nlsoftly

Oh, that sounds like fun! I have not been able to arrange a B2B or consecutive cruises yet.....but that is on the bucket list.

I guess the only question is, how tired are you as a cruise ends? If you still have loads of energy and are always up for an adventure (and have a place to do laundry), I say go for it!

Previewing tomorrows menu has happened on every cruise line I have sailed. I think it is a smart, proactive plan.

So, I email my allergy list to each cruise line as soon as we book.

I also get blank business cards and print my allergy list (English on one side, whatever country we are visiting on the other side). As soon as I can on embarkation day I go to the front desk and find out who I need to talk to. Then we talk.

I hand those cards almost every day.

The kitchen does their best. But they are juggling a lot. Recently on another line, the kitchen decided to fix me a special meal with my allergens included. I encourage you to look closely at what is served, ask questions, and if you question any ingredients, send it back and request something different.

..... My response at first was more polite but I've gotten sick of it so now I respond with "Well it's a good thing you're not coming on my honeymoon then." That usually shuts people up pretty quickly! :p

 

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What a GREAT comeback!

People do say the oddest things. I vote you keep the comeback you are using, it is epic.

Have a wonderful honeymoon, a thrilling cruise, and an exciting rest of your lives (posting here because you find cruising addictive)!!!

Cruising definitely is not for everyone. And in many cases you truly cannot know until you try it. I am sorry your friend had a bad time. But I am glad you had a great time!

I love the idea of, let's call it, a Denver cruise. Someplace where it is legal. With cafes and the cruise line providing, and charging for, the - ah - entertainment. Could be a nice, new source of income.

Chuckle. Until it is legal, I don't go there. Period.

Rule #3

Never book a cabin that does not meet all of your needs in the hope the upgrade fairy will flitter by. Always book a cabin you will be happy with, then sprinkle fairy dust to try to entice her to come see you. But, if she is busy elsewhere, you will still be happy with your cabin.

Thank you for sharing a truly wonderful experience!!!!

Where are these warnings to not buy cruise clothes?! I need all the help I can get to not shop like mad. :D

FOFL

Actually, except for formal wear ... which rarely comes up in a tiny, farming community ... I do not discriminate between cruise clothing and 'normal' clothing. I like to look spectacular and keep the neighbors puzzled all the time.

I shop mostly thrift stores. Many keep out of season on racks in back. So, I can shop all seasons year round. And, wow, from time to time someone cleaning out their closet sends me an out of season bonanza!

Our US state allows us to get both drivers licenses and photo ids. So, we carry a copy of our passport and the photo id while the real passport and dl snuggle up together in the safe.

OH, we each have travel vests with zippered inside pockets. That is where our traveling ids, credit cards, and money reside. Not so fashionista but safe. On an excursion last summer a pick-pocket almost got into my purse (my bad - I was tired and failed to notice it was swinging free at my side). Had he succeeded he would have grabbed a handful of breath mints, lipstick, and used tissues.

Welcome and congratulations on making a great vacycay decision!!!

Great advice here.

All I want to add is: the staff and crew know two things - many of the passengers will be on their first cruise and so may be confused, and the reason they have a job is to ensure all passengers are safe and have a very good time.

There really are no stupid questions. Ask away.

Talk with the person/people who clean your cabin. They know a lot or can find the answers. Listen to all announcements and read all printed material provided - cruise life is a constant stream of information/communication intended to keep you safe and aware of what is going to happen next.

Living it is easier (and oh so much more fun) than trying to imagine it!

Have a great time!!

Aren't these discussions wonderful?

When I found this site, DH and I had a lot of experience with ocean cruising but were preparing for our first river cruise. I did extensive research here and our whole river cruise experience was enhanced/improved by what we learned (we are now hooked).

I hope you had an amazing and great time on your first cruise. And, if you are hooked, I hope you have many more!

And I really look forward to enjoying everything you share going forward - welcome to the CC team!!!!

You can run around as much or as little as you want. Meaning if you are feeling overwhelmed you do not have to go on every excursion. Sometimes just walking around the port then returning to enjoy the quiet of the partially deserted ship is very pleasant...especially if you plan to return at a later date.

Given your opportunity, I would jump on it!

In my opinion:

Eating low carb causes a natural reaction in the liver: it burns the glycogen (fat and water, to oversimplify) it keeps as an emergency energy source. Glycogen is stored as about 4 parts water and 1 part fat. So, as the fat provides energy, you visit the bathroom frequently to remove the now-excess water. Many people p**s away a lot inches when they start lc.

Interestingly, although the liver is doing the work, where you will see inches drop is entirely up to your metabolism and genetics. Most people see those water weight inches vanish from their torso and especially from their tummy.

Most people find they burn through their glycogen (also called 'I lost water weight') in a week or two. After that, lc weight loss slows down - usually to a healthy 1 to 3 pounds/week. How much glycogen do you have stored? That takes us back to metabolism and genetics. It may be a little or it may be more than you want to lose.

Unless you are already a major exerciser, I would not encourage you to add a lot of exercise when you are doing lc to burn glycogen. Many bodies, especially the female body, tend to start holding onto what they got when exercise is first introduced (although, if you are young, that might not happen).

If you are interested in long term weight loss, lc or one of the intermittent fasting plans (5:2, JUDDD, Fast 5, and on and on) or lc combined with IF are all great ways to lose an average of 2 pounds a week, burn fat and protect muscle, and many see other health improvements.

Three fiats/warnings:

If you want to try lc, do not just start eating meat. Run an internet search on 'low carb forum' and read about how to do it right and healthy. (Hint: your liver is designed to convert protein to carbs...very counterproductive.)

If you are pre- or diabetic, either controlling your blood glucose with meds or diet, lc eating will change your bg levels and potentially cause hypos. The dosage of your meds will almost certainly need to be adjusted. Test bg a lot a lot a lot more frequently!

And - and this is a big and - many (not all) people find when they reintroduce carbs their liver immediately does what it is designed to do and starts storing glycogen again. Doesn't happen to me. But I know a lot of people who regain lost 'water weight' in a matter of days after they return to "normal" carby eating (love those sandwiches and desserts on cruise ships!)

No, I am not a doctor nor do I play one on TV. I lost 50 pounds in 2012 following a 500-calorie-fast-every-other-day eating plan. And kept it off through 2013. Recently, because I was eating sweets and carbs, past poor eating habits and genetics caught up with me and I was diagnosed as being at pre-diabetic levels. So, I am controlling that with lc. So far I have lost 6 pounds of water weight and - dang it - all my lovely size sixes are getting to too big!

Personally, if I was you, I would look into wraps as a fast way to squish fat down to a temporary smaller size. But, I do not would look into the health risks of wraps before I did that.....I might just decide to live with what I got and have a great cruise.

We did our first river cruise in November - on the Rhine. We both loved it. I cherished hours spent in the lounge watching the landscape slip by and talking to any- and everybody. It was low key, relaxing, and fascinating (both the landscape and the various people). The excursions were small and fun.

I say if the itinerary appeals and the slower pace appeals, then do your research and go for it!

Congratulations on learning a valuable lesson about what you need. Sympathies that it was an extensive lesson.

DH worked in Halifax a decade or so ago. I visited every chance I got. That is a wonderful place inhabited by people who are beyond wonderful!

What struck me was that third glass, having breathed the longest would taste the best. But then I like to take a sip of a newly poured red, let it sit twenty minutes, and enjoy the enhanced flavor later..........then again, ;) I am good for one glass, max.

I am diabetic and hooked on 100% chocolate. For some strange reason I have never seen that offered...anywhere ;). So, it travels in the same bag with DH's emergency supply of M&Ms. I get some funny looks but no argument.

I can't speak to HAL, have only done Alaska on NCL. The last time we were supposed to go to Glacier Bay but it was not accessible (too much ice)(this applied to all of the cruise lines on that itinerary). Sad, but we recovered in a few seconds (it is what it is) and had a great time.

But, hey, it's Alaska! Look at itineraries, look at glacierial choices, and consider port times. NCL is very laid back and informal. HAL, according to what I have read is a more traditional. What are you? Do you prefer a degree of structure or whatever/whenever?

Congratulations on having such excellent options! Whatever you choose, you will have a great time!

I'm a smoker. And I have watched and reported dangerous idiots. In fact, standing smoking talking with them allowed me to report them by name.

Tell us what you think once you experience it!

I have always felt good near or on water. I start relaxing and getting energized the moment we board. Sea days, port days, doesn't matter, I feel good.

Add to that - DH and I keep the cabin straightened up. But returning from an excursion and finding our lovely home-away-from-home really clean is like someone waved a magic wand over me. I love changing or dressing up for dinner. I love eating in restaurants that truly cater to me. I love quiet time and people watching and making new friends...and watching the ocean or the river, always watching the water.

I was an addict before I took my first cruise....I just didn't know it.

I can't speak to GCT. But we took our first river cruise last November and, compared to ocean cruises, these are my thoughts:

An ocean cruise ranges from being a big city to being a megalopolis.

A river cruise ranges from being a hamlet to a village.

An ocean cruise is far horizons and vast panoramas.

A river cruise is close up landscapes and middle horizons.

An ocean cruise has something happening almost every hour. You can participate or just chill, depending on personal preference.

On a river cruise there will be 'chill' times as the ship travels between ports.

We have not taken a 'luxury' cruise (yet). Overall, I met new and interesting people on both kinds of cruises, I enjoyed the food on both, I slept well in comfortable well-planned cabins on both, I was never bored on either.

DH and I love ocean cruising. The river cruise was an experiment to see if we liked it. We loved it. 2014 was already booked when we did the experiment. We may grab a river cruise deal in 2014 if one appears. In 2015 and forward, we plan to include at least one river cruise and one ocean cruise in our retiree adventures.

Thank you for working so hard to share this!

We are scheduled for our first TA and our first Cunard experience in a few months. So I am researching like crazy. I am sure I will refer to this thread many times...and enjoy it each time I do.

There is never a time I am not thinking about booking a cruise.

I

love

this

!!

Thank you and keep 'em coming!