sparks1093

One of my sons just received his first passport and it took 7 weeks with normal processing so if he does decide to get a passport he should just order it (and keep a copy of his birth certificate just in case).

I just looked and Vermont and Rhode Island birth certificates both have the phrase "certificate of live birth". The key is who issues the certificate- issued by the hospital = no, issued by a government entity= yes. Sounds like he is good to go.

That is indeed sad news.

If you see someone madly waving at Paradise it'll be me.

They typically have someone going from table to table with souvenir shot glasses for sale. If you have Cheers you still need to pay for the glass. DW enjoyed them.

It's a fee that needs to be paid and that's part of the problem with it- it's not defined exactly what it's for. I said exactly why I mentioned it- to provide prospective. If you don't think it's on point then you don't.

Looks like we'll be on Glory when you are on Paradise. We'll be on a western itinerary (Montego Bay, Grand Cayman, Cozumel).

Challenge...accepted! And since we have a cruise booked with Celebrity in 2025 we can also analyze the data across different lines. 🙂

The consumer has an obligation to educate themselves and every cruise line FAQ that I've read clearly outlines this issue.

Which is still less than what they would pay in resort fees for the same week and very likely less than what they would pay if they stayed in a hotel and ate at sit down restaurants for the same time period. Sticker shock can be real, but one offsets that by keeping things in perspective.

I might have to do some field research in a couple of weeks.

So on our last cruise DW got an after dinner shot almost every night from the tray that is brought around the MDR, because she liked the shot glasses and we could (and do) use them at our camp. I was thinking about it- are they actual shots or are they just a mixed drink put into a shot glass? If you've had one was it strong or on the weak side?

I've done it both ways depending on how our cash flow was at the time. I haven't pre-paid yet for our upcoming cruise and I could save a couple of bucks if I paid it before Saturday, but I don't think that I will. I might pre-pay before we leave to have one less thing to worry about but I'll worry about that as we get closer.

Thank you! Yes, I've always loved the sea and being on it. My wife didn't think that I would be interested in cruising because of my Navy time so she never mentioned her interest in it. Glad we got that sorted out, for sure!

Thanks for the first timer thoughts. We'll be first timers when we sail X in 2025 and can't wait to try them out! Excellent review!

The bags are relatively small, guessing around 18" by 18". The key is to roll your clothes tightly. We typically have an overflow where the last row of clothes is sticking out of the bag but they've always taken them. We've had to ask for the bag from the steward on the last couple of cruises as I recall.

Cabins ready is going to vary by cruise line. I typically give them $1-2 per bag.

Some cruise lines might have a common area set aside for this, but I'm not sure if this is something that is done any longer. But as stated, no, you'll need to keep it with you. We normally have one carry on that has meds and such in it that we keep, everything else is turned over to the porters.

I'm sure that the cruise ship does delete data regularly, but corporate will hold on to it for marketing purposes. Dust is only hazardous if it is allowed to accumulate over a long period of time. I'm not sure what the actual danger point is, but I doubt that one week's accumulation would be that hazardous. As for not being messy enough to make much difference even an extra 10 to 15 minutes of extra cleaning on turn around day can interfere with things. One cabin maybe not so much but multiple cabins most assuredly (they have to clean all of their cabins in a few hours as opposed to having all day available and this includes a complete change out of linens, etc.).

Some people shower multiple times per day and the towels might not dry between uses. We always do try to re-use, but sometimes it doesn't work out. Just like everything else involving humans what works for one may not work for another.

So, something that is pre-made sitting in a pan waiting to be taken? Sounds like a buffet. 🤣 (Sorry, couldn't resist, I know what you are saying.) On a sea day we are likely to partake of the sea day brunch (not sure why this thread was moved from the Carnival board) but on port days I'm likely to eat at the buffet when I first get up and then take a plate up to DW to enjoy in bed or on the balcony as she chooses. If timing for an excursion is an issue then we'll order room service.

You don't have to check your bags as long as they will fit through the x-ray scanner in the terminal, so your 2 small ones would probably be okay, not sure about the medium sized one since it might be too large. Just know that it could be some time before you are able to drop the bags off at your cabin so you could be lugging them for a bit.

Yes, it's worth the $20 upcharge and saves money if you don't want to take your whole party to the steakhouse.

Exactly. When we started (and we came to the game late) the cruise lines still met you with a glass of champagne when you boarded (well, the cruise line we sailed with did), there were still chocolates on the pillows, crumb sweepers in the MDR, etc. etc. I remember reading an article back then that postulated that some cruise lines might adopt a more "a la carte" model, where your fare includes the basics and you pay for the extras and to some extent that has happened (but not as bad as the article supposed, they said that the buffet would be included and you would have to pay for the MDR). As society changes the cruise lines (and all businesses, really) have to change.

There are a good number of people who are bothered by this, mostly because they are receiving less service for the same amount of money because the daily gratuity amount hasn't been lowered (and has been raised on some lines). For many it does reflect a change that impacts the "pampered" feeling one used to get as a cruiser. Cruising has been becoming much more basic since we first started in 2009 and I imagine those who have cruised longer have seen greater changes.