JJCas

   Does the classic soda package include bottled water?  Or do I need the Refreshment package?

  Thanks for the replies!  Are the specialties open for lunch on embarkation day if you have the package?

   I just did a last min booking for the Symphony on Feb 18.  I booked the unlimited dining package, but I see now I can't book times at restaurants until we board.  The cruise seems pretty full, I was wondering if anyone has done this on a full ship and been able to get the dining they wanted at decent times (we don't mind eating late...)?  

  Just off the constellation, and noticed several changes to the menu that occured while we were onboard.  Prime rib was gone, even the "steak and chips" disappeared.  

  I was on the sailing before you.  A couple casino dealers told me the next cruise had about 960 passengers (not saying its the case, just what I was told).  We noticed that a few beef choices changed or were eliminated from menus during the cruise.  Our waiter in the MDR told us that the next cruise, they were eliminating seating in the center of the dining room because of the light passenger count.

  On the same cruise and would love to find one as well.

12 hours ago, charlie murphy said:

alright Gary. great info so far, this TIME my request (reference My last request ) is the TUBE we can't wait for the TUBE  --I don't know what they call that water slide drop, but we want a full report.... the drop, the curves , the loop ( saw on-line someone not make it around, they said because they were below the 130 lb. minimum) You push the scales over 130 don't you, If not hit the buffet and then the water slide! LET'S GO !!  You should have no problem. I think you already mentioned this as part of your plan, so I am just having fun, if not part of the plan --- don't hurt yourself, but you are working out .... SO!? enjoy your cruise I am lovin your reports and insight. AND I will enjoy it even more when I am sitting at my work desk this week. thanks.

  I did not do the slides myself, but my son did.  He is about 6' but only about 120 lbs (yeah, I know.... D1 cross country and track 😄).  He said he got stuck 4 times.  It happens often enough that they have a person at a little hatch that they open to let you out.

   Just got off the Joy.  First time in the Haven.  I think they said there were around 2600 guests on board.  Never had a problem getting a lounger on the sun deck - although a shaded spot was hard to come by at times.  There were quite a few kids, but I think they were around more because the kids club is still closed.

  I recently booked a comped casino rate cabin while on board the Equinox.  They told me it would be better to book my kids in an inside across the hall on my own (rather than add them to my room, or have the casino book them).  This will mean my underage (18 and 20) kids will have the drink package and my wife and I will not (no AI on the casino rate).

  Just got off the Equinox for the Christmas / New Years cruise.  My 17 year old son had no problem falling in with a group of kids his age.

  Just got off the Equinox (on 1/3).  We asked if port fees were going to be refunded for the ports we missed (as is the case when we sail NCL) and were flat out told no.

  We have a casino booked cruise on the Equinox in December.  Its our first time on Celebrity after many NCL and a few Royal and Holland America cruises.  We booked through the casino, and it turned out to be cheaper to put our kids (17 and 19) in an inside room across the hall, rather than booking them in the concierge room with us.  On NCL, we normally all go to the dining room for embarkation lunch (sort of a tradition, when my son was young he would say that was the last "fancy" meal he was having.  Then he would disappear into the kids club and we wouldnt see him for a week ).  I see there is a concierge lunch on board, I was wondering if we will be able to bring the kids with us? 

   I remember a post on another part of this site saying that someone got up very early in the morning and went for a walk on deck.  They came across 2 very large people in a hot tub by the pool who were bathing, soap, shampoo and all.

   Late one night, I saw a few workers carrying what seemed to be a 1/3 size (about) disassembled helicopter up a stairwell.  I was baffled until a couple nights later when we saw the magic act in the theater.  Turns out it was a prop in the final trick.

3 hours ago, Orator said:

Be slow to judge. Noticed a man talking though his puppet at dinner in Blu. He was accompanied by a woman and talked to her through the puppet. He  also spoke to the server through the puppet. Almost everyone was staring at him, me included. Asked the Maître 'd if he knew about the man and he said that he had that he had learned that the man had a disorder that only allowed him to communicate through his puppet . There is often a deeper story behind what some may see as strange behavior.

   I had a man who worked for me years ago who did that for about 2 years.  He would speak normally on the phone, but could only speak in person using a sock puppet.  He did it for about 2 years, then just stopped one day with no explanation.  Good employee otherwise, so I saw no reason to pry.

  Honestly I am not sure.  We had 4 people, so I assumed it was $2 per person as it was in the past... but it may have been $8 per cab.  

  I was in Costa Maya last week.  Taxi from the port (it can be a little confusing getting to the taxis outside the port area) to Tropicante (on the Malecon) was $2 per person each way.  

1 for 3.  

   There is one table.  In my experience there is usually a game going when I get there (usually around 11pm), unlike the smaller ships that are hit or miss.  I think it is a 2 5 or maybe 3 6 game.  Crazy rake, I think it was 10% with a $25 max.  Play varies from decent players to folks who are taking advantage of the drink package and have "seen poker on tv" 😃.  No rating for play, and for that rake there should be....  The tournys during the day I stopped playing in long ago.  A starting stack of ten big blinds, six person tables (they use the blackjack tables) and rebuys + add ons.  Turns into a shove fest fast.

0 for 2 for us with GSC.  We leave Sunday on the Jade with GSC on the agenda, hopefully we make it this time!

  We were on a NCL ship once that had a noro outbreak.  They took great pains to make sure no one was touching anything - buffet being served, no salt and pepper shakers, etc.  Except slot machines..... I thin NCL has done some pretty solid studies saying you cant get noro from slot machines.....

    The only problem with NCL giving free hamburgers to orphans is that I'm not sure they could afford the $45 "service charge".....

15 minutes ago, c-leg5 said:

 

Google maps shows Blue Kay to Tropicante to be 0.5mile. Not sure where you are wanting to go exactly but we have walked the whole length of the malecon quite easily in about 25 mins, just over a mile.

    Thanks!

   I am considering either the tropicante or Blue Kay for our stop in Feb.  I have been to the Tropicante before and liked it, but Blue Kay looks really nice.  The question I had is how far is Blue Kay from the main drag with all the shops etc?  I don't mind a good walk (especially if I could walk the beach down to it).  

Nassau for us too.