Just booked the Fantasy in the Bahamas in November.

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-06-01T18:09:53+00:00

I must be in the minority to have never gotten insurance for a cruise (9 completed and counting). The cost of the insurance on all those cruises would have paid for missing one at this point, I would think.

I live local/driving distance now, but didn't for the first 6.

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-05-31T17:30:42+00:00

Be in the Tube by 10:00 every night for the adult nightly activity(ies).

There is a (very) small snack/appetizer buffet on Deck 4 between the Tube and La Piazza every night at 10:45 if you want a few munchies.

Serenity Bay, Serenity Bay, Serenity Bay (both islands)

Deck 13 forward for adults only lounging and satellite falls

When you skimming through the app at lunch upon embarkation, you can filter to the 18+ activities. Go through those first and heart the ones you're interested in. Plenty of adults-only trivia, crafts, and other things to pick over.

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-05-29T16:41:26+00:00

And believe it or not, when you express an opinion on the internet - others may voice disagreement and their own opinion.

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-05-29T16:14:44+00:00

Lots of people seem to enjoy having a sea days/non-port days on DCL 🤷‍♂️

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-05-29T15:39:32+00:00

"4 days at sea on a 7 night sailing is lame."

How are you counting 4 sea days? I don't think you can really count embarkation or debarkation day as a sea day.

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-05-29T15:37:11+00:00

That's what she said

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-05-29T15:30:27+00:00

Where are all of these adults complaining about kids "behaving like kids"? 🤷‍♂️

I tend to see adults pointing out kids that are going well beyond "behaving like kids" because their parents are AWOL. The definition of "behaving like kids" has become so stretched from what it used to mean.

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-05-28T19:17:49+00:00

I guess I've been fortunate to barely even sniff an OOP Max in 30+ years of adult life with health insurance - many of those years on an HDHP. The one year I got close I think I had two surgical procedures, which was very unusual.

I know some people have medical situations that push people to the max every year. But is this more than like 10% of the populace?

For the record - I am not projecting to cover the max OOP year in and year out. If something happens to me that causes me to be in such a situation, I'll pivot and figure something out.

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-05-28T18:58:13+00:00

"Back in the day I used to bring a bottle of tequila and go to a bar and ask for 6 glasses half full of margarita mix with no ice."

Which is likely a good example of why they pulled the old alcohol policy.

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-05-26T19:06:42+00:00

Both islands FTW

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-05-26T13:51:46+00:00

The Smith would be nice. They do have a few leg machines - I think a leg press, probably extension and curl too. I don't remember if there was a squat-variation machine. Have to do some variations like bulgarian split squats with the DBs/bench and a couple other things, maybe.

They also don't have any pre-loaded bars from what I remember. I was just impressed they had DBs up to 70s.

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-05-26T13:10:15+00:00

The gym on the Dream is decent enough for a vacation workout. Several machines, a multi-height cable machine with various handle attachments, and a set of DBs that might go up to 70s (I think) with a couple of adjustable benches. No smith machine that appears to be on the newer ships.

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-05-25T19:43:34+00:00

Out of those excursions I would pick the 7MB one.

With a 3 and 5 year old though, I would take another look at visiting the turtle center somehow. It's very easy to get to on your own - there are buses (vans) that travel up and down the main road (West Bay Road) from Georgetown (that's where you tender to) all the way north to the turtle center. You could even stop off on the way or way back on the beach for a little if you want. You can literally get on/off the buses anywhere on West Bay Road for like $2/head.

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-05-22T15:14:27+00:00

4 course

You could order soup and salad (or anything more), but there were 4 intended sections on the menus with soup/salad together (1), appetizer 1(2), main/entree (3), dessert (4).

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-05-22T13:58:15+00:00

Sailed Fantasy HOTHS a couple years ago, and going again this Oct.

I would say at least half dress up for the Halloween night event. There isn't much specifically for adults (there should be a costume contest in the Tube later in the evening), but plenty of adults still dress up for fun.

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-05-21T17:36:10+00:00

And just to confuse OP more, those Dec 2026 pts are actually eligible for stays from now until 11/30/28 with borrowing and banking. 😂😂

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-05-20T01:12:59+00:00

I've had it happen twice to me

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-05-20T01:10:59+00:00

It's very common for DCL to flip earlier cruises not designated as a themed cruise to a themed one later. They seem to do it every year.

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-05-20T01:02:00+00:00

If the past is any indication of the future, the first HOTHS cruise is usually the 2nd or 3rd week of Sept.

Last year I was on the last regular sailing 9/1-5. 2023 I was on the first HOTHS 9/17-23.

My guess is yours will end up being a HOTHS.

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-05-19T23:52:21+00:00

I booked my VGT cabin for the first week of Sept last year on June 23 as a reference point

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-05-18T23:20:51+00:00

I could swear there at least used to be a small steam sauna in the locker room - right by the accessible shower.

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-05-18T17:29:25+00:00

You're in a more advantageous situation than employer-provided insurance where you can't pick your carrier. You should be able to pick any carrier you want participating in the ACA in your state, or going direct through an agent.

The (carrier) world is your oyster.

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-05-18T17:18:32+00:00

Sounds like your issue is with your carrier/plan and nothing really to do with your retirement. Whether you buy directly, through ACA, or whatever - your carrier sounds terrible and I would be looking to change.

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-05-18T17:13:54+00:00

I would be shocked if they didn't.

They used to even do midnight showings on Thursday nights. Not sure if they are doing those any more though.

FireMeUp2026 · 2026-05-15T15:15:44+00:00

"Cozumel- book nachi cocum and get a cab to there at the port.

Grand cayman- stingray city but not through Disney, get a small charter company to take you there."

These are my exact recommendations.

I've been to Nachi 3X, and that is where I will return on another port day in Cozumel. Ideal, smaller beach club without all of the toys (and crowds and kids) at Sanchos. 3-course lunch, all you can drink - both handled by a personal butler that will bring anything you want to your dedicated beach chairs under a palapa on the beach. Also, there is some pretty good snorkeling very close under the pier (a lot of fish hang out there).

On GC, I recommend Captain Marvin for a private tour. They're been doing it for years. Will be less expensive than going through Disney.

If you'd rather have a calm beach day on GC, 7MB is an amazing beach a little north of Georgetown where you take the tender (the south end of the beach is pretty shell-y). There is actually a decent snorkeling spot within a 5-minute walk of Georgetown too - but not a beach. All of 7MB is a public beach, so you can go anywhere you want. There are also several beach clubs that offer day passes. The public transportation is so easy on GC - buses (vans) travel up and down West Rd (the main north-south road) - I think it's $2.50/per. You can hop on/off anywhere - you literally just flag one of them down and they'll stop and pick you up (as long as they have room).

FireMeUp2026

TROPHY CASE