magicolor_girl

On 6/19/2019 at 10:58 AM, davekathy said:

It is true as of February 2019. You cruised prior to the new change. You still are not allowed to get the CC HH drinks in the dining rooms, room service or the WCB. All other bars (including the Sky Lounge) you can get the CC HH drinks during the 5 to 7 PM window. Consider this your confirmation. 🍻

When you say “unlimited drinks” Is it still from a list of specific labels/cocktails like on RCCL? My memory of the CC HH on Summit a few years ago is that we had to go to the specific lounge and then there was a list of wine/beer/cocktails available.

Can I piggyback a question related to RCCL to Celebrity benefits?  On RCCL, they add 3 free drinks per evening to your account. Does Celebrity do the same or do you have to go to their Elite lounge event? On my only prior X cruise, my husband and I were the same tier so could go to the lounge. I’ll be traveling with my sister and friend who will be on their first X cruise and aren’t high enough at RCCL for reciprocal benefits.

 

Also when it comes to check in, X says we must check in as a group but I (as elite) may choose to arrive at 11am. My travel companion who has completed her check in has 11:30-12, as it didn’t offer 11am. Since we are in the same room and checking in together, will we be able to all check in at 11 based on my elite status?

5 hours ago, Biker19 said:

Right, but I thought the hammocks were in that area - I couldn't find the pic tho.

I do think you're right that there were hammocks in that kid zone, but being adults looking for a relaxing vacation, that was just not the right place for the same hammock experience as the Empress.

 

Since I'm the sister Minda referenced, I can hijack her thread to ask are there other ships with good spots to relax away from screaming kids, such as the situation with the Empress hammocks that are on a top deck, away from all the other action?

We are staying at the Hampton Inn Brickell in Miami and they do have a shuttle to the port for a small fee

 

Hi Dianne,

Do you know the price for the Hampton Inn Brickell shuttle?

I fully agree about all the low seating on Anthem. Sailed with my 70+ year old parents on the Anthem 10/1 and found that the really low seating everywhere was difficult for their old knees to deal with. Even the cushioned deck chairs were too low. I meant to mention that on the end of cruise survey but completely forgot.

 

 

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We always check out the art in the stairwells. Every floor is different, and each stairwell is different. It also helps you recognize when you reach certain decks without looking for the deck number. [emoji3]

 

 

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I have cruised Princess twice and RC many more times but I'm not scheduled for the Empress until December so I can't speak about this ship specifically. That being said, I find the overall cruise experience pretty much the same on both lines. The trivia, shows, parties are all similar, but most RC ships have way more fun amenities that Princess doesn't. I think the food is better on Princess. Service is comparable, usually outstanding on both. I have not sailed in a suite on either one so can't comment on perks.

 

 

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Bespin, I know the trip to FLL is about an hour. I was impressed with self debarkation already being finished. That lets me know it's possible to get off the ship fairly early.

 

 

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We just got off the Empress this morning. We didn't do the DIY disembarkation, but when we arrived at the Royal Theater at 7:45 for our 8:15 transfer to the airport, the self-debarkation was already complete, and we were able to walk off and collect our luggage with no wait at all. We were at MIA by 9:00, and were at our gate by 9:30, in plenty of time for our 1:00 flight.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Wow! That definitely helps put my mind at ease! Thanks! :)

Thanks for sharing your recent experience. Does "carry" my luggage equal rolling it off? Or do I literally have to carry it? I know I'd have to get it down the stairs regardless since elevators are hard to come by on debarkation day.

Thank you John and thinfool for your suggestions!

Ship docks at 7am. That was my concern. 11:30 is the only reward flight time so I might have to pay for my flight.

 

 

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Can recent Empress cruisers speak to the debarkation process? The reviews I've read through today mentioned they did self debarkation. I was wondering the general debarkation time frame if I want to do normal debarkation but need to be off the ship fairly early to make an 11:30am flight from FLL. The ship docks at 7am. Is this do-able?

 

I would prefer not to lug my suitcase off but I suppose I can if that's what it takes. Does the self debarkation have a luggage size limit?

I'm booked on Empress of the Seas 12/15-12/19 out of Miami. The only reward flights I have are out of FLL to get home. I've been reading the boards and I know the travel time is 45-60 minutes generally. Assuming we go for a taxi or Uber/Lyft to have direct travel, can we get off the Empress (without doing self debarkation) and to FLL in time for an 11:30am flight? How is rush hour traffic on a Monday morning? Should I be concerned with holiday travellers potentially making the airport busier?

 

I'm second guessing myself though most comments I've read would say this is feasible. Any input is appreciated.

I already have a cruise on October 1st, and my husband doesn't have any more vacation time for this year, but I grabbed my sister and we're taking the free cruise! My offer was for an interior stateroom, they offered to upgrade for a fee but I declined, and paid $223 in taxes and port fees for the 4 night cruise to Key West and Nassau on 12/15.

 

I've never been offered a free cruise before and may never be offered one again so I'm making it work!

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I didn't know that our dining venues would already be posted in our cabin but that's good to know. The Puzzle Room isn't an option in the online reservations so I don't know about that. I have read about it and it sounds like something my husband I might do.

I'm going to be on Anthem on 10/1 and the reservations for North Star online are no longer available. Will there be times to get in line and get on without having a reservation?

 

We'll have classic dining. Is there anything important about that?

 

I've cruised quite often but this is my first time on Anthem and it just feels like so much is different this time around.

Duplicate

Thanks!

So piggy-backing this topic slightly - Grande is the complimentary formal option; does this restaurant come up in the normal DD classic rotation? As in, should we expect that a formal night is still in the rotation, or would we have to specifically choose Grande as on of our dinner options?

Well since it's days later and the post is still here I will say I used them years ago and had no problem. I think I got a free bottle of wine with the booking.

Just curious' date=' in your initial post you said you hadn't read the GCP for RCCL, but now your signature says this is your 4th cruise with RCI and more with other cruise lines?[/quote']

 

 

If you are a normal, rule abiding person you probably haven't read it. You can see in my signature how many cruises I have been on and I have never read it word for word. In this case, even if he had read it, what good would it have done him to know the policy when the cruise staff did nothing to enforce the policy they put in place? It sounds as if you are blaming OP for not reading it but come on now. He was the respectable person, he didn't need to read it. His neighbors, however, should gave been informed and held responsible for inappropriate behavior.

[quote name='pcur']I agree with you completely. We have been on two Princess cruises, with one being 28 nights roundtrip from Los Angeles (too good to pass up). We have the same opinion of their ships' layout, dining room, and cabin. We were especially frustrated with the buffet layout and the in-and-out rules.[/QUOTE]


Can you please explain what you mean by the buffet in and out rules? Just trying to get the tips we'll need for our spring break cruise. 😀



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You must have a crystal ball to be able to look into the future to make such a claim!

 

Really? Do you think there are no historical statistics regarding deaths from flu and ebola? According to WHO, 250,000 to 500,000 people die annually from flu. From 1976 to 2012, a total of 1,590 died from ebola. 250,000 PER YEAR for influenza, and 1,590 in 26 years from ebola. Fact. No crystal ball necessary.

If it turns out she actually tests positive will some of the bravest among us change their tune?

 

That goes both ways. If she never has symptoms and thus never tests positive, will the fearmongers apologize for being paranoid?