shellunderwater

5 minutes ago, ticketsunlimited said:

Know what you’re talking about before you make a comment like that.  Those devices are legal with no surge protection.  The person that confiscated it was misinformed.  Should have never been taken.

Well, I'll go with what Chief said above.  Nobody "approved" this as cruise line approved.    And based on prior discussions on this board, having the three prong plug on the back means you can't tell for sure by looking at it if it has surge protection or not.  So, their default will be to confiscate.

The charger i carry has only two prongs. I chose to not purchase this unit because their claim of being cruise line approved is pure marketing.

But thanks for playing along, we have some nice cruise line pens as your parting gift.

5 hours ago, ticketsunlimited said:

I brought three of those on our last cruise in our carry ons.  No issue.

Did you speed on the way to the ship?  Doesn't make it legal.  Just didn't get caught...yet.

I think they should provide substantial OBC, triple C&A points as well as a refund along with 150% FCC.

I think I covered them all.  At least the usual suspects.

On 1/11/2024 at 10:56 PM, ALTravelGal said:

New Adventure of the Seas YouTube video out. The channel's coverage was positive. Including the food. I was struck by how incredibly unappetizing the Windjammer food looked. Including how many stations offered mystery meat stews in various shades of brown. And cheap carbs to pour the concoction over. And same plain veggies day after day, yellowing lettuce. MDR, marginally better. Glad we purchased a 3 meal package.. Having major buyers regret a few months before we sail.

Interesting.  I enjoy a good stew now and again.

I also enjoy trying the variety of flavors in the various stewed dishes.  And the carbs...don't get me started.

I also enjoy steak, seafood, pho, and many others. 

Go to most any restaurant...green beans, broccoli and squash are the veggies.. every day.

On 12/31/2023 at 5:59 PM, Crew News said:

Both private and ship-sponsored guests have a choice of seats.  As a hobby photographer, my favorite photo seat is above the life preserver and the far right seat for an unobstructed view of both fishing and eagle feeding.

Thanks for the picture of the deck.  DW is doing this in upcoming season, the perspective is great.  Allows her to decide ahead where she hopes to sit!

1 minute ago, Wanna Be Retired said:

Really?  I’m going in a few days so I will ask!  That is the best news ever!  Thank you!

We had them create a separate card that duplicates one of them.  But we've also had them combine them for us.  The table game folks didn't like to duplicate card, made me use my original seapass.

Talk to the host, see whats best.

Check "Chris Wong Vlogs" on youtube.  He is a casino host.  He has a video about this.

On 12/18/2023 at 1:56 PM, Crew News said:

You don't need to walk down to the falls to see the glacier.  There are trails near the Visitor Center that are just minutes from great views.  There are telescopes to search for and watch bears from the comfort of the Visitor Center. 

 

Seeing the glacier and surrounding scenery is well worth the trip

 

 

 

First, nice pics.

Serious question....... can you actually see the glacier from the visitor's center?  It seems it has receded a bit, so I'm just curious about how much is actually visible now.

Not doubting, just gathering info for our trip next year.

On 12/17/2023 at 9:17 AM, smokeybandit said:

I wouldn't approach things any differently than any other ship you've been on.

BINGO!

We chill on the pool deck during the day.  You can do that on Allure (Oasis class).  We don't go to the sports deck.  We don't do it on the Allure.  Don't buy artwork or watches or play bingo.  No different.

Whats different is it can be a lot more walking.  We typically get a cabin near an elevator. That means its a hump to the pool/solarium or its a hump to the dining areas near the back of the ship.  That type of thing.

Elevators can be an issue when shows let out or around meal times.  So you go to another elevator (another hump to the other end of the ship).  

Personally not a fan of the Solarium on Oasis class compared to Freedom class or the Mariner (most recent smaller ship for us).  

Many more food choices on Allure (Oasis class) compared to Mariner.

On 12/17/2023 at 10:49 AM, Wanna Be Retired said:

I'm new to the Casino so I am making a ton of mistakes.  My husband plays on his card and I play on mine and I think we should just play on one card.  He has over 600 points and I have 799.  We also have spent very little of our own money.  We put in $20 and when we win over we cash out, put the winnings in our pocket and put the $20 back in the machine.  We keep our casino money separate, and we have more than we started out with but I don't know what I am doing so I haven't tried to do anything else other than what we are doing.  We stay on low bets and just spin the slots.  We do have a really good time though.

yes, get the casino host to combine points on the cards for you.  They can do that.  Cabin offers are generally for two people so combining is good for cabin offers.

On 12/2/2023 at 6:55 PM, tvo7 said:

Do you think 25 dollars a hand , 3 to 4 hours a day on craps or baccarat,  will get me to some free cruises?

I'm not an expert on this so if others have corrections, please do.

Be aware, there is a difference between table games and slots.  I've played some craps.  For me it was a good bit; several hours $300.  When I checked my points, I had gotten 25.  Thats all.  So much variation and subjectivity in table games.

If your goal is to get offers with a level of play, the most consistent way I think is the slots.

Tony Barnette on his YT vids did  a test with his wife, each gaming $1,000.  She used slots, he was table games.  She got the offers, he didn't.  Clearly not scientific, but offering as info for OP to consider.

I hope to do this in the last half for 2024, so I'm reading along in this thread for the great info.

On 6/13/2023 at 10:18 AM, mjkacmom said:

Why bother? The card works the same as a license and birth certificate. Folks bring passports in case of an emergency to be able to fly without a hassle.

I know on our recent cruises out of Port Everglades and Port Canaveral, having the passport allows you to use the facial recognition to get thru Customs/Immigration.  Talk about zooming off the ship.

Yes, the value of getting back home in an emergency is important.  As someone who's been to the ER in foreign countries, I find this to be of particular value.  I/we didn't need it, but now knowing I have the document to ensure I don't have to worry about it makes me a bit happier to know if it had gotten worse, we were taken care of.

That long-winded reply aside.;.. I wouldn't get the card for cruising.  Get the book.  If you are getting a passport.  If not, go with the proper birth certificate and state issued ID.  

For RCL, we are diamond, so we get 4 drinks per day.  And, counting port days, a soda and refreshment package doesn't make sense.  We plan to carry on a 12 pack in Vancouver.  But, can we bring 6 or 12 pack of soda onto a RCL ship in one of the AK ports and take it to our cabin?  Won't do any good if they confiscate it to return on last night.  🙂

Not trying to be nefarious... just like having a can or two of cool drinks in the cabin at our disposal.  Yes we can buy them on the ship or use diamond vouchers.  That is fall-back.

1 hour ago, volk904 said:

Why don’t you hire a dog sitter that either stays at your house or comes over 3-4 times a day.  That way your dog is separated and you go on the cruise. Much cheaper than losing the cruise.  Just look for pet sitters. 

It's not cheaper.

Cruise is a sunk cost.  Go or not go, same cost.  Hiring a sitter is more money.  Now value wise...different story.  But folks need to understand, the cruise is spent either way.  Actually, they cancel and will get some refund (taxes etc).

OP and others, sorry to hear your pets are sick.  Sorry for the situation.  Hope it works out best it can.

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

Have to say the other recommendation is true.    I didn't reprice but upgraded a room (paid upgrade).   The price of the RS had dropped to $350 more than my CS.    I was told I would loose my 800 OBC from booking onboard.   I did however keep the perks most important was Free Grats.    Not a problem as for $350 more we get extra perks of 2 Liter bottles of Premium Liquor or Champagne and Unlimited Specialty Dining.  

 

 

Yeah, I could have upgraded again after final payment, but they would take away my OBC.  So, the slight increase in price coupled with the loss of OBC was too much for me.  Gotta watch the cost/value of perks.

Sadly, its a game.  I know it frustrates people, me too.  But accept it as a game.  Sometimes you win, sometimes its a draw.  But so long as you are careful, you won't lose... you just might not win.

I chase price drops, changes in cruise planner prices all the time.  Its a hobby.  And I chase cash back offerings from a large variety of sources to pay for my hobby.  🙂

12 hours ago, RTShaker said:

When asked if you can make an (insert time here) AM flight, so many say "sure, no problem". The point is that the majority of time it can work out, but the reality is there is always the chance of a weather, mechanical, port, etc related issue. This is why people point it out and caution doing so if you don't have a plan B.

Yes, exactly.

But its more fun to infer much more and bash someone for simply pointing out the fact this is an example of why booking early can be a bad idea.

Can it work, yep.

Does it usually work, yep.

Will it always work, nope and here is why....

No one is taking any satisfaction in the dilemma these folks found themselves in due to weather.  But, facts are facts, this was a good example of what can go wrong.  Doesn't make it any better for the folks affected, but it is a very current example of the risk of cruising and booking flights.

Some day on this board, a reply to the "can I make an (insert time) post will be, "I remember this one time our ship couldn't enter Port Everglades due to the winds and seas being too rough to bring the pilot out."  I'll be my bucket of popcorn on it. 

4 minutes ago, HLR said:

 

Hi Susan!

As Jelayne said...you call the cruise line or your travel agent and say "Hi! I saw there was a price drop! Can I take advantage of the savings?" and they say "Please Hold". NOTE: If you had a previous OBC....you may lose it as you are pricing with a different "Deal"...however you can still come out ahead.

Yes! Very good point about OBC.  You should factor in all benefits included in the old VS. new deals.

And, inside of final payment, if you get a price drop, you can't reprice, but you can upgrade to a higher category with a higher price.  We did that by canceling our drink package and moving to a higher level cabin (which was cheaper) but did the AI rate (since we cancelled drinks and internet).  It was a higher rate for the AI, but was still cheaper when considering the drinks and internet costs.  And we moved from OV to a prime verandah.

Doesn't work all the time, but when the deal is right, go for it.  All they can do is say no.

1 minute ago, Saab4444 said:

Cruise ships usually dock without tug boats. Cargo vessels always need them as they have no thrusters.

I'm not questioning that.  But EVERY movement of a cruiseship in Port Eveglades has a scheduled tug provider.  May not use them.

1 hour ago, Beachin2 said:

Always amazes me that they have the technology to take the money immediately - but takes a week+ to get it back.

I agree with you 200%.  But, to be clear, this isn't a problem limited to Celebrity or even just cruising.  Heck, seems for some reason, anything under 8 weeks is good service.

Did you book direct or thru a travel agent?  If with a TA, I would expect the TA has to do that.

Yeah, probably/maybe dont want to wait that long, but don't pay your final payment.  They will cancel it for you very quickly.  🤪

Every ship (commercial at least) entering the port as a designated tugboat provider.  This is part of the reason changing ports/itineraries isn't so easy.  On Port Everglades site, it shows the Tug Provider is McAllister Towing.

I would expect on many days, this is but a formality, but on a day like this, obviously its needed.

3 minutes ago, hrhdhd said:

Not really. Those who booked noon flights will be affected by this one. 

 

I'm not sure why everyone takes such satisfaction in pointing to one rare occurrence and saying, "Toldja so!" 

I'm not sure why others take such satisfaction in deciding for others that someone is taking great satisfaction in something.  

1 hour ago, cruisestitch said:

Bookmarking this thread for answer to all those “can I make a 9:00 flight “ posts

A giant

KA-BOOM!

On 11/8/2023 at 5:59 PM, Jim_Iain said:

 

I find it to usually be a shell game.   They up the price then up the discount.    The real proof is in the pudding when you do mock bookings before and after a sale to see if it's really a sale or just another shell game.

 

Having said that -  I have found some sales that saved me money. 

 

Also a good time to see if they put Excursions, Drink Packages and Internet on sale.

Often, shell game is a good description.  Just know sometimes there are real savings out there.  Not always, maybe 25-50% of the time.  Depends on how good you did when you originally booked a trip.  A few times I've had such good deals I could never beat it on sales later.

Not exactly the same... but some excursion deals are pretty good on RCL.  Their "Deadliest Catch" excursion in AK is normally about $250.  Just booked for less than $200.  I'll take those dollars.  🙂  

Yes, I know, RCL vs Celebrity.  But I'm not booking any excursion on Celebrity, but took the info about Celebrity's sale and checked over on RCL.

Sorry to jump your thread.

55 minutes ago, Homosassa said:

Did you read the already posted information in this thread before posting?

While I agree with that comment.... Its not clear if they know how to do it, but couldn't.. or if they don't know how to do it.  

Yep, its online/app, but knowing it is there, how to find it and how to do it are all key items.

When in doubt, call Celebrity or your TA.