Mum2Mercury

Yes, almost all my swim suits are Lands End, which are thicker /more supportive, and they don't dry as fast as you might wish. I wear a swim suit frequently on a cruise, so I bring 2 for a short cruise /3 for a week-long cruise. I also like to bring several cover-ups because they do tend to get sweaty (especially if worn to a water-based excursion). Note that you'll have a retractable clothesline in the shower ... perfect for drying swimsuits. If you have a balcony and are drying your suits outside, it might be smart to bring some hooks /be sure your things don't blow away. I don't know about the more cash -- I personally don't spend much on a cruise -- but yes to the packing less. When I overpack, I don't use it all -- so what's the point? Yes, the shoe storage bags just bring your clutter out in to the open. Who wants that? Cruise ships have quite a bit of storage -- if you don't overpack. We do bring a couple magnets -- they take up about the same amount of space as a travel toothpaste, and they keep our dresser/desk from being cluttered. We each bring a ball cap, and they hang on the wall on a hook (but I put my nice straw hat on a shelf in the closet). We like to get a paper Compass each day, and we put them on the wall /take them home at the end of the cruise. Also any other paperwork we've accumulated during the cruise goes on the wall. I make up little baggies (they sell them at all pharamacies) for my daily meds /vitamins. I like that I can carry one little baggie to breakfast. We do the same thing -- except that we place a suitcase in the bottom of the closet and toss clothes in as they become dirty. I tend to re-hang my dresses (especially the ones I wore for just only briefly -- maybe to breakfast or an afternoon movie). On the last night I just pull them off the hangers and let them fall into the suitcase -- but, yes, about 90% of our things are already packed on the last night. So much! When I pack more than a carry-on, I'm frustrated that I bring things back home un-worn, and I'm not going to return them to my closet without washing them. Waste of effort. I pack less now than I did when we were new to cruising -- I have a much better handle on how much I actually use /what can be saved for a re-wear. The small stateroom is more comfortable /relaxed without excessive stuff.

The Roast Beef Sandwich /Kummelweck Sandwich is really good. Notes: - They slice the roast beef (thick) in front of you, and they serve it on an onion roll. - It's not a large sandwich, which suits me fine. - You have 4 choices of liquid toppings: Au Jus, Horseradish, Mustard Sauce ... and was the last one a Mustard Ragout? Not quite sure about that last one. - The only negative is that slicing it right in front of you is a little slow, and the line for this sandwich can be lengthy ... but you're on vacation, you have time to wait 10 minutes for your sandwich. The staff often calls out for people who want options other than the roast beef sandwich to "come on around", which speeds things up for everyone. I DO mind paying for their burgers, when no-cost burgers are available at Windjammer. Also, I don't like being lied to, and I still remember the excuses Royal gave about instituting a fee to keep teenagers from hanging out in JRs for hours. Now that's a good idea! I don't remember seeing this ... is it a lunchtime option? There you go throwing LOGIC out when people are trying to be extreme! Personally, I like a Wendy's Junior Bacon Cheeseburger.

Midnight from the ship's home port /the port from which you will sail.

Agree, but you have to walk a fine line: Arrive too early, and the departing cruisers' cars are still in the parking deck ... arrive too late, and the boarding cruisers have already taken up the good spots.

I've been on this board for over 20 years, and I've heard of that exactly once.

The earliest boarding time is 10:30, which is hardly the crack of dawn -- what's the other option? Hanging around the hotel? I definitely like boarding early and starting my vacation earlier rather than later.

I agree with the above posters -- your meds are gone. Consider too that if you go them back, they'd have gone through several other people's hands -- would you really want to put into your body something that strangers have had under their control? Call me paranoid, but I'd feel safer just having them replaced. Once my grandmother threw away her brand-new medicine (still in the bag), and I had no trouble replacing it for her -- the pharmacy was quick to work with me.

We often use a Guarantee, and we've never been displeased and have never had a noisy room (which seems to be the big fear with Guarantees). The savings can be significant. Our room location isn't particularly important to us. The only negative is waiting to know your room number ... once we've completed the boarding process, I get kinda antsy and start checking multiple times a day until our number pops up.

I've definitely received that text message.

Eh, I fit into a couple of those categories: I'm borderline claustrophobic (the elevators bother me a bit, if they're crowded -- I just get in and hold my breath; unsure why I think that will help), I drink very little alcohol, I don't come home heavier, and I'm not particularly outgoing. With the exception of boarding and disembarkation, I don't particularly stand in line a lot -- but I only cruise in the fall, which is low season.

Eh, bridges don't have competition. Cruise lines do.

Just FYI: I just got a small price drop on one of our upcoming cruises. $57 isn't the world, but I'll keep it in my pocket instead of giving it to the cruise line, thank you very much.

Random thoughts, which contradict some of the above: - I've price-checked with travel agents, but I've never found lower prices. I've checked multiple agents over the course of years. I think my experience differs from most because we only cruise in the fall, which already boast the lowest prices of the year and because we book lower-priced rooms (we like the weather in the fall, and we want to cruise more often). When you're making cheap-seat choices, it's hard for a third party to generate any profit. - I like to book through the cruise line because then I'M in charge. I check for price drops (which used to be a thing, not so much any more), and I like to make the call MYSELF and know it's done. I like doing the planning myself ... not everyone does. - We live close enough to drive to the port, so no flights to book. We usually go through Priceline to get a cheap night-before hotel room. These are easy-to-manage items. - I suspect a good travel agent would be an asset, but it's hard to know who's good vs. who's mediocre.

Interesting -- I'd like to hear some of the details /tips they shared with you. You may've heard of Super Mario, who lives full-time on Royal Caribbean ships. I met him on Explorer last year. He hangs out by the pool all day and has a sign he hangs above a table that says "Super Mario's Office". I wouldn't want to live his lifestyle, but he's happy. You can google and learn how he does it: mostly inside rooms, has someone meet him at the port every week /trades out laundry with him /brings anything he needs purchased. Yeah, they're homeless, but certainly not typical homeless. Like people who RV full-time, they lack an address, but they're not without assets ... maybe not even without jobs. Super Mario, whom I mentioned above, still works part-time in finance. People with assets always have options. It's not too hard to find an apartment quickly. We have different opinions about what "low quality of life" is. I think you're saying being away from your family and friends would be a low quality ... and I agree. The most important thing to me is that I have a two-year old grandson, and it means everything that I keep him overnight every other week or so. I'd hate to go months without seeing him /without being part of his life.

Oh, yes! Prices are crazy right now, but I personally think we're in a high-priced bubble. I think the ship will right itself -- metaphorically -- in a year or two. Eh, agree and disagree. We've all seen the news bites about how many people are living paycheck to paycheck, about how a large percentage of people couldn't pay out of pocket for a $400 emergency, about how many people are in credit card debt. I am very sure that more than a few people have decided they'll never be out of debt, so why not keep spending the plastic? Just one example: I personally know people who lease a new car every two years because "I'll never be able to pay off a car anyway." Yep! That's how we were able to cruise Indy for $99 each last year -- even got a bump-up from an Inside to a Promenade Cabin! Retirement is great, and I wish we'd see that deal again. Oh, yes. My husband looked at Icon prices and told me to forget sailing on the newest and greatest!

My state also gives a choice ... basic driver's license or Real ID. No enhanced licenses for us. Basic or Real licenses cost the same /last the same number of years. For now. I agree that it's shortsighted NOT to go ahead and get the Real ID, but the lady who processed my license renewal said "no one" comes in with all the right materials. She says a lot of people come in saying, "I want to get the Real ID," but they haven't brought the right paperwork, so they get a plain license. Makes no sense to me: the list of acceptable documents is easily found on the internet. Yes, digging up the appropriate items is a pain, but it'll never be convenient. Just go ahead and do it. Who's this "they" who's going to get you home? If you leave a cruise early, it'll be through your own efforts. Insurance will reimburse your costs later.

It's been two years (two years?) since I got my Real ID (not enhanced), but I had to show more documents too. Seems like it was 4-5 documents (chosen from a long list). Nothing difficult, just things to be gathered. Birth certificate, W2 or pay stub, a utility bill ... I don't remember it all, but I know I went through carefully and stored all my things on a clipboard. Once I arrived at the DMV, no problems. No, it didn't cost anything extra. I figure eventually this'll become mandatory just for a driver's license, and gathering up those things was never going to be convenient ... so why not just get it out of the way when I had to renew anyway. My husband has to renew next year, and he will do the same thing.

Agree. These stories are few and far between, and people know they're to blame if they end up in this situation. Yes, highly state dependent. I have a Real ID driver's license but don't have the option for an enhanced driver's license. But my point is that -- depending upon where you were -- you might've been forced to wait a couple days until you reached an island with an airport that could service your needs. And an airplane seat was available for you. You were fortunate. Not every emergency situation would fall into place as easily. My point is that cruisers should not assume they'd be able to fly home -- with or without a passport.

First, note that she can dress up or down as much as she pleases ... she won't fail to fit in. True formal is pretty much gone; she will be appropriately dressed in anything from a cocktail dress (long or short) to a simple sundress. Then I'd ask her to think through her specific needs /wants. Is she comfortable showing her legs? arms? cleavage? Does she want to wear heels? Does she fear being cold /want more coverage? She should think through these things before she goes out to the shops. Ask her not to limit herself to black. It seems about 80% of the ladies on any given formal night are wearing black. How incredibly dull. God gave us color, and I like to wear all those lovely shades. As for where to buy ... I buy most of my clothes from resale shops or ebay. I do this partially because I'm stingy with a dollar and partially because I don't want to contribute to excess clothing ending up in landfills. Soooo much gently-worn used stuff is available, and most of my dresses cost less than $20. Online I stick to a couple favorite name brands so I know the sizes will work. One more thought: Has she considered RENTING a dress? I've never done it myself, but some of my co-workers swear by it ... they always have something "new" to wear to a special event, and it keeps their closets lean. Wow, yes! I don't know that clothing line, but all my clothes fold easily ... I'm kinda a folding nerd; I like my clothes to be "just so" in my closet and drawers. Anyway, I'm very much a dress girl, and most of my dresses are short (I have great legs even though I'm closing in on 60 ... all teachers do), and I can Marie Kondo a dress down to about the size of a tee-shirt. Then I pack things into the suitcase /stand them up in a line so they can't shift /wrinkle.

That's true. Same effort, but the Passport Card is of considerably less value. The whole passport system could use an overhaul. Being forced to send in /being without your passport (or card) for as much as two months is a huge flaw. Exactly, and they're perfect for that purpose. That is exceptionally bad luck. It's important to note that -- passport or not -- you can't fly home any old day on a cruise. If you become ill on an "At Sea" day, you're not flying home. Then when you reach an island, its small airport may or may not have a flight for you that day -- and, if they do, it'll be last-minute expensive. The point: Just recognize that flying home isn't all that easy. I think it's important to weigh your own risks /costs. But I haven't read about many people getting into trouble (whining or not) on this board because of lack of passports.

I don't understand any negativity. We've had nothing but good experiences -- the most we've waited was maybe five minutes, and we sailed last month. We tend to eat early. That doesn't sound right. You're looking at the app on your phone? Opening the Dining icon at the bottom of the screen ... then choosing Main Dining Room ... then My Time Dining ... and then scrolling down to where you see a blue box that says RESERVE?

No. Well, no lobster included in the cruise ticket price. You can order a lobster in the MDR any night ... is it something like $18 (plus 18% mandatory gratuity)?

Note that you can make these reservations VERY FAR IN ADVANCE. As soon as you've made your reservations and can see your cruise on the phone app, you can make reservations. Since they cost nothing (I'm thinking of MDR ressies) and can be changed, reserving far in advance has no downside. The better (which usually means earlier) reservations will fill up. We've had nothing but good luck with My Time Dining. We rarely wait more than a few minutes before being ushered to our seats.

I don't think Covid is nearly as common as it was; I teach high school, and I only had ONE STUDENT who was out for Covid in fall semester. Still, I wouldn't cruise without being vaccinated. For flu too. Back to the point of your question: I don't think the ships have an official protocol any more.

We were on Indy a year ago, and we had no outlets by our bed -- just the couple outlets by the desk /dresser. I didn't notice anything on the phone, but I wasn't looking either. We were in an Inside Promenade View stateroom, but I think outlets would be alike across the ship.