USCG Teacher

For background, after I separated from the military, I worked at two Atlantic City casinos on the overnight shift as I worked through college.  Here is my biggest tip, and I cannot stress this enough.  If you are fortunate enough to hit a big jackpot, CLAIM YOUR WINNINGS AND WALK AWAY IMMEDIATELY. I have witnessed more self-destructive decision making after hitting big than I could possibly begin to explain.  Probably most egregious, I saw a 23 year old kid hit the progressive jackpot at a Caribbean Stud Poker table.  Just under $300K.  Immediately they comped the kid a suite, treated him and his friends as huge high rollers, offered him a private table with his own personal cocktail server, top shelf liquor, etc., etc.  Long story short, what started out as, "What the heck, I'm playing with house money, let's go ahead and enjoy this" ended up with him a few grand in the hole by the time the sun came up.  Casinos can be fun and entertaining as long as you play with what you plan to lose, but they're not built on winners.

3 hours ago, BrianB said:

I sailed out of New Jersey and tried to exchange my currency to the local Port Canaveral currency but couldn’t find anyone who would make the exchange. They just looked at me funny like…I couldn’t figure it out.

1 hour ago, Ampurp85 said:

@BrianBPort Canaveral currency is Mickey ears, that's why they were looking at you funny.

D'oh.

Thank you so much, @leesam82 & @RWDW1204.  This is exactly what I was looking for!

1 hour ago, Marlena said:

How old are your kids? I believe its presently a vaccinated only restauarant.

My cruise isn't until next summer, so it won't (shouldn't!) be an issue by then. 

So, the new Cruise Planner set up now has the ability to book kids for your specialty dining reservations at the reduced rate vs. having to make corrections on board, which is fantastic!  As I was looking through the description for the Izumi Hibachi Experience, it notes that children must order from the kids menu.  Does Izumi have its own kids menu at the hibachi, or is the same one from the MDR?  Both my kids love trying new foods, and neither of them have ever done a hibachi dinner.  I'd hate for them to sit down and see the "show" only to have it followed with, "and here are your chicken nuggets" as opposed to being able to actually eat what they just saw the chef prepare.  Given many members board members' love of all things Izumi (looking at you, @Matt! ), I'm hoping someone (or several someones) have some first hand experience here?

15 hours ago, starbrat said:

Yes it’s one bathroom.   I think they will be fine.

If someone were paying for my cruise, I'd be willing to walk to another deck to use the bathroom.  You're a very generous and thoughtful person, @starbrat!

1 hour ago, Atlantix2000 said:

Surely he gets a custom made red card!

10 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

I truly don't know what it is about places and Thanksgiving dinner. I can honestly say I have only cruised once over Thanksgiving, CCL, and that dinner was the worst. It like they use cloned or fake turkey, the texture is just all kinds of wrong.

 

Sounds like it may have been "turkey loaf," which is a crime against humanity.  Crime against turkeys, too, now that I think about it...

5 hours ago, teddy said:

I still have two of my old ones from 30+ years ago  

I wonder what kind of looks I’d get boarding the ship with one of them on my shoulder?

My guess is security and the porters have both seen stranger things!

44 minutes ago, FionaMG said:

Do your clothes really not get wrinkled when you use these? I have some items that I never take away with me anywhere precisely because they wrinkle so badly in my suitcase. 

They mostly don’t (certain dress pants & shirts always present a problem!), but I’m a roller, so I think that helps. I lay my pants or shorts down first, then take my shirt and fold in half longways and lay that on top of the pants just below the belt line.  Undergarments/socks lay lengthwise along the top of the shirt. Fold down the belt line over everything else and roll down as tightly as possible. Rinse and repeat. Saves spaces and cuts down on wrinkles. I have to thank Uncle Sam for this one, seabags aren’t the most forgiving pieces of luggage to pack!

So, no one has an opinion on the different beaches on Coco Cay?

While I can’t be helpful for what to take, some fellow users on this board have guided me on how to take it. 3 words: compression packing cubes. While it might be a bit hyperbolic to say it changed my life, it certainly changed the way I pack! I have this set and recommend them highly: https://www.amazon.com/LeanTravel-Compression-Packing-Luggage-Organizers/dp/B074KQ4C85/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ots=1&ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=tlcompressioncubesrcarhart0319-20&linkId=8bb91f103f8c64afe4bc7207cbf8e4d8&language=en_US&th=1

Easily lets  me pack way more than I used to be able to in the same amount of space.

Well, this summer’s cruise got L&S-ted to next July, so my $49 pp Beach Club passes on CocoCay are obviously gone. It doesn’t look like prices are going to trend back to “affordable” for the Beach Club next year, so we’ll probably just grab a Beach Bed and explore the island at our leisure. Now, I’m looking for experienced opinions! There’s three options: Breezy Bay, South Beach and just “Full Day Beach Bed Rental” (no specific location indicated).  For context, we’re a family of 4 with 2 elementary aged boys who will not be the LEAST bit interested in the water slides in the water park, but probably will want to spend some time in the pool. We’re really just looking for a good home base location that will let us explore, hang out and play on the beach and do a little swimming. So, with all of that said, any opinions? I fully understand that these will be very subjective, but I always appreciate all of your different viewpoints and experiences! Thanks in advance as always!

Enchantment of the Seas, Western Caribbean, 1999.  College graduation present to ourselves for my girlfriend and I. She had never been out of the NY tri-state area, and she missed her prom in high school due to a medical issue. I proposed to her on the stage of the Orpheum Theater (with a HUGE assist from the cruise director!) on formal night.  Next year will be our 20th anniversary.

15 hours ago, Jill said:

These are great floats too. I bought these for our May 2020 symphony that was cancelled and have moved it 3 times now. Hoping to use them now in October! 
 

BADIQI Swimming Inflatable Pool Float,4-in-1 Pool Hammock (Lounge Chair,Saddle, Hammock, Drifter), Portable Water Hammock,Pool Chair https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08XZ7917K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_R1PC5H5W11G08A9GJ34T?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

We have a few of these for our pool.  Loved by kids and adults alike.

2 hours ago, CrimsonCruiser said:

Haha. I know that's that cruise life but man let me tell you I *struggle* to waste food like that lol.

No judgement - seriously- just a thing ingrained in me from a thing age that I can't quite shake. Lol

Oh boy do I feel this one.  The Clean Plate Club guilt is real.

Well done, good sir!

So, my Oasis of the Seas cruise out of Bayonne for the summer has been Lift & Shifted again, now into July 2022.  To be honest, I'm not disappointed.  I had a fully refundable "backup vacation" booked for this summer in case this happened, and I'm guessing (hoping?!?) that we'll see fewer restrictions and mitigation measures next summer.  In any event, my original cruise was Sunday to Sunday, but next summer it shifts to Friday to Friday, which means we arrive at Port Canaveral on a Sunday.  What's odd is that there are NO Shore Excursions listed for that day.  It doesn't even show up under the shore excursion tab.  I know it's still a year out, but it seems a bit odd to not have ANYTHING there.  Is anyone else seeing this?  Any insight beyond "they just haven't gotten to setting that up yet?"

Just out of curiosity, when a TA is initiating a Lift and Shift, do they have to actually call in like everyone else, or do they just use the Cruising Power site?  Hoping @Matt or one of our fabulous MEI-types like @Sharla might be able to drop a quick reply if they're free (or anyone else who knows!).  Trying to help a friend getting a run around.  Thanks!

3 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

ABC, BBD, The East Coast family

Damn it.   Now I want Geno's. 

24 minutes ago, coneyraven said:

Brooklyn Cruise Terminal?????  Cape Liberty is in BAYONNE!!!!!  Different Town, Different State

17 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

I think they were reporting on behalf of both here.  NCL and Carnival sail out of Brooklyn, I believe.  

Absolutely.  It was a PANYNJ Spokesman.  They're responsible for Cape Liberty, Brooklyn Cruise Terminal and Manhattan Cruise Terminal.

I won't get into specifics, but in my time in the Coast Guard I was "behind the scenes" on three different Carnival ships.  That experience led me to never board one as a customer.  Granted, this was nearly twenty years ago, but my decision still stands.

21 hours ago, Jill said:

So why can’t they use the parallel runway? 4L-22R?

They will, which is why they're losing roughly 47% capacity instead of closer to 94% if they lost them both. Typically 4R-22L is used for landings (it is the only runway that is Cat. III certified as I understand it) and 4L-22R is for departures.  Now, 4L will handle just about all of the traffic, except for the crosswind runway.  The controllers are going to have their hands full.

21 hours ago, Jill said:

Who wants to fly into Newark anyways?

Couldn't agree more, one of my top 5 "avoid" airports.  Unfortunately, JFK & LGA are on that list, too.