minniemouse427

If it helps any, there are three ships scheduled in port they day we visit. The Anthem, Summit, and Getaway. Total # of passengers is just over 10K.

What is the recommended way to get there? Cost? According to their site they don't have day passes, chairs, umbrellas, and the pool are for hotel guests, but they invite non hotel guests to visit their restaurant and rent chairs from the dive shop on the beach.

Stopping in January (RCCL) and looking for dh and I to relax on a beach. Looking here I keep thinking I found one and then find how it is crowded, unsafe, or the food/amenities have changed/disappeared. Considering: Emerald Water Island/Honeymoon Beach Sapphire Magen's ??? Just looking for a chair or a hammock, some nearby food and a good view without paying hundreds of dollars or hiking for miles. We are doing a catamaran trip in Sint Maarten the next day so a lazy beach day is preferred. Any recommendations?

We had a family member who worked for a cruise line when my now 21yo was a toddler and she cruised 4x before she was 4yo. While it was challenging at times, she had an amazing experience and under the same circumstances (family cruising discount and ability to spend time w/ family member) I would do it over again. Three of the cruises included my dad (not much help when it comes to child care) and one was just myself, dh, and dd. Our family member was motivated to spend time w/ dd so one trip she took her on excursions to swim w/ dolphins while dh and I were able to do an excursion by ourselves! In general, dd was (and still is) a night owl. She took schedule changes in stride, did amazing at meals in the MDR, and enjoyed participating in the children's club. One trip I had her completely convinced that they didn't serve french fries in the MDR..and our server was in on it! 🤣 FWIW, we had more issues with other adult passengers assuming she would "act up" at meals than any instances of her doing so. A few tips... Bring a lot more diapers and wipes than you think you may need. You don't want to be stuck at sea and run out. It doesn't take much to amuse little ones. I would figure out a plan for easily accessed basic beach time at ports and bring some sand toys. One of my favorite memories is my dd "watering the beach" for two hours in Cozumel one trip! Pack favorite snacks, small toys, stuffed friends, blankets, etc. Whatever makes them happy and content! Use a car seat when traveling on the airplane there (if flying) it made traveling w/ littles SO much easier! ..and when not on transportation, a great infant/toddler carrier to "babywear." Especially convenient when walking around the ship during naptime!

We were on the Anthem earlier this month (February). Reservations for the North Star on port days opened up at around 7-8pm the night before each specific port day. We did the North Star on day 3, our first port in Port Canaveral. Reservations became available the evening before and we had our choice of times.

Vintages makes a Berry Blast (also appears on the menu for Jamie's next door to Vintages) that is delicious. I had at least one almost every day of our cruise!

On Anthem last week they had an earlier time scheduled to sell Bingo packages. One day it was at 10am and bingo was scheduled at 12pm. You could also purchase them immediately before the game, but the lines were longer then.

Dh and I sailed on Celebrity's Century in 2000 and I definitely attended "a" tea event. Not sure if it was just afternoon or high tea.

We didn't consider the Apple Air Tags. We also have Life360 which is integrated w/ the Tile system so it makes it super easy (and one fewer app on the phone!).

We didn't consider using them as we all have Google Pixels. 🙃

All of our tests seem to work fine.

We have a Tile in all of our bags (suitcases, backpacks, and carry ons). We haven't needed to track anything yet, but it gives us peace of mind in case something goes missing. FWIW, we all have Android phones so Airtags aren't useful.