momof3cruisers

I’ve also done several. I make waterproof stickers, so for on exchange that was on @ cruise over Mardi Gras, I made Let the Good Times Roll waterproof stickers for water bottles or mugs along with silicone straws and airline bottles of rum. Which I didn’t even THINK of being contraband and just had in a ziploc bag in my suitcase. Realized it when someone in the group asked how we got them on. Dumb luck, pure and simple. (Limit was $5.) Halloween cruises we have gotten some fun decor, a cute welcome mat—just thin but Halloween themed. We gave a bottle opener that was a skeleton. Candy and salty snacksa “survival kit” with Tylenol, advil, liquid IV, lozenges etc. Poo Pouri, towel clips, etc. Some are junk, honestly, but whatever. It’s fun to deliver them and fun to see what arrives. I particularly like doing this on holiday cruises because it seems like more people decorate their doors and while delivering the bags, you get to see lots of fun ideas.

When were you tested on a cruise? I ask, because when my son got it in Feb while we were on a cruise, when I called medical, they told me twice that it would be $125. Almost like they were discouraging me from having him tested. I did anyway (he was positive) and the rest of the things you mentioned were free at that point, but we were billed the $125 for the test. We were on Paradise.

Carnival enforces it pretty strongly. They make you wait off to the side or in a separate line if you show up early. Most ports have lines labeled “priority “ “on-time” and “early/late”. Tampa has lines set up outside by checking time for about 4 half an hour increments.

The only thing I could figure was pork. 🤷‍♀️

Well that’s rather a bummer. It would be nice if it was consistent so you’d know if your sailing would have it or not. I’m very glad it’s an option just hoping at least most ships do it.

I honestly love that for your son! That’s awesome! Two of my nieces would know all of the answers too. I just really like hearing all the questions and finding out fun little things I never knew before. One question I found funny was “how many lakes are there in MN?” No one even guessed 10,000 which is what our license plates say. Someone guessed three and I cracked up. I said it was between 11,000 and 14,000 of larger lakes in any given year but more like 20k if you count the smaller ones. I got the point. 😂😂. I then revealed that I’m from MN.

Aack! Now you’ve caught me out! I was going to use the hot water as my excuse!

Thank you so much Wildra! Fantastic review as always.

Seems weird that the cut off is two hours before sail away. I’d assume if you’re on time to check in, then you could check your bags. Do the other lines do that as well? I’m guessing not since you said you all don’t like that. Any idea why it’s the policy?

Thank you both. That makes sense. Looks like I’m either packing a lot more than normal or I’m doing laundry in Galveston. LOL

Haha—I have been to that comedian and agree he’s not funny. Sadly, I don’t remember his name because I would avoid him at all costs in the future. It was his ex-wife. We decided she had had a lucky escape. His first show on the cruise we were on was also incredibly offensive. Like racist, mysoginistic, homophobic, anti-Semitic and those were just in the first 15 minutes. I got up and walked out along with at least half the audience. Oddly people who saw him the second night thought he was funny. We didn’t give him a second chance. I like your review. Good balance of informative and fun. And I cracked up at the expressions on your faces re: the CD on the bar. Lol

I have also declined more than one offer for the same sailing. Sometimes I have gotten an email, sometimes I haven’t. Seems like it would be consistent but that hasn’t been my experience.

I have not yet used the laundry service as a platinum perk. However, in Feb, I’m going on a five day cruise, returning to Galveston for two days and then going on another five day cruise. (On Royal) I wash my clothes in cold or warm water and dry them on low heat. Is this even a possibility with the laundry service or do I need to avoid it so all my clothes don’t shrink? is everything washed and dried on hot? I do have a hotel with guest laundry machines for my in between nights but if I can get it done for free on the ship that would be better.

I think we all need to make a pact to sneak in and turn the volume down on all of the Heidi machines. I can’t figure out if people like them that loud or they don’t realize you can turn the volume down.

I like the Zeus or Kronos ones. Used to like Heidi but she was a cruel, cruel mistress on my last cruise. Our relationship might be over. I used to love the ones that were Davinci’s Diamonds or Rembrandt’s Riches. If you won, that line dropped off and respun. I regularly came out ahead on those but they seem to be gone from the ships.

Talk to @Eli_6 She had some major issues with getting refunds on gift cards and I believe OBC. She might have some tips. All the issues I read about make me not want to pay anything ahead of time.

The lizards aren’t trained but FYI all reptiles are VERY prone to carry salmonella. No one one of those is getting on my head. I won’t even touch them.

Last October my husband and I did a B2B on the Spirit. The first one of 8 days, we had the drink package and definitely got our use out of it. But I knew there was no way I would want anything alcoholic the next six days so we didn’t get it. I did drink coffee and water whenever I wanted and got a couple of drinks too. My husband ordered whatever he wanted as well. We’ve decided going forward that we won’t get the package anymore. For us, it will work out better that way. I can get water delivered to the room and bring on a 12 pack of Coke (I hate Pepsi anyway.) And my husband can drink whatever he feels like. My few drinks and coffees will not add up to $70 a day.

I knew they weren’t going to carry through. Maybe they ban them but security needs to respond faster and they need way bigger dudes. I’m sorry but a 5’3 girl is not going to be effective. Big buff scary dudes. You have really bad luck. I’m so sorry you had two cruises affected by this nonsense.

That’s funny because last fall my husband and I did a B2B on Spirit. The MDR service was so abysmal that we gave up and ended up in Lido more often than not. I couldn’t eat many of the desserts because the majority had nuts of one kind or another. I’m only allergic to walnuts but after one night of asking and being told they were absolutely almonds and knowing after the first bite hit my tongue that they were absolutely walnuts, I didn’t take the risk of trying any others. As for something new, I’d like to see the ice cream flavors in the MDR have more variety. Maybe keep the standards but have one flavor that changes each night. Otherwise, I’m generally pretty satisfied with the options. I do agree that the after 11 pm offerings are crap though. It would help if they kept the deli open until like 1.

We loved doing trivia in Red Frog. That was probably 8 years ago on Breeze. It had a fun vibe and b ack then, less internet so people weren’t cheating.

Thank you!

So, silly question but what are you matching?

I’m really happy your kids will be able to go. Sounds like an important family gathering. Have a great cruise!

When our kids were in that age range, I brought granola bars, gold fish crackers etc because sometimes waiting even for free room service just made everyone hangry. Lol. Seems silly to bring food on a cruise but with littles and teens sometimes you are just doing the best you can.