Boo's Mom

I agree with the posters above.

Consider 2 balcony cabins.

Even if you get a suite (unless it was one of the larger suites) you are still going to be tight with 4 people.

Depending on the age of the children, find connecting balconies.

And don't be too quick to put teens in an (unconnected) balcony by themselves.

ie: putting adult names on each cabin in order to make the booking.

You really do need to protect them and it can have little to nothing to do with not trusting them.

I The taxi line sounds like the only bump and that will depend on how many ships are in port.

Another bump could be multiple hundreds of people waiting in the customs line. I have seen this on several occasions.

Just think about (only) 2 cruise ships disembarking that morning.

And how many of those passengers are US citizens.

And how many are heading home after disembarking?

I'm sure this has been discussed many times. I have also done searches but guess I haven't asked the search correctly.

 

Trying to arrange airfare for a group of people. In flying out of Vancouver, you have to go thru customs when the ship docks after the cruise, correct? Can you carry off your luggage and get off as early as possible, which might be what time if ship docks at 7:00 a.m.? It seems the earlier the flight the more expensive it is.

Yes, you will have to go through Customs.

I would not recommend anything any earlier than 12pm.

There will likely be very very long lines (customs) at the Vancouver airport.

No need to add crazy stress to your amazing vacation.

Even with a 12pm flight, you are still going to have to get off of the ship early.

So silly. Even in the US, first class/business class fliers are allowed to use the TSA/Precheck line - it is the same thing

Hmmmm..... this isn't accurate at all.

A current thread (Summit to Bermuda) has a refererence to suite passengers having a separate line to access Customs.

 

1) Is this true?

2) Since when does the US Government provide separate access to its services based on paying more money than someone else? A particular concern since this a national security related preference

3) Celebrity - if this is true, Celebrity speak up and identify how you arranged this with the Government

 

This is offensive to say the least.

This is not reality.

Once the suite passenger is off the ship the suite perks are halted.

Some roll calls have been terrific. All kinds of helpful ideas, opportunities to share excursions, possibilities for meeting up for shared interests on board, etc. But others become a chat-fest for an in-crowd who repeatedly post long lists of people joining them for a special dinner, yak back and forth about their upcoming weekend plans, or give ongoing detailed medical reports with a resulting flurry of well wishes.

 

The problem is that as new people join the roll call there are hundreds, maybe eve thousands of posts of unrelated chit-chat to comb through. Yes, yes, I know there's a search function, but that can still turn up a lot of flotsam.

 

Any tips for handling this? The one time I politely suggested people could carry on their personal conversations off-line by email, I was answered with outrage and snark. I've pretty much given up on one roll call right now, and it seems like most newcomers have too. As one wrote at the end of a post, "And now back to your regular program."

You can try to ignore and continue with legit roll call related posts.

Others will likely follow suit.

I am sure it is extremely frustrating.

All roll calls have their own dynamics.

Good luck.

Ditto.

What Keith said.

But if you only have the BC, I would certainly recommend getting a passport.

There are risks involved with traveling internationally without a passport.

Even though you are on a ship, if something should happen and you need to FLY - you could experience a great delay (or not able to fly). Not worth it, when you put some forethought into emergencies.

Just booked Breeze for the 2-11-18 sailing. Flying in on the 9th to Hobby. Looking for hotel recommendations and if we should spend 2 nights in Houston then get to Galveston the morning of the cruise vs spending 2 nights in Galveston and just getting there the night we fly in? First time to Texas and all input appreciated!

I would recommend going all the way to Galveston once you arrive in Texas. Even though you have (2) nights, you really only have one good (full) day of exploring.

Don't try to do too much.

Houston can be overwhelming.

Relax and enjoy Galveston.

Enjoy your cruise!

We are going to Ketchikan, Alaska on the Grand Princess and we have never been there before.

 

I was wondering what is their not to miss in Ketchikan?? and what would you recommend doing here for the day for a first time visitor?

 

Any ideas / suggestions are very welcome :)

Hire a fishing charter for the day.

The guys on the boat will let you do as little or as much as you want regarding the process of fishing.

When you catch fish you can have it shipped home!

Makes great souvenirs!

"fish I caught in Alaska"

Both UBER and LYFT are operating in Anchorage...

and both Uber and Lyft are operating in Juneau.

None of these ports though: Skagway, ISP, Ketchikan, Vancouver, Seward

Effective: Aug 2017

Hi all! Help me decide! We are on the Jewel in March and wanted to do a nice (delicious) dinner for our anniversary. I currently have reservations made for Chops Grille but I've seen both good and bad about it.

 

Would you opt for Chops or Giovanni's?

 

Chops!

I pack too much no matter how hard I try. What are your tips?

 

 

Budget funds for dry cleaning/laundry.

Pack less clothing and have items cleaned while on the cruise!

ie: in the months leading up to your cruise, skip a few dining out meals.

It should not be hard to accumulate 100.00 in savings.

Use these funds for your dry cleaning/laundry budget! :cool:

I would recommend the Hotel Seward.

There is an old section of the hotel (lower price) and a new section (higher price), but overall the entire

hotel has a vintage feel to it and adds to the Alaska experience.

I stayed there in the summer of 2015 and will be returning in Sept 2018.

Difference in cost is about 30$

 

1 night precruise

 

We land around 3pm.

 

We last stayed at sleep inn in dania where we have stayed in the past.

This last stay we were not happy so are looking to stay elsewhere.

 

Thanks for any info.

What date?

My group has a $239.00 rate for the Hilton Ft Lauderdale Marina.

https://aws.passkey.com/event/14757489/owner/4912/home

No code is needed. Click on "attendee".

This rate is for Feb 10 - 12, and days before/after.

I have def left the DL with a drink in hand.

Don't ask about it.

Just do it.

I was referring to the free drink credits that are loaded onto your seapass card.

These are in addition to anything you drink in the Diamond Lounge.

These can be used at any of the bars onboard, but I have seen some posts about people using them in the dining room/specialty restaurants.

Have you sailed on the Freedom OTS recently?

Did they allow you to enjoy your [free diamond drinks] in the main dining room/specialty restaurants?

I have been reading that some ships have been allowing this.

Thanks!

Would someone please confirm that a cruise deposit is fully refundable if you cancel before final payment is due? We have friends who have never cruised and may join us this fall. I'm encouraging them to book now, under the belief that they can cancel later and not lose any money. Want to be sure that I'm giving them good advice since I've never done it myself. Thanks.

That's correct.

When will RCI release their 2018 Alaska itineraries??

Celebrity has had theirs out for a while already.

Hi,

 

Looking for hotel recommendations for Fort Lauderdale. Would like to stay close to Sawgrass Mills and in the plantation area.

 

Has anyone stayed at La Quinta SW 6th street, Staybridge in plantation, or the Residence Inn?

 

Thanks

Hi Sasha.

What are your dates?

My reunion has a group rate at the Hilton Ft Lauderdale Marina.

https://aws.passkey.com/event/14757489/owner/4912/home

This is for the weekend of 10 - 12 Feb 2017. (a few days before and after as well)

Click on "attendee". A code is not needed.

We want to stay a couple days post-cruise. I am not familiar with the city. We want to book a hotel in Fort Lauderdale that has plenty of restaurants and shops in walking distance. Any suggestions are appreciated.

What are your dates?

My military reunion group has extra rooms at the Hilton Ft Lauderdale Marina for the weekend of Feb 10 - 12, 2017. Our group rate is $239.00

https://aws.passkey.com/event/14757489/owner/4912/home

A code is not needed. Click on "attendee".

Hi all!

 

I'm looking for advice on setting up a hotel block in Miami for my guests the night before the cruise. Most guests will be traveling from Orlando and Port Saint Lucie. Does anyone have recommendations based on experience? The cruise was a bit on the expensive side due to the length (7-night) and month (June), so I'm looking to save everyone as much as I can on a hotel.

 

I'd prefer for everyone to be able to leave their cars at the hotel (without paying an arm and a leg) as I'll be looking into getting a bus charter to take us there. I'm also open to areas surrounding Miami.

 

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks!

What time period are you looking at?

I have a hotel block set up right now in Ft Lauderdale for the weekend of Feb 10. We have extra rooms, which is why I am asking.

I wonder if any women will show up. We weren't allowed to serve in combat zones back then.

 

It's a great idea, though, and I imagine there will be many who will be on this cruise.

There were many women deployed and we have several on the cruise with us! Many medical personnel.

What are your dates?

I have hotel & parking set up for my military reunion group at the Hilton Ft Lauderdale Marina which is less than 1 mile from the port.

We have excess rooms and are glad to share them.

This is for Feb 2017.

What are your dates?

I have one available that is set up for our reunion group at the Ft Lauderdale Marina, but it is for Feb 2017.