Wedding Woes

Wednesday

2

Re: Wednesday

  • levioosa said:
    @NBSquared2017 any recommendations for Caribbean cruises that are fun and young-ish without being either too kid crazy or booze-cruisey? 
    @levioosa - I love Royal Carribean. I think they have the perfect balance of fun/class.

    In my opinion - when I want to get wild and I'm not trying to have a super relaxing vacation- I usually book with Carnival. It's a blast, but it can get a little too much for me at times. 

    As with any travel, you get what you pay for. IMO the food, entertainment, and drinks are all superior with Royal.

    I loathe Norwegian Crusilines. I felt like I was in a nursing home the entire time. 

    My favorite port by far is Aruba. The beaches have the whitest sand and the clearest water you will ever see! It's hard, but I try to avoid the Bahamas and Jamacia as much as possible. If I have a port stop, I rarely get off the ship. Too pushy and not much to do.   
  • kvruns said:
    @charlotte989875 I have 8, 10, 12 and M/L so if any of those sizes work let me know and I'll see what I have. 
    That actually is perfect. I'll PM you. 
  • Thanks @NBSquared2017! I’m looking at cruises for next year and I’ve been torn between Royal Caribbean and Carnival. I went on a Norwegian Cruise once and it was absolutely horrible. “Nursing home” is a perfect way to describe it, down to the bland food. 


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  • levioosa said:
    Thanks @NBSquared2017! I’m looking at cruises for next year and I’ve been torn between Royal Caribbean and Carnival. I went on a Norwegian Cruise once and it was absolutely horrible. “Nursing home” is a perfect way to describe it, down to the bland food. 

    I took a cruise out of Los Angeles (technically, I think it's San Pedro) on Carnival years ago.  But the made the mistake of booking it at the end of June.

    There were multiple, big "newly graduated high school students" parties on the ship.  And you only have to be 18 to drink on a cruise ship, once they are just a few miles off shore (int'l. waters).  Still fun!  But a lot of young, drunken stupidity going on all around us, lol.

    I believe the stops for that cruise were Catalina Island and Ensenada, MX.  Not very exciting ports but, I was more interested in what a cruise was like. 

    Wedding Countdown Ticker
  • levioosa said:
    Thanks @NBSquared2017! I’m looking at cruises for next year and I’ve been torn between Royal Caribbean and Carnival. I went on a Norwegian Cruise once and it was absolutely horrible. “Nursing home” is a perfect way to describe it, down to the bland food. 

    I took a cruise out of Los Angeles (technically, I think it's San Pedro) on Carnival years ago.  But the made the mistake of booking it at the end of June.

    There were multiple, big "newly graduated high school students" parties on the ship.  And you only have to be 18 to drink on a cruise ship, once they are just a few miles off shore (int'l. waters).  Still fun!  But a lot of young, drunken stupidity going on all around us, lol.

    I believe the stops for that cruise were Catalina Island and Ensenada, MX.  Not very exciting ports but, I was more interested in what a cruise was like. 

    This will be us in 2020 (lol.  I DID tell you I plan in advance).  We're on a ship that takes us to Key West FL and Cozumel MX.  Not exactly the ports I wanted, but the only cruise that we could afford in a suite, and I wanted to test out the suites on Celebrity.  Aside from bigger rooms you get upgraded toiletries, a spot only suite members can use for deports AND a special restaurant for suite members only.  So we'll see!

    I don't like carnival.  Not because of the clientele, but just the way it's run and organized.  I was turned off by it when we went in 2017 (first cruise).  I loved Holland America, but it is for a more mature crowd, which I liked.  

  • levioosa said:
    Thanks @NBSquared2017! I’m looking at cruises for next year and I’ve been torn between Royal Caribbean and Carnival. I went on a Norwegian Cruise once and it was absolutely horrible. “Nursing home” is a perfect way to describe it, down to the bland food. 

    I took a cruise out of Los Angeles (technically, I think it's San Pedro) on Carnival years ago.  But the made the mistake of booking it at the end of June.

    There were multiple, big "newly graduated high school students" parties on the ship.  And you only have to be 18 to drink on a cruise ship, once they are just a few miles off shore (int'l. waters).  Still fun!  But a lot of young, drunken stupidity going on all around us, lol.

    I believe the stops for that cruise were Catalina Island and Ensenada, MX.  Not very exciting ports but, I was more interested in what a cruise was like. 

    This will be us in 2020 (lol.  I DID tell you I plan in advance).  We're on a ship that takes us to Key West FL and Cozumel MX.  Not exactly the ports I wanted, but the only cruise that we could afford in a suite, and I wanted to test out the suites on Celebrity.  Aside from bigger rooms you get upgraded toiletries, a spot only suite members can use for deports AND a special restaurant for suite members only.  So we'll see!

    I don't like carnival.  Not because of the clientele, but just the way it's run and organized.  I was turned off by it when we went in 2017 (first cruise).  I loved Holland America, but it is for a more mature crowd, which I liked.  
    It has it's good and bad for sure. A lot of it depends on your cruise director.

    If you are looking for a quick getaway, if you are in your late to mid 20's, have a bachelorette party, etc. I think Carnival is perfect!

    If you are going to spend more than 4 days - I would go with a higher end cruise line. 

    One thing I really like about RC is their drink packages. Unlimited cocktails and $40-$100 dollars off bottles of wine(with a few price restrictions) while Carnival limits you to12 alcoholic drinks a day. I can drink 4 frozen Miami Vice's just while sitting by the pool. 12 drinks is nothing! 
  • I’ve been on the ultimate booze cruise (LA to Ensenada) before and #neveragain. I think the cost of the Caribbean ones cut down a little bit on the tore up from the floor up vibe you get on the Ensenada cruise. I’ve done one Carnival Caribbean cruise (when I was 19), and while it got a little crazy, it was nothing compared to Ensenada. The day we came back from Mexico every public bathroom had vomit. It was disgusting. 


    image
  • levioosa said:
    Thanks @NBSquared2017! I’m looking at cruises for next year and I’ve been torn between Royal Caribbean and Carnival. I went on a Norwegian Cruise once and it was absolutely horrible. “Nursing home” is a perfect way to describe it, down to the bland food. 

    I took a cruise out of Los Angeles (technically, I think it's San Pedro) on Carnival years ago.  But the made the mistake of booking it at the end of June.

    There were multiple, big "newly graduated high school students" parties on the ship.  And you only have to be 18 to drink on a cruise ship, once they are just a few miles off shore (int'l. waters).  Still fun!  But a lot of young, drunken stupidity going on all around us, lol.

    I believe the stops for that cruise were Catalina Island and Ensenada, MX.  Not very exciting ports but, I was more interested in what a cruise was like. 

    This will be us in 2020 (lol.  I DID tell you I plan in advance).  We're on a ship that takes us to Key West FL and Cozumel MX.  Not exactly the ports I wanted, but the only cruise that we could afford in a suite, and I wanted to test out the suites on Celebrity.  Aside from bigger rooms you get upgraded toiletries, a spot only suite members can use for deports AND a special restaurant for suite members only.  So we'll see!

    I don't like carnival.  Not because of the clientele, but just the way it's run and organized.  I was turned off by it when we went in 2017 (first cruise).  I loved Holland America, but it is for a more mature crowd, which I liked.  

    I've only taken one other cruise and that was out of NOLA.  We stopped in Cozumel and Playa del Carmen.  I was honestly not a fan of Cozumel.  But we did a shore excursion for most of that port time, so it was just about right.  Enough time to get lunch, go on the excursion, spend an hour looking at the exact same overpriced tourist goods that every single store sold, then get back on the boat.  I think we still beat most people back.  In other words, don't spend much time there, lol.  There are also beaches there, so that can also be a good avenue for something to do.

    I had a previous coworker who went on cruises ALL the time.  Especially after she and her H retired.  I think they typically went with the better rooms, but also went enough that they were always getting nice upgrades.  One cruise she told me about, the company was picking them up in limo...they lived about 45 minutes from the port...and they were boarding the boat, hours ahead of most passengers.

    I'm sure while everyone else was cattle in the long lines, they'd already staked out their spot by the pool and on their 3rd round of daiquiris.  At least that's what I'd do, lol.  Now that's the life!

    Wedding Countdown Ticker
  • This will be us in 2020 (lol.  I DID tell you I plan in advance).  We're on a ship that takes us to Key West FL and Cozumel MX.  Not exactly the ports I wanted, but the only cruise that we could afford in a suite, and I wanted to test out the suites on Celebrity.  Aside from bigger rooms you get upgraded toiletries, a spot only suite members can use for deports AND a special restaurant for suite members only.  So we'll see!

    I don't like carnival.  Not because of the clientele, but just the way it's run and organized.  I was turned off by it when we went in 2017 (first cruise).  I loved Holland America, but it is for a more mature crowd, which I liked.  

    I've only taken one other cruise and that was out of NOLA.  We stopped in Cozumel and Playa del Carmen.  I was honestly not a fan of Cozumel.  But we did a shore excursion for most of that port time, so it was just about right.  Enough time to get lunch, go on the excursion, spend an hour looking at the exact same overpriced tourist goods that every single store sold, then get back on the boat.  I think we still beat most people back.  In other words, don't spend much time there, lol.  There are also beaches there, so that can also be a good avenue for something to do.

    I had a previous coworker who went on cruises ALL the time.  Especially after she and her H retired.  I think they typically went with the better rooms, but also went enough that they were always getting nice upgrades.  One cruise she told me about, the company was picking them up in limo...they lived about 45 minutes from the port...and they were boarding the boat, hours ahead of most passengers.

    I'm sure while everyone else was cattle in the long lines, they'd already staked out their spot by the pool and on their 3rd round of daiquiris.  At least that's what I'd do, lol.  Now that's the life!

    I already know our excursion.  The Mayan ruins with chocolate tasting!

    Ok, and for Christmas I gave hubby a scratch off map to scratch off all the places we have gone together.  It doesn't include layovers or drive thru's lol, I mean we have to be in the state or country long enough to do something to say "we've been ____ there before".  Anyway, to scratch of Mexico would cover a lot of that map!  It's all about the scratch map now.

  • levioosa said:
    Thanks @NBSquared2017! I’m looking at cruises for next year and I’ve been torn between Royal Caribbean and Carnival. I went on a Norwegian Cruise once and it was absolutely horrible. “Nursing home” is a perfect way to describe it, down to the bland food. 

    I took a cruise out of Los Angeles (technically, I think it's San Pedro) on Carnival years ago.  But the made the mistake of booking it at the end of June.

    There were multiple, big "newly graduated high school students" parties on the ship.  And you only have to be 18 to drink on a cruise ship, once they are just a few miles off shore (int'l. waters).  Still fun!  But a lot of young, drunken stupidity going on all around us, lol.

    I believe the stops for that cruise were Catalina Island and Ensenada, MX.  Not very exciting ports but, I was more interested in what a cruise was like. 

    This will be us in 2020 (lol.  I DID tell you I plan in advance).  We're on a ship that takes us to Key West FL and Cozumel MX.  Not exactly the ports I wanted, but the only cruise that we could afford in a suite, and I wanted to test out the suites on Celebrity.  Aside from bigger rooms you get upgraded toiletries, a spot only suite members can use for deports AND a special restaurant for suite members only.  So we'll see!

    I don't like carnival.  Not because of the clientele, but just the way it's run and organized.  I was turned off by it when we went in 2017 (first cruise).  I loved Holland America, but it is for a more mature crowd, which I liked.  

    I've only taken one other cruise and that was out of NOLA.  We stopped in Cozumel and Playa del Carmen.  I was honestly not a fan of Cozumel.  But we did a shore excursion for most of that port time, so it was just about right.  Enough time to get lunch, go on the excursion, spend an hour looking at the exact same overpriced tourist goods that every single store sold, then get back on the boat.  I think we still beat most people back.  In other words, don't spend much time there, lol.  There are also beaches there, so that can also be a good avenue for something to do.

    I had a previous coworker who went on cruises ALL the time.  Especially after she and her H retired.  I think they typically went with the better rooms, but also went enough that they were always getting nice upgrades.  One cruise she told me about, the company was picking them up in limo...they lived about 45 minutes from the port...and they were boarding the boat, hours ahead of most passengers.

    I'm sure while everyone else was cattle in the long lines, they'd already staked out their spot by the pool and on their 3rd round of daiquiris.  At least that's what I'd do, lol.  Now that's the life!

    @short+sassy - I have not had much luck with Mexico. I have been several times and stayed at resorts and cruised there and I was always underwhelmed. You are right - everything is overpriced and they can be very pushy.

    I am an early riser, so I often get my group up and moving so we can avoid being stuck in the gangway like sardines.

    I personally like staying on the ship or getting on before everyone else during port days. At times, you get to do the popular activities with less of a wait. It also gives you the opportunity to get to know the wait staff a bit better...talking to them usually results in a little extra rum in your cocktail ;-)


  • NBSquared2017NBSquared2017 member
    First Anniversary First Comment 5 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited June 2018
    levioosa said:
    I’ve been on the ultimate booze cruise (LA to Ensenada) before and #neveragain. I think the cost of the Caribbean ones cut down a little bit on the tore up from the floor up vibe you get on the Ensenada cruise. I’ve done one Carnival Caribbean cruise (when I was 19), and while it got a little crazy, it was nothing compared to Ensenada. The day we came back from Mexico every public bathroom had vomit. It was disgusting. 
    @levioosa
    There is totally a fine line between having a good time and going overboard. I went to Cancun once and a girlfriend got so smashed she was stripping naked on the street. It ruined my time because I was trying to keep her from getting kidnapped! She spent the next two days in the hotel with a hangover so I made friends with some people across the hall and checked on her periodically lol 
  • Scratch that, I got my cruises mixed up.

    The one from L.A.-->Catalina-->Ensenada was on RC.

    The one out of NOLA to two ports in MX was Carnival.

    Neither of them had a drink package option :(.  That would have been awesome.

    Highlights of the NOLA cruise.  I won $1,000 in the casino on the cruise ship when I hit a royal flush on a quarter video poker machine.  That paid for my cruise, the excursions/drinks for both me and my H (b/f at the time), and I STILL came home with a couple hundred extra bucks.

    Now I have to brag.  I also tried out for and got a spot on their show that was a spoof of American Idol.  I performed "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" in the main theatre in front of hundreds of my fellow cruise goers.  It did not even remotely dawn on me how enormous that theatre was, until I walked in that night.  I almost walked right back out, lol.  It was a far cry from my usual performing in front of a few dozen people at a bar!

    There's a note at almost the end of the song that is on the higher end of my range and it is held for a looonnggg time.  I told myself over and over that, it was okay, I was going to hit it at a lower octave.  It would still sound good and I wouldn't risk cracking the note and humiliating myself in front of all those people.  But when the time came, I was feeling it ya'll!!!!  I hit that high note and held it strong the entire time.  To a huge round of applause.  I was so proud of myself, lol!  I also got two bottles of champagne from the cruise line for my participation.

    I was a mini celebrity for the rest of the cruise, lol.  That was actually a nice bonus because it was an ice breaker for other people to come up and talk to me.  So I met and had conversations with more of the other people on the cruise than I would have otherwise.  

    Wedding Countdown Ticker
  • Scratch that, I got my cruises mixed up.

    The one from L.A.-->Catalina-->Ensenada was on RC.

    The one out of NOLA to two ports in MX was Carnival.

    Neither of them had a drink package option :(.  That would have been awesome.

    Highlights of the NOLA cruise.  I won $1,000 in the casino on the cruise ship when I hit a royal flush on a quarter video poker machine.  That paid for my cruise, the excursions/drinks for both me and my H (b/f at the time), and I STILL came home with a couple hundred extra bucks.

    Now I have to brag.  I also tried out for and got a spot on their show that was a spoof of American Idol.  I performed "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" in the main theatre in front of hundreds of my fellow cruise goers.  It did not even remotely dawn on me how enormous that theatre was, until I walked in that night.  I almost walked right back out, lol.  It was a far cry from my usual performing in front of a few dozen people at a bar!

    There's a note at almost the end of the song that is on the higher end of my range and it is held for a looonnggg time.  I told myself over and over that, it was okay, I was going to hit it at a lower octave.  It would still sound good and I wouldn't risk cracking the note and humiliating myself in front of all those people.  But when the time came, I was feeling it ya'll!!!!  I hit that high note and held it strong the entire time.  To a huge round of applause.  I was so proud of myself, lol!  I also got two bottles of champagne from the cruise line for my participation.

    I was a mini celebrity for the rest of the cruise, lol.  That was actually a nice bonus because it was an ice breaker for other people to come up and talk to me.  So I met and had conversations with more of the other people on the cruise than I would have otherwise.  

    Kudos to you - I have a terrible singing voice and will likely make your ears bleed ha ha 

    The most I have ever won gambling was $200 and that was awesome!! The kept trying to get me to stay at the table, but I took my little bit of money and ran! 
  • Scratch that, I got my cruises mixed up.

    The one from L.A.-->Catalina-->Ensenada was on RC.

    The one out of NOLA to two ports in MX was Carnival.

    Neither of them had a drink package option :(.  That would have been awesome.

    Highlights of the NOLA cruise.  I won $1,000 in the casino on the cruise ship when I hit a royal flush on a quarter video poker machine.  That paid for my cruise, the excursions/drinks for both me and my H (b/f at the time), and I STILL came home with a couple hundred extra bucks.

    Now I have to brag.  I also tried out for and got a spot on their show that was a spoof of American Idol.  I performed "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" in the main theatre in front of hundreds of my fellow cruise goers.  It did not even remotely dawn on me how enormous that theatre was, until I walked in that night.  I almost walked right back out, lol.  It was a far cry from my usual performing in front of a few dozen people at a bar!

    There's a note at almost the end of the song that is on the higher end of my range and it is held for a looonnggg time.  I told myself over and over that, it was okay, I was going to hit it at a lower octave.  It would still sound good and I wouldn't risk cracking the note and humiliating myself in front of all those people.  But when the time came, I was feeling it ya'll!!!!  I hit that high note and held it strong the entire time.  To a huge round of applause.  I was so proud of myself, lol!  I also got two bottles of champagne from the cruise line for my participation.

    I was a mini celebrity for the rest of the cruise, lol.  That was actually a nice bonus because it was an ice breaker for other people to come up and talk to me.  So I met and had conversations with more of the other people on the cruise than I would have otherwise.  

    That is amazing!  Go @short+sassy!

    H and I tried out for  the newly wed game, we made it to the last three couples to be picked for "newest newly wed" and then the cruise director wanted the best kiss to win.  H and I tried, got a BIG round of applause as he dipped me over to do it.  One lady climbed all over her husband and kissed him from above as he lifted her up, and that was the couple who won the spot.  I couldn't do that.  Not without a medical visit for my H (we did buy the insurance though so I should have went with it....)

  • This will be us in 2020 (lol.  I DID tell you I plan in advance).  We're on a ship that takes us to Key West FL and Cozumel MX.  Not exactly the ports I wanted, but the only cruise that we could afford in a suite, and I wanted to test out the suites on Celebrity.  Aside from bigger rooms you get upgraded toiletries, a spot only suite members can use for deports AND a special restaurant for suite members only.  So we'll see!

    I don't like carnival.  Not because of the clientele, but just the way it's run and organized.  I was turned off by it when we went in 2017 (first cruise).  I loved Holland America, but it is for a more mature crowd, which I liked.  

    I've only taken one other cruise and that was out of NOLA.  We stopped in Cozumel and Playa del Carmen.  I was honestly not a fan of Cozumel.  But we did a shore excursion for most of that port time, so it was just about right.  Enough time to get lunch, go on the excursion, spend an hour looking at the exact same overpriced tourist goods that every single store sold, then get back on the boat.  I think we still beat most people back.  In other words, don't spend much time there, lol.  There are also beaches there, so that can also be a good avenue for something to do.

    I had a previous coworker who went on cruises ALL the time.  Especially after she and her H retired.  I think they typically went with the better rooms, but also went enough that they were always getting nice upgrades.  One cruise she told me about, the company was picking them up in limo...they lived about 45 minutes from the port...and they were boarding the boat, hours ahead of most passengers.

    I'm sure while everyone else was cattle in the long lines, they'd already staked out their spot by the pool and on their 3rd round of daiquiris.  At least that's what I'd do, lol.  Now that's the life!

    I already know our excursion.  The Mayan ruins with chocolate tasting!

    Ok, and for Christmas I gave hubby a scratch off map to scratch off all the places we have gone together.  It doesn't include layovers or drive thru's lol, I mean we have to be in the state or country long enough to do something to say "we've been ____ there before".  Anyway, to scratch of Mexico would cover a lot of that map!  It's all about the scratch map now.

    I dunno know.  Mexico is a big country and, if it were my rules, you all would only get to scratch off the east coast of it, lol.

    I actually had a funny Mexico moment this weekend.  I was checking out rental property opportunities in Arizona (lots of baby boomers retiring) for research.  And saw an ad for beach front property in CA for $175K.  My "someone is trying to sell me the Brooklyn Bridge" radar is going off, but I click on it anyway.

    It's a 5-plex!!!  There are nice pictures.  Skimming...Ensenada, Baja CA...skimming.  Wait?  Is there an Ensenada in CA also?  Wait.  Does that say BAJA CA?  Like, Mexico?  LMAO.  Yes, yes it is.  I'm hesitant enough to buy property in this country that is too far away for me to travel to.  Property in other countries is completely off the table, lol.

    Wedding Countdown Ticker
  • CharmedPamCharmedPam member
    First Anniversary First Comment First Answer 5 Love Its
    edited June 2018
    This will be us in 2020 (lol.  I DID tell you I plan in advance).  We're on a ship that takes us to Key West FL and Cozumel MX.  Not exactly the ports I wanted, but the only cruise that we could afford in a suite, and I wanted to test out the suites on Celebrity.  Aside from bigger rooms you get upgraded toiletries, a spot only suite members can use for deports AND a special restaurant for suite members only.  So we'll see!

    I don't like carnival.  Not because of the clientele, but just the way it's run and organized.  I was turned off by it when we went in 2017 (first cruise).  I loved Holland America, but it is for a more mature crowd, which I liked.  

    I've only taken one other cruise and that was out of NOLA.  We stopped in Cozumel and Playa del Carmen.  I was honestly not a fan of Cozumel.  But we did a shore excursion for most of that port time, so it was just about right.  Enough time to get lunch, go on the excursion, spend an hour looking at the exact same overpriced tourist goods that every single store sold, then get back on the boat.  I think we still beat most people back.  In other words, don't spend much time there, lol.  There are also beaches there, so that can also be a good avenue for something to do.

    I had a previous coworker who went on cruises ALL the time.  Especially after she and her H retired.  I think they typically went with the better rooms, but also went enough that they were always getting nice upgrades.  One cruise she told me about, the company was picking them up in limo...they lived about 45 minutes from the port...and they were boarding the boat, hours ahead of most passengers.

    I'm sure while everyone else was cattle in the long lines, they'd already staked out their spot by the pool and on their 3rd round of daiquiris.  At least that's what I'd do, lol.  Now that's the life!

    I already know our excursion.  The Mayan ruins with chocolate tasting!

    Ok, and for Christmas I gave hubby a scratch off map to scratch off all the places we have gone together.  It doesn't include layovers or drive thru's lol, I mean we have to be in the state or country long enough to do something to say "we've been ____ there before".  Anyway, to scratch of Mexico would cover a lot of that map!  It's all about the scratch map now.

    I dunno know.  Mexico is a big country and, if it were my rules, you all would only get to scratch off the east coast of it, lol.

    I actually had a funny Mexico moment this weekend.  I was checking out rental property opportunities in Arizona (lots of baby boomers retiring) for research.  And saw an ad for beach front property in CA for $175K.  My "someone is trying to sell me the Brooklyn Bridge" radar is going off, but I click on it anyway.

    It's a 5-plex!!!  There are nice pictures.  Skimming...Ensenada, Baja CA...skimming.  Wait?  Is there an Ensenada in CA also?  Wait.  Does that say BAJA CA?  Like, Mexico?  LMAO.  Yes, yes it is.  I'm hesitant enough to buy property in this country that is too far away for me to travel to.  Property in other countries is completely off the table, lol.

    What's funny is that Canada is one big country to scratch off too!  um...no, we're splitting those up in Provinces because we're more than likely to travel other parts of Canada.   Not Mexico.  We land in Cozumel and we can speak for the whole country of Mexico. 

    oh yeah, I'd stay away from Mexico real estate.  

  • This will be us in 2020 (lol.  I DID tell you I plan in advance).  We're on a ship that takes us to Key West FL and Cozumel MX.  Not exactly the ports I wanted, but the only cruise that we could afford in a suite, and I wanted to test out the suites on Celebrity.  Aside from bigger rooms you get upgraded toiletries, a spot only suite members can use for deports AND a special restaurant for suite members only.  So we'll see!

    I don't like carnival.  Not because of the clientele, but just the way it's run and organized.  I was turned off by it when we went in 2017 (first cruise).  I loved Holland America, but it is for a more mature crowd, which I liked.  

    I've only taken one other cruise and that was out of NOLA.  We stopped in Cozumel and Playa del Carmen.  I was honestly not a fan of Cozumel.  But we did a shore excursion for most of that port time, so it was just about right.  Enough time to get lunch, go on the excursion, spend an hour looking at the exact same overpriced tourist goods that every single store sold, then get back on the boat.  I think we still beat most people back.  In other words, don't spend much time there, lol.  There are also beaches there, so that can also be a good avenue for something to do.

    I had a previous coworker who went on cruises ALL the time.  Especially after she and her H retired.  I think they typically went with the better rooms, but also went enough that they were always getting nice upgrades.  One cruise she told me about, the company was picking them up in limo...they lived about 45 minutes from the port...and they were boarding the boat, hours ahead of most passengers.

    I'm sure while everyone else was cattle in the long lines, they'd already staked out their spot by the pool and on their 3rd round of daiquiris.  At least that's what I'd do, lol.  Now that's the life!

    I already know our excursion.  The Mayan ruins with chocolate tasting!

    Ok, and for Christmas I gave hubby a scratch off map to scratch off all the places we have gone together.  It doesn't include layovers or drive thru's lol, I mean we have to be in the state or country long enough to do something to say "we've been ____ there before".  Anyway, to scratch of Mexico would cover a lot of that map!  It's all about the scratch map now.

    I dunno know.  Mexico is a big country and, if it were my rules, you all would only get to scratch off the east coast of it, lol.

    I actually had a funny Mexico moment this weekend.  I was checking out rental property opportunities in Arizona (lots of baby boomers retiring) for research.  And saw an ad for beach front property in CA for $175K.  My "someone is trying to sell me the Brooklyn Bridge" radar is going off, but I click on it anyway.

    It's a 5-plex!!!  There are nice pictures.  Skimming...Ensenada, Baja CA...skimming.  Wait?  Is there an Ensenada in CA also?  Wait.  Does that say BAJA CA?  Like, Mexico?  LMAO.  Yes, yes it is.  I'm hesitant enough to buy property in this country that is too far away for me to travel to.  Property in other countries is completely off the table, lol.

    What's funny is that Canada is one big country to scratch off too!  um...no, we're splitting those up in Provinces because we're more than likely to travel other parts of Canada.   Not Mexico.  We land in Cozumel and we can speak for the whole country of Mexico. 

    oh yeah, I'd stay away from Mexico real estate.  
    @charmedpam - DH and I have a scratch-off map too! It's only the US, but we have gotten several states scratched off. We want to go to an away game at every NFL stadium (I'm a Browns fan (unfortunately) and he's a Lions fan). For the states that have no team, we decided we are going to do a food tour. Eat our way around the US!

    @short+sassy - we live in South Jersey/Philly, so we have gotten a ton of the east coast done. I really want to try and get to Nantucket this year, but I don't think it's going to happen. We tried to book a B & B in Vermont to see the fall foliage, but the ones I have looked at are booked solid. 
  • @charmedpam - DH and I have a scratch-off map too! It's only the US, but we have gotten several states scratched off. We want to go to an away game at every NFL stadium (I'm a Browns fan (unfortunately) and he's a Lions fan). For the states that have no team, we decided we are going to do a food tour. Eat our way around the US!

    @short+sassy - we live in South Jersey/Philly, so we have gotten a ton of the east coast done. I really want to try and get to Nantucket this year, but I don't think it's going to happen. We tried to book a B & B in Vermont to see the fall foliage, but the ones I have looked at are booked solid. 
    oh I would LOVE to do Vermont in the fall.  Actually we had a summer trip planned for VT and NY but had to cancel because the wedding travel was just to much for us (4 weddings in one year, 2 that require travel!)  Keep an eye on those b&b's, that would make an awesome trip. 

    Food tour sounds amazing.  

  • This will be us in 2020 (lol.  I DID tell you I plan in advance).  We're on a ship that takes us to Key West FL and Cozumel MX.  Not exactly the ports I wanted, but the only cruise that we could afford in a suite, and I wanted to test out the suites on Celebrity.  Aside from bigger rooms you get upgraded toiletries, a spot only suite members can use for deports AND a special restaurant for suite members only.  So we'll see!

    I don't like carnival.  Not because of the clientele, but just the way it's run and organized.  I was turned off by it when we went in 2017 (first cruise).  I loved Holland America, but it is for a more mature crowd, which I liked.  

    I've only taken one other cruise and that was out of NOLA.  We stopped in Cozumel and Playa del Carmen.  I was honestly not a fan of Cozumel.  But we did a shore excursion for most of that port time, so it was just about right.  Enough time to get lunch, go on the excursion, spend an hour looking at the exact same overpriced tourist goods that every single store sold, then get back on the boat.  I think we still beat most people back.  In other words, don't spend much time there, lol.  There are also beaches there, so that can also be a good avenue for something to do.

    I had a previous coworker who went on cruises ALL the time.  Especially after she and her H retired.  I think they typically went with the better rooms, but also went enough that they were always getting nice upgrades.  One cruise she told me about, the company was picking them up in limo...they lived about 45 minutes from the port...and they were boarding the boat, hours ahead of most passengers.

    I'm sure while everyone else was cattle in the long lines, they'd already staked out their spot by the pool and on their 3rd round of daiquiris.  At least that's what I'd do, lol.  Now that's the life!

    I already know our excursion.  The Mayan ruins with chocolate tasting!

    Ok, and for Christmas I gave hubby a scratch off map to scratch off all the places we have gone together.  It doesn't include layovers or drive thru's lol, I mean we have to be in the state or country long enough to do something to say "we've been ____ there before".  Anyway, to scratch of Mexico would cover a lot of that map!  It's all about the scratch map now.

    I dunno know.  Mexico is a big country and, if it were my rules, you all would only get to scratch off the east coast of it, lol.

    I actually had a funny Mexico moment this weekend.  I was checking out rental property opportunities in Arizona (lots of baby boomers retiring) for research.  And saw an ad for beach front property in CA for $175K.  My "someone is trying to sell me the Brooklyn Bridge" radar is going off, but I click on it anyway.

    It's a 5-plex!!!  There are nice pictures.  Skimming...Ensenada, Baja CA...skimming.  Wait?  Is there an Ensenada in CA also?  Wait.  Does that say BAJA CA?  Like, Mexico?  LMAO.  Yes, yes it is.  I'm hesitant enough to buy property in this country that is too far away for me to travel to.  Property in other countries is completely off the table, lol.

    What's funny is that Canada is one big country to scratch off too!  um...no, we're splitting those up in Provinces because we're more than likely to travel other parts of Canada.   Not Mexico.  We land in Cozumel and we can speak for the whole country of Mexico. 

    oh yeah, I'd stay away from Mexico real estate.  
    @charmedpam - DH and I have a scratch-off map too! It's only the US, but we have gotten several states scratched off. We want to go to an away game at every NFL stadium (I'm a Browns fan (unfortunately) and he's a Lions fan). For the states that have no team, we decided we are going to do a food tour. Eat our way around the US!

    @short+sassy - we live in South Jersey/Philly, so we have gotten a ton of the east coast done. I really want to try and get to Nantucket this year, but I don't think it's going to happen. We tried to book a B & B in Vermont to see the fall foliage, but the ones I have looked at are booked solid. 
    I thought Nantucket was meh. Really cookie cutter, aggressively white. Much prefer martha’s Vineyard 
  • @charmedpam - DH and I have a scratch-off map too! It's only the US, but we have gotten several states scratched off. We want to go to an away game at every NFL stadium (I'm a Browns fan (unfortunately) and he's a Lions fan). For the states that have no team, we decided we are going to do a food tour. Eat our way around the US!

    @short+sassy - we live in South Jersey/Philly, so we have gotten a ton of the east coast done. I really want to try and get to Nantucket this year, but I don't think it's going to happen. We tried to book a B & B in Vermont to see the fall foliage, but the ones I have looked at are booked solid. 
    oh I would LOVE to do Vermont in the fall.  Actually we had a summer trip planned for VT and NY but had to cancel because the wedding travel was just to much for us (4 weddings in one year, 2 that require travel!)  Keep an eye on those b&b's, that would make an awesome trip. 

    Food tour sounds amazing.  
    I cannot more strongly recommend VT/NH in the fall! It's so beautiful, the weather is (generally) wonderful, and the food is outstanding. One of the best parts (and things I miss) about living in New Hampshire. 
  • @NBSquared2017 We just stayed at the most adorable guest house through VRBO in Burlington VT. It looks like they do have some availability in September and October, though not sure when you were looking to go. 
  •  @charmedpam - DH and I have a scratch-off map too! It's only the US, but we have gotten several states scratched off. We want to go to an away game at every NFL stadium (I'm a Browns fan (unfortunately) and he's a Lions fan). For the states that have no team, we decided we are going to do a food tour. Eat our way around the US!

    @short+sassy - we live in South Jersey/Philly, so we have gotten a ton of the east coast done. I really want to try and get to Nantucket this year, but I don't think it's going to happen. We tried to book a B & B in Vermont to see the fall foliage, but the ones I have looked at are booked solid. 

    You are my kindred spirit, lol.

    ((Unabashed plug for my city))  A U.S. food tour would not be complete without a visit to New Orleans!  And we have the Saints, so win-win.

    Wedding Countdown Ticker
  •  @charmedpam - DH and I have a scratch-off map too! It's only the US, but we have gotten several states scratched off. We want to go to an away game at every NFL stadium (I'm a Browns fan (unfortunately) and he's a Lions fan). For the states that have no team, we decided we are going to do a food tour. Eat our way around the US!

    @short+sassy - we live in South Jersey/Philly, so we have gotten a ton of the east coast done. I really want to try and get to Nantucket this year, but I don't think it's going to happen. We tried to book a B & B in Vermont to see the fall foliage, but the ones I have looked at are booked solid. 

    You are my kindred spirit, lol.

    ((Unabashed plug for my city))  A U.S. food tour would not be complete without a visit to New Orleans!  And we have the Saints, so win-win.

    @short+sassy - we went to NOLA 2 years ago and had a great time! Acme Oyster House and Oceana Grill were two favorites. We did eat a Cafe Du Monde and I was sort of underwhelmed :-( I'm not sure what experience I was expecting, but I think it was just too crowded and busy. We could not enjoy ourselves.  
  • @NBSquared2017 We just stayed at the most adorable guest house through VRBO in Burlington VT. It looks like they do have some availability in September and October, though not sure when you were looking to go. 
    @cupcait927 - we looked to go the first week in October! Would you mind letting me know the name of the guest house??
  • This will be us in 2020 (lol.  I DID tell you I plan in advance).  We're on a ship that takes us to Key West FL and Cozumel MX.  Not exactly the ports I wanted, but the only cruise that we could afford in a suite, and I wanted to test out the suites on Celebrity.  Aside from bigger rooms you get upgraded toiletries, a spot only suite members can use for deports AND a special restaurant for suite members only.  So we'll see!

    I don't like carnival.  Not because of the clientele, but just the way it's run and organized.  I was turned off by it when we went in 2017 (first cruise).  I loved Holland America, but it is for a more mature crowd, which I liked.  

    I've only taken one other cruise and that was out of NOLA.  We stopped in Cozumel and Playa del Carmen.  I was honestly not a fan of Cozumel.  But we did a shore excursion for most of that port time, so it was just about right.  Enough time to get lunch, go on the excursion, spend an hour looking at the exact same overpriced tourist goods that every single store sold, then get back on the boat.  I think we still beat most people back.  In other words, don't spend much time there, lol.  There are also beaches there, so that can also be a good avenue for something to do.

    I had a previous coworker who went on cruises ALL the time.  Especially after she and her H retired.  I think they typically went with the better rooms, but also went enough that they were always getting nice upgrades.  One cruise she told me about, the company was picking them up in limo...they lived about 45 minutes from the port...and they were boarding the boat, hours ahead of most passengers.

    I'm sure while everyone else was cattle in the long lines, they'd already staked out their spot by the pool and on their 3rd round of daiquiris.  At least that's what I'd do, lol.  Now that's the life!

    I already know our excursion.  The Mayan ruins with chocolate tasting!

    Ok, and for Christmas I gave hubby a scratch off map to scratch off all the places we have gone together.  It doesn't include layovers or drive thru's lol, I mean we have to be in the state or country long enough to do something to say "we've been ____ there before".  Anyway, to scratch of Mexico would cover a lot of that map!  It's all about the scratch map now.

    I dunno know.  Mexico is a big country and, if it were my rules, you all would only get to scratch off the east coast of it, lol.

    I actually had a funny Mexico moment this weekend.  I was checking out rental property opportunities in Arizona (lots of baby boomers retiring) for research.  And saw an ad for beach front property in CA for $175K.  My "someone is trying to sell me the Brooklyn Bridge" radar is going off, but I click on it anyway.

    It's a 5-plex!!!  There are nice pictures.  Skimming...Ensenada, Baja CA...skimming.  Wait?  Is there an Ensenada in CA also?  Wait.  Does that say BAJA CA?  Like, Mexico?  LMAO.  Yes, yes it is.  I'm hesitant enough to buy property in this country that is too far away for me to travel to.  Property in other countries is completely off the table, lol.

    What's funny is that Canada is one big country to scratch off too!  um...no, we're splitting those up in Provinces because we're more than likely to travel other parts of Canada.   Not Mexico.  We land in Cozumel and we can speak for the whole country of Mexico. 

    oh yeah, I'd stay away from Mexico real estate.  
    @charmedpam - DH and I have a scratch-off map too! It's only the US, but we have gotten several states scratched off. We want to go to an away game at every NFL stadium (I'm a Browns fan (unfortunately) and he's a Lions fan). For the states that have no team, we decided we are going to do a food tour. Eat our way around the US!

    @short+sassy - we live in South Jersey/Philly, so we have gotten a ton of the east coast done. I really want to try and get to Nantucket this year, but I don't think it's going to happen. We tried to book a B & B in Vermont to see the fall foliage, but the ones I have looked at are booked solid. 
    I thought Nantucket was meh. Really cookie cutter, aggressively white. Much prefer martha’s Vineyard 
    @starmoon44 - that's good to know. I know nothing about the northeast so we were are basing our travels off of landmarks and travel sites. We like to have a good time, eat good food (especially seafood) and enjoy a good glass of wine. I'll definitely look into Martha's Vineyard!
  • @NBSquared2017 We just stayed at the most adorable guest house through VRBO in Burlington VT. It looks like they do have some availability in September and October, though not sure when you were looking to go. 
    @cupcait927 - we looked to go the first week in October! Would you mind letting me know the name of the guest house??
    Of course! Here's the link. It looks like it's booked the first week of October though :( I'd still keep it in mind for future years if this fall doesn't work. The hosts were absolutely wonderful and the space itself was beautiful. We already want to go back. https://www.vrbo.com/309996
  •  @charmedpam - DH and I have a scratch-off map too! It's only the US, but we have gotten several states scratched off. We want to go to an away game at every NFL stadium (I'm a Browns fan (unfortunately) and he's a Lions fan). For the states that have no team, we decided we are going to do a food tour. Eat our way around the US!

    @short+sassy - we live in South Jersey/Philly, so we have gotten a ton of the east coast done. I really want to try and get to Nantucket this year, but I don't think it's going to happen. We tried to book a B & B in Vermont to see the fall foliage, but the ones I have looked at are booked solid. 

    You are my kindred spirit, lol.

    ((Unabashed plug for my city))  A U.S. food tour would not be complete without a visit to New Orleans!  And we have the Saints, so win-win.

    @short+sassy - we went to NOLA 2 years ago and had a great time! Acme Oyster House and Oceana Grill were two favorites. We did eat a Cafe Du Monde and I was sort of underwhelmed :-( I'm not sure what experience I was expecting, but I think it was just too crowded and busy. We could not enjoy ourselves.  

    Oh good!  I'm glad you've had the experience and enjoyed it.  I've been to the Acme Oyster House a number of times, but have not been to Oceana Grill.  Though I've heard good things.

    Café du Monde is one of those quintessential NOLA things that I think all tourists need to experience.  But I personally never go there, unless people are visiting because I'm not a fan either.  They only serve chicory coffee (for coffee), which I don't like.  And I also don't have much of a sweet tooth so, to me, beignets are just meh.

    It's actually an amazing location if you hit it early in the morning on a weekday.  The sun just came up.  Not crowded, not many people on the street.  Cool river breezes coming off the Mississippi.  A view of Jackson Square and the St. Louis Cathedral.  It's a relaxing, zen place when it isn't thronged with people.  It's just usually thronged with people, lol.

    Wedding Countdown Ticker
  • @NBSquared2017 We just stayed at the most adorable guest house through VRBO in Burlington VT. It looks like they do have some availability in September and October, though not sure when you were looking to go. 
    @cupcait927 - we looked to go the first week in October! Would you mind letting me know the name of the guest house??
    Of course! Here's the link. It looks like it's booked the first week of October though :( I'd still keep it in mind for future years if this fall doesn't work. The hosts were absolutely wonderful and the space itself was beautiful. We already want to go back. https://www.vrbo.com/309996
    How was your trip? And the race?
  • @NBSquared2017 We just stayed at the most adorable guest house through VRBO in Burlington VT. It looks like they do have some availability in September and October, though not sure when you were looking to go. 
    @cupcait927 - we looked to go the first week in October! Would you mind letting me know the name of the guest house??
    Of course! Here's the link. It looks like it's booked the first week of October though :( I'd still keep it in mind for future years if this fall doesn't work. The hosts were absolutely wonderful and the space itself was beautiful. We already want to go back. https://www.vrbo.com/309996
    How was your trip? And the race?
    The race was awesome! It's one H and I definitely want to do again. Flat, fast and great support, not to mention gorgeous views of the Maine coast along the route. We're going to try and talk his family (all runners) into going with us next year.

    The trip itself was also wonderful. It was fast, and we definitely want to go back to each state and see more, but all in all it was a good time. We ate a lot, drank a lot, and took it all in. It wasn't the most relaxing trip, because we felt pressure to get in as much as we could, so I told H that the next trip is a beach vacation where I can lay out in the sun for a week and not move lol.
  • @charmedpam - DH and I have a scratch-off map too! It's only the US, but we have gotten several states scratched off. We want to go to an away game at every NFL stadium (I'm a Browns fan (unfortunately) and he's a Lions fan). For the states that have no team, we decided we are going to do a food tour. Eat our way around the US!

    @short+sassy - we live in South Jersey/Philly, so we have gotten a ton of the east coast done. I really want to try and get to Nantucket this year, but I don't think it's going to happen. We tried to book a B & B in Vermont to see the fall foliage, but the ones I have looked at are booked solid. 
    oh I would LOVE to do Vermont in the fall.  Actually we had a summer trip planned for VT and NY but had to cancel because the wedding travel was just to much for us (4 weddings in one year, 2 that require travel!)  Keep an eye on those b&b's, that would make an awesome trip. 

    Food tour sounds amazing.  
    I cannot more strongly recommend VT/NH in the fall! It's so beautiful, the weather is (generally) wonderful, and the food is outstanding. One of the best parts (and things I miss) about living in New Hampshire. 
    @charlotte989875 - that's great to know. I've seen so many beautiful photographs and I want to experience all of that in person. Fall is my absolute favorite season and hopefully, it's crossed off my list soon!  
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