ClassyGame

I bring more cash than the average person since I use cash instead of a card on my onboard account. I also use cash in port since I don't like using cards there, either.

As far as cash for just tipping, I'll bring $10-15, and even that is probably too much. I tip the porters, and will tip my steward a little extra if their service goes above and beyond. The only thing I tip for at the bar is if I buy a mixed drink or am sitting there for a while, and that just comes out of my onboard account. Everything else will be covered by prepaid gratuities.

My cruise is in about 3 weeks, and I've already started packing.

I keep a toiletry kit stocked that I just make sure I check ahead of time and add/replace items as needed. That's packed in my large suitcase already.

I live in Seattle, and it's way beyond warm weather clothing, so my shorts and tank tops that I'm taking to Florida with me are packed as well. We also have theme nights on the cruise I'm going on, so some of those clothes are packed as well. I don't think I'll need a cape or a redneck flannel shirt before then. ;)

I'm a list person, so I have "to buy" and packing lists galore, and started those months ago. But I won't do the majority of my packing until a couple days before I leave. :)

Like others, I would recommend just putting it in airplane mode. That's what I do. After we set sail, my phone is just an alarm clock, flashlight, and camera.

However, for those with an iPhone, also turn off the "Background App Refresh" option. You may not realize it, but whenever your phone is connected to a cellular network or even just wifi, your apps automatically refresh and use data. Unselecting this option will stop that from happening, and will also help save your battery life.

Settings > General > Background App Refresh

I'm not sure what the Android equivalent of this would be.

My recommendation for flats: Tieks. They're expensive, but so worth it. I wear mine probably 5 days a week, and they're the most comfortable shoe I've ever worn. My black ones will absolutely be coming with me on my cruise. :)

It's great! In fact is it still available to order?:D Where did you find it?

It is! It's the brand LuLaRoe, in the style Amelia. LLR clothes are mainly sold by consultants, but they offer a few of the styles on their website, and the black version of this is one they sell on the site. :)

http://www.lularoe.com/shop/little-black-dress

I have a ton of their clothes, and several of the Amelias. Their clothes are SO COMFY, and great to travel with since they don't wrinkle easily. And no, I'm not a consultant, I just love the brand. :) However, if you do order from them you can use my friend's code at checkout and get free shipping - CHRISTAJOBB.

Thank you all so much! I would definitely dress it up more with accessories, but I feel a lot more confident about taking it with me. :)

Hi ladies!

Back story: The only cruise I've been on, as well as the one I'm going on next month, is basically a floating music festival. It's chartered by a company, and none of the normal rules apply. The only dress code is that you can't wear bathing suits in the MDR.

I'm going on my first "normal" cruise next spring, and I'm big on planning, so I'm already trying to get my ducks in a row. How casual is too casual for formal night? I want to participate in formal night, but I rarely wear dresses, let alone something fancy. I'm also plus-size, so anything slinky or too tight is out. Plus I have to pack minimally, since as soon as I get off the ship, I fly to Nashville for two weeks for a huge music festival.

Would this dress be too casual? Take away the belt and and booties, and add a statement necklace and nicer footwear. I already have this dress, plus it can be both dressed up and down, and I could also wear it in Nashville. Oh, and I'm on a Carnival cruise, so I know they're more lax than other lines.

Thanks for any input! :)

34 days until I'm sailing to Mexico with a bunch of country artists! :)

I only live about 40 minutes from Seattle, so all my trips there are day trips and I've never actually spent the night near the port. I've heard great things about the Marriott near Pier 66, though.

My main reason to chime in is suggesting an easy way to get to Seattle from the airport - most people don't realize that Sea-Tac Airport is about 15-20 minutes outside the city. The easiest way to get to the port area from the airport is the light link rail. You can ride it straight from the airport to Westlake Center, which is near the area your hotel will be if you get something near the port. Once you get your bags to your hotel, you can use the same light rail system to get to many places in Seattle - the Seattle Center, Pioneer Square, even the Sodo district where the stadiums are. It's an easy way to get around without having to transfer to different trains with all your bags. :)

36 days until I'm on the Pearl with a bunch of country artists! :)

Hey all! I'm wondering if anyone on here has had experience cruising in between chemo treatments. For one, did your oncologist allow it? And if so, what was your experience like onboard? Any tips or advice you can offer? Did you notify anyone with the cruise line staff ahead of time?

I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma a few weeks ago, and had booked a November cruise months prior. Obviously I need to talk to my oncologist about this, and I fully plan on doing so next time I see her, but in the meantime I'm curious to know what others' experiences were.

Oh, and NCL is the cruise line. :)

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone!

I liked the thought of having a clear makeup bag, so I picked this one up on Amazon - just a Victoria's Secret bag from a couple seasons ago.

I'm still looking for a toiletries bag, but I really some of the hanging ones people have posted! So handy!

I don't have any info for the bag situation BUT I see you are going on the FGL CRUISE!! LUCKY!!! Please come back on CC and do a review with lots of pictures! Have fun

Yes, I'm so excited! Although I've had some health issues pop up and I'm hoping I still get to go. But if I do, I'll definitely post a review! Sixthman puts on such great cruises. :)

Hey all! I'm sailing in just under 2 months, and am thinking about getting new makeup and toiletry bags before my trip.

I'd love to see photos of what everyone uses for their makeup and toiletries! :)

Hahahaha, I haven't watched DWTS for several years but I'm totally going to watch this season just for Michael Waltrip. I adore him. He's going to be so awkward. :)

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I went on Sixthman's "VH1 Best Cruise Ever" in 2011, and am also booked for their Florida Georgia Line cruise in November. I also have friends that go on The Rock Boat every single year.

I've never been on a "normal" cruise, and frankly have no desire to after going on a Sixthman cruise. It was seriously the best vacation I've ever been on. There was music going on in multiple locations on the ship from about noon until 2am, and fun activities spread throughout the day - bingo hosted by one of the bands, a flip cup tournament where my team got to go up against one of the bands, karaoke, trivia, and so much more. The theme nights are great! It was fun dressing up, dressing down, and dressing weird (Royal Wedding night, pajama night, and music video night, respectively).

It was also great that you automatically have something in common with pretty much everybody on board - a love of music. Because of that, I ended up meeting people that are still good friends to this day. :)

My favorite mascara is Too Faced Better Than Sex. So amazing! If you're leery about paying full price (it's a tad spendy), Sephora offers it in a travel size in a value set with some other Too Faced favorites - http://www.sephora.com/beauty-blogger-darlings-P383426?skuId=1545789. Great set! :)

I really like the Crest Professional Effects white strips. The ones that you leave on for like 2 hours. Those work well for me.

I also love the SuperSmile system! I bought it on a whim when I was watching infomercials (gotta love working the night shift) and I ended up really loving it. When I combined that system with the Crest strips, it was seriously the whitest my teeth have ever been. I need to start using it again!

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I use a Dakine Prima toiletry bag, and I LOVE it. I used to carry my toiletries in a roll-up, hang-over-the-door bag, but I didn't like things being in there sideways. So I got the Prima, and fell in love. It holds a lot of stuff for it's size, and I love that I can stand everything up. Plus it comes with a plastic zippered pouch that velcros to the inside that I can put liquids in. Love!

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I've only been on Carnival before, and I enjoyed it. It wasn't a standard cruise, but I liked the cruise line in general. The one I went on was a concert cruise put on by Sixthman - if you like going to concerts and music festivals, you should check them out! It was basically one giant party.

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I brought a small white board for my friends and I to use, and it worked great! Although we did also get funny messages from other passengers on it. :) I'm definitely going to bring it again on the next cruise.

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I only ever use a visa debit card and a Spanish one at that. I have never had a problem with Hotwire, Hotels or Car Hire.

Thank you so much!

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Hey all! I'm wanting to use Hotwire to book a South Beach hotel post cruise, but it says on their site that most hotels do not accept debit cards when checking in. I don't have a credit card (and refuse to get one, so that's out of the question), just a Visa debit card. I've never had an issue checking into hotels paid with my debit card before, but I've also never used Hotwire before, so maybe hotels treat bookings through them differently?

Has anyone booked a hotel using Hotwire with just a debit card? Did you have any issues at the front desk when checking in?

Thanks in advance!

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For eyeliner, try Stila Smudgestick Waterproof eyeliner! That stuff is incredible, and does not move. Plus it's a twist up, so you don't have to worry about taking a sharpener. Plus there are sooooo many different shades. I only have it in Lionfish and Stingray, but plan on getting more. Stingray is my favorite black eyeliner.

Since you have fine hair, I'd recommend getting a straightener that lets you adjust the temperature. Not sure if the Chi has this option or not.

I have the NuMe Megastar, and I looooove it. It's retail price is $200, but there are a lot of beauty gurus online that have discount codes for about $120 off. I ended up getting mine for $79.

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