TPgal

Thank you all so much. I was asking if I could send our stinky stuff out on day one. Use of the gold discount would be a bonus but mostly I was worried about the fact that we'll be coming off of 10+ days of on the ground Europe touring. However, since I posted my query I found us an Athens accommodation with washing facilities. We will do the sink method as necessary throughout the trip. Thanks for indulging my question of little significance. Waiting is the hardest part.

We're booked on a seven night cruise out of Athens, but will be traveling from Seattle at least two weeks prior to "tootle around" Europe before embarking on the Viva. Our tier level entitles us to a 50% discount on a bag of laundry and I'm wondering can we send it out right away, like the morning of the first full day? Or, do we need to wait for the mid-cruise 'deal'? Seems like a silly thing to wonder about, but it's dreary in Seattle today so here I am. 🙂

I really like the Shiseido ultimate sun protector SPF 50. Doesn't take much and the bottle is small for easy reapplication during your beach day if needed. I also have to recommend the Sydney hat by The Wallaroo Hat company. She's rated SPF 30, looks great, packs like a dream (crushable), and doesn't lose shape in the water. Mine has been to Las Vegas, Costa Rica, the pool, outdoor weddings, and back yard parties. I love her, and she's coming to Greece! I have it in this color, and finally broke down and bought a second color because I'm a princess. Available direct from TWH co, eBay and the other online megastore.

I know it's been a hot minute since you posted this, but I have a couple questions: 1) Does the 5-4-3-2-1 counts include what you're wearing on travel day? such as the three pants - is that 2 in the bag one on your bottom? 2) what kind of modifications do you do? Extra tops, pj's, less underwear/bras? 3) if going for 2 weeks with limited or no access to laundry would you double the numbers or hand wash and hope for things to dry nicely?

I have a company perk of a sabbatical every five years, so I get to plan an epic (no pun intended) family vacation with lots of advance notice. I booked our July 2025 Viva cruise in February of '23 The upside is I get to spend lots of time researching, planning and dreaming of how we'll get to the cruise, where we'll go before we depart, and how we'll do three weeks in Europe without our normal gigantic suitcases. The downside is the waiting... For me, having a big trip on the books makes slogging though a dreary Seattle winter day bearable.

My DH did it in August on the Bliss in Alaska. He loved it and was brimming with fun facts for the rest of our journey. He especially enjoyed the galley and seeing how it all worked. At the end he got a cute photo in the kitchen with some giant whisks. I would say if you've ever worked back of the house in hospitality or want to be on the bridge then this is for you. I am glad that we didn't go at a team because he really enjoyed sharing all that he learned and his photos - which he was allowed to take plenty.

So, that's the value of the AARP card... I've been wondering. 😉

I did a little searching on your behalf:

My 8 year old and 80 year old mom did the zip line at the "light house" it was quick and certainly not as fast as the one in Icy Straight Alaska, but they really liked it. It's a superman line so you're going head first and can see everything as you zip over the water. The kiddo met the height requirement but didn't weigh enough to build enough momentum to make it all the way and had to be 'rescued'. It is a fun family memory. The day will be as fun as you make it. Certainly more fun that sitting here in my office answering worky emails. 🙂

I'm going to be pedantic, forgive me - I need a vacation. Belonging to the same family and even the same genus (save the Atlantic salmon), steelhead and salmon species are extraordinarily similar. However, steelhead are considered trout, not salmon at all. This is because steelhead continue to live after spawning; Pacific salmon species do not. Source: a-z-animals dot com Salmon has a rich, buttery flavor with a slightly oily taste, while steelhead trout tastes like a combination between trout and salmon, albeit having a more delicate flavor than the latter. Both have a mild, neutral taste that's not overly fishy. source: recipes dot net. (I learned something new today, and I grew up in an area where fishing for steelhead was a major industry. Hello Long Beach, WA peeps!)

100% yes. It already happened: Jersey Boys for Beatlejuice. Hamilton on ice could be fun at sea. 🙂

Same. I book, then check in on the different pricing schemes. Every now and then there is a change worth the phone call - the last was a $700 drop which is significant and will cover the cost of the PP+ package if we opt in. But, it's not the promos that change the price, it's the cost of the cabin.

This is great news! Thank you for sharing this tidbit. We're booked for a 2Br on the Viva leaving out of Athens, but doing a 10 day Italy jaunt prior and I don't think that the three of us can do that in backpacks, so there will be luggage, and while the drawers under the beds seem like a great idea the luggage problem seemed real.

I naively popped onto my Bonvoy account and looked it up as an option for our 2025 Europe extravaganza ending with a Viva cruise in a 2BR. It IS a beautiful hotel, but probably not a logical option for this family of 3. Too bad though, it is gorgeous! 🙂

There's no Roll Call yet for that sailing, but once there is be sure to join. The most common advice I've seen about teens meeting new friends is for them to attend the kid's club the first event to connect with the others - then they'll likely work out future meetups on their own. Enjoy your trip!