TinkBellaMom

I always take Lysol wipes and wipe down certain parts of cabin, like remote, door handles etc.  

Just wondering what others do?  I know noro is sometimes impossible to avoid, but I would like to do everything I can do to lessen the chances.

Deb

5 minutes ago, cruisegirl1 said:

You sound very nice and concerned  so I'm sure it was not you.  If you are comfortable, then don't change your conversation starter.  This person was making a contest out of the conversation.    I never ask folks how many cruises they have been on.    On occasion, I might ask, do you  have an opportunity to travel often?   I do like to talk travel and love to learn about new cities/countries, port stops, sights, cruise tips etc. 

 

I hope we do meet one day!  You can ask me how many cruises I've been on 

 

M

 

ThankYou!  I would very much enjoy a cruise conversation with you!  We came to cruising a bit later than most, our parents have cruised extensively and have always encouraged us to try it.  We have traveled a lot but not by cruising.  Now we are hooked.  We are leaving soon to cruise with them as part of a 90th Birthday celebration for our Dad.  Pretty excited to share in something they love so much and are still able to do.

Deb

On 1/16/2019 at 3:30 PM, cruisegirl1 said:

There are nice and nasty cruisers in every C&A category, or in no category at all!   I  don't know why Pinnacle always get singled out.  I would NEVER ask someone how many cruises or cruise points they had.  We are occasionally asked and we   say something vague like "we have a fair amount"   Would anyone walk around the air terminal and ask the passengers how many flights they take each year, or ask their airline status?

 

So weird, ... Last cruise a woman at our lunch table kept bragging that she  was on her 6th cruise.  At first I was happy she was so excited.  Then she  asked  everyone at the table  how many cruises they had.   Most had fewer than 6, some were new cruisers,     When she got to us we said our usual   "a fair amount"  She then said, again, that she had 6, so she wins!  

 

Honestly, who cares?

M. 

I read this and I wondered if I may have been accidentally “rude”, in asking folks how many cruises they have been on.  I love to meet other cruisers and hear about the places they have been.  We often join folks from our roll call on excursions and spend time sharing stories, never thought of it as rude to ask how many cruises they have been on.  

We just cruised in Oct. and didn’t see it on a 10 day menu.  It is one of my favorites also. They have the Royal chocolate cake daily, it is yummy but not the same.

My DH is a huge fan of the savory bites and they are no more.

We are on the Allure in a few days and I plan on requesting both.  I will ask politely and see what happens, maybe we will get lucky.🤞

We so enjoyed the Royal Crown Lounge on Oasis.  We loved going up there in the evening just to have a drink and watch the ocean go by.  One cruise we went up there and a group of the performers did a little impromptu performance.  It truly was one of our favorite cursing memories.

Also, on our Med cruise on the Jewel they still used the little scraper for crumbs.

We have been on 2 Med cruises with Royal.  I would highly agree with everyone who suggested you join your roll call and work with others on private excursions.  We have been extremely happy with the ones we have been on.  You will find that the like minded people will be on those,I.e. museums vs. shopping, or historical sites vs. a food tour.  It’s truly the best of both worlds.  Also, you can get places a large group cannot.  We were able to visit a small family winery in Greece because they were on able to accommodate our smaller group.

And, you will meet some amazing people!

Deb

4 hours ago, cot427 said:

 

Savory bites! ❤️

Off topic a bit—but what happened to those?  Our last cruise was in Oct. out of Rome.  DH asked for them, they are his favorites, we were told they could be requested but the bakers didn’t bake them anymore.  We thought maybe it was a Jewel thing.  Are they really gone.

5 hours ago, voyager70 said:

 

Just wanted to say how wonderful it is that you are still able to cruise with your parents.  Truly hope you all have an awesome cruise.

 

Thank You for saying so.  We know we are very fortunate. We are really excited.  They have signed up to do all the activities with us as well except for the comedy show.  Bless his heart, but Dad says 10:30 is just too late for him.

Thank you we will try it.

27 minutes ago, davekathy said:

And still cruising. Good for them. 

Yes!  We are so blessed.  We have all just retired and are finally able to go together.  Cruising has long been their choice for vacations and the Allure is their favorite ship.  We are really looking forward to making memories with them.

Thank you!  I suspected that was answer.  Certainly understand.  Just wanted to ask to be sure. Mom and Dad are up in years(90), trying to make this all about them,doing the things they enjoy must on the ship.  We could maybe find a spot in Central Park to gather before supper.

We will be cruising soon on the Aullure.  We are platinum level but we will be cruising with our folks who are D+, and another couple who have never cruised.  Our folks enjoy the DL before dinner.  Wondering if we would be allowed in there with them?  Not to enjoy the free drinks, but buy our own drinks and just enjoy the company.

Deb

Just wondering about the corkage fee.  We have been on several cruises since they started charging a fee, yet we have never been charged.  Is it up to the dining room folks to add it?  

We have been watching our flight to see if it has been leaving on time from the second leg out of Charlotte, NC. It has been a bit erratic. Wondering now if it would be ok to get a ticket to Florence after we arrive at Termini. Would like to use the high-speed rail, Frecce. Is there a problem with getting seats together if we don’t buy in advance? It will hopefully be in the early afternoon.

Deb

New Mexico driver's licenses meet the REAL ID requirements. While issued by the state they meet federal requirements. https://www.dhs.gov/real-id. I wonder how they fit into the mix?

Florida recently started issuing this type of ID/Drivers License. Requires many types of proof of identity before issued, as well as anti-counterfeit details. It is supposed to serve as a US citizen ID.

I am thinking of carrying this and a quality color copy of our passports with us.

just saw the report that Mt. Etna is erupting. We have never been to Sicily before, it is a stop on our cruise in early Oct. Is it possible we will be affected by this? We have an excursion planned for a trip to a winery near Mt. Etna.

Deb

We will arrive at 9:45am from the US. I would like to book our train tickets to Florence ahead of time. What is the earliest time I should arrange? I’m concerned with getting our luggage, customs, etc. The are trains around 1:00pm, we are considering.

Also, we will have a large bag and 2 carryon bags. Do I need to book 1st class to have a place for the bags?

TIA

Deb

Thank You all!! After reading all the comments, I think keeping it with us on the ship is the best idea. I will have it packed together in one box, if we get called to the naughty room so be it. I don't see allowing them to hold it while we are onboard as a negative, we have no plans to consume it while onboard anyways.

We will be on Jewel of the Seas.

We are doing several winery tours in Tuscany, which I’m sure will result in bottles of wine to take home.

My question, will they confiscate all but 2 of the bottles from us? I’m sure they will, which is fine. We understand that only 2 are allowed. Do we just let them know up front that we have them. We have never been called to the naughty room before, I would rather be honest and turn them over at the start for safe keeping.

Is it possible there are lockers or such at the dock for this. I’m sure others have been shopping before a cruise and would rather not take all aboard.

Can’t help with November, but did cruise that area in early Oct. 2015. The weather was just about perfect most days, 79- 82. It was downright hot on several days approaching 90.

Thank you all! I think we will cancel and do something safer. My apprehension is increased because I encouraged others on our roll call to join us before realizing the time of return. I have always had the fear of missing the ships departure. We have always played it safe and gone on the ships excursions, but felt like we were settling on some of them, because of worry.

We are cruising on Jewel of the Seas in October. We have booked a small group tour out of the Naples port. It is a full day, with stops in Pompeii, then onto the Amalfi coast, lunch, etc. We are to be picked up at ship 30 min. after docking and returned by 5:00 pm.

Here’s were I am getting nervous. The ship sails at 6:00pm. I have addressed this with the tour operator and have been assured that this is in plenty of time.

This company - World Tours- is booked thru TripAdvisor and gets very high praise.

Should we be concerned?

Deb

I wish pool decks had cubbies poolside, where you could place your flip flops, towel, coverup, seapass, etc. without taking up a lounger while you're in the pool or hot tub. It would seem an efficient use of space.

We have often wished for this too. We live in Florida and get enough sun. Sometimes we would just like to sit on the edge of the pool deck or spend some time in the hot tub. We don't require a seat--but we have never been able to find a place to leave our belongings. If there are no spots we have asked if a friendly face if we might just park our stuff under their chair for a short time.

All have given good advice. I would add that if you buy from your bank, which is our preferred way, make sure to give the bank a week to get your currency. Ours requires you order from them and they delivered it to our home by courier.

Also, make sure the credit card companies know you will be going out of the country.

Deb