Thisisgood

3 hours ago, RocketMan275 said:

The worst thing I ever packed was too many clothes.

The best thing I ever packed was more money.

 

As they saying goes:

Put all the things on the bed you think you need to pack.

Put half of them back in the closet.

Go to bank and get more money.

LOL, so true!

1 hour ago, dreadpirate3 said:

For the pants and shorts, I buy lightweight, quick dry fabrics from brands like Columbia sportswear. Makes a big difference in weight.

 

We drive to the ports, so our 3 bags are not too much to carry.

So envious...drive to ports!

2 hours ago, dreadpirate3 said:

Best things brought:

Camera with extra batteries, charger, and sd cards.

Small first aid kit, reef safe sunscreen, over the counter medications.

Small toiletry bag that hooks over the shower. 

 

Worst thing:

The cruise where we forgot our batteries and charger for the GoPro. 

Too many shoes.

 

Plans for the next cruise: 

4 port days in a row, three are beach days, so we will bring 2-4 swimsuits since they take time to dry.

Sneakers for walking, sandals for the beach, dressy sandals for dinner, a pair of flats. Different shirts each day, but I will repeat shorts and pants.

I always bring my laptop for cruises longer than 5 days because I download my photos each day, edit them, and have them ready to post in the next port that includes a connection. 

 

I love these ideas, esp more than one bathing suit and one shirt for each day. Made the mistake of trying  to wear some blouses twice in the Caribbean and felt a bit "unfresh" probably due to humidity. Sound advice!

On 10/8/2018 at 6:20 PM, Kartgv said:

"The Tide is High" - Blondie

"Islands in the Stream" - Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers

"Riders on the Storm" - The Doors

'"Caribbean Blue" - Enya

"How Deep is the Ocean" - Eric Clapton

Anything by Jimmy Buffet, but especially "One Particular Harbor", "Jamaica Farewell", "Margaritaville"

"Roll with it Baby" - Steve Winwood

and finally,

"Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay" for the 'runners'

Well done!

50 minutes ago, KroozNut said:

 

When in the buffet line, and it comes my turn to select or order, I will take as much time as I need to decide what I want. And if anyone tries to cut in front of me while I'm deciding, I will politely (but firmly) invite them to take their place at the end of the line, just like I and everyone behind me has done.

Let's dine sometime, I agree. My thoughts are "People first, things (food) second". I'd like to hear from our friends from Great Britain who have this whole manners thing down.

Well said. Though i might be inclined to do this to save time so I can go chair hog a deck chair, ha ha.

23 hours ago, donaldsc said:

 

If the line is moving I don't cut in. However if someone is taking forever to decide if they want 1 or 2 pieces of potato and they are holding up 10 people before they can make a decision, I will cut in. 

 

Don 

Hey Don,

Pretty sure this is cutting...

6 hours ago, NantahalaCruiser said:

When it happens to me, I just throw on some clothes and find a public area with a comfortable chair to sit and read.

Oooh, I bet that is a really unique look at the ship's activities at that hour. Like a behind the scenes kinda thing.

Wow that is good to know. Maybe I'll put it on my Christmas wish list.  Thanks!

I'm glad I brought my mini fan. Helps with a stuffy interior room and acts as a sound blocker/white noise. 

Brought way too many shoes that should have stayed home! Always way too many shoes...

This happened to me once on my first cruise. I woke up around 2:30am and was wide awake. Unfortunately it is difficult because it's not like I could simply get up and go to another room and turn the light on to read or watch tv (so as to not wakeup hubby.) So, no option but to lie awake for hours, ugh. Most other times I have such a full day with excursions, swimming, meeting new people that I wear myself out and can hardly stay awake during dinner, LOL. Hope you had a good cruise otherwise tho...

At this point in your life, cruising is not for you. Maybe in the future, it will be, maybe not. Simple as that. There is no right or wrong about it, just the way it is.

Well put!

Hi - it's great to have such a resource as these forums!

 

Unfortunately, I think I might have put myself off the whole idea of cruise ships before I've begun - I keep reading up about a ship and thinking - Fab! This is the one! - and then I'll read more about it and put myself off it. And so I'll start reading about another one and now I'm just going in circles.

 

So then I thought maybe I'd do a ship's visit in Southampton and see for myself before I booked anything but having read all about that in depth I don't think I'll get to see what I need to see... Apparently, you might not even get to see a cabin, let alone try locking yourself in it to see what happens... And to do that I'd need to take a couple of days off work so it's a bit daft to take the risk of not seeing what I need to see.

 

I am quite badly claustrophobic, but it's the fear of getting trapped above all else that produces the (irrational) panic, so it's the locks on the doors and windows that I need to know about, not so much the floor space etc.

 

I would have to have a balcony cabin and it would be a solo trip. (So I know I'm paying over the odds straight-off, but I'm prepared for that because I've wanted to go on a cruise for a long time.)

 

But I am worried that I won't be able to handle the claustrophobia if the locks are the wrong kind or the doors etc get jammed. I would never get in a lift anyway so they're not a problem. (I'm hoping I won't have to climb too many floors, though...) But I can't handle being stuck in great crowds of people, either. eg in the drill muster...

 

I keep reading and reading and then I think I'll just book a four-day trip to see how it works out - but it is possible that I'd get on the ship and then a door will jam and I'll get carried off the ship some time later a complete basket-case.

 

Any suggestions? I can't believe I'm the only claustrophobic person to want to go on a cruise...

 

The other major thing (uh, I have a list of little things, too) is that a friend who went on a solo trip last year found herself constantly plagued by people who seemed to think she shouldn't be on her own. For that reason - is there room service? Could I have all my meals in my cabin? I'm reading contradictory things about that.

 

Anyway - I've waffled enough. Thank you for reading.

You are not alone feeling this way. I went on my first cruise and loved it. I was fine in large windowless theatres and rooms. Ships are excellent at having atriums that appear sunny and well lit even though they are enclosed.

I admit that I awoke at 4 am during my second-to-last night and had a bit of a fright and cold sweat because I realized I couldn't get off the ship in the middle of the sea and was in effect trapped. It was a brief bit of malaise that was over in 10 minutes, and I went back to sleep. I enjoyed everything else about the cruise, and have my second one scheduled for this fall.

So, I say go for it.

1. Bring your cache of relaxation techniques (music, visualization, deep breathing, exercise etc) in case you get panicky.

2. You have the right idea to take a shorter cruise to see how it goes.

3. Cabin doors are made for easy egress. Try out all the locks when you get to your room to get the hang of it and build your confidence. When your room attendant comes to introduce themselves, go over the locks with them in the room if that's helpful.

4. Though very unlikely, think "What's the worst that can happen if I get locked in?" Take a deep breath, pick up the phone and call to get help. You are never alone!

You might find that this is the best vacation ever! You are adventuresome and willing to get out of your comfort zone. Enjoy!

Lisa:cool:

I have always liked the people who won't wear a lanyard since it makes them look like a tourist. Like their clothes, speach pattern, language, etc. don't mark them as tourists.

Hee hee:')

I agree...you wouldn't wear your room key around your neck at a hotel...don't do it on the ship! You look like you're at a convention!

I think lanyards are convenient at times, such as at outdoor activities like a volleyball game or walk around the track. I usually bring a purse or bag to dinner and shows, but then I can find it easily on the strap. Naw, you won't see it around my neck on formal night, but I am a pretty big fan in general. OP: do what you want! ;p

Ok here it is... my husband is 80 yrs old. He has full dentures. Had a dental procedure the night before cruise so bottom gum was painful. 2nd night after dinner, he took out bottom denture, cleaned it placed it on the sink, we went out to a show, he says oh I forgot it, I say don't worry we're not eating leave it. Returned at 11 pm GONE!! Attendant tossed it in the trash!! Called they say sorry trash got incinerated!!! Next 5 days no teeth!! Couldn't eat anything that wasn't mashed! Pics were ruined! He was embarrassed, and miserable! Housekeeping Sup says we don't pay for lost or stolen!! Was neither, he trashed it!!! He calls in sick next 2 days and doesn't clean our room 2 of the 7 days I have to call for towels!!!Top it all off formal night waitresss spill our champagne all over my gown, have to sit in wet dress all night, husband gets sick from eating freaky food, and miss Mexico excursion we pd for. You tell me was that worth the 4K I paid to celebrate my 30th anniversary!!

This is a Nurse's worst nightmare. I have seen several times a food tray being taken away and tossed with dentures wrapped in a napkin, unnoticeable.

You've never seen so many people digging through trash and dumpster diving to find them. They are $$ and time consuming to replace. I feel your pain!!:rolleyes:

Well it's been a while since I've posted here but always enjoy the site and after my latest run in with RCI's new suite cancellation policy I have one word of advice: DONT BOOK A SUITE ON RCI AS LONG AS THEIR NEW POLICY REMAINS IN EFFECT OR YOU ARE THEIR PRISONER!!!

 

Here's the story the new RCI suite policy, the way it was explained to me while on board the Harmony was that after 30 days your $750 suite booking deposit is non refundable if you cancel or you are subjected to hefty fees if you decide to change the category. I completely understand RCI wants to protect from losses of passengers holding a suite only to cancel it later last minute and they can't sell it or have to sell it at a deep discount. I get that and do not have a problem with that, however What they don't tell you is that they will hold you prisoner from the moment you book a suite no matter what you do.

 

I booked while onboard the harmony of the seas a suite and was told that as long as I cancelled or made a catergory change within 30 days of booking I would be ok and could get a refund but after the 30 days is when the new policy kicked in and I would loose the $750 deposit. So to my surprise today I tried to cancel my reservation almost a year 320+ days before the cruise and well before the 30 day since my booking on board and they do not want to refund the $750 deposit.

 

This is is bad if not worse than what airlines do in my opinion. I can understand after that 30 days you're locked in but I was basically told the wrong thing by the on board booking agent and now have to find a way to make that cruise or loose $750!!!! I even asked if they could transfer the $750 to another active booking I have with RCI and they said no! This is unreasonable and if they don't fix this glitch in their policy they will loose a long time loyal RCI family. I don't like airlines because they treat passengers like crap and now RCI is taking a page from what looks like the airline playbook. I'm still fighting this with RCI hoping they will honor what the on board agent represented to me but it's a giant mess.

 

Question: So with this new policy why on earth would anyone book suites anymore with RCI? If they implement this new policy in such an unreasonable way that no matter what you don't get any sort of grace period to change the booking or category and get a refund? my advice NEVER BOOK A SUITE ON RCI until they modify the policy to be more reasonable while meeting their goal of a more restrictive suite refund policy. book a cheap cabin that you can change 20 times a day every day if you want or cancel up until the 90 day per sailing deadline with no monetary penalty.

 

I love RCI but they didn't think this one through they should have a more restrictive suite policy that's fine -but it's not unreasonable for there to be a 30 no penalty cancellation period so long as it's still more than 90 days prior to sailing- he'll make it 200 days before sailing if you want RCI. Please RCI fix this

I feel your pain, but people who book on board to get OBC for a suite and then cancel are like chair hogs, IMHO. Sorry, not sorry.

When you think of the thousands of meals made every day i think they are amazing.

 

 

 

43 cruises and counting.

True. Try bringing teens/young adults who were at the sport court all day working up an appetite. They can order two appetizers, and two main dishes, etc. Yes, that includes escargot. Those meals would cost a fortune at a land based restaurant. Love that I can happily watch them eat away!

Thank you for posting a positive (redemption) review. So many times folks are motivated to only post the negatives.:)

Yes I would use it because it is always good to stay connected with new friends!

No I wouldn't use it because (even though I have only been on one cruise) I never really had idle or boring times. No matter where I went on the ship it was very easy to talk to and meet new people. I didn't have to do it electronically.

So...yes and no. A definite maybe.