samiam0403

You'd be surprised how often it happens! My random encounters have been: sailed twice with a fellow friend/Cruise-Critic'er, sailed once with someone from work (work in Ohio, cruise out of Florida), cruised once with a friend from our early military days 20 years ago, and in the less random category - once met a wonderful casino worker (Joseph) on a cruise. He was on his first contract, and being homesick, loved to talk about his family back home. 2 or 3 years later, I'm on a cruise with my parents (their first), and was in the casino telling them about the wonderful Joseph that I had met. Felt a tap on my shoulder, and it was him!

I sure hope not, as I'm also boarding Sirena next Friday in Miami! If she's not crossing the Atlantic right now, something is seriously wrong! 🤣

Oh, I still way overpack clothes, but I've at least got my shoe situation figured out! It helps that I do my best to pack mix and match outfits in the same color families. We managed a 24-night cruise followed by 2 or 3 weeks of travel through Italy, France, and England with one suitcase and a carry on each!

I typically take 4 pair - white sneakers, casual tan sandals with a heel, black heels, and gold leather slides. After years of cruising, those 4 pairs of shoes will work with anything I pack.

Don't forget to consider other loyalty programs - Hilton Diamond will translate to MSC's highest tier.

Christmas ornaments from the ports. We lost all of our Christmas decor in a hurricane in 2018, so we've been a bit more consistent with buying them since then.

Recently sailed with a 'Drinks Everywhere' promotion and it is exactly the same as Cheers.

I hope you have a wonderful cruise! I did the same thing a few weeks after Hurricane Michael - a week with power and hot running water was exactly what I needed to recharge and get back to work on cleanup. Enjoy!

I book mine based off of whether or not I have an early or late excursion. Our upcoming cruise has one day in port where an excursion lasts until 7:30pm - definitely didn't book a dinner that night. And if I have an early, all-day excursion, I don't book a late dinner the night before. Also, I try to book a specialty the first night - just a tradition for me on all of my cruises. Other than that, no rhyme nor reason.

Definitely Spirit class. Just the right size, and the layout is much better than later ships. Of course, my real favorite isn't on the list - Holiday. Cruised that old gal 3 times before she left Carnival, and the staff and crew were always amazing.

I'm sure you've already either booked or selected another airline by now, but figured I'd throw in my two cents for anyone who finds this through a search. We flew Westjet from London to Toronto in June 2022 in business class. Everything ran smoothly, and the business class service and seating was as good as the major airlines that I've experienced. Would fly them again in a heartbeat for long haul flights. Of course, I've no idea what the experience is like in coach.

Sailed on Liberty last month, and it felt like the ship was booked at 200% capacity. (I know, I know - not really.) Insanely crowded. YMMV.

9 1/2 Weeks. I'M KIDDING!!!!!!!! My choice would be The Princess Bride.

I've done Premiers, Ultras, and Elites, and the Elite was my favorite by far. They don't give the guaranteed 'big' prize that Ultra cruises do, but have far more perks. Black car service to and from airport or hotel (or parking if you drive), drinks everywhere on board, daily gifts in the cabin, dinner in the steakhouse at least once, a free shore excursion (or spa credit), free liquor waiting in your cabin, and the usual drawings and whatnot in the casino. (I'm sure there are a few things I've forgotten, as well). There are far fewer guests booked on Elite cruises than the other casino cruises, so the casino isn't as insanely crowded. I am having a hard time not booking my free suite with $1000 free play Elite that I was offered this week, but none of the dates/locations really work for me. The downside to moving to Paris in the spring I guess. 🤣

I just renewed mine - a year early - and got it back in 2 weeks! I did pay for expedited though. Between a cruise in November, a month in Paris in January, then needing a new passport for our long-term visas for France, it was worth the extra money to ensure it came quickly. The status checker on the state department website was pretty useless though - I signed up for email updates and never received one. My passport went from 'processing' to 'shipped' and then back to 'processing' with no emails.

That sounds AMAZING!

You can!

Have done this excursion 3 times and have never had to swim to shore. It's always been wading through shin-high water at the highest for me.

Apologies for joking on the O forum. 🤣 It's also been full of paying guests on my last 2 cruises.

I can't see Oceania ever doing away with the Horizons indoor smoking area - officers and staff practically live in there in their down time.

I'm happy you were able to learn about some new products! I have previously used their Elemis and Kerastase products, though - and am happy with the Kiehls, La Mer, and Olaplex products I currently use. My point was more that the guy kept low-key pointing out flaws that are practically non-existent to attempt to make a sale. 😐

If your ship has an Alchemy bar, recommend stopping there for your first Old-Fashioned. They have a Rum Old Fashioned on the menu, but will happily make you a classic bourbon one with Woodford. And they make them very, very well at Alchemy!

Blanton's on the rocks from the steakhouse bar.

I didn't even want them if they were complimentary, though! But kudos to you for getting some free treatments - heaven knows that is rare in Carnival's spa.

I write it in on the paperwork they have you fill out pre-massage. Has never failed me. However, when I was getting a wash and style on Liberty this last weekend, the guy kept asking me things like, "would you like a deep conditioning treatment?" "Would you like some eye cream for your wrinkles?" "Would you like some skin cream treatment for the redness on your cheeks?" Dude. I politely kept telling him no (no paperwork to fill out before a hair styling appointment), but my self-esteem sure took a hit. 🤣🤣🤣