chive

The number of cruises a person has been on means nothing, except maybe you are lucky one way or the other. Lucky you didn't have an accident, lucky you didn't get left behind for some unforeseen reason, lucky you didn't have it stolen if you took it.

 

How often you travel is the real question. Seasoned travelers do not allow themselves to be in a foreign country without access to the only form of international ID, a passport.

 

In a stationary place such as a land vacation, season travelers may leave it in a hotel safe because they know they can get to it no matter what, not true of a cruise ship.

As I have stated before, my experience is that on a Med cruise our passports have been taken from us when we boarded. You can advocate for taking passports wherever you go, but the reality is different.

Well then, I guess you didn't have to worry about how you were going to carry your passport on an excursion (which is the question that started this thread - some people don't seem to realize that however).

Exactly. If you are on a Med cruise, then there is nothing to worry about. That was the exact point of my post. The point of my post was that people who are on a Med cruise don't have to worry about how to carry a passport because they wont have one.

I'm not getting into this debate. You can all argue with your capital letters, highlighted quotes and color fonts. The fact is that on our Med cruise on the Equinox, Celebrity took all of our passports upon embarkation and returned them to us on the next to last day of the cruise.

What happens in other places or on other lines, I can't say. All I know is that there are no absolutes (except that one).

If you are on a cruise to the Med, the ship will probably take your passport when you embark. Again, go to the cruise line specific board for information regarding your cruise.

OK, well maybe we will just stick with Select Dining then.

 

Can you ask to be seated at a table with others in the Select Dining Room? Or would we be required to sit at a table for 2?

Sure. You may have to wait a few minutes for an appropriate table to open up. Often, the staff will push two or more tables together. You won't be required to sit at a table for two. The staff will always try to accommodate any reasonable request.

Select Dining is Celebrity's "any time dining". You do not have a set table at a set time. You show up at the designated entrance for Select Dining and you are seated. Sometimes you may have to wait a few minutes. Many posters have indicated that if you speak with the maitre d' in advance perhaps you can be seated with other people or at a table (and with a waiter) you had before. Gratuities must be pre-paid if you have Select Dining. If you have Traditional Dining, you have a set table at a set time with the same waitstaff at either the early or late seating. If you have early seating, you cannot just appear at 7:15. The smooth service of the meal depends on everyone being seated a few minutes after the time stated. Yes, the dining room must be cleared, cleaned and reset before the late diners arrive.

See I find that uncomfortable and would take it off anyways.

I just want to ask a sincere, straightforward question. I'm not looking for a debate or an argument. I mean no disrespect and I'm not trying to make a value judgment. If you were at a wedding or business dinner (assuming you had a jacket) would you take it off while eating?

Question for those who wear a tux, suit or jacket. Do you keep your jacket on while you eat?

Yes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chive

What I hear most often is some variation of "I wear a jacket and tie to work and I don't want to do it on vacation".

and that is perfectly fine and understandable! But don't expect the cruiseline to change their procedures because you don't like wearing those things. Either eat in another venue on-board or choose another vacation option.

__________________

I certainly hope that your comments were not directed at me.

What I hear most often is some variation of "I wear a jacket and tie to work and I don't want to do it on vacation".

Thanks for all your work.

Thank you so much.