Cactus527

Having done a 14-nighter that went to Anchorage in the past, I can tell you that doing the outer is much rougher. If you have someone that is prone to seasickness, I definitely advise inside passage.

Cruise gift card? Cruise t-shirt? Something super useful on a cruise, like magnetic hooks, packing cubes, beach towel clips, etc.?

You will definitely want to take the accessible shuttle as opposed to walking there yourself. The path over to Hideaway Beach from the end of the pier is all sand! I worry for your safety using a walker on the sand. Definitely take everyone's advice and do the shuttle. Have a great time!

I have found several times that when this happens, it's the later date that is correct.

Don't forget - check in opens up this Friday 7/26 at 12am EDT!

OMG your BALCONY!!!! *swoons* I'm pretty sure your suite concierge can take care of this for you. How strange that they say "family suite" when it's CLEARLY not labeled that way on the RC site. Looking forward to your thoughts on Valencia - it's on my list of places to visit someday!!!

@WAAAYTOOO took the words straight out of my brain.

Wait, wait, wait...does this mean I can bring my huge honking bottle in my carryon? Or am I still limited to my dinky bottle that barely lasts a week? @Lovetocruise2002 I love that you call your pool your Oasis Lagoon. Our community has a pool for everyone, and it's located on the southern side of our community, so the family and I have nicknamed it South Beach. Of course, the only sand that it has is OUTSIDE the pool area. #yaydesert #whyisthereacactusbythepool #ouch

Congratulations on D17's graduation! A new adventure begins. And I'm excited for you and your family's European adventures. I spent a week in Barcelona on the Ramblas when I was in college, and our favorite thing to do was get food at the market (strawberries, fresh bread, and cheese), take it down to the beach, and just sit there all afternoon. We also thoroughly enjoyed Parc Guell - definitely explore all the nooks and crannies that aren't as popular, as they are still worth seeing. I agree with everyone's comments about exploring Rome at night - breathtaking! Are there still a million stray cats inside the Colosseum?! Do you use any particular services for tracking flights? I use Going, but I'm curious if you use something else.

Holy basket cases, reality has gotten in the way until now but I'm FINALLY DONE reading this blog! Hysterical. Thanks for the journey, and I will always associate Batman with underwear from now on...

I'm glad to hear you're getting your packing on early. I'm of the holy-crap-it's-9pm-I-better-pack-and-get-that-suitcase-out-there-pronto-for-the-porters crew.

OMG I'M FINALLY CAUGHT UP. Just...HI!!!! Whoever posted the red undies - you're hysterical. I laughed until my youngest daughter came over and gave a horrified startle/sound and asked me why I was reading inappropriate stuff. Thank goodness she's a teenager though. Jamie's is also on Navigator!!!!!! The 2BRATS looks amazing. I love the view into the aqua theater. You totally should have shared photos with the Instagrammers across the way. Have you considered yelling at the people on the rock wall? "OH NO, NOT THERE, YOU'LL FALL!" or "LOOK OUT IT'S COMING RIGHT FOR YOU!!!!" Try the Central Park bar tonight instead. Then, if they find you, you can say "oh no, it's getting too chilly, we've got to go indoors!" and evaporate. Disappear. Whatever the right word is here. Maybe have Batman do some very overt sexual innuendo that you can say "definitely indoors now!" to.

100 days to go!

Woot woot! This will be a great cruise! I REALLY hope Batman follows through on the martinis - he owes you for picking a cabin so far away from the SL. Meanwhile, this gen pop plebe will happily read about your suite life shenanigans this time around.

I was away from here for 7+ days and have now caught up. Happy belated birthday! I'm sorry so many shenanigans had to happen while you were both on ship and traveling. I always love happy photos of your brother eating. I think of the classes of ships, I have a particular penchant for Freedom class ships too - they kind of fit that happy medium between small ships and gargantuan ones. Thanks for blogging!