sandy toes

After following this thread, I have a few points:

1. Buy insurance that has an option to cover illness where you are confined to cabin(or resort room if on land).

2. Use a TA. A good travel agent would have helped up asap once home to make sure the credit was obtained...at least as much as they can help. They are sooo worth having in your corner!

3. ALWAYS obtain whatever is promised in writing at site, with the date, time and names of all individuals making the promises. Don't wait until you are home and then try to play find the clerk game. (I know we want to believe people BUT many times we only hear what we want to hear and not what is actually being said).

4. WASH your hands a zillion times. Use napkins on tongs. Use paper towels/tissues on bath room facets and doors.

5.Take your vitamins...air borne...get vaccines, etc. Basically do your part to stay healthy.

OP, Frenchrci and everyone:

LOVE the port of Baltimore!!!! Very easy on and off ship. Provides an opportunity to meet and make friends!!!!

Love the "Lady G" as Darryl called her.

While the ship is older, we were on her in Dec for her birthday. The crew is fantastic!!!!

The fire that so many still speak of just got her an update sooner rather than later.

The aerial shows in the centrum are great and the over all feeling on ship is one of friendship as opposed to never seeing the same person twice on the larger ships. Yes the FL ports do offer the mega ships with more activities but I don't choose to cruise with a hoard of people where I need to make "reservations" pre-cruise to guarantee my place.

CDC has the following link...http://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/index.html

It will tell you more than you EVER want to know about Norovirus.

1 in every 15 Americans will get noro this year! AND guess what CNN...they will NOT all be on a cruise ship!!!!

Thanks but that is just the standard stuff. The missing site has wonderful pics of individual cabins and various views within the cabins. Still kicking myself for my error!!!!

Usually the rooms will open up. TA's grab them quick as many clients want them. When they don't get them sold they must return them to the cruise line...that is when you will see them. Usually around final payment time. Have had 2 by watching and switching up when available.

IF one browser doesn't work try another...IE, Goggle, etc

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

CONGRADS!!!! 'Gotta love that Fairy!!!!!

Enjoy your cruise!!!!! Stop in DL and let them know of upgrade. They will redirect your "letters" and "gifts".

IF you do not need it for that 1st evening on ship, just speak with the MDR staff, they will customize your cake anyway you desire. We have had Happy Graduation, WOW !!! (when a family member won a cruise!!!!), and Happy Retirement.

There are many activities that they will find...IMHO set the rules clearly in stone pre-cruise so neither you or the teens will not be upset. There is a curfew on ship(usually 1 AM but that might not be what you want...or they want. IS there any activity you want to make a group activity? Do you want to always have the evening meal or breakfast together? Even though DD is traveling with a friend, there will be lots of other teens on ship and they will be bonding very quickly with others, sharing activities and having teen centered fun. They may want to sleep in after staying awake late each night...TALK with them. Check out some copies of the Compass from a prior sailing for ideas of daily activities. Have fun!!!

The only time I used a spa service was on NCL. They had a massage chair set up outside the buffet. 25 minute neck and upper back massage for $30. It was great, not selling of products either.

 

Wish RCI would do something like that.

Sailed Grandeur in Dec and the chair was there on each warm deck day (we sailed from Baltimore so had some cool days). I didn't get one but it was busy all the time...must be a popular item. I prefer some privacy.

DD went and became 24 weeks the day after our return home!!!! We had to change from original sail date to earlier to accommodate "baby". Several years ago, we had to cancel a cruise because there was no other date for the repo that we had all planned to enjoy.

It is easy to get the "note" from, the OB doc. they are used to Mum's wanting to travel (ship/plane/train) all seem to want something that would CYA. Have fun and enjoy the time with DH.

sharp dressed (little) guy!!!!

Agree asap when flights are released by airline. Just beware that flight times can change as date approaches. Keep a watch on the times so you don't miss your flight. Have had a time change for 2 hrs 40 min earlier, had purse stolen and lost cell. Almost missed flight coming home!!! Just glad I went to airport after filing forms with local police RE: purse; had I not, I would have had to buy another ticket!!!!!

Prayers for family and friends as well as AOS crew members. Many affected by this single decision...

Have your TA or Royal if you booked direct, make a note that you want the sofa made into the bed for him and it will be done instead of having the steward make up the pullman for nothing. Your cabin will be all set up just the way you want when you walk in the door. Have a great cruise!!!

I can't do a history search because while on a cruise GOS Dec 6, we had a snow storm, someone slammed into a pole and power was out. That did something to the PC and I lost all sorts of things...most of the important things were saved to the cloud and I had backed-up what I thought was important. I know...go ahead and scream at me. I don't know why I didn't consider my cruise search file important. I lost some really nice pics but this site was just one of my favorites and I can't find it. I have now become obsessed with getting it back. I really do appreciate all of you trying to help. Many of you are offering me the same site over and over. I have used it and I could even remember the name for that one. This one, my special lost site, has put me on a mission! A friend told me this evening that no one would ever tell me what it was because I didn't take good care of it the first time! OK CC friends, I promise to take very good care of it and to send it safely to the cloud!!!! Please help.

NorbertsNiece: no that isn't it either. I have that site, nice but limited...I am so upset at myself for NOT "taking better care" of a site I felt was important. I feel like a little girl that has lost her special toy...maybe if I scream off the back deck, stomp my feet and jump up and down it will help...No, I guess not but it might make my neighbors laugh!!!

Lesson learned...make sure I always save to the cloud in the future!!!!!!

Still hoping for someone to see this and share the site with me...PLEASE (I am begging now...)

I am not sure "fear" is the correct word. Just some precautions,such as insect repellent, which would prevent the fever and joint issues, that could impact the enjoyment level of a holiday. IMHO there is reason to be knowledgeable about any potential illness, especially one that can be prevented so easily.

OK everyone, WOW some nice sites but still NOT my wonderful "lost" site.

I used it prior to my Dec 6 sailing so I know it was a viable site very recently.

Thank you to everyone that has posted. I do appreciate all of your help.

I promise, I will post it when I find it for all of you to enjoy!!!

PLEASE, keep looking...I know someone on CC knows of the site!!!

Yes you are correct...the OBC does vary with the length of the cruise. The deposit is $100 pp which is very nice. I like to keep my money mine for as long as possible! I love the open end certificates and try to keep some on hand for the "deals" that pop up.

jo24: Thank you for the site, cruiseclues. New for me! Not it...still searching.

RoLotta: Yes, I stated it in the OP, but thanks!!!! deckplangenius is new, thank you! Still not "my" site..."mine" had pics.

cruzinlady1947: Yes, I know but "my" site was wonderful!!!! Sometimes I loath technology...my son says it was all my fault for not having it saved to the cloud and technology had nothing to do with my loss...it was all on me.

My site had line to ship to category to class to cabin # with pics and even offered bookings.

THANK YOU everyone that has replied!!!!STILL searching....

Did you check the ports section? There are great reviews of various hotels in SJ. You can even walk to ship!!! (about a block) or take taxi very inexpensive)We have used the Sheraton Old SJ several times when traveling with family that wants to watch the ships sail in. Nice roof top pool. Hard Rock Cafe in easy walking distance along with many other quality dining choices. There are other hotels father out offering beach front but IMHO I am going on a cruise and will get my beach time so I want to enjoy the sights of old town.

Just return from the GOS. I have to say they (the staff) were very supportive in the MDR. I was traveling with my DGD (she will NOT eat food with a face!). Prior to sailing I notified the ship that she was vegetarian, not vegan. Each evening she was asked what she wanted for the next evening and she had a lovely presentation of her desired choices. Rarely does she eat "fake" veggie meats and is picky about how she likes soy prepared, so she never asked for it. The waiter brought her the vegetarian entree just in case she wanted to try some of it. Several evenings she did and said she felt like she was visiting the 3 bears house sampling all the plates of food. Some she declared "very delicious". At lunch we always went to the MDR for the lovely salads. She said each day she wished we had somewhere that good to dine at home. The Park Cafe offered some very good selections and as for Chops... ate there with notice, and she had pasta with sauteed veggies that were "wonderful". (While she and DD are both vegetarian ONLY, I do enjoy chicken, fish and a good steak from time to time).

After many cruises, on various lines (top or near top tier on several), I have learned to make my cruise mine. That means planning and speaking up...NOT fussing, yelling or complaining...asking nicely for what is needed or wanted.

Not to "steal" this post but I am HIGHLY allergic to shell fish and it is in MANY things and crossed by tongs from one dish to another in the WJ. Literally, I will be on a ventilator if I eat anything with shell fish!!! I need 2 Epi pens and rushed to medical ASAP. Last time on land I had 20 min before I was vented. The staff on the GOS was wonderful and even the chef in charge of fish spoke with me, to insure me that nothing would affect me while dining in the MDR or specialty venues.

Gluten Free can also be handled in much the same way (have good friend that I have sailed with on several ships, including the GOS) and she has had lovely meals presented. She also spoke to the dining staff each day...after breakfast, before lunch she visited the MDR about her evening meal.

Having a dietary choice, rather from allergy, disease process or just because you choose means there are many places on land where you know you cannot and should not attempt to eat/dine...even some 5 star restaurants are not "safe". It is the same way on ship. Many venues can accommodate but others simply can't. It is up to us to know where we can eat to remain "safe".

The signage does continue to be an issue. IF you find something of question, ask or seek out the dining floor manager. There is a "beef" veggie/soy "meat" used on ships now so that along with the "chicken" allows for many dishes are in appearance very much like their meat based counterparts. Always, ask to be sure if in doubt.

Sometimes, when something is not the norm, the best way to handle it is to take control and make it become "yours". That can go along way toward having an OK cruise VS having a wonderful cruise.

Hope your next sailing on the GOS (or any of Royal's line) is positive!!!

I know there is a great web site out there with wonderful pics of cabins...not the generic things the cruise lines or even most web sites post but REAL pics of the cabins. I had it but...technology bit my bottom and I lost a bunch of stuff that wasn't saved to the cloud. Can anyone help me? I know we have to "code" sites and can't just openly post things here at CC but you folks are the smartest and sharpest ones I know to ask!!! I probably got the info years ago right here but haven't found anything after several hours of searching. I can't even recall if it was just a special site devoted to such things or if it was a site that sold...but I doubt that as I have also searched over a dozen sites in the last 2 days looking for my special site with pics. Hope someone knows what I am talking about and can help. Thank you in advance for your help!!!!!!!

I did post under "Cabin Selection" section but only had 2 replies...cabinlinerooms and cruisedeckplans...neither is what I am searching for. The site I had prior actually also sold but it had the very best pics not those from the cruise line.

Thank you but neither of those sites is my "missing"site. I hope someone here at CC will know and refer me. Again, thank you in advance for the help!