dread_pirate

I was on a Celebrity 5-day Caribbean cruise, during the 123 Go promotion, which means that most people had their alcohol package offered for free (as did we). I didn't see any more drunks than normal. (Not during Spring Break, true, but probably more people had the package than would have if they had had to pay for it.)

We loved the food in the MDR on Celebrity Reflection, and were not impressed with the food in Blu on the Celebrity Constellation (same class as the Millenium). Reflection compared favorably to the Coral Princess and the Caribbean Princess MDRs.

You can also get non-driver IDs for your teens from your state's DMV.

It would really depend on the cost and the number of seats. If it was an $800 tour with six seats, it would be a lot to absorb that single. I might tell the single that they were welcome if I could find another single or a trio, but if I had two couples, sorry unless they wanted to buy both seats.

 

If I were a single I would expect to pay for both seats unless another single could be found.

So you'd cancel the tour if you couldn't find the other couple? Personally, I'd rather have 5 than 4.

I guess I'm in the minority, but we really enjoyed the "bar-less" area on the Reflection. It tended to be quieter, less crowded, and shaded. A perfect location if you wanted to be outside and not in a lounger. I didn't like the bar in that area on the Constellation; the location was always packed!

Yes, you can use the Alcohol Drink Package at Princess Cays ... just like on the ship. :D

 

Note: The "soda package" can NOT be used there but you can get a can of Coke, etc. on your Alcohol Package at no cost.

 

If you do not have an Alcohol Package, drinks are charged on your "cruise card" ... same as on the ship.

 

LuLu

~~~

Just one more Note: You can use the Ultimate Soda Package for mocktails and juices on Princess Cays. Just not for soda.

missed ports etc /quote]

Please note that no insurer will pay for missed ports. They may pay the costs of excursions if non-refundable, but they won't pay anything because you didn't get to see Port A and either had to go to Port B or have another sea day.

I have read exactly that scenario:

Passenger 1 pays $1000, say.

Passenger 2 pays $1000 in same cabin.

Passenger 1 cancels, gets reimbursed by insurance.

Passenger 2 should be OK, since cruise company still has $2000 for the cabin, so there should be no effect on Passenger 2.

Wrong.

Cruise company keeps Passenger 1's $1000 (or $500 if in the 50% period), and Passenger 2 gets charged the extra $1000 for the single supplement (if it's a 100% supplement).

Passenger 1 wins with insurance.

Cruise company wins with 3X the per person fare.

Passenger 2, if without insurance, is scrod.

I use BurnOut, also on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/BurnOut-Eco-sensitive-Zinc-Oxide-Sunscreen/dp/B001B9RGVU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1394398738&sr=8-3&keywords=burnout+sunscreen

It doesn't feel greasy, and doesn't leave that white zinc oxide residue.

We just got off a 5 day on the Connie, and am looking at the Summit for a 7 day to Bermuda. Can someone compare the two ships? Activities, size, pools, food? Is there more than one pool on the Summit?

Thanks.

I gave my little cousin a silver Sharpie and my black suitcase, and told him to have fun! Decorations don't come off like tags or ribbons can, and they're definitely unique!

I have a question - why do the insurance carriers require you to buy the insurance so many days after initial deposit? We took the cruise line insurance when we booked our cruise, but after reading about better coverage at a lower rate,I was thinking about switching. We have not had to pay for the cruise line insurance; it's not due till final payment, so why would third-party require it be bought so far in advance? Why couldn't you purchase at any point up to final payment?

 

 

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You can. In fact, you can also buy it from some carriers after final payment. But some provisions may be different.

Many of the insurers require that you buy it within a certain number of days to get the "cancel for any reason" coverage or pre-existing condition coverage. (CSA will cover pre-existing conditions if bought on or before final payment.) This is to minimize "adverse selection" - buying the insurance only after you've had some sort of event that could cause you to cancel.

Not true, actually. This may apply to most ports within the 7-day cruise range of Florida, but not worldwide.

We sailed from Whittier, Alaska. Our first stop was Skagway, Alaska. I wasn't even allowed to bring my coffee off the ship with me, and we hadn't even left the same state! Never did quite understand that one.

SHIP: Constellation

CABIN #: 9065

DECK #: 9

CLASS: Aqua

AREA: Midship

BED: Near bathroom

QUIET?: Mostly

VIEW: Unobstructed

BALCONY SIZE: Normal

PROBLEMS/COMMENTS: There was a stewards' closet directly across from the cabin. Noise each morning from about 7:30-8:00. Tough if you're a light sleeper and like to sleep late. No water problems with shower.

I have 9065, under the spa cafe. Hoping it'll be quiet! I'll try to report back.I generally like having covered balconies, so that shouldn't be a problem.

We went on the Reflection and expected it to be like a Dim Sum restaurant, where each order would be the same size regardless of how many people there were at the table. So we simply ordered more plates, so that we could taste different things. Some plates we ordered 2 so that there would be enough for everyone who wanted a taste.

Boy, were we wrong! They size the plates for the number of people! We were a group of 8; each dish could feed 8 by itself. There were 16 sushi lollipops, 8 sliders, 8 pieces of filet. Being in a larger group didn't allow you to taste more without waste. Finally we had to cancel a number of dishes because we were stuffed!

I wish they'd do it the other way (say, 4 sushi no matter how many people) and let you order more if you with.

Alamo and National do.

Interesting though that the languages change on some of the channels - as we approached St. Thomas, TNT began transmitting in Portuguese - very strange to watch an American movie on an American channel dubbed in Portuguese. Another US station that we get in English transmitted solely in Spanish.

I made my way through the Molecular bar menu AND the Martini bar menu on the Reflection! :D

But don't try to do that on the Classic plan - the drinks at the Molecular Bar & Martini Bar aren't included.

I would like to know the name of the store....please!

It's Ajanta Jewelers. But beware - you'll still end up spending a lot of money, because their stock is beautiful, even though worth it! Hard to resist if you like jewelry!

http://www.ajantajewelers.com

Do you have to bring your own towels? And are there changing rooms to use before you go back to the ship?

We just did Traditional Late on the Reflection in December and loved it. We like sitting at a larger table to meet new folks, and having waitstaff who remember us. We tend to be late eaters and late risers anyway, so this worked for us (although I would have preferred 7:45 to 8:30).

We stay at LaQuinta Ft Lauderdale Airport. Large clean rooms, free shuttle to/from airport, continental breakfast, $8 pp transfer to the port. We're there in Feb (also high season), and it's $180.

But we wonder if the so-called "appraisal" is even a bigger con. Think of it, the appraiser normally charges based on the value so they have an incentive to inflate the value.

This is considered unethical, BTW. An appraiser should work by time (and yes, they can inflate the time they spend), or as a flat fee.

I've been under the impression there are not that many independent GIA certified gem appraisers who do not work for insurers or for jewelry stores. Have I been mistaken?

 

How do they earn their living? I wouldn't think they would have that much business from people attempting to prove a jewelry store cheated them.

 

Thanks.

 

I just had some jewelry, purchased in St. Thomas, appraised by an independent appraiser. Yes, he does appraisals for insurers (the reason I hired him), and for jewelers, and as an expert witness in court, when there is a dispute about the value of a piece as there often is in estate valuations or insurance disputes. (He doesn't always testify for the insurer; sometimes he testifies for the plaintiff.) He doesn't work for any of them, and is paid by the client, not the insurance company. Google "independent diamond appraisers" or "independent jewelry appraisers" and you should be able to find them.

Now, I did not buy these pieces at DI, or at any place recommended by the cruise ship. I bought them at a small jeweler off the main street, recommended by friends. The pieces are beautiful, and I love them anyway. The jewelers treated us wonderfully, even merging two pieces to create a custom piece for me while I waited.

The upshot? We paid 33-50% less than the independent appraised value. The appraiser looked at the work, not just the stones, and said, "It takes a lot to impress me. I'm impressed."

My DH asked if I liked them more because of the appraisal? I said No, but it's nice to know I wasn't taken.

I don't know if it's against CC's rules to post the store's name. If not, and anyone wants to know it, I'll be happy to post it.

We sailed from Whittier, AK. Our first stop was Skagway, AK. Even though we never left the state, we weren't permitted to bring even coffee off the ship!