SweetHomeLady

If you buy a beverage package again you will get a new cup and can use it, if you like.

We got to visit recently.  They confiscated my husband’s Leatherman mult-tool in Miami.  We did get it back.  Didn’t see anything interesting on the table, but I will look next time!

Ask me anything and I will try to answer.

I am thinking about bringing Christmas cards and putting some extra cash in them.

Glad it worked out for you!

I had a severe case of this when I sailed from Vancouver to Hawaii. I think there were 5 or 6 sea days in a row, and some choppy seas the first couple of days.  On my first port day  I felt like I could barely walk on land!  I called my brother who was a commercial fisherman, and asked for advice.  He advised me to eat something salty, drink something cold like ginger ale, and sit down or lie down with my eyes closed for a few minutes until the feeling passed.  I tried it and it did help.  Each episode thereafter I did the eyes closed and lie down if possible, and each time got a bit better.  Now before and on each day of sailing I take one Sudafed (little red pills) and it seems to help my inner ear.  Good luck!

When I lived in Germany I learned that Germans often try to get US dollars for tipping when they travel abroad because it is difficult for those outside the EU to cash in Euro coins and the smallest Euro bill is a fiver.  Dollars really are king, in this case.

Enjoy your cruise!

Good luck!  Let us know what happens.

I also tip a few dollars cash to anyone who brings my room service tray.

We sailed on February 15 and it was 8 degrees Fahrenheit!

Has anyone paid attention to how often the PUP opportunities come?  I am 20 points away from achieving the next tier and 50 something days from my next cruise.  I figured it would take me ages, but now I am close, thanks to 35 PUP points!

4 hours ago, cruisellama said:

Our first time sailing over Christmas too (and New Years).    We booked a 15 day on Azamara that covers both holidays; however, with the CSO still in place I'm wondering if a 15-day will be allowed to go.  Lines have been exceeding  the 7 day "limit" for some time and haven't heard of any consequences.

Hope you have a wonderful time!

Thanks!

For the first time ever, I will be sailing on Christmas Day.  Have you ever done it, on Celebrity or another line?  Good or bad experiences?

Sailing on Summit for Christmas.  I have sailed on her sisters, Infinity and Constellation.  So happy to be heading back to sea!  This will be my first time in Aqua class.

In my humble opinion, life is too short to wrangle my own straws on vacation.  I did find that if my paper straw gets yucky the bar staff are always willing to give me a new one.

I just got off Anthem on Sunday.  We were the first cruise after the delayed voyage due to the scare.  I didn't see anyone in masks or in any way subdued because of the virus.  A few people were seasick during high seas on day 7, but that is a different story.  Go!

We were just on Anthem.  Reports are that the ship was at capacity but we never had more than one minute wait for MTD.  (Four nights, two people.  We dined elsewhere the other nights.)

On our recent Anthem cruise we really enjoyed Solarium Bistro for dinner.  It was calm and quiet.  Buffet style salads, appetizers, sides and deserts.  Cooked to order entrees.  We tried the skirt steak, salmon and shrimp.  All were delicious.

Posted in dining by mistake.  Anyone know how to move or delete this post?

On our recent Anthem of the Seas cruise we made a nifty DIY door decoration with our name on it.  (Wooden anchor we spray painted red and embellished with white letters spelling out our last name, then glued on magnets to the back of it.)  I hung it above the peephole just incase a little person walking by was tempted to touch it.  Someone took it on the first day during sailaway!  We walked up and down the passageways near our room in case it was a prank and someone put it on a different door.  No luck.  It was really gone!.  We mentioned this to our stateroom attendant who notified the head of housekeeping.  They told us that Security could probably get it back for us because there are cameras every where in the hallways.  We went down to guest services to fill out a request and were interviewed by security.  By the next morning we had a message on our phone that our item had been retrieved.  It had not been damaged.  Hurrah!  (Not sure who would want an anchor with our names on it!)

1 hour ago, shaydav19 said:

IMHO,  Cruise massages are over priced and overrated.  And you are taxed a large gratuity.   Also, I have always found that a few hours after a massage I am really sore and don't want to spend my ship time that way.   My best friend and I have taken to going to a day spa after we return from the cruise and we just search for the best local deal (She's in Miami).   We use that to jump start our detox after a week of indulgence!

Agree.  I also don't like the hard sell on products after and the request for a larger gratuity than the compulsory 18%.  I get my massages back home before and after.

Sometimes phones can be charged via the USB port on the TV.

As others have said, it is all personal preference.  Just got back from a cruise on Anthem.  We were so glad we didn't pay for any extras on Coco Cay.  We got off the ship around 1030, found two loungers together with an umbrella just a few steps from the water and were too full from breakfast to even eat any lunch.  (We only had the mozzarella sticks, which were tasty.)  We would not have had any more fun with a beach bed, cabana, beach club or floating loungers.  Just my opinion.