"LIVE' from Celebrity BEYOND - April 12th, 2024 Sailing: 10-night Ultimate Caribbean!

[Tyler414]

45 minutes ago, RK-NC said:

 

 

Thank you for sharing. We're on this Beyond sailing and excited but we have drastically lowered our expectations. It seems that reality does not match what Celebrity promotes, especially regarding extra service to suite passengers. We're just glad to get the true picture ahead of time.

Those were minor issues for me, I just got off Beyond in March and everything was excellent.  Our room stew was the one let down, hardly had an affect on overall cruise.

[PinkSandGirl]

Transportation 🚐

 

Airport

We have a car service to take us to the airport and then pick us up when we come home.  We could drive and park in the garage right at the airport which we also do but for this trip we decided otherwise. 

 

We'll have a Mercedes Sprinter since there are 5 of us and a lot of 🧳 luggage.  I'll go over what I take in a different post. 😉

 

So, there are 6 of us going on the cruise.  4 of us flying.  2 others who live in Florida so they will drive and park at the port.  The 5th person going to the airport is a very good family friend who is going to see family in Naples so she is flying with us, staying at the hotel and then being picked up to go across Alligator Alley.  She would usually fly into Fort Myers but hasn't flown for a few years and was a little nervous so I came up with this plan.  She was very happy with the idea and coordinated going so it lined up with our travel dates.  She'll meet back up with us when we disembark and we'll all fly back home together.  

 

To the Hotel

Hotel Shuttle.  

   * I'll post Hotel info in another post

 

To Port Everglades 

Uber.  I like to use local places and had a company I previously used in Fort Lauderdale and Miami.  All good.  Have some funny stories but worked well. Had him booked in Oct '21 but he wasn't showing up.  He had someone else coming, not him.  We waited. I called and eventually said we would find another way.  We used Uber. So, Uber it now is.

 

Leaving Port Everglades and then getting to FLL

We have a late afternoon flight so we are all going to lunch (friend meeting us).  Will use Uber to go to lunch and then to FLL.

 

Home from the airport

Same car service 

 

🍹

 

[PinkSandGirl]

1 hour ago, Shellyd22 said:

I never got an email for my sky suite booking 

Celebrity is consistent on being inconsistent.  😆

 

🍹

[PinkSandGirl]

2 hours ago, Cap_D said:

None of our preferences were implemented when we boarded Beyond two weeks ago.  It was as waste of our time to complete the form, and moreso the options presented and other Retreat amenities are not clearly spelled out when on board.  To those booking Retreat, be prepared to repeat your requests.  

 

I wondered if they will get them right, like the room temperature 😉 but I filled it out.  I'll report on what happens. 

 

🍹

[PinkSandGirl]

1 hour ago, RK-NC said:

 

 

Thank you for sharing. We're on this Beyond sailing and excited but we have drastically lowered our expectations. It seems that reality does not match what Celebrity promotes, especially regarding extra service to suite passengers. We're just glad to get the true picture ahead of time.

I think what's frustrating is there isn't a consistency, even on the same ship.  🤞 Great service and food. 🤞

 

🍹

[PinkSandGirl]

Luggage 🧳

 

For me:

● 2 checked bags that come in just under 70lbs

● 1 Rolling carry-on that stays with me at all times (overhead bin on plane)

● Backpack (Personal Item on the plane)

● Pocketbook (If flight attendants give me a problem then I try to get it in my backpack or someone else's traveling with me) 😉

 

* I also bring a luggage scale.  After a return trip from St. Thomas, the check-in counter lady said my bag was overweight and I had to pay like a $110.00. One more pound and it would have been $200.00 she said.  After hearing the story, a friend bought me a luggage scale that I now use before we fly and before we come home.  ⚖️ 

 

I used to carry a tote rather than a backpack but I find the backpack very helpful to have my arms free.  I still would bring a tote if I was able to get it on the plane. 😉

 

I honestly could use another checked bag but I have to handle all of my luggage myself. That's how I control what I bring. 😆  Everyone else has their own luggage to wheel/handle.   

 

Everyone else each has 1 checked bag, a rolling carry-on and personal item, either backpack or tote.   Our friends from Florida have more luggage than me but they are driving.  😆

 

Luggage Tags.  Will be another post. 

 

Of course TSA approved locks on all luggage. 

 

🍹

 

 

Edited April 6 by PinkSandGirl

[Oxo]

38 minutes ago, PinkSandGirl said:

Luggage 🧳

 

For me:

● 2 checked bags that come in just under 70lbs

● 1 Rolling carry-on that stays with me at all times (overhead bin on plane)

● Backpack (Personal Item on the plane)

● Pocketbook (If flight attendants give me a problem then I try to get it in my backpack or someone else's traveling with me) 😉

 

* I also bring a luggage scale.  After a return trip from St. Thomas, the check-in counter lady said my bag was overweight and I had to pay like a $110.00. One more pound and it would have been $200.00 she said.  After hearing the story, a friend bought me a luggage scale that I now use before we fly and before we come home.  ⚖️ 

 

I used to carry a tote rather than a backpack but I find the backpack very helpful to have my arms free.  I still would bring a tote if I was able to get it on the plane. 😉

 

I honestly could use another checked bag but I have to handle all of my luggage myself. That's how I control what I bring. 😆  Everyone else has their own luggage to wheel/handle.   

 

Everyone else each has 1 checked bag, a rolling carry-on and personal item, either backpack or tote.   Our friends from Florida have more luggage than me but they are driving.  😆

 

Luggage Tags.  Will be another post. 

 

Of course TSA approved locks on all luggage. 

 

🍹

 

 

How many days are you going for? 

'● 2 checked bags that come in just under 70lbs'  Do you mean that both bags weight under a total of 70 pounds? Or each bag weights under 70 pounds?

[PinkSandGirl]

2 minutes ago, Oxo said:

How many days are you going for? 

'● 2 checked bags that come in just under 70lbs'  Do you mean that both bags weight under a total of 70 pounds? Or each bag weights under 70 pounds?

 

Each bag. 😉

 

It's a 10-night cruise and 2-nights in a hotel pre-cruise. 

 

I tip porters well and warn them.   They also have a 'HEAVY' tag the airline attaches. 

 

🍹

Edited April 6 by PinkSandGirl

[Oxo]

31 minutes ago, PinkSandGirl said:

 

Each bag. 😉

 

It's a 10-night cruise and 2-nights in a hotel pre-cruise. 

 

I tip porters well and warn them.   They also have a 'HEAVY' tag the airline attaches. 

 

🍹

We fly and normally each bag must be under 50 pounds or you pay an extra fee. Do you have a special category on your airline such as Medallion?

[PinkSandGirl]

1 minute ago, Oxo said:

We fly and normally each bag must be under 50 pounds or you pay an extra fee. Do you have a special category on your airline such as Medallion?

 

American First Class.  Included for each person: 2 checked bags up to 70lbs each. 🧳🧳

 

🍹

[Oxo]

7 minutes ago, PinkSandGirl said:

 

American First Class.  Included for each person: 2 checked bags up to 70lbs each. 🧳🧳

 

🍹

Great! Enjoy your cruise. We are on the Beyond in July B2B.

[PinkSandGirl]

16 minutes ago, Oxo said:

Great! Enjoy your cruise. We are on the Beyond in July B2B.

Thank You!  

 

Enjoy your B2B. How fun! 🥳

 

🍹

[conwakr]

I will be following along. Doing this trip next spring in a sunset veranda. I wanted St Kitts but next year’s trips appear to be Grenada. 

[RK-NC]

Happy packing @PinkSandGirl We're driving to the port but going all carry-on onto the ship! We waaaaaaaaaay over packed in 2019 when we cruised Alaska and decided to change our ways!

[PinkSandGirl]

Hi!  It feels like we're leaving tomorrow...that's the craziness I feel with getting things ready and packing!  Thankfully tomorrow isn't travel day but I have to work so that throws a wrench in my momentum.  😆  

 

Still doing more tonight but needed a 5 minute break. 😉

 

🍹

[PinkSandGirl]

Hi!  Updates will be sparce and sporadic until we are on our way to the airport. 😉  'Lots to do.  

 

Here was my view of the Lunar Eclipse today. 🌘  Clear skies, clouds then came, they would clear and roll back in but it made it neat.

 

Wherever any of us may be we all see the same sun and moon whether on land or while at sea.  🌎

 

🍹

 

Edited April 9 by PinkSandGirl

[PinkSandGirl]

I love all kinds of music. A favorite band for decades now 😆 and one of my favorite songs...especially live.

 

Bluetooth speaker volume is up. 😉

 

Ok.  Back to packing. 

 

🍹

 

[omahabob]

Minor correction: Solar eclipse.

[PinkSandGirl]

10 minutes ago, omahabob said:

Minor correction: Solar eclipse.

I know.  Thank You.  I knew solar and typed Lunar, must have had the moon in my mind. 😆  I corrected it but I see it didn't save it.  

 

Solar Eclipse. Solar Eclipse. Solar Eclipse.

 

🍹

[PinkSandGirl]

1 hour ago, PinkSandGirl said:

Hi!  Updates will be sparce and sporadic until we are on our way to the airport. 😉  'Lots to do.  

 

Here was my view of the Lunar Eclipse today. 🌘  Clear skies, clouds then came, they would clear and roll back in but it made it neat.

 

Wherever any of us may be we all see the same sun and moon whether on land or while at sea.  🌎

 

🍹

 

Solar Eclipse. Solar Eclipse. Solar Eclipse.

 

Just wanted to see who was paying attention. 😆

 

🍹

[omahabob]

4 minutes ago, PinkSandGirl said:

I know.  Thank You.  I knew solar and typed Lunar, must have had the moon in my mind. 😆  I corrected it but I see it didn't save it.  

 

Solar Eclipse. Solar Eclipse. Solar Eclipse.

 

🍹

I always confuse equinox and solstice.

[PinkSandGirl]

14 minutes ago, omahabob said:

I always confuse equinox and solstice.

The ships or seasons?  😉

 

Winter and Summer Solstice come easy to my mind but you can think for S - (S)summer (S)olstice and the season opposite it is winter.  They are either the 'longest' or 'shortest' day.

 

Equinox think Equal and spring and Fall (Vernal & Autumnal) have about equal amounts of daylight and night hours.

 

☀️🍂❄️🌷

 

🍹

Edited April 9 by PinkSandGirl

[omahabob]

Season. I know the difference, but for some reason my brain always glitches for a couple of seconds while I think about it.

[PinkSandGirl]

Packing Notes

 

When checking more than one bag I distribute everything evenly between the two so I don't have all, say shorts in one bag and all shirts in the other.  

 

Why?  In case one is delayed.   

 

I'm not a packing cube person.  I know people love them and I can see how they are helpful but when you bring what I do and need to get it all in, I have become very creative with a combination of rolling, folding, you name it. 😂

 

My carry-on has 'Must Have' items.  There are clothes that will be shifted to the checked bags for going home which in turn gives some room for souvenirs.  If I buy any type of liquor (from islands) that of course goes in a checked bag. 

 

Since staying at a hotel pre-cruise, I make sure what I need is easily accessible but with 2 nights, I'm going to have to dig a little deeper in my suitcases.  Hehe

 

Why do I have so much?  I honestly would love to bring more.  Clothes. I need multiple outfits for each day.  Not being able to wash clothes and being in a hot climate, I don't wear shorts twice. Plus, I like the way they fit and feel from just being washed/dried (hung or dryer).  A skirt for dinner?  That's easy to wear twice.  I normally wouldn't but on a cruise I only have it on for a few hours.  I will send at least one bag of laundry out and there are items I'll wash in the sink.

 

One item I have cut back on: Shoes.  My first cruise, I brought 10 different pairs.  10!  ...for a 4-night cruise. 😂   I learned.  I don't bring that many now, even for a 10-night cruise. 

 

Toiletries.   I have many.  I'll leave it at that. 🤣

 

🍹

[PinkSandGirl]

Oh boy... it's getting closer.  ✈️

 

Just checked and the Terminal and Gate at both airports are now showing.  I know they may change but the fact they are showing means it's getting closer.

 

Did I mention I get nervous when I fly?   😆  No, I didn't.  

 

Remind me tell you the 'adventure' from my last flight. 

 

🍹