SpeedNoodles

So for my Mariner cruise in early Feb, I will only have a carry on. On disembarkation day I'm in no hurry to get off of the ship as my flight doesn't depart until 1:40 pm. I've purchased The Key, and would like to just relax and have breakfast and not hurry off really early. Can I head out and have breakfast and leave my bag in the room until I"m done with breakfast, or will I need to bring it with me? What's the latest you can hang around? It's been so many years since I've cruised that I don't even remember ever getting any food the morning of disembarkation, so I don't remember what we've done in the past.

Literally the next day I believe - I listened to the podcast Wed night, and then Thursday....BAM!! I chucked a bit.

I'm on dog shift, too. Usually 10 hour (9pm-7am), but we're so understaffed that it's often 14 hours (or on my supposed weekends). I've got Free Cell down to a science.

I agree, sort of. Getting time off at my job is SO difficult (we pretty much have to arrange it 6 months in advance and then ask coworkers to switch days with us to make it happen - we don't actually get time OFF most of the time - we simply redistribute when we work it) that rebooking would be really difficult. But, not the fault of the cruiseline - things happen. At least they are doing the best they can to make it right.

@lauraodonnell86 me too!!! Although they banned personal devices at my center so I just use one of my multiple monitors for cruise-related things, LOL.

Thanks. We'll see if she's willing/able to do it more than once, lol.

I have 7 monitors at work. One is always dedicated to cruise research (I don't believe that was its original intention, but there it is). I don't get to choose how productive I am, it's either busy or it's dead (this time of year, it's pretty much dead between midnight and 6am), so I have a LOT of time to plan/dream. Plus it keeps me awake (usually).

I'm so glad that I started using Michelle at MEI as well. I hadn't found this site when I booked my Ovation cruise last June, and the travel agent charged us a $100 service fee. Today she also emailed me about flight prices and there was a $50 booking fee included (I'd already made flight arrangements on my own). I'm annoyed that I was so uninformed last summer. But still, Ovation in Alaska!!!

Yay!!!

I need to put together a scavenger hunt for Ovation for June (and maybe a pub crawl, too!)

I'm looking forward to seeing how I feel about it, too - although I think ANY ship to Alaska is a great choice! But I'm sure I won't shut up about it when the time comes :)

They're still missing ? But I understand people being busy! I enjoyed reading the blog, anyway!

I can't wait to retire out your way - but clearly not for cruising (although I'm pretty happy on ferries, too). We're in land locked Minnesota now, so there are no bargains no matter where we want to cruise. But we're still doing Ovation next June because we love Seattle and Alaska so much. We have 2 Caribbean cruises booked, but I'm concerned we'll be too hot! :)

Wow, that looks fun!

If it's in your carry on, I assume they'd see it right away and deal with the issue on the spot? I'm only going to have a carry on.

Me too!! I work overnights, and there's virtually nothing to do between midnight and 7am most nights this time of year. These cruising boards, blogs, and vlogs on YouTube are all that keep me awake!!

Gotta love The Onion!

Right? I actually have to buy something, because polar fleece and gym sweaters are all I own.

I've tried watching his videos but they're all doom and destruction, lol

Sometimes I agree. Although I'm in Minnesota, and it was 39 degrees today (January is usually below zero here) and I was out in a very light sweatshirt and comfortable as can be ... but I don't like being chilly when I'm not active.

Actually, that's a perfect answer. Long sleeves or extra sweater it is! (It's a woman thing).

I haven't cruised in almost 9 years, so I can't really remember what temps are like on the ship. Here in Minnesota, restaurants are cold in the winter because it's cold outside, and they are cold in the summer because everyone has the A/C cranked to 60. Do I plan on wearing long sleeves in the evenings in Feb on a Caribbean cruise? I guess I can just bring a sweater, but they are a pain. I'd rather wear one appropriate layer.

Congratulations!!!!

^^ This is one of the reasons I haven't been on a vacation in 8 years ... 4 giant dogs that I can't board. I finally found someone who's willing to stay at the house for 10 days with them.

I haven't cruised since 2010, but the highlight of this year is booking 3 upcoming cruises and finding all of you!!!