IamJo

We are open to everything.  We love local culture, food and wine tastings, hands on experiences.  We love the beach, but more in the form of relaxing on it with cocktails, or taking scenic boat rides. 

As far as Haleakala, we'd love to do a sunrise or sunset.  Is one less crowded?  Are we better off joining a ship excursion? 

Also rethinking Hana as we feel like it's a once in a lifetime experience for us.

Downgrade. Just off Reflection in an Aqua cabin... very fair. The specialty restaurants were better, especially Lawn Club Grill. Main dining room was pretty great actually. Ate twice in Oceanview cuz we didn’t want to be disappointed again. Very port intensive itinerary so we didn’t use Persian Gardens at all. Liked the shower.

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Haha you should post the whole blog in future dates of this itinerary!

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I am sorry to hear your bad experience with Rick Steves as we had the complete opposite!

My husband and I, with two other couples who met via this forum, had dinner at The Lawn Club Grill one evening. My husband noticed Steve behind me and after one of our group "fangirled" him, he came over and took photos with us and went back to his table. When he finished his dinner and his crew left, he returned to our table and hung out for awhile. He was fascinated that we met through Cruise Critic, met up in Rome pre cruise, traveled to the port, and scheduled a few excursions together. He invited us to join him at the pool for the party his crew was filming. We did, and danced with him until the congo line started going up the stairs. I couldn't keep my hands on his shoulders because he is so tall! I left at that point but honestly, Rick couldn't have been any nicer.

The Lawn Club Grill was outstanding if anyone decides to go. The Porch not so much. Blu not so much.

The ship is lovely, and the crew must take a nice pill every day. I have never been anywhere where the staff was so consistently accommodating.

Jo

Was on this cruise with a pre-cruise in Florence and Rome. The Cinque Terre was the best day of our entire trip. I think just as lovely as Amalfi Coast. And pretty fun to hop to each one by boat.

Enjoying your report; we have this cruised booked for the second time next year and then onto Cinque Terre once again. The Reflection has been my favorite ship.

Can you explain why the perks are so much better on Princess, as I am just curious. I am elite on Celebrity. Many thanks! I hope you are enjoying your cruise...

 

 

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I'm another huge Rick Steves fan, swear by his guide books and have heard him speak in Chicago several times. I Particularly enjoyed the drunken ramblings late night on the upper deck[emoji3] which he videoed.

 

However, after years of looking down on cruisers (not real travelers, etc.) I think Rick is now seeing the benefits of cruise travel and is backpedaling somewhat. Rick is a very shrewd businessman and I'm sure he sees the huge potential in embracing the cruise crowd (he even mentions CC on his blog).

 

Personally I switch back and forth between land and cruise trips In Europe and see the benefits of both. No need to pick one over the other, just different ways to travel and see the world.

 

 

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We met Rick in the Lawn Club Grill, and then moved on with him to the dance party at the pool. We are a group who met on CC, and met up in Rome pre cruise. Rick was fascinated with the relationship made online.

I don't actually think he's on Reflection at the moment, despite his blog alluding to the fact. His posts don't match the current itinerary, although it does for the previous cruise, which is when he was spotted on board.

He was on the 9/1 Reflection sailing, with me and Abbydancer!!!! Great guy.

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Thank you!

 

Do you recall if the VAT applied to anything purchased, including services (i.e. spa, internet, etc.)?

 

We were going to use OBC once on board to purchase spa and internet access, but if there is a 20% or so uplift for the VAT, then will buy on the website beforehand - assuming the VAT can be avoided this way.

 

 

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Pre pay whatever u can.

You can change the day of the service anytime. That's what we did. If you do register for spa svcs, do it via Celebrity and not Canyon Ranch. Canyon Ranch does not have the ability to charge your account prior to sailing.

Wait for a special on the internet and yes, prepay it!!!

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We are on the Reflection in June 2018 on the Italy and Greek islands itinerary. Are we subject to the VAT at every port, and the entire time we are on the ship during the cruise? I believe every port is in the European union: Civitavecchia, Naples, Valletta, Messina, Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes, and Athens.

 

 

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Yep. Just off the Reflection. Same itinerary.

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The most important part of getting VAT reimbursed is obtaining the form from the store where the items were purchased, and completing it accurately. The reputable stores will automatically give you the form. Some places will reduce the price by 18-22% (country dependent) to offset the tax. They're not supposed to do that but some do.

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Hi Figgy:

 

I am on your cruise and thought about some of the same things about the Lawn Club Grill (and other specialty dining venues). Another point to consider on this cruise is the 22% VAT that I think will be charged for purchases onboard. We ended up purchasing a specialty dining package online at a discount, without paying the VAT.

 

 

 

We tentatively have our dates/times for specialty dining planned. For the Lawn Club Grill, we will look at the weather predictions when in Rome pre-cruise and plan to book for a decent night, if possible (we have dined there both during rain and when it is clear and it is nicer to dine there on a clear night).

 

 

 

When we board, I will head to one of the places where we can book specialty dining and hand them our list of restaurants/dates and times (when in a suite, you can hand the list to your butler). I like to get them booked the first day, if possible (and change as needed). We've been on cruises where we have had no trouble getting specialty reservations and others where they were sold out (or only had 5:30 or 9:00 reservations) by the time we booked.

 

 

 

Maybe we will see you onboard! :D

Lawn Club was our best dinner. We ate in Blu, the MDR, and The Porch. Lawn Club was the best.

FYI - your are correct about a pre purchase when there is a sale, you do not pay VAT.

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I cannot thank you enough mickey89 for the information!! This is exactly what I've been trying to find! You just made the decision for me, very excited. Many thanks. Robyn

 

 

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I was just there a few weeks ago. I booked a Viator trip from Florence which used City Wonders. If I were to go again, I'd take the train from La Spezia to Montorosso and return back by boat, stopping at Varnazza, RioMaggiore, and Portovenere. Bring your camera, swim suits, and appetite!

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Abby - this link is broken.

www.abbydancer2003.blogspot.com

Just off the Reflection and very disappointed with Blu. The first night was pretty chaotic, which we expected. On the 2nd night, the maitre d remembered us and said he would put us with a great server. After about 10 minutes, the maitre d returned, took our dinner and wine order, delivered our dinners, and cleared the table. The 3rd night they put us with a server and told her we've been neglected. She was great. Had breakfast the 4th day... back to the poor service. Never went back. Also, the table layout is claustrophobic. All the two tops are in rows with about 15" between tables. It seems like they crammed in extras to accommodate the increasing Aqua Class sales.

I do not understand why everyone thinks the food is so great. The only way it could be deemed healthier is that the portions are small. Like ONE scallop for an appetizer? And it was fried. I ordered a steak one night and asked for the butter to be left off. They left off the butter but smothered it in some weird sauce.

We ate in Blue 3 nights, the MDR 3 nights, Oceanview 1 night, The Lawn Club Grill, The Porch, and Murano. Did not love The Porch but the others kicked Blu's behind.

Hopefully it was just this cruise. We booked another cruise while on this one. We opted for a regular balcony and will use the difference in price to have dinners at the specialty restaurants.

Got a giggle every day with the funky snacks and scented, but unflavored water. Never ate any of them except the olives.

Never went to the Persian Gardens due to a heavy port itinerary, and when we were on the ship we were eating or preparing for the next day.

Will miss the rain shower though. Pretty awesome.

I believe everything is discounted on port days, until noon or 1:00.

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Go for it! Email me what you need from me. Thank you!

Check you email

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Enhancement department just told me I couldn't get advanced reservations with a dining package - I had to wait until I got onboard.

 

 

 

I'm trying to time it with friends, so I am not a happy camper right now.

There is a place on my reservation where I can add someone else. Want me to try it?

Jo

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My sister-in-law said that everyone understood and was concerned for the sick passenger. She said the Coast Guard escorted them to Mobile and Carnival was amazing to everyone.

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Totally true. My sister in law was on the ship and is on her way home from Mobile.

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We haven't done the one you mention, but we did one with Eating Italy a couple of years ago and enjoyed it very much. Get on their mailing list for an occasional discount code.

Our daughter did one a few months ago and we booked it for 8/31 on her recommendation. Through Viator using Gourmetily, 3.5 hour food tour of Campo Di Fiore, Jewish Ghetto, and Trevastere. 382 five star ratings.

Is there someone to contact if 5 people are celebrating one of the couple's 40th anniversary on a Celebrity Millenium cruise? Maybe a special desert one evening in the main dining room?

There is a place on the online check in screen you can give that info.

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My DH and I use Facebook messager, works great as long as U are connected to wifi, and there is no charge. Used it in Europe , Mexico and Dominican Republic.

Didn't even consider FB Messenger but that'll be perfect! Thanks!

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Try asking on the Cruising Technology forum.

Thanks! Couldn't find one but I'll try again!

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To stay in touch on the ship with people we have matched up with for excursions. We've got our Travel Pass pkgs with Verizon for calling on land.

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