LuckyMcSwervy

I'm sensing a theme with some many people advising not taking the scuba gear. You guys know what you're talking about. In Grand Cayman I wasn't able to book a Kittiwake dive because the dive boat leaves at 8am and the cruise ship doesn't get into port/disembark in time to make the dive boat. Hmmm... I'll definitely keep one on my person at all times. Like I do my Blistex. I'm thinking I should pack on of those little hospital face masks in case it becomes a hospital ship. I'm only half joking... Always be kinder than you feel.

Word. I travel with a Z pack due to my horrible sinuses and my scuba diving. I'm going to call my doctor and ask him for something different "just in case". I don't know if that's allowed, preventative antibiotic dispensing, but it doesn't hurt to ask. The Z Pack is never an issue getting a prescription for as he knows my sinus issues all too well! Always be kinder than you feel.

I didn't know they do the free champagne service. I remember that from watching Love Boat as a kid! :) I'm really hoping to get the balcony room. I'd LOVE to try to sleep out there at least once!! ETA: Losing the Internet for a week is certainly going to test my addiction to god damn Candy Crush. I've been stuck on level 35 for a damn week. Always be kinder than you feel.

I'll do that! I'm not a big drinker but I see alcoholic beverages aren't included. Nor are all of the restaurants for that matter! Probably one or two aren't included. Usually a steak joint and something like a burger joint. Totally waisted money IMHO. Oh...if you're scheduled to eat dinner at 6 be there at 6. Yup, the steak place, Japanese place, Italian place are all surcharged. I'd rather pay extra on the cruise price total than to feel like I'm being gouged onboard. I'm thrifty with some things, but I like good food. From what I've read it isn't exactly Ruth's Chris quality, more like steak at an Applebee's. Not thrilled hearing that description. Oh well, I'll still enjoy it and I'm grateful for the trip. Always be kinder than you feel.

Norweigan looks to have a drink program for the week, I think. I read somwhere someone did the math and said you'd have to get 8 drinks a day (alcoholic beverages) to break even on the cost. I don't think I've ever drank that much in a day. I assume I'll be mostly water/juice/soda which apparently may cost extra. And if 1 person in the cabin does the drink plan, both must do it to alleviate cheating. No worries, I get that. Probably not since I like to wreck dive vs. the popular cattle boat reef dives. I know that's a risk I'm taking with not going with a cruise excursion dive, but maybe it will end up with them, I'm not positive yet. I actually have a credit card I'm bringing "just in case" I need to make additional travel arrangements to get to the next port... just in case. In Jamaica I was on a dive boat that broke down so I know it really happens. Yup. Covered. I have trip insurance, DAN (Divers Alert Network) in case of a diving accident (which also covers air transport, which I always found hypocritical since you're not supposed to fly for about 18 hours after a dive, and chamber rides. But I guess if you're already bent, it's like nevermind... LOL) and also regular health insurance that covers out of the country stuff. I actually carry it on every trip, even just going to FL. I'm so impulsive sometimes I never know when I'll get the urge to puddle jump to the Bahamas or somewhere else. I also have copies of the picture page secretly stashed here and there with my stuff, plus I always keep a copy when I'm on a side trip for diving, etc. On the list! But Bank of American can KMA because they cut off my debit card a few weeks ago and closed an account because I was logging in very frequently from a few different devices (laptop, desktop, netbook, smartphone) when I was waiting for a big deposit to clear. I went into Wawa, bought $8 worth of stuff and the kid at the register said "It says to take your card". I was like "WhAT? For what?". I didn't give it to him but went to my car and called Bank of American and they said it looked like fraudulent activity with all of the log ins from different devices. For my security they shut it down. I was like thanks for calling me to verify first, effers. Grrr.... LOL sidetracked!! OMG... how I HATE that part of vacationing. It is seriously sad that you have to do this. I learned from vacationing in the Caribbean that the Germans will get up at 6am to claim beach chairs. Really??!! That thought alone stresses me out. Haha. Yup, I'm flying in direct the day before. Severe winter weather usually isn't an issue that time of year but you never know. Crossing my fingers! You know it! Thanks so much for all of the advice!! I appreciate everyone taking the time to reply!! Now I'm getting excited!! Always be kinder than you feel.

Wow. Thanks! LOTS of good tips. The cruise was "free" for an interior stateroom. I'm trying to get a balcony suite for an additional $600. I gotta have fresh air. We're allowed 2 suitcases each so one of them will have all of my scuba gear. I'm a HMB with my gear and haven't rented anything scuba related in years, except air/nitrox tanks. That's a lot of room to take up but I'm ok with that for this trip. And you watch, we'll have bad weather and not be able to dive. I was worried about the health related stuff. I forgot to get sanitizing gel in Walmart last night but it'll be in my bag, for sure. And I love the Clorox wipes. And I always have a mini can of Lysol with me. I spray everything in the hotel room. Door knobs, bathroom fixtures, TV remote controls, comforters/duvets, light switches. I saw the 20/20 black light in a hotel room show!! And those railings are kinda skeeving me out already!! There's just one "fancy" night but it's a White Party. Sounds like fun so I'm going to do that. Other nights I think I'll keep it resort casual. The French Maid outfit is staying home. Don't want to give my dive buddy the wrong idea!! LOL The good thing about this ship is it's the freestyle cruising concept where we won't have to make dinner reservations. I'm not really up to sit at a group table with people I don't know. I'm funny like that. I'm really hoping for some tables for 2, if possible. You can pay the tips in advance of the cruise on the NCL website. They charge $12/pp per day on your account. I'm sure there will be additional tipping going on as I like to take care of the people who take care of me. They work hard. So many good tips!! Thank you!! Always be kinder than you feel.

Christmas is only day thing too, but the corporations that can benefit from it financially start celebrating it two months in advance. Last night, FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, I was happy Walmart had Christmas stuff out early. Those clear stringed lights, not the LED ones, are impossible to find when the 25th gets closer. I bought 10 boxes of the 100 bulb count clear mini-lights so I have them on hand for the future. Always be kinder than you feel.

I'll do that! I'm not a big drinker but I see alcoholic beverages aren't included. Nor are all of the restaurants for that matter! Always be kinder than you feel.

I take Triptone whenever I'm going diving so I'm thinking I'm going to take one daily anyway even on a large ship. Ever since I turned 40 (5 years ago) I now get seasick in sporty conditions but being on board for an extended time makes me not want to chance it, especially since my travel buddy has sea legs and never has gotten sea sick. Always be kinder than you feel.

OMG... I would've hogged that thing!! Looks like the best we have access to is a rock climbing wall. I've never done that so I'm hoping I feel well enough to give it a shot. Always be kinder than you feel.

I know I could post this over at CruiseCritic.com but I lurked there and some of them seemed a little condescending to a first timer asking for advice on how to make the most of the trip. We're stopping in Ocho Rios (been there tons of times not sure if we'll venture too far from the port), Grand Cayman, Cozumel and the Bahamas island the cruise line "owns". We hope to scuba at every port except probably the Bahamas and Jamaica stop. The room is smallllllllll but I'm trying to upgrade and get a balcony room. The trip was complimentary so it's only costing port charges/taxes/ gratuities/etc. We can take 2 suitcases each on the ship, so one will be scuba gear for me. Anyone have any advice/suggestions as to some things to bring along? Always be kinder than you feel.

Andy Copland! He's dong fine, healing well and being a pikey whiney git

Da fuq?? Did you just ask him to . . . nah, can't be. Nah... that was my 'I'm speechless' reaction to him talking about doing unthinkable things with what comes out of the unicorn. Always be kinder than you feel.

Andy Copland! Always be kinder than you feel.

OMG... just remembered I have his # in my cell. I remember talking to him when he was in the hospital in Sebastian after he biffed. That was the same day my friend Dan went in. Always be kinder than you feel.

Thanks for posting the update link. I hope he makes a full recovery. He certainly has a great attitude.

Touchy lot. LOL' They seem to be a bunch of Pikeys and Limeys I wonder how he's doing? I mean Andy. Always be kinder than you feel.

I think I saw Alice Cooper in a hotel lobby yesterday morning. No make up. Scraggly, tall. I didn't want to stare like an idiot. Always be kinder than you feel.

Yeah but they piss Skittles, so there's still a chance... Speaking of Skittles, where the hell has he been?? Always be kinder than you feel.

Da fuq?? Always be kinder than you feel.

Well his day really sucked. Does anyone know his outcome? Hope he didn't lose his leg. Always be kinder than you feel.

I was there for a Halloween themed event! And it was awesome!! Always be kinder than you feel.

Ummm.... were you replying to me that I should "get real" because I think it's foul? Now your are talking about chickens? Nasty Girl! FOUL..... not FOWL. Silly Turtle... Always be kinder than you feel.

The door was locked but I walked away without doing the latch and deadbolt. Always be kinder than you feel.

Phew!! OK! Thanks for clarifying!! I wasn't trying to offend anyone!! French Maid outfits... LOL. I'd totally forgotten about them!! Always be kinder than you feel.