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Kim&N8

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  1. Like
    Kim&N8 got a reaction from Al Horner in CocoCay pier tracker   
    @kontraxed https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2665793&page=7
    that’s the blog I think I have it pointed at the right page. They are in there though 
  2. Haha
    Kim&N8 reacted to Lovetocruise2002 in Port or starboard   
    Haha...are you being sarcastic? ?
    Honestly, not sure there will be anything else left to blog or scope about after @CruiseLifeRick is done this weekend ?
  3. Haha
    Kim&N8 reacted to alamode123 in Port or starboard   
    I like my Belize tenders with plum sauce, but my son prefers BBQ.
  4. Like
    Kim&N8 got a reaction from dejagatkins in Cancelled cruises?   
    Well google tells me there is a company named Symmetry International Inc. that may have worked with RCCL in the past on design, that would be a solid chance who chartered (and would have the money) to take an oasis ship. 
  5. Like
    Kim&N8 reacted to Lovetocruise2002 in Deluxe Beverage Package   
    I just cancelled and re-booked VOOM today to save $4!  Every little bit counts.  Just made it before my cruise planner closes tomorrow lol.
  6. Wow
    Kim&N8 reacted to twangster in Cancelled cruises?   
    Typically charters tend to take a ship from shorter cruises and on small(er) ships.  It is rare to see an Oasis class ship charter because they are 7 nights and it costs a LOT of money to charter one but it can happen.  
    By a large margin most cruises operate normally so I wouldn't worry about.
    From http://www.royalcaribbeanincentives.com/full-ship-charter-faqs/

  7. Like
    Kim&N8 reacted to Lovetocruise2002 in “Moments on Mariner” – Mariner of the Seas– August 13-17, 2018   
    I wasn’t entirely truthful…. or that’s what Hubby told me when I first presented the idea of this cruise to him.  The last time I blogged in March, while on board Anthem, I said the next live blog would be on Harmony in March 2019.  At the moment, it’s only August… 
    Here’s the backstory:
    It all started around April (@Skid, it was not as spontaneous as you thought), when Hubby let me in on an innocent fact.  He said, “I took a week off in August while you and girls are still off.”  My response, “What do you want to do during that week?”, but really, the gears already started turning and I’m thinking, “What cruise can I book that won’t break the bank (since we’ve already taken double the amount we usually take in one year)?” 
    We tossed around the idea of doing a land vacation to New York or Chicago.  I even went as far as to price it out and research things we could do with the kids there.  All the while, in the back of my mind, I’m thinking, a cruise is still better value.  I consulted the kids in the land vacation planning and I was met with two responses, “Is there going to be a lot of walking?” and, “Why can’t we just go on another cruise?”  Yes!  I have raised cruise addicts…scary thought.
    With all the hype surrounding Mariner’s revitalization, my curiosity was piqued.  I priced it out and the price was not as bad as I thought it would be.  With that, I pitched the idea to Hubby.  I was met with a firm, “NO!”  Not because he doesn’t like cruising, but because this would be our 5th cruise (6th if you count the one that we treated my parents to) within a one-year period (we don’t live the @twangster or @Matt life), we are 211 days away from a Star Class sailing ???, and we just got off the Seaside two weeks ago.  However, fittingly, as my title by @Matt would have it, I’m not called a “Stubborn Canadian Scorpio” for nothing.  I continued to monitor pricing and air fare, and as luck would have it, somewhere near the end of May, both went down to a decent rate.   Hubby, as I suspected, did not have any other ideas for a land vacation so he finally agreed, and I said, “YOLO, I’m Booking It!”  The reality of it is that I am, “Blessed by God and Spoiled by my Husband”.
    Who is going?  Hubby and I, and our two girls (D12, D9 about to be 10)
    Flight:
    Once again, we are flying out of DTW to FLL.  Mariner leaves from Miami, but flights were cheaper to FLL and we prefer to stay there anyway.
    Our plan is to use Lyft Plus to get us to the Port of Miami in the morning.
    Pre-cruise Stay:
    Normally, we like to stay at the Renaissance (on 17th Street) but this time we have our kids with us and HYATT PLACE FORT LAUDERDALE 17TH STREET CONVENTION CENTER is better suited for our family.  The hotel provides a free airport shuttle from FLL, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a complimentary hot breakfast in the morning.  Anyone travelling with kids knows what a relief it is not to have to find food for the kids in the morning.  In addition, the best part about this hotel, is that it is right next door to our favourite restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, La Bamba!  The call of margaritas and fried ice cream is strong!
    I also discovered a really nice surprise when booking this hotel.  There is a website, valuetrips.com, that discounts the rate at this hotel considerably.  They act as a third party.  They reserve and secure a great rate for you, you pay for it upon arrival and you will still receive loyalty points if you collect them.  Their communication is horrible, but I knew this from reading online reviews.  Upon securing the reservation with the hotel, Valuetrips should send you a confirmation through email.  As per the reviews I had read, the email never came.  About ten days after submitting my request online, I called the Hyatt directly, and my reservation was on file with them.  They confirmed the rate that I secured through Valuetrips and everything worked out.  I finally received an email from Valuetrips about a month after submitting my request.  For anyone thinking of using valuetrips.com, be prepared to confirm the booking on your own but you’ll save a bit of money in the process.  We saved almost $100 by going through Valuetrips.
    Itinerary:
    This 4-night Mariner sailing brings us to Nassau and Coco Cay.  As usual, the ship is the destination for us.  Last time, on Anthem, we missed Coco Cay and we asked the girls if they wanted us to re-purchase the excursions that we had planned.  They declined.  I also thought it would be fun to take them to explore the aquarium at Atlantis in Nassau, but they declined that too.  If you ask my kids what they are looking forward to this week, the answer is simple (and cheap).  They want to eat ice cream and pizza, have free reign over food in the WJ, ride the waterslides, and swim.  So, we have no excursions booked and we will be roaming around with no set plans for this cruise.
    Cabin:
    We are booked in a JS up on Deck 11.  There were no plans to upgrade this because of two reasons.  One being that this is one of the new Junior Suites installed during the recent dry dock, so I know this room is new, fresh, and in good condition.  Recent reviews and scopes have indicated that existing staterooms have not been refurbished with the rest of the ship, so I am happy with our choice here.  The second reason is that this cruise is an extra for us.  I wanted at least a JS to get the double C&A points (we are currently 5 points out from Diamond, so this will do it for us), and because Voyager class ships don’t have the same suite benefits as Oasis and Quantum class for GS and above, there is no real incentive to go higher for a 4-night sailing.
    Pre-cruise thoughts:
    -          The most special thing this sailing will be my daughter’s 10th birthday.  She has big plans.  She wants to sleep in, check out the ship, swim a bit, go on the water slides, and spend time together as a family.  She is the sweetest!  I also think she is what finally convinced Hubby.  Those of you who have children know that you cannot take one daughter on a cruise three years ago to celebrate her birthday and not have the other daughter want the same eventually.
    -          Really looking forward to this sailing since it will be a return to the beginning for us.  We have not sailed a Voyager class ship since our first cruise back in 2002.
    -          We are booked for MTD.  This will also be a return to the MDR since 2016.  I have mixed feelings about this.  More on that later.  But again, keeping this cruise as low cost as possible, we will not be doing any specialty dining.
    -          I am excited to be literally steps away from the Solarium.
    -          It will be interesting to see what my kids think of this ship.  They have now sailed DCL (which is similar in size to Mariner) three times and Anthem.  This will be the first time that they can skate on a ship.
    -          I cannot wait to check out the late night WJ offerings.
    -          We purchased VOOM for 2 Devices again.
    -          Once again, in the spirit of a live blog, please do not hesitate to ask any questions.  I will do my best to find out whatever I can for you.
    -          When responding to a post with a series of pictures, please do not include the pictures in your reply.  It just makes for easier scrolling.
    -          Lastly, I will do my best to bring the cruise to you LIVE through Periscope – you can follow me @LoveToCruise2002.
  8. Thanks
    Kim&N8 got a reaction from juliakays in Passport question   
    yuo kids are not a renew they are a new passport ? stinks! Check the age to get an adult passport for your oldest! 
  9. Love
    Kim&N8 reacted to melski94 in Cruise Wear   
    I love wearing summer dresses like you but without the sweater.  Restaurants where I live are very cold in the summer and will bring something there but I don't need it on the ship.
    My last cruise I wore my Reefs around all day and I'm still paying for it as my plantar facitis acted up.  My favorite pair of sandals are from vionic.  They have some platform wedge sandals that can be worn around the pool or to dinner.   They are so comfortable and I can walk forever in them.
     
     
  10. Haha
    Kim&N8 reacted to Matt in Cruise Wear   
    My wife is is a founding member of the "It's always cold in here" club
  11. Confused
    Kim&N8 got a reaction from JLMoran in Cruise Wear   
    My fleece made several appearances this was ~lunch time one day we were able to meet with the IT manager (were all a bunch if IT folks) 
     
     

  12. Thanks
    Kim&N8 got a reaction from juliakays in Passport question   
    Check and see if he can provide you a notarized signed letter giving permission to renew their passport with out him? I recall seeing a option for this when I was applying for my son's passport a few years back. 
  13. Haha
    Kim&N8 got a reaction from Matt in Cruise Wear   
    I'll add my first item here, I don't go with out sweat pants or leggings as the night air after dinner can be very cool in the spring months and I'm like @AnnetteJackson and ALWAYS cold. 
  14. Like
    Kim&N8 reacted to Sweety in Cruise Wear   
    I have to bring my caftans. I wear them everywhere. 
  15. Love
    Kim&N8 got a reaction from yaya luvs to cruz in Cruise Wear   
    OKAY! This isn't meant to be a debate about shorts in MDR and thongs at the pool, but...
    What favorite clothing items are a must on every cruise? Accessories that are super functional? and the age old how not to look like a tourist? Do you fly to your port in clothes and promptly take them off packing them only for the trip back home? Do you like to fly home in your flip fops even if there is snow at home (RE: see attached picture of Nate in shorts and flip-flops in Rochester when it was snowing post cruise).  

  16. Wow
    Kim&N8 got a reaction from Lovetocruise2002 in Cruise Wear   
    My fleece made several appearances this was ~lunch time one day we were able to meet with the IT manager (were all a bunch if IT folks) 
     
     

  17. Like
    Kim&N8 reacted to Lovetocruise2002 in Cruise Wear   
    Don't laugh...but one for each day!
    I have yet to find a favourite swim brand exactly but the last few years I have purchased quite a few pieces from Anthropolgie and Nanette Lepore. I started liking patterns and that's what drew me to those collections.
  18. Wow
    Kim&N8 got a reaction from Lovetocruise2002 in Cruise Wear   
    @twangster this is me in San Juan in a long sleeve sweater before dinner at the beach... some of us just run cold ? 

  19. Haha
    Kim&N8 got a reaction from Sweety in Cruise Wear   
    his feet disagreed- but not my problem he packed his own bag ? 
  20. Like
    Kim&N8 got a reaction from Sweety in Cruise Wear   
    I'll add my first item here, I don't go with out sweat pants or leggings as the night air after dinner can be very cool in the spring months and I'm like @AnnetteJackson and ALWAYS cold. 
  21. Love
    Kim&N8 reacted to Lovetocruise2002 in Cruise Wear   
    Lulu, flip flops and I'm good to go! ?
    Actually super excited for Mariner next week since none of us will be packing formal clothes or dress shoes!
  22. Love
    Kim&N8 reacted to Matt in 12 day leaving tomorrow help!!!   
    Passport, cash, credit cards.
    Everything else you can buy later if you forget it.
    The most important things to pack for your Royal Caribbean cruise
  23. Like
    Kim&N8 reacted to Sweety in Empress 7/30/18 5 Nights inc. Cuba   
    I feel the same way about Empress. I took a back pack full of toothpaste, toothbrushes, pencils, paper, hair bands and other things. My private guide was happy to get them. I am thinking about the 7 day cruise also. I used my pics as a learning tool in my classes. The students were amazed no Mcd's, Burger King or Popeyes.
  24. Haha
    Kim&N8 got a reaction from CraftyCat05 in Empress 7/30/18 5 Nights inc. Cuba   
    I think your supposed to keep your shoes on in the dinning room not leave them at the door @twangster 
  25. Haha
    Kim&N8 got a reaction from Tom Cruises in Tips for passing the time?   
    They keep emailing me telling me I forgot something in my cart ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 
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