NorthCarolinaBelle

Thanks for your review! My best friend and I are going on Brilliance April 25th for the first time. Do you have any recommendations of fun bars or other evening activities? Is there a piano bar? Thanks!

Since my flight isn't until 5:00, this might be something to look into...thanks for posting!

No, I haven't heard of any.

 

GOOD NEWS: (what I posted above was written before I went to breakfast) When I went to breakfast I saw a huge change in the ship...things were being done the "normal" way ie. people serving themselves,etc. This was also true at lunch. That is a fantastic, positive sign.

 

In my (guessing) opinion, we are past the problem. WHOOPPEE.

 

CONGRATULATIONS officers, staff, and crew of the Grandeur....job well done!

I am so proud of this crew.

Hi BeachNative! My friend Linda and I met you a few years ago on I think Sovereign. You were ever so kind and gracious to us, invited us to sit with you in the lounge. Linda and I are taking a cruise on Brilliance April 25th, and just wanted to check and see if y'all will be on it...I know you love to cruise! Enjoy the rest of your cruise on Grandeur! Leigh

By all means, get on the ship as early as possible and start your cruise. I like to pack my swimsuit and coverup in a carry on bag so I can enjoy the pool!

The maitre d' at blu will seat you and your party at a table. That means that if you meet some folks in line and say...let's eat together, then you will be given a table to fit your group. But you can't just walk up and ask to be seated at a larger table with other guests.

Thanks to all of you who answered!

Sorry if I missed this, but is there the option to sit at a large (6-8) table in Blu, with others who are not part of a group? That's the part I expect I'll miss when we are Aqua for the first time on our upcoming cruise...I love meeting new people and getting to know them better as the week goes on.

Thank you!

Neuman and Gede took good care of our group last January...sorry to hear they're gone!

I would like the same information! Anybody out there ever been?

I'd like to see these, too!

Thank you, Marilyn! Are the parades at certain times, or just spontaneous? Where should we go to view a parade?

"Nestor Santorio and the Lost Boys were great. We spent most evenings listening to one or the other at the Sunset bar"

Love the Sunset bar, and our cabin will be right upstairs! Can you comment further on Nestor Santorino and the Lost Boys? Are these two different entertainers?

What did you do on each island?

YES! I love them!

The most important difference for me is the stricter smoking policy on Celebrity. I love that there is no smoking inside the ship at all, including in the Casino!

I love this thread! I agree with all y'all have said, and I'll add a few:

1. A smoke-free casino on Celebrity ships has made it fun for me to dabble in the slots, something I would have never done otherwise!

2. The rainbows at St. Thomas and other islands are breathtaking.

3. Breakfast in my Celebrity robe on my balcony, delivered by a smiling person.

4. Dressing up for formal night. I adore my husband in his tux, and I enjoy getting dolled up, too! I sip champagne, he sips his Manhatten.

5. Meeting nice people from all over the world. I always say cruising is a little like summer camp for adults.

6. That feeling when they announce that we can board...I have trouble not doing the happy dance!

Keeping your whole family in my prayers. Thanks so much for the update.

We will be in Dominica on Fat Tuesday. Has anybody had any experience with Carnivale?

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I have been on balconies next to smokers at 20 knots traveling, and it was so bad that we had to go inside and CLOSE our balcony door to avoid the smoke.

 

Oh, and I hate the smell of fake cinnamon. You can bet that if I get strange smells from the people next door coming into my balcony, I will alert someone to it.

 

If you are so intent on breaking the rules before you even get on board, perhaps you should cruise on a line that actually allows smoking on the balcony, so no worries and no annoyances to the other passengers.

AMEN!!! I also hate fake scents, and I have also been the unlucky next door neighbor of an "expert" who "contends" that his smoke doesn't bother anybody. Go find another cruise line that allows smoking! Why cruise on one where you are so restricted???

Summitt and other Celebrity ships do not use the pier in Old San Juan. They use the Pan American Pier, which you cannot walk to from Old San Juan. If you are landing at 6:30, by the time you gather your luggage it will be 7:00. If it were me, I'd just find a restaurant in the airport for breakfast and kill time for an hour or two, then take a cab to the pier. They will start boarding around 11:00, and you can start your cruise! OR you could contact the Sheraton Casino in Old San Juan and see if they will watch your luggage if you eat there, and then walk around Old San Juan until closer to boarding time. There is so much to see and do there including the two forts, a beautiful old cathedral, cobblestone streets, and more!

There is so much history in Nassau, if you like that sort of thing. The Queen's Staircase is unique and interesting, as is the Fort nearby. Do go to the library and get a guidebook. Also, go to the Ports of Call boards and you will find lots of suggestions!

Coming in a day early (or two!) is fun, and you start your cruise rested and refreshed. This time we are staying an extra night AFTER the cruise as well, so we'll have a hotel to stash our luggage in while we tour.

We stashed our luggage at Barrachina's one time. Got a taxi there from the port, then ate there, did a little walking around. Honestly, it would have been cheaper and easier just to do one of the ship's tours that drops you off at the airport. That's what I would do next time.

Thank you, Skya...I hadn't even thought of mosquitoes.:eek:

Lurking on this thread and soaking up all the advice...thanks!!

Sounds like fun! We'll be there this year for Fat Tuesday/Carnivale. Really looking forward to it!