Mum2Mercury

Yeah, I had about $7 of OBC left, and it showed up as a credit on my credit card within a week.

How do they stack up against a Chick-fillet sandwich? I love those things -- had one yesterday. Okay, yeah, I said Captain Jack's was the only for-cost eatery at Coco Cay. I wasn't thinking about the Beach Club -- but that must be reserved /paid ahead of time. You couldn't walk up and accidentally get a bill at the Beach Club's restaurant.

I'm the same, so my cruise wardrobe and my daily life wardrobe have a big overlap. When I was five years out from retirement, I decided I would never again buy anything I couldn't imagine myself wearing in retirement -- so more casual, more colorful, more comfortable. I did end up replacing my shoes (teachers stand /walk literally all day, so shoes have about a 2-year lifespan), but I didn't buy anything else JUST for work. I try not to accumulate excessive clothing. I was diagnosed with Diabetes, and I cleaned up my diet (I am no longer Diabetic, not even pre-Diabetic) and lost about 30 pounds. I got rid of maybe 75% of my clothes, and I LOVE having a smaller wardrobe. My closet's no longer bulging with things I never wear, and getting ready each morning is easier. I was forced to hold onto some things for work -- for example, 5-6 school polo shirts, which didn't look good on me at all. When I retired, I was able to get rid of a bunch more stuff. Have you considered renting for special occasions? Some of my teacher friends do it, and they seem very happy with the choice. Substitute the term "Casual Dress".

I looked into the land-and-sea type things, but they just didn't hit the things we wanted to do. Agree. Well, I've enjoyed many crab leg dinners in the past, but I'm making another one tonight. Even though I've experienced it before, I expect to enjoy it.

First, one of the things I say all the time is, "Don't bleed until you get shot". In this case that means, don't assume Covid until you see that pink line on the test. My daughter and I are both sick with sore throats and head colds right now -- we took Covid tests together two days ago. NOTHING. Just colds. We've all become accustomed to thinking The Worst. If he's able to go, you should pack plenty of OTC meds -- enough for everyone, given the way colds are transferred within families.

If you were offering me a free cruise, I'd take the Alaskan too, as it's fairly significantly more expensive -- but for my own dollar I stand by what I said above! I've taken the train a couple times, and it's been a good experience. It's much slower, of course, but the seats are larger /more comfortable than planes, and you get two electrical outlets between each two seats. The conductors couldn't have been more helpful. Two suggestions: bring your own food, as Amtrak's food is bad and expensive; bring Clorox wipes for the bathroom (longer trips, they get used more). I remember long lines to get back on the ship years ago, but that hasn't been the case in our recent cruises. I've wondered if it's been chance or something else. In fact, on our last cruise they had tents to shade guests from the sun and offered ice water as we drew near the ship.

It occurs to me: You own the world's most expensive quilt. Enjoy the memories as you keep warm this winter!

I'd go for the Western Caribbean. I tried to plan an Alaskan cruise, and I decided against it -- decided that Alaska should be a land-based trip for us. Why? For starters, we're also on the East coast, so the flight is long, and we'll probably only do this once. But mostly, when I looked at excursions I saw so many things that we wouldn't be able to do on a cruise; that is, many of the things that interest us (like Denali National Park) are inland /not accessible on a shore excursion schedule. Last thought: With global warming what it is, I think it'd be wise to make your Alaskan trip sooner rather than later. Those glaciers aren't going to wait.

Two thoughts: - Try using your computer instead of your phone; it seems to be easier. - On one of the cruises we took last year, we were unable to check-in on the appointed day. I tried repeatedly. No luck. The next day it opened at midnight, and I was "in" immediately. I can only assume RC set the wrong date in the computer.

Belmopan is the capital of Belize, and it is an inland city. Still, this gives pause.

I'm not going to try to convince you to cruise -- not my biz -- but I'll give you some facts: - Waiting in line for embarkation /disembarkation is just one of the negatives of cruising. Royal Caribbean has started a new system: you're required to claim a 30-minute boarding time slot now, and that does divide people up better than in the past. - You don't love being scheduled? If you choose to cruise, you will absolutely have to adhere to the ship's schedule for boarding /island stops /disembarkment. In between, you can do what you want -- you don't have to schedule any meals, though you might have to wait if you don't. - Pushy /rude people are everywhere. - The main dining room will give you sit-down dinners without formality. The majority of ladies will wear sundresses, and the majority of men will wear khakis /jeans and button downs /polos /Hawaiian shirts. - If you sailed during Spring Break, you saw cruising at its worst. I like the first week of December, which you're considering, because it's not so crowded and because prices tend to be low. Christmas decorations will go up that week. - The weather is a little chilly in the Caribbean in December -- no problem with shorts or short-sleeved shirts, but the water /bathing suits can be a little chilly. I just bought a long-sleeved rash guard and look forward to testing it out this fall. - 19 is kinda the wrong age for cruising. Too old for the kids' club, not old enough for the majority of the entertainment. - The pools weren't crowded at all on the first week of December. - Nickle and diming is a hassle on Royal Caribbean (can't speak for other lines), but it isn't any worse than it was in the past. You can get "packages" for specialty dining and beverages -- and they're quite expensive. You might consider figuring up how many drinks you're likely to buy in a week and putting that amount of money in to your onboard account -- kinda gives you your own "right sized" package. You are allowed to bring 1 bottle of wine and 12 non-alcoholic cans /bottles (soda, water) on board.

I've never received a final-payment reminder from the cruise line. Ways you might remember these things: - Write the payment date on your calendar (I use a three-year calendar -- love it). - Set your phone to send you a reminder about final payment. - Schedule the payment (for a future date) through online banking. - Pay the whole cost when you schedule the cruise; that option doesn't look too expensive at this moment, does it? In the long run, it doesn't matter who's to blame. It's your vacation, and you're responsible for doing the prep work -- including making the final payment. I hate it for you.

If you're going to purchase a hammock, I suggest an ENO -- Eagles Nest Outfitters. They're super popular for a reason and are easy to hang pretty much anywhere. Go with a single model /not a double for a cruise. - The best of the best, cream of the crop balconies are aft-facing. They're larger than a standard -balcony; take a look at a deck plan and see. Hump balconies (midship) are also great. The extra size is great. - Understand that at some times of the day, depending upon the direction the ship is facing, the sun may make your balcony too hot for comfort. You can do nothing about this. - Bring a battery-powered candle. Sitting outside after dark with a "candle" is so pleasant. - A balcony is practical for a family sharing one cabin. It's the cheapest way to get "another room" and is a very practical spot for Dad to disappear while his daughters dress for dinner. - If you anticipate leaving your towels /swimsuits out on the balcony to dry, bring hooks or clips of some sort ... you don't want anything to blow away. - A balcony is wonderful, but it's not a necessity. Totally agree. We took a poll (not really) ... it was unanimous (well, it would've been). No one wants to pay for a private balcony then hear someone else's music. Source? Don't say personal experience. I'm guessing, of course, but I suspect this is a hump balcony -- again, look at the deck plans, and you'll see what this means. The price difference between a standard balcony and a hump balcony is rather small. We have one booked for one of our fall cruises, and I want to say it was about $100 (total, not per person) more. Agree that if I had a lounger, I wouldn't bother with a hammock. If you don't have what you want (lounger, table), ask your cabin steward to provide one. Definitely tip him, as this is a large item /some trouble for him.

Well, that's a kindness. You're referring to Charon's Obal (I taught an elective in Mythology not long ago). In Ancient Greek culture, Charon was the ferryman who carried souls across the river Styx, and the coin (on the eyes or in the mouth) was his payment. Souls who died without payment would have to wander, which was bad for them and dangerous for the living. But I don't think this is anything that's been done in living memory. Other cultures -- Vikings and Native American peoples come to mind -- buried their loved ones with "grave goods" that they might need in the next life: weapons, household goods, gold or jewels, etc. This isn't unheard of today; I think we've all seen people buried with a Bible or rosary in their hands. Or a child with a doll. A dear friend of mine died shortly after her own mother; she was buried with a tiny glass container of her mother's ashes in her hands. One of my students lost his beloved dog, whom he'd had literally all his life; his family had the dog cremated, and he said he intends to keep those ashes all his life and one day -- hopefully very far in the future -- the dog's ashes will be tucked into his own coffin.

Fare, not fair.

Well said, especially the portion I highlighted.

Agree: - Kidnappers don't want to grab people in their swimsuits who aren't carrying wallets or phones. - On the beach, it's hard to tell who's "worth money" who isn't. - Labadee is on a peninsula and is guarded. Okay, kidnappers could arrive in a boat or on jet skis and carry people away, but that doesn't seem to be very likely.

Just to clarify: Our minds tend to go to "alcoholic beverage", but these vouchers are good for ANY drink. Soda, bottled water, juice, smoothie, milkshake.

I've never tasted kerosene, but I'm pretty sure it tastes like moonshine. Blackberries and lemonade are a good pairing. I do like whiskey, but -- in our opinion -- peanut butter and whiskey just aren't friends. Totally true. It may be the US's southernmost state, but it is not Southern in terms of culture.

Again, I'm Southern down to my bones. My family's been on the same piece of land since before America was America (my husband says we're too dumb to find another spot). As such, I've tasted real moonshine (and did not go blind), and I've tasted the stuff they sell at the ABC store as moonshine. Tastes vary, of course, but I'm in the "no thanks" group. Skrewball is kinda the original brand of peanut-butter whiskey. I bought my husband a bottle as a Christmas gift, and it wasn't a big hit here at our house. It's possible we didn't know how to make it into something good. I guess we're a "keep the PB in your sandwich" kind of family. Don't let that stop you from going to The Mason Jar! A solid 1/2 of their food isn't really Southern at all. Chicken and Waffles is good eatin', but it's a dish that only reached the South maybe in the last 10-15 years. We'll claim the Deviled Eggs and Pimento Cheese (which we would never spread on a biscuit), but salmon? That's not ours -- specially not when mixed with avacado. Biscuits, oh, yes, that's our bread and butter (literally!), but we don't say Johnny Cakes. We'll claim the Red Velvet, but I don't think we have any right to say French Toast is "ours", nor is Overnight Oats. I grew up on Fried Chicken, of course, and the chicken sandwich is an off-shoot. The Po'Boy, Shrimp and Grits and the Remoulade sauce belong to Creole country, which -- okay -- is Southern, but more of a subset of Southern. They're not the same as those of us in the Carolinas, Georgia and Tennessee area; you know, the heart of the South. The desserts are more Southern than the rest of the menu: Cherry Pie, Pecan Pie (though we don't mix chocolate with pecan pie) and especially Banana Puddin' -- those are ours through and through. I have Banana Puddin' in my fridge right this minute. Anyway, back to the point: The Mason Jar's menu looks good, but it's not true Southern -- they ain't even got no Sweet Tea! If you wanted a menu based off what my family's been eating for generations, you'd need to add a Fried Pork Chop with Collard Greens and Potato Salad, a Tomato Sandwich, Fried Okra (pronounced oak-ree), Black Eyed Peas (go big and make 'em into Hoppin' John), Boiled Peanuts as an appetizer, maybe Fried Green Tomatoes, BBQ (which means pulled pork) served with Hush Puppies, Chicken-Fried Steak, and Country Ham with Red Eye Gravy. For dessert, you'd need to add Shoo-Fly Pie, Chess Pie or Buttermilk Pie. That sounds pleasant!

I was going to say the same thing! Lifelong Southerner here. My family's as country as they come, and none of my relatives ever used Mason jars as drinking glasses -- until it became trendy maybe a decade ago. Jelly jars, that's another story. Moonshine is not good. And it's not that it's too strong; I can drink tequila like it's water. That's probably good because it has other ingredients mixed with the moonshine.

That's essentially what we've been doing, except we call a couple days before we leave for the trip. We've never had any nasty surprises!

We sailed out of Port Canaveral recently, and they DID check boarding passes. Not a big deal for us because we had the 10:30 time slot.

Most women will wear sundresses or dressy pants/nice tops in the MDR. Most men will wear slacks or nice jeans and button-downs/polos in the MDR. A few people will wear shorts; the majority will not. On what used to be called formal night, maybe 30% of the guests will wear suits or cocktail dresses. You won't see tuxes.

I hear you. A few thoughts: - I have been using Priceline for ... two decades? If not, then close to it. And I trust them and don't think they're going out of business any time soon. All the others? I dunno. - When I reserve a hotel, I always write it in my calendar -- I'm old-fashioned and still keep a paper calendar -- and I write in how I reserved it (for example, through Priceline), the confirmation number, the hotel phone and address, and whether it's paid in full. That information has come in handy more than once. - I always call the hotel directly 3-4 days before our stay, tell them that I've reserved with Priceline, and I verify that "we're good". If I have specific requests -- like if I hope to get a king bed (or whatever), I ask. They always remind me that those things aren't guaranteed -- but I usually do get them. - Thing about many of these third-party discounters is that you pay when you book. I got burned last summer: My husband and I were super-excited to take a short trip for our anniversary -- we were going to ride the Virginia Creeper Trail, which is something we love -- but he had an accident and couldn't manage a bike trip. I lost the money I'd paid for that hotel room. I tried to give it to friends -- no one could take it. - We have two cruises "on the books" and two night-before hotel rooms reserved at the moment. They're nothing special rooms -- both Days Inn, and we've paid $85/night for those rooms. If I lose $85, I won't be happy, but I also don't have to cry. - In the past, I have (foolishly) waited too long to reserve night-before-cruise hotels, and all the low prices have been gone. Rooms around cruise ports DO fill up! Now I go ahead and reserve early. I reserve the dog's spot at the kennel early too, but I suppose that's off-topic.