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I just got back from cruise #9 on the Carnival Paradise, and the next day my documents for cruise # 10 in November updated to reflect my new Platinum status. So glad I was able to get in under the old guidelines.

Hi, I just joined this site, can't believe I never found it before. Excited to learn more than I already know :)

Introducing our newest Cruise Blog... CruiseMiss Goes Cruise Crazy by Danilelle aka CruiseMiss CruiseMiss will be blogging about EVERYTHING that involves cruise ships and she's far from your "typical" cruiser. She thinks that's what makes her blog not only unique but exciting. CruiseMiss will deliver a more relaxed and playful side to her blog updates, in a way that allows everyone to engage and join the conversation in one way or another. Here's some information about Danielle's cruising background: Very excited to have CruiseMiss blogging with us. Please join me in welcoming her aboard as one of our Cruise Bloggers, and be sure to check out her first introductory blog post: "A Simple Evening At Sea" by CruiseMiss

My husband and I just came back from Aruba. 5 days there costs us what it would of cost to go on 2 cruises. It's crazy. So many people think they will feel trapped on a cruise ship. They are silly

If you are taking a 7-day cruise or longer and flying to your port of embarkation with only carry-on baggage to circumvent absurd baggage fees, please come back and tell us your secret. But if you are like the rest of us, however, then you will most likely need to check at least a piece of luggage. With baggage delays, lost or damaged bags and occasional sticky fingers of TSA or airline personnel, you’ll want to carefully consider how you will pack. In no particular order, following is a list of what you should not stow in your checked luggage. The list may seem like a no-brainer to experienced travelers, but young people who may be traveling on their own for the first time will find it helpful. Identification, passports, boarding passes, and essential documents. All necessary documentation should be kept with you in your carry-on bag. In addition to the originals, save copies to a flash drive and/or PDA for back up, and leave copies with a trusted person at home. Cash, debit and credit cards. Luggage sometimes gets lost, delayed or damaged in transit and while it’s rare, theft by dishonest TSA workers inspecting checked bags unfortunately does happen. Your cash, checkbook, and credit cards should always be kept with you in your carry-on bag. Laptop, tablets, E-readers and cameras. Two things can happen if electronics are packed in your checked bags: Theft or damage. No matter how many beach towels or bubble wrap you’ve wrapped around your laptop, it's still at the mercy of baggage handlers and bumpy flights while in transit. Prescription Medications Let’s face it. If a doctor has prescribed it, then you must need it. Don’t risk your health by losing it in checked luggage. Passengers are permitted to bring liquid medications onto planes, even if they exceed the 4-ounce limit for carry-on liquids. But you'll need to officially declare your oversized liquid medications when going through the checkpoint. Tell a security officer stationed at the checkpoint that you're carrying liquid medications, and hand them over for inspection. It helps to have a doctor's note or a medical ID card, but it's not required. The TSA also suggests that travelers label medications to facilitate the screening process. Jewelry and valuables Simply stated, it’s best to leave jewelry and other valuables at home while traveling. However, if you must bring them, store them safely in your carry-on luggage. If your checked luggage happens to contain a rare antique watch, a family heirloom, or your wedding ring, you could be in for trouble should your bags be lost or rummaged through. Most carriers require passengers to submit claim forms when bags are lost. Your airline will then tally the depreciated value of the contents of your missing suitcase—if your claim is accepted, that is. Airlines will pay no more than $3,300 per passenger for bags lost on domestic flights. All in all, it's unlikely that you'll receive compensation equal to the full value of your lost possessions. Your entire wardrobe A complete extra change of clothes in your carry-on is ideal, but at the minimum pack a change of undies, a clean shirt, deodorant and a toothbrush. Particularly, if you are on a cruise, a swimsuit will be handy, too, in case your luggage doesn’t find its timely way to your cabin. At least you can cool both yourself and your temper by taking a refreshing dip. Lighters, matches, and flammable items The TSA has a handy checklist of prohibited items on its website. Some of the objects on the list are obvious: gun powder, hand grenades and tear gas, for example. Other items of note, however, include lighters, matches, and flammable objects, which anyone going on a camping trip (or travelers who smoke) might need to pack. Lighters without fuel may be packed in checked luggage. Lighters with fuel, though, may only be packed in checked luggage if they're in a DOT-approved case. Matches are prohibited in checked baggage. Breakable items Don't blame it all on the baggage handlers – they’re just doing their job. You’ll need to do your part, as well – keep breakables out of your checked bag and carry them on board. If you must bring home that precious bottle of red, use protective packing material designed for protecting the contents of your bag in case the bottle should break. Film If you missed the digital train and are still cruising on film, you’ll need to pack it in your carry-on. The X-ray machines that the TSA uses to screen checked bags can damage film. Instead, put your film in your carry-on bag and ask the TSA agent at the security checkpoint to inspect your film by hand. The TSA suggests that travelers pack film in clear canisters or clear plastic bags to expedite the inspection process. Food and Drink According to the TSA, flyers should avoid putting food and beverages in checked bags. Passengers aren't prohibited from storing food items in checked bags, but it's a wise suggestion nevertheless. Perishable food is likely to spoil if luggage is lost or delayed, and bottled drinks could potentially explode or crack in transit, thus ruining the fancy formal clothes you brought for dress-up night. If you're traveling internationally, you may be prohibited from bringing food to your destination. Each country has its own rules about what kinds of foods can be brought across borders. Also keep in mind your cruise line’s policy about bringing alcohol on board the ship. Forbidden booze could not only break but, if discovered, will get you sent to the mysterious “naughty room” at the cruise terminal. By Janice Neves, CruiseCrazies Contributor IStock Photo 9555506 © Arman Zhenikeyev View full article

I may be all smiles in this pic, but there is a side of me that comes out from time to time that includes arms-folded, inverted eyebrows and an attitude ready to usher you into the ocean . I wear a smile with every out-fit I put on - especially when a cruise ship is involved (who wouldn't?)! But there is a point when not even a cruise ship can keep a smile on my face and it has to do with people. After 30 cruises, I still am amazed that I am blessed to enjoy a traveling luxury - such as a cruise ship - as often as I do. You know I thank God every time I board a ship because I could have easily been the unfortunate man on the sidewalk asking for money or a meal. I just stand amazed! I went from not having a lot to now being able to be spoiled like a prince. I remembered my first cruise like it was yesterday. I just about couldn't hold myself together. The food, the cool people and most importantly the beautiful, sacred connection I was able to find with The Lord. I soon hit this weird phase in my cruising history. You start talking about the paint job the ship needs, the color of the carpet and even how slow the cabin stewards are at getting you a fresh towel. You begin reaching a point where you become a ship snob and boy did I used to be one! You complain out this... and that. Then you start comparing this ship to another ship and wish it was bigger, or not as many people or pray for more activities to do. Well if you were like me, a few years ago, I have two words for you: SHUT UP! Your negative attitude is poisoning the fun that's supposed to be experienced onboard! Take it from a guy who used to RUN HIS TRAP about everything wrong... it doesn't help anything. Honestly, you're traveling in style complaining about some food when there's a kid in Haiti who is wondering the streets right now trying to find food, shelter and protection from predators. Like really? But that hamburger could be less burnt though? Right... If it could, go get another one. Gosh, you act like you haven't paid for the food. You have world class crew members working for YOUR amusement. They leave their family and friends behind for months at a time to hear you complain because they didn't turn down your bed twice in a day? They do not get paid enough to feel both a Caribbean breeze and your hot breath. One is enough and it ain't the latter. Do you even turn down your own bed down at home twice a day? Oh and you must use like a million towels at home too right, because the cabin stewards needs to change them everyday? Put yourself in the shoes of those who are less fortunate than you. The people work non-stop around the clock, for YOU. It would be nice to give them a break every now and then you know? I started meeting with my cabin steward the day I get on and tell them straight up - I don't need turn down service, in fact, I don't need day time service. Just give me the daily activities agenda and and high-five every time I see ya! I am tired of hearing about the things YOU hate about a ship. What is there to hate? You have literally 5 star everything compared to the girl who was just captured and forced into female prostitution. The mouths of complaining and nit-picky cruisers is THE thing I hate about cruising! Please, if you're going to complain, just run back to your cabin and tell someone who will actually care (they'll be looking at you in the mirror). Now I'm not saying you should not rightfully speak up when something like theft of your belongings or something fatal happens and the cruise line is at fault. By all means, please speak up when necessary, but know that you not getting chocolate on your pillow at night is no excuse to just hear yourself bark. Save your breath for all the screaming you'll do at the sailaway deck party! Give it a go. Be a global citizen who understands and tries to help those who've been working for 14 hours straight feeling exhausted and still wears that smile like nothing's even wrong. Stop complaining. Shut up because nobody gives a cup... of coffee! Until we talk ship again, keep cruising and grooving. You know you're cruisetacular for reading and I have nothing but love for ya!

Just back from a great week on the Summit to Bermuda. Great food - wonderful service and weather made for a really nice cruise. Any questions about either the Summit or Bermuda, just ask. I'll be working on my review in a few days.

We have said this many times, but we really, really mean it. We love to cruise! Jerry and I took a long, overdue vacation to visit my family on the east coast. All said and done, we spent more money on this vacation than we have ever spent on a cruise. Between the hotels, car rental, food, and gasoline (not counting airfare because we would have to fly to cruise), ... you get the picture. AND the food was terrible. Okay, maybe not terrible, but for the amount of money that we paid ... shame on the restaurants. $3.50 for a cup of coffee (plain) and it was TERRIBLE coffee. I'm glad we got to see my mom and my siblings I'm glad that the weather was beautiful and we got some magnificent pictures of cherry trees and green yards (brown is the color in Tucson). I'm glad that we got to go to Atlantic City (Lost, Lost, Lost so we won't elaborate). And, I am super glad that we are going on a cruise in September!!! Great to be a fan of cruising.

Jan's awesome "What Not to Pack in Your Checked Luggage" thread got me thinking about my own packing list. Over the cruises, there are a few items that have become must-haves for me: 1.) Over-the-door-shoe-holder. I got mine at Dollar Tree, and that dollar I spent has been well worth it!! Let's face it, there isn't much flat surface for putting things in a stateroom... Even with just my son and I in there, we still have things like sunscreen, hairbrushes, sunglasses, etc. X 2 that we have to put *someplace*. The shoe holder hangs on the hook that is usually in the "hallway", and gives the stateroom host that much less work to do tidying up surfaces. 2.) Jewelry roll. I got mine somewhere off the intrawebs, it was maybe $12, and I love that thing so much!! Even though all of my "jewelry" is just cheap costumer stuff, I still have a lot of it for everything from poolside casual to formal night bling. The jewelry roll has all these clear pockets in different sizes with individual zippers, that hold everything from tiny earrings to long necklaces. At the top there's a nice sturdy hook. The whole thing rolls up to the size of a flat iron, and ties closed. Takes up hardly any room in a suitcase -- and in one of the small stateroom cabinets. When I need something out of it, I just unroll it, hook it to the cabinet door ring, and quickly get exactly what I want out of it! 3.) Travel-size room spray. I get mine at Bath & Body Works, a wonderful tropical scent. Those stateroom bathrooms are tiny, and can get... less than fresh, lol. One small spritz makes everything smell wonderful. Then, once we're back home, I use the same scent if I need a pick-me-up, and it transports me right back to open seas and tropical drinks. 　 So what are YOUR must-haves to bring on a cruise?? -gina-

Cruised on the Carnival Paradise May 18th-23rd from Tampa to Grand Cayman and Cozumel. This was our second Carnival Cruise this year as I am trying to meet the deadline of having 10 Carnival Cruises to reach Platinum status by December 31, 2013. We have one more in November on the Carnival Valor. Loved Grand Cayman, did not care for the tendering process. Went to Hell, played with the turtles and walked on the beach. No activities planned in Cozumel as we went to the ruins in Jan while on the Imagination. Had a great time, missed the neon and bright colors found on other Carnival ships. Food was hit or miss, but always able to find something to eat. Staff was excellent. Would be happy to answer any questions or post some pictures if anyone is interested.

Linda Harrison had no idea what to expect when her husband, Don, woke her at 3 a.m. Monday morning yelling "Get up! Get up!" inside their cabin aboard the cruise ship Grandeur of the Seas. The couple from South Jersey are cruise ship veterans, having embarked on 10 or 11 island-hopping trips over the years. But what took place over the next four hours was beyond their wildest dreams. "I jumped up, threw on a robe, we grabbed everything in the safe and life jackets and went to our muster station," Linda Harrison said Tuesday night, safe and sound at home in New Jersey following what would also become a very long day getting home after what the world now knows happened: their cruise ship caught fire in the middle of the Caribbean. The cause of the fire was not yet known, according to a spokeswoman for Royal Caribbean cruise lines Tuesday. The Harrisons tell a story similar to other passengers, many who arrived home Tuesday on charter jets from Freeport, The Bahamas, where the ship eventually docked for an extensive repair job. Despite what photographs show as a massive fire that engulfed much of the stern of the 2,000-passenger cruise ship, Linda Harrison said the crew and captain remained very calm throughout the early morning hours as passengers waited at their emergency locations on board. "All the crew kept telling us was nothing there is to worry about, all just a little fire," Linda Harrison said. "They actually made it sound like it was a cabin fire." At first, she tried keeping her daughter, 28, calm. Then, they noticed the life boats being lowered. "I thought I was going to throw up," Linda Harrison said. "I could no longer console her because I needed someone to console me." The life boats were not needed and four hours later, passengers were allowed to return to their rooms. The Harrisons got a couple hours of sleep, then spent the day on Freeport. Walking along the pier on the island, they got to see what all the commotion had been about. "When we saw that, I’m telling you, my heart dropped," Linda Harrison said of the charred stern of the ship. They returned to the boat Monday evening to learn Royal Caribbean was going to refund their cruise cost and give them another cruise free of charge. The cruise line also paid for their flight home, though the trip back to Baltimore wasn't easy since some 2,000 people had to get flights home. In the end, Linda Harrison said the event "dampened our experience," but wouldn't stop them from going on another cruise in the future. "We got four wonderful days," she said of the cruise that initially sailed from Baltimore on Friday afternoon. By Brian X. McCrone, Philly.com For more cruise news & articles go to http://www.cruisecrazies.com/index.html Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more http://www.cruisecrazies.com Click here to view the article

Smart thinking about grabbing the stuff from the safe. If I were awakened from a sound sleep at 3 am with an announcement to get to the lifeboat station, I doubt I'd remember the contents of the safe. Fortunately, I'd have my husband with me, and he thinks quicker than I do.

Glad you had fun Roger. Next time someone tells me to go to Hell, I'm booking a cruise to Grand Cayman!

I, also, pack by a list and have for years now. It keeps me straight and I know when I leave that I have everything plus it reduces my stress level.

Seems like Royal Caribbean is handling this well. It will be interesting to see how the media plays it…