skittl1321

I used Trainline to book our tickets on embarkation day, so I do have an account there. Advance tickets just opened. Does the Southampton train station have luggage storage if we choose to have lunch in Southampton to take a later train? That would allow us to book advance tickets without worry of not being able to use them, and that certainly is the most affordable option. We don't travel with much luggage, but would have 2 large cases and backpacks each, so not great for wandering around. Thanks for your advice. We aren't in a hurry, since the flight is the next day, but we also have limited time in England, so want to do something to make the most of it, while not totally wearing the kids out.

Hello! I am traveling on Anthem of the Seas this June. We have most everything sorted, but I am stuck on the return trip because there are too many options, and I'm terrified of making the wrong choice. We are traveling with 2 adults, and 2 children (age 5, and 7), and flying out of Gatwick the day after we arrive in Southampton, staying at the Premier Inn North Terminal. Here are some things that stress me out: 1) Is it better to take a train, coach, or car to our hotel by Gatwick? 2) How do I know what time to book it for, since I cannot guarantee the time we are able to get off the ship? 3) Will it be difficult to find an uber to the train station after getting off the ship? Google maps says it is a 30-45 minute walk, is it actually walkable to the train station if it is difficult to find a car? 4) Do I have to pre-book tickets, or would it be easy to take a train? We are hoping to go back into London for the some of the day, although worried our kids will be too exhausted (again, worried about advance planning; because with kids you just don't know; although, it doesn't seem like there is anything near the airport area, so we kind of don't have a choice but to go to touristy area of London). Do we go to the hotel first and hope for early check-in/bag storage, or do we take a train from Southampton to London Waterloo/Victoria, store our bags there, tour, and then take a train to Gatwick? Other things I'm considering- once I figure out how to get to Gatwick, maybe we take a train to Brighton instead and just have a wander around? Or book a private transfer from the cruise port and stop by Windsor? But I worry we will just be too tired to enjoy it. Please help! Thank you so much.

I have both a bank and a credit union and both told me "use an ATM there, the exchange is way better". They can do exchange, but it is really not a thing as much as it used to be.

I don't buy it there either, but I also haven't already paid for food to be included at the movie theater. The expectation of cruises, at least used to be, that food is included. Everything is an extra charge now it seems.

Those restaurants have procurred a different license.

If you are in a boot, highly recommend going on Amazon and getting a shoe lift/equalizer for your other foot. Those boots kill the hips.

Another vote for a knee scooter. A million times better than crutches (but bring those too just in case). Personally I would NOT get an electric scooter. They can be difficult to manuever, especially in crowds. If you can get around OK, I don't think it is worth the additional hassle.

Just as an FYI- antibiotics do not treat viruses. Unnecessary use of antibiotics make the problems we have with bacterial resistance to antibiotics worse, and there are fewer and fewer effective antibiotics out there due to overuse. Antibiotics are used for bacterial infections. OP- I hope your dog is better.

I guess it's all relative because one or two drinks a day for a week doesn't seem like "very little alcohol". Makes perfect sense to keep the drinks package! Especially if you are also having sodas. I cancelled the FAS drinks package for my cruise, I figured I would pay out of pocket if I wanted a mocktail, but in the end, didn't get any at all, since I added the soda package, soda was enough for me. Even that gets a bit expensive per day (I think it's about $9 per day? As opposed to $22 for the FAS package) so next cruise will probably be water only and buy a soda at dinner every few days. I have never taken a cruise where I've spent $22 a day on drinks, so for me, that free package is really expensive!

The payment is for the room, not per person. So one person in the room will not be refunded, as the room cost does not change. You may get some taxes and fees back.

On my solo cruise I told my room attendant to just skip cleaning my room. But I did need dishes collected. If I can't eat in my room, cruise over. But I don't usually get room service because I hate all the extra charges. I've also only used Uber eats twice, both paid for by my company and nearly had a heart attack at the cost with service fees, delivery fees, convenience fees, and of course then a massive tip or it won't get delivered at all. Am I in the old or young group? I'm 41 so getting old...but for "cruise" age, I'm still young except on summer and spring break cruises ...

Good toilet paper Wifi

I think Encore is probably not the right ship for my kids right now- age 4 and 6. They aren't really kids club types, and they like big shows. I did like that they had the kids waterpark, but I think my kids are too short for the easier slide still (way far away from drop slide- they are both under 40 pounds). But I might look at some of the other ships and see what they have to offer. We have RCCL booked next summer, but for the one after that NCL is going into consideration with MSC for a great family cruise. I was really pleased with NCL.

Sailing Anthem next summer. Super bummed to hear I will always need to have my phone. I really hate carrying my phone on a cruise. Thanks for posting about your trip. Looking forward to reading more of your observations.

Common sense can be difficult when your brain is still developing. This is so tragic. Most people, even teens, would be able to figure out that climbing on a balcony is a bad idea, but so many people think that bad things just won't happen to them. I've seen people at hotels climb from one floor to the next through balconies. Maybe this person thought because they weren't over the ocean it would turn out fine? Really terrible that it did not.