mfs2k

We're paying $370 ($185 ea) for Taxes, Fees and Port expenses for our Bermuda/Aruba/Curacao Beyond cruise. I doubt very many people ask for a breakdown of these charges. If they added the $40 per person for the Bermuda Travel Authorization to these fees, no one would know the difference and it probably wouldn't be a frequent topic on Cruise Critic. I'd be complaining louder if Celebrity charged a fuel surcharge, which their contract gives them the right to add.

Definitely a higher food cost budget in Tuscan which is why there’s a surcharge.

I’m very happy. Our Beyond cruise arrives in Bermuda on 10/28. I really don’t care about the $40 per person for the travel authorization fee. Inconsequential to us. Now we don’t have to stress about the testing. Anyone want a six pack of Emed proctored tests?

https://www.gov.bm/cruise-travel-authorisation Woohoo Cruise Passenger Travel Authorisation All travellers arriving October 25 2022 onwards will no longer require a pre-travel test, arrival test nor a day 4 test. Unvaccinated non-resident travellers will still be required to upload valid proof of travel health insurance to enter Bermuda.

When I book a cruise, I make sure I understand what the total net cost will be. I know I'll ultimately want to pay gratuities, and have the premium beverage package and high speed internet. So I calculate those costs and deduct any on board credit included in the deal. If any of those items are included in the fare, I don't have to add them in. If the fare includes the classic beverage package, I have to add in the cost to upgrade to premium. For me, it's always easiest to do this on the phone with a Celebrity rep and get exactly what I want and know exacly what my total net cost will be.

When you order, request your pasta "al dente." (literal translation is "to the tooth") Just like you order your steak doneness, it's ok to request your pasta doneness. - But...understand it's a little harder for the kitchen and servers to make sure it's still al dente when you eat it. The pasta continues to cook when it's hot, out of the pot/pan, on the way to your table.

I watched a YouTube video today of a Beyond review. The Retreat guest (video reviewer) said he ate his breakfasts and dinners in Luminae and Blu. (He preferred the Blu breakfast menu) My previous understanding was Blu was reserved for Aqua guests and Blu was only available as a special request for suite passengers. So, if the Youtube guy was right, as a Retreat (skysuite) guest on Beyond, do we need to request special permission in advance from the Luminae or Blu Maitre D' to dine in Blu for breakfast or dinner? Or do we show up at Blu and ask the Blu Maitre D' for a table when we want to eat which is what Aqua guests do? (I realize we may have to wait for table availaility). Thanks for the info.

Next month they'll be marketing "Usually Always Included* " * except when it's not always included.

Except a very good steakhouse can buy beef and age it themselves and taste like nothing you’d make at home.

Drink

That’s basically the same thing.

My wife and I got married in St Thomas while on a Caribbean cruise. Just the two of us. It was all planned in advance by the cruise line with a minister on the beach doing the ceremony after a stop at “City Hall” in St Thomas to sign the license. They provided a videographer and a ships photographer. Our honeymoon was the rest of the cruise. When we returned home we had a big party with friends and family and showed the video and pics. it was just what we wanted.

That’s a nice looking appetizer.

I like a party in my brain.

Which wineries near Halifax? My wife is from the Annapolis Valley near Grand Pré. Wineries there.

Yes actually. I got the new booster on Thursday and got an antigen and PCR test on Monday. Both were negative. I can’t speak for the world. Just my own results.

Well, take a steak for example. They can’t do much about the length or width because that’s cow dependent. But they reduce the thickness of a steak to make it weigh less and thus reduce the portion size. And there’s a huge difference in taste between a thin, cooked steak and a thick juicy rare steak. Mmmm

How do you feel about unflamed ice cream cake?

Have you ever seen the Wynn brunch buffet in Vegas? wow

I’m port this cruise. We’ll compare notes.

Scary. That’s a powerful storm with a lot of people in its path.

Sometime 15 to 20 years ago, unrelated to Katrina, the Mississippi rose and cruise ships couldn’t fit under the bridge. All the sailings from there had to relocate down river. Sometimes relocations are weather or labor related. Not sure where they’d move Tampa sailings to but I’m sure there’s a plan in the books.

Cruise lines are quite adept at changing ports of embarkation or debarkation and every port in between. Weather and high seas disruptions have been common since cruising began. I got married at a planned port stop in St Thomas before I realized how frequent port changes are in the industry. I probably wouldn’t do that again. My wife says “thanks.”

Thanks to threads like this I’m more inclined than ever to wake up early and claim 2 prime chairs for my wife and I on the retreat deck. You all make it sound like a game of musical chairs and I won’t be the one looking for a non existent empty chair when the music stops.

I’m not in any rush to pay the $80 fee or plan testing. I’ll wait 2 weeks and hope for changes.