Starlaker

Thank you! This is very timely as we are taking the Grand to Hawaii next week.

No one has answered the question yet as to whether they still provide lotion if the dispensers are in place. We leave on Saturday to get on the Grand on Monday. Need to know!

They are cheaper because the cruise line doesn't get their cut. They are also generally smaller groups with more personal attention.

The little bottles were hard to squeeze with arthritic hands. I like the change. Do they still provide lotion?

I was always fearful of being out in deep water without a vest. Then on one trip they gave us noodles and I was so intent on getting all my gear together and getting in the water that I forgot the noodle. I had been floating along for about 20 minuts before I relized that I didn't have a noodle. Now I am no longer afraid. I know how easy it is to float in salt water. I still wear a vest though if it is rough or if there are strong currents.

Sounds good to me too! I am looking forward to seeing the answers to your question. We have never gone to the Crown Grill, but plan to on this next trip as we will have a number of sea days. Most of our cruises have been so port intensive that we have just gone to the Buffet.

I have thoroughly enjoyed your journey. You write very well. Thanks for taking the time.

Not to belabor this subject but actually there is no such thing as a "Service Cat" according to the ADA and DOJ [Dept. of Justice.] There is a "Therapy Cat" which doesn't have the same public rights that a Service Dog has. The cat can only be allowed to go into hospitals or institutions in which it does "therapy" work, it can't go into restaurants/stores/cruise ships, etc., etc.

The word "Service" implies that the dog mitigates something for it's handler ie. Seeing Eye Dog/Hearing Dog etc., etc.

Well, excuse me. I was responding to the poster who said that cats "had staff" and there was no way that a cat could be of service. At any rate, that "therapy cat" was of great comfort to my granddaughter.

I got some True Lemon today. The ingredients: Crystallized lemon (citric acid), lemon oil, lemon juice, ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), Organic Evaporated Cane Juice. No preservatives, gluten free. I tried a packet in my glass of water and it tasted pretty good. Guess I will take some packets along and hope that the OP isn't at the next table. :) Everyone at our table will be family so no problem there.

You might really like the true lemon or true lime. http://www.truelemon.com/

I just checked, the have NUMEROUS Flavors available. 100% Natural. I have tried the lemon and it is good. It is a powder that you dissolve in water. Hope this helps.

 

Update: The true lemon products such as Raspberry Lemonade contain Stevia (a natural sweetener). Lemon and Lime are 100% natural with no sweetener added. Their site tells locations to buy including where to find within that particular store (tells aisle etc) and which products they carry.

Great info, thanks so much! I will give it a try. My husband tells me that it is my imagination, but I don't like the aftertasts of ANY artificial sweetener. I will try to get the Lemon and Lime with no sweetener added. I'm glad I slogged through all these posts to get this information. CC members are the best! :)

I think they are all artificial sweeteners.

Update: From their FAQ page: MiO is sweetened with acesulfame potassium and sucralose, a calorie-free, artificial sweetener that is 600 times sweeter than sugar.

Thanks Mary. That's too bad. Sounds like a really great way to flavor your water. Guess I'll just have to stick to lemons or a shot of iced tea.

I had never heard of MIO, but it sounds like a great idea. Do they make any without artificial sweeteners? Just can't get used to that after taste. I like water that is slightly flavored with a slice of lemon or lime. If I get iced tea, I ask them to give me half water and half tea. My husband says that my iced tea is just colored water. :-) Personally, I find absolutely nothing wrong with adding a few drops of flavoring to your water at dinner and I can't think of any reason why you would offer it to others at the table. Much healthier than drinking sodas.

Did you see Manatees?

Whereibelong,

Copy and paste.

We did this same tour three years ago and at this same time. It was wonderful and I am reliving it with you.

When you get to Denali, and if you get on a bus going back into the park with a driver named "Gary" with a long pony tail, GET OFF IMMEDIATELY and get on another one. He stopped at the side of the road and held us hostage for at least 20 minutes to tell us his life story and give us a lecture on environment and pollution. We are environmentally aware and didn't need to hear his sermon. We just wanted to see scenery and wildlife. The only down part of the entire trip. We loved the gold mine trip and the riverboat trip. Enjoy!

Thanks for taking the time to post. We will enjoy doing the land part with you vicariously. We will be joining you on the 14th in Whittier. Can't wait!