Reijo

2 minutes ago, island lady said:

The absolute simplest thing is to pull into the garage, follow the signs to luggage drop off.  Hand to the many porters waiting for you, then drive back out to park in the garage.  Sharp left hand turn as you exit, and then up the ramp.  

 

You will prepay the parking with the attendant.  Elevators on both ends, though check in line is on the left side (west side).  I would go with that one.  

 

 

Thanks for your response.  The last time we parked at the port, we dropped our luggage off first.....after about a 30 MINUTE wait in line!!!!  Haven't done that since.  It must be different/better now.  Our check in is 11:30 so hopefully it will be before the big rush.

It has been many years since we have parked at the cruise terminal.  Do we have have to get in a car line to drop your luggage off, park, then check in OR can you park, roll your luggage to an area to have it picked up and then check in.  Many changes since the last time we did this.  Appreciate any help.

On 1/19/2022 at 1:23 PM, april_4_us said:

I too was thinking of this but using another cruiseline starting with a C. But I am unsure how I would get the covid testing from the C cruiseline to then get on Royal!  

I have thought of the same thing concerning Celebrity and wondered if RCCL would test you for that cruise.  Thanks to crzndeb I have my answer.  Thank you!

I'm on Harmony in February with a stop scheduled for Labadee.  I really wish it wouldn't happen.  While Nassau isn't a favorite port, I feel safer there than on an island with "locals" being paid to patrol the area.  🙄

I have two questions and hope you can help.  I have an upcoming cruise and it's possible that we might want to book the cruise immediately following the one we'll be on.  We probably won't know if we can do this until we are actually on the ship.  Question.....can you book a B2B within the first day or so while on your cruise?  If this can be done, I'm assuming RCCL will give you the Covid test while on board.  Next question.....if I book a Royal cruise, leaving the day AFTER returning from a cruise, will Royal test you while on board for that cruise?  Hope this makes sense.

Does anyone know why Celebrity doesn't cruise out of Port Canaveral?  That is our favorite cruiseport and closer to home.  Tampa has a Celebrity ship but it's an older, smaller one.....which is okay BUT....why not cruise out of Port Canaveral?

It has been many years since we parked at a cruise terminal, is it necessary to make any kind of reservation?  I'm assuming it isn't necessary, especially since there are fewer people sailing these days but wanted to check.  We are sailing on 2/20 out of Port Canaveral and are regular Park n Cruise isn't running buses as often.

I'm considering a Tampa cruise, for the first time, but am not familiar with the area at all.  I see that there are several Park 4 Cruise in the area, has anyone had any experience with any of them?  Long wait for pick up?  We use Park n' Cruise out of Port Canaveral all the time and love them.  The rates for a one night stay and parking at the hotels there is REALLY high.  Would appreciate any help/advice.

On 8/28/2021 at 8:48 AM, Reijo said:

We just arrived home from this cruise and while I agree with SOME of what you're saying, I don't agree with all.  

 

Getting on the ship was simple.  We had a 12:30 to 1 check in.  Got there a little early with NO wait.  Staff exceptionally friendly and so glad that we/they were sailing again.  Ship was clean and a lot of cleaning going on.  

The SkyView Lounge was our favorite place on the ship.  Bigger than Viking Crown Lounge on Royal ships.

I thought that the food quality in the buffet was better than RCCL.  Golden Corral/Denny's quality....I don't think so. 

I did notice that there were no bar attendants at the evening shows...not sure why.  I didn't have a problem knowing what was covered or not with the drink package but I only ordered a couple of drinks multiple times.  HOWEVER, I was told that with our drink package that I could get a smoothie at the Spa Cafe....wrong.  

I missed not having a larger Centrum type space.

There was SO many places to sit on this ship.  Many in quiet areas.

Cafe al Bacio was wonderful.

Sushi on Five WAS open for lunch.  Perhaps not on every day but the day my husband and brothers went there (at 11:55 am) it was open.

We did notice that the meals in the dining room seemed to not be as good as we expected.  In fact, don't try the Crab Crusted Flounder, it was sent back.  We ate at the Oceanview Cafe more than once.  The Sirloin steak that is on the menu every nigh was excellent and had it more than once.

We found the entertainment in the theater to be great.  Comparable to RCCL.  Very talented people.

My biggest complaint was the internet.  I had the cheaper internet package and was VERY slow and I always have trouble getting the same answer from two people on these ships.  On this ship I was told that I could only check email and send messages via FB messaging.  I could NOT check FB, no calls thru messaging, etc..  If you ask a second person, you often get a different answer.  I found this to be true on Royal as well.  I have no clue WHY it isn't spelled out somewhere....the cans and cannots.  I chose to not take a chance and did only email and messaging.  

There were a LOT of people, in suits, in many places...especially the dining room and seemed to be overseeing everything going on.

 

Overall, just to be back on a cruise ship was wonderful.  Celebrity was good but not AS good as I have been led to believe.  Superior to Royal...I don't think so.  That said, if they sailed out of Port Canaveral or Tampa (which is closer to my home), I would certainly sail with them again if the price was right,  Ft. Lauderdale is just too far. 

 

Every person has different opinions and you should certainly consider giving Equinox a try.

 

One other thing that I noticed on Equinox.....You are served by the staff and I'm fine with that, no problem at all.  My issue was that if you get a salad you have to pick up a bottle of salad dressing that hundreds of hands have been on in order to pour your own dressing onto your salad.  The same is true if you get waffles/pancakes.....your pour your own syrup.  Just curious as to why.  

On 8/13/2021 at 7:22 PM, aring75 said:

Can you believe we are finally getting back to cruising?! Have you been reading every single LIVE thread just hoping it helps the time move a little faster, like I have? Are you so ready to get back onboard that you’ve been packed for two weeks!? No? Just me?

 

My husband Mark and I are onboard Equinox for twelve whole days (!) starting Sunday. Our ports have been changed, but we DO NOT care. We are so happy just to get back onboard that we could float around for twelve days and be supremely happy. 
 

 

Went today to CVS Minute Clinic for our rapid antigen tests. Q-tip in the nose. Easy peasy.
 

 

Nurse will call with results in 20 minutes. Felt like I held my breath that long. 
 

Phone call on the way home…

 

 

Aforementioned suitcases are packed. We are driving down halfway the day before. Staying in Ft. Myers (which may end up being a really stupid choice given that Tropical Storm Fred will likely be arriving around the same time we do) Saturday night at Crowne Plaza at Bell Tower Shops.  

 

 

We will drive the remaining two hours Sunday morning hoping to arrive somewhere near our 12:30 pm scheduled boarding time. 
 

 

We were on Equinox with you and had such a wonderful time cruising again.  It was so awesome and hope you had great cruise.

On 8/26/2021 at 3:51 PM, zitsky said:

I found it interesting.  Wondering if Sushi on 5 opening is 3pm on all ships?  And did not know about booking times at Persian Garden.

 

Sorry that OP didn't enjoy their experience.

Sushi on Five WAS open earlier.  Some of my family were there before Noon on 8/25.  Maybe this isn't the case ALL days, but it certainly was on this day.

On 8/23/2021 at 11:52 PM, wangel said:

Cruise Critic People

 

I’m currently on the Celebrity Equinox day 10 of a 12 day southern Caribbean cruise. We did Aruba yesterday and will be doing Curacao today and then two days at sea back at Fort Lauderdale. I will now give you the Pro’s and Con’s of this cruise. Just to let you know I’ve done 14 cruises (about 1 a year) of which 10 were with Celebrity. I’m currently on the 11^th floor in AquaClass.

PRO’s

1.    Getting on the ship – Much faster. I had a 2:30 get on and got to the dock at 1pm. I was on the ship before 1:25.

2.   Staff is as exceptionally friendly. Really not much different than before.

3.   The ship is very very clean. Even more so due to covid. You can see them at all hours of the day and night deep cleaning and sanitizing.

4.   You can never get rid of chair hogs at the pool, but due to the population on this ship around half; the pool and pool chairs are much more readily accessible.

5.   Ship is designed for cell phone usage. You will need your cell phone so that you can make appointments for dinner or the spa. Much more convenient and quicker. Yes you can still do it the old way too.

6.   Room TV’s now compatible for USB. Yes, I’m a TV addict and will often bring a jump drive full of movies or TV shows that I want to binge watch. Now you can plug right into the USB port of the TV and get a directory of your movies. It appears only AVI movies work. MKZ does not work. Also, I have been known to bring my own TV remote, but didn’t really need it this time. My TV is a Samsung model HG43NF690GFXZA. I brought a 256 gb jump drive full of movies.

7.   Room steward is fantastic! Aren’t they always! Great room steward.

8.   Evening entertainment has been very good. Notice I didn’t say excellent?! Think of a very cheap casino on the Vegas Strip. That is how the entertainment is.  

9.   Internet speed. You have your choice of slow and fast. I can only comment on the fast. Price was around $399, but if you are Elite you get 30% off which brought the price down to around $240 for one user. Yes, only one user, but can be switched from one device to another at no charge.

 

OK, now for the bad news.

 

CON’s

1.    Food quality and selection (even in the buffet) is terrible. Golden Corral or Denny’s quality at best. You will get sick of it quickly. Fruit under-ripe for the first few days. Same menus day after day. No midnight buffets, no big parades of food anymore either. I go on cruises for the food and now, what should be so simple, they ruined. Even at the fancy restaurants, they are just taking their regular food and just making it look fancy. I ordered Salmon Sushi rolls and the salmon inside the rolls was the same smoked salmon from breakfast. Really!

2.   Lack of bar attendants so you can’t order (All Inclusive) drinks. I had the AI and before shows no drink attendants. Up at the buffet no drink attendants, by the pool no drink attendants: most areas – no drink attendants. OK, if you look hard, sometimes you can find one. Often times I just gave up. Stop at one of the bars on the ship to get your drink before dinner or a show.

3.   Very difficult to tell what is covered on the regular drink package and the better one. I have the regular one. Much too often the bar attendant would tell me that there would be an upcharge for what I wanted like a strawberry slushee or something else. It’s not real clear what is included in each drink package. Keep in mind that you glass of wine will likely be part of your AI, but if you want to purchase the entire bottle, you only get 15% off the price of the bottle. So it pays to get drinks by the glass.

4.   Celebrity has set the schedules of all the restaurants, so that around lunch time you are forced to eat at Golden Corral on deck 14. They want everyone to eat there. Deck 14 is called Silhouette (buffet) and it is cheap slop.

5.   Stopping at the various islands and the ship won’t let you off (due to covid) – forcing us to book a Celebrity tour to get off the ship.

6.   Sushi use to be free every night. Now it is pay only. I use to love the sushi before dinner. Nope, not any more. Not only that, but the Sushi on 5 restaurant opens at 3pm. Can’t even have it for lunch anymore. The prices are like a high end sushi restaurant. The restaurant is normally empty.

7.   Qsine specialty restaurant at $55 / person – Quality and Quantity lacking. (I had to go up to the buffet after dinner to get more food. Small quantities do not always mean better!). On the other hand if you are traveling with an 8 year old and they want to see a 3D cartoon on their plate, then by all means go to this restaurant.

8.   Food quality is poor to mediocre. Steaks are tasteless or too tough. Things are overcooked or undercooked. Overall, there is nothing REALLY good at any time.

9.   If you paid extra for AquaClass and Persian Gardens – it is now by appointment only. They only book 8 people at a time. Even with the boat half full, appointments book up quick. My suggestion is to book all your days quickly.

10.               The hot tubs allow a maximum of only 3 people. Yes there are many Karen’s who monitor this and will not let you in if you try and put 4 people in the hot tub. Overall, AquaClass is not worth it any more. You don’t get all the benefits and the food in Blu is pretty much the same as in the main dining room.

11. Activities are minimal and often downright silly waste of time. If you like going to Trivia or playing silly games, then by all means go ahead. Most of their activities are a silly waste of time.

12.               When a show or activity is over, there is no control of allow people to leave without clustering together. In other words, no social distancing.

13.               They use the same rag to clean every table instead of using a new cloth or paper. I remember some restaurants where I live using a new clean paper towel for each table so as not to spread covid. Not here, they use the same rag from table to table.

14.               The Persian Garden sounds good on paper, but keep in mind with only two saunas, what happens when one sauna is down for repairs for two days or a group reserves all the good times? Not good.

15.               Passengers are supposed to wear masks when off the boat. Many did not and nobody said anything.

16.               Many of the tours like Aruba were more trying to sell us Aloa Vera than showing us the island.  

17.               Many of the on-ship activities now cost! Yes, going to the Deal or No Deal game show on the boat or some other activities now costs.

18.               Water – yes water! They are now serving water in aluminum cans instead of plastic water bottles. The water from the aluminum cans tastes “tinny”. I’ve been ordering more Coke and drinking less water due to this tinny taste.

 

SIDE NOTE 1: There is a router in each room. For those who are computer literate: They are Aruba brand routers, model AP-303H-US. If you slide the front up, you then have access to four RJ45 ports on the bottom and 1 more inside the router. I have not played with them yet, but might. They appear functional.

 

SIDE NOTE 2: You can use a Travelmate Titan (Google it if you don’t know what it is) to divide your internet among up to four users. A very handy device: Ex:  if you brought two laptops and two cell phones as I did and you want to connect them all at the same time? It works fine. Just keep in mind that if your speed is 400 mbps, when you connect four devices all using the Internet it divides it by 4, which means 100 mbps for each user. The speed of the Internet varies. In the middle of the night is the fastest speeds. Morning, Late afternoon or early evening is the busiest and consequently the slowest. Expect to see speeds change from 400 mbps to as slow as 0.50 mbps.

 

Hope some of the above helps you.

 

We just arrived home from this cruise and while I agree with SOME of what you're saying, I don't agree with all.  

Getting on the ship was simple.  We had a 12:30 to 1 check in.  Got there a little early with NO wait.  Staff exceptionally friendly and so glad that we/they were sailing again.  Ship was clean and a lot of cleaning going on.  

The SkyView Lounge was our favorite place on the ship.  Bigger than Viking Crown Lounge on Royal ships.

I thought that the food quality in the buffet was better than RCCL.  Golden Corral/Denny's quality....I don't think so. 

I did notice that there were no bar attendants at the evening shows...not sure why.  I didn't have a problem knowing what was covered or not with the drink package but I only ordered a couple of drinks multiple times.  HOWEVER, I was told that with our drink package that I could get a smoothie at the Spa Cafe....wrong.  

I missed not having a larger Centrum type space.

There was SO many places to sit on this ship.  Many in quiet areas.

Cafe al Bacio was wonderful.

Sushi on Five WAS open for lunch.  Perhaps not on every day but the day my husband and brothers went there (at 11:55 am) it was open.

We did notice that the meals in the dining room seemed to not be as good as we expected.  In fact, don't try the Crab Crusted Flounder, it was sent back.  We ate at the Oceanview Cafe more than once.  The Sirloin steak that is on the menu every nigh was excellent and had it more than once.

We found the entertainment in the theater to be great.  Comparable to RCCL.  Very talented people.

My biggest complaint was the internet.  I had the cheaper internet package and was VERY slow and I always have trouble getting the same answer from two people on these ships.  On this ship I was told that I could only check email and send messages via FB messaging.  I could NOT check FB, no calls thru messaging, etc..  If you ask a second person, you often get a different answer.  I found this to be true on Royal as well.  I have no clue WHY it isn't spelled out somewhere....the cans and cannots.  I chose to not take a chance and did only email and messaging.  

There were a LOT of people, in suits, in many places...especially the dining room and seemed to be overseeing everything going on.

Overall, just to be back on a cruise ship was wonderful.  Celebrity was good but not AS good as I have been led to believe.  Superior to Royal...I don't think so.  That said, if they sailed out of Port Canaveral or Tampa (which is closer to my home), I would certainly sail with them again if the price was right,  Ft. Lauderdale is just too far. 

Every person has different opinions and you should certainly consider giving Equinox a try.

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

Curious if the Captain has  mentioned anything about the Tropical Storm Fred that is forming in the area and if the seas are rough?

 

 

 

Would like to know this as well.  We leave on Equinox Sunday, 8/15.

7 minutes ago, sanger727 said:

 

I've only gotten tested at Walgreen's, but the main website lists 3 tests that they do:

 Rapid Diagnostic Test (ID Now)

Diagnostic lab (PCR)

Rapid Antigen Test (BinaxNow)

 

So they do offer PCR and Antigen depending on the location but also a third one that is neither. 

I've read that Celebrity doesn't accept the IDNow Rapid Test.  I have no clue what the BinaxNow is....that's ANOTHER new one.  My instructions from Celebrity says PCR or Antigen, if you ask for an Antigen Test, does the provider know what you're talking about?  From what I've read, it varies and you could end up getting the wrong one.

6 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Thanks, very good to know. We are booked again on the Edge Sept 4, 2021 in the Retreat for another 7 day cruise. We are making up for 'lost time'. Already made our appointment for PCR test 72 hours before that one. We do not want to run afoul of the CDC which in their CSO restricted cruises over 7 days. Besides it takes me exactly 3 weeks after a cruise to loose the weight I gained on the last cruise.

Will you get the PCR test or Antigen Test.  A lot of confusion about the two since some places give Rapid tests that are apparently not considered Antigen.  Gosh, sure hope we got the right one.

3 hours ago, Arzeena said:

How would they control capacity in case of the older sailings. We are on the Equinox 8/15. Booked that one in another era.

We are also on the 8/15 Equinox sailing and I was told, when we booked, (over a year ago) that the cruise was almost a sellout.  I have questioned this numerous times and never gotten an answer.  Perhaps many have just cancelled.

This really gets more and more confusing.  Initially I thought that it was very simple....a PCP test (brain ticker and maybe 24 hour wait) or Antigen test (15 min results & hopefully NOT the brain tickler).  CVS/Walgreen's/Urgent Care says they do both, then I started reading that what they are calling the Rapid Antigen Test is the Rapid IDNow and Rapid NAAT test that isn't acceptable but they are calling it an Antigen test?  Aren't those totally different tests?  How do we know we're getting the correct test?  I believe I'll just show them the letter from Celebrity and hope I get the correct one.

6 hours ago, terrydtx said:

My sister and BIL are at the FLL terminal waiting to board their Villa Suite.  She just sent me this text about the nightmare there this morning. This was sent at 12:50 EDT time. They were not informed about the mandatory new testing until this morning.

 

"We are here in line with 2000 people. Last minute Covid test for all. We got here at 11:30 as told to do and have been in line since. They will not even start testing until 1:30. Does not matter what class you are in, there are hundreds of people in front of us. No place to sit in the sun. My back already hurts, this sucks"

 

She then sent another text:

"Now we are being told there are some passengers that are refusing to leave the ship. The police have been called to remove them. Nothing happening until the a*******s are removed"

 

What a mess, why didn't Celebrity wait a week to implement this new policy?  I am sure this will still be a problem tomorrow for people getting on the Equinox.

Some of the people on board are waiting for their COVID results that apparently have been lost.  They are not supposed to leave the ship until they have the results.  Some already have missed flights.  As of a couple of hours ago....they STILL had not received the results.

We are on the 8/15 sailing of Equinox.....our first Celebrity sailing.  QUESTIONS:  What are the alternatives for lunch on embarkation day....not Specialty Dining.  Also, is there Prime Rib on the first night like on Royal ships?

On 7/21/2021 at 12:29 PM, Steve Q said:

We are on the 8/15 Equinox sailing. We also contacted Celebrity yesterday. The representative told us that all sailings through the end of 2021 were being capped at 50% capacity. Our 12 day sailing has now been removed from the list of available cruises as it has evidently reached capacity. 

We are also on the 8/15 sailing.  When we booked this, last year during a big promotion, we were told that the ship was almost full for this sailing.  I have wondered, if that's so, WHO will be removed?  Perhaps many have cancelled.  Just curious.

On 7/15/2021 at 9:05 AM, Bo1953 said:

I say take their money, test as RCCL did, kick them off at next port at their own expense.

 

The price of placing the whole ship and sailing in jeopardy, especially knowing that you are not vaccinated...

 

Contracting C-19 after vaccination is a different issue, IMO and calls for a different approach and treatment even if kicked off the ship.

 

She planned for the sailing for a year, plenty of time to be vaccinated even with a C-19 diagnosis AND Dr.'s note etc...

 

While I do not know (yet suspect it was not done) she could have self-tested before arrival to the ship to confirm if neg or pos for C-19.

 

$1 bet she did not have travel insurance!!!

 

In health and bon voyage

I agree with everything that you're saying.  I believe RCCL went overboard compensating this lady and her friend.  Private plane home @ RCCL expense, reimbursement for the cruise....even after she spent a few days on the ship, a Future Cruise Credit....for WHAT?????  Sailing unvaccinated and getting a positive test she should have been put off the ship at the port (or next available port) at her expense, reimbursement should have been pro-rated and ABSOLUTELY NO FCC!!!!

2 hours ago, zitsky said:

Latest email from X.  What will the rest of you be doing?  😊

If you're talking about the Greek cruise, we have also been invited!!!  Guess this went out to everyone.

On 7/16/2021 at 3:00 PM, Rockhounds said:

We are on that cruise and were just able to complete the Set Sail.

 

We were able to complete ours also!  It's getting closer....FINALLY!

On 7/13/2021 at 3:08 PM, smaheu11 said:

Might be a stupid Question but I am booked in a Concierge class, Early check-in is one of the small perks that you are given. I did manage to get a early check in of 11:30-12:00 which I believe is good? 

I am treaveling with 2 other reservations same "Concierge class" who was only offered 12:30-1:00.

My question is if we arrive together and we are all in the same class. Are they going to be able to check in with me? I see mention to the Suite Class allowed to board early what bout Concierge class? 

Not a stupid question at all....I understand this as my husband and I (Diamond +) have traveled with our children who were experiencing their first RCCL cruise.  We were told by other people that "Yes" you would be allowed to all board at the same time.  We questioned this when we went to check in and the employee rolled her eyes and frustratingly said "go ahead" and all worked out great.  BUT.....this was all pre-covid.  You certainly will be allowed to board early but not sure about others.  I would ask and you might just get lucky.  If not, you can choose to stay with them until they can board or to go ahead without them and just meet up as they board.  Good luck to you.

Thanks for your post.  We are on a 9/26 Allure sailing and wondered why we couldn't check in.  I read  that you could check in on your phone via the RCCL App but I don't see a way to do this.  Does it really make a difference if you're checking in on a Desktop on App?