euroguy

@Kendall James-Vargas I think you may be right about those disappearing or at least shrinking. I know i have wondered around the a few times and generally speaking I have notice thwy are not used much. Now add another pool or more Jacuzzis and those would get used.

@Cruising Caribbean this my 1st time on the Mardi Gras and am excited to see what it offers. I have seen pictures and I can't wait to see the new design with the main atrium on the side v center with its windows looking out and different color and newer designed cabins. I'm thinking it will be a true destination within its self. Yes I enjoy Salmon and other seafood I go Salmon fishing every year below is one I caught this year

Well I don't need to worry about it as I get FREE DRINKS (cocktails, beer, wine, sodas and other nonalcoholic drinks) EVERYWHERE on the ship. 🤣 With that said, I have never even thought about doing the drinks pkg as it's crazy expensive and would need to drink like a fish non stop to make it worth it. I have in the past purchased the bubbles pkg but stopped doing that as in reality unless you drink a ton of soda it's a lot cheaper to buy it individually.

Sadly I'm missing some miniature CCL ships and if Mardi Gras has them in gift shop I will just pick up several to fill the spaces even though not the exact ship.

Yeah lotion spraying all over the place doesn't sound nice. One thing I do is use light weight plastic bags for items like that. Put them in it and tie it off. That way if something happens won't make a mess on anything else.

@Kendall James-Vargas when I travel I try my very hardest to find something of quality that represents the area I have travel, but on the smaller sizes as i have a special curio that is about 3.5 ft wide and 6.5 ft tall with several glass shelves solely for the items i have collected over the years and places visited, so can't be to large as I travel so much lolol. One quality piece I have is a cube about 3 inches square that is solid Glass from one of the space shuttles windows. Under certain lighting conditions you can see different spectrums of colors. No I don't carry an additional bag. I usually have 1 suit case that is maximum size and weights around 35-40 pounds which is under 50lb weight limit and my suit bag which carries dress shirts, slacks, suit, Tux 2 pairs of shoes with a bitbof extra space and weights around 30lbs. The 2 bags connect to each other so can roll them with 1 hand as needed. Then a small light weight backpack for documents and any misc. I want to keep with me. Which double as my travel companion while on excursions. I do pack all the essentials i.e. sunscreen etc... but also I have converted a small foldable cooler bag that could hold at most a 6 pk of soda into my emergency pharmacy, which has pain killers, antibiotic cream, emergenC drink mix packets (super vitamin boost) nasal/head congestion pills, heart burn pills, small bottle of pepto, Tylenol, musinX, nausea pills etc. All the stuff you would want or need if not feeling 100%. I would prefer to have most everything I need on hand vs. Trying to find it while traveling. I've not seen the videos and probably could save a little space/weight but I think I do pretty good and not sure I would cut much else out.

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@kefthecruiser @RoadTravelled you're both spot on... i will add if you sit and watch stocks everyday and take that days info as 100% of what the end result will be then you'll give yourself a heart attack. Sit back relax and enjoy the Rollercoaster ride and make judgement at the end when you want to actually cash out forever.

@Kendall James-Vargas thank you for the run down, it very informative. Ive put a pause on MSC and other cruise brands for the time being as i just Basically stole my next 2 cruises which I broke down on CCL board as a new subject. Additionally I have learned a new way to get free cruises on other brands but my CCL personal assistant walked me down a different path....for the moment. No she didn't know I was looking at other cruise brands. 🤐

Be forwarded this information may cause side eccects of: spikes in body temperature, shock, gasping for oxygen, eye bulging, mouth opening and head shaking.🤪 As the title says I basically stole my next 2 cruises, much thanks to my CCL Personal Assistant and Casino. Cruise #1 solo traveler. February 24, 2024 Mardi Gras - Eastern Caribbean 7 day full size balcony cabin mid ship. Free drinks everywhere on the ship, which includes cocktails, wine, specialty drinks, specialty coffee, sodas, bottled water, juices. Basically anything I want wherever i want. $700 with $200 on board credit, $200 casino credit, NET COST $300 Cruise #2 Solo traveler September 7, 2024 Firezene - New Ship - Mexican Riviera 7 day full size balcony cabin mid ship Free drinks everywhere on the ship, which includes cocktails, wine, specialty drinks, specialty coffee, sodas, bottled water, juices. Basically anything I want wherever i want. $1,686 with $1,500 on board ship credit, which I can use for pretty much anything ship related i.e. dining, ship shopping, excursions, specialty dining gratuities and yes even for casino gambling ...NET COST $186 yes deals are to be had despite ships being sold out. Additionally I will get to experience the new MDR menu which I have seen and looks promising.

@Kendall James-Vargas yes shade a/c and liquids are a must have. You certainly ly won't find me basking in the sun on some beach. Yes I love the ocean and taking a walk on the beach but to just lay around and cook under the sun is not my thing.

@3Sisters I'm sure you do look properly set with your outfits and fully understand the desire to try ones best to look properly put together. I must admit i too feel the need as you, thus 1st formal night is always my Tux and 2nd is custom hand tailored black suit, french cuff shirts both with textured material. On other times I'm always cor coordinated and try to look good...never know who you might bimp into 😂 I think it says a little about a person and if you feel good on the outside it makes you feel even better on the inside. Yeah sure I like my comfy clothes and tshirt and ball cap but those throws look good too....geeesh I sound like a girl 🙄 but i can be dressed and out the door in less than 20 minutes

@3Sisters i do have TSA pre check and would do without it. I get through tsa security so fast.... no shoes or belts off no full body scans. The credit card is capital one venture one. It's geared specifically towards travel and the list of benefits are staggering and surprising

@Kendall James-Vargas yes the capital one venture one card is gearwd specifically towards travel and has so many perks. I called capital one and asked them what all the perk where and they sent me a pdf which was several pages and covered much more than i imagined. I will see if i can find the pdf to post but it's been a while since they sent to me. Yes I remember those days of wearing slip on shoes and ugh. Regarding Clear, i can't remember if it's facial or eye scan, but I do know it works for both domestic and foriegn travel v pre check is only domestic. The cost to register is much more and takes several months to a year to get approved.

@Kendall James-Vargas yes the air was so fresh and the landscape that never ended and created wanderlust. The scremshaw of the bear is on a 600 year old walrus tusk by a native. The salmon carving is carved out of bone and also locally done. These are the types of trinkets I like to collect when at all possible le when traveling

No I have never won on Bingo but what the hay someone has to win

@Cruising Caribbean well I'm happy to say I will ne trying out the new menu in February on the Mardi Gras. I did a search online and saw what the menu has to offer and I must say I'm intrigued but of course the jury is out until I try it out.

You all probably know me from CCL and thinking to try a MSC cruise which would be free to me (probably will be in balcony with upgraded status/loyalty as well) Yes I can hear it already any FREE cruise is a great cruise....🤣 On the serious side I'm wondering really what the main differences are from between MSC and Carnival. I have eclusivly been on CCL and getting the itch to switch it up. Some of the general areas I wonder about is Age range, on board activities, casino (of course) show quality, quality of Staterooms, how dining works, overall vibe, mostly families or nice mix including singles. Thanks to all that reply

@3Sisters oh you are her!!!! 🤣 yes ive seen you before .🙄

@Kendall James-Vargas happy to help and I too hope some take the time to visit the site it has so much useful I formation which is great for every traveler not just solos and families like yours. You are correct a parent with TSA pre check kids get to tag along. I'm sure it makes it easier on your kids too. I stumbled across this service a few years ago and like you, I feel it's a total game changer when dealing with TSA security check points and will never go back to regular non Pre Check travels. I have literally walked right past very long TSA lines to Pre Check line with noone in it walk up and 2 minutes later done, and watched the faces of others in the very long line puzzled why I could do that. Oh and my capital one venture one credit card gave me a credit of the pre check registration cost....hehehehe

@3Sisters I'm glad you found it useful and I too hope others take the time to review the site and the abundance/wealth of information it provides. It's certainly worth a read. I'm not sure if you are aware of TSA Pre Check this is another program worth investing some time and few $ as it really is a travel saver. Some credit cards will reimburse your expenses to register. If you need more info let me know.

@Kendall James-Vargas to be frank it was 20 years a go and I would need to dig through photo albums to try and figure out what island it was and the which town on the island. I can say that back then had to take an 8 hour ferry boat ride that was straight out of Indiana Jones. You had 1st class and zero class. Zero class was people sleeping on the outside decks with their chickens, goats, ducks and whatever else they bought. It was almost comical, but certainly 3rd world and an eye opener. The people were genuinely nice and welcoming as well really liked Americans, well at leat this American. I remember when I reached the town/village all the roads were dirt lined with painted rocks.. most didn't have much but they appreciated and had pride in what they did have. When I started walking down the dirt road a group of about 10-15 young children approx 5-10 years old saw me and came running up to me sayaying hello Americano with great big smiles and excitement trying to speak English. It truly warmed my heart and I melted inside. I have experienced similar in Mexico in very remote villages. The Philippines has about 7000 islands and it can be a very special place to visit, but you have to remember that it is truly a 3rd world country still to this day and poverty is ramped and certain regions are not advised for Americans to visit and even in the better parts it's always best to have local guides to watch over you. Japanese investors have built a ton of different resorts that are right on the ocean on different islands which are very nice and safe for the unfamiliar traveler, which I mich recommend for you and your family.

@FJB... shhhhh 🤐😂 dont give them any more reasons

@PaulB im certainly don't fall under that category. Grew up on a real farm with livestock and cash crops had my 1st gun at 7. Then went to college and went to the big city. You can take the country boy out of the country but can't take the country out of the boy. 🤣 I certainly agree people should experience the country and all the glory it offers, learn about what it actually takes to put the food on one's plate. It puts a lot in perspective.