UandMe4Ever

I like a late afternoon swim before getting dressed ready for dinner.

 

How do others get back to their cabins when still wet?

 

Don't want to lay out late afternoon to dry off, won't work in Sept/Oct in Europe!

Don't want to shower and change in changing rooms, just to put dirty day clothes back on thus necessitating another change and shower minutes later.

Have tried a robe/sarong/day clothes but embarrassing wet patches were disconcerting even after a thorough towelling.

Have usually resorted to wrapping a towel round myself on top of swimsuit, but felt uncomfortable going through public areas in little more than I wear after a shower in my own bedroom.

 

What do others do?

Hi, same issue....We just towel dry off as much as possible and throw on a cover up (preferably dark, so no 'wet spots' are obvious and head to our cabin....No one cares...Plenty of people in wet suits around. I would NOT wear a bathrobe.....

Enjoy your cruise.

Never have gotten a thank you email from Hal for booking a cruise but do get the emails after we get home from a cruise, thanking us.

Good day, not hijacking this thread about HAL, but we've always gotten an email upon booking from NCL,Princess and Royal and also a "Thank you for sailing with ......

Miss the glass of Champagne, or OJ upon arrival on Princess and NCL..nice touches, gone a few years now :-(

Have fun:)

Me, too. Also, the shampoo is good for doing any bits of hand-washing you need to do!:) Ha! Ha! After reading that, I thought I should specify I mean laundry - not washing your hands....

Since I got itchy from using the products 1 time, I wouldn't dream of washing any garmet/undies that touches any part of my body....just think about that:eek:

I don't usually have a problem with products affecting my skin, but boy the Elemis Eye Serum really did a number on me earlier this year. I bought it on our January cruise on Carnival and started using it. Seemed okay, but after about 3 weeks I developed bad bumpy, itchy spots on my face below my right eye. I stopped using the Elemis and it finally cleared up after several weeks. Threw it out. I've been using all Estee Lauder skin products, makeup, etc. for 15 years and love them, so why switch? I bring my own shampoo and soap on cruises, too.

We had that on Princess as well...Terrible smell and made me itchy after 1 use. Glad I bring my own soap (dove or oil of olay) and lotions....

You are not alone...

Thank you. Park Avenue in Midtown is a lovely location. Very central to many sights in NYC.

 

Also, as far as our car service in NY, we did indeed use Tran Star Exec (as stated by previous poster), it is also the only service we use, as the owner is our next door neighbor. Excellent service, very reliable.

 

~Michele

Hi, I was so hoping to be able to open and read your review of the Gem and pictures. I only saw the one with 2 ladies and the little on peeping in....:) I tried clicking on the site, but nothing comes up. Any suggestions?

Thanks.

We're on the Gem Dec. 1:D

My only observation would be that we expected there to be big problems when pubs and bars banned smoking, with people hanging around outside the doors etc.

 

In my experience, there has been some of that, but nothing like I was expecting.

 

We can only see what will happen, but I'm not convinced the change will be as big as you would first imagine.

Just a note about the casino...They are closed Port days for gambling, but you can still walk in, look around and enjoy those cigarettes......who's to stop you? no one..........Will just make it smokier for when the officially open after sailing....JMHO

Greetings everyone! My wife and I are debating between two different Southern Caribbean itineraries and would appreciate any advice and insight everyone can provide. Both are on Celebrity's Summit, depart from Puerto Rico, include St. Thomas, and sail in October/November, so the only difference is the ports...

 

Option A - Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua, St. Maarten

 

Option B - St. Croix, St. Kitts, Dominica, Grenada

 

My wife and I are 35, very active, and love the outdoors. Ideally we'd like to go ATV riding, hiking, horseback riding, and scuba diving. We have zero interest in shopping and really want to focus on enjoying and exploring the natural beauty the islands can provide. So what do you guys recommend? Thank you in advance for any suggestions everyone provides!

Hi, we've done all ports except Grenada...Our choice is Option A...:D:D.. Wasn't crazy about Dominica at all....The rest were fine that we saw. Love all of Option A...Done them so many times and will continue to do them..................Always find something we want to do again...

Hope this helps.

Safe sails and enjoy whatever you choose. I'm sure you will.:)

PS doing Option A, which also includes St. Thomas and PR in Dec. 12 nighter

We will have a group of 16 on the Gem in September. Some are in suites and some are not so trying to decide on lunch options for embarkation day. I know buffet and Blue Lagoon are open but not sure about the main dining room. Anyone know for sure? We don't want to split up with some in Cagney's and others not.

Hi there,

So what's the problem? The main dining room is open on embark day. Why can't you all meet and eat there? no problem....They are have nice menu and new menus are now available on most ships. I'm sure you can have a lovely, quiet and relaxing lunch there...Have a cocktail and enjoy

Have a great time:D

Hopefully the next to be cut will be grumpy passengers and negative people! :D

I'll drink to that;) Don't need or want grumps and negatives on my ship...There to enjoy, relax and be grateful we are healthy and can still cruise....:)

Yes, I'm sure it will be a great cruise- hoping things start to pick up on the roll call- but we are 18 weeks away, so I'm sure that will pick up soon too. Along with the plans for the M&G :D

 

Still trying to find out how many optional dress up nights there are on a 12 day

On our 17 Night on NCL we only had 2 dress up or not nights. This is NCL, so no need to go over the top, but go the little extra mile. There are 2 on our cruise to the best of my knowledge.:)

Ok. We're more of the traditional cruisers- prefer traditional dining and like the 'formal' nights. We're booked on the 12 night rt Gem 12/01/14 and are able to drive to NYC- so we can bring all the luggage the car can handle. We both enjoy the formal nights and 'dress up'. NCL has the 'white hot nights' but is there any other nights on a 12 night that we can dress up- or should we leave the fancies at home

Hi Crisp1 ~ Seems we are on the same cruise;) It's going to be a great cruise I'm sure.

We (I) take pretty blouses/tops (nothing super dressy) and slacks. I do bring two "dressier" tops for Night Out. I don't dress up these days at home since retirement LOL...DH wears dress shirts over slacks/Dockers...He will bring 1 sport jacket, 2 ties for those nights I want to be a little dressier and take nice pictures.

We've been on a few NCL longer cruises and a lot of people look lovely. It may sound silly, but I personally feel you get a little better service in the DR if one looks like they care about their appearance. JMHO...I have seen that in action a couple of times. It may not be right, but........

So, wear what makes YOU feel good...I'm sure you'll be glad you did.

:)

Safe sails...

PS are you coming to the M&G whenever? I believe we will.

Do you need a membership to be AARP or is it just based on age?

Hi, you need to belong to AARP to get their 5% discount if available in particular cruises. Not all have that or not very often if they do. We saw it listed on one cruise and 2 days later they took it off.

you need to give the AARP number to your TA or cruise line itself. Hope this helps.

We only needed to show the card once at the terminal...Glad DH had his. :-)

Are you sure about that? I saw over in the Royal Caribbean forum that they weren't listed in Patti's (cruisenfever) list of the coupons, but I thought it was acknowledged that she was on a ship that didn't feature a Johnny Rockets, so the lack of that coupon was possibly due to that.

 

They did have the BOGO coupon when I was on Independence of the Seas in March. We were using the new electronic coupons then.

We were on Oct. 2014 - no C&A coupons or BOGO...Best thing I could suggest is contact C&A for updated info. We did have the electronic coupons then...

I believe there are no more BOGO for C&A..Also, I believe the price is now $3.95 p/p

I would like to correct the information about Johnny Rockets...charges are $.4.95 p/p not $3.95 p/p as I previously incorrectly posted. My apologies. There are still no bogo for C&A however, that was correct. sorry :o

I believe all of the food that you used to see in the old Blue Lagoon, (and it was no charge,) is still no charge in the new O'Sheehan's. But there are now extra items that you can order and there is a fee for. Like milkshakes, root beer floats, etc.

Thanks...I'll share DH milkshake. The diabetic part of me knows it should not have her own LOL;)

For those who have had milkshakes in O'Sheehan's and who have also had milkshakes at Johnny Rockets on Royal Caribbean ships, how would you say they compare?

 

On RCI ships, I love going to Johnny Rockets and getting a milkshake there. (It does also help that as Crown & Anchor members, we get BOGO coupons for them.)

I believe there are no more BOGO for C&A..Also, I believe the price is now $3.95 p/p

Milkshakes are $3.00 plus gratuity at O'Sheehans.

 

 

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Thanks for the info! However, is the food 'free', i.e. the 'old blue lagoon'? :confused: We'll be on the Gem in Dec. after the refurbishment.

Does anyone know WHAT will be re-furbished, other than adding O'Sheehans in place of Blue Lagoon?

Thanks to all for your help.

Safe sails:)

Good day cruisers, I have a question with regard to the mandatory daily tipping added to your seapass card. I'm fine with that. Everyone who works so hard deserves their fair share....

Why then, if tips have now become "mandatory'', do people using My Time Dining, need to pay in advance of the cruise? :confused: I could understand it before the auto daily tipping, so no one gets cheated out of a tip. But now, no one will since it's automatically added to the seapass. Makes no sense whatsorever...

The Matre D' comes by once in a while except the last night. Why does HE need to be included in the tip pool? I'm sure he gets a good salary.

OK, I've vented. All feedback is appreciated.

Have a good day:)

Penny slots--one penny at a time, very slowly (lol)

 

At least NCL addressed the e-cig issue. Inferred it was o.k. on your balcony but not in non-smoking public areas because people think they are regular cigarettes.

 

Tucker in Texas

I did not see where it inferred E-cigs on balcony was OK.:confused: I thought it said no cigarettes, e-cigs, etc.

Thanks

The smokers will probably jump to HAL next. I am very surprised they have not followed suit and prohibited smoking on their balconies.

Heard via a LONG grapevine, HAL is going to follow NCL banning balcony smokers!!! very soon. Watch for it people....;)

Interesting. NCL were pretty quick with their E-mail to you. I wonder how many future passengers after 1st November have received one. Anyway, if I don't receive any e-mail, I won't know anything about the change of policy and lets see how that goes when on the ship with an E.cig

Got our personal email notification... It's in the 'Wind' people...HAL FOLLOWING VERY SHORTLY''

Not all have liquid...Many do not, just WATER......Mine has NO liquid..........check out Greensmoke dot com and look for no nicotine....just water.............

The E-cig. I have contains NO NICOTINE...Just water vapor and certainly no smell. It is a cartridge and no fluid is required.................No way anyone could even think they smell anything -- nothing to smell AND is not harmful....Get your facts straight..............sail on HAL....

Well, only a few months ago in January, he said no changes to the smoking policy....Did he lie or is he following Carnival's lead? Something's wrong with this picture for sure....talking out of both sides of his mouth, sorry to say.

Sorry but I believe you are incorrect..smoking is permitted port side of the Bali Hai Bar on the Gem and was banned from all outdoor areas of the pool deck last January we saw the HD and staff enforce this very strictly on a few cruises . There are certain smoking areas on one or two small areas outside on deck 6 or 7 and the Casino. Unlike Carnival there is no smoking in any of the clubs or bars. The Cigar Bar is very small and located next to Le Bistro on the Jewel Class ships. The Breakaway has a smoking room (enclosed glass panels) on the pool deck. I agree most smokers are very considerate, I know we are

Did you hear about No smoking on balconies effective 11/1/14...That sucks. We're going Dec. 1...They should do it 1/15/15 after all Holiday cruises. Start the new year that way JMHO....P