smd8z

I have gathered a few recommendations for Miami port hotels from this board (Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay, Hampton Inn and Suites Bricknell, Intercontinental, etc). But does anyone know if the areas where they are located are easy to push a wheelchair to a restaurant with outdoor seating? Bonus if you don't have to walk more than a 1/4 mile from hotel to restaurant.

Thank you!

Does anyone have a recommendation for a private transfer from the Miami port to Miami airport? We are traveling on a Celebrity cruise with someone who is in a collapsible wheelchair but can get up into a seat in a van/car. We don't want to take a shared shuttle since she needs extra time. Thank you!

16 hours ago, CruiserBruce said:

If you look, it's discussed here frequently. 11am, maybe a little earlier if you can get off the ship early by status or cabin level, carry your own bags, and catch the first cab you see.

Thank you! I found a few discussions about international travel and traveling with kids and figured a noon flight is probably ok.

Never cruised out of Miami before and am not sure what flight time is safe for day of debarkation? We are flying out of MIA domestic. Thank you!

Question for those who have been to Key West before. We are traveling with someone in a wheelchair who can take a few steps to get in and out of buses, etc. However, she needs her wheelchair for everything else. Is the Trolly tour something that we could do ? What about just pushing her in the wheelchair from the port around Key West? If anyone has any advise, I would appreciate it!

38 minutes ago, NewWestwardbound said:

No speciality dining include in a Sky Suite; only included in Royal Suite and above. You can purchase speciality dining separately at additional cost, either for a single meal or buy a package. 

Thank you! This helps a lot. I will go ahead and purchase dining at the one specialty restaurant my mom really wants to visit. Luminae is included though, correct? Do you need reservations for that?

11 minutes ago, LGW59 said:

Retreat includes all that you mentioned.  Unfortunately the cruise planner is not in sync with the confirmed booking reservation.  Don’t worry about it and don’t add any of those options, you’re already covered.

Thank you! Odd that they wouldn't have the cruise planner in sync. Any idea if specialty dining is included at the specialty restaurants? I know Luminae is included. 

11 minutes ago, GRBlizz said:

Hey, we're taking Silhouette in an accessible Sky Suite as well, the October 20 TA! If you're before us, you can give us feedback, and if not, we can give you feedback! (Or if you're on our cruise, hi neighbor!)

 

We get the Premium Drinks package, which covers the entire ship (except minibar - have that emptied first thing). My reservation is also showing tips as due, but I am not fussed about it as I know they are included. 

 

Hope you enjoy it! This will also be our first time in a suite since they added Retreat amenities, so I will follow this thread to see what you learn!

Thank you! We are cruising in January, so I might pick your brain after your cruise! Any idea if the specialty dining is included? Again, its showing that I can add that in the reservation online....? I know Luminae is included, I was wondering more about the other specialty dining restaurants.

First time cruising on Celebrity and I've seen conflicting information about what is actually included with the Retreat Sky Suite we booked on the Silhoutte. On the website it says:

"As a guest of The Retreat, you’ll also enjoy a long list of thoughtfully curated amenities that start with four newly added perks*—premium drinks, premium Wi-Fi, tips, and an onboard credit to spend almost any way you like." and "Enjoy your favorite beverages throughout the ship. Whether in your suite, out exploring or relaxing by the pool."

However, after reading the boards it seems that maybe alcoholic drinks are only included in the Retreat but once you move else in the ship, they are not included. Can someone confirm? My reservation is also allowing me to add gratuities but according to the info above, tips are already included....?

1 hour ago, CILCIANRQTS said:

Some will protest, but we’ve always had a good experience at Barrachina.

Tasty drinks and authentic PR food, casual atmosphere, always a lot of locals, which is a good sign.

Thank you! Any idea how long the walk is from the port to Barrachina?

Are there any beaches recommended for someone using a scooter (she can walk short distances on the sand but would need to scooter from the taxi to the beach. I had heard Magens was good. Any idea about Emerald Beach or Water Island?

Thanks for all the replies! Sounds like we either need to take the Park Service Shuttle or stay near the port. We are only in port from 4-11pm so perhaps I will look into a good restaurant near the port. If anyone has some great recs for restaurants, let me know!

We will be in St Thomas (Celebrity Equinox) in March and traveling with my sister who uses a knee scooter (MS). Is there anything close to port? The accessible tour is already sold out, so we are trying to see if we can do something on our own which doesn't require her to have to scoot too far. Thanks!

Traveling in a few months with my sister (MS) who uses a foldable knee scooter. We would love to see the fort close to port but I am unsure how her knee scooter will do (and how far it is). Anyone have experience with this? Many thanks!

Thank you for all the replies! I love reading everyone's responses. And now I have a list of ships and itineraries I really want to try!

15 hours ago, BarbinMich said:

I agree.  Can't imagine what it's like on mega ships such as Anthem OTS.  The focus on such ships seems to be inward, i.e. "eek" try to forget you're at sea <g>.  I miss not having a true promenade deck on the Regal/Royal Princess.  Nothing like sitting in a deck chair looking out to the ocean while at sea, hoping to see a sea bird or something more interesting like a dolphin!

Do any of the "newer" ships have a true promenade deck? That is one thing I absolutely love. We were on the Epic and I hated not having a place to just sit outside.

I'm curious what everyone's favorite ship and itinerary has been and why. We have only cruised twice (one Disney and one NCL) and would love to hear everyone's opinions! 

We just sailed Epic last week and were lucky enough to make it to the island (the few cruises before us couldn't tender the boats because of rough seas...?). In any case, I was surprised that they didn't give out maps of GSC. We have been to other cruise line private islands, and usually they hand out maps. Luckily, the signs around the island and the people working there were helpful in making our way around. Also, we met a group that rented a cabana and I believe they said it was around $300, so the $315 price on the website sounds correct.

Thanks for the review!

Anyone know how the Epic is doing? She left PC yesterday and I am wondering if they are sticking to the original itinerary or if they needed to change it again.

1 hour ago, Mike D. said:

No, Spa treatments do not include use of the Thermal Spa.  Sorry.

Thank you for the information!

For those who have booked a Spa treatment while on board. Are you allowed to use the Thermal Spa after your treatment? Or is the Thermal Spa only accessed with the Thermal Spa pass you can buy?

Just tell the servers up front and they will work it out. If it was me I would have the 3rd person buy the plan, it is a good value.

Thats what I was thinking. I just checked out the menus and it looks like $27 per day for the 3 day specialty dining will be easily covered at the a la carte restaurants.

New to NCL (sailing Epic in March). We have only ever done Disney with kids. There are 3 of us sailing together (mom, sister and I), and two of us in our cabin received the "free Specialty Dining" for 3 nights. My question is, how does this work with the 3rd person if we are planning to go to 3 a la carte restaurants? Should we purchase that 3rd person the dining plan ahead of time or pay a la carte?

If we don't purchase the dining plan for the 3rd person, how do the servers know which person to charge when we dine? We are all together in one cabin and paying together. Do they charge us for the person who orders the most food? Thanks for any help navigating this; totally new to the specialty dining, reservations thing since we never had to do it on Disney.