luv2trvlnow

Anybody having long waits the last couple of days cannot put the blame on the call center in Wichita. I live in Tulsa and the weather hasn't been bad since Tuesday. In fact it was in the 50's yesterday and the 60's today in Wichita. It is even warmer here. They should be in the 50's and 60's all week. So that is not the excuse.

I had long waits the 2 times I called early in January. It seems to be an ongoing problem. I also booked a repositioning cruise with Carnival (I know-but great ports and was only $399 for 8 days and 5 new ports) during the same week I booked my Celebrity cruise. I did not have a long wait there. So far have not been impressed with the service when calling Celebrity.

Sharon

I was told I have to pay the 18% on the cash portion of the reservation but far less than paying strictly cash.:)

 

We're new to Hilton Honors program, had no idea they sometimes offered cash + points.

 

good luck, maybe it'll open up for your dates. I would prefer the Isla Verde property that wasn't offered. I do plan on checking back - often;) to see if it opens up closer to my date.

When I called the Hilton HHonors telephone number they told me that we wouldn't have to pay the 18%. When I called another time the woman told me we would. That everyone had to pay the resort fee. Then she put me on hold for about 5 minutes and came back and said that I was correct, no 18% resort fee for any reward redemption. Some of the representatives don't know this and give out the wrong information.

When I checked the different rates at the Embassy Suites, I click on the rate details and for every one that isn't a reward redemption they show the added fee. But they don't show it for the points + cash. It just shows the tax on the $65.

Sharon

OP I was surprised to see the condado available for low honors points + approx. 1/4 of typical rate. Wasn't available last week when I checked, snagged it for my date:D

 

now need to find out where the nearby restaurants are located.

 

we've only stayed @ the Sheraton OSJ in the past but from everything I've read isla verde appears has a better beach if it's available. did you try the Hilton there?

Yes. I saw that points + cash offer. But it is no longer available there but is available for the Embassy Suites in Isla Verde. It seems to be moving around. Also it is great to use this offer because it is a reward booking and therefore is not subject to the 16-18% resort fee.

Sharon

I don't know how old your son is, but the Condado Plaza has the best access to the lagoon for Stand Up Paddleboard/kayak rentals. You do this in the lagoon, not out on the ocean :eek:, if watersports is an attraction.

He's not s child. In fact he will be 36 by the time we cruise. I know he had tried the Stand Up Paddleboard before but I'm not sure he liked it. Maybe he would like to kayak. I'll have to check with him to see if this would be something he would be interested in.

Thank you very much for the information.

Sharon

Depends on what you want-

 

Hilton Condado Plaza is in a great location on Ashford Ave, with best walking distance to largest variety of restaurants. Small beach on the calm lagoon side, good access to rough (not for sane people swimming) Condado beach. Has a casino.

 

Embassy suites is very close to the airport, so you may notice more plane noise. Very close to supermarket, Outback on site etc. Not on beach/water, but walking distance to nice Isla Verde Beach. Also has a casino.

 

Caribe Hilton is the most like a private resort, in that it is in a funny location. There are several nice restaurants on site,(Check out the Morton's Bar Happy Hour- great deals on food/drinks) you can walk across the bridge to Condado (healthy walk) or take a taxi for about 10-15$ very easily to Old San Juan or Condado. I like the man-made reef here for very safe swimming, tropical garden with birds, great pool area. No casino. Crapshoot on rooms though- the renovated tower ones are very nice with great views especially on higher floors, but there are 3 buildings.

Thank you for the comparisons. We aren't sure what we want right now. I am traveling with my son and have to consider what he might like. And one thing he does like is the beach. So that might put the Hilton Condado Plaza in last place. We are also going to be staying for 3 nights instead of 2 because our flight will not be getting in until 11PM. So that first night isn't much of a night.

Sharon

From Port of Miami (Carnival Conquest) to Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina on 17th Street---$60 & Tip for two people.

Wow! You did get a good deal. I just checked that same route for November 9 and it would be $83 for 2 people. From Port of Miami to Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach resort would be $96. So for us it is a shuttle to the airport and then a taxi to the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort. It will cost $26 for the shuttle. If it costs $35 for the taxi, we will still save $35. I know we would need to tip but I don't think it will be $35. But wouldn't we also need to tip when using fort Lauderdale transfers?

Sharon

Sharon, vis-a-vis your request, I do believe that you are mistaken. Orv, a very fine post.

I truly hope you are right. I have plenty of time before my cruise to see if I am mistaken. I will be reading this forum for good information so I can enjoy my cruise.

Sharon

I felt the same way when I went to the Toyota dealer and I couldn't get a Lexus for the same price as a Camry.

 

Life is not fair, I'm not sure why people think it is. Those that spend more get more, it's pretty simple. I can't quite get my head around people having trouble with the idea that a company's best customers(those that are spending the most money) get special treatment. It doesn't diminish my experience at all. There are still plenty of restaurants to get excellent food from.

 

I think you will see cruise lines catering more to those that spend on board and less to those to see how cheaply they can get by.

I don't believe people think they should get a Lexus for the same price as a Camry. But they also are not told that there are special roads just for the Lexus and equal cars, and all the others are not allowed.

I think they would get rid of Bistro on 5 because it only brings in $5pp while the other specialty restaurants charge much more.

Sharon

I am a newbie but the more I read about Celebrity on this forum the more I see a "class" distinction. Could we afford AQ or a suite? Yes! But I really don't feel I need to spend that much more for what I would get. It seems they are feeding on people's wanting to feel special (better).

I know that is going to ruffle a lot of people's feathers on this board. I understand that if you pay more you should get more. And you do. Bigger cabins and other amenities. But it is a shame to take something away from everyone and give it to a small group. I just may have to rethink whether we should take our 2 week cruise on the Eclipse next year. First I read all the talk about Elite, now talk that sounds like a class type of cruise. We are spending $4000 for this cruise and I don't want to go and be treated like I am an inferior person.

Please tell me that I am mistaken. That this in not the case. But reading this forum sure gives a non suite newbie the feeling that they just don't belong. I don't know if you all know how it sounds to someone who hasn't cruised on Celebrity before.

Sharon

Made reservations with SAS for pick up at Port of Miami to FLL, $15.00pp, pay after we arrive at airport. From there will take a taxi to Hotel, high estimate $30.00. This is more resonable for us, since we have no time restraints, although it is a little awkward way to get from point A to point B- it will work. Figure including tips, around $85.00. Still a lot but the prices that I did find for direct to FT Lauderdale Hotel were over a $100, not including tip. So anyway thanks so much for information- we are set now with transportation.

I was also checking for transportation from POM to a Fort Lauderdale Beach Hotel after our cruise in November. After checking and hearing from several shuttle companies we decided to do the same thing you are doing. None would even do it.

We are going to use SAS from POM to FLL. There are several people on our roll call that need transportation from POM to FLL, so we are going to do a group and get a slight discount. Then we will use a taxi to get to our hotel. I agree that they sure do make it hard to get from one place to the other.

Sharon

We were in 4130 on the Miracle. The unfortunate thing is none of the cabins that sleep 3 are between the lifeboats. I have attached some pictures of our cabin. You can see we did not have any kind of a view. The first is a picture looking towards the French doors. The other 3 are views standing at the doors with them open.

Sharon

From Florida Health:

 

"The CDC recommends that handwashing consist of a minimum of 20 seconds of washing using soap and warm water. This 20 seconds should include friction to all hand surfaces. Sanitizing alcohol gels can be used as an alternative for handwashing, provided that the hands are “socially clean,” are free of organic matter, and adequate contact time is observed. Alcohol based hand sanitizers ARE NOT effective against spores and therefore should not be utilized as the primary means of hand hygiene when dealing with organisms such as Clostridium difficile"

I have also heard this. I have heard that the alcohol gels and such don't really kill the Norovirus. Maybe the reason we are hearing so much about it now is people are relying too much on these gels and wipes and are not washing their hands enough. I always do both.

Sharon

Aren't most reposition cruises spent mostly at sea, crossing over from Europe?

 

I think the itinerary is what is so enticing about this cruise and I'm happy to pay the price I did. Any price drops I get (up until final payment) will just be bonus.

No, there have been several thru out the US. A lot from the East to West coast/ Florida to LA.. There is one being booked right now from San Juan for the fall.

 

I'm glad your happy with the price, that's what matters. Its just my opinion that's its way to high.

They aren't always coming from Europe. We booked that repositioning cruise on the Splendor from San Juan to Miami last month. It is port intensive. It's an 8 day cruise stopping in St Croix, Martinique, Grenada, Dominica, and Grand Turk.

Since we booked, our inside went from $399pp to $709pp. So prices don't always go down. We booked Early Saver but it sure doesn't look like there will be enough price drops to get OBC. It all depends on how popular it is. That supply and demand thing. It appears that our cruise has a big demand. Maybe Carnival is thinking that the Pride repositioning cruise will have the same demand, so they started out with higher prices.

Sharon

My experience with PVP's is not good. None have ever provided anything, and mean anything. A couple times I called after booking with a question or a problem and I was told they couldn't handle that and transferred me to the main number. I received absolutely no service. So why book with them. I did the research to decide on which cruise and then would call and book it. They did nothing! And continued to do nothing! I also never received calls about any cruises or deals.

One time when I needed to get a specific room on a cruise before it was gone. I called my then PVP and had to leave a message to get back to me because I wanted to book a cruise. After a couple of hours I just called the general number and booked it. The next day the PVP called ready to book my cruise. I told him that I already did with the general number. He was furious and told me that I should have waited for him. RIGHT!!! Never called him again. Now I just call the general number. Sure wish they allowed people to post about the names of the good and the bad PVP's on Cruise Critic.

Sharon

I am going to be booking a cruise on the splendor for June. I have only been on the carnival miracle many times and this is the first time on the splendor. I am not sure if I should book a room on deck 6, 7 or 8. Do you have any recommendations from your own experience?:confused:

I would choose deck 7 because it has cabins above and below. Deck 6 has public areas below that might be loud and Deck 8 has the Lido deck above which can also be loud (scraping chairs for example). If you choose Deck 8 choose a forward cabin so you have cabins above and below you.

Sharon

Does anyone know if the Dream has guys playing acoustic guitars poolside later in the day like on the Conquest?

I talked to my son a little earlier. He is on the Dream right now starting his 7 day Eastern cruise. While we were talking I heard someone singing. He said that there is a man playing guitar and singing near one of the bars on the Lido deck.

This is how it was on the Breeze last April. We had a man that played guitar and sang for a couple of hours each sea day. So it looks like they do the same thing on the Dream.

Sharon

I am also a newbie. So if I am understanding correctly, you get those 3 small bottles. That's it no matter how long you are cruising? I really don't think that would be enough for us for 14 days. Also you don't mention shower gel. What is provided for cleansing in the shower?

Sharon

Has anyone stayed in an interior room on the spa deck? How are they like?

@LVDFW.....you beat me to the punch! I was going to ask that same question. We're booked in a Spa Interior room on the Magic :-)

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

It's an inside room. The décor is a little different but otherwise it is the same as the other insides. We had one on the Magic back in 2012. I have attached some thumbnail pictures.

Sharon

thank you SO MUCH for this link. This is the first map that I have seen that has San Cristobal fort shown. Just printed it out. :D

There is a map on this site for the trolley.

http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/free-trolley-old-san-juan/

If you click on the map you will get a larger map. I printed it out. Also printed the trolley stops and what's near them. Also the list of attractions that are shown by letters on the map.

Sharon

I am not positive but I think the height for the slides is 42".

Sharon

Quite normal. I have booked a couple of cruises and the price never went down, only up. Keep watching though, it might go down. Prices fluctuate all the time.

I have had price drops on several cruises but it wasn't during the summer. Last April I had $610 OBC and that was even with an increase in the taxes and fees of almost $40. Funny thing is when we got onboard we had credits that almost totaled the additional $40 we had to pay in increased taxes and fees.

This year we are booked on the Splendor repositioning cruise from San Juan to Miami on November 1. Even though we are booked Early Saver I am not expecting any price drops. Since we booked at the end of December the rate for a 4A had gone up $280. Another person said their 8E had gone up $430. Early Saver has disappeared and the only option left in Fun Select. It seems to be a very popular cruise.

So you never know which way it might go.

Sharon

Tri Rail is at MIA and offers a free shuttle from the FLL station to the FLL airport -- or you can catch a cab at the station; your only costs will be the train fare and the cab to your hotel.

And how do I get to the Tri Rail in MIA (I assume this is the airport) from the Port of Miami? I would assume there should be a cost to get there. If this is the case, it would taxi-Tri Rail-Taxi. And this involves 3 transfers of our luggage.

Sharon

Cheapest way from MIA to FLL is to ride the Tri-Rail trian from the MIA station to the FLL station and then cab or shuttle to your hotel. Tri-Rail will cost you under $5 each.

I don't know how cheap this would be after paying for a taxi or shuttle to MIA station and then taxi from FLL Station. It might save a little but also might take a lot of time.

I am thinking that we just might use SAS or MJS to the FLL airport and then a taxi to the hotel. Shuttle for 2 - $30. Taxi to Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort could be $35 according to the hotels website. I'll let you know if I find a solution to this.

Sharon

We will be staying at the Embassy Suites in November. When I looked at Google Maps I noticed that there is a Pueblo Supermarket not that far away. Just put in the address of the hotel and you will get the map. If you zoom in you will see the US Post Office off to the right and just a little further to Pueblo Supermarket. It is near the Ikebana Sushi Bar. I hope this helps. I have never been to San Juan but I was looking to see what was close to the hotel and found this.

Sharon

We will be going on a cruise that ends in Miami but did not start there. We are trying to figure out transportation from POM to the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort.

I read somewhere on here that SAS only goes from the POM to the FFL airport. Is this true? If we could use SAS to the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina we could take a tax the rest of the way.

Anybody have some suggestions? There are only 2 of us. I have checked a car rental but it seems to be $80 and up for a 1 day rental.

Sharon