mom2mybugs

I could spend days in that hanging deck chair with my drink pkg. Looks like an amazing suite. Jane

We took our dessert to go. It made a wonderful breakfast the next day! Jane

This all makes me so excited to be there the end of March. We have booked the Hilton marina for the day before the cruise and plan on catching the water taxi and doing touristy stuff. On the day back we will stay at W. I'm a tad worried that one will be too different for me (and that after the drink pkg I will be seriously jaded about prices) but the beach should be wonderful! I'm trying to find 2 things... the water taxi route/ if I should buy ahead and a good printable map of the tourist areas. Jane

I will let you know how he does! Jane

Sorry... brain melted down and I meant Viking and mixed up into ncl...I stand corrected! I just thought it was interesting that carnival was in the Shore excursions tops (and nowhere else) ..I know that people often complain that rc excursions are overpacked and pricy (I have found then to be expensive but great). Jane

It was interesting to see that rc and celebrity were way out in front. Where they weren't though was for first timers (Norwegian was all over that) and shore excursions (where carnival was everywhere). Just kinda random... Oh yeah, and someday I'm going on celebrity! Jane

Oh yes...me too! At some point they don't WANT to spend time with you! I don't think I will see my 15 year old on freedom except for fighting over the bathroom and the beach day at nachi. In terms of the drink pkg, figure out what's most important. If you pay an extra 49 bucks but it's prepaid, is that ok? Will you stress every time you buy a drink of you don't get a pkg? Will you make yourself drink mite because you have it? Are you on a port heavy cruise? Will one person make up for the other? Will you chance the drink card? Figure out what will make you have the best vacation and don't look back. We've gone both ways and both times we were fine... And I refused to do the math afterwards because it wasn't worth it. Don't stress, enjoy the vacation and don't let it get you angry over a company policy! Just my 2 cents worth... Jane

I've never had to make a claim but both travel agents I've used have gotten me allianz and i think it was well priced and very clear on what was covered. We were able to get cancel for any reason for the summer hurricane season southern Caribbean cruise and basic for our others. They covered all travel (including pre/post cruise hotels). Jane

We will be trying a river cruise for the first time...on Viking. I'e never been to Europe so im beyond excited! We will stay in Paris the week before so any advice would be hugely appreciated! We were all off on Friday..I teach preschool and before/ after school and husband is a high school teacher... love snow days when you actually get to stay home and not drive in it! Jane

For which trip? We leave ohare on march 24 for ft lauderdale for the 6 day...we paid 550 on american...sw never did come down at all... for paris we found flights out of ohare in july for 880...and thenthey dropped after we bought! Argh. We are much closer to ohare (arlington hts) than midway so when i look at southwest i have to take into consideration time to midway, parking, etc. But i really really like southwest airlines...of course i wasnt flying yesterday when they cancelled all flights when they ran out of de-icer. Ouch! Where in illinois are you from? Jane

I'm On freedom in 42 days for the 2nd time. She is a great ship! Jane

Mine has her birthday 2 weeks before we cruise all the time (spring break). I never had to try and move her (she wanted to move up) but I've always thought they should do it by grade as opposed to straight age. Anyway I have heard the strict thing... though on smaller ships and less busy weeks they combine all the teens anyway. Sabrina, I would suggest going in immediately on the first day and talking to whoever is in charge. And if it's a problem keep in mind that they often don't stay in the teen center anyway... just use it as a base to start. And some activities do combine. Jane

Thanks so much for taking the time to post this. These blogs really get me through to my next cruise! Jane

Hi...so we have a big 12 day med/greek isles cruise planned for july 2019, but i started looking at spring break 2019 yolo bookit cruises and found a good 5 day cheapie on navigator that we could swing. The problem is that it goes to labadee and nassau. This isnt a problem for me who likes beaches sun and doing nothing. However it will be a deal breaker if i cant give the husband something good to do or see in nassau that doesnt involve beach time. Any suggestions? Jane

That first night is crucial...after that my teen would meet her friends at the teen area and then wander. Dinner didnt matter because she and her friends ate sorrentos all the time! We have a late my time reservation for night 1 so we will just hang with her at the windjammer and then go to dinner when she goes to the teen center. Im pretty certain i had to register her! Just fyi. You can check in with them on embarkation afternoon...times are listed in the cruise compass. Jane

Ive never locked mine but have also used the zip ties. Just make sure you have the nail clippers in your carry on...mine were in the outside pocket of the one suitcase that arrived after dinner. It was interesting trying to figure out how to get them open! Jane

I grab the first froufrou drink i can and take a picture of me with it! Then i grab food at the windjammer and wander the pool deck enjoying the warmth and sun that doesnt exist in snowy illinois! Have a great trip! Jane

Ok...i obviously figured out this before...but how do i change my signature to add a cruise? And i know specifically i was told this before (too lazy to try and search)...how do i add a picture to my profile by compressing it? The M needs to be a pic lol! Jane

I tried and got my husband. He was a new royal! Gotta go for it...anything helps! Jane

As always i love your words and writing, and your pictures are amazing. For those of us who can only cruise a limited amount, your blogs provide us with mini cruises that brighten our days. Thanks so much! Jane

Thanks! Im all over trying somethimg not chainish (though i gotta say senor frogs in cozumel was overpriced but very fun!). Jane

I was able to get the 25 applied a couple weeks before we boarded. I had my travel agent call crown and anchor but im sure you can do it directly. Jane

Im going on my first trip to europe...viking river cruise out of paris...this summer but will be back on royal for a 2019 mediterranean/greek isle cruise on vision. That was a total impulse trip and i didnt even check another line. While vision is older, it was my first ship in 2015 and i loved it. The itinerary of 8 ports and 4 sea days was a nice combo of relax and tour and i cant wait. Ive never considered the air pkg through royal because i heard it was always more pricey but now i will at least check it before i buy. Jane

Can you take an already opened bottle to the mdr and not pay the corkage? Just wondering if it's the opening at mdr or having/ storing the bottle. Jane

I'm giving up even trying with flights lol...I watched for over a week and my flight to Paris didn't budge. I buy and the next day they drop 60 a ticket. I'm cursed! Jane