believer33323

I just received a letter from Bank of America stating that as of October 1, 2013.

"Merchandise and Cruise rewards will no longer be available for redemption. However, you'll enjoy more hotel and car rental options as well as a new streamlined website experience with more self serve options"

I also received an email from my bank stating that my online payment option has been discontinued by Bank of America. That usually happens when the company changes ownership or something else major. I did go online and my account is in good standing so it's not just me. Must be some big changes going on with them.

Starbucks stores are corporate-owned with the exception of the licensed locations, such as the ones you will find inside hotels, grocery stores, discount stores, etc. RCI licenses the Starbucks brand and staffs the location with RCI employees. I remember when it debuted on Allure, Starbucks sent their trainers to teach the RCI crew how to run a Starbucks. The executives were on board for the inaugural cruise.

 

It looks just like a Starbucks, the product is the same, the prices are the same. The only difference is that it is on a ship and you can use your Seapass. One thing I like about Starbucks on Allure is that the Americanos are served super hot. No need to ask for "extra hot."

I guess because when on the ship they can't sue for burns as easily as when in America. :D

The tour usually covers the engine control room, but not the actual engine room.

While interesting seeing the rest. I personally would like to see the engine room not just the control room. We toured the bridge on 2 different ships and I would guess that the engine control room is on the same scale. It's an expensive tour and very limited. For that money I would like to see everything but understand (I guess) why they don't want to.

Very nice photos. I do not see any of the engine room or any other technical areas except the bridge. Were they off limits?? Did they go there at all on the tour??

So how did you all enjoy the cruise????

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We are going on the allure. Would the tips work on our also since they are sister ships?

Chris

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2

Chris

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I hope to post a more comprehensive review with pictures when I find some time. For now this will do, and I hope it will be helpful to you lucky people planning your trip!

Do they change the menu in the main dining room each night or stay the same? On RCCl they change but when we were on NCL they had the same items which made for a lousy dinner after a couple days.

I figured out the solution. Move your phone out of airplane mode. Go to the RCCL app and open every deck you want to see (I opened Allure - then every deck). Put your phone back into airplane mode and go back to the app. You'll now be able to see each deck.

I took a photo of the ship guide outside of some elevators. I just pull up the photo and zoom in. Works great

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Has anyone seen the "Walden Farms" products. They were advertised in the WW Magazine. I tried a few and except for the little after taste of the "Splenda" they use for sweetner they are great. They have NO calories and NO fat.

You can purchase them directly from

Waldenfarms.com or another place is Amazon.com

He meant RC's Jewel of the Seas. This is an RC thread, not NCL. Have a great cruise, though!

Thanks! I missed that one.

Fun thread. At least when it stays on topic ;).

 

My kids laughed at me on our last cruise when I told them I was "off to find my man cave." I absolutely recommend it . . .

 

Those bathrooms in the cabins are pretty darn small for a guy my size (over 6 feet/over 225 lbs). I like to find a bathroom to call home after we settle in the first day. The last time it was this huge stall in a bathroom next to the casino that seemed to never be used. It even had a shelf for my coffee and reading material. I know some of you are laughing!! But me getting out of the cabin at times and leaving my wife some privacy has helped keep me married for many years!

 

Not to mention all the food that goes in eventually needs to come out! :rolleyes:

 

PS---- Take the stairs as much as you can - while you can - and remember how lucky you are to be able to do it!

I can relate to that!! Now I'm only 5-5 and 160 lbs but I still appreciate your message..

The "Real Secret" is to explore the entire ship, deck by deck, to see what is there.

 

Print deck plans from the RCI Web Site before you board and then just wander and explore.

 

You will be glad you did!

 

 

Here is proof that this system works.

 

On our first cruise on the Jewel of the Seas, every time we went to the Windjammer we got our food and then found a nearby place to sit down and eat. At lunch on the 4th day, the Windjammer was pretty full so we kept heading aft to find an open table. And we found the open air seating area across the stern of the ship. For the rest of the cruise, that is where we ate.

 

Had we not walked back there we would never have found it!

 

We are scheduled on the Pearl in November. Do you know if it is the same set up that ship since they are sister ships?

I have the WW app but haven't seen the bar scanner, i'm going to have to look for that. That will make things SO much easier!

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/weight-watchers-barcode-scanner/id487351352?mt=8

I just uploaded the WW bar scanner on my Iphone. WOW what a great tool. I went over to the grocery store and anything I was concerned about I just scanned the ar code and it told me what the points are. If I wanted it I could even upload it into my daily tracker or just save it in favorites. I makes shopping wasy easier for things your not sure if you could have them. It even had Wal-Mart brand Non-Dairy creamer in it's database.

Your body is "self-cleaning' on the inside. Don't take all that junk--they only thing you're losing is your money!

Jeez.

DITTO, Eat plenty of fiber, and veggies and cut back on fats. Fats actually constipate you. I had a ruptured colon on '07 with a temporary colostomy. I have done much research on the subject.

How does the point system work?

Taken from WW Online

You have a daily PointsPlus Target

Every food has a PointsPlus value, and your daily PointsPlus Target represents the number of PointsPlus values you should stick to every day in order to lose weight safely. This daily Target is calculated using a scientific formula, and is customized for you.

Each day, you can eat any combination of foods you’d like, while staying within your daily PointsPlus Target. And the Good Health Guidelines can serve as a framework for making choices, as well as providing nutrition while you lose weight.

We recommend using up your daily PointsPlus Target every day, so you stay satisfied and stick with the plan.

 

 

 

 

 

Each food has a PointsPlus value

PointsPlus values are derived from our formula, which we developed based on the latest nutritional science. They take into account the way your body processes the major nutrients:

· fat

· carbohydrates

· protein

· fiber

For every food you eat, those nutrients' impact is considered in one easy-to-work-with number. You'll learn over time that certain nutrients make foods higher or lower in PointsPlus values, but the program gives you ways to fit them all in.

The benefits of the WW verses many other diets is that it actually teaches you how to eat and not just make you lose weight. That is why after losing weight with other diets they gain a lost of the weight back again. (Atkins, Cookie diet, etc.)

Well I for one am tired of all the success stories I keep reading here (LOL) I went out and bought a high powered mixer that will pulverize anything I put in it (veggies, fruits etc.) I stated before I started making smoothies for breakfast with apples, bananas, and carrots, then have veggies for lunch and I feel great. The one I had is too small to fit all the stuff I want to add plus make enough for my wife when she gets up in the morning. Still not losing any weight though. I purchased some protein powder to have mid afternoon to round out myself in case I was not getting enough of it. Then for dinner I have a sensible meal. My downfall is whole wheat bread and whole grain Cheerios with soy milk I tend to eat afterwards in the evening. I have to try to cut that back. I even got back to the gym today. Well we'll see how it all goes. I do think this forum is making me feel guilty (which is a good thing)

Hey all, I just came across this Post and would like to join it. I have been on (and off) WW for around 1-1/2 years and it seems like I am at a stand still as far as weight loss goes. I thought maybe a little more help can't hurt. I was 178 then with a goal of getting down to 150 and got down to 156 last April. Then went up to 163 and now down to 162. I weigh myself every morning. I like to do that so I know where I am at and no weekly surprises. Yes, It sound a little fanatical but I believe it's best to be a little (Just a little) to stay on target.

Here is my usual daily routine. I eat a banana, apple, carrot, & a teaspoon of fresh ginger smoothie with water every morning (0) points) and for lunch I usually have frozen veggies with or without the cheese sauce (the WW approved type with about 4 points total) when I get home is another thing I eat I think out of boredom. Mostly whole wheat bread with jelly or bowl of whole grain cereal like honey nut Cheerios with light soy milk. and I eat a healthy to semi healthy dinner usually with brown rice (all within the WW guidelines) Then on weekend I cheat a little but again usually within the WW guidelines. I know I need to exercise but only maybe 5 times a month on average.

I cannot figure out though when people say they have a hard time reaching their daily 29 points. Either I'm doing something wrong or I lack the imagination to come of with things to eat that are not point makers. Maybe I'll try another smoothie in the afternoon, I like fruit but do tend not to eat it whole I would rather it in a drink. I would love to get to my goal by our July cruise. I am fearful that I will gain too much back.

So that's my story, My name is Chris, Can I come and play with you all? :)

I feel better knowing that I am booked 3 days in advance of my cruise.

I was on a cruise and went to a spa seminar about detoxing. They advertised Elemis products. It sounded very interesting adn appealing to me. I wanted to find reviews 1st before Ibuy and really can't find many reviews online. Mosly colonix and other detox products. I have about 15 pounds I need to lose and I'd liketo repair my GI tract. Can anyone speak to these or other detox products???

In '07 I was rushed to the hospital for a ruptured colon. During my ordeal I spoke with a few doctors about these detox/cleaning programs. In a nutshell they are garbage. Your colon does NOT hold waste the way they tell you. It may get slow at times and for that you eat more fiber, veggies etc. One mentioned below to use the stuff they give you for a cleanout before a colonoscopy. Yes that will completely clean you out. I just recently had a colonoscopy done (Oct '10) and they gave me HD photos of the inside of my colon. It looked like a baby’s bottom. Clean as a whistle and pink, and that is just with the Over the counter stuff. One warning, each time you use this stuff there is more of a chance that your rectal muscles will rely more and more on them. Some of them work by contracting the rectal muscles for them to work. If you still feel a need to clean yourself out try using "Miralax" It is Glycol base that works by pulling in water into the stool thus making it softer and you will go easier. I was given that before my 2nd operation to clean me out prior. They had me mix with water an entire bottle at once. You will only need to use maybe 2-3 capfuls and see how that goes. I have been using this stuff 1 capful daily for over 2 years now due to the effects of my surgeries.