Algebralovr

Hi Andy,:) he probably meant longer crusies...you know how Galaxy

and Millennium used to do 10/11 nighters out of San Juan.....they

stopped doing those cruises.

 

I'm hoping they bring those back. I can take up to 2 weeks off of work. More than that and I come back to a real mess. I experienced it in June. If I do the 14 night Eclipse, it means flying down on Friday, so just over 2 weeks - barely doable. The 11 night Equinox cruise we did this year was perfect. It also meant I had the weekend to recover from the trip home.

 

This year, we are doing two weeks on Reflection, but have to do the same trip twice due to limitations on the weeks I can go. Next year, we are doing Silhouette and doing an eastern and western B2B. Friends who can only do 7 nights are joining us for 1 week. I'd love to do 11 nights again, though.

 

One of these days, I want to do the canal, but can't do it when Infinity is doing them.

You should be fine. I have driven a Dodge Caravan since 1998, and currently have a 2007 model. We fit 5 adults, each with a checked bag and a carry on bag into it for a 7 hour drive from home in mid-MO to O'Hare airport in Chicago. We had 2-24 inch hard suitcases and 3 -24 inch soft ones, plus 2 of the 20 inch TravelPro, 2 large backpacks, and a tote bag. We also had a couple of smaller bags we left in the van, plus a pair of crutches.

 

We did not put any of the seats down although we did have a couple of backpacks on the back bench seat.

 

I've also fit 3 adults and 2 children, a tent, cooler, 5 sleeping bags, clothing and food for a cross country trip where we camped out along the way. Just be careful packing and unpacking, and plan to use the side mirrors to assist when driving.

 

Have fun!

lois,

one trick i learned from tommy, don't wait that long to find that first libation. Look for the bar closest to guest relations and enjoy your first drink. It cleans of the wear and tear of travel and checking in. And most important, it ensures your card is working before you get to far away from gr

 

this^^^^^^^^!!!!!!!

We were told the same thing. For our trip, we were notified by Celebrity, both via email and phone that we needed them. We had them in hand when we went to check in. Apparently not everyone did, and Celebrity did arrange them for some people.

 

Also, no one ever asked to see our passports or visas when we docked in Kusadesi, and we did take a privately arranged tour to Ephesus. We did an overnight in Istanbul and did not need them when we were considered in transit, but when we disembarked we did need them along with passports.

 

Have a great cruise!

While the Internet cafe was upgraded and now has all new Macs, I do not recall if her Internet is up to the new standards of Reflection or not. In the Med, in June, there were a number of times we could not establish a connection. On the other hand, there were not reports of a total outage on her last TA. I would expect at least some basic coverage.

Heck with waiting for my first beverage after dropping off my bags, I want one with lunch in the Bistro on 5 before they allow us into our cabins!

 

As for the cleanliness of my cabin, I've yet to have a cause to complain about that. I just want to take the steward home to do the same magic on my house!

If you can still get the flights, I would do so. You can board during family boarding after A, before group B. You can take the car seat as long as it is FAA approved.

 

The drive from mid-MO with a 3 year old would start bout OK, but probably be very tiring by the end.

 

If timing works out, you might even take Amtrak to STL or KC and a shuttle to the airport for about the same price as driving and parking.

I have a reservation for February at the Hyatt House Diana. They have a free airport shuttle and told me they had a shuttle to POM for $12 pp.

 

We like the Hyatt Place in Plantation, but a rental car is a must there. This way, we didn't need the car.

Ah, how times have changed!! I remember cruising when 8 months pregnant with one son (now 28), no one said a word. You should have seen me during muster, that was back when they made you wear the life vests. Pretty hilarious!

 

With the son before that, we flew to Hawaii at about the same stage of pregnancy. Had a great time other than the swollen feet issue from the plane flight. On the way back, once we arrived in SF, a woman came up to me and said, "I'm a doctor. I've been watching you all week. Sure glad I didn't have to deliver that baby!!"

 

Love it!

 

OP, most people who are pregnant wait until the end of the first trimester, probably 14-16 weeks, when they start to show, to tell anyone. At 9 weeks, I wouldn't say a word to anyone other than my DH and my mother, since it is in the first 10-12 weeks that the body will make "corrections" if needed.

 

Our best wishes for a happy and healthy pregnancy, and we hope you enjoy being the grandparent!

The rates are on Celebrity's site but a bit hard to find:

• $0.75 cents a minute with no package.
  
• In and Out Package - $24.95 for 38 minutes
  
• In Touch Package - $49.95 for 90 minutes
  
• Informed Package - $99.95 for 208 minutes
  
• Interact Package - $199.95 for 555 minutes
  
• Involved Package - $399.95 for 1666 minutes
  

 

While I've heard some comments that they might be upgrading the service and technology on board, our experience is that it is painfully slow at peak times and every now and then you cannot connect at all.

 

On Equinox in June, they did not offer the 38 minute package. The least expensive package was close to $60, but I don't remember the exact price or number of minutes. They had recently updated the Internet cafe to become an iLounge, and set up new software with the new packages and prices (compared to February on the same ship). I expect that was a test, and it would not surprise me to see the new system roll out fleet wide shortly.

 

The Internet was slow, and often would not connect at all. We got much better service in all the ports with my T-Mobile phone. It provided me Internet everywhere we went except Croatia without additional charge. It might be worth checking that option out.

My family all enjoyed our trip in June so much that I booked three rooms for new years 2015/2016. This was with two young people who said "I never want to take another cruise again" after the one we took on Carnival in 2010. They now have two young adults (currently 18 and 20) as fans. Especially the one currently 20 - they took incredible care of her, food allergies, wheel chair, and all. She is looking forward to being 21, having a beverage package, and trying out the menu at the martini bar in Dec 2015.

 

As for activities staff, I plan to wait and see. The port intensive cruises in the Med are a very different cruise from the relaxed ones in the Caribbean. On the other hand, DH and I make our own fun when we cruise, and really don't participate in all that many of the planned activities. I saw the same in February on Equinox, when only 2 tables showed up for trivia a number of times, and they were practically begging people in the area to participate. All of the sun beds were, however, full of people napping and reading. Maybe there is a reason for the reduction in staff?

As we all know, blockages happen. I'm sorry you were the one it happened to. That said, it sounds like they dealt with it as soon as you notified them of the problem, clearing the blockage and then cleaning the bathroom. After it was cleared and cleaned, you chose not to use the toilet in that bathroom. If it was cleared correctly, it should not have back flushed and all should have been well, but for some reason you chose not to even try to use the majority of that bathroom for over half your cruise.

 

How is this different from a blockage at home? If the toilet backs up, you clear the drain and go on. If the sewer line backs up, you call the guy with the power snake to clean out the line and go on. You use the plumbing as intended once it is cleared. So, why not on the ship?

 

As for the smell of bleach, open the door to the bathroom, open the balcony room, and it should disappear fairly quickly.

 

IMHO, $300 is satisfactory for what you describe, since they dealt with the matter quickly and correctly. I'm actually surprised they didn't just offer you a little bit of OBC and call the matter closed.

Keep in mind that cruise lines price the rooms as per person, double occupancy. If you want to be in a room alone, the price will be different as they will charge a single supplement.

 

Also, they often don't sell guarantee rooms to singles. If you selected a room class and they were showing guarantee price, but you keyed in one passenger, that might kick you out of guarantee room pricing.

Have you considered doing a few days on land on either end of a cruise instead of just cruises? We had a great trip in June, leaving home on June 9, flying on June 10, landing in Venice on June 11, spending a few days in Venice, then a cruise from Venice t o Istanbul, where we disembarked on June 21, and spent a few days there before flying home.

 

Honestly, it was great, but very tiring, I can't imagine two cruises, wanting to see something at every port. We were gone for 2 weeks. We'll go back in a couple of years and see another area.

They ended the special brunch this last spring. We had it in February, and by April it was gone. In June, they had a larger than normal lunch on the last full day with a couple of ice sculptures and a few extra things in the Oceanview cafe. It was a bit of a madhouse.

 

Personally, I had stopped going to the brunch due to all the people. By just having it in Oceanview, I still had to fight my way through the people. One of the restaurant managers mentioned that attendance at the brunch had dropped off.

We are on the Equinox in August and were looking at the Game of Thrones tour by locals that you did. would you recommend it? 3 massive fans of show with me. Is it all walkable or do you need to travel by car/bus? We are unsure whether to go with this tour or just do ipad walking tour.

 

Your GoT fans will be pleased. Tom is easy to work with regarding transportation, just tell him your preference.

Good to know someone on board has a brain. I'm amazed that they will give away the classic package, but won't substitute the premium non-alcoholic package. My DS will be a couple of months shy of the magical age of 21 on his next cruise, and had to take the OBC when what he really wants is the premium non-alcoholic package. Luckily, the extra OBC for booking on board will cover the costs for him and his GF.

That is why I suggested asking what kinds of things they will be teaching while onboard. It all depends on your level of knowledge ahead of time.

It all depends. They seem to deal mostly with inexpensive users, so if you are already an experienced iOS user, I would ask before signing up.

 

I don't think the apple store is all that large on the ship, and on the last cruise that I paid attention, they were actually selling the iPad for more than the US MSRP. I believe the price is good if you are from the UK or somewhere in Europe, but not the US.

We are in the same age bracket as you and love sailing on Celebrity. The cruise is what you make it.

 

There will be plenty of things to do if you want to do them, and plenty of quiet places to relax if that is your preference. Don't expect a constant party atmosphere, but there will be activities if you wish to participate. Usually one evening will be a 70s night and one an 80s night in my experience.

Correct, port fees and taxes should be refunded, along with any prepaid gratuities and excursions.

 

I would insure for the non-refundable cruise fare.

The best way to get the answers you need is to read the luggage FAQ for the airlines you are interested in.

 

For example, Southwest airlines gives their answer at http://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/baggage/special-luggage-pol.html

Southwest-a total looser in my book for a whole lot a reasons. Generally HIGHER prices than you could have booked on a legacy airline MONTHS before Southwest opened their scheduled. AND with a CONFIRMED SEAT. Generally better prices BEFORE Southwest opens their schedule. That is their business model-be the CHEAPEST on the DAY THEY OPEN THEIR SCHEDULE. But legacy airlines have been selling CHEAPER seats (including luggage fees) 3 months BEFORE Southwest opens their schedule.

 

Why didn't you change seats so your DS was not SQUASHED into a seat? I would have thrown a bitch fit if this would have happened to me. Flying 100,000+ plus miles per year gives you a VERY large perspective on the seating. I pick the back of the plane ALWAYS if I have to fly coach (rarely). Why put up with such nonsense???

 

For my annual trip to FLL/MIA, I start pricing seats out about 11 months. I do compare to what WN tends to sell for, after paying luggage fees. Generally, WN is no more expensive, offers a non-stop flight, and works for our schedule. For someone who only uses a plane to travel once or twice a year, it works. The non-stop flights on the legacy airlines tend to be at terrible times of the day from my preferred airport.

 

As for DS on the international flight, he is 18, and choose not to speak up. We didn't realize the guy next to him was taking up some of his space until after the flight was over. There were 5 of us, in a 2 seat configuration, and DS was the one sitting by himself. He tends to just roll with the flow.

FA=flight attendant

 

Hflors, that sounds just horrible.

I have to say I'm not a fan of lap babies, either. But not my business. Glad it worked out for your DH.

 

I do still like the way Southwest does things, compared to assigned seats. My DS was stuck next to a COS when we flew from ORD to Zurich in June. Not only did the guy spill over, he also couldn't work the technology to watch the on board movies. DS managed, but was glad not to be stuck next to a large person on the way home. With assigned states, though, that was just how it was.

To add a little bit to this, we consider the recommended gratuity to be essentially the "resort service fee" that so many properties now charge. We may add more to a server who has provided exceptional service to us in the MDR or to a room steward who has gone above and beyond.

For example, conceriere class and above provides free shoe shine service. Last February, we were in a 2C instead of the C2 we had the year before. I left a note for the room steward to ask if she could get my black pumps shined before dinner that night, along with a $5 bill. We assumed she would speak with one of the CC stewards and borrow the shoe polish and tip them $1 in return, or pass it on to someone else to do for $3 or so. Not exactly, but my shoes looked better than before I set them out. Beyond that, our service was OK, but not as good as the previous three cruises.

The bar servers are apparently paid a token, and get 15% of the sales charged to them. Plus, some of us provide extra tips (in cash) to our favorites who take extra good care of us.