zippyjet

The Sandpaper TP is  one of the few things that can be sucked out of a vacuum style ship toilet. And at home, I use a spray bidet and swear by it not at it. So, when I cruise it's a bit of a change. My suggestions?

1. Not as good as regular bidets but, can cut down on TP. A travel bidet. Best is to look on Amazon and check out rankings of travel bidets on the web.

2. You can even pick it up at a dollar store. Go for hydrocortisone goo or hemorrhoid cream. 

That way you can cruise with confidence without worrying about down there discomfort.

On 10/31/2023 at 11:07 AM, havanadaydreaming said:

Anyone have a favorite place to call home on CCL? 

 

 

I used to be a big highest deck available dude, balcony only.  Preferably midship but really didnt care too much.

 

As long as I'm on board cruising I'm open to any location. Floor is no big deal but, I like my midship slightly towards the front location. And this includes inside cabins. I know many avoid being close to the elevators but, I like it for convenience and easy access to the Cloud 9 Spa. Just sailed the Celebration last week cant wait to go back had no noise issues with noise from the stairs/elevators. At least on Carnival I like to go large and newer. The smaller older ships have had cabin A/C problems, issues.

Now i think im very partial to oceanview deck 3, right by lobby bar.  Location, location, location. 

 

Admittedly a pretty cost effective option. Still get natural light. Room pretty spacious for 2 of us.  

 

 

On 10/18/2023 at 6:47 PM, surfjock27 said:

I’m assuming you’re on the Celebration, based on the post title. If so, see you there! 🛳️☀️🌴🍹

I too was on your cruise. I had a fantastic time and can't wait to go back. Observation: El Capitan Cantina has a much better lunch menu than dinner.  It was a drag SJU was a rainout. Othe than that,no complaints from me.

On 8/11/2022 at 9:56 PM, njkruzer said:

Passport?  Birth certificate!

Sorry, I didn't proof read. Birth Certificate not passport. However if your passport looks like it went overboard (worn) (messy) etc. It can be refused when checking in for international flights and cruises. One tidbit of advice; Hyphenated last names can be problematic to say the least. Hope I didn't step on any toes but they are a pain for us (airline industry) and, IMO cruises and other facets in the travel industry share similar opinions. Hope this all helps.

Just make sure your passport is an original certified copy. A copy will have void in the    background.        Example of non certified copy with void on it.

2 hours ago, neverbeenhere said:

Like every other "business", its hard to find employees.

 

I can dig it. I mentioned I submitted this one from  my Galaxy S 21. I find it easier to do it old school from my laptop. So, I'm not sure if I even posted it correctly.

Just now, sandy toes said:

You said last week, so give it a bit more time. As soon as it is read, and "approved" it will be posted. You can always use the link in the side bar that says "How to contact us" by LauraS, if still not showing after 2 weeks. Looking forward to reading it. 

Thank you! I'll admit when I'm in a hurry and send it by my phone; I hit something wrong because I'm in a hurry. When it comes out you'll find my candor and special brand of humor.

Not sure where to go but, here goes.

Last week, I submitted a review on Cruise Critic regarding my May 9, Freedom Of The Seas review. Haven't seen or heard anything. When I've submitted reviews in the past they were published in just a few ways. Any ideas? Who should I reach out to? Please and Thank You. 🙂

Same principal when using your cruise cabin hand held shower!

A must have take me along! Uses less sand / toilet paper and is kinder to your crack in the moon.

3 hours ago, squadron said:

Yes - the type used for boats and RVs systems breaks up better than the multi ply supersoft type.  Ever notice workman having to unplug the system - they work in little cupboards in the hallways.  

Zippyjet factoid! Those hallway compartments contain the AC unit in addition to the plumbing. In the case of a hot cabin at least half the time all the engineer needs to bleed off air so your cabin gets colder (hotter) during cold weather. Its just getting them to do this. Sometimes a little boodle $$$ opens doors/gets things fixed right!

7 hours ago, CalTexCruiser said:

 

Ok definitely TMI, now I need to remember to bring a bottle of Clorox spray to hose down the shower floor with disinfectant.  

 

Or bring disposable sandals I can wear into the shower

Rest assured no ship shower stalls or adjacent flooring suffered turd bombardments. And I disinfect the shower head/handle. All you have to do is reach around and spray. TMI time: you lift up toilet seat. Obviously, you make sure all the "surfaces are clean. Spray no more than 15 seconds at a time because the bowl will fill up faster than The Titanic! Flush, rinse and repeat!

1 hour ago, orville99 said:

Designed with the modern american butt in mind🙄

Bidet is the way whether on land or sea. Without TMI, the hand held shower comes in real handy!

I just submitted a review for my Freedom of The Seas cruise. And, I have to say the toilet paper doubles as heavy-duty marine sandpaper. So, now you know you won't be surprised at the sandpaper shortages at your home improvement center. Carnival also uses sandpaper quality toilet paper. So, please be advised. If your crack back there (dark side of the moon) is sensitive bring hemorrhoid goo or another relief cream.

On 5/9/2022 at 11:30 AM, DaisyGoldberg said:

Just got off the Pearl a couple of weeks ago - per my dailies there was a Solos meet up in the afternoon of Day 1, and every evening at 6 pm in one of the bars - presumably this timing set up to facilitate dining/entertainment companionship if wanted, make plans for the next day, etc. These meetings were listed as unhosted, which may be a covid artifact - I seem to recall in the past they had a staff member involved, but maybe that's just the larger ships.  

My DFF cruised the Pearl twice and as a solo cruiser. She liked the ship and Norwegian. Both her cruises were more than seven nights one was  14 nights through the Panama Canal. IHOP, she feels yours truly and Norwegian would not be the greatest fit.

1. Washey, washey??? Ugg! and no food back to your cabin are not plusses in my book.

On 3/31/2022 at 3:48 PM, rkacruiser said:

 

LOL!  I had a traveling companion that liked it warm (a citizen of Fort Pierce, Florida) while I prefer cooler temperatures.  Our stateroom's thermostat was probably quite pleased when we left the cruise.  I would turn it down; she would turn it up; repeat; repeat.....  So, yes, being able to control the stateroom's temperature is certainly an advantage!  

I'm with you, if it's above 72 F I'm calling guest services and alerting my steward. I prefer 65-70 F myself. I'm firm, persistent but courteous/friendly when reaching out regarding cabin issues such as poor A/C. Unlike most hotels, its much harder to change cabins especially now that cruising is literally back to pre pandemic levels.

On 7/31/2021 at 11:02 AM, cruiseelady said:

Hi everyone.  I booked MSC Meraviglia, the price is amazing.  For a 7 day cruise its 500 dollars for a balcony out of Miami.

 

It not technically a singles cruise, but non the less its a great price for a solo.

 

I am newly single and ready to mingle and make new friends.  

Join me on this fun cruise.   

I have never been on MSC but heard its a gorgeous ship. 

I believe we were on the same cruise. I was impressed with MSC. So much that I just booked the Seashore this September. I know many people thought the food on MSC was an instrument of torture. It was as good as Carnival. Overall, I'd rate MSC and Carnival's food a solid 75 out of 100. There were some standout items on both lines. Ironically MSC being an Italian line they had dry tasteless garlic bread. That was the only not so hot food item. All the employees I met were super friendly, always smiling and eager to please. Maybe its attitude but, as mentioned I was impressed with MSC and the Meraviglia. I do have to say  it was right after the Covid shutdowns  and she sailed at less than half capacity. The big test will be when the sailings are again full. Cruises are selling out!

On 11/1/2018 at 10:12 AM, bigmohes said:

RCI  Freedom of the Seas   it was her inaugural season.   We were hooked!  

Have you sailed her since? I'll be on the Freedom soon. I know its been updated. Normally I like the newer larger ships but this will be my first opportunity to sail on RCCL.

On 1/25/2022 at 8:48 PM, IRMO12HD said:

 

As many have said its all about attitude. I'm a young 65 and I've taken 11 cruises. Six have been solo. There's pros and cons either way. I'm sort of a free spirit and control freak so  solo is no big deal. I dislike having to pay the double occupancy price (Carnival and Royal Caribbean). MSC is more democratic for solo cruisers. I realize the cruise lines are in business to earn profits. I wish there were more special smaller solo cabins where you'd pay less. Hopefully these will be a feature on the newer mega ships. And, its cool to not have to share your cabin bathroom. When I get off at the ports of call, I can go at my own pace. I'm not a fan of shopping at your standard chain stores when on vacation, holiday. If you've seen one Ron Don, Harley Davidson or Senior Frogs you've pretty much seen them all. Not to be sexist but, if I was a female solo traveler I'd stick to excursions or abstain from leaving the ports of Nassau, Jamaica and La Romana to name a few. The locals pounce on you like a hungry hippo jumps on raw meat.

6 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

 

🤣    Forgive me for laughing, but I did.  Mashed Broccoli and Cauliflower might provide a slippery surface for awhile.  

 

The D.C. area traffic is very challenging.  My two Nephews were raised in Greenbelt, Maryland.  After one graduated from UGA, he decided he had no desire to return home and headed to Anchorage where his family and he happily reside.  While I don't look forward to driving in the D. C. area, my experiences have not been as bad as driving on I-95 in Miami.  I will never, ever do that again!  

Glad I got you laughing. I-95 Miami should be a theme park horror ride. A fat guy driving like bat or hippo out of hell ingesting a meatball sandwich and screaming Maricone! Maybe he was looking for love on the interstate. I I could have talked to this manatee of a man I would tell him I'll send some road runover broccoli and cauliflower florets.

59 minutes ago, navybankerteacher said:

Yes - that deadly Springfield interchange where going north on I-95 from Lorton you tango with the DC Beltway (I-495)  - which gives you the choice of going around the east side of DC or the west side of DC - and I-395 which drags you without warning into central DC -there are so many lanes and ramps that you have to be well positioned in advance to have any chance of getting where you want to go. The same thing happened to me a few years ago.

 

It was a hell of a way to start my six hour drive up to CT.

welcome to the club. As a life long Marylander I get to drive these "funderful" stretches of highway. Road construction, sporadic closures routine. I live in Baltimore and driving on I-695 to work at BWI, I kid you not while en route signs said road debris. We all crawed at 20 mph for three miles. Would you believe, a truck dropped a load of...wait for it Broccoli and Cauliflower florets across four lanes!

Years back on I-95 north heading upstate towards Aberdeen and Havre De Grace six goats played highway roulette and got across all north and south bound lanes. Never a dull moment.

Regarding Lorton, VA...when driving to or from the Autotrain from Baltimore or Washington pick your poison. You can go West towards the GW PKWY, Dulles toll road through the Northern VA. suburbs or go around East and South over the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. The latter during off peak times seems quicker and shorter than going West around the Northern VA. suburbs. From where I live to get to the Autotrain a solid hour fifteen minutes without traffic. With traffic, hurry up and wait. If I had to be at the AT depot at 1400, Ideally I'd leave home 1130 hours. No later than 12 noon. Never know what waits on our wacky roads...Broccoli /Cauliflower florets anyone?

I know I'm eight years late to this thread. I live in Baltimore also. Only time we drove to Florida (Miami Beach) was back in 1969! 

My beloved dad was the only driver. We actually took 2 nights to make the long haul.

Day 1: Including stops...Baltimore to South of The Border (kitschy tourist digs but still worth a go see) eight hours give or take. 

Day 2: SOB to Jacksonville including stops six hours which included checking out Savannah, GA.

Day 3: Jacksonville to Miami Beach was six hours but the Florida Turnpike seemed like an eternal schlepp. I-95 wasn't complete back then. My sister and I were 8 and I was 12. 

Several years we took the Auto Train. If you stick to riding in a coach train seat it was not to pricey. Just remember, driving from Baltimore to Lorton, VA (AT) with our notorius traffic could take up to 2.5 hours. Figure 90 minutes with no traffic a rarity. Then, from Sanford, FL. to FLL area figure four hours.

I'm blessed that I work in the airline industry. With its perks, I'm able to cruise. Sadly, my beloved parents never got the chance to take a cruise.

By now, you've hopefully had many cruises under your belt and have the ins and outs to a science. (Including getting from home to the ports in the Sunshine State.

And for anyone driving to and from please realize dembarkation day can be a drag (tiring) I'm a night owl so, I either fly right home or stay overnight on Miami Beach for a last bit of vacation fun. 

Please share how your drive's went.

On 3/4/2014 at 8:44 PM, RSLeesburg said:

 

Have you priced out the Auto Train from Lorton? It might be more expensive than driving, but less than flying.

On 4/8/2022 at 10:08 PM, tawlaw1526 said:

Awesome idea to tip maintenance.    I’ll have to try that.   A cool cabin in the hot Caribbean is priceless.  

Getting maintenance to address a hot cabin issue is like herding cats. Lots of times you'll be out of your cabin enjoying your cruise and you come back to a hot cabin and a little note saying "we found no problems," or "your cabin is at an acceptable temperature." On newer ships you'll notice a closet that's locked next to your cabin. Inside is your cabins HVAC unit. Once on the Horizon (Carnival) the maintenance guy went in, bled an air valve and my cabin was cool and cozy the rest of the cruise. Try to get them to come to your cabin when you know you'll be there! And make sure its an engineer/maintenance person that can actually fix your AC! Usually they will send a regular crewmember, in my case a leggy attractive Russian woman with a thermometer. Once maintenance comes and gets in that locked compartment and actually fixes your AC then reach for the green. 

On 3/29/2022 at 11:12 AM, Techwizardress said:

I have been bringing a fan onboard since 2004.

I brought one onboard in January 2022 on the Majestic.  No issues.  

I am at the age of personal summers for about 10 years now.  The fan is my lifesaver.  The cabin is never cold enough for me.  

Welcome to the club. The thermostat is always at the blue end or on the jurassic ships with just a knob for opening the vent its fully open. When dealing with a cabin issue such as poor AC, be friendly but PERSISTENT! Every once in awhile if an actual maintenance engineer shows up: a little green $$ makes a cooler cabin likely.

1 hour ago, 2wheelin said:

Apparently you need smart people for smart elevators to work. People are just too lazy to change for the better.

Don't I know it! Come to the airport! Whether its ground, air or at sea human nature can be lazy and hesitant towards change. However I noticed on both Horizon cruises the "smart elevator system." Seemed overwhelmed. Thousands of cruisers accessing the elevators at the same time drives many to take the stairs. A smart elevator system with greater capacity, bandwidth would work better. However the cost factor goes up and even a few inches of ship real estate are finite commodities.