3Sisters

@Dee Dee7 Have you booked onboard Carnival Panorama? I have yet to cruise onboard the ship, but I would use @euroguy's personal knowledge and experiences! I'm not sure if you would enjoy this, but the ship does offer a Sky Zone trampoline park onboard! Carnival Panorama also has a SkyRidde bike course onboard. Those are just a few thrilling perks offered on the ship, but there are many more awesome things about it!

@euroguy I think David may have found his permanent home onboard Carnival Firenze. It clearly wasn't on the right ship before it wasn't appreciated enough. I think Fun Italian-Style ships have to have a more intimate and luxury feel to that of a typical Carnival ship because of their previous Costa design. I recall the lighting being lovely and moody and the decor was much classier than that of the more whimsical look of most CCL ships. You do cruise a lot, but you are a very strategic and thoughtful cruiser. You don't just hop onboard you itinerary and wing it; you make memorable experiences out of every itinerary you cruise on. You booked February 2025! That's awesome! I would love to cruise on an Italian Fun ship instead of a regular CCL ship because I believe I would enjoy it more. I can only imagine the elegance onboard.

@euroguy Thanks for sharing what documentation you bring along. That's a really brilliant strategy. For most local ports, I would feel confident with the passport card, but anything in another continent makes me hesitant. @Old Cruiser It's a great idea to use it for domestic flights too. I didn't even think to do that!

@LukeJ It's great that you were so active in your youth. What do you do to stay active now? I feel like golf doesn't count as much physical activity, especially if you have a golf cart. Team sports are so fun, especially if you aren't motivated to remain active without others involved. That's why group fitness classes are so popular. Many women don't want to exercise unless they are in a group. I'm happy to just workout on my own. Otherwise I have to rely on others to show up to get my workout in. I'm self-motivated so I don't require the accountability of others but many people do. Golf is a good time in the sun and a great way to bond with your son! I love that you take the time to do that with him. It will be something he looks back on and remember fondly.

@LukeJ Thanks for confirming that! @ttthatsme It seems like you shouldn't have any trouble getting to Enterprise rental car in Southampton, but you should certainly call before and clarify. Sometimes the shuttle will only run if you call beforehand. I would certainly call and coordinate times the the shuttle will run. That's very important. It would be such a bummer if the shuttle wasn't running when you needed it to. You could always taxi to the rental car place, but that's just more of a hassle.

@LukeJ Which cruise line gives you the best loyalty perks? Some cruise lines are better than others when it comes to that. In fact, as an avid cruiser, I would like to explore the lines that offer the best perks. Usually you have to cruise every so often to keep your status, but that's doable in most cases. If I become equally loyal to a few different lines I can rotate cruising annually with each line to keep my status! A big factor is how many cruises you have to take to make it to the top. Some cruise lines, like Celebrity Cruises seem to require so many cruises to make it to the top; it almost seems impossible.

@euroguy Maybe you need to share a selfie of your time together! I didn't realize you saw David on your first-ever cruise experience. Times surely does fly by. Now you are the cruising king, traveling the seas whenever you get a chance. When I was younger, I cruised on a Costa ship and it was my most memorable cruise as a child. I vividly remember the decorations and the food. It was unlike any other cruise line I had cruised with. I think Carnival Firenze is going to mimic those unforgettable qualities. As you likely know, this ship was once a Costa ship!

@LukeJ So many people want to experience a white Christmas! It can be lovely, but the reality is, like in the UK, it's brisk and cold. Going for a week is a magical experience, but being stuck in it for four plus months is miserable! All people who live in the cold want to escape it in the winter. We all want an experience like the one in this photo. If you live in the cold, does a Christmas cruise to Antartica sound exciting? It doesn't to me! Now if I lived in a warm place, maybe I would feel differently.

@LukeJ I'm convinced CCL would rather guests drink alcohol than water with those prices! I understand that cruise lines are trying to turn a bigger profit, but water is an essential. Guests need water! It's something we can't live without. Yes, there are other options onboard, but when you are thirty and a refill station isn't around, bottled water is your option. I would not drink the water that comes from the bathroom sinks. Anything that comes from the buffet area with a filter is much safer! If you are drinking out of the bathroom sinks, you are taking a risk. You don't know the quality of that water!

@Lindsay Kailua Kona will be a lovely stop, but tender ports always take lots of patience! I would advise almost waiting till an hour has passed before getting off the ship unless you have priority disembarkation. This article will give you great tips for Kailua Kona! https://www.cruisehive.com/ways-to-enjoy-kailua-kona-hawaii-for-cruise-visitors/33202 Spring time is always filled with showers. I hope, for your sake, that you can avoid those shower, but it's inevitable. I wouldn't expect much of a chill, but I would expect amazing flowers and gardens! Butchard Gardens is a must see in Vancouver is you are interested. Will this be your first time cruising to these lovely destinations?

@traveldude Have you cruised on this itinerary before? Going to the excursion desk is a great suggestion for @ChrisP! I personally prefer to strategize ahead of time, ensuring I don't miss out on some of the best, must-see spots. Most of these destinations have excursions you can book directly through Princess Cruises before you board on the website. If you haven't been to these destinations before, I would advise you to book through the cruise line for ease, convenience, security, and safety. You always have the option of booking on your own once you get off of the ship. Especially if you don't speak the native language, it's always nice to book your excursions through the cruise line. If you look at each destination on Princess Cruises website, you will get a few good tips as to where you should explore. You can always hop off of the ship and wing it, finding a taxi to take you to your destination of choice. https://www.princess.com/ports-excursions/cork-ireland-cobh-for-blarney-castle-excursions/

@LukeJ That's wild. You sound like a rugby type of player. I preferred tennis and less contact, but you are a champ. I would imagine all of those fractures have taken a toll on your body! At least you do have a structure and a compromise. The idea of 3-5 hours without breaks drives me crazy if I'm being honest. It's so unproductive, unless your son is making money off of his play time, I would say he could bo doing better with that time. It's hard because as kids get older they start to make their own decisions. I have seen kids go to college and spend hours upon hours on the television playing games. It's all about balance so a little screen, a little outdoor time is more practical. I will try to keep the sceens to a minimum when I can, but I'm not going to lie, life is easier when I put my kids in front of their tablets.

@LukeJ CCL has increased its bottled water price. This isn't the first time, but actually the third time over the past 17 months. At this point, bottled water is about the same price as bottom shelf alcohol. I wish there was more accessibility to water fountains onboard cruise ships. It seems so strategic that cruise lines push alcohol that makes you thirsty but the easily accessible water is bottled. If the bottled water is costing this much, cruise lines should opt for a more eco-friendly solution! All of that plastic is no good. I see what you are saying about the alcohol push. I don't like the societal pressures on a regular basis or on vacation. It's not my preferred way to unwind anyhow. I would rather go for a run or into a hot tub.

@Dee Dee7 I want to cruise on Carnival Panorama next month! It looks like a Mexican Riviera itinerary too. I could go for some authentic Mexican food and a margarita right about now. Will this be your first time cruising on Carnival Panorama? The ship will be undergoing a dry dock in September-October of this year so you are cruising at a great time before it's docked for about a month. Will you be cruising on a 7-night itinerary?

@LukeJ Yes, since I'm not much into being tackled to the ground, flag football was a better option for me. It was co-ed when I was younger so that was nice too. I'm pretty sure I was the only girl on the team back then, but I enjoyed it. Picking football (or soccer when I live) is so easy to participate in. Most of my family enjoys playing soccer and will jump in games/create their own at random parks. My brother created his own drop in league. Since video games weren't so prominent back in the day, it was easier to just go outside and play with others. Now, kids don't just go out and play. At the parks, it's usually just the little ones and the bigger ones are cooped up in their houses on media related devices. Those were the good days! I want my children to enjoy those same adventures, but there aren't many other kids that are doing the same. My kids get about 1-2 hours of screen time a week. That is very low considering most other families. I don't stop them as much on vacation or at friends houses, but they get is sparsely and usually for educational purposes. Everyone is so hung up on tablets, televisions, phones, and gaming devices. It's not good for our children, especially when there are no limit.

@Seaawgs I agree that many of these statements and decisions are driven by strong financial backing and incentives. Thanks for sharing all of your supporting evidence here. This issue is far greater than our food sources. The issues of EV's and their emissions is such a scam to me. For a while there I believed that EV's were important to the future and our environmental development as a society but that is far from the truth. There was other underlying, monetary factors involved. I think an issue of sourcing fuel and having to import it to the US and other EV-loving countries is a factor. I wonder, now that more people area aware of this, if EV's will continue to be a trend. The self-driving situation didn't go so well for Tesla as many of their vehicles have been recalled due to safety. Do you think the love for EV's will continue to grow?

@jstockard This is very interesting. I would be very surprised with Royal Caribbean is denying the charge unjustly. RCL has great record keeping and is not known for fraudulent charges. Accidental charges are always possible from any entity, but clearly that isn't the case. The fact that the charge amount is so high is what is concerning. On your bank statement, the $1,345.20 charge is showing up from RCL, is that correct? It would be more likely that this "fraudulent" charge from Vacations to Go or another fraudulent entity. I agree with @Seaawgs. That the bank should be able to take care of this pretty quickly. I would additionally advise you to always pay deposits and so forth with credit cards. It is much easier to dispute charges and receive a refund. The credit card company will work on your behalf. It is much more difficult and unlikely to receive a refund and such protection is you pay with a debit card.

@AftBalconyPlease I know all of the ships should have it onboard by now, but it certainly shouldn't be that slow! What package should you purchased, instead of unlimited, to get faster speed? I was used to images not loading with the old internet service provided. The purpose of Starlink was to make it faster! I have trouble believing that this service you received was Starlink due to the speed. Loading images is a basic thing! Which ship were you on when you experienced such internet speed?

@Joaniefl That's a great question and I think it's really dependent on the ship. Since it's the older ages, I would expect them to make an exception considering how close it will be until his birthday. Some of the activities will likely include both groups together which could be nice too. You may just have to play it by ear and wait until you get onboard. I cruise with my younger children 6 and under and cruise lines are pretty strict with those age requirements. For the older kids, they can be more lenient, especially since they can sign themselves in and out. Happy birthday to your son! When will your family be cruising out?

The next generation scares me. How much faster can instant gratification get? I'm hungry. You get food immediately. When my kids are hungry, they have a snack available whenever they want. That's not real life. It takes a minute to prepare food or have access to food. The accessibility to have everything whenever we want it isn't sustainable or realistic.

It is an interesting perspective much of society has towards drinking. All we want is for your bodies to be healthy, but then we impose the idea that drinking in excess is fun and important to have a healthy social life. If you don't drink, you have to come up with a million excuses why not to still be pressured and persuaded into it against your will. I prefer to be the designated driver, but even then you are still expected to have a couple drinks. I ask myself the same question. Why can't I hang out with old friends and they don't judge me for only having one alcoholic beverage. As I get older, I care less and less about other's opinions. I don't need other's approval anymore. If you don't like that I don't want a drink, that's your problem. I put myself and what is best for myself first. That's how it should be!

@LukeJ I love sports and moving your body, but I don't find the time to participate in them anymore. I played all thee sports as a kid from flag football to tennis and gymnastics. It's so healthy to participate in physical activity, challenging your body and mind, whether in an individual or team setting. Even the fun challenge of foosball onboard a cruise is a great way to engage with others in a healthy competition. I wish more kids would engage in team sports and physical activities instead of the constant video game/screen-centered interaction. Whenever I walk by the teen club the kids are always playing video games, sitting down in the dark. When I was a teen, I was forced to be outside and move my body! The times have changed.

@Seaawgs That makes sense. Grand Cayman doesn't stand out to you amongst other Caribbean cruise ports. I do enjoy the beaches there and the culture of the island is quaint. Unfortunately, Grand Cayman isn't the only area that is upping it's prices for tourists. The Bahamas has increased it's taxes and fees for cruise guests. This is one example of that. https://www.cruisehive.com/bahamas-to-impose-new-tax-on-cruise-line-private-islands/122912 The fact that the cruise industry is continuing to grow and expand post-pandemic while prices continue to increase means the demand is still there and the prices aren't much of a factor. Cruise guests are willing to spend and visit the beautiful destinations without thinking twice about the "port taxes and fees." Seasoned cruisers notice these price hikes and changes but the general public of cruisers could really care less, taking no mind to the changes.

@Judith austin Have you been to either of these destinations before? I have been to Amber Cove a few times recently, and the port is really nice and safe. Venturing outside of the port is one of those things I typically opt out of if I don't book an excursion through the cruise line because I cruise with young children. If I felt safe walking around Amber Cove with toddlers bobbing around everywhere, I think you will feel the same way too!

@FJB Thanks for sharing that link! According to that link, Turkey Hill can be found in Walmart. I don't shop there too often, but I have one relatively close to my home. It would be convenient for me to go and pick out a flavor to try at my house! What is your favorite Turkey Hill flavor? Jeni's Splendid ice cream is priced higher, but it looks good! For the amount of ice cream my family consumes, I need to buy bigger sized container to feed us all. Maybe a gallon-sized container is a better option. Does Turkey Hill come in large containers?