K.T.B.

Just another step towards class distinctions like in the days of Titanic. The rich and famous go first, get the best, have private areas and dining rooms, and the rest of us continue to get pushed out of their way. :rolleyes:

 

Do you fly in an airplane? First class passengers get on first. So what? They paid for it or got an upgrade. That doesn't mean they're necessarily rich.

 

If seeing that someone else has achieved a certain level on Celebrity bothers you, then that's on you. There are many people who have elite status that are just regular folk and are not the "rich & famous".

Agree. But the Cruise lines will never enforce the staggered boarding guidelines just like they never enforce the MDR dress guidelines.

 

Make it like you're boarding a plane. If they can board a plane beginning with first class, then those who need assistance, and then from the back of the plane on forward, they can use the same concept for boarding a ship.

 

Elites get on first, then people who require assistance, then special events where guests need to exit the ship prior to leaving port (i.e. a wedding), and then by designated parts of the ship (either by deck or by section [aft, middle, forward] or by deck and section). You try to board early, you get turned away. Just like at the gate in the airport.

 

It CAN be done.

Hi Everyone,

 

We're sailing on Equinox on Friday, and also received an email yesterday.

 

This subject is a tough one, with few answers that will appeal to all. In some ways, I like the idea of staggered boarding, and I applaud what Celebrity is trying to accomplish - in theory. On the other hand, the current plan simply does not work as currently offered - especially as most of us have made travel arrangements, and it's too late to make changes. Perhaps this could work, if more notice was given, but that too, is an unknown.

 

Another issue... most everyone wants to get onboard as early as possible. Can you blame anyone for that ? :) Under this scenario, if it were firm boarding times, I could see many guests being unhappy with later than anticipated boarding, and this can set the tone for their cruise. I certainly would not want to see that happen.

 

Perhaps Celebrity could ask for late boarding volunteers, immediately after final payment is made, and offer a choice of perks for boarding after 1:30 or 2 pm. Perhaps a choice of 1 item from a list. As an example: a discount for 1 specialty dining, or 30 additional internet minutes, or 5 captains club points. With an enticement, I bet they'd get plenty of volunteers !

 

For those who are worried about waiting in the terminal - from what I'm hearing... although the email sounds like a firm "rule", it does not appear to be the case at this point. I'm hearing that guests may board at their convenience.

 

Hope this is helpful !

 

IF they really want to do staggered boarding then they should just mention it straight up front when you book. "If you book this cabin, your boarding time will be 1:30." Or, "If you book this category, your boarding time is between 12:00 and 1:00." No muss, no fuss. Eventually word will get around as to which cabins have the earlier boarding times and which ones do not. Plus the passengers will know immediately when they can board, so they can arrange their travel accordingly.

 

Waiting until a week or so before the vacation begins is too late. 99.9999% of the people have unchangeable travel plans at that point. Making it part of the booking process would alleviate that.

People who use the argument "My hotel makes me leave at 11 so I have no choice but board at noon", how do they handle a 3 or 4pm flight home when the hotel kicks them out.

 

Heck how do they handle things when Celebrity makes them leave ship by 9:30 am in San Juan, when lots of return flights don't depart till 3 pm.

 

Or the argument "I would have booked a later flight" as if most airports have flights leaving every hour on the hour for the ports.

 

All we're talking hiere is a process over 3-4 hours time. Moving thousands of people thru the chokepoints of the ports is a big ordeal, if all would participate it'd go far smoother for everyone.

 

To your first point: If I leave the hotel by 11, I still go to the airport and wait. I even try to get an earlier flight if possible.

 

Your second point: I book a post-cruise excursion. See some sights, get to the airport at about 1:00.

 

So if I need to leave the hotel by a certain time, I'm heading over to the port, much like I would head over to the airport. Yeah, I might be waiting an hour or two before boarding, so be it.

 

Be that as it may, on every single one of my cruises I've been at the port by 10:30am at the latest. Every single time we had to wait until at least noon before getting on board. (The latest that were allowed to board was 12:30.) And every single time after waiting until noon, we were among the first 100 on board regardless of what deck our room was on or what category we were. (Our first cruise we had to wait for a wedding party to board first, but we were the very next ones on board right behind them!)

 

So all of this having to wait until "X time" to board because you're on "X deck", you'll be waiting regardless. It might be a short time, it might be a long time, so you might as well just be there so you can board as soon as you're able.

And this is why I don't have texting enabled on my phone. ;)

[quote name='ghstudio']Unfortunately, the law doesn't say what answer is acceptable....for example, if the individual says "the dog gets my newspaper in the morning" is that an acceptable answer? The law is so loose that it invites misuse....[/QUOTE]

Exactly. And if the dog does something very specific and the person does not want anyone to know their medical condition, which is their legal right, then they do not have to answer.

[quote name='ghstudio']If the individual says "none of your business", they are not protected by the law and can (and should be) refused entry.[/QUOTE]

The catch-22 is that you cannot ask about the person’s disability. So if you're asking what task the dog performs, they'll be revealing what disability they have....

Hence they're being able to say "none of your business" because they don't want anyone knowing their medical issue.

[quote name='alexspepa']If you do own a restaurant I hope you read up on the ADA regulations so you can legally and positively interact with your disabled customers, and recognize legitamate and fake Service Animals.

There is no such documentation you are speaking of...and maybe read the whole thread? Cle-Guy has very eloquently explained why the ADA regs are legislated as they are, and also explained why now they should now be amended to regulate and protect real Service Animals.

This post - [I]I don't know how many times this has been in this thread but a hotel, restaurant, airline, cruiseline or anywhere a person is allowed into is not permitted by Federal law to ask for documentation.[/I]..is absolutely correct. Two questions only by any owner, manager or employee of a business:

[I]Staff may ask two questions: (1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability, and (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform. [/I]

This has been expanded to include Minature Horses by the way...[/QUOTE]

The answers they can give are "yes" and "none of your business", and businesses have to accept them. Which brings us back to people taking advantage of the system.

Yup, it's cold at Hubbard Glacier. I would still not bring a winter coat just for that. If the layered approach doesn't work for you there, grab one of the blankets and wrap up in that. You're only at Hubbard for a bit.

 

Tracy Arm Fjord? I think we were in short sleeves. The sun was shining and it was gorgeous in the fjord. Just like cruising a fjord in Norway. You may or may not make it to the glacier. Just depends on the amount of ice in the water in the fjord. Same with Hubbard.

 

Linda

 

We got VERY close to the glaciers. Here's how I was dressed that day:

 

Sillie in November had around 65 beers to choose from on the menu in cellar masters.

 

A challenge to try them all in one cruise! :D (I did try on my last cruise, too....)

June in Alaska should be nice, when you're in port. Upper 60's/lower 70's in temperature. At night, while on board, expect it to get chilly. So long sleeves and a heavy sweater at minimum would do.

 

When you're cruising around Hubbard Glacier, it's going to be COLD. Light winter coat will be needed. My last Alaskan cruise we sailed Tracy Fjords and saw Sawyer Glacier and I had on a hoodie as well as a light winter coat. And that was during August.

 

You're going to be among giant ice cubes, so the temps will drop as get closer to them. As Linda said above, LAYERS! :)

If I have a legitimate service dog for something that's not so easily recognizable (say, because I'm a diabetic and the dog has been trained to sense when my blood sugar is low),

 

Sorry if I appear dumb... why would anyone need a service dog to tell them that their blood sugar is low/high??? My son is diabetic and has been for nigh on 20 years now. He SENSES when his sugars are wrong - he then CHECKS with a quick needle prick test, so why would anyone need a service animal for this???? Okay, perhaps someone elderly might not be on the ball so much, but what ever happened to taking responsibility for your own health? And don't even get me started on this 'emotional support' nonsense. 2 muts in a stroller?? In the words of John McEnroe - 'you cannot be serious'!

 

You sort of answered your own question: Your son has been diabetic for 20 years and can easily recognize the symptoms. For someone who is newly diagnosed or has other health issues that might otherwise mask the effects, a service animal might be required/needed.

OK - I had to Google this!!

 

well....pigs can be legitimate emotional support animals according to Federal guidelines: http://cnsnews.com/news/article/feds-airlines-must-let-passengers-fly-pigs-emotional-support

 

Apparently this is why the pig was let on. It was kicked off the plane in compliance with the guidelines after it became a disturbance by defecating on the floor and howling. Fortunately for the other passengers this occurred shortly after boarding and before the plane left the gate.

 

An emotional support pig? Maybe we should stop complaining. I'd rather deal with a couple cute puppies in a stroller than something like this on a cruise!

 

There's a "when pigs fly" joke in there some place...

The worst part is these self-absorbed pompous morons are imitating people with actual medical conditions severe enough to require use of a service trained animal.

 

So they are just riding the coattails of laws designed to help people with disabilities and by doing so they hurt the cause of people with genuine needs. Entitled trash of the lowest form.

 

This is not difficult - WHAT IS YOUR DOG TRAINED TO DO? That's not against ADA. Maybe these people are too cheap to pay for a kennel or maybe they are just overgrown children that can't be told NO without having a hissy fit.

 

I don't pay to go on a ship with animals unless it is called Noah's Ark. Who is walking the dog? What furniture is the dog sleeping on? Who's cleaning the dog doodoo? Anyone pushing a dog in a stroller on a ship probably is making the staff do the cleaning. These people all need to be put in their place. LOWLIFES.

 

Yes it is.

 

That's like asking a person who just parked in a handicapped spot and who is apparently walking without aid what his handicap is. It's none of your (anyone else's) business.

 

Be that as it may, there should be some sort of proof that the dogs are indeed TRAINED SERVICE ANIMALS.

 

A friend of mine is extremely allergic to dogs (his face and nose gets so red, it's like someone punched him the face numerous times), so he steers well clear of them. He's sympathetic to the needs of others in terms of them truly requiring them, but it puts him in situation where he's very uncomfortable. And that's HIS medical condition. So whose needs come first then?

Yet again, reread this thread. Post #133 for example. The ADA Regulations actually PROHIBIT asking for documentation, and a company asking for it can be heavily fined for doing so.

 

No idea if anyone else posted this, but here's the link from Celebrity about their rules about service animals:

 

http://www.celebritycruises.com/onboard-celebrity/cruise-service-animals?subtab=true

 

 

And, IMO, I think proof should be required that the animal is indeed a service animal. NOT what the ailment is, just the their animal is needed. A card of some sort. People parking in the handicapped spot in parking lots are required to have a sign in their car window or have license plates, having proof your animal is indeed a service animal is not a big deal.

I have read everybody's thoughts onto which ship. I am still on the fence as to which ship as this will be our first time to Alaska and want to make the most out of the trip incase we never get out that way again. It's not like comparing a Eastern versus Western Caribbean that's for sure.

 

It just comes down to which itinerary you want to do the most. Take a look at the lengths of time spent in each port. Find out which excursions you might like to do in those ports. Then figure out what works best for you timewise.

 

This will be my 3rd trip to Alaska. The first one was glorious. The second one was great in the beginning, but once we hit Juneau it went badly. The next one is completely different in that it's a one way for us, as well as having 3 land days afterwards. Based on what I know, the next one I'm taking is the one I wish I did the second time. The first one included Glacier Bay, which is awe-inspiring and hard to beat.

 

If you're looking to max out what you do, then picking the one with the longest port times might be the way to go. Just my 2¢. :)

 

Oh, and a word of warning, do not book a helicopter excursion before 10:30am in Juneau. Odds are there will be foggy conditions and the excursion will be cancelled.

 

Good luck!

Maybe I'm not reading your post correctly but I've never been able to make a payment on my cruise directly with Celebrity when my booking has been with a TA. The TA has had to process all the payments.

 

You're reading it correctly. This was the first time I used a TA to book. Usually I just do it myself via the website. But considering the website issues....

 

At least that explains why I'm unable to pay money! :D

 

Thanks!

I'm trying to put another payment on my cruise and of course it doesn't work. So I need to call (again) and talk to my TA (again) in order to put another payment down via a phone call (again).

Agree. And I'd add, time is money. If I go to a hotel's website and make a reservation for the room I want with their best price garunteed, I'm happy. Sure, I might spend 30 min to an hour to save $50 or $100 or more, but if I can earn 2 or three times that in the same amount of time instead of searching for a deal, I'm ahead, and hassled less ;)

 

Happy sailimg,

Jenna

 

The two hotels I mentioned above? Took me less than a minute to find them both. it took me longer to write the comment than to search, click on each of their websites, and find a price.

 

So if takes you 30-60 minutes.... you're doing it wrong. :p

For Hyatt Pier 66, based on what I'm reading on Trip Advisor, it's mainly bad service. So it's a great hotel, but with really bad service.

 

As for Hilton Marina, it looks like a the majority of the bad reviews I'm seeing on Trip Advisor are 3+ years old. Most of the more recent ones are garnering 4 stars on average.

 

Hope that helps!

quote:

"I'm sure we'll cross paths on our upcoming cruise (we're also on the Jan. 11 sailing, 30/28 and were previously on the Silhouette for our honeymoon), and when we do we'll enjoy a round to laugh about the cynical cheapskates who don't understand you wanting to have a nice hotel for your honeymoon"

 

WOW......I never called anyone names:eek::rolleyes:....or insulted anyone:eek:

I didn't realize having a nice room and not spending a fortune were

mutually exclusive of one another:confused:........cynical cheapskates...WOW

 

Getting back to Seattle for a moment, when we were there we stayed at Inn at the Market. NOT a cheap place. However, I got a great deal and a bargain for the price. I booked at the right time and spent about $75 less a night than others. ;)

 

Getting to Fort Lauderdale, when we were there last year at about this time, we stayed at a Holiday Inn Express. Really super convenient to get to the port and at a great price (again).

 

I book for convenience and price. IF you take your time and research, you can get a great hotel for a really good price. And that makes you smart not a "cynical cheapskate". Like you, Lois. :)

500.00 for a hotel room?:eek:....I guess this is where the "different strokes"

would come into play. It is not in my DNA to spend 500 bucks for a room.

I am staying for 1 night at a hotel in Seattle (and Seattle seems to always

be more $$ than Ft. Lauderdale) but anyway, I found a very nice

property for waaayyy less than 500 bucks....:D

 

But of course, we all have different priorities, pricepoints, etc.......

Lots of choices.......pick which is best for you:)........

 

For me? I couldn't click on "Submit" to confirm a hotel

reservation for that amount of money:eek:

 

I'm in total agreement. And, oddly enough, Seattle is the ONLY city where I've paid overly $300 a night for a room! I can generally find a really good deal at a really good hotel for a reasonable amount. And since I found AirBNB, I've found even better deals and more reasonable rates.

NO idea if this is allowable or not, especially since it is not promoting a cruise website, but check out a website called Airbnb. I Have found some fantastic deals on there, and they're NOT hotel rooms! :)

For my the cruise I currently have booked this is what I see concerning the 123Go promotion for gratuities:

 

Gratuities : $175.00

Other Options:

123GOPROMO3 -$175.00

 

So you should be seeing a lint that indicates that.

Hi All:

 

I am sailing on the Summit from February 21st to 28th but arriving in San Juan late on Friday, February 20th. We are trying to find a (not too expensive) hotel to spend the night in. We will probably board the ship as early as possible on the Saturday morning, then get off and explore San Juan for the day.

 

Can anyone recommend an appropriately-located hotel that would allow us to do this? Thanks very much.

 

Look at hotels in Old San Juan. When my wife and I stayed there we stayed at SJ Suites. it seems it's one of those places people either REALLY like or REALLY hate. It's certainly not the Ritz, but it's a good value, clean, quiet, and in a great location of Old San Juan. Lots to do within a 2 or 3 block radius.

 

So if you're looking for a good cheap room, this place fits that requirement. :)