crazy4disney

Every live passenger report I read had nothing but praise for the ship staff and RCI in general. I think RCI definitely handled this very well -- it's amazing how understanding and flexible the general public can be when they're just given information. People *hate* to not know what's going on and worse, to feel like they're purposefully being kept in the dark, and they will hold a grudge over that for a very long time -- and show it with their wallets. -gina-

Oh, good one, Jan!! I forgot about the e-reader! I would never, ever leave my beloved Nook at home -- I used to have half a carryon suitcase full of paperback books just for a week cruise. Now I can fit all the books I could ever read in my lifetime into that wondrous little device! Best.Invention.Ever.

Jan's awesome "What Not to Pack in Your Checked Luggage" thread got me thinking about my own packing list. Over the cruises, there are a few items that have become must-haves for me: 1.) Over-the-door-shoe-holder. I got mine at Dollar Tree, and that dollar I spent has been well worth it!! Let's face it, there isn't much flat surface for putting things in a stateroom... Even with just my son and I in there, we still have things like sunscreen, hairbrushes, sunglasses, etc. X 2 that we have to put *someplace*. The shoe holder hangs on the hook that is usually in the "hallway", and gives the stateroom host that much less work to do tidying up surfaces. 2.) Jewelry roll. I got mine somewhere off the intrawebs, it was maybe $12, and I love that thing so much!! Even though all of my "jewelry" is just cheap costumer stuff, I still have a lot of it for everything from poolside casual to formal night bling. The jewelry roll has all these clear pockets in different sizes with individual zippers, that hold everything from tiny earrings to long necklaces. At the top there's a nice sturdy hook. The whole thing rolls up to the size of a flat iron, and ties closed. Takes up hardly any room in a suitcase -- and in one of the small stateroom cabinets. When I need something out of it, I just unroll it, hook it to the cabinet door ring, and quickly get exactly what I want out of it! 3.) Travel-size room spray. I get mine at Bath & Body Works, a wonderful tropical scent. Those stateroom bathrooms are tiny, and can get... less than fresh, lol. One small spritz makes everything smell wonderful. Then, once we're back home, I use the same scent if I need a pick-me-up, and it transports me right back to open seas and tropical drinks. 　 So what are YOUR must-haves to bring on a cruise?? -gina-

Excellent advice as always, Jan!

This was not some little fire... it looks like there is really a lot of damage. From passenger accounts onboard, though, the crew has been just amazing throughout all of it. Adam Goldstein himself is onboard now, assessing things and speaking with passengers. Sounds like RCI is handling this well! Photo: https://twitter.com/RoyalCaribPR/status/339031221185171457/photo/1 Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_Z_Wln5cY4

I can't believe you're going back in November, I'm totally jealous!! I don't get to be back there until February... but I'm counting the days. And just to add to what you said above, with your $2 wristband you also get access to their *amazing* pool! I know it sounds weird to go to a beautiful beach and lie by a pool, but I can't get enough of those lounge chairs half-submerged on that wide deck around the inside edge of the pool. SO relaxing. Oh man, I can't wait to be back there... -gina-

Excellent advice, Jan!! I'm always amazed at how many people fly in just hours before they're supposed to be on the ship... There's no way I could start my vacation with as much stress as would go along with cutting it that close!! -gina-

Love seeing my fellow cruisers' smiling faces! Makes it feel more like a group of friends here than just a random bunch of strangers. -gina-

For me, while getting to lie on a gorgeous tropical beach is definitely a plus, it's the icing on the cake -- the ship is the destination! It's like summer camp for grownups. I'd be perfectly happy if the ship did donuts in the middle of the ocean for a week. -gina-

(Jason, couldn't decide the best place to post this -- please move it to wherever you want it if this isn't the right place! ) Speaking of Jason... the manager at EZ Cruise Parking in Galveston, also named Jason, has been nice enough to give me a code to pass on to you guys! Just input the code "CCspecial" when you make your parking reservation and you'll get $6 off, in addition to the prepay discount. I have parked there myself before, and have dealt with Jason for a long time, and I can highly recommend them. Great people, safe parking, hassle-free experience. Hope this helps someone! -gina-

Odd question for a first post... Especially after all this time since the Concordia sank.

Completely agree, Debbie! Not only is cruising a good value, but for those of us on a serious budget it is so much easier to budget for. With a land vacation, there always seems to be so many unknowns, incidentals, "surprises" that can really be a budget killer. But with a cruise, nearly everything is included and paid for by the time you board the ship -- and the incidentals -- photos, drinks, bingo, etc. -- you know pretty well ahead of time just how much they're going to cost and you can easily stay within your budget. Cruising allows me to feel rich, even when I am definitely not, LOL. -gina- 　 　

I agree about the "falling" thing, Jackie! My non-cruising coworkers will always ask me, "Aren't you afraid you'll fall overboard??" Um, no. You would seriously have to make a dedicated effort to go overboard if you were sober. And the part that seems to scare most non-cruisers is falling off their balcony -- but since I try and always have an aft, I'd have to "fall overboard" 5 or 6 times before I even hit an open deck -- much less open water, lol. But I have a feeling in the non-jumping cases, alcohol is almost always involved... The jumping cases, those are the really sad ones to me. Why would you spend all that money, go to all that trouble to go on the cruise in the first place? Seems like an awfully complicated way to commit suicide. -gina-

Oh it's amazing... it's the world's first convertible waterpark -- it has retractable panels over a good chunk of it (including one of the lazy rivers!) that they close during the winter season and enables the place to be open year-round. Water's heated, air's heated, it's just awesome. Love it there!! -gina-

I know I'm biased, but mine is definitely Galveston!! I've heard that if you have to fly in, it can be a real pain -- but most cruisers drive in to the port anyway, from what I understand. Galveston is just magical... The island has *so* much fascinating history, has some truly gorgeous architecture, wonderful places to go such as Moody Gardens, The Railroad Museum, the Strand historical district, the Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig Museum, Schlitterbahn, and so much more. Miles of free access beaches. Tons of fun and places to eat, drink, and shop along the Seawall. Abundant sunshine, seagulls circling overhead, friendly people... It's just the best. :-) :-) -gina- 　

Even if it is the norm for cruiselines to have paying customers on what is basically a "beta cruise", in light of their recent issues Carnival is the one cruiseline right now who should be doing everything possible to - hello- avoid even more bad press!! It just doesn't make sense to me... -gina-

Yay! My favorite beach resort and my favorite cruise site, together in the same place!! DS & I love us some Rocky and Sunshine... Well, truly I love lying half-submerged in a lounger at that amazing pool, with a Malibu Colada in my hand a wee bit more... but I do love those birds too. Welcome to Cruise Crazies, PB friends!! 　 -gina- 　 　 　 　 　 　 　

Way to go, Tim!! You deserve it. And the folks at PB posted about how happy they were that you chatted live from there on Saturday. Keep up the good work!! -gina-

Oh you should, Jan! Galveston is such a wonderful island... SO much history, amazing architecture, tons to do and see. Just an incredible place, and I can never get enough -- even being there a few times a month. One day I'll live there. :-) -gina-

^^^ This! Plus, the evac coverage in travel insurance will pay to transfer you from whatever closest facility they initially take you to, to someplace more appropriate for your injury/illness. But it's the smaller, more common little "everyday" incidents that might be considered a Saturday-ruiner back home, but can be a Very Big Deal indeed when you're at sea and near nothing. Take something like appendicitis, for instance -- practically as routine and uncomplicated as having a tooth pulled these days, but that is not the sort of thing that could be treated in a ship's medical center. And even the things that can be treated there -- we once saw a young girl slip on a wet deck and break her arm -- can end up costing a LOT. One very helpful website is www.insuremytrip.com. You can compare different policies by different companies, and choose which one is just right for you, your needs, and your budget. The policy I usually get costs me around $80 for both my teenage son and I, for a week-long cruise. Small price for peace of mind!! -gina-

I had been hearing rumors about this for a while, and am SO excited that it is now a reality. This is going to be such a great thing for the island I love so much, and such a fantastic plus for all the people who can only sail during the summer and who love the RCI experience. I feel a rant about the short-sighted-ness of Disney Cruise Line in regards to Galveston coming on... LOL -gina-

I'm SO jealous, Sarge... I would never dream of going to Cozumel without spending the day at Paradise Beach. It's such a beautiful place!! One of my very favorite port days. Have an amazing time!! -gina-

Such great news, Jason! I love Tapatalk -- makes it so easy to access forums on the fly. I can read and post to my favorite Disney forums, my favorite weather forums, and now my favorite cruise forums, all from one app! Love it. -gina-

Wow, Jan, looks like some sort of inspirational poster! Beautiful!! -gina-

That's gorgeous, Kevin!