Seagull7

PLEASE...do NOT travel on a cruise with such a small child. The baby won't remember, or enjoy it. You won't be able to enjoy it as you should for this kind of a vacation, as well as making it miserable for other travelers. If you don't have someone you can leave the baby with for 7 days, pick a different vacation, or wait until the child is much, much older.

It was meant as sarcasm.

Duh, and in case you didn't get it, I have chosen not to give a rat's a$$.

Wife and I are almost 70 + we love the social media plan. Allows us to post pics/vids for the folks back home in real time. In fact, since we always cruise in winter, I taunt the friends back here in the snow. AND, remember, you can all use the same plan, only one can be logged in at a time.

Good for both of you!

Really and Who are you to judge how another should enjoy their vacation. Were you appointed the Ambassador of the cruise? "Look everyone...Bow down and listen to me"I have an idea.... mind your own business and enjoy your cruise as you like...Just a thought.

First off, Brazil2112, read my post again. I'm not judging on how another should enjoy their vacation; I'm judging on how an adult is not being the adult in the situation, and allowing a 15 year old CHILD to run how another's hard-earned money should be spent, just because the child is spoiled and has to have her way...and is unable to entertain herself. Wouldn't it be a novel idea in today's society if children put the phone/computer down and actually paid attention to, learned from, and/or enjoyed what's going on around them?!

Second, if a person is posting on a public social board, they are well aware that what they are saying and/or when asking for advice, they are opening themselves up to others comments, opinions, and advice, whether they agree with them or not. If a person is that thin skinned, or can't stand to hear others advice and/or opinions, they should NOT post and ask for it. The same goes for others who are reading both the posts and answers (e.g., you); if you're that thin skinned, move on. As in everything in life, we are not all going to agree on everything; and while I don't/didn't agree with what hillbilly cruiser was looking to do and asking advice on, I still have the right and freedom to give my opinion and advice (since it was asked).

And finally, I have an idea for you - learn to read, interpret, use punctuation, and, in your own words, "mind your own business," since I was responding to hillbilly cruiser and not you.

Have a great day!

Sounds like advice from Dear Abby.

That's a great compliment, thank you!

Taking granddaughter (15), so you know I have to get an internet plan.

Seriously?!! Because heaven help her if she has to find something onboard to keep her entertained! It's not like there aren't swimming pools, water slides, deck parties and shows, plus other kid activities available, right? Or, gasp!, what if she had to pick up a book to read?! Is there a reason you're afraid to be the responsible adult and just say "no" to her? Are you afraid she won't love you if you tell her no? Or, if worse-comes-to-worse, you could always tell her that if she wants or 'needs' internet, she'll have to pay for it herself! Now there's a novel idea, eh? Making a kid be responsible for something?

But of course, this is all null-and-void now since you've already taken the cruise and no doubt bought her what she wanted. <sigh> Just another perfect example of why kids are being raised to be "entitled" to everything and never made responsible. :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:(n)

Holy cow, you paid $2,500 for a balcony?!!! If that's the case, you need to be using THAT instead of being out "doing other things," otherwise, what's the point of a balcony, especially for that price?

After seriously thinking about it now, for my cruise last year, I only waited a half-hour to check in, walked straight through to board (i.e., no waiting in line at all!), and didn't have to wait in line to tender at all, nor to debark, as I was eating a leisurely breakfast while everyone else was trying to rush to get off the ship and find their luggage. I also only had a carry-on bag, so I had no luggage to wait in line to claim. I never had a need to use the Guest Services, so no line there for me, either. In fact, the only lines I had to wait in were to go into the MDR, and at airport security in New Orleans!

Plastic flasks sold on Amazon for getting booze past security in your luggage.

I figured it was something like that. Thanks for the clarification!

I'm 53, female, married, and I cruise solo all the time. My DH doesn't like cruising, and also has MS and is in a wheelchair, so he tells me to go and enjoy myself, so I do! Like hrhdhd below, I am also an introvert, and quite shy; which makes people ask me why I would cruise, with so many people around. They don't understand the freedom traveling solo gives a person. I can engage in conversations with others if I want, or not. I can participate in social activities if I want, or not. I have noticed that I am coming out of my shell more the older I get, so that helps, too. Still, there are sometimes when I get a little uncomfortable traveling solo, which are on excursions, more often than not. No biggie, I deal with it and am still able to enjoy myself.

Have a wonderful time and don't worry a bit about traveling solo. Just do your research ahead of time on your itinerary/port stops and take appropriate care when venturing out on your own.

Enjoy!

I just checked out the FTTF for my cruise on the Glory in September. I've never done it before and thought I'd check it out after I've read so many reviews. First off I noticed that it is already marked "sold out," and the second thing I saw was the price was $90!!! Seriously? Just to get on and off the ship faster? Give me a break. I'd rather spend that $90 on something I can see, feel, or taste. To me it's like flushing it down the toilet...or better yet, ya'll can just hand it directly over to me!

This will be our second cruise with 4 children. The last cruise we took with them, we bought the BB package. it felt like we were spending an inordinate amount of time just waiting to get our soda card verified, scanned, signed, and soda received. For the amount of money we spent, it did not seem worth it.

 

So, what do y'all suggest?

Do we buy the BB package and continue to wait for our drinks?

Or, do we tote our own soda onboard?

Along with the diaper bag, two strollers, and carry luggage...

Bringing kids that require a "diaper bag" and "two strollers?" Leave these small children at home...they won't remember where they are or what they're doing there anyway, so save yourselves and everyone else the trouble!

save a ton of money and use a rum runner in your checked bags. Never an issue.

What is a "rum runner" that you can put in your luggage?

Hi all! I'm a female, 53, and I LOVE cruising/traveling solo! Let me give you some background:

I'm married (16 yrs) to a man I love dearly; however, not only does he not like cruising, he also has MS and is now in a wheelchair fulltime. While he's pretty self sufficient, if anyone is familiar with MS, you'll know that it changes like a feather on the wind and, in fact, he spent the vast majority of 2016 in the hospital. Anyway, being his only caretaker, when he's doing good, he presses me to either take a cruise or visit an all-inclusive resort somewhere tropical. I took my first solo trip in 2012, to which I was scared silly! I found myself saying, "What if such-and-such happens?" over and over again. But I went anyway and found that I handled everything just fine and was actually able to relax and enjoy myself at times. Since then I've cruised several times and visited two resorts, all solo.

There are a couple of things to keep in mind...the first is that DH and I keep our finances separate, so if I want to go on a vacation, I've taken it upon myself to foot the bill on my own; not only does this keep me cognizant and responsible for my spending, but it also alleviates any guilt that might pop up about spending so much money for just me and not for us jointly. Secondly, not only am I pretty shy at first, I am also an introvert.

Nevertheless, I get out there and last year on my Carnival cruise, I actually joined a Michael Jackson Zombie dance class...I kid you not! Nope, I knew no one else there, and while I was nervous of dancing silly like that in front of others, especially at my age, all-in-all, I had a fun time, laughing with the rest of the dancers and just being silly. I do notice that the older I'm getting and the more I'm traveling solo, I am finding it a little easier to get myself out there to, well, if not exactly "socialize," (I still am an introvert, and prolly will always be, especially at this late date), I'm more willing to get involved in social activities. BUT, the awesome thing about traveling alone is that it's MY choice where/when I want to participate, and I don't have "well-meaning" family or friends trying to push me into something I really don't want to do.

To ME, traveling solo means:

• Embracing my independence, especially as a woman, and acknowledging that it's okay to ask for help if or when I need it.
  
• Doing what I want to do, without having to check with someone else first.
  
• Staying up as late, or going to bed as early as I want.
  
• Sleeping in as late or getting up as early as I want.
  
• Going on any excursions I want (or not!), again, without having to check with someone else first.
  
• Eating what, when, or where I want to eat.
  
• Attending any event I want, or not.
  
• Purchasing what I want, when or if I want (see above paragraph about finances).
  
• Taking care of just myself and not needing to be a "caretaker" or "wife" or " fill in whatever applies to you ."
  
• And I could go on and on...
  

You'll probably notice that I bolded the word "I" above, but it's because I think it's important to stress how wonderful that really is! Too many times in our lives we focus on taking care of others instead of ourselves, be it being a spouse/partner, mother/father, daughter/son, or the breadwinner(s) of the family. We neglect ourselves and traveling solo is the PERFECT time to just...BE. Just be YOU. Just take care of YOU. Just love YOU. And who doesn't need this?

Sure, there are times that have been (and will probably continue to be) somewhat uncomfortable for me; keeping in mind my shyness and being introverted. I almost always eat in the ship's dining room, instead of the buffet. I enjoy being waited on, as well as the special dishes we can get. The tables I've been assigned to have usually contained other solos, or perhaps two girlfriends traveling together, which usually allows for easy-flowing conversations. However, on my first solo cruise, and even now if eating in the dining room in the mornings where everyone is seated together, with no assigned tables, the questions can sometimes become slightly intrusive to me. Also, I have noticed that traveling solo on various excursions people do notice me being by myself; it's easy to see the questioning looks. Sometimes that bothers me, other times I just ignore them and focus my attention on where I am or what I'm doing.

So, this is my take on traveling by myself. Hope you enjoyed! Now get out there and just GO!

Maggie

I don't think I kept them. We never once looked at them since they are on the Hub app. We just used that. If I run across them, I'll post.

Hi! Thank you for your posting on this cruise. I'm sailing the exact same one on 9/17/17 and am looking forward to it. For the Carnival Hub app, it sounds great so I don't have to fold up and carry the FunTimes around with me every day. :p How does it work exactly? The phone would need to be in Airplane mode right, otherwise won't it be continually searching for a signal and/or roaming?

I just came back from Grand Turk two weeks ago now and while the island's waters are amazingly beautiful, the island itself is very poor, dirty, trashy, and the starving horses and donkeys broke my heart. The tour guide told us that the horses and donkeys are free-roaming and "wild." While their British government does periodically send a vet out to assess the horses and donkeys and give them vaccinations, not all are taken care of. The island is essentially a "desert" and this year (2015) they are also in drought conditions, therefore, the animals are having an even more difficult time finding grasses to eat. Then, if they have "worms," the worms will take all of the nutrients the animal would get, so the horse or donkey gradually starves to death. During the tour, he would point out a horse here or there and say something like, "See, that horse has been dewormed as you can't see his ribs." And then the next horse would have his ribs and hip bones poking out and the guide would say, "That horse has worms." Being a lover of all animals, this seriously upset me, his nonchalant manner of addressing the situation. I'm not blaming him, per se, but it's just a horrible injustice to these innocent creatures struggling to survive. You'd think the British monarchy could sell a jewel or something and take care of the situation, eh? What a horrible, sad island to be surrounded by such amazing beauty.

Nothing unfortunate about it!

 

Introverts may be concerned with their own thoughts but again, onboard a cruise ship there is so much interaction with others it would be very difficult to maintain only thinking of yourself. At least for me. I'm forced to interact. And, I love, love, love it!

I'm glad that you did a little bit of research about introverts, but, sadly, you didn't do enough. Because everyone is different, with our own personalities and quirks...both introverts and extroverts...of course the definition(s) that you will read will always only cover the BROAD spectrum of people.

We don't only think of ourselves, although I understand why you misinterpreted that. What they are saying, to condense it down, is that when in crowds, or around people in general, we become mentally exhausted very quickly. Other people (extroverts) actually become energized/uplifted by being with/around people (my husband...I call him a "social butterfly"). When you say that you "love, love, love" being forced to interact with others, you're gaining energy/excitement from being with them.

Many times, introverts love quiet conversations about feelings or ideas, one-on-one with a close friend, but we are awkward/uncomfortable in groups. We have to be dragged to parties/events and then we want to leave early/ASAP and will need the rest of the night or next day to recuperate. We dislike being forced to share pleasantries/small talk with people who are just trying to be nice (e.g., waiting in a grocery line to check out and the person behind you wants to start up a conversation, or socializing in a Cruise Critic Roll Call mixer onboard a cruise ship). A lot of times we're regarded as being rude, standoffish, or arrogant, when in fact we're very pleasant to be around once we loosen up and/or you get to know us. However, therein lies a problem, for me in particular. Because of what I said above, we don't usually have many friends, if any, and it's not because we don't want them, but our inner turmoil hinders/stops us from socializing, which normally leads to friendships. For example, personally, what happens to me, is that I FORCE myself to attend something (e.g., meet-and-greet, mixer, party, etc.) and while there, both being an introvert AND being shy, I become so incredibly uncomfortable that I leave within the first half hour...and then spend the next several hours beating myself up for not overcoming it all!

As for being "forced" to socialize on a cruise ship, you are very, very wrong. I've cruised solo now several times and, other than at the dinner table, I was pretty much left alone. Sometimes someone would try to small talk with me while waiting in line somewhere or while on an excursion. While I reply, being kind and polite, I don't elaborate or try to extend the conversation and they eventually turn away and go back to their companion(s). Also, I am always reading, so perhaps that has something to do with it. But even the times I would sit by myself with a glass of wine and either just watch people, or watch/listen to a band, I was not approached or intruded upon. I laughingly tell my husband that I must put out a "don't f*ck with me" vibe, because people leave me alone. :p

Personally, sometimes I think it would be nice to have someone to chat with and that's when I force myself to try and participate in a mixer, but the bottom line is that it never works for me and I become too uncomfortable and leave soon after arriving. You would think that by the age of 50 I would have learned by now and just go with it. Yes, ever the internal struggle.

Sadly, I don't think extroverts will ever really understand introverts. For me, combine being an introvert WITH being shy and you can totally forget it. <sigh> :(

Being an introvert is not only thinking of yourself. Don't know where you got that from.

I believe she did do a little bit of research on introverts, but not enough. Some places on the internet describe us as people who turn their thoughts inward...and instead of continuing to read, she mistook that to mean we only think of ourselves. So not true!

Unfortunately, Wizard-of-Roz, I don't think you understand the true meaning of an Introvert. When you get a chance, type it into Google search and you can learn all about us. :o What you are describing instead is cruising solo, plain and simple, which indeed does take a tremendous amount of strength, independence, and stamina! But I love, love, love it!!

Anyone who calls themselves "introverted and shy" and still goes on a cruise by themselves is truly not introverted and shy. Maybe they're a bit shy and withdrawn but do you know how much courage and stamina it takes to cruise alone? A lot!

Anyone else on here that is an Introvert (and/or shy) and cruises solo? If so, would love to chat.

Maggie

As for Seagull7 flaming me for reserving 3 clamshells for my group.... I agree that it is a bit selfish on my part, on behalf of my group. But, most were on their 1st cruise and I just wanted to make it as nice for them as I had the power to do.

 

I don't see that as being the same as reserving loungers on the ship with a towel. I don't do that. Those loungers on the ship are free to absolutely anyone on board. The clamshells must be paid for, and to my understanding, can only be rented once on the beach. I don't feel morally obligated to refrain from renting three clamshells (to be shared by 11 people) -- when there are MANY of them on the beach -- on the chance that someone with children will be deprived or that a person with a disability will be deprived of a clamshell.

Scubadoobie, I apologize for seeming to come across as being harsh and I certainly wasn't meaning to "flame" you by any means, whatever that means exactly. But I do have to admit that it really does irk me when I see all of those "reserved" towels on pool loungers when the rules say guests are not allowed to do it.

Your review and comments about the Clamshells did not say that you rented them, only that you reserved them. As one can tell from other responses, we did not know that they were, indeed, rented/paid for. In that case, what you paid for is yours and you don't need to defend yourself, nor should anyone question your right to them.

What I was/am talking about is the blatant rudeness of others, which seems to be a serious problem in today's society that I simply can't abide. So, when all is said and done, I'm glad there were Clamshells available and that you were able to enjoy them on your vacation. In addition, thank you for clearing up the confusion.

How awesome! Thank you all for your replys. I did go ahead and email for a reservation. Sweet!! :p

Great review...thank you. I'll be sailing on her in September and am so looking forward to it. I do have to say, however, that your putting the "Reserved" signs on the Clamshell covers on HMC upset me, just because you didn't want your group to be exposed to that Caribbean sun. What about others out there, like the elderly, children, or handicapped? That's very rude, as well as when people come out very early to put their towels down on the loungers around the pools on the ship...or anywhere while on vacations. Lucky for you that I wasn't there, because I have no problem whatsoever in removing those towels/homemade signs. If it's in the "rules" of the ship/hotel/resort that guests are not allowed to reserve chairs with towels, then I remove them. What's fair is fair and what's right is right. Just saying...

I'll be traveling solo on the Carnival Glory in September and seriously thinking about paying to attend the Chef's Table special dinner. Has anyone else done this by themselves? Did you find it awkward being in such a small group for this type of dining? Any thoughts and/or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks! :D

Maggie

Finally made a decision and booked my cruise. I'm sailing on the Carnival Glory Sept. 19. Sooo looking forward to it, as it's been a stressful year and I need the time away to relax, rest, and regroup! <sigh>

<sigh> I'm looking for a cruise to the Caribbean, leaving from Florida (I'm in Ohio) and am flexible to go late Sept, Oct, or Nov, but am getting frustrated trying to find something that's not going to gouge me as a solo traveler. :(Someone had posted before that Carnival told them they would be offering good solo rates in July, so that's what I'm hoping for. Other than this, I'm looking at Apple Vacations for just an all-inclusive resort. <sigh> Anybody have any thoughts or advise?

Maggie