Happy ks

Looks like the price increased since I bought it. When these companies offer an extra percentage off the sale price, it can be a great time to buy.

Since then, I did find a great deal on some JJill tank tops. $6.99 each, regular price was $9.99. I'm not real picky about having last years colors.

I've worn the moto jacket once, the pointed knit jacket a number of times.

Last year, after the policy was instated and the new luggage tags printed the policy, we walked on with 5 bottles of wine between our 2 carry ons. We were fully prepared to pay the fee, have our bags searched, etc…, no one stopped or asked us anything. We did pay the corkage fee in the restaurant each night we took a bottle, no problem.

We'll do the same this year. Since we usually don't drink our wine in the cabin, we expect the corkage fee, I don't care if we pay it prior to boarding or at the dining room table.

We've checked out the wine lists for Princess and don't see much that we'd want. We enjoy great wine, we'll pay up to $40-50 per bottle that we take onboard. It's a vacation and time to spoil ourselves a bit. One of our favorites at home is only around $12 per bottle at Total Wine, so we may pick up a couple of those. It is one that isn't on the Princess wine list, so I can't compare.

We figure, according to the Princess wine list, that we save approximately $7 - 10 per bottle bringing our own, but we don't bring it for the savings, we like our choices better.

No smuggling involved. Works well for us.

To edit because I didn't answer the question, although others did. You are allowed one "free" bottle of wine per person, all others have a $15 corkage fee.

The answer is, unfortunately, you just never know. Luggage companies are now building cases with the smaller dimensions but the width can still be a problem.

I work part time in a luggage store and I no longer tell people our 22 inch cases are guaranteed to comply with carry on limitations. Too many people come back in and tell us they have to gate check. I now tell people to go with a 21 or 20 inch case if they want to make sure they can carry on. That and not to stuff the bag until it's puffing out.

If you look for a new carry on case, I know the spinner wheels are now popular, but they take up quite a bit of packing space, especially the carry on sizes. For a larger case that will be checked, not so much of a problem.

Luggage stores have tape measures, you don't need to take one along. They can also look up the dimensions for your airline for you.

The carry on I now take (I have had to give up my 22 inch at the gate several times) is 13 X 18 X 9. The brand is Briggs & Riley, their carry on bags are a bit narrower than other brands we carry. Good company, lifetime warranty, I highly recommend them.

Keep watching airfares. Every time we've flown to Vancouver it's only been about $20-75 more than Seattle. We fly non-stop from LAX. I would have to save about $200+ per person before I'd add another 3/4 hours each way onto travel days. You also have to consider the ground fare from Seattle and add that to your final cost. Yes, the land trip has pretty parts, we've driven through Washington a number of times, but I'm just not a good car/bus/train traveler. I want to get to my destination ASAP.

Of course, if you wanted to spend a few extra days in Seattle pre/post cruise, that would make a difference.

I would definitely change the time to earlier in the day or the day prior to the cruise. Your ship sails at 4 pm, a flight landing at 2:10 only allows a 50 minute window of time. Although the airport is quite close, probably a 15-20 minute drive, you still have to allow for other delays.

If you can't find an early morning flight, come in the night prior and Priceline a room in San Pedro. I don't know what the current going rates are, but we've gotten a room there in the past for around $85. Check better bidding (?) for current accepted bids.

First of all, what's happened with the search function on CC ?

 

Haven't sailed with Princess in a while. What's the best way to secure reservations for the Crown Grill ?

 

Also, on the Ruby, which dining room do they use for anytime dining ?

 

Thanks in advance !:)

The search function has not been working for over a week now. There is a sticky at the top of each board, as well as a notice on the opening page of CC. It took me a couple days to notice it…after I had tried to search a few things.

Everything else has been answered for you.

I will state we were on a cruise, I think it was Sapphire Princess, called the dine line and they said they were fully booked for the night we wanted. As we were walking by that evening, we noticed the restaurant was almost empty, so we asked at the desk. He happily seated us immediately, saying they had had several cancelations. We were early, around 6:30 or so, all the tables around us were empty until 8:00. It was formal night, so I suspect people canceled for that. It was the last time we ever dressed for formal night. We had a great meal, the people around (eventually) us were dressed nicely, but not formal. Now we love to plan formal nights for the specialty restaurants. Better food, quiet ambience, wonderful service, don't have to wear suits and gowns…no hauling all that stuff in the suitcase. Win-win for us.

We usually don't gain weight on a cruise, but then we don't overeat that much. A regular breakfast and lunch, we do splurge a bit at dinner. If I eat too much rich food, my digestive tract is very unhappy so that helps keep me in line with all the eating. Even at dinner, the splurge meal, I don't finish everything during each course. I have a couple bites and stop.

I don't find the food to be all that spectacular on cruise ships (doesn't matter the line), so it's easy for me to stop eating. Especially the desserts. They remind me of grocery store bakeries where they make everything look pretty, but the taste just isn't there.

My drink of choice during the day is water, I may have cranberry juice at breakfast. In the evening I have maybe 2 glasses of wine with dinner and water. I think a lot of drinking soft drinks (even diet) and cocktails probably accounts for a lot of the weight gain people have.

We probably do as much walking as most others, but I don't consider that a whole lot of exercise.

I know this is probably a dumb question, but having never been on a cruise before or out of the country either, what is the best way to stay in touch with those back home while on a cruise?

We will be doing a 4-day Mexico cruise from San Pedro later in the year, and because of some situations back home would feel more comfortable if we were able to stay in touch. I guess my question is what is the quickest, easiest and cheapest way to "phone home"? I haven't checked with my cell phone provider, but I can imagine international calls would be extremely costly, if they are even available once south of San Diego?????

Thank you in advance, and a huge apology if my question is too dumb.

The last time we used our cell phone to call home from the ship in Mexico it was a bit expensive, international rates plus satellite from the ship charges. I think we made 2 calls, about 5 minutes each and the charges were around $40 for all. The charges appeared on our next phone bill.

Not a dumb question at all. Rather a good one to plan in advance. You would save a great deal using email or text. Set up times with your relatives in advance.

I'd not worry too much about getting home in case of an emergency. With such a short cruise, unless the incident happened on your first day, it might take you the same amount of time to return by land or air as it would just waiting for the end of the cruise. If the emergency happens on a sea day, there is absolutely nothing you can do, except talk.

We haven't cruised with our kids in several years now, of course they are old enough to stay on their own now. The first couple of cruises without them we called. We realized the expensive way that they were fine without us and just started to relax about it. I don't know if you are concerned with kids, since you just mention situations, but if this is the case, your kids will survive 4 days without you better than you may think.

I searched the forums here and didn't find anything, so asking here.

 

Anyone have experience (or opinions) on carrying marijuana on a cruise (and then smoking it on a cruise.) This article claims it can be done, though I guess the question is: What happens if you get caught?

 

I imagine it's a low risk of getting caught, and ship personel have better things to do, but wonder if anyone has any personal experience?

So…I read the linked article and the guy/girl who wrote the article never actually smoked pot on the ship. They stated they did some "research" and they believed it could be done. They also stated they didn't smoke any because they realize that it's illegal and they had kids with them.

People here have written what can happen to you if caught. Fines, jail time, additional air fare to get home, etc… If you can accept all that and still want to attempt smuggling pot onboard, you know what "could" happen. If I smelled it, I would certainly ignore it, none of my business, but you can't depend on every single person around to feel that way.

It's been several years, but I did witness a guy arrested the morning of disembarkation. We were asked to exit the elevator when they escorted him off. We were standing next to the Hotel Director and asked if it was for pot, he didn't answer yes "privacy/confidentiality", but his eyebrows lifted and he smiled when we asked. This was on Monarch of the Sea while it was still doing the 3/4 night cruises out of LA.

Another time while disembarking (same ship, different cruise), the girls in front of us were approached and asked to participate in a dog training exercise. The authorities placed the pot in their luggage and others brought the dog around a few minutes later. Everyone in the area knew what was going on, so the girls wouldn't be embarrassed. The dog zeroed in on that suitcase so fast it was incredible…he got a treat and we all cheered for him.

So, perhaps there are stories of people getting away with it, but there are also stories of people being arrested. Although people have differing opinions whether or not it should be legalized, the fact remains you can be arrested for pot possession. So, it's up to you whether you want to take that chance.

Why not learn to enjoy a nice glass of legal wine instead? No need to drink so much you have a hangover the next day and can be very pleasurable.

My last thought is that this person came here just to ask a provocative question and will never be back again. Which is fine, perhaps there is another person reading who would consider the question without realizing the consequences.

By the way, one item on the Sabatini's menu is lobster three ways! It come with a tail, risotto, and lobster bisque. Can't go wrong there!

 

And the Crown Grill also serves lobster tails on their menu as well! it will be a win/win for mum!

That's what I was thinking. A whole lot better than any lobster served in the main dining rooms :)

Probably the worst was last April when I laid down on a pool lounger to watch a concert on MUTS (Princess), crossing my legs in front of me. The woman in the lounger in front of me went to adjust the back of her chair and the thing came down hard on my big toe.

She said sorry, I didn't make a big deal out of it since I knew she didn't mean to do that to me. It made walking a bit uncomfortable for a while. The black stripe across my toenail should be completely grown out by this Aprils cruise. It could have been worse, I could have had a broken toe and fortunately, I was able to walk.

So, I think we're pretty lucky…no real traumas for us. I will never lay down on a lounger lined up on the pool deck again.

For me, most formal we've been on was Cunard's QM2. Then probably Celebrity. Years ago RCI was more formal, but as we cruised over the years it has become less so. Princess is on par with RCI. Disney surprised me, I thought people would dress nicer, but it was our first cruise and my expectations were high.

My one and only Carnival cruise was years ago, I think 1999, and things were ultra casual (can I say sloppy) during the day, but formal nights were very formal at that time, lots of tuxes and gowns. From what I read here, things have changed dramatically now.

The least formal and definitely most casual, both day and evening, was NCL. We wanted to opt out of formal night, so dressed nicely so as not to be out of place. I had on black pants and a nice top, my husband had on slacks and a long sleeved shirt. We fit right in with the "formal" crowd. Day wear…well stuff I'd wear to clean out the garage on a hot day, pretty much the same as Carnival.

Unless someone is eye-catching, in a good or bad way, it's just clothes. Nothing surprises me any longer.

Totally unneeded. If there is an emergency at home there are lots of other ways I can be contacted.

I once left both our cell phones at home (several years ago), since I figured we didn't need them. Wrong. We needed to call the kids at Aunties house. The pay phones at port had line ups with crew waiting to use them, we waited 30 minutes before making our call. Then, when returning home, had to find a pay phone to call our transportation company. That was a hassle. We now take one phone, turned off, in the safe.

I eliminated, after the first cruise, the water wallet, water shoes, more than one underwater disposable camera. The over the door thing, insulated cups, too many shoes, half the clothing. Have never taken or needed a bungie cord, duct tape, post it notes, highlighter pen. Many more things that I've seen posted on packing lists.

We do take a small first aid kit. We do take our own toiletries (I'd rather give up a pair of shoes than use mystery shampoo and conditioner). I like having an alarm clock that I can see without pushing any buttons, so we have a very small one of those. We use a tap light in the bathroom at night, I don't want the extra light from a nightlight in the cabin. Even more so, neither of us wants to turn on the bright light in the bathroom in the middle of the night.

We've perfected the list that works for us. Some of it others may not need at all, and vice versa.

For me, a hat is essential if I don't want a sunburn on my head (where I part my hair). I even use sunscreen on my part. But I want my face protected as well, I'm fine with my lily white skin.

I just purchased a new hat, called a scrunchie, that can be rolled up and stuffed into a suitcase or carry on:

http://www.magellans.com/scrunchie-hat

I think our next is #25, I'd have to sit down and write them all down to remember.

This is the main reason I don't have them listed on my sig. Enough people have long lists to scroll through.

My carry on with toiletries and other essentials is always packed. I just have to refill bottles. I have a permanent list and just check off the items, that they are there and we don't need replacements. The only thing we typically have to buy is fresh sunscreen.

We put up a rolling rack in the living room (no spare rooms or closets in our house). About a week or so prior to leaving, we both select our clothes, they are either hung on the rack or folded underneath. Accessories go right with the clothing (I use drawstring bags for costume jewelry) shoes are there. This way, we can see how things go together and if we can reduce or eliminate if there is too much.

Since the rack is downstairs, away from the closet, I don't tend to pack what-if's and extras. As everything is already organized, it only takes about 20 minutes to do the actual packing for the both of us. I cross pack a couple outfits, in case one of our bags doesn't make it to the ship.

The only downside is having a rack of clothes in the living room for a few days.

We bought one years ago. Used it once and now it hangs out somewhere in an old suitcase in the garage. We find we have plenty of room for storage for our things, we take the small toiletry hangers that go right onto the towel rod in the bathroom.

We don't hang onto the daily papers once that day is over. Any papers we want to keep (say a photograph or accumulated receipts), gets packed into the suitcase under the bed right away. I have thrown photos out before because it was stacked amongst the daily papers that got thrown out at the end of the cruise. Lesson learned…don't hang onto crap you don't really need.

I didn't like it hanging inside the bathroom door, you couldn't hang the robes then. On the outside of the door, it just reduced the width of the hallway that much more and was a nuisance. If I had to get another one, I would get one with a hanger that can go into the closet and stays out of the way.

The one time I did use one, it was for shoes. We had our kids with us that time and way too many pairs of shoes.

I'm so lucky I have 2 sisters.

My older sister loves cruising as much as I do and we have enjoyed several cruises together. She's so easy to be with and we laugh for hours on end…or we can just be quiet and read, no need to entertain each other.

My middle sister says she hates it, I doubt she's ever been on even a small boat or anywhere in the vicinity of a cruise ship. I wouldn't even be all that surprised if she hasn't been to the beach in years, although we all live within a 20 minute drive of the ocean.

We're very happy she doesn't ever want to go with us. Just being with her for 2 hours is a downer. I can't imagine a whole week or more with her. We never tell her how much fun we have :p

. Choose the gal that is wearing lots of make-up on her face because she will know how to apply your make-up just right. She will not put it on you extra heavy.

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I totally disagree with this statement. The person wearing lots of makeup will definitely put lots of makeup on another person…it's what they know. I think most makeup artists overdo the work anyway, take a look at brides who have their makeup done for the day, you can practically peel it off of them.

Only you will know what feels comfortable on your own face. If you don't ever wear foundation, I'd skip that step altogether. No eye shadow, no problem. You could wear just a bit of lipstick, maybe blush and mascara, still look like you, only a little more dressed up.

One thing I will say about makeup is that the quality of the brushes makes a huge difference. Cheap brushes are harder to use and don't get the same effect. I've invested in really good brushes, I take good care of them and they last for years, with the plus of making the application quicker.

If you have a makeup counter near you, a department store or even a drug store, your $$ would be better spent on a makeup lesson and purchase of cosmetics prior to leaving for your vacation.

It's not all that difficult and the person teaching you can show you simple tricks that allow you to have just a bit of makeup, not a whole face full. A more natural look would be better than a fully painted face, especially since no one would recognize you with a fully made up face.

Good luck and have fun with it :)

Way too much. I've had a part time second job in a luggage store for 6 years now. Prior to getting the job I already had plenty of luggage and now have at least 8 more pieces.

Not to mention packing cubes, folders, totes,compression bags, passport covers, refillable bottles and everything else you can imagine for travel. No, I don't take it all with me, I prefer to travel fairly light. But I sure have plenty of options to choose from :)

We had Sherpani bags in our store a few years ago, I've always liked them. Not just the bags and wallets, we also carried their carry on luggage. Unfortunately not a great seller and it all eventually went to our outlet store.

I have such an abundance of handbags, I didn't buy that one. Now i wish I had, it is so cute. You paid a good price for the bag, I don't recall what we had them for retail…but never as low as $20.

This same old argument has been going on for years now. Ever since specialty restaurants came on the scene on cruise ships. Like any other argument, there will never be agreement. Cruising has changed over the years, yes, but look at the difference in ships, at the difference at who is going on cruises. Years ago, it was only the elite who could afford to cruise.

My husband cruised prior to us meeting, back in the late 70's. Our first cruise was in 1998. Before we left, he told me not to expect gourmet food, it was more like Marie Calendars. On our first cruise, we purchased soft drink options for our kids. So more than 30 years ago, the food wasn't all that great, I think people romanticize about the old days. At least 16 years ago they were charging extra for soft drinks.

In 2002 we had our first experience with specialty dining onboard a cruise ship, we've done that on every cruise since, if it was available. Well worth the money spent, to us. We did not, however, find the soft drink packages to be worth it for our kids, they never drank enough to substantiate the cost. Usually they only had a soft drink at dinner and perhaps one by the pool. Otherwise they drank juice, water, milk.

Just like gambling, buying souvenirs, etc…it is a choice. A person could go on a cruise and besides gratuities, never spend another dime. I'm happy to have choices.

We'll be in a cabin right down the hall from there in April. We chose our location, since there are several of us in a group and we wanted to be next to each other. But my husband and I have done a couple GTY's over the years and have always been happy with them.

I don't know your exact date, but the fare on Princess site right now, for the middle of March with a GTY MF category, is close to the same amount we paid for the MB category. We hit a sale last year and our fare came down considerably. If it had just been the two of us, I think we would have gambled on a mini.

I think you will be very happy.

Let me pose a hypothetical question. If you were a luggage thief (and these bad guys hang around airports) would you steel a cheap beat-up bag, or a nice expensive piece of luggage? Enough said.

 

Hank

I doubt many luggage thieves would know the difference. They just grab and go, any bag will do.