Knighton

On the Equinox for the President's cruise there was 2 nights of comedians (different ones), 1 comedy magic act, 3 production shows (Elysium, Life, and Topper), a Broadway revue style show with the singers and dancers, and I can't remember the other night (8 night cruise). Might have been game shows or something. I loved the Broadway show, and of the 3 production shows, Topper was the best, but the others were good too. Elysium was a little eclectic and dreamy, but still good. All had popular music you've heard, and the singers and dancers were really good. Here's a teriffic, up to date cruise critic article about what production shows are on which Celebrity ship:

https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2833

My son and I never had a problem finding decent seats at any of the shows. We got there about 20-30 minutes early, though. Close to show time, it gets harder.

The only suggestion I would have is if you want to do specialty dining, definitely reserve before you sail. When we got on the Equinox a couple of weeks ago, the only times left in the specialty restaurants were 8:30pm or later and that's way too late for me and my 12 year old to eat dinner. Oh, and if you do qsine, eat lightly during the day-it's not so much "stuff yourself" as it is wanting to try all the really cool stuff they offer. It's tons of fun-the presentations of the food (not huge portions-more like tapas style) is the best part.

Room service breakfast was convenient, but if you think you're going to be hungry, be sure to order at least 2 of whatever you want. They seem to take that number literally. I thought 1 in the bacon column meant 1 serving of bacon (should be 2 or 3 slices), not 1 slice of bacon. LOL.

I don't know if this is fleet-wide yet, but we were on the Equinox and they had the full weeks mdr menus on the tv in our room and even had a layout of which menu would be which night. Convenient-we could decide which nights we didn't absolutely have to eat there as soon as we got into our cabin.

I think it's terrific that the cruise lines are stepping up to the plate. And it really irritates me that some news outlets are trying to find something, anything bad about what the cruise lines are doing to help. Leave it to that rag New York Post to have an article (if you can call it that, it's so short) describing "awful conditions" and people (who didn't have to pay to get on in the first place) complaining about how expensive the bottled water is. Guess what-tap water is free!

http://nypost.com/2017/09/11/those-who-fled-irma-on-cruise-boat-describe-awful-conditions/

Thank you cruise lines! We appreciate what you're doing to help.

I also went to "slush" and you can ask for a non alcoholic one if u have the premium non alcoholic package.

Look at the DATES of the posts you guys are responding to...

So? The thread was started in June not 3 years ago. Anyway if you're willing to gamble that nothing will happen to necessitate having a passport that's your thing. I never would step foot in a foreign country without one. If you miss the ship for any reason and the port agent didn't get it for you you'll have to go to a u.s. embassy to get a new one. No airline will fly you back to the u.s. without one.

Right, because Oasis class ship's itineraries are so exciting. Expecting a Panama Canal or a sailing to Iceland a bit unrealistic.

 

 

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Yeah but I'd be fine on the Oasis. There's so much to do on that ship it could go around in circles in the ocean and not stop anywhere for a week and I'd be happy. I don't need ports if the ship itself is interesting.

I live 20 mins from port of Baltimore. I love the convenience but I am tired of how much both ccl and rccl are charging for the same old ho hum itineraries and the same old ships. I'm so done with Bahamas and Bermuda. I don't need a cruise to take me to florida- I can fly there. Even other itineraries the grandeur offers don't excite me. Hopefully some new ships and port stops will be offered soon.

I like HOHO tours. We did the one in Cartagena and it was a nice way to see the whole city. One suggestion-there were a couple of stops claiming to be where the shopping is (i can't remember which) and I didn't see any, really, just alot of closed stores and a mcdonalds. Leave time to see the old fort and walk around there. There's a Hard Rock Cafe in the old fort if you're interested in that for lunch.

The celebrity ships I've been on lately have all had $10 minimum on craps. It's hit or miss as far as activity/enthusiasm level. One night on the Equinox last week I spent quite a while at a slot machine waiting for someone (anyone!) to play at the craps table cuz I don't like playing alone. Noone ever materialized. Other nights, I couldn't get a space at all it was so full.

We did Qsine on the Summit. Assuming it's the same thing on Infinity, you MUST go there. It's the coolest experience. You order off of an ipad and the presentations of the food are so much fun and taste great. If you go, don't eat all day. (I'm not kidding-if you don't go hungry, you won't get through half of what you thought you'd want to try. They're small portions, which is fine, but don't worry-they're quick about your next item, and they don't cook so far ahead that stuff is wasted.)

I didn't see a separate line in Miami this past Monday (not saying there wasn't one, just didn't see it). However, I did get perturbed when my son and I are directed to the end of the line for customs but all the porters carrying luggage along with their clients were allowed to go through to the head of the line. I get that they work on tips and stuff, but why am I being penalized for being ok with carrying my suitcases by myself. They should have to wait in line same as me. Sometimes I've seen this done the proper way at other ports. The porter goes through and waits for the clients who stay in the line where they belong.

Oh, look. Here's an exact copy of the Adventure of the Seas compass from May.

Tonight’s Dinner Dress SuggestionCasual – sundresses or slacks and blouses for the ladies, sports shirtsand trousers for the gentlemen.No shorts allowed in the dining room at dinner.

And if you want to see the paper copy this came from here you go:

http://www.beyondships2.com/uploads/8/2/4/5/8245255/day_7__at_sea_-_friday_may_19__2017_compass.indd.pdf

Clear enough? It clearly says what casual is, and what is not allowed. Every night of this compass says no shorts allowed in the dining room at dinner. So you say it's not enforced so you do it anyway. Do you break laws just because a policeman isn't there to arrest you? If it's clearly stated here, then why is anyone having a problem understanding this? The only people that get a pass here are blind people cuz last time I checked there wasn't a braille daily compass. And for those about to say "it's a suggestion", the no shorts isn't part of the suggestion, it's an absolute.

Goodness....so many posts on this thread and y'all still thinking people are judging on what you wear! :DNope....the judgement is because you aren't following the "not permitted" language in the Compass! Sail on a ship that doesn't list "not permitted" and voila...everyone is happy and no need to judge you on "breaking the rules". :D

Thank you. That's exactly the point I've been trying to make. Why do some people feel like the rules don't apply to them? It's getting like this everywhere, not just cruises. Not permitted is just that. Not permitted. It doesn't say "except if YOU think you look ok."

So basically you want the nice features of the better cruise lines with the rules (or no rules at all) of a completely casual cruise line. When they invent that cruise line let me know.😀

They do not have frappucinos on board....that's a registered trademark brand from Starbucks. They do have a variety of coffee/based drinks, however.

I know there's no starbucks, I just meant that the only kind of coffee I think tastes good has to be frozen with some chocolate flavor to it. Basically a coffee milkshake. I'm sure the cafe has something similar, but that would be the premium non alcoholic, I would guess.

Yeah, I'll just grab waters whenever I pass a bar so I have a few in the room.

Question about how it works. So here's directly from Celebrity what it covers:

"In addition to enjoyingyour favorite Coca Colaselections, you may alsoenjoy juices, premiumcoffees and teas, andbottled water."

Are they stingy with the bottled water? If I want to take a couple of bottles of water to the beach with me do they make it a pain if I ask for more than 1 at a time? Also, do they still give you a cup for cold drinks with the package?

Just trying to see if it's even worth doing this instead of the soda package only. I always get my money's worth out of the soda package, but I'm on the fence about $18/day instead of $9/day just to add juice and water (I don't like coffee unless it's a Frappucino, and I'm sure they're not included in this).

Cuervosar, I LOVE your post and hope we meet on a cruise someday. I think our families would get along famously.

See my comments in red for this other post:

And the cruise line stopped that. Not the guests. The guests wanting a more resort casual setting is a result of cruise ships being built to be more resort casual and family friendly. They build ships to accommodate 5000-6000 guests now, not 1500-2000 guests. The company simply has followed the money and part of that was cutting the costs of what they provide.

 

From the RC website:

"Casual: You're on vacation – relax! Jeans, polos, sundresses and blouses are all the right amount of laid back. Please keep swimwear to the Pool Deck. Shorts are welcomed for breakfast and lunch."

Which means NOT dinner. Resort casual does not mean anything goes. There's still a standard.

 

But the MDR is no longer the best meal or service on the ship; things are designed that way. If the MDR was the best, why go pay additional for specialty? So MDR is limited. I think the staff, the food, the ambiance is basically the same on every night already. People are treated well, within the capability of staffing levels. What is anyone else doing that is diminishing your experience other than the cruise line?

 

See, you're illustrating my point yourself. The MDR used to be the best and there was a time when there were no specialty restaurants you had to pay for. Now, you're telling me I need to spend extra money and go to a specialty restaurant for something I used to get included in my fare in the MDR in the past partly because you and others want to wear what you want to wear.

 

Please stop with extreme, nonsense about vulgar offensive sayings on clothes or shorts with body parts hanging out. I wear clean, non-athletic shorts with a belt, boat shoes, and a polo shirt just above every day where I live. I go out to eat that way. I don't wear my gym shorts or lawn mowing clothing, I don't even own any t-shirts with slogans, let alone vulgar ones, on them. You are lumping in everyone together and it's patently unfair.

 

Hey, I wasn't the original person in this thread to mention people who show up in the MDR looking like they came straight from the gym without showering. A line has to be drawn somewhere. If "certain" shorts and t-shirts are allowed, then who is going to decide which shorts and t-shirts are ok and which are not? Each ship is going to have to have the equivalent of the clothes police hanging out at every dining room entrance. I don't even care if you wear jeans as long as they're nice and not ripped-and don't anyone start on the fact that that awfulness is the fashion now.

 

The cruise line did not stop providing a service because guests didn't dress for it. Don't YOU still dress for it? But they still don't give that service. It's just to save money. Period. No one is trying to actively go out and offend other guests, they just want to be comfortable and recognize there's nothing really different any given night. Waiters dressing slightly differently doesn't cut it as meaningful because it has no impact on the food or service.

 

No, you can't twist it that way. If you demand less from them, they will gladly give you less to save money. The boys in the board room looking for ways to cut costs see that more and more people have become less discriminating, so they figured why spend extra to go the extra mile if noone cares? If you don't expect and demand the best, you're not going to get it. And obviously enough people have become complacent about ho hum service and ho hum menus and are totally ok with turning the MDR into a completely casual eatery, that it's the new standard. Like I said, less trouble for them = less money spent on extras you didn't even notice you lost. You may have seen this from me already: On formal nights there used to be a nicer menu (Lobster or chateaubriand on every cruise, not just long ones), there used to be live music in the MDR during dinner. That would also be the night the captain comes out and greets people, they would serve champagne, and other special stuff. Everyone used to dress formally so it really was a special night where everyone looked their best and had a fantastic time. Even our room steward was dressed a little more formally on those nights.

Is any of this clicking? You and I paid for the same food and service. Do you really believe the staff care what you wear or are going to somehow magically make staff levels double to yesteryear because you dressed nicely? What if I told you I didn't think you dressed nicely enough for what you want? You'll not tell me to go get less than I paid for.

I'm paying more than ever for cruises that I get less and less on. I know that what's gone is gone, but the least everyone can do is keep things from going downhill any further. Why are you so against a simple pair of pants anyway? Again I ask, do you go to the nicer restaurant in town that clearly says "no shorts" in shorts and demand to be seated?

On formal nights there used to be a nicer menu (Lobster or chateaubriand), there used to be live music in the MDR during dinner. That would also be the night the captain comes out and greets people, they would serve champagne, and other special stuff. Everyone used to dress formally so it really was a special night where everyone looked their best and had a fantastic time. Even our room steward was dressed a little more formally on those nights.

Another extremist where everything is black and white. Sad.

 

You paid for an experience the cruise lines stopped participating in 10 years ago. Ask them why they aren't providing it.

No it's the passengers that stopped participating. The cruise lines stopped providing it because too many people today have this "me me me I don't give a flying **** about your rules it's my life I'll make my own rules" mentality that makes them assume they can do whatever they want wherever they want. If people don't follow the guidelines and dress for white glove service, why should they receive it? The cruise lines use this as an excuse to lower the standards and provide service that's not as nice as it used to be so they can charge you the same thing they've always charged, but give you less for your money. If you want to wear shorts with half your butt hanging out and a t-shirt with profanity on it into the MDR, understand that you are contributing to what is becoming less of a nice experience for everyone. Don't complain that the waiters aren't attentive as they used to be, and don't complain that the menu choices aren't as nice as they used to be. Lobster night is out-saves them money-hamburger night is in. I feel sorry for those of you who don't appreciate what for some people is a once in a lifetime chance to be treated luxuriously, and the way things are going they won't be able to get that for long. If you don't want to dress appropriately go to the buffet so the rest of us can enjoy what little of the nice service in the MDR is left. And even I don't know everything I'm missing. I've only been cruising since 2003, so there's probably much that got cut out by the time I started.

Why is it that people are ok with following dress codes ("proper attire required") at nicer land restaurants, but if a cruise ship MDR asks the same thing, half the people completely ignore the code cuz it's "their vacation" and get completely p***ed off if someone actually enforces the rule. Would you walk in to the fancy restaurant near you (or better yet, when you're "on vacation" somewhere else on land) with shorts and a t-shirt and demand to be seated when you clearly knew "proper attire is required-no shorts please"? Why is a cruise ship any different? If I wanted to vacation where all anyone wants to wear is shorts and a t-shirt and eat dinner at a McDonalds, I'd vacation at the local Motel 6. It'd be a heckuva lot cheaper than a cruise, which is why I expect more. I paid for the experience. Why doesn't anyone take the time any more to care about their appearance? A perfect example of this is the "People of Walmart" website. Really? You looked in the mirror and left your house that way???

It has been almost 8 years since my wife and I have cruised. I am anticipating that things have changed. Should I bring cash or traveler's checks? Should I rely on ATMs? I am assuming ATM's are on the ship. Is there an ATM fee? If so amount? Thanks

Agree that travellers checks are not worth it anymore. Cash is better-if you're afraid to bring too much at once, there are ATMs on the ship and if that runs out of money, the casino will let you draw on your room charge for a 3% fee. (No you don't have to use it to gamble.) I wouldn't use your debit card anywhere-protection against fraud is better on a real credit card. Also, call your credit card company and let them know where you are going and when, including the cruise and all ports of call-they make a note of it so your card doesn't get cancelled because they see charges from odd places. (Don't forget there are sometimes exchange rate fees when using credit cards in foreign countries.) You could get canadian dollars ahead of time from an exchange bureau or online, or they might have them to exchange at guest services on the ship, or even at an ATM in canada with your credit card.

I can't justify the prices they charge, either. I've been on 2 disney cruises and loved them. First one was a treat for the family, second one was actually a good deal for 3 adults having a "ladies weekend", but I looked on the day bookings opened at the price of a 4 night Thanksgiving 2018 cruise on either the Fantasy or Dream. $4500 for an inside cabin for 2. I love Disney, but not nearly that much. Ships are nice, entertainment is great, food is good (I've had better in other cruise lines dining rooms, and I think their pizza tastes like cardboard), but I found a 5 night Celebrity Thanksgiving 2018 cruise for less than $1000 for an inside. Guess which one I booked? Yep, longer cruise on a nice line at less than 1/4 of the cost. No contest.

My return flight was changed from 11:45 to 10:30 am - and it makes the only connection I can do that day. If I do easy walk-off (hoping to be first off, with the concierge's help!), do you think I will make it to SEA by 9 am?

It's taking a chance. Ship according to schedule docks at 8 am and NCL to cover their tush says disembark usually begins 2 hours after docking. If you're lucky they'll dock earlier than that and get cleared quickly, (don't forget you still have to go thru customs but if you're first off it'll be quick) but if not I'd plan on a hotel that night if u can't get a later flight.

I just generally hate calling call centers because lots of them are farmed out to other countries where those answering have thickly accented hard to understand English.