bubbie617

SHIP: Celebrity Solstice

CABIN #: 1538

DECK (#): 11

CLASS: Aqua Class - Handicapped Accessible

AREA: Near forward elevators and lower level of the spa

BED NEAR: center of room

QUIET?: Very quiet

BALCONY VIEW: We could watch them on the bridge when we were pulling out of port. Very interesting to watch

BALCONY SIZE: About 1 1/2 times the width of a non-handicapped accessible cabin.

WIND A PROBLEM?: No

SOOT A PROBLEM?: No

PROBLEMS/COMMENTS: No problems. Space was very adequate for the wheelchair. I was pleasantly surprised that we did not flood the bathroom each time one of us took a shower (no lip on the shower).

I save my bags in an empty suitcase from one trip to another. I use trash bags for dirty clothes, not the ziplocs.

I always cross-pack when we're flying. Each suitcase holds half of my things and half of DH's things. That way if one suitcase goes astray, we still have clean things to wear.

I don't have the time to go back and read 285 posts already on this thread, but my favorite cruise director of all time has to be George Foster. He was the CD on our first cruise on Song of America in 1983. He was funny, personable and professional. We still repeat some of the jokes he told on that trip.

I'm sorry if I'm repeating what anyone else has written but after reading more than half of this thread, I had to stop to make a statement.

There are NO necessities on a cruise that they charge for now. Photos? Specialty restaurants? Excursions? Alcoholic drinks? Sodas? These are EXTRAS that we could all do without if we so choose.

Photos? Take your own camera and ask another passenger to take your picture!

Specialty restaurants? Yes, I like them and always go there at least one night (depending on the length of the cruise), but I would manage quite nicely if I didn't go and only used the dining room, the buffet or room service for dinner.

Excursions? Make plans on your own and control your costs that way.

Alcoholic drinks? I know many people enjoy a drink or two daily when on vacation, but if you can't do without that drink, you have a bigger problem than nickels and dimes!

Sodas? There are plenty of other things to drink for which there is no extra charge. There is always iced tea available, but I don't drink it because I avoid caffeine. I've never had a problem when asking for lemon wedges to add to my water (free) and a packet or two of artificial sweetener and I have a great drink to enjoy.

The things they charge extra for are LUXURIES. Internet? I wish I could keep my husband off of it! Laundry? Hand wash or bring enough that you can wait until you get home to do the laundry. Spa services? They're nice, but you can have a wonderful vacation without them. Etc., etc., etc.

Your NECESSITIES are included - your cabin, your meals, your entertainment. Anything you pay extra for is a luxury. If you want to indulge yourself, have a ball. I do, and I do not complain about the costs.

Sometimes I feel like I have to ask if you want cheese with that whine!!

Because the cabin steward in a CC cabin does his or her regular job (as you would expect in any cabin), but in addition, they bring hors d'oeuvres daily, make sure your flowers are in good shape, etc., etc. In a butler cabin, those responsibilties are shared between the steward and the butler.

I was interested if there were a listing of the Blackjack rules for the RCI cruise line. I am not sure if they are the same on each ship but was wondering if the rules are advantageous of a little on the down side. I know I played thanksgiving and won a lot but I forget how many decks there are, if its double after spit, and so on.

Please, any information will be greatly appreciated.

They have multiple deck games (5 or 6 decks I believe) and recently they have had single deck blackjack on the RCCL/Celebrity ships we've been on. Yes, you can double after a split on any one of the new hands. When you split aces, you only get one card on each hand. Any other card, you can take as many cards as you wish until/unless you bust.

Feel free to ask any other questions. I'll try to answer them.

Please forgive me if this has been asked and answered already, but is Independence of the Seas doing any US pre-inaugural sailings?

What happens on the ship stays on the ship.

When I have bought expensive jewelry while on vacation, I ALWAYS get a written statement from the store that if the piece does not appraise for at least what they say it is appraised for, I can return it - no questions asked. The appraisal has to be done by a certified gemologist not just a local jeweler.

I have bought things several times at Imperial Jewelers on Main Street in St. Thomas and have never had a problem. I returned something once and they credited my credit card immediately upon receiving the piece I returned. I highly recommend them. They are honest and good to do business with.

I really need some help. We will be in San Juan at the end of March for one night before a TA cruise. Besides San Juan itself, what areas would you recommend I look for a hotel in? Condado? Cabo Rojo? elsewhere? I'm hoping to get something on Priceline.

Thanks for your help.