CruisinBarb63

Indy is currently sailing 7 night Eastern/Western. Before that it was 8 day/6 day itineraries so it isn't likely you will find a 5 day Compass anytime soon. I believe the 5 day itineraries start in November.

My dh's description of what he believes a cruise would be like for him sounds incredibly the same as what you experienced on your first cruise.

 

We have agreed to disagree (after nearly 30 years of me asking and asking him to go). I will be taking three of our dd's on their first cruise in October and he will stay home. He is very happy with this choice and I am too. There is no need for someone who doesn't enjoy such things to be forced to go.

 

BTW...my dh would also love to see Alaska and advises there may be a day when he will agree to an Alaskan cruise but only when we can afford a nice, big suite where he can be in a quiet place the entire time should he so chose.

I struggled with the same issue, deciding whether or not to get my three teens a passport. For me, it just wasn't worth the risk. I took them to the post office and applied for passports. We received them, with no rush or priority processing or mailing, in three weeks. I can't guarantee that will happen for you, but letting you know you may not have to pay for rush processing should you decide to renew. Mind you, they got new passports, which usually take longer than renewals.

Here is a thread where I asked for a pic of an interior with pullman beds. Someone posted a picture. This is on the Freedom but it gives you an idea.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2117177

We are going as a family of four, we would get another room but we have two children with autism and they run away. Thanks

 

You could get two adjoining rooms and put an alarm on the door of the room they are staying in if you prefer the extra space of two rooms. If you decide to go with a room with a sofa bed, understand that it is not a full-size sofa. We have an inside room for our upcoming cruise and opted for a room with two pullmans instead. We are hoping it will be more comfortable for the kids.

CruisinBarb63: That sounds like some surprise you are pulling off!

It sure is! I'm taking my girls (21, 17, 16) on their first cruise. They know there is a big surprise coming but they don't know what or when. I still haven't decided when I will tell them :)

Maybe because this is my first cruise in 30 years; and because I am packing for four, three of whom have no idea we are going on a cruise. We leave in 82 days (flying in the day before) and I am freaking out that I will not be ready, that I will forget something or forget which suitcase I put it in.

 

Yes, I have started to pack. As I find things we will take I put it in one large suitcase. it isn't organized yet but it will be in the next month. We leave October 24 for a cruise departing the 25th and we have big events the three weekends leading up to our cruise so there will be little time to pull it all together at the last minute. I expect to be packed, or nearly packed by October 4!

I wasn't going to post in this conversation again, but I think I must. It is incredibly disappointing that so many people have such a low view of children with Down Syndrome and other disabilities. Sweeping generalities are being made of all children with special needs that are untrue for so many. People are also guessing or assuming what programs should do or are available to do.

 

Every child is different, regardless if they have special needs or not. A typical child can also act or react differently in a new place, with people they don't know, just as much as children with different abilities or special needs.

 

It is true that Royal Caribbean advises they can accommodate children with special needs. They advise they can put them in groups based on ability instead of age. Since they advise that is the case, they need to at least work with a parent when they request the accommodation, especially if the parent has called in advance (emailing can protect that conversation and document it).

 

Austim at Sea is entirely different than Buddy Cruise. Austim at Sea provides staff for children with Austim and other special needs. The experience is arranged in advance with Austim at Sea and has an additional cost, depending on what it is you need or want for your child. Buddy Cruise is a group of families who have children with or love children with Down Syndrome and other special needs. Staff is NOT provided to assist with the children, the families bring helpers or family to assist with their family member with special needs if they feel it is necessary. In many cases, large, extended families come along for the incredible experience. There are activities for the kids involved with Buddy Cruise, but no extra staff is provided. It is a chance for families to cruise with like-minded families to support and learn from each other and a chance for the individuals with special needs to vacation with their peers and make friends for a lifetime from around the world. It is not exclusionary. Families with or without special needs are welcome to join.

Buddy Cruise for the win on this one. Also look for the Buddy Cruise facebook page. Lots of families in the same situation.

Lorraine Artz is the widow and she sails Princess.

We met her husband and her on one of our cruises and she has been on two of our cruises.

She was selected as godmother for Royal Princess (the x-R ship).

 

This is a different woman who lives on Crystal Serenity. Here is the article.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2918175/86-year-old-Florida-widow-Lee-Wachtstetter-living-Crystal-Serenity-luxury-cruise-ship-nearly-seven-years.html

I read a story not long ago about a widow who has been traveling the world by cruise ship for years. She only changed ships once, when they stopped having ballroom dancing on the original ship. She loved dancing & her late husband did not. She so loved the dancing that when they stopped it, she found another ship that had it & moved there. Once or twice a year she visits her kids in Miami but the rest of the year she sails...same ship, same room. I want to say it costs her $170,000 a year, give or take. Oh how wonderful that would be!

It is my understanding that at least some airlines require flights scheduled 12:00 or later in order to utilize the luggage valet.

Thank you! We will be coming in to San Juan so I guess we are set.

Can someone tell me how far Barracina's is from the pier? San Juan is our first stop and our plan is to walk to Barracina's if it isn't too far. We will be in San Juan in the evening (4-11PM) and hope to do some shopping in Old San Juan then have a Pina Colada at Barracina's. Any tips?

Thank you for the report! We will be going on the same ship and itinerary in October and have been waiting to read a report from someone since the change to 7 day Eastern/7 day Western.

Reading this discussion I couldn't help myself. I just put a courtesy hold on the Sweet on Freedom February 2017. While I have no definite plans, it seems reasonable to think I would be ready to get out of the snowbelt in February, plus, it was a good deal! I wonder who I will "convince" to go with me! I also held the adjoining room, just in case :)

My hubby doesn't really like to vacation much at all. I love it all. So, girlfriends, sister, niece, mother, kids...off we go! I used to feel guilty but why should either of us suffer? It works out great! He is very excited for my girls & I to go on our October cruise!

That seems very steep for the cruise line insurance that does not cover your entire trip from door to door. I prefer purchasing travel insurance that covers all from the front door of my house and back again (including flights and transfers), with much better coverage at higher amounts. I purchased insurance for six people traveling together on a one week cruise for less than $70 each with $1M repatriation coverage.

I would suggest doing a search on "insurance" to find several websites where you can shop for better insurance. If you purchase within a week or two of booking (varies by insurance), you also have pre-existing conditions coverage.

I am surprising my three teenage daughters with a cruise on Indy that sails 150 days from today! I reserved it last July and have been very successful so far in keeping the secret. Two of them haven't been on a "real" vacation since they were quite young and the third has never been on a "real" vacation. They have all been begging to be taken to the beach. I think this will fit their requirements!

 

I'm still working on the reveal and I can't wait to see their reactions when I tell them. I had initially decided to tell them as we were leaving for the airport but that would mean I would have to pack for all of us. I have now decided to tell them a week or two before we leave so they can help with their packing.

 

Aren't surprises great?!

Be sure to give us a full report upon your return! We are sailing in October and I read everything everyone has to say about IOS. Have a great trip!

We are doing this same itinerary in October. I can't wait to hear how it all goes!

My mother was on Anthem in March and they had the WOW bands. At first she didn't like the idea but when she realized she could freely roam the ship with no worries of carrying her Sea Pass, she was in. One swipe of the wrist and she could buy or do anything she wanted. Another swipe of the wrist and she was in her room.

Just like anything new, there will be those who hate it and those who love it. For now at least they are an option you can choose to use or ignore.

I'm pretty sure the Indy just started sailing the 7 day itinerary this week and won't do the first 7 day western until next week. She has been sailing an 8 day/6 day itinerary for a while.

While passports are not necessary for anyone on a closed loop cruise, it isn't a bad idea to have them. Original, certified birth certificates and photo id are required for most 16+ if they don't have a passport or enhanced drivers license/non-drivers ID.

 

I applied for passports for my girls on April 6 utilizing the regular process, no expedited service or mailing and received them back April 28th. They had advised me it would be 4 - 6 weeks.

Thank you for an excellent review. I will be taking my girls in IOS in October for the first time. Your review has given us some great information and things to look forward to.

 

Enjoy your future cruises!