shipgeeks

There will be lots of taxis at the pier in Cozumel; you can ask to be taken to a beach. Maybe even share the taxi with shipmates? I believe there are also signs posted with prices to various beaches and attractions. Confirm the price with the driver before you go.

The driver might offer to pick you up for the return trip. Be sure you allow plenty of time to get back; the ship will not wait for you!

There are also some beaches you can walk to. Turn left when you leave the ship, and follow the sidewalk that parallels the shore. If you go about 1.5 miles, you will find small beaches with hardly anyone using them.

On Roatan, at least as of a few years ago, the only beach was on the opposite side of the island. It is a beautiful beach, especially on a nice day, but if the weather is bad, it's not that great. That makes it hard to know whether to book a tour in advance. Maybe others will be more familiar with the situation now. Are there cabs? Other options for getting there without advance bookings?

Do you ever shop at consignment or thrift stores? Most of my cruise dresses come from them. I just got a very nice dress for $7.99, Macy's tags still attached. I looked up the brand online, and found it at Saks and Lord & Taylor for $150-200. I get to find brands I'd probably never even know about otherwise, and experiment with styles and colors I might hesitate to pay full price for.

I agree, go for a color you love.

IMO, balconies are highly overrated. We had one once, and never cared to use it. However, how about an oceanview (rather than promenade view) cabin? That would give you ocean and sky views, and more quiet and privacy than the promenade view.

Have a wonderful cruise!

My experience has been that phone is the way to start the process. I've been given flight options, no pressure to decide right away, and the ability to call back whenever I choose, to make a booking. In both cases the Choice Air was much cheaper than booking through an airline (although in our case, we were booking a one-way transatlantic, which would not apply to you). I'd say go ahead and call, and then decide if the process works for you.

I agree, research is the best starting place. An option to websites is travel guidebooks from your public library.

We especially loved one of your ports, Bonaire. There was a small but beautiful public beach (good for easy snorkeling) about a block from the pier, and the town itself was fun to walk through. There is a tourist info kiosk right at the pier, with maps and other information.

Just make sure you choose to do what you really have an interest in, not just the "must see" attractions that someone else raves about.

If you have them, my recommendation would be a thin layer, a wool sweater or fleece, and a down jacket. Alternate jacket would be a rain jacket or poncho. I wore that combination every day, all day, at the same time of year as your cruise. For the flight, I squished the down jacket and the sweaters in compression bags from the dollar store (fold, insert, then sit on to compress). It was great being able to spend all day up on deck (didn't bother with our balcony), seeing all the beautiful scenery, and still being comfortable. Gloves, earmuffs or headband, warm socks and shoes/boots were important, too.

Even if it's 50 degrees, a moving ship makes it feel much colder. And you can always leave some of the layers in your cabin if not needed, but you can't send home for them if you didn't pack them.

Have a wonderful cruise! One of my favorites. Don't forget the sunglasses!

According to a guide book I just read, Cagliari has the Festa di Sant Efisio May 1-4, with mass processions and medieval dress. Might be packed with locals, might be great timing for experiencing a genuine local event.

This vote is for OV. IMO, balconies are highly overrated. On the 10-night cruise in which we had our only balcony, we only spent 2 or 3 hours there the entire cruise.

If you want to enjoy a sunset or port view, a balcony only gives you one chance in four of being able to see it. Much more fun being up on the open decks.

In either case, as noted above, midship location gives you the most stability. Being on lower decks helps, too, and balconies are located higher than most OVs.

Many US facilities, transportation, etc., offer discounts for seniors. I don't see that on the websites of European attractions. Have any of you ever noticed, or been given, a Senior price while overseas? Did you show an AMAC or AARP card?

They seem to be very flattering. Good idea as an alternative to pantyhose, or tacky, with a cruise dress?

I for one would be sorry to lose the round trip option. I loved the Hawaiian culture activities during all the sea days; it made the days there so much more meaningful.

No, you will not be miserable, and yes, you will be happy as a clam. Many of our 30+ cruises have been in inside cabins, and we loved them all.

We frequently set the cabin tv on the bowcam station, and turn the sound off. We can see what's going on during the day, and if we wake during the night, we can tell right away if there is dark or daylight, whether we are approaching port, etc.

Enjoy your wonderful cruise.

Thank you, everyone. It's sounding better every day.

Or is the cable car the only way up or down?

And is there a route that bypasses the Barbary apes?

"Captain's Table", a British movie made in the 50's or 60's. It was filmed on a P&O ship.

Ah, Meridian. We sailed in 1997; it was our third cruise.

Beautiful ship, yacht-like.

Our waiter spoke seven languages fluently. Our headwaiter, Zbigniew, was one of the best. Our inside cabin was quite spacious by the standards of our previous two ships, and many since, and was just steps away from some outstanding viewing decks. The food and the service were excellent.

Our first invitation to a Captain's table dinner occurred on that cruise. It was a wonderful evening, with Captain Adamidis, and Hotel Manager Nick Pagiatis.

Now, 31 cruises and 6 Captain's tables later, we still look back on that cruise, and that ship, as one of the very best.

I hope you don't mind the non-dress-related responses that your question has brought up.

First of all, I think both of your dresses are beautiful, and entirely appropriate for your cruise. Part of the fun is dressing up - something we don't get to do at home very often.

May I ask what port you plan to cruise from? I'm guessing there is one (only) that you can drive to.

Will your husband still be on active duty? If so, a dress uniform is absolutely appropriate on formal nights, and would generate a lot of thank-you's.

A number of cruise lines give discounts and/or other benefits for active military people and veterans. This is something you should ask about when shopping for the cruise. Also, Celebrity and Holland America, because of their demographics, are likely to have more veterans aboard, who will appreciate his service. They both also have very good food, amenities, service and atmosphere. Please consider one of these more upscale lines.

Thank you all for the good suggestions. I'm slowly experimenting with all the variations.

DH's favorite comedienne/mime, Lorene Yarnell, was on our Norway cruise in 1996. Featured in a couple of the shows (wow, can that lady tap!), and an extremely nice person to talk with on deck.

Thank you! The dress you show is very similar to mine.

Enjoy your Grandeur cruise. Nice ship.

I just acquired a long gown I love except for one thing: it fits from the waist down, but is too small from the waist up. And I broke the zipper working with it. It is strapless and comes up to normal mid-back height, but the top is about 3" apart, tapering down in a V to the waist.

I'm wondering about sewing in some kind of lacing system or buttons (like a corset) that DH could do up, or a lace or other panel to fill in the V, or.....?

The fabric is black netting, gathered over black jersey, so a bit fragile to work with.

I'm counting on you, fabulous fashionistas, for some creative ideas! Thank you in advance.

I understand there is no guarantee; it depends on a certified instructor being available for each cruise. But I believe they do try to have one each time.

Looks to me like the music was one of the things that was reinvented on Celebrity. The wonderful Filipino bands have disappeared on the S Class ships. No live band on M Class and the shows have prerecord end sound tracks. Found music on both Silhouette and Connie lacking. Just my opinion, others may differ.

It would be a shame if we no longer have the Filipino bands and singers to dance to. We loved Great Ideas and Cherryl on Equinox in 2012.

However, it has occurred to us that perhaps Celebrity has allowed Filipino staff to return home following the typhoon, and booked any bands they could get on short notice.

Finding various public spaces not available is frustrating and annoying. Plus, it can make passengers feel like second-class citizens.

After reading these posts, I recalled a number of occasions on earlier cruises when I, too, came across "Private Function" signs.

Some, I found out, were for Elites and other advanced repeaters.

Some were marked "Private Function Cruise Critic".

Now I belong to both of those categories. I enjoy the priority boarding and some other perks of being Elite. I have mixed feelings about attending CC functions. I love the online forums, and have gained and shared lots of insights and information. But it just feels selfish to expect Celebrity to provide a room for gatherings that exclude other passengers.

As well as all the active activities, I highly recommend looking at the sea. Not glancing, but really looking. Mesmerizing, and a bonus when you see something interesting. We have seen flying fish, whales, dolphins, manta rays, sawfish, ocean sunfish, turtles, other ships, water spouts. The sky is fabulous, at sea, too. Be sure to watch the sunset.