WHStoneman

3M Command hooks come in handy also.  

3M Command hooks come in handy also.  

Since you didn't turn on airplane mode, your cell phone connected with the ship's cell phone tower. For some reason, they set the time on that cell tower to be GMT. Your phone synchronized its time with the ship's tower.
 
Given that you were using data with international roaming, I suspect you'll see a very large bill next month. You may want to contact your cellular provider to find out more information about those charges that'll be coming.

Sure someone  can just put the watch on and then lie to US Customs and enter the country not declaring the watch. And in most cases no issues or problems thousands of people coming off a cruise ship so they don't check to close. But if  they are detected with a $ 34,500 watch that they paid $30,000 dollars for and on the customs formed lied about it they could have very big problems. If the watch is declare, the duty will be about 10%, if  not declare they can confiscate the watch, or required that it be send through a import broker, and very large fines. 
 
I'm not judging you here it is your money, and your choice. I am just pointing out the other side a $4000 dollar savings could be gone and  lots of problems. Also for  the watch to be registered the paperwork is needed, and since it is coming from a authorized dealer customs just needs to run the serial number. If customs opens a investigation they can find out exactly how much someone charged on a credit card.  I have several friends who worked for US Customs, do not think for one minute these officers are stupid, they can spot a new watch, and know within a few minutes when a person is being dishonest, and then they throw the book at that person.
 
Again Tony, I'm not saying or implying that you would do anything wrong. I am just pointing out the other side of things for people reading these posts. In any case you will have a great watch, purchase on the cruise or not I'm sure it will be a wonderful cruise.

Pack in my pill caddy with my CPAP machine....never been questioned about anything.  BTW....carry your pills WITH you!  Don't want those to get "lost".  

I would suggest that you shop with your local jeweler that you have an established pattern of trust.   Buy your wife something very nice and give it to her on your first night at sea.  You know that you are purchased something that she will love and you can trust your purchase will be wise and secure.    

I would suggest that you shop with your local jeweler that you have an established pattern of trust.   Buy your wife something very nice and give it to her on your first night at sea.  You know that you are purchased something that she will love and you can trust your purchase will be wise and secure.    

YMMV......my stock investments in the "cruise" industry show a 37.875% increase.  I couldn't be happier.  

I have received my CCL OBC every time I have requested.   I am considering a purchase of RCL in the coming months.   Moral of the story, you will never know if you don't ask.   Always fax in my documentation with little effort...it's not a big deal.  

I have 100 shares of the stock and have gotten the OBC many times.  I can't remember exactly how many, but it is around 6 or 7 times.  It varies on the length of the cruise.  I have been denied the credit when I had the balcony discount.  Usually the credit was received when I booked inside cabins.

Ate the steak...but trying to get a refund?......

Ate the steak...but trying to get a refund?......

Yikes !  I'd probably advise him to get his hair cut before he goes to work on Friday night !!

Sometimes speeel check doesn't work like you want it to......since the word "crow" was spelled correctly.  VBG.....

Call from your phone in your cabin.  Expensive....but worth the comfort of knowing how your parents are doing.    

I can see how someone maybe feels Jaded over time especially if you cruise a lot. Most beach excursions or excursions in general can have a common feel. We all feel we are being over charged sometimes but the way I see it is sometimes that little extra is for convenience and sometimes peace of mind. for the most part the details are taken care of for you. I personally book cruises for the experience on the boat and the destinations. If there is blue water I am there. I love the Carribean and want to check off as many islands as I can. Most of my cruises have been the normal key west..Cayman ..Jamaica ..Cozumel..Bahamas trips. Mostly due to cost. Live in Texas so cheaper to leave out of Galveston. This year we are flying and leaving out of Florida which opens up a little more eastern itinerary of st. Martin, Puerto Rico and labadee,Haiti I agree some places don't always feel safe but I just stay aware of my surroundings and try not to be to much of a tourist. I stay respectful ..say hello if I make Eye contact and say no thank you if approached to buy something. Most vendors are just trying to hustle to earn money. I can appreciate that. The best experiences have been trying local cuisine and swimming in that blue water I talked about. At restaurants I usually ask the waiter what their favorite dish is or what is popular on the island.
I do a little extra research and see if I can find things to due that aren't part of an excursion and other tourist have stated have been good safe experiences.
 
I agree about Jamaica and Bahamas and feeling a little more on guard but for those stops that is when I pay a little extra to be whisked away to a beach resort with free drinks and blue water of course

I must be getting a little jaded at this time in my life, but I haven't viewed a single excursion that looks exciting.  After a few cruises, they all look the same and offer no real travel dollar value.   Maybe, at the LAST minute, I might choose something but we find exploring, dining and walking to be more fulfilling.  

I must be getting a little jaded at this time in my life, but I haven't viewed a single excursion that looks exciting.  After a few cruises, they all look the same and offer no real travel dollar value.   Maybe, at the LAST minute, I might choose something but we find exploring, dining and walking to be more fulfilling.  

I have always been told by my TA to only book shore excursions through the cruise line. Why? Most land based shore excursion companies/suppliers guarantee to get you to your ship, not sure what they do if they don't make it! I have been looking for excursions for all of my upcoming cruises, 10 of them, and like WHStoneman, I am not finding anything that appeals to me. I am not a beach person, sand fleas look at me as their next meal, I swim but choose not to. I have done parasailing, wind surfing, swimming with dolphins, rays, and sharks, helicoptered to a glacier, whale watching and Mayan ruins, so I am running out of things to do.  I love the history of the place I am visiting, I especially love trolley, train or sightseeing rides to see the port.
 
Right now I am trying to build a shore excursion guide for all ports in the Caribbean, Southern, Eastern, Western, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Mexico, Pacific Coastal and New England/Canada. I am having fun doing this and am going on the reviews and ratings of the passengers from Google, Trip Advisor, CruiseCritic and other places, who took the excursions. I am listing the shore excursion company, website, telephone number, review ratings, the shore excursions they offer, how much and how long. I am including the activity level, if I find one. I am also adding port information for all of the above listed ports, what city the port is located in, how many ships can dock there, what is at the port that a passenger can do for free or almost free. I am trying to build a shopping guide in each port, too. And last but not least I am listing all ports that have a casino, the casino rating, address, phone number, hours open, etc.
 
Obviously I don't have a life, if I have time to do this. The reason I started this is I too, couldn't find any really interesting shore excursions.
 
Candie

I've never "done" anything in Labadee.  For me its just a relaxing day, a larger version of CocoCay.  There are trails up into the hills (paved), walks out to the rock formations at both ends, of course the beach...
 
The walk up through the "artisans market" can be a bit daunting to some, I'm not bothered by them.  
 
I'm not the zip line or coaster type, but both are very popular.  

I prefer to shop on land - where I can easily get back to the store to resolve any disputes in person. My cruise time is for imbibing spirits, gorging on food, and seeing the sights and relaxing occasionally :-)

I must be getting a little jaded at this time in my life, but I haven't viewed a single excursion that looks exciting.  After a few cruises, they all look the same and offer no real travel dollar value.   Maybe, at the LAST minute, I might choose something but we find exploring, dining and walking to be more fulfilling.  

I keep booking balcony rooms for the most part, but to be honest I'm not sure why I keep doing that.  We keep so busy onboard that all told we probably spend less than 2 hours total on the balcony on a typical cruise.  Generally we use it when pulling into a port at 8am or later....and then we're off to explore the island.
 
Yeah, I should definitely stop doing that and save the money.

Being a CPAP patient, I will only travel with My Pillow pillow.  They are a very convenient travel accessory that works perfect for my situation.  

There are a number of reasons that you can't depend on the debarkation time...  i.e. fog, bad weather, Customs....and on and on.  You will have your cell phone with you and when you are "released" you can call for your driver.