mrsd912

We decorated our door on our last cruise and got a lot of great compliments on it. I took a poster, covered it with water scrapbooking paper, and put a beach sand border around it. Put some flip flop and fish stickers on, a few pictures of DH and I, a picture of out home state, and a couple of paper beach balls with our port activities. It was fun for us. We don't have any problem locating our cabin but we'll do it again in April! Although if your flying I recommend bringing you door decoration in pieces, flying with a rolled poster and trying not to damage it was more problem than it was worth!

I really hate the flying to and from, and the money I've got to cough up for it too! The packing on the last night doesn't bother me so much, but the sight of everyone's luggage in the hallway is down right depressing.

I hate that they make me get off the ship! :p

I hate the waiting for the next cruise. Come on April!

If we do another itinerary that has Cozumel, we'll stay on the ship that day.

Like most people we just tighten our budget some. Go out to dinner less, don't buy coffee out, stay home instead of go out, etc.

DH and I accumulate a lot of change, he gets tips at his job and I do at my second job. All the change goes into a burgundy jug, and it adds up quick!

We also book when we have good chunk of change, like income tax season, and make faithful weekly payments until the cruise is paid off. It makes it much easier to budget for.

I also work for a heating oil company in Maine, and we work A LOT of overtime in the winter, and every penny of it goes right into savings.

 

 

Aww, thank you! We were in room 8450, and I think it's just this room and the other aft room on the 8th floor next to the wrap on the other side that has this size - these 2 are a little extra long due to the ship support beam on this floor.

 

Congratulations on your marriage!

Just a quick question, how'd you guys manage to book this cabin for two of you? I tried to book it for our Glory cruise next April, but the Carnival rep told me I couldn't because it sleeps three. Is there an insider tip that I'm missing?

Here's a couple things I haven't seen mentioned:

If you're a gum chewed, don't forget to bring some with you.

To solve the TP issue (because the ship does us marine grade for a reason) we bring Cottonelle wipes, and sandwich zip baggies to dispose of them in.

If you're a soda drinker and fiercely prefer one brand over another, find out which one your ship carries. Then you can bring yours if they don't have it.

Shower poufs, because the ship's body wash (on Carnival anyway) doesn't lather very well with just a washcloth. We also bring those suction cup hooks to hang them in the shower with since space in there is already at a premium.

I brought Bonine with us on our last cruise. It's a non drowsy over the counter motion sickness medication that I like better than Dramamine. DH doesn't like taking medication so I also brought ginger ice chips (candy, similar to Altoids, just not minty) for him. He was fine the whole week, I took the Bonine every day. But it worked well.

I may look into getting a patch for my next cruise, or at last ask my doctor about it. Not sure if it would be any easier than popping a Bonine daily.

DH and I won one on our Liberty cruise from doing 90's Name that Tune. I was so proud of us, and amazed that DH got up in front of everyone and danced like MC Hammer all because I wanted a plastic trinket. I wouldn't feel the same if I'd just asked someone for it, but that's just me.

Hoping to win a SOAS on the nest cruise and start a collection.

Okay, so I've only cruised, but I'd always wanted to go on a cruise, DH had always wanted to do an all inclusive resort. I finally convinced him to try a cruise when I told him the price difference, and he loved it so much that mid week he started talking about going on another cruise.

The thing for us is that we don't drink, that's why cruising is so much cheaper, even with shore excursions. But if you do drink, do you pay for your drinks with the resort charge, or at the end of your vacation when you get the bill for your S&S account? Or purchase Cheers?

6 of one, half dozen of the other, you know?

But I loved the ocean, and for me I found my bliss lounging on a deck chair with a spectacular view, and the sea air lazily breezing by.

Is the laundry special listed in the Fun Times? DH and I are packing light for our next cruise and planned on doing laundry mid week. But if I can pay $15 to not have to do laundry on vacation that sounds great to me!

While I've only been on one cruise perhaps my opinion doesn't count, but I appreciate the noted difference. We booked out second cruise with Carnival because we bought a FCC before they discountined them, but we really loved the product that Carnival provided.

Different strokes for different folks though. DH and I weren't into the deck parties or shows, we were just looking for a relaxing stress free week to enjoy each other's company. With that being said, I wouldn't be sold on NCL based on what you said.

We do look forward to trying other lines in the future, but we really loved our experience with Carnival, including the price tag.

Can anyone suggest a hotel that is within walking distance to a grocery or drugstore?

DH and I will be traveling in April 2014, and I'm just trying to get a head start on research. We're looking for a hotel for under $200 and preferrably free shuttle from the airport. We'd also plan on just bringing carry on luggage on our flight, so we'd like to be within walking distance to a store we can get liquid items (shampoo, conditioner, sun block, etc.) that you can't carry on a plane. We'd also like to get some soda to bring on the ship with us.

Any ideas?

I saw three guys in speedos on the Carnival Liberty last month.

I was very glad I caught a glimpse of these fellas! I lucked out because they really did rock the speedo!:p

We took a break from fertility treatments. :D

DH and I are in our 30's, with no children and no debt (except for housing). I work for a heating oil company in Maine sonic get a lot of overtime in the heating season. I also work one night a week waitressing and since I never know how much I'll make I never count on it for paying bills so it goes right to savings. DH also makes tips on top of an hourly wage, and we use my commissions.

Once we make our deposit I figure a weekly payment that I make online when I do my weekly bill paying. This pays off the cruise before the due date, and extra gets put towards excursions.

We use our income tax for airfare, and I'm pretty excited to have two returns for our next cruise.

We have a 5 gallon Burgundy jug that we use as a change jar. It takes about a year to fill, which is about $600, and that's our spending money.

Not very exciting but it works for us.

That is awesome. I would love to run into one of my waiters again, that would be hysterical if they remembered my name. I have heard of this happening before though. Do these waiters take ginkoba or one of those supplements to improve memory? Geesh!

Alberto on the Liberty told us a couple weeks ago he was so good because he took Centrum Silver! :p

Alicia thank you for taking the time to do this review. I know I'm late to the party, and I've only gotten to page seven (hey, a girl's got to get some sleep!), but I'm really enjoying it so far. Glad to hear good things about Dolpinaris too, DH and I will be there in less than 2 weeks!

Your photos are simply amazing! Absolutely breathtaking! Your vacation photos make my wedding photos look like they were shot by a toddler :p

I have been planning on decorating my door for a long time and I'm starting my poster this week. I bought posterboard but it's the hard board kind. I thought that would pack better, flat in the bottom of my suitcase. But now I'm thinking maybe I should use the paper posterboard and roll that in a shipping tube for packing. Any thoughts?

Great review! We're doing this itinerary on the Liberty in September, can't wait!

DON'T WASH YOUR HAIR IN THE SHOWER!!

 

It's so good to finally get a health warning that is useful!!!

 

IT INVOLVES THE SHAMPOO THAT RUNS DOWN YOUR BODY WHEN YOU SHOWER WITH IT. WARNING TO US ALL!!!

 

I don't know WHY I didn't figure this out sooner! I use shampoo in the shower! When I wash my hair, the shampoo runs down my whole body, and Printed very clearly on the shampoo label is this warning: "FOR EXTRA BODY AND VOLUME." No wonder I have been gaining weight!

 

Well! I have gotten rid of that shampoo and I am going to start showering with Dawn dish soap instead. Its label reads: "DISSOLVES FAT THAT IS OTHERWISE DIFFICULT TO REMOVE"

 

PROBLEM SOLVED!! ;)

Argh! So that's what I've been doing wrong!!

Thanks ladies, I've got thick dry hair, so I geuss I will be packing that bottle of shampoo!

I know Carnival supplies shampoo, but how decent is it?

I already planned on bringing conditioner, so that's a no brainer, but if the shampoo isn't bad then I can save a little space in my suitcase.

Great review so far! I love to read reviews by first timers!

• A blank gift card or any blank card with magnetic strip. (used for the safe in the room)

Why would you need this, I thought your Sign and Sail card was used for the safe? Not trying to be a jerk, just a first timer who's honestly curious.