Pattyhoo

Hi TMLAalum ! I was on the Eclipse last month and everything looked pretty good except for the threadbare and torn towels.

BTW, I also graduated from TMLA, class of 1966.

We were on the Eclipse 1/21-2/4. I received the email survey about four hours after leaving the ship. DH got the email today.

We are again staying at the Miami Intercontinental before our cruise in January. It is within walking distance to shops and restaurants. We loved waking up to see the ship from our room.

Thanks! Just set my dvr!

A few years ago, we had the same situation and we chose the beverage package. My husband does not drink any alcohol, I may have a glass of wine or two. It was a great decision!

We would have a glass or two of orange juice and cappuccino at breakfast. DH loved getting an Iglu at Cafe al Bacio. ( a frappe that comes in vanilla or chocolate ) I enjoyed their wonderful iced teas.

When you are leaving the ship at ports, a table is set up with bottled water.

At the pool, we would get a can of coke or a pina colada for me.

Dinner meant wine, soda and perhaps a specialty coffee.

Probably one of the best features of the package is not having to sign for any drinks.

You don’t have to drink a lot of alcohol to get good value from this perk.

I also refused to answer the income question. I quit the survey when it wouldn't let me continue without an answer. What a waste of time!

This past January, we used Luggage Valet from Miami for

our Sothwest flight leaving Fort Lauderdale. What a terrific program!

We love to get away from the cold weather for two weeks every January. After a few trips on the Eclipse, we did a btb on the Reflection last year. One week was Eastern,the other Western Caribbean. As others have pointed out, there were repeat menus, shows etc and wasted days returning and leaving Miami.

We were fortunate having the same cabin for both legs. Be aware that on the second embarkation day, you must leave the ship ( not a big deal ) and you can not return to your cabin until the rooms open up for everyone around 1:30.

We are booked again for 2018 on the Eclipse.

I would certainly be angry and disappointed at the treatment you received on the Summit. From your post, it's obvious that you are able to communicate well....amazing that Guest Services did not realize what you and your husband were going through and did very little to assist you.

I'm glad your husband is doing better!

We have used SAS Transportation quite a few times and have found it to be fantastic. The cost is $15 per person and you pay when dropped off at your hotel ( or the Miami cruise port ). It is a van that you share, I think around 10 passengers. It's usually happy cruise goers and we've had great conversations on the way to Miami.

You will be giving your flight information to SAS. They have always called us when we are at the baggage claim to tell us where to meet.

Enjoy your cruise!

We have done a number of 14 day cruises with the Classic Beverage package. My DH does not drink alcohol, myself not very much.

At breakfast, we like the "fresh squeezed " orange juice. ( Think Tropicana vs Tang from the free machines in the buffet )

At the pool: bottled water, cans of soda, frozen drinks,etc

We love Cafe al Bacio for cappuccino,herbal teas and IGLUs (delicious frappes!)

When getting off the ship at ports, there are tables set up with bottled water.

So nice to get drinks without signing receipts.

We have also looked into this resort. When are you going to be there? Would like to hear how you liked it when you get back.

We are on the Eclipse in January. We also booked a day pass at the Barcelo ( Occidental Grand) in Aruba. In Barbados, the Hilton is fantastic. We ask the concierge to call the evening before to confirm availability. I believe it was $55 per person and included lunch and a drink.

Have you ever done a day pass at a resort? We just made reservations for Santa Barbara in curaçao through Resort for a Day. It costs $115 per person but it includes transportation and an all inclusive resort. You pay $20 now and the balance on arrival. The pictures look awesome and the reviews are great.

We've done many day passes on other islands but not this one. They may sound expensive but not when you factor in food, drink, lounge chairs, umbrellas, etc.

Whatever you decide to do, have a wonderful trip!

Thank you to all who have posted on this thread. I'm sure that you have enlightened many ( including myself ) about invisible disabilities. The posts about accessible toilet stalls were especially eye opening.

Unfortunately there are rude and inconsiderate people everywhere. There are also scammers who wrongly obtain parking tags or order service dog vests on line.

But I'd like to believe the majority of our fellow humans are kind hearted and honest.

Thanks for posting! It was fun to watch!

Before our cruise in January, we stayed at the Miami Intercontinental. It was right on the water with great views of the cruise ships. Taxi fare to the port was around $10.

The hotel was lovely and and in a great location. It's next to a park and near shops and restaurants.

We left the Eclipse on February 5 and used the luggage valet for Southwest. The evening before, we received an envelope that contained the special luggage tags and boarding passes. Great service!

We were on the Eclipse 14 day cruise on Jan 22. My husband had purchased the unlimited internet package for himself in the fall for $129. ( We are Elite Plus )

Our cruise was booked through Celebrity so he called them in December to get a package for me. At first the agent refused to match the price, but eventually did!

By the way, I loved having the internet. I could use Facebook,surf the net, text my friends and play Word Streak! I also used it to make free wifi phone calls and FaceTime with the grandkids.

We were on the 14 day Eclipse 1/22/17 and a few months prior, my husband purchased the unlimited internet package for $129. ( We are Elite Plus )

In December, he decided to get the internet for me and was able to talk the agent into matching the $129.

It was fantastic! I could surf the web, download books onto my kindle, text friends and read Facebook. The best feature was wifi calling. Instead of buying a calling plan from AT&T, I was able use wifi for phone calls for free. The grandkids loved seeing views of the ship and our cabin with FaceTime.

We love their frappes called IGLUs. They can be made in vanilla, chocolate and caramel flavors. The cost is $6 and they are included in the classic beverage package.

Next Saturday we board the Eclipse. Can't wait for an IGLU!

I've only missed the ship once, but luggage was lost three times. Once, I didn't get it until the last day. I've learned my lesson. Direct flights only, and, carry on bag only. It's amazing what you can pack into that bag. It's also amazing how much I used to pack when I started cruising!

For the past year, I've been using a Trakdot Luggage Tracker when I fly. It is a palm sized unt placed in your suitcase that goes into airplane mode while flying. It senses when the plane stops and sends a text or email letting you know what airport it is in. I usually know before I get to the luggage carousel.

The cost was $50 that included two years of service.

I believe that I made a mistake in my original post. The episode that I saw was Quantum of The Seas ( not Oasis.)

It showed the difficulties docking such a mammoth ship in the Caribbean.

A while back, I remember reading posts about a TV series "Mighty Cruise Ships." Unfortunately, it was only aired in the UK and Australia.

Surprise! I found it on the Smithsonian channel on cable. If you google the series,it will give you the schedule.

We watched the Azamara Journey (Vietnam, Thailand etc) this morning. It is being repeated on Aug 18 and 19.

The Solstice (Australia) is being shown on Aug 23. We also dvr'd the Oasis of the Seas (RCCL) and Le Soleal (Ponant.)

There were many behind the scene stories that were fascinating. If you love cruising, I think this series will give you quite a few hours of enjoyment.

We were on the Reflection Jan 23 and 30, 2016. We had $450 non refundable OBC for each leg of the btb. At the blackjack table, we asked for $400. The pit boss took our Seapass card and in a few minutes came back with a receipt to sign. The dealer then gave us $400 in regular chips. We continued to play but there was nothing to stop you from leaving the table and bringing the chips to the cashier.

I believe you can do this at any table game, eg craps,roulette,etc.

We were on the Reflection Jan23 and 30 btb cruises. We had $450 non refundable OBC for each leg of the cruise. Luckily, we enjoy blackjack and each week we asked for $400 at the table. ( obviously $20 in fee charged ) We played quite a bit and were fortunate to do well at the tables and come out a little bit ahead.

There was one new procedure on the Reflection. Each time you sat at the blackjack table, you were asked for your Seapass card. The dealer then inputted which seat you were in and how many chips you bought. This was the first time in many Celebrity cruises where our play was tracked.