bmhightower

Thank you for the kind thoughts! Almost here-so excited!!!

Our first Royal Caribbean Cruise! Sailing around Hawaii on Radiance of the Seas 5/4-5/17! So excited!!

Just found a FB group for the 5/4 Radiance sailing and requested to join. Thanks for that tip!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/582558342078755/?ref=share
I’m sorry I would’ve done it earlier but it took me this long to figure out how to copy the link! ??

https://www.facebook.com/groups/582558342078755/?ref=share
I’m sorry I would’ve done it earlier but it took me this long to figure out how to copy the link! ??

Yeah, you can buy a cheap level for $15.    My hair is short, but thick.  I use their hair dryer, but take the flat iron with me.  I have done this for yrs now.  My husband laughed at 1st, bc he knows I don't use one at home, so why would I take it on the cruise.  Now, he is the one that makes sure it is packed in our luggage.  We, as in all of our family and friends call him the 'pretty boy" or metro-sexual.  Love that man, but the flat iron is for him.
For me, I purchase my clothes from Chico's.  They are expensive, but you can get great deals.  Just like Jos. A. Bank they have what they call a travelers collection.  You can roll it up in a ball and it will be wrinkle free.  Target also has great sun dresses. 
If you are going to take a sun hat make sure it is foldable.  I have 2.  1 is black and large brim.  The other is khaki with a smaller brim, but it says in script on the back of the brim...talk to the sand.  You want this impo from the aspect that it will shade your shoulders.  You also want it if you are like me and have your hair colored...the sun will bleach out the color and highlights very quickly.  I am a brunette.
 

Welcome Andrea!

VERY nice !   Welcome to the Blog and the Boards.

Welcome Mary and Ben!

Go to WJ when it opens for dinner.  Make a plate for your late night snacks and take it back to your room.  Place it in your mini-fridge.  So much better than their pre-made selection at midnight.  My husband is Italian, so we usually make an anti-pasta salad.  Deli meats/cheeses, olives, veggies, etc, with breads. I on the other hand like to hit the carving stations and add that to the plate for me.  We than get some sweet treats too.  
We always now take a balcony.  We are early risers, 7 a.m. is late for us... I blame that on my Husband working in No VA.  We go to the gym, walk the track or ship when we wake up.  We love doing this because nobody else is out there, it feels as if you own the ship.  The night before we place our continental breakfast request on the door with our requested time for delivery.  IT IS FREE...no delivery charge.  Again,  we go to WJ before returning to our cabin.  We get omelets, hash browns, and whatever hot items catch our intention.  We try to time it right, so within minutes of being back in our cabin, the continental breakfast, with coffee is delivered.  We get the best of both worlds and more.  We don't have to scrounge for a table in WJ.  We can eat on the balcony.  We are able to have a very leisurely breakfast, while at the same time get ready for the day in our room.  Nothing like having the last sip of coffee while you are applying your makeup as you pull into port.  No need to run back to your cabin bc you realized that you forgot to pack something in your beach bag.  We did this with an ocean view, but it feels more cramped since you don't have the balcony.
If you have the DBP,  always ask for a bottle of H2O when you order an alcoholic drink.  You will need to hydrate.  Plus, at the end of the night or go on excursions you have them on hand.
Take a flat iron (hair) even if you don't need it.  Traditional irons are not allowed, but hair flat irons are.  The beauty of a flat iron is you can use it like a traditional iron for shirts and pants.  I don't take downy release because I take a flat iron.  Look at a flat iron, and you can see how you can use it to iron out wrinkles in the sleeves of a shirt, or crease the pant legs.  It takes up little room, and you don't need to worry about any liquids leaking on your clothes.
Think before you pack your carry on board suitcase or any suitcase.  1 of our cruises we didn't get our last bag of luggage until after 7.  Hubby's bag was delivered at 1.  Mine...7 pm..  We physically walked up and down the hallways to see if it was dropped at the wrong cabin...nope.  Luckily,  on my carry on I had packed a dress for dinner just in case.  After that cruise, we now make sure each bag has clothes for both of us.  
Go on FB and search to see if there is a group set up for your cruise.  IE for my cruise in July, we already have a FB page and will be doing a bar crawl on day 3 starting at 10 p.m.  I want to say the number of participants are @ 25 passengers.  
Finally, I don't know about Radiance lunch in the MDR, but, the Tutti Salad is a must if they offer it.
 
 
 

My husband and I are going on this same cruise May 5-17!!  We are so excited!  I had already read several of these tips but am seeing some new ones to make note of.  We are flying in to Honolulu 5/4 and spending the night in a hotel so we can have an extra day on Oahu.  It is literally like next week! 
 

My husband and I are going on this same cruise May 5-17!!  We are so excited!  I had already read several of these tips but am seeing some new ones to make note of.  We are flying in to Honolulu 5/4 and spending the night in a hotel so we can have an extra day on Oahu.  It is literally like next week! 
 

My name is Mary and my husband Ben and I will be sailing on our first Royal Caribbean cruise 5/4-5/17! We are celebrating our 41st anniversary with this cruise on Radiance of the Seas around the Hawaiian Islands.  We have been on 3 other cruises in the Caribbean on other cruise lines.  We love to travel-and this trip is one of bucket list vacations.  Pulling out all the stops on this one!

Our first Royal Caribbean Cruise! Sailing around Hawaii on Radiance of the Seas 5/4-5/17! So excited!!

Thank you! We are really looking forward to it!

What a wonderful first cruise.

My name is Mary and my husband Ben and I will be sailing on our first Royal Caribbean cruise 5/4-5/17! We are celebrating our 41st anniversary with this cruise on Radiance of the Seas around the Hawaiian Islands.  We have been on 3 other cruises in the Caribbean on other cruise lines.  We love to travel-and this trip is one of bucket list vacations.  Pulling out all the stops on this one!

Sailing on Radiance of the Seas in Hawaii May 5-17. Does anyone know if soap and/or shampoo is provided in the bathroom-we are booked in a “spacious balcony ocean view room.”