Banjo

Here is the link for the NZ gov't site.

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas

It's under maintenance status now. I was able to establish a u/n & p/w. Try tomorrow 😑

Well I just googled the new requiremant.

The NZ gov't, as of October 1st 2019, are requiring visas for US citizens.  I am in NZ October 7 & 8. Darn ☹️

Like Australia it can be done on-line.

https://www.etanewzealand.com/visa-requirements/americans/

🙁🙁

Just curious does NZ now require visas for tourist from USA?

I just got a email from my cruise line saying visas are required for Australia and NZ. I was in Australia and NZ last January/February and at the time we did get visas for Australia which are valid for a year-so we are good for our Australia entry but did not get one for NZ nor did they ask for one.

Next week we are scheduled for a reposition cruise from Honolulu to Sydney with stops in NZ. Do we need one for NZ?

Thanks, Banjo

I arrived in Sydney last January after a long 17 hour non stop flight from Houston. (Also had to fly into Houston from Asheville). Prior I payed extra for early arrival at the Mercure by the Main Train Station (took the commuter train from the airport to the Train Station-just a short 2-3 block walk to the Hotel). The flight arrived around 7a, we were at the hotel by 9a. Checked right in and was able to get in a shower and 4-5 hours of shut-eye. By late afternoon we felt great-totally refreshed.

I don't recall the exact amount, maybe $25-30 extra, but worth it.   

I love if Celebrity had pickleball on it's ships. The development were I live has courts and I took it up about 5 years ago and immensely enjoy it. They would have to supply the paddles and the wiffle balls.

My days of playing basketball are over. About 8 years ago I was playing a game of half-court on a Princess Baltic cruise and came close to breaking my nose 😣 

52 minutes ago, tallnthensome said:

Yes, It's been the same for me for the past week. I only had one day, this past sunday, where I was actually able to log into my account. I'm right back where you are today ...... Total fail. Celebrity's website and IT department sucks and they should be ashamed of themselves. Only ones worse is MSC. 

Thanks, I thought it might be my browser. Hope they rectify this soon because I need to do an Express Pass.

I did not want to start a new posting on the Celebrity website but just want to ask a quick question. I am trying to access my account to do an Express Pass on upcoming cruise and for the past 2 days I been getting the following message at the bottom of screen when trying to log in. Is anyone else having the same difficulty? Thanks, Banjo

I always have one at the Elite breakfast and the wife gets a mimosa, comes usually pretty quick. One thing I do notice with the Bloody Mary strength and quality varies on who makes it.  Always seems to be better if your waiter comes from Eastern Europe to make it 🙂

21 hours ago, ak1004 said:

 

We had 2 sea days, I expected at least one guest lecture. Our Azamara cruise in March was also port intensive, but we had 4 guest lectures. Same with Cunard and Holland. It's just matter of priorities. Guest lectures are simply not a priority for Celebrity - they don't bring any profits, only expenses. 95% of the activities on Celebrity are profit oriented.

I guess you were on a European cruise on the Reflection. Surprised you did not have some "Beyond the Podium' speakers.

Spring of 2018 we were on the Reflection for a trans-Atlantic cruise (Ft Lauderdale to Civitavecchia). The speakers we had were outstanding. It included the retired director of Kennedy space Center, the retired household administrator of the White House, a doctor lecturing on the History Of Medicine (since I am a retired Hospital Administrator I enjoyed this) and they had a port destination speaker on what to expect when you arrived at the ports.  

7 minutes ago, ak1004 said:

On our last Reflection cruise in June, no single guest lecture.

I think if your cruise is port intensive you probably won't get one, if you have a lot sea days they schedule them.

We are booked on a 17 day Solstice cruise, Honolulu-Sydney, in September. This cruise has a lot sea days, hopefully they will fill the day up with some decent speakers.

The wife and I for the past 6 or 7 years been doing a lot trans-Atlantics. Cheap way to see Europe when you combine it with air-miles. Usually they have 3 to 4 speakers through out the cruise. Many of those I found fasinating and with some of those I correspond with.

18 hours ago, GlennaRoseGoes said:

I have seen many threads and comments on CC about the “black hole” of requesting the tags online and how it’s better to call.....but I did the online link about a month ago and received my tags in less than 7 days! But now I’ve been upgraded and they are moot 🤣🤣I have to print out the updated set 

I always ordered luggage tags in the past. Usually do it a few weeks before the cruise and always received them in 3 or 4 days in the mail. Never a problem. 

5 hours ago, Mynki said:

 

 

 

 

Bait knife, filleting knife and scissors in a fishing tackle box clearly 'checked out' by security who've obviously been through my suitcase every time I take it was not confiscated. The staff have some common sense! 

 

Took my cork screw. Got it back at the end cruise.

2 minutes ago, mek said:

I hope they have it in Blu for you on Reflection.  We had it there on Equinox and it was lovely, but our last two cruises on Eclipse it's been in the MDR and it was not as nice - a different ambiance and the food was not as good.

I been in both (MDR & BLU) for the Elegant Tea. I believe if the cruise has a lot of Elites or higher (like a trans-Atlantic) they do it in the MDR, lower amount in BLU. Agree, I like the ambiance better BLU but the food I found no difference. I liked it, it is nice. Just plan on a late dinner :). They do ask you to RSVP but never had anyone check your name off when entering the dining rooms.

On 6/10/2019 at 3:25 PM, verizon said:

I will be on the same cruise leaving on the 22nd.

This should be a good cruise.

We love Australia and are planning to extend our trip another 9 days in South Australia.

We have taken numerous Celebrity trans-Atlantics so we used to a LOT of sea days. Maybe not this many :).  Hoping they have some interesting 'Beyond the Podium' speakers. 

On 6/10/2019 at 3:36 PM, Fogfog said:

 

 

 

Definitely drop your luggage at the terminal. Don't leave anything in a rental car (even the trunk)

 

We had a long layover in Honolulu and had rented a car to spend the day with our small children at various places.

We had carryon luggage inside the trunk.

When we arrived back at the airport --all of our luggage had been stolen out of the car trunk--

Police said PROS had done it. They drilled the lock on the passenger door...popped the trunk from the latch inside the glove box, and wheeled the bags away.

 

We lost 6 months of notes and  items from a church mission trip, $, our preschooler's and elem school child's items including toys/blankey and losing a first tooth, many music CDs, our Bibles, medications, PASSPORTS, House and Car keys...and on and on.

We had traveled in dangerous places and nothing was stolen (where people had far less) only to get robbed in HI!

 

According to police it is a BIG problem.

 

 

 

Thanks for that heads-up.

On 6/8/2019 at 9:28 PM, mchell810 said:

 

Banjo -- Just a heads up the actual memorial is closed until Fall 2019, not sure when your cruise sails.  The National Park service site gives some information.

 

https://www.nps.gov/valr/faqs.htm

 

"Temporary Closure For USS Arizona Memorial
Visitor access to the USS Arizona Memorial is suspended due to movement of the loading dock and corresponding movement of the loading ramp to the memorial. The National Park Service has awarded the contract for repair of the anchoring system. Repairs are projected to be complete by fall 2019 and in time for the next December 7 remembrance, provided no issues arise during the construction period. We appreciate the public's continued patience as we work as fast as possible to fix the dock at the USS Arizona Memorial. Updates will be provided on our website and Facebook page.

What can I do instead?
In lieu of USS Arizona Memorial programs, visitors are taken on a 15-minute narrated harbor tour of Battleship Row, very near to the USS Arizona Memorial. Tickets are still required. Visitors can reserve tickets online at www.recreation.gov or come to the visitor center for same-day walk-in tickets. The visitor center, museums, and bookstore are still open from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, seven days a week, and our partner sites – the Battleship Missouri Memorial, the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park, and the Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor – are open as usual."

Thanks for the heads up. That what was available after a Vancover-Honolulu Solstice cruise we took last Fall.  We did not make it out to the Missouri on that visit but did see the Bowfin & the Museum. Missour may be a option. 

Thanks Kokopelli thanks for the embarkation information.

We will check for some other activities, if not, go to the Cruise Terminal around 11 :).

Thanks Awhfy. The Aloha Stadium sounds like a great idea, unfortunately the ship leaves on a Monday. I am now searching for rental cars. Hertz has an office at the Aloha Tower which looks like a short walk to the Cruise Terminal. That looks like a good option which looks cheaper then uber in the long run, more convenient and allow us to get to Pearl earlier. Thanks Again, Banjo 

21 minutes ago, awhfy said:

Board as you normally would. Expect a couple of musters (as people will be boarding from 1030-2100). All the regular dining options will be available for lunch & dinner. Enjoy the day on board or touring Honolulu. 

Thanks Awhfy. You just gave me a idea. We are staying close to the airport and we arrive late-so that kind of kills the arrival day. But the embarkation day we can uber over to the cruise terminal. Drop off the bags and then uber over to Pearl Harbor. Last time we went to Pearl Harbor many of the exhibits, including the Arizona, were closed. Then, late afternoon, uber to the cruise terminal. The airport-cruise terminal-Pearl Harbor are all close together so the uber expense cannot be that expensive.

Anyone knowlegeable of Honolulu, is that doable?

Maybe some the folks that been in this situation can help me.

I am booked the September 23rd Solstice cruise from Honolulu to Sydney. I just noticed on the itinerary that the Solstice departs Honolulu at 1159pm. Few questions:

When can we board? All of my previous Celebrity cruises the ship left between 4p-6p, usually get down to the pier around 10a, onboard between 11a-12n. 

If allowed the usual mentioned time to board, will they feed us? If feeding us will the MDR and BLU be open for the regular dinner hours? Or, will it just be the Oceanview buffet?

When will they do a muster drill? Normally I like to be in bed by midnight 🙂. The next day early we will be Maui, like to be ready to go when we arrive. 

Finally, we are arriving in Honolulu the day before. Hotel checkout is 11a, if not allowed to board till 5p, what does one do close to Cruise Terminal?

Thanks, Banjo

Years ago I got a $75 perk to spend at  a specialty restaurant of my choice. It was so long ago (maybe 8 or 9 years ago) I don't know if that was from the TA or Celebrity. Never seen or gotten that again. 

6 minutes ago, 4cats4me said:

Perry Grant was the pianist.  We saw him on Princess last year and he had quite a following. LOL

he was just on Royal's Navigator of the Seas last Fall.

My wife used to love him, I endured.  

10 minutes ago, tromvest said:

Are complimentary hor d'oeuvres still served in the Sky Lounge during the Elite happy hour?

Yes, at least during our September Vancouver-Honolulu Solstice cruise.

We did a Reflection trans-Atlantic last April and were able to order the Elite drinks (which was wine) in the MDR. The sommelier was really nice, every time he walked by  he top us off.

I just did our express pass this morning for an upcoming Australian/NZ cruise & it was the easist its ever has been. Very user friendly. Took like 3 to 5 minutes. I think the website getting better.

I sailed on both and never noticed any difference. As far as passenger capacity it's a difference of 196 more on the Reflection. Less then 8%.