pmcubed

We love San Juan - the forts to explore

wandering - you feel like you're in an older european city

there is a LOT of history there.

We have done a zip line excursion there. You can do the beach, but we have enjoyed wandering Old San Juan.

And added bonus? Where the piña colada was born!

/Users/pmartin/Desktop/3194_77397677086_3206679_n.jpg

by Consumer Reports

and I have used it:

Sawyer Picaridin insect repellent

Pat

The filmy, oily look is from the humans NOT following the rule to SHOWER first before getting in the pool.

It's the sunblock and other bodily oils on our bodies - not that the pool is dirty.

I have been wondering the same.

All my previous cruises have been Caribbean - so this will be very different.

Pat

I cleared cookies on chrome and then it worked.

yay!

Pat

I live in what my father called the "sinus belt". I also teach in a K-12 school - so there is a lot of sinus pressure and germs all around me. Someone showed me this video and "knock on wood" I have gone through this whole wintry season with no sore throats. I hope it helps someone:

Pat

February is a great time - just make sure you make plans to fly in a day or two early as there could be snowstorms that prohibit flying. . .

April will be nicer in the Caribbean - water is a bit warmer and less breezy. I was freezing on deck from Cozumel to Key West in Feb 2015 - it was SO windy! I just kept saying, "it's not 20 below 0, it's not 20 below 0"

Pat

We did explore 4 and our Guest Booking Confirmation reflects Signature Beverage Promotion and Pinnacle Grill Promotion. I knew that we were getting beverage package but did not know it included Pennicle Grill?? Was that in Explore 4 or maybe something from my travel agent?.....and does that mean we have free night at Pennicle Grill included?

Yes, a dinner at the Pinnacle Grill is included in the Explore 4 promotion.

What I wonder about is - why is it called Explore 4? 4 of what??

Pat

Lady Chew - thank you - you were the person I was remembering and I couldn't find your write up!

Pat

this person had an inside, not balcony up there:

http://halfacts.com/vista-class/10024-zuiderdam/

Pat

Someone did - and posted photos. Hopefully they will see this.

As I recall, happy with the location, the staterooms are VERY small.

Pat

We leave the auto tips in place and on our few cruises we have left extra for our cabin stewards. This is because each time we have developed a bit of a relationship with them. We joke around with them, we leave the towel animals in bizarre places for them to find - we just have fun. They work SO hard and are away from their families - and they are always cheerful.

Pat

I haven't cruised a lot - 4 cruises with my dh. But I have led a few trips with students. At our last meeting before we leave I tell them:

"Something will go wrong. I guarantee it. And whether you have a good time or not on this trip will depend on how you handle it. Everything is attitude. We all will get tired and cranky. Attitude. I will NOT tolerate any complaining because we are all in this together. Attitude."

So far, we have had great trips. Yup, things have gone wrong but we have NEVER let it affect our good time on our trips.

So, you had to step over cables - leave that area. It's a big ship.

They didn't have chicken salad - there was plenty of other food.

Some things were upsetting. But many of the things the OP complained about were not worth getting upset about. . . it's all in one's attitude.

One thing I don't get when I am on a cruise is the people who are demanding and complaining. . . you're on vacation. . . find the good. It's there.

Just my two, okay, maybe three cents.

Pat

On the cruise confirmation I received from my PCC the final payment due date is in BOLD print near the top.

Pat

Packing cubes: pros: organization - pull out cubes and put them in drawers.

did a 7 day cruise with compression bags in a carry-on. It was great! As for wrinkles - they really weren't too bad.

Anything that helps keep me organized while traveling is a good thing for me.

You can't put much stock in other people's opinions - everyone is different.

Before our first cruise I read that the ship we would be sailing on was worn and all kinds of horrible things about it.

I didn't notice anything I was so excited to be in the warmth of the Caribbean with the salt air blowing through my hair.

Just stop reading and start packing!! You will have a GREAT time!

Pat

and although you will find the cruises to Caribbean cost less in October/November that is because it is hurricane season. . .

just something else to think about

You can get specialty coffees, bottled water, and all paid for beverages up to $8.00.

We have it for our next cruise and I drink very little alcohol - but I am looking forward to the coffees and not having to pay for bottled water.

Paying for them right away does NOT ensure you are actually ticketed! We paid right when we made our reservation through Flight Ease. When I went to AA website, it showed our reservation and even the seats I selected. However, WE WERE NOT TICKETED! We would not be ticketed, according to HAL themselves, until final payment for the cruise was due (we paid for air and cruise balance at the time we made the air reservation in December, but it wasn't actually due to be paid until August). So just because you pay HAL does not mean that they are paying the airline. They withhold payment to the airline until final payment is due. As someone else mentioned earlier in this thread, the reason for that is because a customer can cancel their cruise without penalty any time up until final payment. But if HAL pays the air before that and the customer cancels the cruise, HAL is on the hook to the airline.

Well, say what you will - my tickets do not say pending, they say confirmed. I have non-refundable ticket - were yours refundable?

Chefestelle, what a bummer. The mechanical difficulties I mentioned that happened to us: they also told us to work on getting another flight - which couldn't happen. But we were reimbursed for everything - the Westin in FL and the Westin on Grand Cayman while we waited for the ship to arrive two days later. Spending two days on 7 mile beach - we couldn't complain and all we really missed was Half Moon Cay and the first formal night.

And although Delta has changed our flight times for this summer's cruise - we still have our delta comfort seats for the long flights. so, fingers crossed they don't change again!

Pat

We have used flight ease a few times. The price is right AND we paid right away and the tickets were confirmed right away. I was also able to go into delta's website and upgrade us to delta comfort for our long flights.

no problems and there are benefits to using their program (such as mechanical problems with the plane, weather delays, etc)

Pat

the first time I had a massage on a cruise I did get the sales pitch at the end and politely declined to buy anything. But my poor dh - he gets sucked in - but he does like their overpriced products.

The next two cruises, when I had a massage - (2 massages on one) I did not get a sales pitch. I have no idea why. . . but I was happy.

DH bought more products - hahaha! Another reason when I check in, I have him assign his own credit card to his card!!

Pat

For knowing where everyone is - leave notes in your cabin and agree to meet at certain times.

If you really need wifi - watch the ships' crew as they leave in port - they know where there is free wifi in every port. . .

I smile as I see 5 or 6 walking along - one of them carrying the laptop - for I know where they are going to catch up with family and friends back home.

Welcome to cruising - you're going to love it!

Pat

Here is a link of consumer reports top picks. Love there is a deet free option, that came in 2nd overall!!

 

 

 

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/health/beauty-personal-care/insect-repellent/insect-repellent-ratings/ratings-overview.htm

I have used the Sawyer Picaridin and it works great.