Mum2Mercury

You're presenting details about this ship as if they are BAD. I think the truth is that these details aren't right FOR YOU personally. I am -- as my AH husband says -- too old to die young, and I don't have any problem getting around a large ship. Hope you can find another cruise line that's better aligned with your needs and wants.

I'm sure the cruise lines love you for it!

I agree with everything that's been said, and I'll add these thoughts: - If I were in your shoes, I'd bring along some snacks that you know are "safe" for you. This will excuse you from asking-asking-asking and just make some snacks easy. - Are cheese, crackers and fruit acceptable? That's a good snack that's usually available at the Windjammer. - How about a big make-it-yourself salad + a hamburger patty for lunch? That's always available in the Windjammer. - They often offer Shrimp Cocktail as an appetizer in the MDR, and I don't think you mentioned shellfish as a problem. You could ask for an entree-sized plate of plain Shrimp -- you could ask what's in the cocktail sauce. I'd be happy with Shrimp and Salad for dinner. - If you do ingest something that doesn't agree with you, do you have medicines or an epi-pen that can help you? Definitely bring them to dinner. - Do you know disposable Emesis Bags? Nurses call 'em Punch-n-Pukes. They're disposable plastic bags; you can throw up, twist the top, and throw away the bag -- you can't always get to a restroom. They're not expensive. I keep them in my car. You can buy them at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Mozpak-Vomit-Bags-Resistant-Disposable/dp/B07V813VMY/ref=sr_1_8?crid=3RBGONPLKPXN2&keywords=emesis%2Bbags%2Bdisposable&qid=1700098563&sprefix=emesis%2B%2Caps%2C126&sr=8-8&th=1 And I know we all hope this won't last long for you!

Yes, I was going to make this same point. The cruise lines'd like you to feel you either buy a package ... or you can never have an alcoholic beverage. But you can buy individual drinks without a package.

It's $33 on my upcoming cruise. Still not tempted, but that's a fair price.

This website will let you see how many ships are in port with you -- you have to scroll down and click SCHEDULE, then search for your date: cruisemapper.com

I'm not saying my individual experience is representative of the whole cruise line's policy, but they were definitely checking bottles as we returned from the islands. I didn't see (and didn't hang around a long time) anyone lose their bottles, but they were definitely looking at them -- multiple days. I assumed they didn't care about 1-2 cans (they didn't even have me unzip my backpack to see what kind of cans I had), but they were looking for people putting liquor into bottles. Just my assumption, of course.

I looked it up. Coco Cay has THREE Snack Shacks: - One inside the Thrill Waterpark, so not available to all of us - One near Oasis Lagoon - One on South Beach

People say you can get lower prices by booking with a travel agent. I've compared, and I haven't found this to be true -- but I don't doubt the many people who say it. I think I'm not finding savings because I only sail in the fall, which is already the cheapest time of year. Since I don't seem to be able to save, I prefer to book directly with the cruise line. I like having control of my reservation /not needing to go through someone else.

Clarification: - Yes, you should download the app now. You'll want it before you sail -- you can view MDR menus and shore excursions now. And you can reserve those things. As your cruise draws nearer, you'll be able to see the entertainment, etc. So, yeah, you need it NOW. - Once you're onboard you'll need the app for your muster station, and it'll be useful for other things. - Even if you don't pay for wifi, the app will work for you onboard. This is one of the Snack Shacks -- people like their food. If you'll pull up a map of the island, you'll see that 4-5 of them are scattered across the island. It will not be open until 11:00ish -- same as the two larger venues: The Chill Grill and the Skipper's Grill. (FYI: Those are identical except for color scheme.). No food -- no breakfast, no snacks -- are available prior to lunchtime. If you're really concerned about being hungry, you could pick up some cookies the day before and bring them onto the island.

Either on the phone app or computer, you'll be able to see the current price -- and a blue box saying "Reserved" will show up over that item. Same for any excursion, meal ressie or activity you might've reserved.

- You're on the right track when you say, "Go ahead and book". This means you're locked into this price, and -- IF it goes lower -- you can revisit the choice. It's not likely to drop though; they're really pushing these packages at very high prices. You're going on Odyssey; the bigger, newer ships do tend to command higher prices for drink packages, though the individual drinks cost the same. - Do consider what it'd cost for him to pay for his drinks individually /skip the package -- especially if yours is a port-heavy cruise. You could put X amount of onboard credit on his account for this purpose. - You can definitely cancel and re-book, even if you need to do it over the phone.

Yeah, I don't think I could do with five items. I, too, am very allergic to wool.

We've never frequented the arcade, but -- if I were trying to do what you're trying to do -- I think I'd give cash to the parents /ask them to purchase arcade credit for him. My kids did enjoy video games when they were younger, but they had hand-held Nintendo games (that's been a while). I personally would opt to buy them a new game for the trip rather than arcade credit.

I tried to understand, and I failed.

We usually go with Guarantees -- love the savings -- and the barcode trick has worked for us 100%. Once our number disappeared for a day, then the same number re-appeared -- don't know why. But, no, our cabin has never changed once it was assigned.

The key is, Don't get greedy. I've never had any problem bringing 1-2 cans of soda (or beer) back from a port stop. They don't want to mess with you for that small amount. However, they do care about bottles. Last week they stopped the woman in front of me who had an EMPTY Coke bottle -- don't get why -- and let me walk right through with 2 cans in my backpack.

I know I'm being argumentative, but - If you're going to change right away, why not wear the swimsuit under a cover-up for boarding? I l ike doing that; of course, my cover-ups are all Lands End type tee-dresses, so rather modest. - While not guaranteed, our luggage is always in the hall by the time the rooms open. Obviously I'm not the target audience for the drop-off because I just don't see it as a benefit.

Yeah, I think we all agree with that. So why not put them through with the rest of the luggage /with the porters? If they're things you've wanted for travel but don't 'specially need for the first couple hours of the trip, why carry them on at all? I'm trying to understand your logic. I'd carry on my wallet, jewelry, medicines, electronics. Anything else I'd put through with the porters. But those things I wouldn't want to hand over to anyone else.

Well, the 5-4-3-2-1 method means you're bringing 15 items of clothing. It'd be hard to pack for a week with "a lot less".

That's very much like the 5-4-3-2-1 packing method. It works.

Easy decision!

Our definitions of theme parks are different. It's still very possible to sit in a free chair at Coco Cay and have a quiet day reading your book or listening to your music, while enjoying the sand and sea. Do you have the app on your phone? Click the calendar icon in the center - top, then click on each individual day. You'll be able to see open play times -- well, maybe you can see them now; depends upon how far away your cruise is. Things like that tend to show up maybe a month ahead of sailing.

This is really an important question. If you're going to pay for internet anyway, The Key may only be a few dollars more. If you're not paying for internet, it's quite expensive -- and don't neglect that you must pay X amount every day for every person in your cabin. Quite expensive. That's true. After Day 1 your benefits are mostly special seating (which is not monitored -- I went to a show by myself and thought I'd sit up in the balcony. After I chose a seat, I realized I was in The Key seating. No one paid any attention to me. I looked around and saw some people I knew, who definitely didn't have The Key, and they were sitting in the same area.) Admittedly, we only sail in the fall, when it's not busy. And a couple times for various events -- like the rock climbing wall. But you may or may not want to go at those times. Not a great benefit. I don't understand the value in this drop-off service. If I carry something on, it's because I don't trust other people to handle it. So why would I carry something on, then hand it over? Especially a medical device?