cruising_family

I have spreadsheets for everything related to each cruise (travel, hotels, phone #s, confirmation, toiletries, etc) and even a very loose clothes list. I never thought of breaking it down like many of the posters have done. Great idea and I am going to implement this as I am an over-packer. I usually end up just adding and adding until the suitcase is full. I want to travel lighter and more efficiently. We'll see how it goes.

Thanks for sharing everyone.

I'm don't cruise often and never on HAL but am in January for a short 7 day cruise. I was planning on bringing only a few bottles on just to appeal to my DH frugal side, but would have been fine purchasing on board. We will be sailing just a few days prior to the policy change so my plan stands.

I'm sure all your communications with HAL helped delay the change. Maybe it will be modified further before Jan. for all those faithful HAL cruisers.

There is a Holland America Blog, but nothing abt the new policy. Just touting positive cruise events and ports.

I'm just curious how the group that organizes the theme cruises booking a complete HAL ships will take this change. There are quite a few coming up (and I'm booked on one) and I would think the company would be quite upset by this change. Perhaps there won't be a change as I'm sure they have signed contracts with HAL. I can only hope. Yet to be notified by HAL or the charter group yet.

Thanks for the input ladies. I like the way you think. :) Guess I should start looking for some tropical stuff while it's summer as it might be more difficult in December.

If this has been asked, I apologize. I am going on a Jazz theme Eastern Caribbean Cruise on HAL in Jan. So excited. I understand the weather is typically 70s-80s on the islands during that time. I am no fashionista at all, but since I will be on HAL during the winter but warmer island weather at ports, I'm not sure how to pack. I think HAL is a bit more formal than RC or Carnival and I don't want to look silly.

My question is this. I know layering on the ship would help if I'm cold (usually am), but do people wear winter dark colors on the ship and fun summer color while on the ports. Seems this would cause lots of clothes.:confused:

Any tips would be totally appreciated.

Way to go eh24fan. Happy for your loss.

Great question katrina915. I'm going on in Jan and will be having issues with the food part. Smart food choices sound easy, but when it's in front of me, free and in abundance, much harder. I'd love to also see some suggestions/tips as well.

As far as giving up soda, caffeine, etc., yes it's a good idea, but what I like about WW is that you can keep what is really important to you and make adjustments as needed. As an example, I love, love Snickers. High points value. So when I was going to WW I purchased their chocolate caramel treats. I would have 1 (only 1) when I craved a Snickers. 1 point vs 8 or 10, smart choice. I've learned to eat Laughing Cow cheese instead of regular cheese and again smart choice. I always feel that if I am deprived of something I want it more. I'm sure many relate. So if I get a craving, I substitute or just give in and adjust the rest of my points as necessary.

I did give up soda a year ago last May and haven't had any since. Had nothing to do with WW. I was heading to Italy for a 5 week study abroad program and thought now is the time. I bought my last one in the ATL airport and when it was done, that was it. I don't drink coffee as it makes my stomach turn, so no problem there. I do try to stay away from the artificial sweeteners but I tire of plain tea and water. I also need a caffeine fix once in a while and I can get that at no calories. I am older and my metabolism is slowing down so I really don't worry about the sweeteners doing that for me. Kind of just goes with getting older anyway.

This fits in the palm of your hand and has a great sound that really fills the room, I used it on last years Ruby Med cruise and we are using it again this year on the Emerald Northern Europe next month. It operates with all players, Ipod Iphone, Mp3, Kindle etc. This way you can have your favorite music when you want it. I have no connection to the company, I am just recommending a great travel item.

Thanks for the mention of this. I have been looking for a small speaker for my cruise just for some mood music in the room. I don't need it loud but want to be able to play the music I like. No not loud in the cabin.

Sherri914,

Came across this thread for the first time tonight. I was a lucky one and the download from Googledocs worked for me. Like others, I thank you for sharing and it is truly a great resource. You're a rock star for sharing with all of us.:cool:

I honestly hadn't heard that starvation mode was a myth. I'll have to check into that. Not that I typically give up enough food for it to affect me anyway. lol Thanks for the info.

Cruising to paradise,

I have found the books and yup, on ebay. Even got the calculator which I didn't have before. I appreciate your input. At least I'm not the only one it didn't work for. I'm not saying PPlus is bad, but just not for me. Looking forward to the support from this group.

Mike,

I've been told the same, use your points. I was also told not to do too many zero point foods, to the point of having your regular points left. They may be zero points but they are still calories. Also WW mentioned that if you don't use the points, your body thinks it's being starved and will go into starvation mode. Hope that helps.

Thanks.

360 is points plus, more or less

 

Not that sure why you would find such a big problem going to plus from points.

 

Points calculation eliminates calorie s and uses carb, protein, fat and fiber. Some point values are higher, but it is more than made up for by ALL fruits being zero points plus values.

 

I would hope you'd give it another shot and try to approach it with a clean slate. I'd also recommend e tools and WW mobile if you have a smartphone because it easily and accurately calculates points plus values for you.

I could never figure out why either. I know not every diet plan works for everyone. I continued to follow the new plan as strictly as the old one, but the weight kept creeping up or stayed the same for a few months. I do like the old points plan and liked the concept that you could eat as much as you wanted of certain foods and take a bit larger point hit. Especially useful for me for the salmon, steak and pasta. I could indulge within the program. :o

Last time I did use the online WW tools to track my points, weight and activity levels. It was very useful. I have purchased the calculator, dining out and complete food companion guides like I had prior so I'm ready for the new way to begin, again.

Thanks Mike.

Glad I'm not the only newbie here. Looks like our weight loss goal is pretty similar which is nice.

I was doing some checking and sounds like the 360 is like an enhanced version of PPlus. I'll try sticking to what I know works, but time to kick up the exercise. I prefer walking outside vs a treadmill but just doing it is my problem. Now maybe I'll do better with some online support.

Hi everyone,

I was a WW member a few years back and had great success. That is until it went to PointsPlus which killed my progress. I made the mistake of throwing the old points info away when the new program came out so I then had no reference to go back to, started gaining and dropped out of WW. Because of that, and lack of motivation and my DH being a great cook, I have now gained all I lost. I need to lose 30 lbs, which doesn't sound as hard as losing 100 but every pound is difficult, right? I would like to lose it before my next cruise in late January, 2014 and the support would be great.

Seavoyager6, you mentioned this forum is for the WW360 program, but I am not on it. I am not sure of the difference and am reluctant to go back to WW if it's too close to the PPlus program. I am still mulling over whether I want to rejoin WW. That being said, I hope that I can still be part of this forum. Do I have to be an attending member of WW for this forum?

Made my first Priceline winning bid.

Details:

Hyatt Regency Pier 66

Jan 24-26, 2014

$171 per night

less 17.10 for discount code

Regular Hyatt Price $239

I consider this a success though my hubby might not think so. He wanted a cheaper hotel but I couldn't find one I really liked. Guess he should have booked it himself. :D

I sure learned a lot about how to do work the Priceline system, but going to Ft Lauderdale during peak season and wanting a hotel in certain areas tended to make it much more difficult for me. I lived around Ft. Lauderdale for years so I know certain areas I wanted to avoid, also made it difficult.

Thanks Royalcruz. I had a feeling that was the case. Since we have our car, we may opt for a hotel a bit more inland for the parking issue. I used to very close to Ft. Lauderdale for years so being right on the beach is not a great desire for me. I'm opting for cost and convenience. I will check out the hotels you mentioned.

Thanks again.

I am cruising out of Ft. Lauderdale in Jan 2014. We are driving down and will need to park our car while on the cruise. Anybody know of any decent hotels in the general vicinity of the port that offers a park and cruise setup. We could park at the port for 120 or so but if we can get a decent price with this option at a hotel (given it's the peak season), it would be wonderful.

Our other option would be to stay away from the beach for a better hotel price and pay for parking at the port. Thoughts/input please?

Thanks.

Joyfoeone,

My DH and I just registered for the straight ahead Jazz cruise and I have started a roll call thread on the Eurodam for any CC members that might be going. A quick rundown on the details is on that thread also, but here goes.

Per Host Walt:

For the benefit of our HAL Cruise Critic members, this is a full ship charter so it is not listed on the HAL website. It is bookable by anyone and has the following itinerary.

January 26 - February 2, 2014

Sunday, January 26 Departing from Fort Lauderdale 4:00pm

Monday, January 27 At Sea

Tuesday, January 28 Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Wednesday, January 29 San Juan, Puerto Rico 1:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Thursday, January 30 Philipsburg, Saint Maarten 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Friday, January 31 At Sea

Saturday, February 1 Half Moon Cay, Bahamas 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Sunday, February 2 Fort Lauderdale, Florida 7:00am Disembarkation

Details are available at: http://www.thejazzcruise.com/2014

There are supposed to be approx 33 jazz artists/groups performing. It sounds like it will be quite the fun time with lots of music by such a large array of artists.

Sindee

Any info on this cabin reg noise or cons of picking it. I see a white space between this and next cabin B756 but don't know what it is. Any info would be appreciated. Never booked an aft cabin so want to make sure I made the right choice.

Thanks.