moqui_girl

My problem is that my 2 year old is getting big and I wouldn't want the umbrella stroller breaking down on us, not to mention you can't hang anything on one so more stuff to carry...

 

 

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I'm having the same issue as I meant she's too BIG for other strollers! [emoji53]

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I'm definitely taking a stroller for our 2 year old, I can't decide between a cheapo umbrella stroller or our city mini which also folds very easy but is def heavier than the umbrella stroller...

 

 

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We've got a city mini which I love but it's pretty wide and think that it's too wide for the cabin doors. It's folds small but the corridors and lifts are narrow so don't want to take up any extra room! It's causing me a bit of a dilemma as my daughter is really too small for other strollers....

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I never book direct but I had to this time as I used tesco clubcard vouchers. It's been a hassle all the way and so old fashioned and behind the times. They send you letters reminding you to pay your balance - who does that anymore (!not to mention a waste of money)? Just send me an email with the link to the place where I need to pay the balance and it's much easier for everyone [emoji849]

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P&O have actual pools where you can have children in swim nappies and they are specified on their website.

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You might enjoy Pericope where you can watch people live stream and interact with them. It's a Twitter linked app that you can download to your phone but you don't have to be on Twitter to use it. Many people periscope from cruises or cruise destinations. Some cruise companies are more prevalent than others and it tends to be those with high speed wifi.

You will find many cruise nerds there!

A good place to start is to follow someone called Cruisingkat, (she's also here on cruise critic) as she will share links of other people periscoping on cruises.

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Why is this Moqui girl?

There are rules about who can book with US travel agents - usually you need to be resident in the US or Canada. I don't really understand why but prices, deals and contractual information is different in different counties.

The only way it might be different is you will be in the us when booking but as you'll need to give your home address I don't they will let you do it.

I would speak to a travel agent (or several) ahead of time to find out what is possible.

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You will still need to book through a uk travel agent i believe.

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Merion Mom, when you've sailed on Quantum and Oasis class ships, have you uploaded your security photo in advance? My husband wears glasses all the time. Should he leave them on in his photo? (He seems to remember having to take his glasses off during a regular counter check-in.)

I believe there is a guide that tells you how to take the photo.

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I haven't carried paper for most things I use to travel for years.......For the notes I want about where I might go, transit maps, etc, I always use my phone......but everything is available to me offline. If I can't find a map (for instance) that I can use off-line, I photograph a paper one and use the photo. Don't rely on having internet service. The only things I've kept on paper are tickets.

 

There are various ways to get things available off line, whether it's off-line apps, screen shots of websites, storing PDF files, or photographing your own paper notes. There are various apps for trip planning that would work for rental cars and excursions (Trip-It is popular) - I've used one, but I'm not much of a planner when it comes to vacations, so I found I don't use it often; still, it's a good place to keep reservation numbers and pick up times, etc.

I also mainly photograph or screen shot info that I need and store them in a cruise album. I sometimes store large PDFs in IBooks (I'm sure other phones have something similar) which can also be used off line. If I lose my phone I've got bigger issues that lost holiday notes [emoji6]

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Or, for more current information without the expense of trouble of finding a guide book, she could just Google the ports she's considering. :) I see the "get a guide book" advice trotted out on CC a lot, and I just don't understand it. More information can be found online (and much more quickly!) than in even the best guide book.

Its pretty much the same person giving the guide book advice every time. I agree they are out of date as soon at they are printed except for the more general information!

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Be very careful with this. If you have data roaming on when on shore you will pick up local networks and be able up minutes/data in your package (or access reduced rates as your provider offers).

However if you have it onewhen you are at sea the ship will be producing its own signal "cellular at sea" usually and this entirely separate. If you pick this up and use data or even leave you phone on roaming using background data you will be charged heavily!

What I usually do is once my phone has found a local land network I switch my network roaming from automatic to manual. That way you phone will only seek that signal and not swap to the stronger signal of "cellular at sea" once you set sail. Eventually as you move away from

land the local signal will fade away but you can probably get some signal for an hour or so. I then switch off roaming, put network back to automatic and do the same at the next port.

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I believe the new wifi packages are unlimited per 24 hours purchased. The cost depends on the level of service you need. There is another thread about it if you need more info.

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The ice cream package really isn't worth it. The ice cream is not that nice. I think we used 6 of the 20 over 12 nights and 4 of them where because we felt obliged! We won't be getting it next time.

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That's a good point, my nerves would be shot with those rails, even with a 4 yr old. Definite no for us.

 

 

 

Out of curiosity where have you taken your little one cruising? I was planning on the Caribbean and I'd looked at Alaska but wasn't sure what she could actually do off the ship. Thanks :)

We sailed in Europe with her but we've sailed both Alaska and the Caribbean (before she arrived) and I think you could find things to do in both. It depends on what your family enjoys. Beaches are easy with kids but we aren't really a beach family (one beach day per cruise is enough for us). I know my daughter would like the wildlife in Alaska but would restrict some of the more adventurous things you could do if that interests you.

If you sail Alaska a balcony is a must!!

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We are taking my daughter who is nearly 3 on her second cruise this year. A balcony is a must if only to get some space while she is napping. As others have posted the balconies are (mostly) chest height and often have a child lock.

Just be aware than some ships have rung-style railings on some open deck that little ones could climb like a ladder in a second. We generally avoid those areas as, despite keeping on hand on said toddler, my nerves cannot cope!

Not all ships have these but some do so might just be worth double checking if you are concerned.

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The kids water area on Harmony is awesome! I haven't been on Freedom though so can't compare.

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We stayed at The Maxwell Hotel a few years ago. It was a good price. Located quite near the space needle and not too far from the cruise terminal. I think they might have had a shuttle but I'm not 100% sure

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Thanks

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I love my Pacsafe Metrosafe 200 shoulder bag. It's packed with anti-theft security features and just big enough to hold the essentials, with a comfortable shoulder strap (I wear it cross-body):

 

 

http://www.pacsafe.com/bags/shoulder-bags-cross-body.html

 

Mine is an older version than the ones available now, but it is still in great condition after years of use.

Another vote for this. We have a lovely grey version which is great and my husband and i both use it.

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We will be coming to Southampton to sail on Ventura on P&O. As we are driving the morning of departure we'll probably be there well before our boarding time to account for any issues. We have a 2 year old who (after 3 hours in the car) will need somewhere to let off steam. Chances are the weather in Nov will be grim so can you suggest any indoor children's activities for us to do for a few hours please.

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Lol you don't have to be on a cruise, that's fine.

 

I stole the idea from the Disney periscope community, they do a Disney Pass The Cast every few weeks. The one I watched had, iirc, 6 participants. 4 of them were at home and two of them were at the parks.

 

I think it would work great if we had one or two people on a ship during the pass the cast! :)

 

@NECruiser83 - I'm so jealous of that Nov 12 cruise! It's a good group of you on that sailing! I'll be on the super short Harmony sailing the week before so I'll just miss y'all [emoji24]

Sounds like an awesome idea. I'm in

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Hi friends. I was wondering if any of you regular periscope watchers are familiar with #passthecast on periscope?

 

I've only seen it one time but I would love to bring it to our little cruising scope community.

 

Basically, you have one host, and a line up of 5 or 6 other users. There is a theme, and viewers go from one cast to the next to the next to the next (essentially passing on the broadcast) and they all talk about the theme.

 

Anyone interested?

That sounds like lots of fun. Id be interested. I think it could work well for cruising. Therefore lots of hot topics to discuss in the cruising world!

Obviously from my house and not from a cruise as I'm not on another until Nov and it's not even RCCL [emoji33]

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Don't know if you saw it but had someone a couple of months ago do a scope on deck and put the phone in her purse without quitting. We all listened in and chatted for a while from inside her purse.

I think that was one of my favourite scopes to watch/take part it! [emoji5]

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[emoji33]feeling the pressure of scoping!! [emoji33].

What if I fall while I'm walking??

If I Answer questions inaccurately?

Not say hello to everyone who arrives ?

What if someone starts talking dirty to me , how do I block?

Wait a minute. I Might like that. [emoji6]

Kidding kidding [emoji849][emoji23]

Am I the only one feeling a little anxious? [emoji47]

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The first time is a bit scary and then it's all good fun! The trolls are easier to deal with as followers can report them too now. Some people acknowledge everyone some don't! Sometimes it depends what you are doing but people watching understand. 99% of scopers are super friendly. Just do your own thing and you'll be just fine. [emoji106]🏻

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RCCL are getting in on the game......[emoji106]🏻

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