Jan115

Well said, Karina, and Happy Cruise Month! My husband and I went on our first cruise in 2002 and wondered why we waited so long. Each of our ocean journeys has been an amazing adventure, whether we’re exploring glaciers of Alaska, fjords of Norway, ancient ruins or an island oasis.  I agree. There’s no better way to escape routine and explore new places than a cruise!

Wishing you calm oceans and sunny skies! 🛳😎

7 hours ago, AndiD said:

Great article, Jan!  Even though I have taken 30+ cruises I would never think of booking without a good travel agent.  All of the points in your article are spot on, and unless you opt for a very high-end, exclusive travel agency, the cost to use an agent is $0!  So why not take advantage of their expertise and access?!  You can still maintain as much control over the details as you want....or....you can leave everything up to your agent if planning is not "your thing".   And CruiseCrazies even makes it easy - check out their recommended  Authorized Agents - I have!!

Well said, Andi! Your agent thanks you!!🙂👍

Thanks for the great comparison between the two ships. Royal Caribbean Oasis class ships are all a bit too large for my liking, but fans of either will appreciate the differences.

7 hours ago, Shari2 said:

^{Yes, Jan... I couldn't believe it, but I had a hero that day...the  nice man who moved over for me...and it couldn't have been easy for him...he was quite a large man...always in my prayers.  Haven't had to fly for awhile but next time I have to fly Delta I will probably be grinding my teeth...LOL}

^{To take this story a little further...when we were in the Flamingo casino in Vegas...someone walked up behind me when I was playing at a slot machine and started saying something.  Guess who it was?  The lovely stewardess who refused to give me my own seat.  I don't even know what she said...I just ignored her...otherwise I probably would have said something not very nice...LOL}

We can only hope she was trying to apologize ... ?

Thank you, Shari!? Seawalk, fortunately, had enough solid floor surrounding the glass to make it less obvious that there was nothing between us and the ocean.?

Shari  - that’s awful, and there is no excuse for the crew’s behavior, especially since you had an assigned seat. Thankfully, the other guy was a gentleman and moved over for you. What a terrible way to treat their customers!?

I, too, fly from PVD whenever possible, and nearly always my favorite, SW. Bags fly free - entertaining flight attendants - lots of flight options - and decent prices, especially when you can land a sale, and even better when you get one of the newer planes. I subtract points, though, for eliminating several NS flights I used to enjoy. On the two occasions I flew JetBlue, they were fine. I like the fact that the standard seats are a half inch wider!? But you’re right. Flights are limited around here, and if your flight cancels, then you’re stuck.

I usually can’t afford first class, but on one occasion flew First on an Aer Lingus redeye across the pond from Boston in one of those fully reclined seats. Worth every ridiculous penny! I’ve done First on AA domestic - sometimes the prices aren’t that bad. Not the same experience, but at least you get the meal, the drinks and more elbow room.

The only memorably horrid flight was in a sardine can to Lisbon on SATA. Tightest seat I ever experienced - twisted me into a pretzel!

Since the time of writing this bit of information, I have run across a few situations where there has been no body scanner. The cruise line security, for instance, only has the metal detector, which hasn’t been an issue, as I just tell them about my bionic knee and they just let me pass. However, the one or two times where the only option at the airport was the metal detector, I got the royal pat down.?

Shari, you're leaving behind a jacket just reminded me of another vacation regret - I must have blocked it out of my mind ...

While in Alesund, Norway, I inadvertently left behind my backpack on a bench we were sitting at. David had gone back to the ship while I went to check out a couple of shops. I suddenly realized I didn't have my backpack and probably had left it on a bench we were sitting on. Of course, when I went back to see if it was still there, it was gone. Fortunately, I carry everything of value on my person, so the only things in there were my rain jacket, David's sweatshirt, sunscreen, a pair of sunglasses, and maybe a map and sightseeing flyers. I do miss the jacket, though - it was a new LL Bean rain jacket. I replaced David's beloved New England Patriots sweatshirt when I got home, so he wasn't mad for long.?

Joe, thanks for sharing your first cruise with NCL. Being a diehard Princess fan, Norwegian’s Freestyle cruising was a hard sell for my husband and I, but after recently returning from our 8th NCL cruise, I guess I can say the line grew on us - we love them! We are also New Englanders born and bread, and I agree - cruising out of New York is so easy, and Boston, even better! 

Thanks, Shari! ?

9 hours ago, AndiD said:

We have done the Jungle Queen during the day but will definitely need to try it again for the BBQ dinner!  Love your recommendations.  I might add one - The Bonnet House/Gardens.  It is a very unusual place - the historic estate of Frederick Clay Bartlett, who was a Chicago-born artist.  The house and grounds are full of very creative and unusual works of art, architecture and sculptures.  He had a unique sense of style and sense of humor and this is an absolutely delightful way to spend a few hours.   It is fronting Ft. Lauderdale Beach and admission is something like $20. 

Thanks, Andi. Bonnet House is in my write-up. I fixed the typo that called it “Bennet”?.  Yes, the artworks are amazing. They do struggle for funds to keep the place operating and maintained, and it would be a shame if they ever had to close their doors. 

I agree - the ribs were great, and I'm not a huge fan of hand-held sticky food.? 

Thanks for sharing this enlightening video! Having spent most of my life around working musicians, including my husband and kids, I appreciate the wide variety of music I have heard on board every cruise I’ve taken and can’t imagine what a cruise would be like without it’s dedicated artists and performers. I think it takes a special person to work the cruise lines. I know some who tried and found it wasn’t for them. So thanks for sticking it out and having so much fun in the process. You’ve had some amazing travels!??

Glad to have you back, Danny! I’m glad to see you’ve graduated from the leftovers served below decks.? Loved your video, and I agree, no matter how full I am, I can never pass on dessert!?

Isn’t it great? Turns cruise dining into a real family-style dinner!?

Earplugs saved my marriage! ?

Thank you Shari. I hope it brought a smile to your face! 

I like your attitude. Hurricanes certainly can be an adventure. While I haven't cruised in one, we did experience a beach house vacation during Hurricane Bob in 1991. I was 8 months pregnant, day one of our vacation, and we evacuated inland to my sister's. The storm ended, and we returned to the beach cottage - no lights, no power, no water. With the exception of one night at a nearby motor in to shower, we remained at the cottage, grilling, eating by candle light and flushing the toilet with sea water. The power came back the very last day. It turned out to be a fun week and one of those "remember when" vacations we'll never forget.

Good reminder about travel insurance - something I forgot to mention in the article. Yes, Princess EZ-Air now lets you pick your flights from the moment you book your cruise, as does Celebrity/RCI's Choice Air, and they offer refundable options which sometimes are competitive with the non-refundable rates on your own.

Exactly! Sometimes the "city in a day" tours are just too fast-paced for me nowadays.

It must have been very cozy!

I hear you, Debbie. A good example is the Cat. 1A inside on Carnival, the smallest of the small, and that's the one always advertised. I don't even quote those cabins for clients, unless they really don't care about size or location and all they want is THE cheapest.

We're going to a Broadway show in January - I'm going to try to squeeze in another visit with our daughters. It really is a special place.

I agree that many bargains in name merchandise can be found on board during a cruise. I still prefer to shop for hand-made local gifts when in port, but since my husband's birthday always falls during our summer cruise, he has sported several watches that have been purchased on board.