Jim_Iain - 9/5 and 9/17 Equinox B2B - Come along for a Live Blog

[Covepointcruiser]

Bing the crew cash, they have a small store onboard to buy necessities.   I have also seen quite a few Amazon packages at our ports, supposedly for the crew.

[Jim_Iain]

3 hours ago, Benthayer Gonbak said:

since the crew often does personal shopping I had been wondering if there were common items they needed.  I know brands can be difficult but any deodorant is often better than none unless you have sensitive skin or it has a strong scent.   I remember crew in St Thomas buying socks!  I also remember Jamaican crew telling us they needed a visa for nearly everywhere.   
 

I’m glad to hear they are getting beach time too!  We were originally traveling over Christmas/New Year is what started me wondering about crew being stir crazy.  We still have a cruise in the Caribbean that like yours may not go to the islands the crew planned to shop so, to me, it may make more sense to bring things that some of the cash if they have no way to spend the cash on personal needs.  

Some crew have indicated that they buy from places like Amazon and have it delivered to pier and collected on turn around day. 

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

On 9/16/2021 at 6:34 PM, _Rick_ said:

Jim or anyone... B2B Question: 

We're doing a B2B in October.  We have a lot of extra OBC on our first cruise and was going to buy casino credit pre-cruise with a portion of it.  If we then receive those chips on the first cruise, can we still use these chips on the second cruise in the casino?  This seems like a way to convert some of the OBC from the first cruise over to the second cruise.  

I spoke with a friend today who frequents the casino.    The paper credits are valid for 30 days from date of issue.   The Chips have a no expiration date so could be a solution for your.   

 

Her suggestion was to take your card to cashier and buy your chips instead of buying them in advance.  I don't totally understand but that is what she suggested.   Maybe some of our group can help us understand. 

 

It was a short discussion at the Captain's Toast but  will see her late today and can ask for further clarity.

Edited September 18, 2021 by Jim_Iain

[_Rick_]

Thanks for the info, Jim!  We've already purchased some chips in advance so as to get the 10% bonus but will make sure we have them in hand during the first cruise.  That is if we haven't lost them already or converted them into 'real' chips or cash.

[Jim_Iain]

3 hours ago, _Rick_ said:

Thanks for the info, Jim!  We've already purchased some chips in advance so as to get the 10% bonus but will make sure we have them in hand during the first cruise.  That is if we haven't lost them already or converted them into 'real' chips or cash.

 Not sure you saw the Promo I posted from today's newsletter.    Not sure if it is the same promo from the website per-cruise.  

 

 

[hcat]

If you do a private journey on Aruba you will probably see most  everything, from beaches to the lighthouse.. former natural bridge area, divi trees   and our favorite cactus

preserve...a few other surprises.

 

A very safe island.( other than the N Holloway tragedy).  Lovely happy people.  Great restaurants.

We skip any iguana based food

 

Worthy of a land based stay..someday!

[chefestelle]

On 9/3/2021 at 4:22 PM, GeorgiaPeach51 said:

Louise Penny’s Gamache series.

Dorothy L. Sayers Lord Peter Wimsey series

Any books by Josephine Tey

 

the last two are old and probably not audiobooks but fabulous writers, and well worth reading.  

I echo the vote for the Gamache series. Really excellent! and yes, Lord Peter Wimsey is on audio book with a live cast! BBC productions do this often and I love them!

 

[baypeople]

On 9/7/2021 at 1:54 PM, Beba-Beba said:

I bring a mini immersion heater (600W) for my herbal tea.  It clips nicely to a mug.  Don't tell any one.  I hide it because I am not sure they are allowed.  Years ago someone posted about them here on CC.  Thanks Karen.  I got mine at Bed Bath and Beyond ($10) but Amazon has a large selection and at higher wattage.  The mini at 600 watts is quick for one mug.

 

Mary

 

 

Mary/BeebaBeeba,

Our Silhouette cruise roll call that never happened has been shut down!  Do you know how to get it back or to get in touch with those of us who have been following it for years?  Please email me at seltzer02atcox.net.  Many thanks, Lynn/Bayperson

[Catlover54]

New to X, will be in a suite on Epic soon:  is it correct that I can dine in any restaurant I choose, including the specialty restaurants, without an extra charge?  But I have to first make a reservation everywhere, right?

[LGW59]

7 minutes ago, Catlover54 said:

New to X, will be in a suite on Epic soon:  is it correct that I can dine in any restaurant I choose, including the specialty restaurants, without an extra charge?  But I have to first make a reservation everywhere, right?

Depends on the suite you have booked.  On X RS and above included, otherwise no.  And Epic???  Isn't that NCL?

 

Edited September 19, 2021 by LGW59

[runningtide]

10 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Know the feeling.     I kept getting luggage tags for cruises that were cancelled by Celebrity.

 

Crazy thing is we all got those reminders to fill out the health questionnaire but id didn't come live  until about 9:00 on turn around day.    Then the agent went around and asked the exact same questions verbally and filled it in on her pad even though we all filled it out in the app.   We all thought  -  Why did we even bother. 

Thanks Jim….really enjoy your thread about this trip. BTW.. how many times around Equinox do you have to walk to get 10 miles ? Or are you giving yourself a little “slack” on vacation 👍

[Oville]

12 hours ago, GeorgiaPeach51 said:

Wow!  The penthouse is magnificent!  Loved the video of Iain playing the piano and your comment.  😍

 

It says something on the aggravation scale that one thing that jumped out at me is not the size of your closets, not the decor of your closets, not the space in your closets, but that there is no totally aggravating bar across the middle guaranteed to wrinkle every shirt, pants, skirt or blouse that it encounters, and which is only suitable for hanging the clothes of small children.

 

Rant over.

 

Joanie

Oh my Joanie, I now know I’ve spent to much time on CC.  I read this post just before bed last night and then you were part of a dream I had.  It was a very pleasant one but I can’t recall the details other than it was nice to meet you.

 

Jim, continuing to follow and I’m enjoying all your posts.  Thanks for sharing your experience.  Katie

[Catlover54]

1 hour ago, LGW59 said:

Depends on the suite you have booked.  On X RS and above included, otherwise no.  And Epic???  Isn't that NCL?

 

Sorry, I meant Edge.  S1 suite.

[LGW59]

2 minutes ago, Catlover54 said:

Sorry, I meant Edge.  S1 suite.

No need to be sorry, was just asking for clarification.  Sky Suites do not get specialty dining included, but Luminae is fantastic, Royal, Penthouse, Edge Villa, Iconic then yes all specialties included.   

[WNcruiser]

2 hours ago, Catlover54 said:

New to X, will be in a suite on Epic soon:  is it correct that I can dine in any restaurant I choose, including the specialty restaurants, without an extra charge?  But I have to first make a reservation everywhere, right?

LGW already answered that no you do not get unlimited dining in specialties. Only Royal Suite and above, however you will have a butler and they can make reservations for you at any of the specialty restaurants. Unfortunately Edge class does not have Murano which is my favorite. 

[Benthayer Gonbak]

5 hours ago, Covepointcruiser said:

Bing the crew cash, they have a small store onboard to buy necessities.   I have also seen quite a few Amazon packages at our ports, supposedly for the crew.

Thanks.  I tried to send an Amazon package at one point and couldn’t get it sent to a foreign port.    I’ve seen the guys buying name brand stuff in various places but also the necessities.  Perhaps it’s been made easier to get packages to crew now which would be super.  

[TravelBluebird]

6 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

While we have a lower passenger load this cruise it just seems like more people out and about.

 

Yes, very busy cruisers, much later group than many cruises I’ve been on! I can be a night owl, so I don’t mind at all! When I decided to head back to the room at 11pm after Improv, still many gamblers out and people at bars, too.

[lifeisrealygood]

I just started reading through these 67 pages, and am on page 9.  I cancelled my 11/07 12- night itinerary that you are currently on, just not ready yet, I guess, but I am booked for the March 13, 2022 same itinerary.  It is fun reading all of your comments, Jim.  

 

I have gotten as far as page 9, and people were talking about the plastic protectors for the vaccine cards that you showed in your pictures.  I bought the same ones from Staples, they had them at the register at check out, so you could not miss them.  Maybe they were $1.99 each, but they do the job.  I would imagine that Office Depot or Office Max would have them also.

[upwarduk]

6 hours ago, hcat said:

Worthy of a land based stay..someday!

My son and family lived on Aruba from November 2001 to June 2002. He worked at the Oil refinery ( now closed down).

I visited for 10 days around Sant Nicolas day 2001 ( he came out of the Sea).

We had already booked a Caribbean cruise, which included Aruba, in January 2022, to celebrate my 60th birthday, so we had a day visit with them.🎉

Then as a result of 9/11, many tourists weren’t travelling, so we managed to arrange a Timeshare for 2 weeks around April/ May time, when my son was able to stay with us, as he had an extended long weekend, due to Queen’s Day( a Dutch bank holiday).

 

I would love to see photos of your visit, if possible Jim.

[Sascol]

Can you tell us please….who are the bartenders at the martini bar?.

[sgmn]

7 hours ago, chefestelle said:

I echo the vote for the Gamache series. Really excellent! and yes, Lord Peter Wimsey is on audio book with a live cast! BBC productions do this often and I love them!

 

I'm listening to Lord Peter Wimsey  Clouds of Witness now on BBC sounds 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/b03j865z

Edited September 19, 2021 by sgmn

[Jim_Iain]

12 hours ago, hcat said:

If you do a private journey on Aruba you will probably see most  everything, from beaches to the lighthouse.. former natural bridge area, divi trees   and our favorite cactus

preserve...a few other surprises.

 

A very safe island.( other than the N Holloway tragedy).  Lovely happy people.  Great restaurants.

We skip any iguana based food

 

Worthy of a land based stay..someday!

The Government has made it difficult to stay off ship overnight.    Process was in news letter today. 

i can’t imagine anyone would do it.  I of course could be wrong. 

 

[Jim_Iain]

 

 

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

15 hours ago, chefestelle said:

I echo the vote for the Gamache series. Really excellent! and yes, Lord Peter Wimsey is on audio book with a live cast! BBC productions do this often and I love them!

 

 

I have books 1 through 16 loaded on my iPhone.   Louise Penney is really good author.  

[Jim_Iain]

15 hours ago, baypeople said:

Mary/BeebaBeeba,

Our Silhouette cruise roll call that never happened has been shut down!  Do you know how to get it back or to get in touch with those of us who have been following it for years?  Please email me at seltzer02atcox.net.  Many thanks, Lynn/Bayperson

 

I think you can message the Administrator and ask for it to be reopened.   They are the only ones that can do this.