jsn55

US-Canada fares may be much more expensive, check that out first. Any possibility of taking a ferry from Seattle to Vancouver? It's a gorgeous ride out of SEA.

And look very attractive doing it! I go nowhere without pockets, they make a girl's life so convenient.

I just realized that I really know exactly what a cocktail dress IS!

"Going to Dinner" on a cruise is a highlight for many. The first night, wear things like tops with a little bling, or a scarf or sheer 'jacket' over a tank, a silk dress ... all fitting well and in lovely fabric are what you want. Bring some nice jewelry, avoid anything garish or showy, just look a little more special than you do during the day. Cruise dinners are perfect for strappy heels that can dress up any outfit without looking like you tried too hard. Bring an evening bag. I don't know if 'pantsuits' are still in fashion or not. You'll get a good idea of what everyone's wearing that first night, then you can bring out the glitz if you like. I always have several days pre and post-cruise and I don't want more than one suitcase ... I get a great deal of mileage from black silk ... tunic over pants; and use scarves, jewelry and shawls to change my look. I've never owned much glitz, but admire it on others ... you should bring it if you like it!

Can I LOVE this??????

You may find that a few details of your plans and specific queries about safety will generate some meaningful advice and opinions. I'd advise some research into your destination to give you a bit of an overview. If you're open to 'anything', then you could use an online search engine to generate specifics of the various cruises available. Make up a little 'spreadsheet' of the things that are important to you ... this makes comparing the various offerings much easier. Please come back with questions and we'll be glad to answer ... CC forum participants are a treasure-trove of information and opinions and we love to help.

We had an aft-facing balcony on Royal Princess on D15 or so. It was lovely to be able to walk up and enjoy my half a cigarette in that nice area on 17. I felt almost 'normal' smoking in public; these days one gets weary of being treated like a monster for smoking.

Some "people" will never understand, they will always point fingers. The only solution for someone with an invisible disability is to change your outlook on being out in public. As long as you continue to be concerned about what others think, you'll have a problem. Nobody else has a problem, just you. Stop worrying about it, find a solution that suits you and your problem will disappear. How? See a behavioural therapist ... no need for any deep Freudian analysis, a good therapist can teach you how to cope with this insecurity fairly quickly.

You should be able to 'prove the double credit policy' by doing dummy bookings for shore excursions. The total price is clearly shown, then your $50 credit. But I can't see NCL giving you a $50 credit for a 'second person', there will probably be a loophole they can use to deny that. Because, after all, there isn't a second person in your cabin. Looking at our itinerary, how many shore excursions are you capable of taking every day? But you do have the 'approval' in writing; unfortunately nobody actually signed with their name. Gee, I wonder why?

Am I reading DELTA ONE to PARIS??? What a wonderful email to receive! We will be boarding as you disembark in "Venice", so really looking forward to your posts. Don't drink all of Epic's champagne! Just a reminder to everyone ... check your flights monthly, weekly the last month and daily the last week. If there's an 'issue' you want to beat the crowd to get it handled.

Sound of hysterical laughter ... absolutely nothing! We live in northern California. I was raised in Minnesota where there's not a single 'rule' about seasonal apparel. My husband grew in in NYC. The first time I wore white something or other 'after Labor Day' he chastised me ... we've been laughing ever since. To this dairy maid, rules about what you wear when are just insane!

Velvet will be perfect for that area of the world mid-September. Unless, like me, you're always much too warm. I have to be so careful to wear clothing that is light enough. My year-round travel wardrobe is a short-sleeved shirt worn open over a tank top. I always bring a windbreaker and a medium-weight long-sleeved shirt, for shore excursions and so I can walk out on deck comfortably. I would give my right arm to be able to pack my brown velvet blazer or even a plushy fleece sweater. As for the 'no white shoes after Labor Day' ... that always makes me laugh. WTH does it matter to anyone?

People are just too quick to criticize others; it's a phenomenon of internet forums. People with no lives like to be critical about posts and responses for some need of their own. Really, it's merely a violation of what your mother taught you (or didn't) ... if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all 'rule'.

If you don't feel comfortable asking for something, then don't ask. The rest of us may or may not ask, it was just a suggestion to the OP and of little importance to most people.

I'd carry a cane to 'advertise' my issue. After joint replacements over the years, I was unable to stand still very long until I learned to rock back and forth from one foot to the other waiting in a line. But if you're passing out, you need to get over whatever issue you have and use whatever it takes to be sure you DON'T pass out again.

I agree with you about the waste of time. I will offer half the price, and make the purchase at whatever amount they come back with. Never spend more than 15 minutes and I don't shop seriously very often. It's something that I really want, amortizing $700 over ten years is a bargain.

Just ask politely ... I had dinner seated next to the Captain because my husband requested it from the Cruise Director. My travel agent and her husband joined us on the ship for lunch in Charleston because I requested permission from the Captain. Both were small ships, but it never hurts to ask for what you'd like.

Oh such memories of high seas! I love the water; we were in the North Sea heading for England in a cabin on the 8th deck forward, probably 25 years ago. I had my bed pushed up to the open sliding door so I could sleep listening to the waves. I woke up in daylight and my pillow was wet. Took me a few moments to realize that the spray was rising up PAST our balcony from 35' waves. I was delighted; everyone else was seasick or terrified. The leader of a group told my husband that they were down in the lower levels with blowtorches patching up the cracks to keep the water out. The sea was so rough that we couldn't even navigate into Dover, and that's a well-protected harbor. We were about 12 hours late into port and the poor ship had to cancel the next cruise and head into drydock. It was an experience I'll never forget.

Well of course you two are disagreeing ... isn't that what us ol' married folks DO??? My bowl was right side up, so as not to sink into the sand at all and unbalance me. My biggest problem originally was leaving the durn cane places when I travelled. Seemed like I was replacing them far too often.

This is good to know, Nicola, thank you. I've gotten two Milbon treatments (not sure if that's keratin or not) from my hairdresser, and they've really revitalized my hair. I'm 77 and have been coloring it in various ways since I was 17(!). Did it myself for 20 years and professionally since. I now pay about $95 for a treatment that lasts 6-8 weeks. I'm in Northern California; a haircut is $65 and color/highlights about $175, so my 'hair' is a fairly big expense. Lieu includes a little pack of 4 vials of 'masque #6' that I use instead of my regular conditioner; I wash my hair about twice a week. I also buy all my hair products from dear Lieu. My question is ... can I do the Milbon treatment at home myself or is the professional treatment that much better? I really need to cut my expenses a bit since we're now formally retired. I would ask Lieu, but she's Vietnamese and I can barely understand a word she says! Doesn't matter usually, she's a wizard with my hair. Thanks in advance!

This looks great! I spent 11 days in France last spring and it seemed to me that all I did was look down on the ground. Once you take a fall or two, you get quite concerned about balance and worry about a mis-step. Something like this would make me feel much more balanced and confident. I am reminded of my first hip replacement. We travelled to Florida; I'm a serious beach-walker like you. I bought an extra tip for my cane and glued a lightweight cereal bowl on it so I could still enjoy strolling through the surf. Worked a charm!

Very nice of you to explain this. I do use that feature, but others might not know about it. However, I see no reason that I should have to diddle with my phone forever in order to read the information. It's just lazy on Princess' part to not offer it in a readable format. As far as being able to access the info once on board, it's a little late to be doing ports research at that point. It's my expectation that 'everyone' will do the best job they can at whatever they do, and I don't put up with disinterest or incompetence. I think many of us were raised like that and the work ethic is strong in us.

If your personal style is as described, you're certainly going to stand out in the crowd. And that's just fine. I'm 6'1 or 2, depending on my shoes. I often wear a hat with a hatband that compliments my outfit. I have a coat that's also a big swirling cape. I stand out in any crowd and I'm perfectly comfortable knowing that some people admire the way I look, some don't. I'M happy with how I look. I'm rather baffled at why you'd be uncomfortable with your personal style. It's your choice, isn't it? Are there other environments where you're uncomfortable with the way you look? Or just a cruise? People have their own views of what they like and dislike. Anyone who would be overtly critical of another's appearance is not worth bothering about. Think of it this way: you're getting ready for dinner, you look just like you want to look. You are seated in the dining room and people look at you. That applies to all of us. YOU are happy with how you look, and you're never going to see any of these people again unless you wish to. Therefore, their opinion of you is of absolutely no importance. Know that all kinds of people will be delighted to see someone who doesn't just blindly conform to the crowd. Anyone who is critical doesn't deserve any of your attention whatsoever. And, so, finally, I will address your question ... I've never been on a cruise that wasn't full of older people, a few families, ancient folks and a younger crowd partying it up. In other words, a cross-section of financially-comfortable humanity. So I can't recommend a cruiseline or ship where you might be comfortable with your style. It will be more efficient if you learn to be comfortable in any environment. Remember the rule: you'll never see any of these people again, so who cares what they think?

One of the things I looked forward to when booking our Princess cruise was the challenge of learning how to use my phone. In the middle of arguing with medallion for months, I was delighted to access those port guides. Aha! I thought, something really useful for my phone. I literally laughed out loud when presented with the first one ... such a perfect example of Princess' disinterest in their pax. What good could it possibly do if you can't read it? And of course I couldn't access them on my computer.

That's quite ridiculous ... a new low for cruiseline communication. Diversions due to weather or other problems are one thing, but this lack of port access is something they obviously know all about. For our upcoming Epic cruise, I'll have to put on my 'no expectations' hat before boarding.