indy406

They can call it a veranda (it's not), they can call it a balcony (it's not) or they could call it a ham sandwich (it's not.) It's also not a deck or a lanai or a lean-to. It's a part of the stateroom with a big window. No thanks. I'll take CC or Aqua on S-class or M-class ships every time.

Did I have to apply for the veteran's discount last month when we booked our April 2024 Celebrity cruise? I asked once before after the fact and was told the discount wasn't offered on that cruise. (I wondered if my TA didn't pursue it because it might have cost him a couple bucks on his commission.) Anyway, I didn't even think of it this time. I'm assuming I'm too late based on what I'm reading here.

I did four years active duty U.S. Air Force, honorable discharge confirmed by my DD-214 and have a military service-connected lifetime disability. I was told by Celebrity to get lost when I asked about a veteran's price discount. I won't ask again.

We had a very good experience last year with "ephesusporttours.com" We used them in both Ephesus and Istanbul. Good local guides and we got a price break because we used the company at both port stops.

We book Aqua class. We fly business/first class. We're not wealthy but take to heart the sign in our travel agent's office; "Fly first class, if you don't your kids will."

The classic package's vodka, gin, Scotch and beer offerings are fine. Pretty slim pickings if you're a bourbon drinker.

We purchased the $200 on board future cruise credit in February and had until May 1 to book a cruise to get the benefit of the offer. The money would be refunded if we didn't book something by May 1. This week, we booked an 11-day April 2004 cruise. The $200 we spent was sufficient deposit until final payment is due January 2004. We did not need to pay an additional $700 on the deposit. We also received a $200 on-board credit for our April 2004 cruise. So the on-board future cruise payment worked out for us.

We got the aluminum water bottles on Reflection in February and thought they were great. Pool waiters usually opened them when delivering. We had no problem opening the ones delivered in our Aqua cabins daily. They're great for refilling, refrigerating and reusing. I hope Celebrity keeps them.

We'll probably buy the one offered and handled through our travel agent. Allianz.

We're looking at a cruise a for year from now. Non-refundable total cost is $6,000. Refundable total cost is $7,100. So why not book the cheaper non-refundable fare and buy insurance?

We are looking very seriously at booking this cruise on Infinity 4/15/24. It's a great itinerary. Some reports on CC about Infinity being shabby and not well maintained give us pause. But it's a good opportunity to experience (even for a couple of days) Israel and Egypt. We did the Ephesus full-day stop last year on Reflection. It was a great day. This non-Catholic strongly recommends the House of the Virgin Mary.

Sounds like lobster night be a good time to check out the Oceanview.

Room service full breakfast in AQ has been a wonderful convenience, especially on port days before making a tour departure deadline. No more apparently. It's probably not a deal breaker, but one more thing to consider when shopping for cruise lines. Less for more (money) seems to continue to be the future. BTW, this policy was announced after we paid in full for our upcoming 2/19 Reflection cruise. Very disappointing.

We were on Reflection and didn't plan doing much with specialty restaurants, having great experiences in Blu over the years. We saw when we boarded that a few specialties were 30 percent off the first night. We decided to go with Tuscan. It was great. Not crowded. Good decision. We stuck with Blu the remainder of the cruise.

Has anybody eaten at The Porch on Reflection? I'm wondering if it's worth the $30. Seems a little pricey for a bowl of soup and a lobster roll. Still, I'm willing to be convinced. I know it's on deck 15, but is there much of a view from most of the tables?

According the the occasionally-reliable Celebrity web site, up-to-date Italy passengers now can get their Covid tests two days prior to boarding. This is as of May 18, based on May 17 guidance from Italian health authorities. Think we can trust them to not change their minds again if we get tested Saturday before leaving the Midwest for our Monday sailing? I have whiplash from all this. https://www.celebritycruises.com/healthy-at-sea/italy-travel-requirements