fa-li

We have enjoyed our European cruises. Best packing tip would be layers, and good sturdy shoes for walking on the old streets. We booked all our own excursions. The Rick Steves guidebooks include some for a wide range of European ports. They list specific guides you can hire, with contact info. We’ve had great luck with booking these guides. Also, trip advisor will have good suggestions, as well as the port boards on cruise critic. I’m not sure where Wonder is stopping, but if it’s anywhere I’ve been, I’m happy to share guide recs. We usually have them pick us up at the ship and take us all around the area, including an authentic local lunch. Most will offer a general tour that you can customize to meet your interests. We’ve never had an issue getting back to the ship on time.

Oh how wonderful! Especially nice that he will have some space now that he’s a teen. The two bedroom grand suite was our favorite when traveling with teenage dear daughter. Enjoy your cruise!

It doesn’t help here, but in the future you might look at getting insurance through an insurance broker. I use Trip Insurance Store and have had to file a claim in the past. I got a very high level of hand holding, which was appreciated. They have also made it super easy to transfer insurance from one trip to another with all the changes over the past two years. For your brother, you can probably call directly when you get back and ask the insurer to email a list of all documents they need, which you could then forward to your agent if you don’t have them.

Political statement clothing. Of any leaning. I like to escape politics on vacation.

Another option, if she’s the self motivated type - I’ve found the WiFi in the gyms good enough to stream workouts. There are plenty of free weights available, and the space used for classes is often empty. I’ve had no trouble setting up my iPad and doing an Apple Fitness plus or popsugar workout on my own on sea days.

These are incredible. Thank you!

We actually have Optum prescription coverage. I wonder if I order form there if it will be easier/ just pay uncovered amount at check out. Anyone done this?

I was under the impression that part of the emed order is an Rx

Thank you for sharing this. We will be cruising with a friend who has severe dairy allergy next year. This gives me an idea of how to tell her to get started as she figures out accommodations. I’m glad you had a good experience!

I hope you are at least able to use the cruise to rest and unwind. It has been a stressful build up! I’m so sorry it won’t be the family time you were planning though

One reason I was sympathetic to @dancernl traveling with a teenager. When mine was sixteen I once did a full alteration on her dress using only the emergency sewing kit I’d packed. It “didn’t hang right,” leading to a predinner meltdown (She has since grown up, learned to sew, and packs her own kit)

Oh I’m so sorry! All the time and effort you put in! My heart breaks for you.

@JasonOasis thanks for all the details on how it happens. I only know I get more and more anxious about flying as time goes by - so many things can mess up best laid plans! @Pooch, praying that all of you get to Harmony safely and timely! Seriously, with everything going on, maybe your brother could consider driving. If not all the way to FL, then maybe to NC? Raleigh has a ton of SW flights direct to MCO, and by the time he got here, he'd be south of the storm.

Yay! Go have all the fun!

Random tip - I always bring small bath puffs along so that the liquid soap from those dispensers lathers up nicely. They sell small ones in the travel supplies at target or drugstores, and they’re cheap enough to just throw away at the end of a cruise.

You can get little towelette packets of deep woods Off. They’re great to pack bc they take up no space, can’t leak, and even years later still work. I keep some in my “cruise box”

No we are in a grand suite

Thanks. Tried that and it says all checked in and ready to sail. The app says See you at 10:30, so my check in time is good. The website offers a spot to view set sail pass, but that just goes to a blank screen. It also says luggage tags are pending so I’m going to give it some more time. I’ll ask my TA to check in a day or two. The joys of Royal tech, lol.

As long as we're going there, may I suggest looking into Diva Cup or similar? You'd never have to ask the question (or buy products) again.

Yay! Got to check in today! It's getting real finally. I did check in on the app and a few hours later got emails for each of us saying we are all checked in. But when I click on "show set sail pass" it says Sorry, can't show it, proceed to the check in counter. Is this something that becomes available later? I mean, it's only been a few hours so maybe I'm being over-enthusiastic? Or did I manage to mess up what seemed like a simple process?

Thank you! This is perfect!

This is all so helpful. Piling on with another question: can I check myself and my husband in on my app? Or is check-in by cabin anyway?

I am so excited for you! Between totally sympathizing with the "love him/he drives me nuts" brother situation (I have one just like that) and your cruise going just six weeks before mine, I've become so emotionally invested in your trip! Can't wait to hear all about it, and wishing you the very best experience! (and I WILL bug you, lol)

Hoping @1978bucketlist and/or @Pooch will post their compasses when they get a chance. I too am curious, and hopeful there will be at least a few shows running by the time we go in April.

Oh the joys of travel with teenage girls! I promise they grow out of it! Especially if you help work through all those big feelings on trips like you clearly did - you are nurturing a wonderful future adult travel companion!