5326jan

Just bought a nice teal blue bag from TJMAXX for 24.99! I can't find a picture of it, so no doubt it's an older style, but I don't care! I love the small bags for travel. I don't want to be the sherpa and bringing a small bag makes it easier to just bring what I need. This one however is more of a medium size....I'm still saying no to carrying stuff!:rolleyes: It's still very lightweight!

I have a nylon soft backpack that we got about 20 years ago. It's a Rick Steves Civita Day pack.

You can still buy them. Ours has traveled the world with us. It weighs nothing and is plenty big for a couple sweat shirts, bottled water and a pair of binoculars!

Now that is alot of Ikat:D:);)

Yes it is and I want throw pillows made out of each and every one!!!:D

I see many clothing items, dresses, maxis and tops described as ikat. I was wondering if anyone can explain what that means. I thought I had it, but then I saw something on a clothing website and it didn't fit the pattern I thought of as Ikat.:confused:

Ikat is the dying process, not the pattern. Similar to tie dye, it's bound in certain patterns to resist the dye. The unbound will accept more dye than the bound areas. There are some really beautiful patterns that can be created with this process, but it must require a lot of skill! :)

We didn't have a problem getting our cart when we went there. Our problem was that while driving it around the island it started on fire! Luckily we all got off of it and the "water department" came and put the flames out. Someone picked us up and took us back to where the gave us the cart and we got another one. I'm not sure why it burst into flames! Could have been a very different ending. My avitar is the golf cart!

:eek::eek::eek: OMG!!! Another stellar recommendation! :o

Sunscreen is the most important item to pack in your make-up kit!!! You might love that dark tan look now, but it will eventually turn into wrinkles and sagging skin. :mad::eek::(

I wear black dress pants with a dressy top. I don't see the need to spend money on something that I will rarely wear in my "beach life". I have enough tops from wedding and Christmas events that I've only worn once that it's a no-brainer for me to use those. :)

Point taken, I am no longer waiting, no longer interested in making it happen. This will be our first trip to GT, we wanted to check it out via golf cart, but obviously that won't be happening. Some loved it, some didn't, guess I'll never know. So be it. Going to check out Jack's Shack, looking forward to it.

Good choice! I wish that's what we did! The only thing you'll miss seeing is the lighthouse and lots of stray donkeys. :(

Another day with no response. Don't understand why you're not following through on a sale. :confused:

I don't know why you are still waiting??:confused: Do you really want to give business to someone with such awful customer service and work ethic?

Our experience with Nathan was so bad that I would never use again or recommend him. They didn't have any sign of record keeping, their office was someone sitting in a car on the side of the road. They didn't have the golf cart we reserved, so gave us a jeep that looked like it might not make it and that was only because we had written documentation from Nathan that we had reserved a cart. Like you, we had to practically beg for an email that we could print out stating that we had reserved a cart. Without that email from Nathan, I believe we would have been sent walking when there weren't any carts left.

Grand Turk seems not to have any industry other than cruise ships/tourism. While many islands have the infrastructure to support visitors, GT has few resorts and little shopping opportunities. I think that Nathan (and probably other independent businesses) figure a bird in the hand is better than nothing and will take the "certain" money of someone standing there with a $100 over a reservation that may not show up for one reason or another. Most people don't know about cruise critic, so some negative feedback here won't kill their business. Unless you want to sit in the sun and drink, there's not much else to do on GT!

Yes, I do have a negative POV regarding Nathan and GT, but my experience is the basis for my opinion. :) If we were to sail to this island again, we would stay on the ship.

We're considering a cruise on the Pacific Princess and we've never been on one of the smaller ships. I know that a lot of people love them. Perhaps, some of you can help with my questions...?

 

We are considering a mini-suite. All are on the deck below the pool area. Is there any problem with noise from either parties or chairs being moved?

 

Is there a side of the ship for smoking or a room like Churchill's for smoking? We don't smoke and try to stay away from smoking areas as much as possible for our comfort.

 

Any help will be much appreciated.:)

We had 8008 and could hear chairs moving from above for around 15 minutes in the mornings around 6am. For us it wasn't a big deal. The cabin is under the tables and chairs that smokers sat in near the pool bar. We never smelled the smoke from our cabin or the pool deck, other than walking through the door to get to the pool deck. Further forward above 8006-8000 are the restrooms, internet cafe and card room. They would be completely silent.

We choose 8055 for our next cruise on the Ocean. That is under the opening to the Horizon Court. We have heard some commentary about hearing carts wheeling through in the rooms below. We'll take our chances as we like the aft location so much better than forward.

We love the small ships and while they don't have some of the amenities the bigger ships have, the friendliness of the crew and passengers makes up for it. :)

Quick question...I have been looking at European River Cruises for 2015 and keep seeing "elegant casual". What does that mean for men and women. It's not a term that I am familiar with and am having a difficult time finding an answer. Thanks for the help!

 

Lisa

I think of it as "Country Club Casual". Sweater set, sun dress, nice slacks/skirt and top, and for men a button up shirt without a tie and chinos or nice slacks.

Right now, I'm obsessed with trying to pack light, so I love this thread. At the end of June, we will be in Paris for 7 days; then we'll be taking the Eurostar to London (luggage limits). A ride from there to Southampton for a 14-day Norway and Iceland cruise, so the weather might vary by a good 20°. I know layers will be key.

 

Because I'm a visual person, I like the packing light ideas from adventure chic:

http://www.adventure-chic.com/packing-light-mediterranean-cruise-in-winter/. And as other posters have said, I love the Vivienne Files, too.

We're doing the Land of the Midnight Sun in June. It will cover much of the same area your cruise does. The word that we've gotten from those who have done it before is to scotch guard your shoes and a pair of jeans. Also to bring a pair of long silky underwear (top and bottom). I like Cuddl duds http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=+cuddl+duds&tag=googhydr-20&index=apparel&hvadid=31800651677&hvpos=1t3&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1020745398309834337&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_552o03n2ab_e They're inexpensive and very comfortable. Will work for pjs if you want to cut down on your packing.

We are told you'll also need fleece jacket, windbreaker to fit over fleece, hat, gloves, heavy socks and a scarf. She also took the hand and foot warmers that you smack to activate. In her pictures you can see how snowy and cold it is. :eek: Just when you think you're getting away from the super cold winter we've had!:rolleyes: Paying to go back to it!!!:p

unless you are flying where the weight limit

is up to 50 lbs for a carry on, just check in

1 large spinner suitcase & a tote carry on

which will attach to your handle making

your trip more manageable - unless you are

a tiny person with only a few changes of clothing :eek:

I got stuck in Africa without my suitcase making it. I'll never do that again! I pack my daily clothes in my 20" and DH and I pack all of our formal wear and incidentals in one checked bag. If I don't get to my destination with fancy dinner wear, my toiletries and comfort items, I'll survive. At least we'll have our regular clothes!

that emily of adventure chic really did make a lot of nice outfits

for the 3 weeks - just wish i were young again !!!!;)

I agree. Vivienne Files are more my style and age group. Did you know that 24 items can make 12 dozen outfits? Her navy and beige grouping of April 18 will be the basis of my packing scheme for our Norwegian cruise in June. http://theviviennefiles.blogspot.com/

We did this last year on PC cruise and I did fine. I'm not particularly athletic, 60 and a little on the fluffy side, but had no trouble. You do have to break with your hand in heavy gloves as previously described, so if there is any arm/hand weakness that could be a problem. It was a lot of fun and our group of 8 made it through the whole series. If you have height issues, are afraid or just change your mind, they will take you back to where you can watch. :)

What I don't understand is how Grandma got thrown under the bus!!! :eek: :rolleyes: :(

She was loving enough to keep her grandchild so that he could have a more stable environment (or so it seems). You say you didn't take cruises because you wanted your children to be more independent, well Grandma didn't wait til she was her age to have a 5 year old to take care of.... but there she is! Speaking as a grandmother, I bet she just wants a few days of peace and quiet!

Do I think you should take him? No. It's your family's vacation and since you don't live next door and interact with him on a daily basis, he'll never know. I just don't think Grandma is being portrayed well here and in my eyes she's the hero in this whole drama. Someone should thank her for the unconditional love she is showing her grandson and taking up the slack of your sister, not whine about her "being unreasonable".

PS He's probably not spoiled as much as he is traumatized by abandonment. I agree with the previous poster that suggested he should have counselling. Plus, Grandma needs to be shown some appreciation!

I have found thats its totally worth it taking a Car Service to the airport. If you have an evening flight or an early morning flight the price your paying is certainly worth it considering you don't need to park at the airport or have someone else drive you.

 

I have found some car services in the SF Bay Area and did comparison shopping and reading Yelp Reviews. I found a car service that is reliable and has really been helpful when we need to go to the airport. They always arrive on time and most of the time they arrive 5-10 minutes early.

 

If you take Super Shuttle they are so unreliable and its not worth the savings if you arrive late and can't check in especially on international flights.

 

The Car Service that I use keeps our profile and payment info so all I do is call and book and then after the service our card gets charged. There no receipts to sign just an e-mail with our receipt.

 

 

So all in all taking a Car Service is the way to go for a peace of mind. As they say time is money.

We just discovered Uber when we were in DC last week!!! I would use them in a heartbeat! You are lucky enough to have Uber in your area. There's an APP for that!:D

I just saw this and tried to send an email and it was returned. Maybe I am not interpreting your address correctly. Are their blanks, no blanks, or an ampersand for 'and'.

 

 

 

 

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Hi! Thanks for answering! all smooshed together, no capitals, janandarno@gmail(dot)com

We did sunset tours. I don't have any of the info with me but it was a wonderful tour of what I would call classic tourist. We saw all the highlights : graumans Chinese theater, Hollywood sign , la observatory, Venice beach, had lunch at Mel's diner and saw stars homes. They picked us up at the port and returned us to our hotel after dropping several at the airport. It was a fabulous tour with a very knowledgeable guide. The bus was about 16 passenger size and our luggage stored safely in the back all day.

I highly recommend it! Sunset tours dot com I think.

Depends on where you're going and how long the cruise is. We sailed through the Panama Canal in March and there were only a handful of children. It was a 15 day cruise. If you're going to the Caribbean for 7 days there will be a ton of kids.

Just had a quick look you can buy Boca clips in the UK from a website called http://www.beach-accessories.co.uk £9.99 for a pair plus postage £3.49 so they do work out quite expensive compared to buying in USA :eek:

Maybe you could work out something with someone from the US on your roll call to bring you some. If you were sailing with me, I would happily do that! :) I'm sure others would feel the same.

PS I just checked the price on Bed Bath and Beyond and they are $5.99 for two clips. Plus a 20% off coupon makes them under $5!

Not getting into the chair hogs conversation, but there are clips sold many places that hold your towel on your chair. They're called Boca Clips. We buy at Bed Bath and Beyond, but I think you can get them at Target too...maybe Walmart? We use them on the ship and at the beach. The wind can blow your towel all over the place, even when you're sitting on it! I can also fold over a towel several times and clip it to the chair for a pillow.

There about $6-7 dollars per pair. Online you can get them in bundles.

http://www.bocaclips.com/boca-clips-beach-towel-3-piece-assortment/

Whoa!!!! Sorry such a big picture~~~ :eek:

I guess she'll just have to load up her ipad. We were on Sapphire in Feb just after TVs were installed, but not quite working right.

Tim

We take a portable DVD player and hook it up to the TV using RCA plugs. Ours is a Sony and came with the cables and a remote. We have a stash of movies that we bring... some old favorites, but also we like to get some of the series that are on during the year that we don't have time to watch at home. Downton Abbey, Call the Midwife, Murdoch Mysteries, etc. Most are BBC and have great characters. I'd much rather watch something like that than a program that tells me it's funny with a laugh track. :rolleyes:

One piece of advice. If you do take something to hook up to the tv, bring a small hand held mirror to see the back of the television. On the Island it's tightly bolted into it's spot, but with the mirror you can maneuver to the right spot. :)

Amazon

Doing a transatlantic crossing in December. Will we see any whales?

Hi, I live in Virginia Beach and the Virginia Aquarium runs whale watching trips out of VB every winter. We occasionally have whales wash ashore, so I know for certain they are out there. The peak time for sightings is in February and March, when presumably they are beginning to work their way north. Virginia Beach is just north of the VA/NC border, a few miles north of the well known Outer Banks.

We did see whales around Grand Turk a few years ago. If they see them from the bridge, the captain usually makes an announcement over the PA system. We did a tour of the bridge last year and I was amazed how much sea life we could see from there! :)

Please don't put chemicals in the toilets that may cause mechanical problems - marine plumbing is VERY different that what you have at home. If the stink bothers you, just use a room deodorizer.

These are completely safe essential oils that don't hurt the marine toilets or the environment!

We like the Poo Pourri line. :) It's more expensive than the Dollar Tree version, but looks nice in the bathroom.

It comes from Amazon and many other retailers. Several sizes.

Jan: don't know what you mean by reconfigured. We were on in 2013 and nothing is new since then.

Oops! :o I was referring to the addition of the International Cafe and extra cabins, but I should have realized that you'd have been on since then and covered it at that time. :) Sometimes my old brain can't keep track! ;)