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21 hours ago, 12thman said:

Just got off Harmony this past weekend and our Emerald pins were delivered to our suite. We didn't go to the ceremony because we thought it was for Diamond and higher. Did they take away from the Diamond some things? Seems like it to me. 

Oh so there is hope for me to receive my Emerald pin when on Symphony in May?  I earned my Emerald status back in November and this upcoming cruise is my first full-fledged cruise in Emerald status!  I really do hope I get a pin! 

70 DAYS TO GO….which correlates to…10 WEEKS!

3 minutes ago, Cactus527 said:

It's here. IT'S HUGE. I'm in love.

You are going to have soooo much fun filling it!    ENJOY!

It is typically placed on the first person listed in the room.  However you can go to Guest Services and request having it split amongst the room occupants.

1 hour ago, teddy said:

I'm certainly not looking for any sympathy, but if you're interested in what the health issue is that I mentioned, I'm having the procedure that is US insurance billing code 44140 done in less than a week.  It's a good thing and will take care of a couple uncomfortable issues I've been dealing with

Great !  Happy healing!  

6 hours ago, Ryan79 said:

You can even stay where you are and order someone completely different at the MDR. Eating a second meal at the same sitting an issue in the least

Ok…I just had to ask…just how accommodating are they when you decide to order someone completely different?    

So sorry…your reply just hit my funny bone!  

5 hours ago, Minuet888 said:

THank you!  Ar these handed out via paper one for the whole week or per day?  I think my son (autistic) would benefit with the paper one.

Once you request the paper version, each evening your room attendant will leave the next day’s printout on the bed.  This gives you plenty of time to look it over and plan out the next day’s activities.

I’m with @FionaMG…risk tolerance: ZILCH!  That timing is just too close for comfort.  Of course, it could be just fine BUT there are too many possibilities that could delay your perfect timing from ship to airport.  IMO, it’s better to be safe than sorry…those 4 hours are worth peace of mind and perhaps a few extra $$$!

I’m looking forward to my Labadee day in May!  This will be my third time and so far I’ve managed to stay away from the vendors’ pushiness!  

5 minutes ago, Cactus527 said:

I use these. They're hideous in green but they stand out! https://a.co/d/ebucHPz

Oh wow…those are great!   And CHEAP!   

Today is 6 days to embarkation…what are you prepping for @Cactus527?  

Funny same thing is happening for my May Symphony cruise.  Either March 31 or April 1.  I’ll just try the 31st and if nothing…then April 1st it will be!  I was thinking it might have something to do with this being a Leap year?  IT may have been confused  

Ha…my kids were in their 40’s…married with children before we took them with us!  But…then again…we’ve only been cruising for 6 years ourselves and only the last few have become serious cruising!   Our trips when our kids were growing up were always land vacations.  Oh how I wish I had tried cruising long ago!

6 minutes ago, BrianB said:

I also mark my bag with color reflective tape on all sides so I can see it from far away…distinguishing it from others. Also helps prevent someone with a similar bag from accidentally taking mine.

So smart!  I’m going to do this from now on!  Thanks for the tip.  I’ve always used the curly ribbon trick but I like the colored reflective tape better!

That is nuts!  Very happy you found your cases and made your flight home!   I use the plastic covers found on Amazon (Bezos) and have always attached to the handle on top when the suitcase is upright.  

3 hours ago, Cactus527 said:

The best time, though, is when it's dark out and there's a full moon

OMG!  I just looked up the moon phases for June and a Strawberry Full Moon will be on June 21st!  Not really sure I will get to Desert Watchtower…BUT…I was planning on taking Valen to the Lowell Observatory on the 21st even before I knew it would be a full moon.  Super excited she will get to see this!

@DDaley and @Cactus527 Thanks for enlightening me with my Non-cruise vacation!

On 3/3/2024 at 4:20 PM, RCIfan1912 said:

What is the earliest for Coco were the water is warm? May?

I am also interested as I will be there on May 20th.  Anyone able to answer about the water temp?

7 hours ago, Cactus527 said:

LOL she's in the same area of town as me - in fact, my kids are in school over in Oro Valley.

Last week of June? You chose the absolute worst time to come visit weather wise - it's the hottest it gets right before it finally breaks into monsoon season.  

Lol I will actually be in Flagstaff for most of the week…taking my granddaughter on her Grandma/Grandchild trip.  She chose Grand Canyon.  So after all our fun we are taking a few days to visit her before flying home.

I’ve never booked GTY as I would be fearful of being assigned a Forward room.  Motion does not bother me but really affects my husband, so, if I want to continue cruising with him…I need to keep him liking it .  Yes he wears the patch for motion and yes we have experienced some rockiness here and there.  However, having to sleep in a room that typically feels the most motion would certainly not help!

That being said…there is no right or wrong way of booking your stateroom.  Everyone has their own preference and way of doing it.  I would probably like the mystery of “what room will I get”…maybe someday!!!

12 minutes ago, Cactus527 said:

YOUR BFF AND I ARE IN THE SAME CITY!!!! 

I didn't start off here - I actually spent 5 years up in the Phoenix area. Tucson is much, much nicer. I love that it embraces the desert rather than tries to make itself into another Los Angeles.

Not to get off subject…or topic…but she’s been in Tucson for 3 years now.  Oro Valley actually.  She grew up in RI but has lived out West for over 35 years!  In between Phoenix and Tucson she spent 8 years in Genoa, Nevada…which is beautiful!  I’ll be in Tucson last week of June visiting! 
OK…back to Spring Break and Freedom!   

On 3/2/2024 at 1:12 PM, Cactus527 said:

9 days to embarkation, 8 days to travel.

Went through my cruise stuff yesterday. Verdict: I have too much stuff. Part of it is for my kiddos as well, but....there's still a LOT. I spent part of the afternoon trying to consolidate and decide if I really need it. Bezos cup clip made the cut though, @asquared17. I actually had a mild panic attack that maybe I should get a bigger suitcase. Maybe? Or I should stop over packing. One is easier than the other.

Today's project: figure out my cruise outfits and conference outfits. It appears I need to pack for 10 days without laundry. Ugh. I'm not sure I want to use RC laundry, and I can do a bit of sink laundry, but it's just not the same. I may need to find a laundromat in my conference city.

 

Love your packing cube with the cactus on it!  My BFF lives in Tucson and that would be a great gift for her!

9 minutes ago, LandstromCruise said:

Oh forgot to mention on the bright side at the casino I have now crossed the Prime threshold so free 7 night cruise next year!!!!  

Ahhhhh but is it really free?    

Good morning @Minuet888 .  I have lived in Rhode Island for my entire 67 years and truly have no memory of hurricanes affecting us or any part this far up the coast that early in the hurricane season!  I am actually sailing on Symphony May 16th -24th this year and have no worries of what might or could be.  Most hurricanes begin well East of the Caribbean and will take days…many, many days to travel West towards the Islands and US coast.  Sure there could be a frontal system form closer to the Bahamas but typically May and June are decent times for avoiding hurricane events (when in the hurricane calendar season)!  I would be more worried if you were booked for September or October, but even then, as  @CanHardlyWait mentions…cruise ships know what to do to avoid mishaps!  
Yes…there are very rare occurrences which become unavoidable even for a cruise ship but that’s the chance each and every one of us takes when we book our vacations…cruising or otherwise!

My advice is Relax and enjoy the countdown to a vacation as perfect and memorable as you can make it!  For me it’s 74 days away making yours 89!     I hope you have the best cruise ever!

So one of the moms cruising with me on this cruise has been completely engrossed with the FaceBook group for this cruise.  I think I mentioned there is quite a large group on FB!  She told me there is a plan to have a Mrs. Roper Romp the night of the 70’s celebration on board!  I think the ladies in my group might all go for it and have fun dressing up in caftans and short curly red wigs…lol!   If I find a decent representation of Mrs. Roper, maybe I’ll keep it and dress like her for Halloween…it’ll even be more fun trying to get my husband to dress (and act) like Mr. Roper!

8 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

As a recovering Suite Snob, let me offer some hope.  There was a time when I thought I could never go “back” to GenPop cruising.  I was wrong.  It definitely takes an attitude adjustment, but it’s not as bad as I thought it would be.

I miss the big suites - don’t get me wrong - but not as much as I thought I would. 

For us, the decision was simple:  either learn to enjoy the simple life or find another hobby.  We chose #1 and we found that we still enjoy cruising !  Hopefully you won’t have to choose.

Best advice…thanks Raye!  And I like the wording GenPop soooo much more than “the poors”!