sptrout

Did they still have the Cirque production show on your sailing! We don't do many shows now but we thought this show was fab on our Equinox TA

We were on this sailing and the final "production" show was a Cirque-type show. The featured performers were the "contortionists" that the OP referred to I assume. They had some stunning movements that left one wondering how they were possible, including one that looked like it would have broken the back of the female dancer. As two people with serious back problems, we could only dream of being able to do anything that they did.

We enjoyed all the main evening shows that we attended (skipped the "Broadway" show, and the final night due to illness). Why is there always a "Broadway Show"? We are sick of them and no longer will attend them. We agree that Jane Curry was a great singer and very funny. She also mentioned that she had just agreed to do shows for Celebrity nearly full time for the next year. So many future cruisers will be seeing her. Great catch by Celebrity!

We were in an Aqua cabin so cannot comment on the MDR food, but Blu was very good with excellent service. We also went to all three of the main specialty restaurants and enjoyed them all, but not so much at the Silk Garden. Over priced IMO, even including the 30% off first night discount.

We brought the "Preimum Non-Acholic" beverage package, which worked very well for us. We lost some money on the deal I think (never really kept track), but enjoyed many drinks that we would never would have brought otherwise, plus we really liked drinking premium bottled water every day and at every meal.

One thing that was very unusual in my experience was how calm the water was nearly every day the entire 10 days. It was very rare to feel any movement at all, and the open ocean looked like bathtub water nearly every day. I highly doubt that anyone had sea sick problems on this cruise.

Overall, for us, it was a great cruise, so good, we booked another Equinox cruise for 1/2016.

We're sailing on the Equinox in February 2015.

 

Is the 3 Dinner Specialty Package for $85 offered by Celebrity a good or bad deal? We plan to dine at least 3 nights in specialty restaurants on our 11 night cruise.

 

Thank you.

IMO, the three dinner package is fine with the exception that they assign you to the first restaurant on either the first or second night. In our case, the first dinner was going to be at 8PM, which is too late for use. So, I cancelled the package and pre-bought 2 dinners, and bought the third while on board. You can book it and see what your options will be; if you don't like them, then cancel as I did. Also note that you will not have a choice of restaurants, it is all three.

It has been a few years since our last visit, but I will try to help. We took a ship's tour to OB, and to me, it seemed kind of far for a taxi, but that may not be the case.

Our tour included beach chairs as I remember, so I assume that they are available for rental. There are restaurants on the beach. The meal included in our tour was very good if memory serves.

Note that the entire beach (which is long) is topless, and the far end is totally nude. Even though this is well known, that does not keep anyone from the nude section from walking the entire beach. Just a caution in case total nudity is offensive to you. The worse part of this for us was that the total nude people strolling by needed clothes, if you know what I mean.

OB is certainly a great beach and well worth the trip. Try using Google Earth to see the entire beach.

You may want to consider "CoPilot" GPS Navigation, which is an App for IOS and Android for Hawaii or about any other place in the world. The maps are downloaded (when you are on wifi) to your phone so you do not need to have data availability to use it, or have any data charges. I have used it for a couple years and it works very well.

As I mentioned, the App works without requiring any data, and it still gives basic turn-by-turn verbal instructions. For more advanced verbal capabilities (actual street names spoken, for example, and real time traffic warnings) you can buy a one time, low-cost upgrade. Even with the extra features very little realtime data is needed. The program is available on Google's Playstore, and Apple's equivalent.

http://www.copilotlive.com/us/

Carnival ship now in port. The woman was allowed to leave the ship and drive herself home, because she is shown to have no symptoms.

Just a note to add a comment that the CDC sent a helicopter out to the ship Friday to get a sample of blood (I assume) to test for Ebola before the ship arrived back in Galveston this morning. The sample tested negative for Ebola, which is why the couple were the first to disembark this morning and then they headed back home.

Was this something you did on your own. Is there any place to take a look see at it online? Thanks

We also saw this show a few years ago and it was one of the best shows we have seen. If it has not changed in the past five years, two big thumbs-up from us. Yes, it is a "do on your own" and you need to make reservations far in advance.

http://www.warrenandannabelles.com/

I have both driven the Road all the way around and taken a Valley Isle Tour. Leave the driving to Valley Isle. They use small vans with about 12 passengers, all seated in captain chairs. No bad views in the van and they will stop anywhere if asked (they stop many places anyway). The driver provides nearly non-stop narration the entire trip; you will learn a lot. They also provide free cold drinks (water, colas, etc.) all day long. Just pass Hana, they stop for a lunch break that is very good and relaxing. An excellent company in our experience!

It is worth stopping in St. Barts just to see all the huge yachts. You can walk along near them near downtown or see the really big yachts anchored in the bay. We managed to see a world famous one come sailing right by our ship. If you want to see the top 1%, go somewhere else, this place is for the 1% of the 1%.

If you go, remember it's COLD up there! Especially for the sunrise! Bring jacket and wear long pants, or bring blankets to wrap up in. 30F. is not uncommon!

"cb" is correct, it is cold. Expect it to be 30-35 degrees colder at the summit compared to sea level, not including wind chill. It was funny seeing people in shorts at the summit; they had a short visit also.

We have been to shows on the four highly visited islands. Maui has many, many more visitors than Kauai, which should give you an idea of what kind of evening entertainment there is in general. Kauai is great for the wonderful scenery, beaches, and a good place for peace and quite. There is Smith's Luau, which is fine, (and maybe few hotel shows) but IMO, nowhere near the level of what you will find on Maui, or Ohau for that matter.

TY sptout. Is the PCC luau the same as Ha or are they two different things?

"Ha" is the name of the evening show that is held in an open air (but covered) theatre that does not have the capability of serving food. It is the main event of the day (comment based on the last show that we saw a few years ago that preceded "Ha" but no reason to expect that it would not be great). The PCC has had a variety of ways of feeding all the visitors over the years. The first time I went there they just had a buffet restaurant in a separate building. Now they have different options/packages that have different dining & costs. The PCC's luau is one of the options. I have no experience with this specifically, but as I understand it, it is kind of like other smaller luaus with the exception that after finishing eating you relocate to the main show theatre for the evening show (Ha). Remember that the PCC is a very large place with many visitors so they have to have multiple dining options to be able to handle all the visitors.

The last time we visited we bought what was then called the "Super Ambassador" package, which included an order off-a-menu dinner in a small separate room, a dedicated all day guide for just the two of us, front row dead center seats for the show, and other treats. Great package, but you paid for it.

I believe that they have other dining options available that are between the two that I have described. You will need to confirm this on their website since I know that some things have changed since we last visited.

If all else fails (cost wise) there is a McDonalds right beside the PCC's parking lot.

All of this kind of explains why I said go to the PCC and another more standard luau elsewhere, very different experiences, but worth it if you can swing it.

We have been to the shows mentioned by scottca075 and a few others and the PCC is hands down the best. However, it is an all day experience if you really want to fully see all that the PCC has to offer. Also note that the PCC is owned by the Mormon Church so no drinking.

My second choice for a more traditional experience (by our standards) is the OLL, but it too has a downside; no fire dancing. The OLL's show tries to stay traditional Hawaiian, which means no fire dancing (it is Somoan). Overall though an excellent 3 hour evening.

Smith's would be my #3. Everything is fine, just not exceptional. Unlike the OLL, it is not on the waterfront (neither is the PCC).

Not much IMO on the Big Island; nothing that really stands out anyway. However, I am sure there are some. Many of the big hotels will have one.

If you have the time and the money, I would recommend going to the PCC one day (means staying on Ohau at least one night) and then also go to OLL. Both very good, but totally different experiences. Check out all their websites and decide from there. I know, it is not easy. It mainly comes down to your likes and dislikes, the time you have available, and where you are when you have it.

The best months IMO are the middle of winter (December-maybe March). It is Panama's "dry" season if you want to call it that, and the temperatures are mild. Both of these should be taken with a grain of salt since their dry season still will probably be damp (maybe sunny if your lucky) and the temperatures will still be in the 80-90+ degree range. But, you will be a long ways from Minnesota's snow & cold!

Unless something has changed in the past few years:

1. There is a McDonalds that sits right next to the PCCs's parking lot. I think the PCC allows in and out passes.

2. The not to be missed, night show, is 90 minutes with a 10 minute intermission.

3. The main theatre is stadium style so most, if not all, seats have a good view. Obviously, money buys the best seats (near the stage).

IMO (but then I have never had any kids) the evening show will be the least boring part of the day for everyone (and I am not saying that the day's activities will be boring).

I agree with "agabbymama", rent a car. A taxi will likely cost as much as a car. The gardens is not that far, but it is located on a remote road with little though traffic. So you would have to arrange for a return taxi ride.

The garden is very nice and worth the time if you enjoy natural gardens (not fancy landscaping). There is a very steep walkway from the entrance building down to sea level and much of the gardens. I believe they will provide transportation if asked, but it is typical for visitors to walk. The walk back up is the tough part. We really enjoyed our visit and recommend it, but just wanted you to know the possible issue with the walk. (Note: It was several years ago when we visited, so things may have changed.)

I agree with the others that the OLL is the one to beat. My only reservation about recommending it 100% is that it does not have any fire dancing. The OLL tries to stay as close to real Hawaiian as possible, which leaves fire dancing out in the cold (pun intended). Since fire dancing is from Somona, it is not part of OLL's show. That is a show stopper for some people, or at least a good reason to go to both The OLL and to a second luau (my personal preference!). Its only money, and you may never get another chance.

Plan on the PCC to be an all day experience. There are more things to do than you can squeeze into a day, so some preplanning (check their website) would be appropriate. I agree with "slidergirl" that renting a car is a good idea while staying on the island. Just remember that traffic (and parking) are hell on earth in downtown Honolulu.

The PCC has what they call a luau, but it is really just a place to feed all the visitors before the main evening show, which is held in a different building. The evening show is the highlight of the day. It is not to be missed and there is nothing comparable to it on any of the islands IMO.

Also IMO, first time Hawaii visits should plan on going to the PCC and later going to a more conventional luau. This is what we have done multiple times we went to the PCC. IMO, the PCC is for learning and family entertainment (no drinking for example since it is owned by the Mormon Church), where standard luau's are more of an "eat, drink, and be merry" type of experience. The shows can be very good, but the whole experience is very different. My recommendation, go to the PCC, and then go to the Old Lahaina Luau on Maui if possible. I know we are talking considerable money here, but there truly are major differences.

Just to add-----

Medical jet transport services charge by the mile from hospital "A" to hospital "B". Last year we had to med-jet my dad from south Florida to northern Indiana: $17,000 for less than 1,000 air miles. So you can see that if you get in a similar situation overseas you will be in for a big bill without Medjet insurance.

Also, you can buy MedJet insurance by the year, or for just a specific trip (14 days for example). When purchased this way, it is not very expensive; considering.

Then why do you have to select your dining time on Celebrity's web site?

Celebrity's web page is screwed-up; I sure wish they would spend the $$ so these questions would not be repeated over and over. (Not a flame towards you Jade13, but Celebrity really needs to fix their web site. There is no excuse for the confusion this causes.)

Do you agree with so many others that the PCC has the best live show?

Based on the shows that I have seen, no one else is even close.

Where could one eat before going to the Breath of LIfe evening show, if they did not eat at the PCC? I asked this once before and was told there is a McDonalds close by. Somehow I think the luau food would have to be better than McDonalds. Do you have another suggestion? The only thing I am thinking is that if we don't eat at the PCC, we are not likely to get good seats at the show.

McDonalds is mentioned because it is right next to the PCC's parking lot and within easy walking distance. There may be other places to eat, but we will have to let our Hawaiian friends comment because I do not remember any.

When you buy your tickets to the show you will be buying specific seats so there is no need to "rush to the gate."

As for the food; I to have been to both the PCC and the OLL and others and it is safe to say that the food is not the highlight of the evening. At the PCC, the luau the food is mainly provided to give the visitors a break between visiting the Villages while waiting for the main show in the theatre. During my first visit to the PCC many years ago, the food was basically cafeteria-style. It has only been in more recent years that the PCC decided to provide a "luau" style option. During our last visit about four years ago, we bought the Super Ambassador Package, which included an order-off-a-menu dinner in a private dining area. This meal WAS very good, much better than any standard luau meal that we have had.

You are correct in that those that choose the better packages (we got the ambassador) will get better seats. There is an interactive seating chart that will show you what sections are available based upon the package you choose. The seating areas appear to be relatively flat (unlike a movie theater for example) so it looked like to us it paid to get closer to the stage.

The theatre is not flat like the interactive chart implies. It is actually fairly steep, more like stadium seating. This is one of the reasons that food is not served in the theatre, with the exception of a great ice cream stack during the intermission (extra charge unless you have purchased one of the better packages).

You are correct that the better packages get the better seats (closer & center). We bought the Super Ambassador Package for our last visit and we were seated in the first row, dead center.

The show at the PCC is very different IMO than any other luau show. I have visited the PCC twice and both times have went to a more standard luau later during the trips. Very different experiences, the PCC more history, others more of a party.

However, to answer your question more directly, I would not go to the PCC without seeing the evening show. The trip to the PCC is an all day deal (with travel time) so it is a major investment of your vacation time. The "Villages" and other attractions will take all afternoon (they open at noon, or at least they did the last time I was there). If you are going to be there all day you might as well stay for the show.

Does the $179 per couple pay for access to other areas besides the Persian Garden? On HAL, for instance, the same money gets you into a similar room and the hydrotherapy pool as well as the relaxation room. How about the relaxation area in the spa at the front of the ship...is that open to everyone? Also is there a hydrotherapy pool and if so how is the temp?

Thanks for all the info :)

No, just the Persian Gardens. The Relaxation Room is for AQ passengers and people waiting for spa appointments. There are no special pools on the Solstice including hydrotherapy-type pools.

What is the cost to use Persian Garden for the week if you aren't aqua class and what does it include?

Thanks

For one week the charge is $99 p/p or $179 per couple. The PG has a steam room, a dry sauna, and 8 eight heated bed-like chairs that are the main reason for using the Gardens. Very relaxing room.