capriciousc

Thanks for the information re: by the glass vs. by the bottle! That's helpful. I've been trying to educate myself via the RCCL website, but there's just not that much information there about the packages.

I have two additional questions:

1) Does anyone know if there are lists available that tell which wines are available by the glass vs by the bottle? Honestly, as long as there's a decent pinot grigio and/or sauvignon blanc available by the glass hubby and I will be satisfied.

2) The website says drink packages have to be purchased four days before departure, but do they allow you the option to purchase once on board? (This is what we did on a Disney cruise years ago, it allowed us to make a more informed decision).

Thanks in advance for any information anyone can provide!

I am so very sorry for your loss.

...also known as winos :D We're sailing on Adventure of the Seas in three weeks and are considering a beverage package. Does anyone have experience with the various packages and if so, what recommendations do you have? Hubby and I might partake of a Bloody Mary or a poolside cocktail here and there, but for the most part will probably be drinking wine. We're not wine snobs or anything, but after years of living in California we are somewhat particular about the wines we drink. Is it worth it to pay for the more expensive drink package in order to have access to higher quality wines? Thanks in advance for any information you can provide!!

Thanks so much for your honest (and funny) review! We're sailing on Adventure in three weeks, and I've gleaned several useful tips from your experiences. My husband is likely to wet himself when I suggest he needs to hit the bank and stock up on singles before we leave for vacation :D

I hadn't really thought about going to the beach in St. Maarten to watch airplanes, but from your description, it sounds like a blast (pun intended). Hubby and I are both aerospace engineers so will probably geek out on airplanes while our daughter just enjoys the beach.

Thanks, too, for the information about the drink pricing. I was looking at the package prices and thinking they were completely ridiculous, but at the prices you're reporting, we may just stay ahead of the game. A couple of poolside drinks and a couple of glasses of wine with dinner and I'll easily have spent $50 a day, anyway.

I bought this for 65 bucks, thoughts? Ignore the pantyline, will not wear that particular pair...LOL.

 

Gorgeous! I think that champagne color is so timeless and classy, and it looks great on you!

NovCruisin - you look gorgeous! Great dress, and I love the color :)

So many of you find such great dresses online--but how in the world do you find ones that fit when you get them?

 

That's my problem--I have to try on tons of dresses in stores to find ones that fit, are comfortable, I like and look good on me. I can't imagine ordering a dress and having it actually work when it arrives.

Most good online sellers post measurements . Take something you already know fits you and compare the measurements .Also do not buy from someone who has no returns or is so far away that the postage to return it makes it not worth it .Once you find a brand that fits and you like stick to it .

I would second everything Moegr said. Also, take a look at the dresses you already own that you like and feel are flattering on you. What do they have in common? I have a good friend who's a fashion designer, and she gave me some great advice about ten years ago. It all starts with knowing your body type and what works on you.

With regard to dresses, I think there are a few key questions to answer:

1) How do you feel about your arms and upper body? For example, I'm an ex-swimmer with broad (for a woman) shoulders and muscular arms. Anything that cuts across my collarbones makes me look like a linebacker - someone more petite in the upper body can carry off crew necks, cap sleeves, etc. much better than I can. Are you comfortable with v-necks? What about sleeves? I think 3/4 length sleeves flatter just about anyone, but short, cap-style sleeves that cut right across the largest part of the bicep tend to work better on those with slender arms. Also, if you don't really love your arms, don't feel that you have to hide them - I've found that wearing something sleeveless and showing more skin elongates your arms and can make them look more slender.

2) Waistline - are you long or short in the torso? (Easy way to tell if you have a long torso: you can never find one-piece swimsuits to fit, they either pull down in front or crawl up in back). Are you more hourglass or pear-shaped? Empire waists are flattering on most people, but a drop waist seems to work best for those with few curves. Also, the great thing about an empire waist, a-line dress is that as long as it fits around the boobs and shoulders, the rest is pretty much a gimme. Hourglass types can pull off a sheath dress really well.

3) Hem length - do you like above the knee? At the knee? Below the knee? Keep in mind that anything that falls right across the widest part of your calf will make your legs look thicker than they are. I personally find hems right above the knee to be very flattering, but I know some people don't like to show their knees.

So, take a look at what you already have with these things in mind, and try to narrow down the cuts and styles that work best for you, and then stick to those kinds of dresses. I can't tell you how many times I've loved a dress on the hanger and tried it on, only to find that it just doesn't work for my body style. Now I've resolved myself to just not try those styles on, period.

Best of luck in your dress searching!

Just ordered this one:

http://www.thelimited.com/detail/gathered-front-halter/3277274

and this one:

http://www.thelimited.com/detail/one-shoulder-lace-dress/3317000

I may not wear both of them on our upcoming cruise, but for the prices I figured I'd go ahead anyway :)

Thank you so much for posting these wonderful photos! We are leaving on the Star in about six weeks, and my little girl was just asking me over the weekend if I could show her more pictures of the ship (she's looked at the ones on the NCL site multiple times). She's going to be thrilled to see all of these :)

Also, this is completely random, but I loved the koi fish on the carpet in that one suite. Of all the details I could focus on, I notice the carpet... :p