sunnydaygirl

Leaving in 13 days for an extended trip which includes land travel in the US and Europe and cruise travel to Norway/Ireland /Scotland

.

We will be hitting hot midwestern temps (Iowa and Minnesota) and cooler and rainier weather on the cruise and in Europe.

 

Have the challenge of packing for myself and 3 kids ! And will be shopping at Mall of America.

 

Am so freaking out about luggage for family of 5 across 3 continents . Trying to be a lighter packer for the 1st time in my life... But so many temps ! Arghh

 

I like these capsules...[ATTACH]276602[/ATTACH][ATTACH]276603[/ATTACH]

 

Would love words of wisdom or ideas! Am starting to worry!

Thanks!

We went to Argentina and went back and forth from cool to warm temps. Taking laundry sheets was a must. But here goes, take a light weight jacket is a must, if it can be rain proof the better. Take a pair of black slacks(Walmart actually has stretch knit in two styles, skinny and boot, they pack really well and don't wrinkle much, can be dressy or casual, i like skinny)black capris and shorts. 1 pair of jeans, one long sleeve t, v-neck can be dressed up better with jewelry and scarf. A long dress that won't wrinkle, take Lycra pants to wear under in cooler weather. Buy a $10 scarf on ship to match! North face wool socks, summer weight, don't have to be washed for 7 days!!! And they're great!!

Always take your favorite outfit, or go to outfit!! Mix and match as you have space for. Good water shoes that double as tennis shoes. (Again North Face, lands end etc ) a sweater or two. And fun!!! What a great trip u have planned!!

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[ATTACH]276546[/ATTACH]

 

This is my angling shelf. It also has a small rod to attach at bottom. It was fuller at the beginning of week. It worked great!!

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

Lol, should read "hanging" shelf.

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

This is my angling shelf. It also has a small rod to attach at bottom. It was fuller at the beginning of week. It worked great!!

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

Just off Carnival Freedom and my hanging shelves worked perfect! I'm so happy I tried it. Think my friends will all try next time. Didn't have phone service in my room so could load a picture here. But I will take one as still not home for 2 weeks.

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

My shelves are different than link. Has a top. I will definitely post a pic when I hang it up and let you know about wrinkles. Can't be worse than normal. Although because of my travel plans they will be in a suitcase longer than normal! I paid $3 at a discount store, not a chain. A buyout store I guess so quality is good.

Hi Ladies!! I just found this thread! "Who knew?" My BFF and two other women friends leave June 15 on Carnival. She and I tend to go crazy shopping pre-cruise. She has a good excuse having just lost 20+. I lost 35 last summer so just impulse buying or "filler" shopping. Skipping my long dresses for formal night for dressy tops and capris or pants with heels. This group I travel with doesn't do long dresses. My daughters do, so save for another cruise. Wanted to share a tip. Won't know if its a good one till we get back!!

I hate unpacking. To me it takes up time I could be on deck! However I hate suitcases laying about. So I always pack a wheeled duffle that can collapse under bed or closet. So I purchased canvas hanging shelves. Hung in my closet and very carefully folded shorts and tops for one, capris and tops for another, sweaters and a long sleeve in one and tops that need to be hung up in the last. This unit has a small rod to attach at the bottom for hanging space in closet. It fit perfect in my duffle and once on board I will hang it up, a few tops too and I'm done!! Used a vacuum bag for swimwear and unmentionablesthere was room for shoes too. Outside pockets for toiletries and jewelry. (I'm driving so no worries).

I'll let you know how it works!

The taxis hold about 25 ppl and many will be going to CGB and Brewer's, no problem finding one at the dock!

Thanks! A party then!

Just found we will be only ship in port. Will that make a significant change in how crowded the beaches are? In both Antigua and Tortola. Thanks for your replies.

We're on the same sailing (I've "seen" you on the roll call too) and due mostly to the short day we have in port, we too are planning a pretty low key day for Tortola. We're planning on going to Brewer's Bay beach for the day. We're a family of four; I don't know how many people can fit in one taxi, but you're welcome to share if it works out!

Thanks so much!! I think one of the ladies is interested in visiting the brewery. But your plan sounds good too! The safari taxis hold quite a few. 8 would probably fill it up:). I'll pass it around and see what others (girls) say!!

Thanks again for such a nice offer.

Unfortunately my friends and I travel on a strict budget when we travel without our family's. we can't do excursions in 4 ports. We've scheduled two and Tortola is not one of them. I'm sure we'll enjoy ourselves.

My wife and I are going on Carnival Freedom in August. One of the stops is Tortola. What are some fun things we can do without an excursion? Also applies to Antigua.

My friends and I are taking Carnival Freedom,8 day on June 15 our stops include Antigua and Tortola. We found a all inclusive resort(small) that sells day passes, on Antigua. It is close enough to walk to Ft James. Check Coconut beach club reviews. In Tortola we are mystified. Probably just walk around and then go back to ship after trying the famous BVI drink the "painkiller". I'll try and remember to post when we get back.

Falmouth will definitely be a ship/wander around the port facility day for me.

Sorry to butt in, but, be sure and get off in Falmouth to taste the cream rum!! It was wonderful, still enjoying it. Then get back on ship and wander!!

Well hello, hello, first of I want to say that I absolutely loved your reviews and can't wait for your future reviews. I found them long time ago, I believe after my after first cruise and enjoyed every second of them. You do a very impressive writing them.

 

Booking Allure one week before sailing, that is crazy :eek: lol, I can't imagine doing all the research that that ship requires in that time, hopefully my review helped you out some.

 

Thanks for commenting here =), so when do we expect your review?

 

 

 

 

No problem, my pleasure. No worries, I think I spend more time on CC than in my real life, the bf is always jealous, lol.

 

 

 

You're welcome, Allure would be a great ship to experience for something new, she definitely has a lot to offer for everyone. We might be considering doing our first Carnival cruise in August, but that is still up in the air. Thanks for stopping by and commenting, glad you enjoyed.

 

 

 

I am not sure about a month on board, but two weeks would be really nice. I would do one week trying to do everything and then the next relaxing.

 

The overnight jacuzzi is something that I will miss in other lines, I really don't know why they close it so early...

 

The flowrider had a small line and a few times on the MDR MTD had a short wait. I really can't remember anything else with a line, oh oh oh, always there was a line for the customer service desk, but it moves quickly.

 

I just joined your daughters review, love the pictures, thanks for letting me know about the review. My mom is also reading it and loving it. I am not really sure what my mom train of though is, I think its because she does not think she is hungry enough but then later on it appears that she was... The is my best guess, lol.

 

Yes I agree the time that I put into this project is just crazy I could not tell you how many hours. But for me it is different, I really enjoy it, I enjoy everything writing notes, taking pictures and then putting everything together. So trust me I had a blast =).

 

 

 

Hello, sunnydaygirl, first of all I want to thank you for stopping by and posting here on my thread. Also thank your daughter for sharing my review with you =).

 

I had to go back to the Compass to check you question on the port days, here is the one for labadee. As you can see they do open, but they have specific hours for it.

 

 

Something funny about your post that caught my eye is that you say your husband send a lot of time in the balcony and so did my bf, well he spend his time in the room. I am entire sure if sailing is for him, on our next cruise is just mom and me =).

 

I hope you have a great time on your family trip, I am sure you will have a blast.

Thanks Gambee for taking the time to do that for me. I thought I'd tell you I went to Costco and found the wine Columbia Crest(is that right) that you had a picture of. It was $7.89. We're buying the 5 bottle wine pkg and I wanted to try one first. It was pleasant. My daughter sent her spreadsheet to me today, lol, had their evening clothes choices on it, oh, and did I mention that they don't have a balcony but had a note to ask my steward for lounge chairs instead of regular chairs. Do you know if they still offer that!! Wouldn't know what to do without her! Haha. Kids! Say Hi to Mom for me!

BTW, I too enjoyed Sherrys review of the Freedom, a great ship!!

Hi Gambee and avid followers of Gambee!

Being a mom who has travelled with all of my 4 children as adults on cruise ships(most recent a 60th birthday party with my 3 girls and 5 girlfriends on the Freedom) they are my favorite traveling companions, even if they do watch what I drink like hawks! Lol. We don't share drinks, although a taste is acceptable, but at dinner we try to all order different things so we can share. However, we've been known to order an extra main course(or any course) for all of us to taste. That's one of the pluses of cruise dining!

I started watching the Oasis as soon as they started building her. My first trip on her turned into the Freedom because of group finances! That was 2011 and I booked my husband and myself a balcony room on the Oasis(western) at that time. From Indiana I'm in Florida now waiting to board her on Feb 16(have a daughter we're visiting, comes in handy this time of year!) My youngest, her husband and almost 2 year old will be joining us. She's the one who found your review. We both enjoyed it very much. She has downloaded your spread sheet!

And done most of the planing.

I did this itinerary in Jan of 2012 on the carnival Destiny, a nice little ship, going in for 25 million$ dry dock!! I must say I'm looking forward to seeing changes in Jamaica. My best experience there was the shop that was giving away free samples of their cream rum. If you didn't try it, oh my gosh so good, still enjoying a bottle from there. The gate to city reminded me of the King Kong movies. All the guards and stuff holding humanity back! Silly. We didn't venture out and probably won't this time. Besides a cabana on Labadee, we are just exploring each ports dock and then going back on board the ship to enjoy her. Do you know if the rock wall and zip line are open while in port? I tried to climb on Freedom and didn't do too bad for my age and weight, but now at 30 lbs lighter want to give it another shot. We also went ice skating, loved it! Brought back childhood memories. It is interesting to note that they offer private lessons on skating. We met a mom and daughter who spent most of their time there. ( special for young daughter!)

Boy this is turning into a pen pal letter!!!

I think your mom would have fun cruising with me and my girlfriends, we leave the men at home and have a blast!! But we'd let you come too!

I love the relationship I've built with my adult children and am glad to see others share it too! My husband is a wonderful man, but you'll find him sitting on the balcony while I want to be exploring the ship! Opposites do attract!

I'll cut this off, could go on! Glad you've continued this thread after your cruise to answer all the questions and to be just nice! Happy sailing. Saw the announcement for your Breakaway ship!! Enjoy! Joy

Did you feel the cost of the card was worth the price for what you get?

I was on the Princess the first week in July. I had the drink + card. I loved it. Every evening I enjoyed a cup of hot choc. And I'm an avid diet coke drinker. I also was a little Leary of their "mocktails" but was very pleasantly surprised. They were great!! If you're the person that takes a little rum on board you have the perfect drink!! I also had hot choc at breakfast. I actually thought this and dessert were the highlight of cruise. Thought the food was lacking!! The beef choices were not good. Hope this helps.

Thank you so much for all your coffee/soda advice. It's just what I was looking for. I figured they had these programs just didn't know where to look. You've answered all my questions for my Star Princess trip.

Don't know if you guys know the answer but I saw some very reasonably priced canapes. Wondered whether that's a sail away delievery or you can have it any day.

With a balcony I thought it would be nice to have that:)

:)When I pack for a trip I take a compression space bag. It's a plastic bag that you roll to get air out instead of a vacuum. Put your new bottle in it and stuff your dirty clothes around it then roll out the air and it makes a great protection in your suitcase for airplanes. It also helps if you buys clothes and have no way to get them home, compress and they fit.