crossoverstreet

Thanks everyone. Those are great tips. I especially like the suggestion from SophiHeyy:p.

So, do self-check-out. Have breakfast. Dawdle in the cabin a bit and then sit on the Lido until the announcements tell us "All Ashore". Or until Security drags us off (Just kidding ... won't let it get that far!)

Cheers:cool:

I have read a lot of posts discussing how to be one of the first off a ship at the end of a cruise. Self-disembarkation, etc.

But my flight isn't until the late afternoon and I'd like to stay on the ship as long as possible. Any tips?

Thanks!

My spouse and I have been to Venice three times. As you approach the gondolier stands, gondoliers will approach you (and they'll see you as a couple) and then you pick the one you like based on chemistry and vibe. There are several gondolier stands, so don't feel pressured to take your first offer!

Do ask if they'll sing for you! It's a fair question. Also, if they'll take you into side canals so that you're not just bobbing around on the Grand Canal with all the other gondolas, boats and vaporettos, etc. I recommend going with one who agrees to sing and go off the Grand Canal. A gondola ride is expensive, so make sure you're going to savour and remember the experience.

We once had a great gondolier who sang opera and was totally cool with us as a couple. We didn't canoodle or anything like that, but he did encourage us to sit close together. It was wonderful.

Cheers,

Definitely go. St Petersburg is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The architectural sites are incredible. Try to see both the Catharine Palace and Peterhof (probably over two days).

My partner and I spent a week there a few years ago. Consider hiring the professional guide we worked with. He has the required documentation and credentials to take tourists through all of the sites including the Hermitage. He's very well informed, well travelled and speaks excellent English. http://www.gay-tour.ru And, he's gay and out (rare for Russia).

Have a great trip!

We love Celebrity AquaClass. Prior to this, we also cruised a few times in the Princess mini-suites. You will find the cabin on Celebrity smaller. There isn't a bath-tub and the closet/storage space doesn't exist. But, you'll have access to Blu (you can read all about that on this board) and the Persian Gardens. There are also other perks, but I consider these two to be the main ones. If dining in Blu doesn't appeal to you, you may find the mini-suite on Princess to be preferable. Then again, there are other differences between Princess and Celebrity that could positively affect your experience (cabin aside). Enjoy the new experience, and hope you like it!

Hi Ray: Just needed to read "Oasis of the Seas" to know that it'll be a crowded day in port. We were considering the ship's excursion to Sapphire Beach, but have since heard that the chair rental facilities and washrooms are closed, and I believe the excision isn't even offered anymore. I'm not sure I need a rental chair, etc. but we've been too chicken to venture too far from port unless we're on an excursion. For St. Thomas this time, we'd prefer to visit a beach. The ship offers a beach excision to Magens Bay, which seems the simplest option. But if you find a resort or an alternative idea that is independent, we could be interested. Two years ago, we were with a group who rented a van/driver in St. Maarten to drive us to Orient Beach and back. It made for a nice day to feel removed from the cruise, but with knowledge that there was a car waiting. If not a private van, then I guess cabs seem plentiful on St. Thomas, at least in Charlotte Amalie.

Looking forward to hearing what you may be up to.

Cheers,

Peter

Hi Ray: When you guys head to St John from St Thomas, do you book an excursion through the ship or do you head out on your own?

Cheers,

Peter

Hola amigos nuevos!

We just rented tuxes for the two formal nights. Hope they're not wildly out of date! Or I guess that could be fun too in an "American Hustle" sort of way!

36 days and counting.

Cheers,

Luggage Tags have arrived!

Thirty-seven (37) days to go!

Cheers,

Hi guys. Tuxedos! That's wonderful!! We rented tuxes on our first cruise. My mother proudly displays the photo of us taken that night. For cruises since, we wear dark suits on formal nights and blazers on all other nights. I'll wear a tie most evenings to dinner. Glad to hear that you guys like to dress up. We will definitely spot each other in blu!

It's been a hectic few weeks wrapping up work for the holidays. We head out to Vancouver on Monday for 8 nights in beautiful British Columbia. Here's hoping for some mild west-coast weather!

Looking forward to meeting you all in person!

Cheers,

Peter

Hi Danny: Twenty minutes to the terminal is a sweet commute. To avoid any last minute nail biting at the airport in the event of snow we fly out the day before and treat ourselves to a night on South Beach. And also try to connect with a snowbird couple we know who winter in Ft. Lauderdale. If you're skiers, I highly recommend a winter visit to Whistler. It's just a few hours north of Vancouver, and is remarkable. You can see the ocean from the peaks. We'll be in Vancouver in a few weeks spending Christmas with my family.

For the cruise, we're in aqua class, and have dinner in blu … in the past, it's been satisfying enough that we've only once tried a specialty restaurant when we ate in Qsine a few years ago. It was with a large group, and a lot of fun.

Have you tried any of the other places?

Cheers,

Peter

Hi Danny and Hans. We're looking forward to meeting you guys on board; and with a full week ahead of us of well below zero weather, we're counting down the days! (we also got in on the 1-2-3 drinks package … so here's hoping the wine selections are vast and interesting) How wonderful it must be to live in Miami full time!

Cheers,

Peter and Richard

I also booked the drinks package and received some OBC from my travel agent, neither of which shows on my on-line reservation detail in "my celebrity". However, when I phoned celebrity a few weeks ago to ensure things were covered, the telephone agent was able to confirm that my reservation has the two drinks packages included as well as the "gift" of OBC. So don't worry and have fun planning! Cheers,

Hi Ray and Steven: Nice to meet you. I think our final payments are due on Monday … so guess that means we're committed! We're connecting with some friends in Miami for a day beforehand. Once Christmas and New Years pass, it's the count down for blue seas. Cheers,

Hello! We're booked to go!

Two guys from Toronto, Peter (48) and Richard (42). This will be our sixth cruise; third time on Celebrity in aqua class. Love blu! Love the Persian Gardens! First time on Reflection.

Best way to escape Winter! Celebrity website says we've off in 89 days. Hooray!