Traveling Mike

I am like the others.  I work on the ship every cruise.  If you are worried use a VPN service.  If you do not know what a VPN is here is a good video that explains what it is and how to download it and use it.  https://youtu.be/CpWwqg2n2qk
 

I see you already decided.  Just a FYI ...
The balcony that looks over Central Park will be quiet except for the string quartet that plays in the evening.  You can watch people and have a good view of a park.
The Boardwalk balcony will be much louder and is good for people watching.  If you are at the back of the ship you will have a view of the ocean and can watch the Aqua show from your balcony.
The ocean view will give you a view of the ocean.  When you pull into port it can be noisy in the early morning.
 

Yeah. Ours was right at $400 for 2 of us…That’s a “few” specialty dinners…

A couple days ago I saved $300 on one of my cruises based on the California resident rate.

A couple days ago I saved $300 on one of my cruises based on the California resident rate.

Convince your kids to go to the kids are for part of the day.  90% of the kids love it, mine lived there when he was young Spend time watching videos of the ship and learn what is there before you get on the ship.  That way you have an idea of what to find and enjoy. Food is free and everywhere.  At dinner you can eat until you are full (or stuffed).  Don't eat at the buffet every night, enjoy the main dining room and the experience that comes with it.

Convince your kids to go to the kids are for part of the day.  90% of the kids love it, mine lived there when he was young Spend time watching videos of the ship and learn what is there before you get on the ship.  That way you have an idea of what to find and enjoy. Food is free and everywhere.  At dinner you can eat until you are full (or stuffed).  Don't eat at the buffet every night, enjoy the main dining room and the experience that comes with it.

Convince your kids to go to the kids are for part of the day.  90% of the kids love it, mine lived there when he was young Spend time watching videos of the ship and learn what is there before you get on the ship.  That way you have an idea of what to find and enjoy. Food is free and everywhere.  At dinner you can eat until you are full (or stuffed).  Don't eat at the buffet every night, enjoy the main dining room and the experience that comes with it.

This is what I did to make my travels easier... I am not saying it is for everyone or you should do it.
I opened a Charles Schwab Investor Checking account.  It comes with a high interest checking account and a brokerage account.  I use both of these to keep my vacation funds.  As long as there is money in these accounts I can vacation.  The checking account comes with a Visa Debit card that can be used at any ATM in almost any country.  Any ATM fees are automatically reimbursed to my account.  This allows me to get foreign currency when I get to any new country.  I can use the Visa card with no foreign fees. I changed my phone to T-Mobile Magenta Max 55+ plan.  This gives me free Data and Text in almost any country.  I have not found a country that I do not get the data and text.  This allows me to use my phone for maps and google translate as soon as we hit a port or I land at the airport.

This is what I did to make my travels easier... I am not saying it is for everyone or you should do it.
I opened a Charles Schwab Investor Checking account.  It comes with a high interest checking account and a brokerage account.  I use both of these to keep my vacation funds.  As long as there is money in these accounts I can vacation.  The checking account comes with a Visa Debit card that can be used at any ATM in almost any country.  Any ATM fees are automatically reimbursed to my account.  This allows me to get foreign currency when I get to any new country.  I can use the Visa card with no foreign fees. I changed my phone to T-Mobile Magenta Max 55+ plan.  This gives me free Data and Text in almost any country.  I have not found a country that I do not get the data and text.  This allows me to use my phone for maps and google translate as soon as we hit a port or I land at the airport.

They did not do a very good job of displaying what they want you to have.  it is to busy and confusing of where you ended up.  It looks like they are trying to force you into the room they want you to have and not give you options.

This is what I did to make my travels easier... I am not saying it is for everyone or you should do it.
I opened a Charles Schwab Investor Checking account.  It comes with a high interest checking account and a brokerage account.  I use both of these to keep my vacation funds.  As long as there is money in these accounts I can vacation.  The checking account comes with a Visa Debit card that can be used at any ATM in almost any country.  Any ATM fees are automatically reimbursed to my account.  This allows me to get foreign currency when I get to any new country.  I can use the Visa card with no foreign fees. I changed my phone to T-Mobile Magenta Max 55+ plan.  This gives me free Data and Text in almost any country.  I have not found a country that I do not get the data and text.  This allows me to use my phone for maps and google translate as soon as we hit a port or I land at the airport.

They did not do a very good job of displaying what they want you to have.  it is to busy and confusing of where you ended up.  It looks like they are trying to force you into the room they want you to have and not give you options.

This is what I did to make my travels easier... I am not saying it is for everyone or you should do it.
I opened a Charles Schwab Investor Checking account.  It comes with a high interest checking account and a brokerage account.  I use both of these to keep my vacation funds.  As long as there is money in these accounts I can vacation.  The checking account comes with a Visa Debit card that can be used at any ATM in almost any country.  Any ATM fees are automatically reimbursed to my account.  This allows me to get foreign currency when I get to any new country.  I can use the Visa card with no foreign fees. I changed my phone to T-Mobile Magenta Max 55+ plan.  This gives me free Data and Text in almost any country.  I have not found a country that I do not get the data and text.  This allows me to use my phone for maps and google translate as soon as we hit a port or I land at the airport.

This is what I did to make my travels easier... I am not saying it is for everyone or you should do it.
I opened a Charles Schwab Investor Checking account.  It comes with a high interest checking account and a brokerage account.  I use both of these to keep my vacation funds.  As long as there is money in these accounts I can vacation.  The checking account comes with a Visa Debit card that can be used at any ATM in almost any country.  Any ATM fees are automatically reimbursed to my account.  This allows me to get foreign currency when I get to any new country.  I can use the Visa card with no foreign fees. I changed my phone to T-Mobile Magenta Max 55+ plan.  This gives me free Data and Text in almost any country.  I have not found a country that I do not get the data and text.  This allows me to use my phone for maps and google translate as soon as we hit a port or I land at the airport.

This is what I did to make my travels easier... I am not saying it is for everyone or you should do it.
I opened a Charles Schwab Investor Checking account.  It comes with a high interest checking account and a brokerage account.  I use both of these to keep my vacation funds.  As long as there is money in these accounts I can vacation.  The checking account comes with a Visa Debit card that can be used at any ATM in almost any country.  Any ATM fees are automatically reimbursed to my account.  This allows me to get foreign currency when I get to any new country.  I can use the Visa card with no foreign fees. I changed my phone to T-Mobile Magenta Max 55+ plan.  This gives me free Data and Text in almost any country.  I have not found a country that I do not get the data and text.  This allows me to use my phone for maps and google translate as soon as we hit a port or I land at the airport.

They did not do a very good job of displaying what they want you to have.  it is to busy and confusing of where you ended up.  It looks like they are trying to force you into the room they want you to have and not give you options.

This is what I did to make my travels easier... I am not saying it is for everyone or you should do it.
I opened a Charles Schwab Investor Checking account.  It comes with a high interest checking account and a brokerage account.  I use both of these to keep my vacation funds.  As long as there is money in these accounts I can vacation.  The checking account comes with a Visa Debit card that can be used at any ATM in almost any country.  Any ATM fees are automatically reimbursed to my account.  This allows me to get foreign currency when I get to any new country.  I can use the Visa card with no foreign fees. I changed my phone to T-Mobile Magenta Max 55+ plan.  This gives me free Data and Text in almost any country.  I have not found a country that I do not get the data and text.  This allows me to use my phone for maps and google translate as soon as we hit a port or I land at the airport.

No I don't get that service but that is not what I need.  I agree to stay away from most big box companies.  Costco Travel is not for everyone but it is good for me.  I only need a company that is going to take care of my changes and problems.  I am on the computer every day so i do all the monitoring and personal service.  When I have issues Costco reps are paid by the hour so they will stay on the phone for days to make sure I am taken care of.  For someone like me it works because I get the rebate and I take care of the personal service.

No I don't get that service but that is not what I need.  I agree to stay away from most big box companies.  Costco Travel is not for everyone but it is good for me.  I only need a company that is going to take care of my changes and problems.  I am on the computer every day so i do all the monitoring and personal service.  When I have issues Costco reps are paid by the hour so they will stay on the phone for days to make sure I am taken care of.  For someone like me it works because I get the rebate and I take care of the personal service.

No I don't get that service but that is not what I need.  I agree to stay away from most big box companies.  Costco Travel is not for everyone but it is good for me.  I only need a company that is going to take care of my changes and problems.  I am on the computer every day so i do all the monitoring and personal service.  When I have issues Costco reps are paid by the hour so they will stay on the phone for days to make sure I am taken care of.  For someone like me it works because I get the rebate and I take care of the personal service.

I ended up using 1 1/2 sticks of deodorant.  I also had to purchase hair conditioner and it was twice the price I would have paid at home.  Everything else was fine.  I did Laundry at the end of the 10 day cruise and 1/2 way through the 17 day cruise.  

two things: 
1.  if the price goes down after you purchase it you can cancel your purchase and re-purchase it.  The only issue is the reimbursement will take a day or two and the new charge is now.
2. The changes in price and percent will be all over the board.  Like @SpeedNoodles said look at the final price per day.  Like a lot of stores they will raise the price then put it on sale.  I have purchased items at 20% off and it was a lower price than when it was 50% off because the price went up.  Also like @Doug_Texas said black Friday always has good prices but do not rely on it because all prices keep going up so back Friday might be good but good at a high price.

two things: 
1.  if the price goes down after you purchase it you can cancel your purchase and re-purchase it.  The only issue is the reimbursement will take a day or two and the new charge is now.
2. The changes in price and percent will be all over the board.  Like @SpeedNoodles said look at the final price per day.  Like a lot of stores they will raise the price then put it on sale.  I have purchased items at 20% off and it was a lower price than when it was 50% off because the price went up.  Also like @Doug_Texas said black Friday always has good prices but do not rely on it because all prices keep going up so back Friday might be good but good at a high price.

I am sorry for the late response.  I stayed at The Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel.  It is a pub with 7 or 8 rooms above the pub.  It was a great experience and I would stay there again in a heartbeat.