Algebralovr

We flew from O'Hare to Venice, with a fast transfer in Zurich in June, followed by Istanbul to Chicago via Frankfurt. I was paying for a family of 5, and when they offered us an upgrade at the gate for the first leg from Chicago to Zurich for $500 per person, I didn't want to spend the cash and figured "how bad could it be?"

After we got home, DH and I decided that the next time we have that long a flight, we will book business at a minimum no matter what. Coach is just fine for a 3 to 4 hour flight within the US. For the really long flight? I'll spend the extra cash. I won't pay it for the kids, but by the time we can do another trip overseas, the kids should have jobs and can upgrade if they decide they want to.

One major recommendation: if you have a dietary requirements, make sure you pre-order a meal ahead of time! Next time, we definitely will!

Right now, my cruises consist of finding warmth in the middle of winter. Being from Missouri, we get some crazy winters. Since my goal is sunshine and warm weather, it means Caribbean. We've done 3 February cruises, and have 2 more booked. Love the S - class ships, and I no longer care what island we see.

One cruise I want to do is the Panama Canal, but timing is everything. Currently, Celebrity does not do the canal during my vacation window, and I refuse to sail on a line that allows smoking inside any public areas where I might have to smell it. As a result, I'm waiting to sail the Canal. Hopefully in a couple of years, either Celebrity will send a ship through when I can go, or another line will modernize their smoking regs. A friend keeps telling me that Princess is just as good, but yet they still allow smoking in the casino. I'm looking forward to seeing the next round of offerings.

Another consideration is our family. With 2 college-age children, we need to come up with a good idea to get them to join us. Even though it is the most expensive week of the year to cruise, we decided that new years in 2015-2016 would be worth it. There is nothing material they want, and memories are worth a lot. We've invited them to join us on a family cruise. The issue is that now we need to think about them bringing a SO.

Hollywood beach. Rent a bike or two, relax on the beach, have a nice lunch before heading to the airport.

Last November we used SAS Transportation to get back and forth from Port of Miami to FLL airport. It was a van that held approximately 12 people. It is $15 a person each way. But it was very easy; I made my reservation and they picked us up in a timely manner. Website is www.ridesas.com and phone is 954-600-0240.

SAS can only pick you up from the Port of Miami if they took you to the Port of Miami. You can book a round trip or one way from FLL to POM.

SAS is a shared van service, rather than a town car service as requested by the OP. The shared van services tend to run about $15 per person from POM to FLL. SAS is happy to run just the POM to FLL for a passenger, no round trip needed.

OP, hopefully you headed over to the Florida board where someone can actually answer your question. I would expect a private town car service to cost around $125, since a cab is usually $75-$90 plus gratuity.

No balcony discounts on Celebrity.

They did just fine with food allergies - as long as you remind them every night when you place your order for the next day.

My DD (age 20) is allergic to a lot of foods, including peanut, rice, soy, melon (including eggplant) apples and oranges. After the first couple of days, we didn't remind the Asst Matre'D of her allergies as she had them written down and there is such a long list. The second to last night, she placed her order as usual. The next evening, they brought out her dish and it had eggplant on it. It was diced and part of the entree. We were reprimanded for not telling the Asst Matre'D, to which I countered, "it is on the list you read off the first couple of nights. It is not my fault that the entree included a vegetable that was not listed in the menu." She did whisk it away and bring out a fresh entree after a few minutes that was without eggplant. We are lucky that we've never needed the epi-pen, and that DD carries liquid Benedryl everywhere and responds to it well, plus she is old enough to know what she can and cannot have, and can tell by just a touch most of the time.

We had taken cards where the allergens were translated into Italian, Greek and Turkish with us, since we were visiting those countries, so that we could just hand them over. It worked well. If peanut is the only allergy, it should be easy.

Best place to look is on the Florida board, http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=495

However, if the cruise DEPARTS from San Juan, you can join it at the next port.

Again, it is unlikely. While San Juan is US territory and no passport is needed to embark and disembark there, the closed loop rules still apply. If someone joins the ship at the next port, which probably does require a passport unless it is the USVI, the rest of the passengers are on a closed loop cruise with no passports required.

More paperwork would still be required by the ship, therefore they are likely to deny it.

We actually looked into this last year. In general, people are told no when they ask to join late or leave early. The reason has to do with open vs closed loop cruise, and that if someone joins late, then not everyone is on a closed loop cruise. In instances where there is a major storm and lots of people miss the ship, the cruise line does the extra paperwork and the US Government works with them, but not for one or two people in general.

One more thing, you may also need permission in writing from the other parent since he is under 18.

If the learners permit is issued as a card by the state, then it, along with birth certificate should be enough.

That said, at 17, you have plenty of time to get him a passport, so that there is no question. It will last for 10 years. A passport is good for all kinds of things - like when he gets a job it is the only document needed.

The ship will wait if at all possible. A friend of mine was on an excursion many years ago that involved a boat. The boat broke down and had to be towed back to shore. The excursion was 3 hours late returning. The ship had to vacate the port spot, but they parked out away from the shore and dropped anchor, waiting for the 25 people on the excursion to return. The people on the excursion were tendered out to the ship.

Please take original containers. There have been horror stories from people where customs has dumped their meds - as if they really know what they are looking for.

If all your containers are the 90 day supply size, you can ask your pharmacy for extra labels and small bottles, or ask the Dr to write you a 2 week Rx.

Why don't you mail the grandkids a postcard from Ft Lauderdale that has a beach photo on it before you leave? Then, pick up postcards along the way and bring them home to the kids to receive when you get back. That way, they get something from you while you are gone, but also get the island ones.

We have come up with a rule that we only fill the large suitcase with the amount of stuff that will fit in the little 20 - inch. That lets us bring home just about anything we want.

For wine, pack in a plastic zipper bag, then either in the cardboard packing box, or roll each bottle in a pair of jeans and pack in the center of the suitcase. Just a matter of watching the weight to make sure the bag isn't too heavy.

It is basically a worthless promotion.

I'll be in the Caribbean on Reflection, doing the eastern run. There are only 3 port stops: San Juan, St Thomas, and St Martin. I've been to all of them previously. While I may book a ship's excursion in St Thomas, I have no plans to do so at either of the others.

In general, the frozen drinks are not usually covered on the classic package.

There have been reports of people able to downgrade the package to what you are actually seeking once on board, but plenty of people have also been told no.

On the other hand, you might find a bartender willing to make you a virgin frozen drink anyway and cover it under your classic package. There is just no way to know for certain.

There will likely be a lot of children on the cruise, since it is the week of Christmas. I don't have any that young, though. So I cannot say for certain what they will do with them. I have read that the children the ages of yours always have a good time.

I did see a bunch of them on the basketball court over the summer that looked around 10-14 or so. They seemed to be having fun. Celebrity also has some electronic game systems in the kids club/ teen rooms. X-box I believe. But the other things that are on the Royal Caribbean ships are not present.

The last couple of years, I have seen prices drop just after final payment, which means right about now. If you need more space, you might see if there are any of the family veranda rooms left. They reserve them for families of 5 until about now.

While I wouldn't switch to late dining for $50, I would be tempted for $150. For $300, I would almost certainly switch.

All a matter of priorities.

With the OBC, I could book a couple of meals in specialty restaurants, and on days when I just couldn't stand to wait, I could, just go to the buffet.

Go to any pharmacy, they are represented with a green cross, and ask the pharmacist what he or she recommends.

Chances are, they will, hand you a box of something.

what country are you a resident of? If you are a resident of the United States, and you are able to get a post paid cell phone, I recommend you speak with T Mobile. The cost for one month will be around 50, but will include all your texts, unlimited internet at 3G speeds, and if you need to make any phone calls, they are only 20 cents per minute.

We were in Venice in June.

In your situation, I believe I would go straight to check-in, drop your bags and get your ship cards, then go see San Marco. All you will have time to do is go see the plaza, point out a few things, and head back to the ship.

The Vaporetto will cost each of you €7 each way. You might be able to purchase a pass for less, but as short a time as you'll be there, maybe not.

Keep in mind that the stops at Plaza San Marco are very busy. We had to wait a couple of times to catch the next one, because there were so many people. You also need to leave plenty of time to get there and back because of the speeds involved. Everyone just moves at a slower pace.

I also recommend you take a few hundred euros, in case you are running late and need to take a taxi directly back to make all-aboard time. You may need to be back on board as early as 3 or 330 in the afternoon.

Southwest is re-working a number of their schedules. The flight home that we have booked the last couple of years is now gone. They are no longer flying out of some airports as well.

My guess is that the cost of the airfare has gone up in price, but they will simply move you even though the cost is more, without charging you more. If you wish to change flights again later, you will pay any difference in fare.

We were thinking of doing this on our own. I had read that their were cabs with bilingual drivers, available at the pier, who could take you where you wanted to go, and wait for you, for a nominal price. Maybe called STEP cabs? Do you know of this, and do you think it is practical?

What were you thinking of doing on your own?

I did not really see cabs at the museum or locks, but I wasn't really looking. There was a ticket required to enter both. That was included in the cost of the tour through the ship.

If you are planning to do the transit tour, you MUST book it through the ship. My understanding is they sell all available seats to the cruise ships when a cruise ship is in town.

You will drive through some not so nice parts of town on the way. Apparently, everyone knows not to mess with the tour buses, though. I've heard of people doing cabs, but I think I would do an organized tour, either through the ship or through someone found on here or another tourist board.

Hi, We are in the process of booking the Solstice for a 7 day Alaska cruise in May out of Seattle. The room number is 1158. Does anyone know if it is a good one?

 

Is Concierge Class worth it?

 

Is the cruise post located anywhere near the port where the Clipper from Canada comes in?

 

The only dining option that is available is 8 30 pm. Does that mean that we will miss the shows? Is there not anywhere else to eat if wanted to eat earlier?

 

Thanks we have never sailed Celebrity before, (in fact have only cruised onece before on Oceania) But want to try something different.

There is a sticky at the top of the page where you can see comments about specific rooms.

The opinions about Concierge Class vs standard Veranda are all over the place. Some consider it worth it, but only if barely a cost difference. Please read the description and decide for yourself. You can also search these boards for opinions.

The 8:30 seating means you will often see the show before dinner. The shows are definitely planned to allow you to see them, though. If you wish to eat earlier, there is the buffet, the Bistro on Five, which has a small ($7 per person I believe) charge, room service (free) or the specialty restaurants which have a higher fee.

Thanks, that's exactly what I wanted to know :). I think the kids will be most interested with seeing the actual mechanics of the operation. Was it the Gatun Locks you visited?

Yes, it was the Gatun locks. I would send your teens online to http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panama_Canal_locks to read before taking them, so that they know what they are about to see. It will mean a lot more that what they probably learned in their social studies class.

While watching a ship actually transit, we heard announcements as they explained the process. Announcements were given in English and Spanish. Let your kids know they will need to listen closely to understand what is being said.