Aunt Tina

We got stranded in San Juan last February when our flight home was canceled after getting off the Summit. We had already booked Ellis for a tour because of a late flight, and wanting to see more of Puerto Rico than just San Juan. He was wonderful. He took us to hotels and patiently waited til we were able to get a great B&B. We dropped off our luggage, met two people at the B &B who decided to join us and went off into the countryside where Ellis took us to a small town that had weekend festivals featuring wonderful food and dancing. The band leader in an open dance pavilion mentioned that he saw that they had visitors and he welcomed us and said that most visitors to Puerto Rico don't travel as far as they are. Then everyone clapped! We felt very welcomed - and the food was great.

We look forward to having Ellis show us more of Puerto Rico another time.

I, too, keep my card in a card holder that I put in my pocket. I have one that I got on Azamara that just fits the card. I have another that holds my card and a bit of cash or other credit card when I go ashore. The card holder has helped me keep track of the card - which falls out of your pocket too easily.

Considering that half your cruise is going to be missed if you miss the ship and have to fly to the first port, you want to make sure you get to the ship on time. Last year my flight to a cruise from San Juan was canceled; and my flight out of San Juan was canceled for three days. They were willing to take us to Philadelphia but could not get us into Rochester.

Several years ago our flight to Ft. Lauderdale was canceled the day before a cruise, and rescheduled for the next day - the day of the cruise, but through West Palm Beach. The voucher the airline gave us for the Supper Shuttle wouldn't work on their schedule. The limo driver they then hired for us got in a major traffic jam on 95 and had to detour to the turnpike to get to the ship on time. We were one of the last ones on the ship! Even two days in winter may not be enough.

If you booked through Choice Air they would be availble if you needed help, booking yourself you are on you own.

I have a small metal credit card holder that I use when I travel to protect the card numbers - purchased at a dollar store for a couple dollars.

Since the ship's glasses are small - I often bring a travel water bottle or insulated mug.

Removable hooks to attach to the walls of the rooms are also helpful.

I've been watching the prices on Hotwire Secret Hotels (I think it is called) and got (on 12/2) the Crowne Plaza in Ft. Lauderdale on Mar.6 -8 for $148 a night. The advantage on Hotwire is they show the recommended by guests percentage.

I've tried Priceline bidding on Feb.27 for 1 night - nothing accepted for $130 - $145 in categorie 3 and above. Will keep trying!

I think Celebrity targets an older population currently than Princess. They have few to no children on most of the cruises I have been on, only in the Caribbean do you see a small group of children. However, I try to cruise when there are NOT a number of childen onboard. Generally the longer the cruise the older the group.

Celebrity is changing the M class ships next year - adding different specialty restaurants and adding an outdoor movie screen - making them more like Princess. You may want to check out their recent announcements.

I liked the variety of food offered on my 5 Princess cruises - however my stomach didn't. Not sure why - but Celebrity food agrees with my stomach!

Just returned from the Sept. 20 New England cruise on Sunday. There was no problem with availabilty of Normadie during the cruise, Perhaps the $50 pricing is keeping people away. The night we went the room was only half full.

Perhaps with the changes and a shorter cruise people will begin to make reservations.

Just got off the Summit for a two week New England/Canada cruise. We have sailed on both San Juan itineraries. The ship was just inspected by the Canadian authorities while we were on board - and received a 100% score! Her new captain is Kate McCue - an American female who just completed her first cruise at captain of the Summit. She was out and about the whole cruise. The crew is outstanding. The officers are approachable and available. At the Cruise Critic party Captain Kate and at least 8 senior officers attended and talked with us.

If you are interested in ports, rather than sea days, you won't be unhappy on the Summit. There is a new schedule for 2017 on the Summit - she will be sailing longer cruises out of San Juan. We are aready booked!

Thanks for the information. I 'm glad I don't have to worry about it now!

What is the best way to return to EWR from the ship? I booked Carmel Limo (with coupon) from EWR to Jersey City. The hotel booked a transfer to the ship for the two of us for $60. Carmel needs a pick up time - not sure when we will be able to get off the Summit from the New England cruise. Returning Oct. 4.

What is available at the port? Thanks in advance.

Enjoyed seeing the video - we will be there in the end of September on the Summit. Loved your name - brings back my memories of Torquay England where I loved the Cornish pasties!

Chris

I just put it out on the roll call. I will do the ship's tour using OBC if I don't find anything. Looking forward to visiting your area. Thank you, Chris

Unfortunately Don Blackwood is sold out. They suggested Bannock Tours but they never responded.

After hitting two cars on my first driver' s test (52 years ago!) and having really bad vision - I'm hestitant two rent cars!!! Maybe we can find someone to partner with.

Chris

5 years ago I took my mom (then 85) on the Celebrity Solstice. Although she didn't usually need a wheel chair , the size of the ship and the motion made it impossible for her to walk. The ship loaned a wheel chair to her for the duration of the cruise. They helped her on and off the ship with it - and we were able to use it in the ports.

We will be arriving in Sydney Nova Scotia in late September on the Summit. Two guides recommended to us are fully booked. We prefer to not take the cruise tour to Cape Breton. Anyone have a suggestion on a guide or tour company?

Thanks

In the past 6 years:

My husband got sick and the doctor recommended we cancel the trip. He passed away about the time of the cruise. I had the full refund within two weeks.

My college roommate traveled with me on a Caribbean cruise ending in Ft. Lauderdale the day before the Super Bowl was played in Miami. The blizzard in the northeast prevented us from flying home. Insurance paid for two days hotel and meals.

My college roommate and I returned from a 7 day cruise out of San Juan in February. Our flights home were canceled on Saturday and Sunday and no flights were available on Monday. We flew home on Tuesday, and we are waiting for the insurance payment. Our flight down to the cruise was canceled the day before the cruise, and fortunately we were able to fly in and make the ship the day of the cruise.

I never leave home without the insurance!

We booked a cruise while onboard the Summit Feb 2oth cruise. We got all the perks, and were assured we could change the booking if we needed to, and keep the perks. Apparently that is only true if you re-booked it before the 123 promotion ended. When I called to make a change April 2, we were told we could only keep the onboard booking OBC, but not the 123 OBC since it had ended. We lost $150 in OBC to make the change.

If you book onboard - make sure you understand the booking/changing rules.

Are we being told one thing onboard when we book - and another when we try to change the booking - even to the same ship?

I was on the Summit in February and stayed at the Casa Castellana Bed and Breakfast when US Air canceled our flights two days in a row. It was fabulous. The owner Natalia has created a beautiful place to stay, outstanding breakfasts, and a great retreat two short blocks from Ashford Avenue in condado and the Marriott Stellaris Hotel. The third floor has a beautiful open air patio where the wonderful breakfast is served each morning. Natalia is very knowledgable and handles all arrangements for you if you need taxis, tours, and boarding passes. She can be reached at:

casacastellanapr@AOL.COM.

I can't wait to stay ther again!

I think some is available in the stores - especially the 24 hour CVS. If you are going on the ship - can you take it onboard? Usually they just say wine!

Try Ellis at Fleisherellis@aol.com. He is knowledgeable, friendly and caring. He picked us up from the Summit and helped us find a hotel when our flight was canceled on Saturday. Then he took us on our already planned tour, and changed his schedule to meet our needs. We had already seen Old San Juan and the rain forest. We had originally planned a several hour tour, his suggestion of Guavate was a very interesting place where locals go in the mountains.

Ellis picked us up on Saturday as we got off the Summit. We booked him for a day tour before flying home. When Ellis found out that our flight home had been cancelled he took us to hotels to find a room. Then he took us on a wonderful tour into the mountains to Guavate. He changed his personal plans to accommodate our tour. He is knowledgeable, friendly, and caring. Definitely tip him.

We are staying in San juan right now at a B&B two blocks from the Marriott on Luchetti. We are two ladies in our 60's and have been walking the area for the past three days and came back in the dark the last two nights. We have not had or seen any problems, we have seen a lot of police presence - on bicycles, motorcycles and cars. We have eaten at the Crepe Maker across the street from the Marriott- we love both their regular crepes as well as their desert crepes. Bar gatiano is in the same strip and always busy. There is a huge 24 hour CVS near the Marriott as well as 2 Walgreens that sell wine.

It gets dark around 6:45 now.

Enjoy!

I have sailed twice in Alaska the last week in August and first week of September. The second time we took the train tour to Denali - the park road was closed for a day before Labor day because of a snow storm! It was below 32 the morning we left to tour Denali. However, the scenery was beautiful because the fall colors were out and the snow covered Denali at the top.

There are private tour guides available that may have more comfortable vehicle access than the bus tours in many of the ports.

We really ejoyed visiting the sled dog camp outside Denali. they handed you a puppy to hold when you got off the bus.

My virus protection popped up when I opened the Celebrity website a couple days ago saying there was a Trojan on the site. I have gotten the try again in 20 minutes note several times, including in the middle of the check in process.

The water taxi is a short distance beyond all the stores in the port area, then you have to walk the ramps and the docks to the ferry. There are two stops in the town. At the center of town there is a long dock with beaches and chair rentals on both sides of the dock. The second stop is at the end of the boardwalk at the marina area.

I think the roundtrip price is around $6.

I have often seen a shuttle at the port - there are always tons of people there and one infrequent shuttle. You might want to check on the ship about the shuttle.