mom2mybugs

Thanks! So when you buy it in the cruise compass, will they leave it in your room?

Is the specialty coffee card like the 10 drink punch alcohol cards that you can share, or is it assigned to 1 person? It would be a great deal for my husbands and daughter to share, not so much if it's only one person. Thanks, Jane

The risotta was amazing! Jane

And piggybacking a question ...do all the ships have these tours? Or just the bigger ships? Jane

Very good point! There is only 1 sea day so i would really have to decide what is "don't miss". Thanks for your input. Jane

This will be my 5th rc cruise (my 4th will be my shortest...a 6 day on freedom in march). The problem with the 5 and 7 nights is they overnight in cuba and the price skyrockets vs the shorter one that doesn't. You are right...the weekday thing is normally a problem, but my husband and i teach so we are putting a cruise in between summer school and the regular year. Im hoping with empress of the seas being a smaller ship that there won't be so many "man we missed that" moments like there would be on a big so like oasis. I guess i have to decide if being able to drove down from illinois because we have time will save us enough to plug into a longer sailing. Jane

Hi all, My husband and I are looking at a 4 day cruise to cuba in July 2018. Because of the timing, cost etc, we are looking at what seems a hugely short 4 day cruise. I just was wondering how people treated the short cruises vs long. I don't expect those to be like the 3 day party cruises, but do you pack differently, do fewer specialty meals, consider or don't consider the drink pkg? Or do you just prep as you would for a 7 night and overpack, look at ports in determining drink pkg, etc. Not sure if all this makes sense! Jane

All of a sudden my family has begun playing pictionary! Since i have no artistic talent, that could be hilarious with the drink pkg. Jane

That's awful! Im sorry you had to do that! Im 99 percent sure we will try nachi next march, and it sounds like a nice place to be if you have to be on the phone! Jane

True for sure, though sometimes i have glasses, etc, that I don't know where to leave. I usually try to have it "join a friend" so at least the wait staff can try to take more in one trip. Jane

Not me....i took my first cruise 2 years ago at 47 with teenagers. I was busy being disney's sweet spot lol! I do wish Id found cruising earlier, but teeing to make up for lost time. I hope though that in aiming towards that group, total doesnt lose other groups in the process. I know WAAYTOO has mentioned that rc doesn't treat loyal repeaters well in trying to get new cruisers. Jane

This is how my husband is, and so we only planned one beach day on our last cruise. We didn't have the kids, but if they were little, they'd have been bored sitting at the little cafes and wandering the streets as alternatives. If you have family members that like way different things, sometimes you have to search/get creative! Jane

Ive always just carried a tray with food items on it or even simply a plate. I don't think I've ever seen a to go box except at a specialty restaurant when i brought back some of my steak and dessert for a midnight snack. Im sure if they exist though, someone here will know. Jane

I wish we sailed together! Jane

I can't switch to the royal card...i use my disney rewards visa to buy all my cruise stuff and then eventually have enough points to go back to see the mouse and save money for more cruises. Really it's great how my obsessions can be so symbiotic! Jane

Yes, and you check the boards so often that the isn't enough time for posts to show up! Jane

I did this too...but i didn't like getting the suitcase out all the timer. Instead i also brought a collapsible hamper that didn't take up a ton of space and i would empty it every couple days when it was full. Jane

Yes--we are too far out. I got all excited til I saw it was only 2017 cruises. So I will wait...I could book at 55/day now, but I'm looking at a cuba cruise too, so I need to pace the spending! Too many options, so little money lol! Jane

I think the smaller ship wool be fine, especially with your oldest being 10. Id say maybe (and its a maybe because my teen loved her first cruise on vision) go big if they were older teens used to every bell and whistle, but for those savings you can do another cruise! Have a great trip! Jane

Awesome! Since you are the week after me, i will go look! Jane

I haven't done the metal hooks but i have absolutely loved using the 3m command hooks. They were easy as could be to put up and take down, could go on any wall, didn't damage anything, and were easy as could be to remove! We had extra hooks for jackets, pjs, purses and bathing suits! Jane

I think that the specialty restaurants have made the mdr more tricky. I don't mind being at a big table, but we felt guilty when couples were left with nobody to sit with while others went to specialty. One night it was 2 peopled by themselves at a table for 12....that feels awkward. This time we are going to see if we like my time...we are doing 3 specialty dinners and trying to accommodate the teenager on the other nights. Im not sure i will miss the big table thing. Jane

I have in my head that windjammer closes earlier than that, but i could totally be wrong! Jane

So i have never done the lauderdale port. We will be cruising next march (3 of us). I don't tend to be a car renter but we are flying in likely the day before (or even friday night for a sunday cruise) and then staying over the Saturday night after. Is it really easy to get from miami to lauderdale? Are there lots of options for cheap one day (easy return) rentals , shuttles, ubers etc? Im a bit overwhelmed by the whole thing...port canaveral was easy! Jane

Curious on these responses. We are also starting over the day after our trip the week before yours! Jane