SewMuch

I imagine people having to share an elevator with it won't be too happy. On the other hand, you may be starting a whole new trend.

It's a short jump from "open minded" to "addicted to cruising"!

I thought the idea of wearing waterproof socks instead of waterproof shoes was very clever

You will barely notice the difference between Royal and Carnival. Some things you will probably even like better on Carnival. And some things you will think are better on Royal.

We are doing land tour first, 2 nights Fairbanks, 2 nights Denali, 2 Mt McKinley......trying to figure out how to pack for 6 days in a backpack. I also have a camera backpack with camera, lenses etc. I don't understand the limited luggage on the motorcoach. I drive one professionally & I can hold luggage for 56 passengers on a 12 day trip....

You don't have to pack 6 days in a backpack. On the land tour you are each allowed 2 pieces of luggage . One will have most of your clothes in it. It will travel by truck and show up at your lodge. It will not be available for you to get into during the day while you are traveling. You will put a tag on it that says Meet me Tonight. The second piece of luggage will be a small carry-on that will have in it whatever you need for the day, like a raincoat, prescriptions, camera, whatever. That's what you keep with you. You can also send another suitcase ahead to the ship with your cruise clothes in it, stuff you don't need on the land portion. It will have a tag that says Meet me at the Ship.

On the cruise you will have all your luggage, of course. When you leave the cruise you will have 3 types of luggage. Anything you no longer need (formal wear) you you will put in a suitcase to meet you at the end of your trip. For the land part you are each allowed 2 bags. One of the bags will have most of your stuff in it and will meet you at your lodge. It will not be available to you on the road. The other bag is a small bag you will keep with you, filled with whatever you might need during the day : rain jacket, meds, camera, etc. Princess says no larger than 14x17x4 because it will be at your seat with you.

If you do a search on this board for "Alaska menu" you will see a thread called "Looking for 2016 Ruby Princess Alaska Cruise dining room menu copies". Someone responded with menu photos. It looks like there are some specialty items for Alaska.

Well you guys have convinced me. Now that my phone is smart enough to handle it, next time we're off ship in a foreign port I'll have my phone, equipped with an international plan. But the phone will be turned off unless I need it.

You could also bring along some of those individual flavor packets to add to the water

Plenty of people don't take their phones with them when they go onshore, which I understand. My old flip phone wouldn't support an international plan even if I wanted one. I now have a smart phone so I guess I would keep it with me - certainly for our next cruise to Alaska. But what would you do in an emergency in the Caribbean, big or small? Ask a local to call? Is it possible to buy and activate a local phone with paid minutes?

I thought they didn't allow salty language on this board

The Munster Drill will be about 8pm for the Southbound sailing.

It's held at 1313 Mockingbird Lane

Our first cruise I knew absolutely nothing about cruising other than what was in the cruise line brochure. This was pre-Internet. I based my wardrobe on what the people in the pictures were wearing! But everything turned out just fine anyway. It will all make sense by the second day onboard.

Evenings and in Port it's in a small purse. Daytime on board I use a lanyard because it's convenient. I really, really don't care what other people think about how I look.

I tend to agree with you. I found the article to be rather insulting. I am an adult and do not need instructions for "fitting in". I do not go on vacation to "fit in". I go to enjoy my time with my family and friends. We have made many, many friends on ships over the years without following the articles instructions. Again.....how insulting.

I thought the worst part was when it said to go out and buy all new clothes. As if I usually travel looking like garbage!

My DH takes many, many medications and I keep all his bottles in a special medical bag in my carry-on. Since 9/11 we have had TSA agents check and open that medical bag several times and look at the bottles.

It might be the large number of bottles that makes it look suspicious, as opposed to someone who just has a 7 day pill box

Get a massage and pedicure so I'm not tempted by the over-priced on-board spa services

One time when we were leaving on a cruise my son asked if we had any special wishes in case something happened. I said "Yes, don't bury me with any jewelry - you and your sister should have it".

Then he asked my husband the same thing. He said "Yeah - I want to be buried with your mom's jewelry". :D

 

In the meantime I have booked to go on a ship visit on the Oriana next month. (Eek!)

Good for you!

I'm thinking about ordering several on line as souvenirs for family members, before we cruise. Then when we get back from our cruise I can say "Look what I brought you from Alaska!" And I won't have to find room for them in my luggage!

There used to be a kids cartoon called Oswald. Oswald was basically a big blue globe with tentacles at the bottom that worked like legs. He had a pet dog named Weiner. The voice for Oswald was the actor Fred Savage. Anyway, if you Google it you will see that Oswald was obviously the model for this design.

Making it a family event (when it's convenient for the family) with everyone dressed up and dinner afterwards makes sense to me (and I'm Lutheran.)

Can't believe they charge for laundry machines & detergent.

If it was free you wouldn't be able to get near the place. People would be doing loads with only one or two items in them.

It's easier to make friends with an Elite & put your stuff in with theirs for free. ;p

"Pardon me, but do you mind if I toss my undies in with your laundry?"

We always pack our own towel animals. Sure it means bringing along a few extra suitcases full of towels, but I can't sleep unless there's a hanging monkey watching over me.