cruising_family

We've done The Smooth Jazz Cruise, The Jazz Cruise and Blue Note Jazz Cruise (all by same company) and we loved each of them. I feel the best part is how the artists are out and about on the ship and totally open and expect the fans to hit them up with questions, pic requests and all the rest. Such an open fun experience to be a part of. Definitely different style of Jazz so if you have a certain style you prefer, make sure to check out the artists and they do differ. The company does a great job organizing them. We're heading to the Dave Koz cruise next year so it will be interesting to see how the cruises differ.

Lennydebbie,

Thanks for the tips. We often do stairs and I try to drink water or unsweet tea on the ship, except for the occasional alcoholic drink, but most of the others I can incorporate easily enough. Hope it that will fend off too many pounds.

:)

How about printing at your library. Our patrons pay .15 a page but other libraries have different prices.

Hi everyone,

I apologize for the long post, but I'm a wordy person. I joined WW AGAIN, in June, for the 3 or 4th time. I've had decent success most of the time, when I followed fairly faithfully. Whatever program they had in 2000 or so, I did quite well, down 25or so lbs. Of course I got busy, lazy and stopped following the plan. I joined again after they changed the plan and the new plan just didn't work for me. I tried for a few months and it was very frustrating. When they went to their current program I thought I'll try once again and with this Beyond the scale plan, I really like it and am successful. I only needed to lose about 25-30 lbs and I'm at 24 loss. It averages at .5lb a week, but any loss is great. I really wanted to reach my next goal (another 4 lbs) by my June cruise, but not sure I will make it. If not, it's ok.

Tracking is most important for me and the meetings. What helps me is finding a smart substitute for what I love. I am a huge Snickers fan. As a replacement I eat the WW Chocolate Carmel bars. 3 pts vs 12 for a reg, or 8 for 4 minis, I'll go with the 3 pts. It's just enough and I don't feel guilty. It's weird but for breakfast I quite often have a Kroger brand multi-grain slim bread with turkey and lettuce or spinach. Quick, easy, protein, veg, carb for 3 pts. Or I do egg beaters with turkey pepperoni, spinach and sometimes laughing cow cheese (white cheddar, queso or pepper jack (I think that's it)). And a banana. Based on what I do is 2 or 3 pts. I do alot of the WW or Lean Cuisines for lunch but stick to the 4-5 pt ones. Sometimes I add more veggies to the meal when microwaving to pump it up. Lots of veggies too. One trick that works for me is taking enough veggies/fruit to work that I can eat on way home from work. It keeps my hunger at bay until dinner so I don't attack the food in the fridge when I get home. I was also doing lots of crystal light with caffeine as I don't like coffee, but finally gave that up and do water or unsweet tea. Try to get water in but hard at work. Ok, enough about me. Hopefully some of that info will help someone.

I'm worried too about gaining on an upcoming cruise, our longest at 11 days but 14 total vacay. I KNOW what I need to do, but follow thru is a concern. Especially with no scale to help me gauge myself. I know I'll want to have alcohol, but not a crazy amt. but I'm wondering what ways to have it without the crazy high pts tied to them. I like sweet white wine and mojitos, beer sometimes. Do they have things like skinny girl cocktails on ships? Are we allowed to bring mixers (no alcohol) on board and then buy shots of rum/vodka or whatever and mix our own? Is this a crazy idea or worth the effort?

I wish you all great success on your WW journey. Keep at it! 1 bad week is just that, a bad week. It doesn't define you. We all have those even when you're not watching the scale. Then you just don't know it. Remember the successes and learn what doesn't work and try to find a solution that will work for you. We're all different with different triggers, life situations and we should remember not to compare our weight loss path to someone else's. I'm trying to be uplifting, not lecture so please don't take it that way.

I have ordered "Queasy Beads" before from Carol. She didn't have the color that I wanted on her website, so she made a custom set for me that didn't cost any extra. She asks for you to measure your wrist, she sends you a picture before she mails them out for approval, and I love em. I even wear them on land occasionally!

I have used the sea bands that look like sweatbands. Ugly but effective. I've been eyeing the Queasy beads as a nicer alternative. I'll take both just in case. I can't find how long it takes to get them once ordered. I'm guessing they are already made, but if not, could it be a long wait. Our cruise is June so 5 weeks or so should be plenty of time. How long was it for you to get yours?

Thanks.

We do eat out quite a bit when home so eating in a nice restaurant is fun but not necessarily special (though it can be!). I'm sure we'll be heading to a couple of the specialty restaurants just because.

Having a quiet cabin, decorated a bit, nice music and (if weather and waves cooperate) eating outside is my idea of a romantic meal. We are in an aft cabin with a spacious balcony, I think I can make it work. We'll see. Thanks to everyone for their input. I appreciate it.

Guess it's Holland America that you can order off Main Dining room for room service. We're not in a suite and I'm aware of the room service fee and the size of the tables. I'll figure something out. Thanks for the info.

Hi. I'm going on a 11 day cruise with the hubby and am thinking of doing something as a surprise like a special romantic dinner in my cabin or on our balcony if weather permits. It's been a while since we've been on RC for a cruise so I'm not sure what I can request. I think I can order food from Main dining room as well as what's on the room service menu. Is this correct? Also can I request that my cabin steward get it set up for us or do I have to do this myself?

Have any of you done something like this that you can share with me?

Thanks for any help or info you can provide.

The skylift is hailed to be THE new attraction when it opens in May this year.

As of now I have not heard of any bus schedule but I am confident there will be busses and taxis available at the pier in Olden.

They have busses for all the other attractions so for sure they will have to the Skylift also.

The drive from the pier to Loen is only about 10 minutes.

https://hovenloen.no/english/

Hi Lars,

As long as long there are taxi's or buses, we'll be set. All the info you are sharing is such a wonderful help to us cruisers. Thanks so much!

Hi I-Cruiser,

Great info for all us cruisers. Thanks! I'd like to get your brochure sent to sindeewooley at yahoo dot com. I do have a quick and easy (I hope) question. I am wondering if there is a taxi or bus, running between Lake Loen to Olden and the info. We are interested in going on the new Loen skylift that opens in May and we will be docked in Olden.

Thanks so much.

I apologize if this has been asked. I've done a search with no results. Feel free to point me in the direction of already posted topic. Anyway, I am wondering if anyone has taken on, or if it's even allowed on RC, a mug warmer or immersion heater for a cup of water for tea. We're headed to Norway and would love to have a cup of tea or hot chocolate in my cabin upon return to the ship or whenever. Do they confiscate them on embarkation that you have heard.

Also on the Serenade,is this a typical 110 voltage (like US) in the cabin or do we need voltage convertors. We were on Radiance and Majesty before in the US/Caribbean but want to make sure the voltage is same for our devices.

Thanks,

We're booked on Serenade in June for a 11 night cruise. I am thinking of booking for the Chef's table one night to break up the restaurants/meals. I do drink wine, but my husband doesn't and never has. I know the standard is wine pairings with dinners. Has anyone done a special booking without the alcohol for him or not as part of the dinner but where I can just order glasses on my own. There's no way I can drink all the wine for both of us.

I would think there are people that don't drink and that RC would make exceptions. Thoughts or input?

Thanks.

We always fly in the day before and I consider this the start of my vacation. It allows us to get settled in to the hotel, see some sights if we want and have a relaxing dinner and evening. And do a last minute check for anything we might have forgotten to grab. Happens more than I care to admit. By the time it's time to board the ship, the stress of everyday life is gone and only happy feelings. If I had to fly in same day, I would be a basket case. Between weather, mechanical malfunctions, flight delays, traffic delays, any necessary last minute stops stress would ruin my embarkation. Unhappy wife makes for a miserable hubby. Which scenario do you prefer? What type of wife would your hubby prefer. Best of luck!

Wait till you board and find a spot with the name of the ship or some other very distinctive area, take your picture and text it to them.

Like others, I think this is the best idea. I just watched the remake of Beaches with Idina Menzel. Idina was on stage signing and her friend came to the club (from out of town) and took a pic of Idina singing and her best friend texted the pic. What so cool when she realized her friend was there at that moment. I'd love to do this sometime to my bestie or my sister.

Hi,

I also really love the videos. I have a question. We are going on the Serenade in June to Norwegian Fjords leaving out of Copenhagen. I have been on the Radiance going on an Alaska cruise as well as others cruise lines and itineraries. The most recent were Caribbean and 3 were Jazz themed cruises so music was mostly what we did. Very little other entertainment.

So my question is, I'm wondering what type of activities/entertainment they have on the Serenade. I'm thinking I will avoid the pool if outside because I'm always cold. Is it pretty much bingo, pool or casino? Just wanting to figure out how to fill the sea days.

Thanks so much.

I bought 2, mediums I think, but haven't had the opportunity to use them yet. Want to pick up a few more in various sizes to use for our upcoming cruise. Excited to see how I can get organized with them. I love the idea of using one for our things that we need for our clothes and pjs last night on board to pack in the AM. Definitely gonna use that tip.

We've just booked this through HAL and now I am wondering about timing. HAL says it's a 8 hour excursion,though 30 minute drive from Playa Del Carmen after the ride from Cozumel. First anyone know what you do for maybe 5 or 6 hours (if calculations are close). Also someone mention eating and then going back for pics. Are there restaurants near by?

Thanks. I did it the hard way by checking all the major lines. You peeps are great.

Hi cruisers,

I have a question and wasn't sure where to post it. According to one article I read, it lists St Thomas as a departure port for cruises. The way the article was written it means you start your cruise on the ship there as opposed to starting in Ft Lauderdale, Miami, etc. Do you know this to be true and if so, what cruise line? I appreciate your info.

Thanks,

Just completed my online check-in and printed the luggage tags. It looks like the tags as much bigger than any I've had before. I would estimate at 3.5" x 7 if folded over as it is designed. I'm sure earlier ones we've had before were smaller. So my questions are, is this size correct? and does it matter to HAL? Probably being really anal about this. I can try and reprint if necessary using a different browser or get them at the port but like to have them ready to go before leaving home.

Thanks for you input.

Just got our booking number for our cruise on Eurodam and want to see abt booking a cabana. Do we have to call HAL or can we email (if so what is the email) or book online? I can't find any info about doing so.

Thanks for any info you can provide.

I agree that you will probably enjoy a 7 day. I also would love to do a longer than 7 day cruise but not in the plans just yet.

I would think that it might be difficult if traveling with children, depending on how they might handle being out of their routine that long. I've heard from cruiser friends that some children are fine and some can only handle it so for so long and then it becomes problematic. Only the parents would know how their children might react. If adults only traveling, totally go for it and enjoy!

Another thought is to get an additional copy of your birth certificate from the state of your birth. I did that when I needed to get another official copy and I actually ordered 2 just in case. If you can get that in a reasonable amt of time, you might feel better sending your original out. I ordered online and received in a week or so.

Well it's good to know that it might be available on our cruise so I'll keep an eye out on my upcoming cruise. Maybe it will happen.

Thanks!

Well that figures. I guess I'll keep exploring options.

Thanks.