nedward

I like the following websites for reference:

cruisetimetables.com

cruisett.com

Happy sailing!

Rgds, Ned

As an Oceania newbie, and in a "regular" stateroom, should I manage my expectations regarding the ability to even get a reservation after the folks in the upper-class cabins get their multiples?

Thanks, Ned

I would assume that the typical American-English pronunciation (doesn't everything need to be Americanized?) would be sigh-REE-nah, sort of like eye-TAL-yan. <tongue-in-cheek>

Regards, Ned

Thank you SerraG. It does look like they are the same menus from the last few years. I'm kind of disappointed that they never change.

The most significant change is that the food quality has descended to "sub-par"...

Regards, Ned

Just off the Reflection 30Jan2016.

DW and I have sailed Celebrity numerous times (preferring Century class and Millenium class ships), Mercury and Summit our faves.

Whoever designed the miserable storage arrangements on the Solstice class ships must have been on a bender when they thought this up, IMHO!

Regards, Ned

Appreciate the huge volume of responses for a subject not involving food quality, entertainment, and formal wear! ;-)

Regards, Ned

Hi:

DW and I have Global Entry privileges through US Customs.

Is there any benefit when we get off a cruise ship, or is this for designated airports only?

Thanks, Ned

I just got back from a week onboard the Reflection. I was so disappointed and surprised to find out they don't make certain food items anymore (such as rolls and mashed potatoes).

 

Almost every dinner meal came with an ice cream scoop of fake mashed potatoes. I complained to the waiter and he told me they don't make them on board any more but buy them. He also said the ship only makes the bread sticks and french bread. All the other rolls are now purchased ready made.

 

I am shocked that Celebrity, which is rated at the top of all cruise lines in their class, would rather save a few pennies vs hurt their customer satisfaction by skimping on food items like mashed potatoes.

 

Has anyone else discovered a food item that isn't up the quality they use to provide????

Most of it!:mad:

Regards, Ned

You can order a glass of seltzer from the bar, and yes, they charge for it. Same price as for any other soda.

"A little song, a little dance, a little seltzer down your pants..." (Chuckles the Clown from Mary Tyler Moore show)

Rgds, Ned :)

It had better not be!!! Elite Plus needs more perks not less. Well maybe not more but different. I don't need all those laundry coupons take those back and give me something I can use and the coupons for discounts on the specialty restaurant and beverage packages are a joke.

What you DO need is a new CC class called "Entitled Plus":D

Reds Ned

Hi:

We are booked on this cruise, which now shows totally sold out, rather unusual.

Does anyone have any insight?

Thanks, Ned

I also found that the waitstaff/barstaff is receptive to feedback and really does want to make you happy. And befriending barstaff is very nice on a cruise.

I would agree -- we did find a bartender who made us Margies using fresh lime juice and a wee bit of simple syrup, and they were dee-lish!

Regards, Ned

Maybe they changed mixes.

From what I remember, most cruiselines use the "Island Oasis" mix.

Which is pretty good stuff.

Not sure if Princess does or not...

For margaritas and other drinks requiring a mix, they are using Sunsation mixes, which are the worst crap, totally loaded with High Fructose Corn Syrup, and practically nothing in the way of fruit juice. They could have had monkeys mixing the drinks, which required no talent to prepare.

If I were a real bartender, I would be ashamed by the poor quality product that I was forced to mix/serve by upper management. However, cocktails that do not involve the packaged mix were very tasty.

Just another sign that cruising has been horribly dumbed down by the mass market lines.

Regards, Ned

The shuttle drops you off at the Plaza de Las Tres Cabezas (Big Head Plaza) at Macheros and Transpeninsular Hwy.

Or, better yet, Three Heads plaza! Or perhaps Three BIG Heads... :D Unfortunately, in our opinion, Ensenada is a creepy dump, especially when comparing to the resort cities.

Regards, Ned

One of the great things about the Star is the special dessert area' date=' at the buffet. It is separated out from the rest of the buffet, and it is fantastic. The color is white and it is squeaky clean and bright and cheerful.

 

Enjoy![/quote']

 

The desserts are indeed displayed beautifully. However, I overheard one passenger ask what was in the Mixed Fruit Crumble, and the attendant answered "fruit". She passed... if you had an allergy issue, this could become a problem!

 

Regards, Ned

I love the fettuccine but have never had the spaghetti carbonara. I had to look it up to see exactly what it is. Wow. I think I'll have to try that. Why is November so dang far off?

Would have to agree that the Fettucchine is the star of their pastas. However, DW would disagree regarding the Carbonara, which seemed to be made by someone from Mars who had no clue how to prepare it properly.

Rgds, Ned

We were just on the Star Princess, and our iPad did NOT fit in the safe, but this was not a problem in our cabin.

Regards, Ned

How far out should I book my hotel reservation in Seattle. I still have 9 months to go but I'm sure hotels fill up fast. Also any suggestions where to stay? We want to be near pikes market. Is that considered downtown Seattle?

Inn at the Market, it is a half block from Pike Place Market.

 

Or better yet, come to NY and have the real deal at Katz's or Carnegie Deli.

Hey Baggal -- you are right, it's tough to beat the authentic, artisinal version. Ordered a piece of Katz's recently to overnight ship to California, but it's just not the same, but lots cheaper than flying. Bay Area deli offerings are a disgrace...:(

Thanks to all who responded!

Regards, Ned

Hi:

You may think us crazy, but can you bring aboard sandwiches purchased in port?

We will have the opportunity to stop at a well-known NY-style Deli in the Los Angeles area, and for us, the Ultimate Balcony Dinner would be an over-stuffed pastrami on rye on the veranda.

Is this allowed?

Thanks, Ned

You should try NCL... they fit your style. We are elite on Princess and Celebrity...

Maybe NCL is not for them. They might consider Oceania, Azamara and Regent, all 3 don't have formal nights.

Yes Sail 7 we change because of their veranda smoking policy. Too bad because their beds are so comfortable.

I have some very well heeled friends (Highland Park, IL) who only cruise Oceania, because they love the dress code on the ships. I keep trying to get them to cruise on Celebrity, but they don't want to bring formal wear, but I'm still hoping one day they will give Celebrity a try...I think they would really like the line, if they just gave it a try.

That's interesting. My family lives in Highland Park, IL and I suggested they sail on Oceania.:)

I will be one of the "few" that will leave. HAL had a point of difference by allowing veranda smoking. We cruise with another couple, both couples 3 star mariners and the gentlemen enjoy cigars on the veranda.

 

If HAL eliminates this perk we will seek other options. HAL has diminished it's product in recent years with all the cutbacks, fee add-ons and service reductions that they no longer are a good value proposition. Too many other lines out there that offer a better quality experience at the same price point. Without a veranda smoking option HAL will no longer be in the decision mix for us and many others. We will either stop cruising or go with Princess, X, Oceania etc.

 

HAL needs to be very careful or they will end up with smoke-free verandas and passenger free ships.

Looks like you will be in trouble. No smoking on the veranda's on X, Princess or Oceania.

BEACHBUM53, please let me know your findings, as it is just my husband & myself, and both of us smoke, so neither of us is going to be good at smelling.

 

I guess the one upside, if this works, is that we will no longer have to pay out the nose for a balcony.

I have an excellent sense of smell, I hate smoke and e cigs have no odor.