ChucktownSteve
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Posts posted by ChucktownSteve
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Hello Steve,
Please be assured that safety is our number one concern. Our team is constantly monitoring the situation.
Our next calls in Istanbul are July 2017, and then October 2018.
Should a change in itinerary be deemed prudent, booked guests will be advised.
I understand Bonnie. I appreciate your response. I feel Azamara is more guest concerned than her other two sister lines. Your position and actions appear to reinforce that. The X blogger only cuts and pastes responses from their web site like a bot. :eek:
One person on our July 22, 2017 roll call out of Istanbul reported this morning receiving an email changing the embarkation port to Athens. However since your offices are closed today, my TA hasn't been able to confirm. I haven't received the email yet. The web site and booking entry haven't been updated online yet either.
Thank you for all you do in customer relations. I am so looking forward to our first AZ cruise. Wish it were sooner now.
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A new travel warning was issued for Istanbul today by the Consulate General of the United States. The tourist dock area was specifically warned.
Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens: Credible Threats to Public Squares and Docks in Istanbul and Antalya
April 9, 2016
The U.S. Mission in Turkey would like to inform U.S. citizens that there are credible threats to tourist areas, in particular to public squares and docks in Istanbul and Antalya. Please exercise extreme caution if you are in the vicinity of such areas. For your personal safety, we urge you to monitor local media.
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Two double espressos each morning works for me. :)
Yeah and many times I get there and have to wait for them to open. Sea days it's not until 7; 6:30 on port days. ugh. So late.
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I find the coffee in the buffet to be harsh. I LUV Cafe al Bacio. I don't drink milk/creamer in my coffee so I get the Americano. My DW orders decaf.
Sometimes I get flavored syrups. The other times I get a shot added of Tia Maria (coffee liquor) or Amaretto (almond liquor). But you can get Baileys or any of the other liquors displayed on the back counter for FREE with the Classic Drinks package. A skinny is made with fat free milk. As someone said earlier, there's also almond milk.
You don't need any package to order their wonderful cakes, pastries and cookies at Cafe al Bacio because they're all free all the time.
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Just sayin', I hope people don't confuse the newbie Chucktowncruiser with me. :)
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As long as we're putting in requests, let's add Charleston to the mix. I've always wanted to sail out of there.
I like Charleston. It's a great lifestyle city to live in or visit. However I disagree with you about embarking/disembarking here as it is presently configured. I've done it twice. Once on the Celebrity Mercury and once on Carnival.
The current cruise terminal is too small. Also you have to be shuttled to the terminal because of homeland security so no walk ups or drop offs. That means lugging your carry-on bags on the shuttles as well. The shuttles are mostly tour vehicles with no space for luggage.
They've been trying to get a new terminal built further up the peninsula but the environmental wackos and elitist downtown residents don't want any ships here. So they're fighting the new terminal.
That being said, I did love the convenience of a friend dropping us off at the port without driving or flying out of town. I also enjoyed the Celebrity cruise very much once we left the dock. :-D
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Oh yeah I know it must be right, I read it on the internet!!!!!!
Conservative AND liberal organizations post "facts" that aren't true but if you repeat a lie enough, people believe it and it "becomes" true.
When I was in high school debate I learned you can find countless quotes for BOTH sides of an argument. Many can be from the same source. You just use the ones that prove your resolution.
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I would be more concerned going to the USA than Europe. While tragic and unacceptable the number of people killed in Europe is minuscule in relation to the population. I don't have the exact figure for 2015 but it is in the hundreds. This compares to over 50,000 incidences of gun crime and 12,000 deaths in the US.
What is your source for this claim? It's ridiculous to make a blanket statement without examining the incident break outs.
A recent study published in the Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy concluded that there is a negative correlation between gun ownership and violent crime in countries internationally (more guns = less crime).
Nations with strict gun control laws have substantially higher murder rates than those who do not in general. In fact, the 9 European nations with the lowest gun ownership rate have a combined murder rate 3x that of the 9 European nations with the highest gun ownership rate!
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When I got on the Connie in February, the first bar I hit was the sunset aft. I liked the way the bartender operated so I upgraded my package with him since he got credit. Then two days in I palmed him a $5. A couple of days later I palmed him another $5 for additional reasons.
I got fantastic service from day one and my Walker Black on the rocks were always doubles without asking. As I approached the bar he was reaching for my bottle.
IMO It's a combination of your attitude, personality and of course gratuities.
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Happy April Fool's Day! :p
Yep. good catch
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You would pay less for Concierge than 1A which is I think Aqua which would include meals in Blu and a couple other perks.
FYI, A1 is Aqua Class. 1A (deluxe oceanview) is below concierge class.
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Have they made internet free on any of the ships yet???;):confused:
Yes. It was free for everyone on the Constellation in February.
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I know it's April 1st, but from the Celebrity marketing I've seen, I wouldn't be surprised if this was an actual plan to replace the freshly squeezed orange juice. :D MARCO....
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A year ago we cruised from Rome to Lisbon via Monte Carlo and two Spain ports. We would have been charged VAT from waters entering Barcelona until Lisbon had we purchased anything on board. The only reason we weren't charged on purchases before entering Spanish waters was because Monte Carlo is not considered an EU country for VAT purposes even though they do have ties to the EU.
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We now have to pay a VAT tax for anything purchased on the ship? :eek: :rolleyes: :mad:
It's complicated but YES if the ship embarks and disembarks in Spain you do for the entire cruise. If the cruise includes a non EU port, then I believe you only have to pay the Spanish VAT while in their waters. It's a pretty complicated scenario depending upon the ports.
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I think I am on the same cruise on July 22. If they are already cancelling 2016 itineraries, of course they would do the same for 2017. Our big issue is whether we would cancel before Azamara makes a decision on what they are going to do. Too bad because we got such a great deal when we booked this cruise almost nine months ago.
I'm thinking if I fly Choice Air in the same day and they miss the Istanbul embarkation due to a flight delay or AZ changes the embarkation to another port, I'll be covered to either the next port or new embarkation. As long as I get on the ship I'll be happy. Just not thrilled about Turkey at this point.
But if I am killed in a terrorist attack, I'll never speak to Bonnie again! :p
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If I go to Turkey am I more likely to be hit by lightning or a terrorist attack? I want factual numbers only please.
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Patriots Point parking is still $5 per vehicle but they're not renting a car so Trucker Dave that's for your info. :)
There's a new exhibit on the Laffey...the CIC Combat Information Center. They're also working on the engine room exhibits on both the Yorktown and Laffey. I can check to see their status if you want to know.
The Yorktown has five self guided tour routes with about 28 historic aircraft on property. There's also the official Medal of Honor Museum in Hangar Bay II.
The B25 bomber that was hung from the ceiling in Hangar Bay III on the Yorktown was lowered to the deck this morning. It was live streamed online. Here is a link to the archive file. Since it lasted a few hours, you may want to fast forward.
http://livestream.com/patriotspointlive/events/5049542
Tomorrow they'll be live streaming the movement within the Hangar bay III.
Here's a link to that which starts at 7:15am thru 1pm.
http://livestream.com/patriotspointlive/events/5078594
Just in case you're interested. :cool:
teknoge3k, if you wait until evening for the carriage tour, you will be restricted to the commercial district only. The city regulates the tour hours into the residential zones which I believe has the last carriages leaving at 4:30 or 5:00pm. Ask the carriage company to be sure. I'd suggest you go into the residential areas for a more interesting tour.
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We are cruising out of Charleston next February. I tend to get bogged down in details, and I started looking for hotels. We are flying 2 days ahead, so that adds a different wrinkle to our situation. We will be DH, DS, DIL, 2 grandkids and myself. We are meeting others who will be driving in.
My first thought was to stay in West Ashley and take a shuttle to downtown. Once I really started looking at rooms and what was in the downtown I started to rethink. I was able to book a 2 bedroom suite at Embassy Suites for $300. That will accommodate our entire party. to book two rooms anywhere else will cost that.
We will be nearer to the sights and more choices of restaurants. Of course, I will still look at other options, (because that's what I do!) but I feel fairly comfortable I've made a good choice.
If you're happy with the rate and accommodations then you've made a very good choice. It is a good property and centrally located. You're only one block away from the Charleston Visitors Center.
In their bus shed, you can take one of several van tours of the downtown area if you like. Also on the John Street side is a DASH Trolley stop for all three FREE Dash routes. Here's a link to their route map and timetable.
http://www.ridecarta.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/DASH_MapsR3.pdf
The orange route takes you to the Aquarium and Maritime Center. If you want to go to Patriots Point across the river, you can take the water taxi for $10/pp all day that drops you off at the Naval & Maritime Museum.
The green DASH route takes you to the City Market area, Broad Street, King Street and Meeting Street.
I hope y'all enjoy your Charleston visit prior to your cruise.
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I forgot to mention that our Carta DASH public trolley system is FREE in downtown Charleston. http://www.ridecarta.com/riding-carta/visitors
You can download their route map in PDF format here. It also has the route's timetables.
http://www.ridecarta.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/DASH_MapsR3.pdf
The orange route goes from the Downtown Visitors Center to the Aquarium Wharf & Maritime Center. The green Route takes you to the Market Area and Broad Street and goes past the Cruise Terminal. All the routes intersect at the John's street stop across from the Hampton Inn Historic District John Street lobby exit.
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We have cruised out of Charleston several times. Our next cruise is May 19th and my husband will be bringing his scooter. Can anyone please guide us from parking to the ship with a scooter? What I'm referring to is after we park and are waiting on the shuttle, what next with a scooter? Thanks in advance for your help! Linda
There will be a scooter capable van, from what I understand, to take you to the terminal. You'll also have a special entrance to board the ship. Don't worry. You're not the first people to show up with a scooter. Besides, they don't want to get in trouble for not accommodating. :D
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Spritline Cruises is the only company that can take you TO Ft. Sumter, which is part of the National Park system. The others can only take you close but you can't swim there.
Since you'll be staying at the Hampton on Meeting Street at John Street, right across from the official Charleston Visitors Center, it's a short walk to Aquarium Wharf at the end of Calhoun Street. You can either board the Ft. Sumter tour there and see their displays or take the Charleston Water Taxi one block down from the Maritime Center over to Patriots Point where you can board the same company's other departure point. It's only a $10 all day pass. Check to see if your hotel has a van that will drop you off?
http://www.fortsumtertours.com/
http://www.charlestonwatertaxi.com/
Since you're there, if you're interested you can get admission to Patriots Point as someone mentioned.
https://www.patriotspoint.org/
You may be interested in taking a van tour of Charleston. They all leave from the Visitors Center Bus Shed across from your hotel on John Street.
The restaurants people mentioned are nice but expensive. You're only one block from King Street. There are several restaurants and bars there. One that comes to mind is Fish. Right next to your hotel is 39 Rue De Jean. Behind that down an alley is a sister restaurant Coast Bar & Grill. They also own Virginia's on King. Hall's Chop House is also right around the corner from your hotel on King.
Then Juanita Greenberg's Nacho Royale is across from Halls. There are more up a couple of blocks.
I'd suggest visiting the restaurant's web sites and view their menus to decide which you would prefer since taste/price is subjective.
Hope this helps a little
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I use TSA locks with mini zip ties. I don't use the zip ties for security but more to let me know if someone (like a baggage handler) opened the TSA lock to get inside. I'm sure some have those keys as well even if not supposed to.
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I don't have an updated list, but we're staying at Mainstay Suites in Mount Pleasant. It was $120 for 2 queen beds. No breakfast (I'd rather eat at Cracker Barrel anyway) and you can catch an Uber to port.
Are you doing a park & cruise package or are you getting a regular room and they'll let you leave your car?
Many times a hotel raises the price for the "free" parking package that actually winds up being more with transportation than the regular room rate and parking at the port for a short five day cruise.
Charleston HELP
in East Coast Departures
Posted
There is a walk up tent at the parking lot at the end of Market Street where they should take your luggage and also shuttle you the block to the terminal.
Did you go to the CARTA web site to see the schedules of the bus routes and stops?
The taxis and hotel shuttles have a separate port entrance than the general public who's parking so it's not that long a wait as you might expect. If so, you can always get out and pay the cabbie then walk your luggage the few feet to the porters. :-)