SRQMom

On a cruise (Greek Athens to Athens) in May and flying into Istanbul and staying one night.  My hotel doesn't offer a shuttle and wondering if anyone has suggestions on transportation to my hotel.  I hear that taxi's are expensive and there are shuttle's outside lined up, but you have to "make sure" your luggage gets loaded, etc. etc.  Any advice/suggestions??

We are traveling with a family group and thought the Amazing Race excursion offered by NCL in Cozumel looks fun...but a few people are concerned about the safety of roaming the streets (basically off on our own) in Mexico.  I'm guessing Cozumel is more "touristy" and it would have to be safe or the excursion wouldn't be offered, but I'm always a bit too trusting.  Anybody done this excursion recently??? Thanks!

On 1/7/2024 at 12:26 PM, cmecruise1962 said:

I loved that cooking excursion in Cozumel!  I didn't realize that drinks were included, and they never left my margarita unfilled!  And the food was good!

Which cooking excursion is that??  I looked online (booking Cozumel excursions today) and can't find an actual cooking excursion listed.  Your posts are so cool and full of useful info.  Thanks!!!  

We are on NCL Pearl Feb 14.  Stop in Cozumel until 8pm so plenty of time to do a nice excursion.  We'd love to tour a Tequila factory (similar to whiskey distillery/wineries for wine, etc).  Or a combo jeep tour with a simple Tequila tasting and maybe food.  The excursions offered thru NCL have a Taco & Tequila excursion that looks ok, but hoping to find recommendations that seem a bit more fun.  Thanks!!!

Has anyone done the Taco and Tequila excursion in Cozumel (NCL).  Cruising with a large family group and not everyone wants to do "water" or parasailing/ziplining etc. on the last port and looking for something different.  I searched to see if there were any previous posts on this one but can't find any.  Hoping to get some feedback by someone who's done it.  Thanks!!!

We are a large group booked on the 2/14/24 Pearl out of Miami for a 5 night out of Miami (Sea/Harvest Caye/Cozumel/Sea).  I am hoping I can find someone who has copies of the "daylies" of this itinerary to show a few people in our group who've never sailed what to expect.  I know smaller cruises don't always have "themes" (white hot etc), but any info would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks.

1 hour ago, TenForward said:

Luggage tags, non-surge protector power strip, seasick wristlets, Tide stain stick, bug spray, sunscreen, sticky notes and pen for notes to steward, highlighter for Dailies, if it's a female maybe a wallet on sting - great for off board activities. Oh and ear plugs. I've only ever needed once but they were a life (sleep) saver!

Great ideas.  Thanks!!!

1 hour ago, JGmf said:

Some ideas:

 

Return the lanyard and maybe buy the reusable plastic luggage tag holder: https://www.amazon.com/NCL-Luggage-Tag-Holders-Cruise/dp/B07XKWFMR7/ref=asc_df_B07XKWFMR7/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=385480502764&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13389767785512552784&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9004734&hvtargid=pla-827597710965&psc=1&mcid=423344e44f7d3c899511c8271264299c&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=78650695876&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=385480502764&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13389767785512552784&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9004734&hvtargid=pla-827597710965&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3cjP5-CKgwMVoYJaBR37YgYUEAQYASABEgL4u_D_BwE

 

Also...are they staying in an inside cabin, how about a portable digital clock.  It's like a cave in those rooms, so knowing whether its 3am or 9am (at a glance) is kind of nice.

Thanks for the link to the lanyards.  I love those!

1 hour ago, tartist said:

I’m doing something similar for a family member and am including luggage tag holders for boarding the cruise ship, passport holder (rfid blocker one) and may include some towel clips (I have so many). They requested water shoes that they need for an excursion 

Thanks.  Water shoes for an excursion is perfect.

53 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

You probably won't like my answer...but ya know, I'll give it anyway.

 

Cash! My family still wants to give gifts. I don't want gifts. I would prefer cash or gift cards. Cash helps me plan experiences. Memories are important to me. Extra stuff isn't. I still appreciate the fact they think of me and thankfully they ask what I want. I tell them cash. They say no. So, I rack my brain coming up with something that might be useful. My husband gave my family my list this year as I have no clue what I want or need. 

 

Here's why. I know what I want. And frankly, nothing you mentioned in your post is of any interest to me. I'd actually toss it or give it away. Now, I'm not the person you're gifting the basket to, so take my words for what they're worth. Nothing at all. 

We already got them OBC for excursions, etc. but wanted something fun to "unwrap" on Christmas morning.  Maybe some chuckles (I'm adding an Airtag "finder" for the one who looses stuff).  It's Christmas and an envelope with "here's your onboard credit" or "cash" seems very boring.  

I'm wanting to do a Christmas gift basket for a family member who is going on a cruise in Feb but has never cruised before and am stumped on ideas.  So far I've got magnetic hooks (strong ones for the walls and clip type for daily agenda's etc), waterproof phone case (Belize), retractable lanyards, and a shoe holder for the door (I love this as an organizer for the boat).  Other than that, I'm stuck.  Any other fun suggestions??  Thanks!!

31 minutes ago, Beaver1975 said:

Nope, cannot take food off the ship.  Besides what food allergies would preclude from eating on the island?

Serious anaphylaxic types (peanut, strawberry and others) and cross contamination in these type places is very possible.  We carry an epi pen for emergencies but that's something we avoid at all costs of course.  Typically we carry a doctors note to concerts/sporting events to be able to bring in food etc. but figured there'd certainly be other passenger's with similar needs and was looking for info on best practices, experiences etc.

Due to food allergies in our family, we are wondering about being able to take food off the ship at Harvest Cay.  Any restrictions?  We know we can go back to the ship for lunch etc, but plan to do excursions, etc.  Thanks!

Easy Question.  My husband watches TV to fall asleep at night.  I'm looking at the Explorer cabins (specifically the Superior Suite F2 or Concierge) and the virtual tour shows the TV facing the sofa.  Does anyone know if it is viewable from the bed (on an extendable/pull out wall mount that is tiltable/swivels)?  Silly question but important to my husband. 

We typically pack a "shoe holder" for organization and hang it on the back of a door (typically the bathroom using hooks) but our last cruise that didn't work out so we used strong magnet hooks we had packed to hang on the inside cabin door.  Our next cruise is on the NCL Pearl and we've never been on her before and wonder if there are any recommendations on using metal hooks, location wise etc. (my husband needs places to "drop" stuff or the room is a huge mess after day one LOL).  Thanks!

We are staying Feb 13th.  Large / extended family cruise so several family members will be driving down and getting rooms as well so trying to stay in the $200 range to accommodate everyone.  There are lot of recommendations for hotels closer to the airports and ports, but not a lot closer to alligator alley.  Thanks in advance for any recommendations and/or areas to avoid.  

We are driving down from Tampa the day before our cruise.  So no need for transportation, shuttle etc.  Hoping to stay under $200 for the room and looking in the Westin/Plantation up to Mirimar area (after 4 to 5 hour drive hoping to just pull in someplace and ok with a longer drive to the port in the morning).  I don't know the area at all so hoping for a recommendation on options of a nice, preferably newer hotel under $200 since we are further away from the Port of Miami and the beach where I know the costs are higher.  Any recommendations?  Thanks!!!

On 6/20/2023 at 5:10 PM, BirdTravels said:

I am not sure what you are reading. Room service food has always been complimentary. BUT there is a service charge of UP TO $9.95 (smaller $4.95 charge for breakfast). There was a charge for all deliveries on our May cruise. 
 

Thanks for the post of the menu!!  It's so nice when people like you take the time to help with these things.  

30 minutes ago, Gracie115 said:

We are on the Apex TA in April and expect it will be our last Celebrity cruise unless something drastic happens with pricing.  We have loved the product in the past but it is just becoming prohibitive price wise.  The same is true for most other lines, so we, like others are looking at different vacation options.   

I hope things will improve in time but really don't expect a reversal of this trend in the foreseeable future.

Please post a review of your experience.  We are looking at a TA next year (we did one before the Pandemic and loved it) but there have been a few negative comments about the food in the MDR having declined.  No room service etc.  Any recent insight on this ship would be greatly appreciated. I hope you have a wonderful time and enjoy everything.

We love Celebrity (especially the Silhouette), but haven't sailed since the Pandemic.  We are looking at booking another Transatlantic and remember fondly how good the food was in the MDR (aka didn't feel the need to eat dinners in Specialty restaurants every night).  BUT, I've read a few recent reviews that say the quality has declined but not very specific details.  Any feedback from recent cruisers on Celebrity would be greatly appreciated.  We love TA's for the relaxation and of course spend more time dining vs ports so it's a biggie on that type of booking.  Thanks!!! 

Booking on the Celebrity Edge Westbound Transatlantic from Spain to Florida in late October.  Have an Infinite Balcony so fairly enclosed but still wondering if the Port or Starboard side would be best, or does it even matter (wind, sun, etc).  

Thanks!!!

1 hour ago, johnasmith99 said:

Those who agreed with my choice seem to have answered exactly as I would have.  We like the sitting area to be near the balcony.  My original question was how to determine bed placement but I think I figured that out.  The deck plan actually shows the jut out for the beds.  The cabin highlighted in the attached screen shot should have the couch by the balcony.  Am I right on that?

 

Yes, you are correct.  The section of each room with the "bump" is where the bed would be and we've used that on each booking and it's never failed us.  So in this case, 10230, the sofa is by the balcony.

1 hour ago, johnasmith99 said:

Those who agreed with my choice seem to have answered exactly as I would have.  We like the sitting area to be near the balcony.  My original question was how to determine bed placement but I think I figured that out.  The deck plan actually shows the jut out for the beds.  The cabin highlighted in the attached screen shot should have the couch by the balcony.  Am I right on that?

 

Yes, you are correct.  The section of each room with the "bump" is where the bed would be and we've used that on each booking and it's never failed us.  So in this case, 10230, the sofa is by the balcony.

1 hour ago, middlehaitch said:

SRQMom, thank you so much for coming back and letting us know your outcome. Knowing the path you took to resolve the problem could well help others booked on the canceled Apex and Constellation cruises. 

 

We were on one of the Constellation cruises but haven't decided whether to sail on the Infinity or just cancel.

 

Hope you manage to snag a more suitable cabin location.

 

Cheers, h

Thanks!  I always try and share tips and experiences to help others navigate travel issues.  I was very green myself once, and still am on new adventures, and I was very grateful for this website AND the gracious help from others.  Happy Travels!!! 

18 hours ago, middlehaitch said:

This isn't through the classic lift and shift offer though (and doesn't show in the lift and shift DIY form on the Celebrity site).

SRQMom's move is within a time frame during the same year as the cruise that has been canceled.

With the canceling of the Apex and Constellation Europe cruises there is a specific offer for those cruisers to move their cruise to same class ship in Europe, the Infinity and Edge.

 

Have your TA call Celebrity again and not refer to your move as a lift and shift, just that you want to take advantage of the specific offer Celebrity has made for your cancelation. Make sure your TA has the wording of the offer you received on hand to read back to the Celerity agent.

This is  a new offer  and there is a good chance that those answering the phones aren't up to speed yet. Escalate to a supervisor if needed. 

 

Good luck,

Cheers, h.

 

You were SO right.  I had to call back and ask for my call to be escalated.  I even emailed the "letter" I received from Celebrity to my agent and she got them to put me on the Oct Apex TA.  I am holding out hope that it won't be cancelled, but since it only has 2 ports (we love the TA's for the "off the grid" experience if you know what I mean) so maybe that will be a factor.  Who knows.  But, for anyone in similar situations, hold firm and get your original pricing and perks transferred.  One problem is cabin availability.  You HAVE to stay in the same category.  We are E1 and those were all sold out accept for "forward" (ughh) on a level higher.  Took it but checking daily and hoping for an open cabin closer to the middle where we originally booked.  Crossing fingers.  We have 8 months. LOL.  Good luck everyone.