Tobypace

You are certainly entitled to your opinion. I was only commenting on what I personally saw. I was not aware that you could drink alcohol with a medical condition like that. I certainly have sympathy for anyone with the need to take their service dog. If you need it and you have one then you are a very fortunate person indeed.

Diabetics can drink alcohol. I enjoyed wine with every dinner, and a couple of cocktails during the day.

Yes, we are all entitled to opinions. What I stated, however, was not an opinion, but fact.

I also have a Lhasa Apso, cute as a bug's ear, that wakes me at night if I'm going into hypoglycemia. I'm sure many would think he was a 'fake'.

I was also on the (b2b) Dream Journeys cruise. That little dog, despite the cute outfits, is a "real" service dog. It had to go through a 3 year training and certification process, and does alert to hypoglycaemic episodes for its owner.

Sometimes those little fellas are useful for (dangerous) nocturnal hypoglycaemic episodes. During the day, it's easier to test and be safe. When you are sleeping, not so much. As a type 1 diabetic, if you ever have been woken in the midst of a violent seizure from hypoglycaemia, you would REALLY appreciate a trained service dog sleeping with you to wake you before that happens.

Hate to see the judgemental remarks here for that couple. You DO NOT KNOW the medical needs that man has, nor the work that cute little dog does.

rant over.

Play Mini Golf

Use the water slides

Eat in the Steakhouse

Win in the Casino

Make use of the spa amenities and the gym (on the Dream)

Wear a formal gown

Cruise solo

Beans on toast is common in my family for breakfast and even dinner. Sometimes we add fried eggs and pea meal bacon.

While cruising, I love lox, cream cheese and bagel for breakfast.

I enjoy The indulgence of a nice garbage dog for lunch (a hotdog with everything possible on it). I never eat hotdogs at home.

Deserts of any kind are also something I never indulge in at home. I do love a bit of something sweet after dining while cruising.

The Tea is not a dress up affair. But it is a nice event to dress up for :)

My mom used to always say, "If you are bored, it's because you are boring".

There are so many things to do on a cruise, and in this day and age, it is incredibly easy to find out exactly what each line does or does not offer. Don't expect champagne on a beer budget.

Carnival's spa cabins come with discounts on treatments of 20%, 30%, and 40%. Also included are two fitness classes per person, Elemis products in the cabin's bathroom, and priority spa treatment bookings.

As they are "co-ed", I suspect swim wear would be ideal.

In addition to what everyone else wrote, room service is not covered by an auto gratuity. It is kind, however, to add a tip, either by adding it to the slip you sign, or in cash. A usual tip, according to John Heald,s blog, is $1.00.

Going B2B Journeys in Oct. I've never done a review, but am taking my iPad with me, with the plan to blog a bit about each day. If I succeed, I'll definitely post it here.

Nice thing about the Dream deluxe ocean view : sleeps 5 plus 2 washrooms!

The turnaround security check on a b2b cruise took a little longer than usual due to a gangway issue. Carnival gave all of the b2b passengers a $75. OBC. I didn't expect it, but was pleased to return it at the Blackjack tables :).

It's better not to think about it, but you know the same thing is true to a lesser degree in the regular pool as well.

 

 

 

The Yukon will be frozen at the end of September?

 

I guess it might be. Seems odd to think so while it's still summer though.

It is not uncommon to have snow by September here. And the trick or treaters where their outfits over winter parks :)

A perk of using the thalassotherapy pool is going from there to a great spa shower, and then off to relax on the heated loungers in one of the other therapy rooms, where you can relax with a cool libation, stare out at the gorgeous ocean view, and enjoy not being in the frozen Yukon. I will so be doing that in appox seven weeks. My arthritic joints will bless me, my hungover brain will recouperate. :):o:)

Loved the Triumph this past Feb 21 day B2B. Yum: Guys Burgers, Iguana burritos. Drinks - alchemy bar! Had a perfect cruise, no complaints. The Service was outstanding!

I had this for 2 cruises. The first balcony cabin was on the 6th deck in a great location, the second balcony was on the 8th deck, also a great location.

I just wanted to point out that putting insulin in ice buckets is not the best idea. I have been on 6 different types of insulin, and have used both pens and vials. Every single type of insulin I have used says to throw out the insulin immediately if it freezes. On the other hand, all of my vials have had shelf life's of at least 30 days upon reaching room temperature. All of my pens have had shelf life's ranging from 14 days to 30 days upon reaching room temperature. Room temperature on most brands of insulin is considered to be in the range of 50 degrees F to 100 degrees F.

Y

The insulin won't freeze, however, if it is wrapped in a hand towel or facecloth, and put into a ziplock bag. At least in my journeys, both by cruise and hotels, etc.

While on the Triumph, there were no fridges or coolers available. I wrapped my insulin in a facecloth, out it in a zip lock bag and placed on top of a filled ice bucket, and put the lid on. The cabin steward refilled the ice every morning and evening, and it worked perfectly.

Loved the B2B my sis and I took together. It was very port intensive, which was really great, but it does wear you out if you have a lot of planned excursions. You may find yourself yearning for a sea day! We were cruising for 21 days, so packed some laundry detergent and did laundry half way through. Awesome time, made some incredible friendships, looking forward to doing it again this fall.

Braised turkey legs with white wine and veggies, steamed rice, tossed salad.

I always pack snacks/treats when I travel, including cruise. As a T1 diabetic, I must always be prepared for a hypoglycemic episode. It is less than convenient to attempt to get to a food location on a ship when it happens.

Booked for B2B Dream, October 4-25. Did a similar Journeys B2B on the Triumph this past February. It's awesome!

Splurge:

* airfares. It costs at least $1300 to fly to and from east coast ports from where I live. Usually a 2 day trip each way, so there's also hotel costs.

* cruise length. Because it is so expensive to get to and from the port, I won't book anything less than a back to back cruise.

* hotels. It's Hotwire.com all the way.

* spa cabin. If there is a spa cabin at a decent price, I'm going for it.

Scrimp:

* alcohol. I'm happy to mix a drink or two in my cabin, and buy a drink or two at the bars. I preorder a bottle of this or that ahead of time for the cabin.

* pretty much everything else. I'm kind content to people watch, to read a book, to soak in a hot tub, and to enjoy all the other free amenities.

I'll be doing a B2B on the Dream in October and am planning to spend most of the port days on board during the first 11 days. With a spa cabin, I suspect the majority of my time will be right there, at the spa. Ohhhhh.....can't wait!

Our dining room team that served our table made the presentation of a (preordered) birthday cake very special for my sist. They all sang to her, lots of cheering, made a napkin "crown" and put it on her head. It was a lot of fun and she loved it!