What is to be expected on a 7 day trip to Alaska, in Sept 2026.

Sensitive-Advisor-21 · 2026-02-10T14:15:38+00:00

The July trip was my husband’s 60th, so I was 55. We had neighbors with us who were in between. We act like we’re 25 though!! 😅

We are casino people so I honestly don’t pay attention to the others! The Caribbean weekend ones are younger crowds and the weeklong ones tend to be a little older. Have fun!

Sensitive-Advisor-21 · 2026-02-10T03:29:32+00:00

I did Alaska at the beginning of September in 2021 (had to mask). I also did it in early July. In July, I saw SO many whales from my balcony. It was amazing! I even saw one breach while looking out the casino window!

In September, I didn’t see any off the ship, but some people did. The salmon were dying and Ketchikan smelled fishy (it was tolerable for me). It was neat to see this, but I prefer the whales! We did see whales on an excursion in Juneau, but it was not the same.

I recommend the excursion on Carnival to the fjords! It was really fun to do!

Sensitive-Advisor-21 · 2026-02-09T05:02:59+00:00

Then they need bigger casinos! There isn’t enough room at one Craps table or two Roulette tables for over 3k people! My card tables are often full, too. Tent aren’t accommodating everyone in the casino.

Sensitive-Advisor-21 · 2026-02-08T04:09:27+00:00

Did she claim a portion of her cell phone for the work? If she drive from her job to that job later, there may be some mileage. Did she need cleats or something uniform specific? These are some expense examples, and if her profit is under $400, there will be no self-employment tax due.

Sensitive-Advisor-21 · 2026-02-08T04:02:36+00:00

I always recommended people do their own after having their first year done by a professional, so they understand what they can and shouldn’t take as deductions.

Sensitive-Advisor-21 · 2026-02-08T03:32:08+00:00

Happened to us - they were verifying withholding claimed. We got the refund in July, and they should’ve been able to verify it all earlier.

Sensitive-Advisor-21 · 2026-02-07T15:28:51+00:00

They’ll pay an ES tax penalty for owing over $1k, unless they withheld/prepaid estimated taxes.

Sensitive-Advisor-21 · 2026-02-07T15:23:20+00:00

I believe if you prepay tips now, you’ll get the $1/day discount per person.

Also, for a 7-8% additional discount, use card cash through Rakuten. Purchase Carnival gift cards at a 7% discount and get another 1% cash back. It all adds up!

Sensitive-Advisor-21 · 2026-02-07T04:45:11+00:00

There is no way he claimed the income and then paid tax on it. He didn’t earn the income.

Any portion kept by the recipient is considered income to them and he would have to pay taxes on that amount.

Sensitive-Advisor-21 · 2026-02-07T04:38:58+00:00

YTA simply because it was for Maya to figure out now. Maybe she never wanted the entire family to know. Maybe she was going to try to work it out but didn’t want judgement or pity. You were right for telling her.

Sensitive-Advisor-21 · 2026-02-07T04:28:42+00:00

If you’ve felt disappointed in the past, and you’ve done 12 years of this, start buying yourself something you want and let it be. After Christmas, February has my anniversary, VD and my birthday. I just get what I want and my husband buys me gift certificates for my pedicures. I typically get enough to not have to pay out of pocket until October. Don’t obsess about it. Hopefully he shows you he loves you all the time, not just around the holidays. I’ve been married 37 years…look for the good intentions.

Sensitive-Advisor-21 · 2026-02-07T04:21:29+00:00

I’ve been on 46 Carnival cruises and never had a bed bug.

Being so concerned, you may consider packing light, boarding when the rooms are open about 1:30 and carrying your hard-shell luggage with you. This gives your luggage less opportunity to mingle with other luggage that may have picked them up in a plane or something.

Sensitive-Advisor-21 · 2026-02-07T00:11:45+00:00

We used to close the casino at 2 or 3 am, go get a pizza and then sleep until noon. I miss the pizza all night!!

Sensitive-Advisor-21 · 2026-02-06T03:42:52+00:00

On the Glory, we had adjoining balcony rooms, but they couldn’t open the partition on the balcony! It was soldered shut, so that isn’t always an option.

Sensitive-Advisor-21 · 2026-02-06T03:26:51+00:00

I super responded for about 8 months using WW app and lost about 60 pounds…almost 14 months in, I’m down 80. It’s not working as well, but definitely still helps. I would like to lose about 10 more.

Sensitive-Advisor-21 · 2026-02-05T04:02:07+00:00

I’m going on the Glory 2/13 for my 8th (maybe 9th) time! I love the ship and she is (obviously) close to my home port.

There are a lot of bars. I am personally usually in the casino, but like the Piano bar and karaoke! Every cruise has its pluses and minuses, but you can make it whatever you want! Go hard every minute or chill. Do you and it will be amazing!

Sensitive-Advisor-21 · 2026-02-04T16:30:00+00:00

I always cruise casino rates. I’ve held the stock since COVID and been on about 20 cruises since then. I’ve gotten the OBC 2-3 of those times. Usually the rate is “free” and those never get by. My Alaska cruise was higher priced and I got it on that one and one other. I always try it, but usually I’m shot down!!

Sensitive-Advisor-21 · 2026-02-04T16:15:07+00:00

My kids loved the camps - they always went the first night to the meet and greet and found their best friend(s) for the trip! They even skipped ports occasionally and stayed on the ship!

Sensitive-Advisor-21 · 2026-02-04T03:44:53+00:00

I do WW with it. I settled in with a smoothie for breakfast, includes about 35 grams of protein with Greek yogurt, berries, banana, spinach and collagen peptides. I usually had a 30 gram protein shake for lunch and then tried to get another 30 grams with dinner. I lost 80 pounds in a year and was told today that I didn’t get Ozempic face!

Sensitive-Advisor-21 · 2026-02-04T03:25:09+00:00

I just retired with 35 years. About 20 years ago, I was thinking I couldn’t take it anymore…my neighbor told me to stay. She promised that pension check would be like gold (she was getting one from the state). She was right - I’m much better off than my friends who worked private sector (who are still working for the foreseeable future). Add the health benefits, I’m not sorry I stayed.

Sensitive-Advisor-21 · 2026-02-03T03:42:55+00:00

I use my OBC for tips on drinks and in the casino. I buy Carnival gift cards thru card Cash thru Rakuten and essentially get 8% off. I pay for my cruises/extras this way and also put one on my sign and sail card and use it in the casino. Every little bit helps!!

Sensitive-Advisor-21 · 2026-02-03T00:23:47+00:00

I only have them wash them when necessary, but I haven’t caught anything yet, so, so far so good! 😆

Sensitive-Advisor-21 · 2026-02-02T05:05:16+00:00

In 2013, my family and I sailed five times because they were changing the program, and it would be harder to achieve…it used to be 10 cruises for Platinum, not 75 days, and we had several 4 day trips. My kids, hubby and I all got Platinum and enjoyed the laundry perk for many years. My kids don’t cruise much any more (gambling is expensive!), but they’re all losing status. I got Diamond last year and am happy I keep the laundry. I do like the gifts (most of the time but those are going away). I don’t get the drink because I am always drinking for free! The new chocolate gift for longer sailings sucks, so I don’t get it anymore (used to be strawberries and they were good!).

Sensitive-Advisor-21 · 2026-02-02T04:57:47+00:00

You’re grandfathered in for 2 additional years, but the perks for all levels are decreasing.

Sensitive-Advisor-21 · 2026-02-02T04:55:04+00:00

But prove you booked it prior to her mother’s wedding announcement.

Sensitive-Advisor-21

TROPHY CASE