Kendall James-Vargas

@mikeHive Thanks for sharing this. It's so unfortunate that Spain is experiencing such a severe drought. This region will truly suffer if cruise ships aren't able to stop there. This article is particularly interesting because it gives detailed insight to why the drought is such a big deal for cruises. Cruise ships that travel to this area would have to agree not to draw or utilize water supplies from the port. The ships would need to be able to produce their own water supply onboard. I hope that ships will be able to make accommodations and modifications to meet the needs of the area so guests can continue to travel to Spain via cruise despite their current water deficit.

@Faye Burckhalter I agree that using these cute ducks for the purpose of advertisement just ruins the fun. Even the ducks without any information tags are good enough for me. @Richard Melton I love this! It must have been such a treat to find re-hidden ducks on your recent cruise! It's really all about the simple things in life. I'm glad to hear you feel as fondly as I do about rubber ducks onboard, and you enjoy the fun of the entire experience with your family. DO you typically move the ducks you find from one ship to another? I typically only re-hide them onboard the same ship. The idea of brining them along onto another ship is something that hasn't crossed my mind before until now.

@georgie Thanks for sharing your entertainment experience onboard both MSC Seascape and MSC Seaside. I was unable to attend the karaoke show while onboard MSC Seascape. I will be cruising out this week on MSC Seashore, and I will keep my eyes peeled to see what karaoke options are offered onboard this upcoming itinerary. Do you typically participate in the karaoke options onboard you cruises? I have yet to participate in karaoke in front of others that aren't friends/family. I'm nervous to give it a try!

@euroguy I'm so pumped for this! It's coming in perfect timing before your Carnival Firenze cruise itinerary. Thanks for sharing this exciting addition. It was speculated David would make a presence onboard, but I'm thrilled to hear its permanence on a new ship. This Statue of David deserves to shine, and I'm glad CCL is keeping it in the fleet!

@euroguy I don't really know if this method is the best since it's not that efficient but it's really all I know! The older way you described sounds antiquated but honestly more efficient. The thought of a 5 minute check in process just amazes me. I can't wait to get to the loyalty status where I don't have to wait in an hour long line. I like your cruise entry style! I typically arrive pretty hungry too. If I check in too late I typically skip the food items and just wait for dinner, but otherwise I'm right there with you. I'm not surprised at all by the casino interest. You have to know the set up before you begin all of your fun! The idea of going to the jacuzzi when the other guests are preoccupied is another great idea. I typically only do the pools/jacuzzis when it's daytime. I love to dress up in the evening for jacuzzi at that hour can be counteractive. I wish you all the best on your casino ventures on Carnival Mardi Gras. I'm sure you will have much success!

@euroguy I can't believe it! I thought you were cruising out before me, but I'm actually cruising out before you. This is definitely a larger balcony. It's one of the biggest, non-suite balconies I have seen actually. The colors are so modernized and tropical. It is perfect for the theme of being out on the ocean with a warm, salty-air breeze. How delightful! I love the early packing so no judgement here. I do enjoy the girly stuff. The coverups and the floppy hats, I can't wait to get on my cruise; you are right. I cruise out Sunday! I'm clearly more than ready.

@euroguy That's a great idea, and likely a bit more affordable too. I don't think I have actually ever had to show my passport to get back on the ship but you just never know. That's my fear, the unknown! We just waited way too long for this passport and had to expedite it initially, but then we missed one piece on information (that the clerk overlooked as well). At that point we had to mail additional information and a physical addendum to correct this issue. At that point they processed the information as correct and we had to pay an additional fee to have it expedited again. Then it was taking too long and we had to request to change the shipping address it to our Florida property address in order to receive it in time. They sent it to our other home address and left it on the doorstep. I had to call a neighbor to rush to grab it, run to the post office, resend it to use at an overnight fee of $70. It's been such a headache; I basically have an unhealthy relationship with the passport now because it's so valuable.

@euroguy That's just wonderful! I have an early check in time for mine as well but I feel like many cruisers intentionally come early, outside of their check-in timeframe. The lines are always the longest at these early time slots. I know you don't likely experience this because you are a CCL VIP. One thing I won't have is early access to my stateroom, but I'm used to that and bring minimal things in my hand. Do you typically jump right in the pool once you get onboard? I find that basically the best thing to do because no one is at the pools at this time! Sometimes I will pack swimsuit in my tote to change once onboard in the poolside restrooms and get right in! I think you have genius moments more often than you believe you do. You have insight for days! I love your input on the boards.

@LukeJ That's so true. For many, when you mention a cruise you are automatically put on this pedestal of privileged. It's a privilege I never want to take for granted, but it isn't as hard to attain as many believe it to be. It's not a cheap vacation, but it's not unreasonable by any means. I typically cruise with basic packages that I can afford annually. I also opt to take vacations/experiences over gifts. In order to afford my family cruise I will book interior staterooms, I won't dine at the specialty restaurants, and rarely book more than one excursion per cruise. I won't splurge on onboard shopping, casinos, or extra costs onboard. These are concessions I make to comfortably fit a cruise in my budget. Instead of a gift for my 30th birthday last weekend, I chose a cruise a gift instead! The memories and ability to relax like a princess is unforgettable and priceless. No expensive purse could be exchanged for the experience a cruise can give.

You are right! Hygiene is key. If you don't wash you hands enough, at least before every meal, you are much more likely to catch a virus onboard. I understand illness can come from the food we consume, but that too can be avoided to some degree. I try to avoid many raw things onboard, especially the salad bar. Not only can it be hard to properly wash the lettuce, but it can easily get cross contaminated. Anything cooked is typically easier to avoid food born illness. You also have to realize the self-serve tongs aren't always the cleanest. I would sanitize your hands after serving your food at the buffet. I always feel the most comfortable in the MDR! The food is fresh/made to order, hasn't been sitting out, and has not crossed paths with other passerbys.

@LukeJ I completely agree! The ocean has stronger currents that can make it difficult to paddle against. It's much easier to kayak, and especially paddle board, on a lake or any other calm body of water. Don't get me wrong, I love the ocean, but when I'm traveling on something I have to self-propel, I don't find it relaxing to have to struggle so hard to get from point A to point B. On the ocean, I want to be on a boat, preferably a cruise ship, but I'm fine with a jet ski too. I will do a little snorkeling here and there by the shore, but that's good enough for me. I'm all about the bathtub ocean experience!

@KeithG That is so awesome! What a perfect way to kick off this incredible ship. I'm already playing her songs on repeat today in honor of Gwen becoming godmother. She's an icon for sure, and the title of godmother for Carnival Jubilee is well deserved. Not only is Carnival Jubilee going to have a noteworthy naming ceremony but the ship will also be home porting out of its new Galveston terminal. Terminal 25 underwent extensive upgrades that cost $53 million. Part of the port expansion will include more parking for cruises guests, totaling over 500 additional parking spots in the Express Lot!

@Tootie I always bring my passport off of the ship as a just in case measure, but the idea of leaving it behind sounds luxurious. I get nervous walking away from my bag at the beach/water-based excursions because that's where I end up storing the passports. I always get so anxious that I wouldn't be able to get back on the ship without them. A copy is a great thought. It would feel better to at least a copy, but it would also feel less risky. What if I ended up loosing the passports while off at the port? That would be too awful. I struggled enough to get my daughter's here on time before this cruise. We forgot to put her gender on the renewal and it messed everything up. Let's just say it ended up being the most expensive passport ever.

@euroguy You will be vacationing, living the dream before we know it. What's the current countdown? I do like the mildly smelly things. It's nice to get a waft of my hairspray in the breeze. I want all the same things, plus fun smells and makeup and a cute coverup/hat/hair clip. Now that I think about it, my packable pool tote will be filled with things I probably won't end up needing, but you never know! Why have one type of sunscreen when you can have three? Those cabins are so amazing! That looks larger than the typical balcony cabin! Did you book a suite this time around?

@Bernie That's a great question. I can't tell you with 100% certainty, but this promotion should apply to all card holders. You can always call the card company to confirm. Usually this $1,000 spent has to be inn qualifying purchases. Be sure to check those fine print details out, ensuring you earn those extra points! https://www.bankofamerica.com/credit-cards/products/royal-caribbean-credit-card/#interest-rates-and-fees I'm seeing a similar promotion for new card holders. I would just confirm all of these details directly with Bank of America.

@Old Cruiser I was pretty shocked too! I would love to say I have seen this offer before on my end, but I haven't! If I got a $500 onboard credit offer I would be booking left and right. I think my main problem is, I need to play in the casino. How much money do I need to spend in the casino to get this perk? Since I don't play in the casino, I would probably need to start gambling in large amounts to stand out amongst the crowd. Do you typically play in the casino on a cruise? I typically get kicked out of the casino for trying to play at the entrance as I walk by the casino with my kids. Unfortunately no kids are allowed, even if they are babies.

@LukeJ A patent sounds like a great idea for those excellent, one-of-a-kind experiences. It's would be so cool to great an ingenious idea that others loved so much they were willing to pay a royalty to replicate. That's one incredible idea! I would love to see a vending machine with drinks onboard. It could be such a great addition to a ship, and the line could eliminate one bar tender per ship. I could see this becoming very popular out by the pool. Speaking of out by the pool, I would love some misters. Some misters near the loungers would be so fabulous. Can you imagine the competition for pool loungers if misters were thrown into the mix? I'm sure a scooter only elevator could be a nice thought too. A scooter only hallway could be great. A wider hallway for guests with mobility challenges. Imagine this, a moving walkway for those needing assistance with mobility. The downside could be that guests fake a disability to receive these perks. That would be a shame, but unfortunately, it wouldn't surprise me.

@LukeJ I'm very glad to see this too, considering I will be cruising in less than 10 days! Sickness on vacation is just the worst, especially when it's a stomach virus. I happen to think cruise lines are very clean for the most part. I have yet to experience a filthy ship. Have you encountered sickness on a cruise? Sickness always finds me and my family on airplanes. That's usually the way we get sick, and it's almost unavoidable. Even if I wipe the surfaces we still get sick. I believe the recirculating air is the culprit. It's others germs being blown directly into your face. The filters on an airplane can't be good, and the proximity in which you sit next to one another doesn't help either.

@LukeJ Yes booking larger taxis is the way to go. They usually just take longer to arrive; so pre-booking them is the way to go. I think I would be so awful at figuring out the driving situation! I would prefer to avoid that if possible. It's very likely I automatically choose the wrong side and cause an accident. It must take time to re-train your brain. I'm a right dominant person and if you ask me to do anything with my left hand, it's has terrible outcome. I didn't even think about the roundabouts! The potential of renting a car is completely off the table now. That's not true at all! Americans drive on roundabouts and where I'm from, they are all over the place! If designed properly, roundabouts are a great solution for speed and traffic. Drivers need to follow roundabout rules though. There are rules! If those rules aren't followed, consider there is an accident in the making.

@Rainy That would be an excellent loyalty incentive for guests! Do you typically cruise with Celebrity Cruises? I usually book with a stateroom package that offers a free room service incentive. Free room service for everyone is very rare. I have yet to cruise with HAL, but this is certainly a great perk! How often do you find yourself using the free room service perk? I usually only opt for the occasional breakfast in bed if it's included in the package I choose. I find the food to be the best fresh off the press in the MDR!

@euroguy The idea of a back to back itinerary is genius! I love the idea of capitalizing on that flight purchase. The flights are half the cost of the entire experience, not to mention the headache of it all! You have the awesome perk of laundry onboard. That means you can get off of the ship with clean clothes, ready to hop on your next cruise adventure. Would you be able to cruise back to back on the same ship? Have you done that in the past? Isn't Friday the 9th tomorrow? That's insane. Your cruise really is right around the corner. I guess I am mistaken about your mega ship history! I'm very curious to hear what you think of it! There are definitely many more people to interact with. That's pretty nice when out in the evening time. More people on the dance floor is a great time, but more people at the buffet can be a headache. I love that you always look for the positives in things. That's the best way to be!

@Old Cruiser Thanks for the tip! I haven't had My Time dining in such a long time. I believe the program has advanced so much since my cruise with that dining flexibility. It's very nice to stroll up to dinner whenever you feel like it. On my recent cruises I chose the early dining time slot. Sometimes it's great and other times I wish I had more flexibility to dine a bit later based on the ship itinerary for the day.

@Old Cruiser Thanks for confirming that for me. The status match perk is a really great perk. If I knew MSC Cruises was the only line that offered it, I would have racked up a higher loyalty status with another line and then have it matched by the line after the fact. What were some perks you have enjoyed a a Platinum member that are no longer? Which CCL loyalty perks would you like to see return? I wish other cruise lines offered the status match incentive. I don't think CCL needs to offer that perk. It seems if anything the line has an influx of loyalty guests, likely a surplus. More high-up loyalty guests wouldn't be of value for the line.

@JoeWellsUSA That's a great tip! Those roaming charges are no joke. I think the only way to truly avoid them is by putting your phone on airplane mode. That's a very interesting assumption you have on provider contracts with cruise lines. I didn't even think of satellite companies being a middle man. It's very intriguing. I haven't even heard of a cellular at sea program! This is all great info. Do you think cruise lines get incentives for this? If so, do you think it's fair that cruise lines get a kickback from guests' roaming usage while onboard?

@Arist Thanks for your feedback! This isn't always doable on every cruise line. Some cruise lines, such as MSC Cruises, will allow you to remove the automatically added gratuities under certain circumstances. Many other US-based cruises lines, such as RCL will not allow you to remove those automated gratuities. Gratuities are definitely one of those hard to agree on topics. Many people don't tip as generously a they should. Other guests won't tip at all. Keeping the gratuities automated and the same for all guests ensures it's fair and equal for all guests. A someone who normally tips above and beyond, I do prefer doing my own tipping. I always tip over the daily rate and give cash to those who really stood out to me. Be sure to read the cruise lines' rules on gratuities. Each cruise line is very different from daily rate to flexibility of its rules. You can always call the cruise line directly to confirm the details on gratuity standards for that line. Which cruise line do you typically cruise? When you tip on your own, what crew members do you typically tip?