handy for an early lido breakfast. Or in case you needed to travel around the ship at odd hours. We ate breakfast at 6 on disembarkation day, then went back to bed. If I had packed an outfit like this I could have slept more comfortably after breakfast and then wore it home.

These are great! Thank you very much! I am def adding several of these to my list!

I would say that our absolutely most important items that we pack are:

1) the correct documents/ID for boarding

2) Sunscreen, and a lot of it!

3) a waterproof waist pouch to wear when we are in the water at the beach that holds our important things like ID, ship cards and money. Our swimsuit coverups/ sunscreen and such stay at our beach chair.

4) OTC meds that we commonly use, especially motion sickness, antacids, and pain reliever

 

Overall, it's kind of a learning experience. We keep a list now of the things we pack and take it with us on the cruise. If we feel like we are missing something or have brought something we didn't need, we modify the list accordingly.

 

Now, as for the cruise itself, my advice is to not overeat. On our first cruise we got caught up in the "all you can eat" thing on the first day and let me tell you, we felt pretty miserable. There are plenty of opportunities, especially on a 7 day cruise, to try all of the food that you want and still eat more than you usually would at home. Enjoy your trip!

 

 

 

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I had not thought of the waterproof pouch! Thanks!

Thanks everyone!

Mine are 17 and 13 ;) I've heard that grandchildren are our reward for keeping them alive during the tweens and teens:') Fight the good fight:D (And even if it sees like she doesn't want to do anything with you, keep trying - she probably wants to be included even if she doesn't realize it now.)

Lol my mom just tells me its payback for my teenage years lol

This is our September itinerary For this cruise we are taking it easy at all the ports, but do plan to walk to Jack's Shack at Grand Turk and maybe try some snorkeling from the beach.:cool:

 

Based on my limited research, I can't see a need for an excursion at HMC - this can be an easy beach day. Many do book excursions though, so there might be something not to miss for your family. I think just relaxing can be underrated and we don't want to be so busy doing "stuff" at that beautiful beach that we miss the beach;)

 

We loved the Kayak excursion - it ends with some free time at Gold Rock Beach. It is by far the best beach I've been to (but also very undeveloped - a plus for me) - clear water and powder soft sand. I enjoy nature and being on the water so it was a no brainer for us, but it does require getting up early. I think there was at most 30-45 minutes once we got back before we had to be on board so we didn't do anything at the port. You may or may not have time for Senor Frog's.

 

I don't think you can go wrong either way, but my husband and I did find that excursion to be spectacular based on our interests.

 

Not sure if that helps or not:') Have a blast whatever you decide:D

My oldest doesn't want to kayak. We love doing stuff like that but she is 12 and doesn't want to do anything we do. Its the age I hope. I think we are just going to wing it in Freeport.

Mine is younger but if she's in a dress and doing something active/running around, she usually has cotton bike shorts underneath (the Oshkosh store near us had them for like $4 a pair last week). She is still in diapers but I have never been a fan of diaper cover type bottoms.

 

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I have tons of those under the dress shorts so I will just pack those! I appreciate the feedback!!

I always make sure I bring antacids. All the heavy food and alcohol leads to heartburn, for me at least - even though I rarely, if ever, get it at home. Probably because I don't really drink outside of a cruise.

 

Outside of that, I don't really bring along anything that I wouldn't for a hotel stay - except less of it. You'll never see the people on the ship again so who cares if you wear the same shirt twice, as long as it's not dirty.

Antacids are a fantastic idea!!!!!

I always bring liquid hand soap along; otherwise, you're stuck using the slivers of bar soap they provide. I also bring clothespins to hang wet bathing suits on the "string" that goes across inside the shower. If you think you will use the paper Fun Times, I would bring a highlighter to mark what you want to do (although nowadays they have it all on the online Hub). We order the bottles of water they sell ahead of time so they'll be in our room ready to go. Enjoy -- cruising is awesome!

Great ideas! Several items to add to my list!!!

I take a nightlight for the bathroom. The bright fluorescent lighting in the bathrooms make midnight potty trips a BLINDING experience. This may also help with the kids if you have an inside room as those can get quite dark.

 

Buy lanyards for the kids with the sleeves that can hold their key cards. It makes them harder to lose :)

 

Download the Carnival Hub app or pay attention to your Fun Times schedule. It'll help you see what all is happening on the ship. try some new things! More fun to be had on these ships for sure!

 

Have a great time!!! :ship:

I plan to take a nightlight, i hate waking up and not being able to see.

Buy lanyards before or on the ship?

Already have the app downloaded!!!

Thanks!!!!

Bring plenty of sunscreen and bug spray because it’s expensive on ship and at port. My boys eyes always bothered them in the pools so I’d bring goggles at least for the seven year old. I’d also bring a small assortment of pediatric OC medications including something for motion sickness just in case. Have a great cruise!

Great ideas!!!! Thanks!!!!!

I definitely recommend taking a fan. You never know how the room temp will be, so we always take fans. Amazon and Walmart have 10" fans that can be plugged and that use batteries.

I have that on my list already! Thanks so much!

My youngest hates to wear anything but dresses. She is 7. Is there any reason I need shorts for her? Our ports are Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay and Freeport. We will be sailing on the Carnival Pride. Thanks for the input.

I think it really depends on your family's interests. We've been to Freeport once, and are returning this September. We loved the Kayak excursion through Carnival we took, but this time we will sleep in a little and just check out the port shops a little (maybe Sr Frog/Fat Tuesday, too). If we make it back again we might try to book a private snorkel tour (heard there is good snorkeling) or visit Garden of the Groves.

 

Freeport has a lot to offer, unfortunately the time there is limited. Since this is your first cruise - and I'm assuming you have other port stops - I would not worry about booking anything and just enjoy a less crowded ship for the morning. It can be tempting to try to do everything on a first cruise, and then come home from your vacation needing a vacation because you are worn out. This can be a nice way to build in some relaxation.

 

Hope you love cruising:cool:

Thank you, we have 2 port stops before this one, Grand Turk and Half Moon Cay. I have an excursion booked for Grand Turk but nothing for the other two. We looked at the Kayak excursion and we are considering it, but I think we may just check out the port then go back to the ship. I just wanted to make sure we weren't missing anything spectacular!

Senor Frogs is right by the port. If that's all you want to do' date=' you can get off the ship, go there for awhile, and get back on.

 

However, except for the shops right by there, there is basically nothing else to do within walking distance.[/quote']

 

Thats what I figured, Is it worth finding other things to do here or just stay on the ship? This is my first cruise so I really don't know what to expect. I am traveling with my family (kids included if this helps)

I guess that's a personal preference.

 

On our first cruise, we packed way too much. It's just a hassle to deal with all that stuff.

 

These days it's one rolling carry-on per person (21" rollaboard or similar) and a backpack or two for electronics and wine for our family. We still find we bring back stuff we never wore or used. Granted, it probably helps that we get free laundry.

Do you suggest a hard suitcase or soft duffle bags?

On a few ships I've been on there was one electrical outlet and a European style plug. We always pack an adapter for the Euro outlet so we will have 2. I like to take an extension cord for the little fan I put beside my bed. I always pack a large plastic cup with lid so I can take it up on deck while we're sunning-it keeps the ice from melting as fast. You can take your cup all around the ship if you want. Enjoy your cruise. I just booked #14.

Thank you! Have a great time on your cruise!!!!

Originally my family and I had planned to do an excursion in Freeport, but after much research we decided the excursion we had picked wasn't a good choice for us. Do we really need an excursion in Freeport? I have heard that its a not great port and we are only there about 4 hours. The only place I really want to go is Senor Frogs. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks