Skid

25 minutes ago, MikeS said:

is it possible to ask for a cocktail from the menu without the alcohol? If so would that be covered on the package?

Just about any drink can be made virgin and without the alcohol would be covered with the refreshment package.

Here is a thread discussing various non alcoholic drinks.

27 minutes ago, Joe01 said:

Why do they need to clean the room twice a day?

Hi Joe...hope you feel better very soon. Yup, the stewards do work extremely hard. I'm pretty sure you can tell him/her to skip either the morning or evening cleanup/turn down. I'm sure they'd appreciate it. 

24 minutes ago, JohnK6404 said:

during the DBP debacle

From here:

Debacle .. noun

a complete collapse or failure.

I prefer to think of it as a sale that was quite successful!

48 minutes ago, Sweety said:

I was trying to get some of the deals. Teaching is getting in the way of my cruising.

9 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

^^^ditto

Say the folks that have the summer off..(you know I love teachers..my daughter is a teacher). Not as much getting in the way as forcing you to pay more for the times you can go.

1 hour ago, NJCruisers said:

He brought this up not too long ago and there was some pretty good ideas in that thread.  Perhaps he can link it.

Scoll up about 6 posts...I linked it there. Here it is again for those interested that may have missed it.

24 minutes ago, KenCP said:

Also I have heard from a few people you do not have to wait around to have your pass scanned for pool towels.

That was the case on Symphony in May. The best part of that was when coming back to the ship from an excursion and you could avoid the long lines and just drop the towels in the bin.

42 minutes ago, bhageerah said:

 I work as a Paramedic/Firefighter as well as in the ER of  a local Level 2 trauma center, so I see people that make life altering bad decisions just about every day that I go to work

Well said (the entire post) and thank you for all you do!

7 hours ago, mom2mybugs said:

Wow .. Just figured out how to quote a section without deleting everything around it!!  I totally really want to check this off though....just one check!!!!!   Jane

Good for you Jane!! Although you could have just asked a long time ago

I agree with @Pima1988, BUT if you have never watched the Bionic Bar, seeing it the first time IS an "oh that's cool" moment. To me, the more times I get to say "OH WOW", the better the cruise!!

1 hour ago, JennyJenny said:

They won't get in trouble taking that, will they?

Nope. They won't get in trouble. Sometimes they even share it with their "team members". Apparantly, they sometimes get help with supplies and garbage disposal and other things from helpers we don't normally see.

19 minutes ago, RWDW1204 said:

Sorry. Don't know how to add a link straight to it.

Here ya go. Copy the web address. Press and hold the word/words you want to highlight them. Then click the paper clip icon at the top of the reply window (next to the smiley face icon). Press and hold the insert box that appears and then click paste. 

                          OR

Just paste the address. 

https://gizmodo.com/enormous-5-500-mile-long-patch-of-atlantic-seaweed-migh-1836131693

6 minutes ago, RWDW1204 said:

 

Actually, Guest Services has envelopes for that purpose, extra tip for someone who you felt went above and beyond. You can put their name and where they work and return it to Guest Services or just hand it to them sometime before the cruise ends. We usually pass ours out on the last night.

5 minutes ago, JennyJenny said:

Most excellent. I will keep an eye open for the envelopes!

Personally I never leave an envelope in the cabin-I want to make sure it goes to right person. Just in case the person that served us all week happens to be out sick or whatever, the cynic in me doesn't think the covering attendant will pass the cash on. I will usually hand it to the steward on the second to last night, giving me another night to do it in case I miss him/her. (Hmmm....interesting---now that I think about it, I've seen them in the hallways, but don't remember ever having a female cabin attendant).

8 hours ago, JennyJenny said:

I've seen folks mention that they bring little gifts on board to give to their cabin steward

The cabin stewards work SO hard (as do most other employees) and they really do love passengers showing appreciation for them. I felt soooo badly for ours one day on our last cruise because I forgot to take the do not disturb sign off the door. 

When that happens they have to stay longer as opposed to when they finish all their assigned cabins ASAP.  We had been given a bottle of Spumanti (I think from the Key, not sure). When I realized what I had done, I gave him that bottle as a small apology. The way he acted, you'd think he won the lottery. We had prepaid gratuities, but I then increased the extra tip we usually give at the end of the cruise.

2 minutes ago, KristiZ said:

TBH, I usually choose a cabin far from everything just so I *have* to walk further -- cuts down on the weight gain during the cruise!!

We were midship Deck 10 on Symphony, right at the aft elevators. Centered on ship deck wise made it good to walk up or down the stairs to various venues. And absolutely no sound from the elevators.

51 minutes ago, kittysoul said:

I know it is not specifically 'cruise' related, but travel in general... but what is the deal with travel cubes... is it something I should get?  What are the benefits of using them?  

There is a LOT of good information on this thread from @JLMoran devoted to packing cubes

30 minutes ago, Koki said:

Darn it, I think I got the wrong one, the 22# instead of 48#.   

My suspicion is they will work for cover ups and other light items. Using them on the ceiling will hold better than on the walls. Also, assuming you ordered from Amazon, if you are a Prime member, you may have free returns.

23 minutes ago, FL Lake Gal said:

@dk1

Tell me more about the magnetic hooks!  Newbie here... cruising in a couple of weeks and I love your ideas with the hooks.

What is magnetic in the staterooms - the walls or doors?  Very curious and this info will help me pick up the right type of hooks tomorrow.

 

 All the walls, doors and even the ceiling in the cabins are metal. The hooks can be used for robes, bags, coverups, swim suits, etc. These are the ones we got and they were great. Just know that the posted weights refer to when they are on the ceiling. They hold less when on the walls, but still work fine. Happy sailing!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GVCSGTX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

22 minutes ago, ellcee said:

I'm likely closer to your age than hers but I'll say this...does she practice common sense? Street smarts? AAA? If the answers are yes she's fine.

In this day and age it's perfectly acceptable and very easy to keep in touch and set up a plan for her to let you know where she is every day. It'll set your mind at ease and it's easy on her end. 

Thank you @ellcee, appreciate your reply. Will take @twangster.s advice (because he's right) and not post anything further about this on this thread.

12 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Grilled Tofu

Sorry, my friend, and I do not mean to offend anyone, but no matter how many times you blog this from different cruises, it still makes me ask @Matt for an "ewwww" reaction!

50 minutes ago, ellcee said:

I just came home from my first solo land vacation a few weeks ago to Italy.

Hi Ellcee ..help me out here please, if you can:

My adult daughter is looking to go solo. What is worse to me as a worry wart Dad is that she wants to do a road trip. She and our other daughter and a friend travel a lot together. But this plan of hers, truthfully, scares the heck out of me. She is a mature responsible woman. So this problem is mine, not hers.

As her contemporary, do you have any words that can make me feel any better?

Anyone else, please feel free to chime in.

1 hour ago, Joe01 said:

Just been to the 1pm showing of iSkate.

Definitely check the show out. It's a show that seems to be choreographed by the Ice Cast themselves. It's more captivating than 1887. It seems to be a variety of numbers featuring their favourite songs. A lot of tricks. It also showcases the strengths of each of the cast members. Definitely recommend if you sail HM.

Yes, that was really good on Symphony also.

1 minute ago, JohnK6404 said:

We’ve created a cruise monster

In our house, I'm the cruise monster!

@kittysoul The MOST important advice I can give anyone is to take enough medication with you to last a week longer than when you are scheduled to be home. Stuff happens and I've heard many stories about delays, weather, etc. and people being stuck with no meds and no way to get them.

I don't take the original bottles, but I do take a picture of them with the date, my name, the med name and the dosage showing.

We carry the pills in a case similar to this (but we paid half the price in souvenir shops). It holds 8 days and zippers closed to prevent accidental opening.

@DRLPP, my closest friend had a kidney transplant many years ago. I truly hope the future is as good to you as it was to him. 24 days on a cruise..WOW...I think your problem now is laundry, not meds

Really busy day and dodging raindrops...sorry for not saying sooner, but REALLY HAPPY FOR YOU GUYS!! Time will pass quickly but to help it along, join us on Adventure in May!!

1 hour ago, Fuzzywuzzy said:

You wouldnt expect such a decision from a company that people are fond of saying "Nickel and Dimes" you all the time.

Those people may still complain even after jumping on the drink plan. No matter what, cruising is still the best vacation value!