Suzila

Wait! It just hit me...is that "oldest" daughter? Yeah, must be...really, you need to just take the time and write out "oldest"...Everytime I see "odd" I think there's something strange about her. LOL!

In July on our day at sea, we watched "The Lion King". I only watched it until the next activity started, but hubby watched the entire thing. It was held in the same lounge where they do the karaoke, so there were quite a few people in there waiting for karaoke to start. I've never watched an entire movie in the cabin...only caught snips of movies while we were getting ready for dinner or whatever. We spend as little time in the cabin as possible...there's so much to do on a cruise. I would also think if your daughter is part of a cruise camp, they'll run movies for the kids. Ann, I know this is probably a silly question, because everyone else knows what it is...but what do the initials "o"dd stand for? dd is dear daughter, I assume, but the "o"?

Wow! Lots of dancing going on on this board...good feeling to have those docs in hand.

Have a great time!

Have a wonderful time!

Wow...that sounds like a great cruise. How long is it? 10 days, 15? And what are the ports?

WooHoo! Vacation time is closer!

Hi Cary177, Welcome to CruiseCrazies! The only warning<] I have to give you about cruising, is watch out...it's addictive! Once you've cruised, that's the only vacation you're ever going to want to take. Other than that, I would suggest you read the 'packing list', located at the top right of your screen...that will help. Start navigating around this website...there's a lot of very good info on here. Every one of us was a first time cruiser at one time, and had lots of questions. The very first time my hubby and I went on a 3 day cruise...we were afraid we'd get sick on the ship. We stood in front of the boat before it left, looked up, and both said, "What did we get ourselves into?" The very first thing we did when we got off the ship was go to the travel agent and book another cruise! Yes, it's crowded on a ship, but you can always find your own little space...take a book, lounge on deck, watch the ocean roll by. It's pure heaven. The worst part of the crowds is when you have to do muster in the very beginning of the trip. After that, everyone goes their own way...you won't all be together at the same time again, having to stand there, listening to the orders. As fas as being on a floating hotel...once you walk onboard, you really won't know it's moving unless you go to a window, or go outside. I hope you have a great time...I know you will.

We've been on Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Princess, all several times, and NCL once.

Our ship also docked in Miami at 7am, and the debarkation went extremely slow... We had an excursion set up to take us on a tour of Miami, and then directly to the airport using the tour bus. Even doing that, we didn't get off the ship until almost 11am, and we were one of the first ones off the ship. (This was Carnival). You're just going to go to the hotel, so you don't have a plane to catch. I'd set up the pickup time for 12 noon, and tell them you will give them a phone call if you get off any earlier.

My girlfriend dreads sitting next to new people...she says the conversation always goes the same way...have you cruised before, how many cruises have you been on, which cruise lines have you been on, where have you been. I love sitting at a large table and talking to all kinds of new people (on our last cruise we sat at the table with a couple from Trinidad who knew EVERYTHING<] about their country and OURS!<]...it was almost embarrassing what we didn't know!) I don't think there's any rhyme or reason to how they place people. We've sat at tables where we thought we'd have nothing in common with the others, and we've sat at tables where we were a family of 4, and so was the other family. I think they just try to fill in wherever they can.

Yeah, CRAZY<] people here, huh? But, fun to talk to. Welcome to our group!

The Miami port was pretty spread out, as I recall. Jut make sure they leave you off at the correct ship, and the porter will get it on the right ship. The ships are too far apart to make a mistake like that.

They always tell you in the debarkation seminar that you shouldn't take the robes home, and they are for sale in the gift shop if you really need it that badly.

Yes, that's what happens, Ann. On the cruises we've been on there are tables for two, four, 8 or 10. I would think they'd put a family of 5 together with three more and round it out to 8.

Joey, READ the manual! You should have that camera figured out already...you should be taking all kinds of practice pictures. I'm getting a new digital for either my birthday or the holidays (I already know this!!!...it's sitting here waiting to be wrapped up, just depends if it will be birthday paper or Christmas paper...LOL!), and I intend to have that little puppy figured out by the end of the day! Get with it Joey!

I've been trying to get a pick up from Port Of Miami...I just called larry's Limo..and they won't do it b/c we don't have a cell phone to use to call them at the Pier when we get off.. ---- I'd call Larry's Limo back and give them a phone number. I don't care what number it is...look something up that is a U.S. phone number, and give it to them. You said it yourself- you will give them a call when you get off the ship and have them pick you up. They're worried that you won't call when you get off, and they have no way of tracking them down. This is ridiculous. You need the limo- YOU know you're going to call them. Just give them any old number and tell them that's your cell phone. This is soooo aggravating for you. Or, give them your home phone number...do they have to know it's not a cell phone?

Hubby and I can't spend a lot of time in the sun, so in Grand Cayman Island we took a city tour. It included a trip to the turtle farm, shopping and also a stop in H**L. We also did a glass bottom boat tour there. I have no desire to be up close and personal to stingrays. We really enjoyed that day, and our friends came back to the ship after their day with the stingrays, burnt to a crisp. So, there are plenty of other tours to take.

So, it's a Panama Canal cruise, right? I loved going through the canal...that new camera of yours will certainly get a good workout on that trip. I had a cramp in my finger from taking so many pics! Ha ha!

Wow! That giant screen near the pool looks really neat...that should be a lot of fun to see all the activities on that. Looks like you had a lot of fun. Two days!?! Way too short.

I know others will reply to your post, but here's my thought. On formal night you need to have some sort of jacket...either a suit, or a sports coat. My two sons were able to get away without wearing a jacket when they were kids...they just wore button shirts and ties, but if you want to eat in the dining room on formal night, an adult male needs a jacket. My suggestion to you, if you don't want to buy a jacket or suit, is to either rent a tux while onboard for the one night, or dress however you like and skip eating in the dining room. Just eat the buffet that night. Keep in mind if you decide not to eat in the dining room, you'll miss either lobster or prime rib, or something like that.

I voted for Princess, probably for the same reason. My kids made friends on our Alaska cruise years ago and had penpals from that cruise for years. They loved their kids program.

Check the shuttle again. When we got off the plane in FLL, we first asked how much it would be to get to the port of Miami. He told us it was $17/person. Then we asked how much it would be to go from the airport to a hotel in South Beach, because we wanted to meet up with our friends before going to the port, and again, he said $17/person. The guy at the airport told us anywhere we wanted to go would be a flat $17/person, each way. Try getting through to them again. The other prices sound very high to me also.

That would drive me batty! Go out and start your Christmas shopping. Or, start a new book and take it with you on the cruise for when you're lounging around the pool. Have a great trip!

The 4th photo from the bottom is what we saw when we were in Cozumel in July...the one that is labeled 'Seafront Beaten Hard'. Most of the homes on our city tour looked like this. Thanks for the website.