shipgeeks

Yes, balance exercises! My PT prescribed the eyes-closed one (hands hovering above the counter or chair back), plus standing and walking "tightrope" style, toe to heel. That is the toughest one for me, making such a narrow base.

Beaches, pool, food, sports (volleyball, etc.) are free. No need to spend unless you really want to.

Ship water! I'm not a big water drinker at home, but I just love the taste of the water produced on the ship. Our loyalty status gives us five free drinks a day. I now use one of mine for fresh-squeezed OJ, which I do enjoy. I try to order some cocktails that others rave about, but so far I have not found anything that I want to repeat. I don't sit around the pool, so slushy drinks don't call my name. A Mojito while the Latin band is playing, or a Dark & Stormy while sailing to Bermuda are my only standards.

JVes, I'm just checking in to ask how your PT is going, and how you are overall. And anyone else with a progress report or otherwise, please weigh in. We recently did our first cruise since this conversation started. The first night, we danced! I was so happy I nearly cried. (Hubby knows: Don't let go at any point!) But after that, there were some good and some bad days. Towards the end, we had two days of very rough seas. In a narrow space such as the hallway, I could cope on my own, but if I tried to walk in a wide-open space, carrying a plate or drink, I was stumped. I did learn that it's wise to accept help when help is needed.

The one thing I would NOT recommend taking is a cotton sweatshirt. Too much bulk with minimum warmth, and awful if it gets wet. I'm happy to see that no one above has suggested a sweatshirt, but over the years I've seen them recommended many times. Similar to those above, I took - and was glad I did - silk turtlenecks, cashmere sweater, heavy wool sweater, warm jacket, hooded raincoat.

We had not even heard of Ship of the Year until a couple of years ago, when we were browsing the goods at a charity sale. We saw a large, framed poster that said Ship of the Year '85, Song of America, Royal Caribbean. It had a beautiful picture of the ship. We are shipgeeks, we had to have it. It now adorns our hallway wall.

Please tell us more!

The announcement was made by the Captain, and by the head waiter, during the January/February cruise.

After every cruise, passengers receive a survey asking for ratings and comments on the cruise.

Vision class. And Vision of the Seas was just named RC's Ship of the Year, 2023.

I have to agree. My grandson recently gave me my first Ben & Jerry's, Cherry Garcia, and I thought it was the least appealing ice cream I've ever had. And I do like most cherry-related ice creams.

Based on passenger satisfaction surveys/ratings, Vision has officially been named Ship of the Year.

We are just off Vision. I was pleasantly surprised at how many passengers did dress up. Certainly not all, by any means, but we saw more tuxes and suits than on some other recent cruises. It was nice.

In our experience, it has always been just show up. Time and place will be noted in the cruise compass.

I can now report that being checked in at the terminal, without prior use of the app, was a breeze. We had printed the page with our names and booking # (noted on our booking as "If not using the app, print the following page"), took it to the terminal, and were quickly checked in with an agent there. All we needed at that point were our passports, credit card, and phone number of a contact person. On board, we never had any occasion to wish we had the app for anything.

Besides WJ, we find it very convenient to just drink the water from our cabin tap, with the glasses provided there. Easy way to take our morning meds!

Since we don't use the app, our bookings say "If not using the app, click here to print next page". That is what we do. That page has our names, cruise date, and booking #. It doesn't seem to be a problem. Luggage tags were readily available without using the app, too.

And then, some of us don't care to take photos or videos, or to be in touch with anyone at home. Our cruises are a chance to disconnect, and my journal (hand written) is what gives us the best memories during later years.

We have sailed on Enchantment and Vision several times in the past two years, and have had none of the issues mentioned here. No complaints at all, and three more booked.

When I think of packing for any length trip, I remind myself that if I have even one night away from home, I still need to pack my toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, meds plus maybe some OTC, my glasses, makeup, change of clothes, maybe something extra that's cooler and something warmer....... It puts into perspective that there's not a whole lot of difference between short and long trips, unless the trip is six months or so. Lots of good advice above.

We have always done Halifax on our own, and have never been disappointed. The boardwalk, right at the ship, goes along the waterfront, and leads to eateries, breweries, Maritime Museum, and more. If you care to walk uphill, you can find old cemeteries, botanic gardens, the Citadel. Lots to do, right there.

White House is also sometimes called cherry vanilla, with maraschino cherries throughout.

I agree, there is nothing to be concerned about. OP, when you say Long Term, do you mean more than one consecutive cruise? If so, I believe you will be asked to prepay for the length of time you will need the parking, so they don't think you've abandoned your car. Parking is $15 per night, credit card only (the last time I checked). Every step of the process, when entering the port area, is well directed and marked. You will be asked "cruise or dropping people off?", you will be directed to luggage drop off, then to parking pay kiosk, then to a parking spot. From there, a short walk to the terminal.

Favorites: mint chocolate chip, White House, spumoni Least favorite: vanilla Never ever want to eat: "soft serve"

Thank you; cool picture. We've experienced this several times on Baltimore winter cruises. There might even be a snowman on the deck in a while. And at least one person is sure to board in shorts and Hawaiian shirt.