LukeJ

@Cruising Caribbean my wife found it funny to say in front of my in laws that I'm easily strayed and can't say no. She turned to me and went you're a grown man. To which I replied, no I'm not. I'm not helping my argument. 

My wife keeps saying I'm easily strayed, and even though I deny it, deep down I know she's right but won't relent. I can't let her know she's right lol.

We set the code to our house alarm to the date of our anniversary, and when I came home rather merry from a social event one evening, I got the code wrong and panicked. My wife was away, and I had to phone her to ask what the code was. She wasn't impressed.

I for one wouldn't mind going on Holland America line. The ships look nice and the destinations they visit are amazing. I havent had the chance as of yet to go with them, but in time I certainly will. I don't tend to listen to the bad feedback as it could always be someone who is never happy with anything and do nothing but complain.

I do sympathise with guests if there is always an itinerary change. I certainly would not like it as sometimes you make that booking for a certain reason, such as a destination you wish to go to and when it's changed suddenly, it can be very frustrating, after paying a lot of money for that. 

Oh that is good. I've been there myself, so can't really criticise your husband because that's the sort of thing I would have done easily.

I'm certainly a golf lover and that would be a great incentive to get booking. I do enjoy sightseeing and looking at different locations rather than relaxing on a sun lounger.

I like to take my time and try not to stress when I'm on vacation. It's not always possible to relax when you are working day to day, so cruises are a perfect way to escape life, so why rush and stress yourself on the one time that you can chill.

I agree. MSC is a good cruise line to take a young family onboard. There are lots of family friendly amenities as @Cruising Caribbean suggested. I haven't been on one for a while, but I enjoyed my time onboard.

Yes I was thinking the same as @Loyal Cruiser. Does it really have anything to do with loyalty or is the age old money speaks volumes. It's good that they are bringing it back though, gives some passengers an incentive.

@Cruising CaribbeanI 100% agree with that statement. I enjoy over indulging when I'm on vacation as this is the only time I get to do it, so why not go full out. I love relaxing and trying different things so for the week or two I'm on a ship, that's my aim. 

Yes I read this earlier with the solariums are changed to over 18 adults only. That tends to make sense to me, you can take your family onboard and still have a bit of free time away from them for a short time.

@Kendall James-VargasI darent say where I keep my phone lol in case I get it stolen next time I'm aboard a ship ha ha 

I'd like to do both. That's my ideal vacation. Relaxing in the morning, drinking and eating and just a good chill out. Afternoon, have a look around the place and just enjoy the sights.

I am seriously considering doing that just to get the feel again of living the high life ha ha. I'd miss my children too much though and after the initial welcoming, I know I'd be wanting to get back to them.

If I had the money, I'd definitely eat out every day. It's so much easier, and I do enjoy the social element of it also. But other than that, the living crisis makes it difficult for us to treat ourselves in that sense. So going on vacation on cruises, is a massive treat for us to enjoy.

Yeah I take my camera just not my phone. And that way I can unwind and not get distracted from the life of the phones. In days gone by, I used to switch off my phone for a couple of days just to get away from things. But everything is on your phones now, apps like banking and everything, so I can't see it being viable now.

If you ever met my whole family, then you'd understand it would not be a relaxing vacation. Not. One. Bit. When I go away, I tend not to take my phone with me, I leave that to my wife to take hers and they can get to her in any emergencies. 

I'm a big believer in mind of matter as I've done it myself many times. You almost force yourself to divert your attention onto something else. Best case if you ever find yourself in plaster at some point (I hope you don't find yourself in one), however, and you get an itch, force yourself to think about something else and you'll soon forget about that itch in no time.

I love my children dearly, but how lovely would it be to go on vacation and on an adults only beach. It would be surreal, and making me quite emotional just thinking about it. 

I haven't been to Antigua personally, but it's definitely somewhere I would love to go to. I've been reading up and looking at places there, and I saw a beach called Dickinson Bay, which is as tranquil as they come. It looks like a google screen homepage.

If someone begins enjoying a certain aspect then you tend to forget any physical problems you have and just go for it, and worry about the discomfort another time.

That's the best review I've read. @Grieving Mom. You certainly know your stuff and passionate about that. These companies do need to speak to people like you and get feedback. You definitely know your way around as you say because of your experience. I do hope you get everything that you want from them. 

@Cruising Caribbean I'm not quite there with the cigar as of yet, but I think I won't be too far away from that it seems. I've always been one to get up and go I'd love sports, however I'm slowing down now. Isn't ageing wonderful.

That's a good point you've made there. A lot of people don't like the commercialised town when they go in vacations, and rather go to more of the real towns of the countries as you've mentioned. I happen to be one of them with you. I would like to see and feel, and taste their foods. And the good thing now about digital is that you can keep snapping and take thousands of images, even though I really prefer film quality over digital any day.