tarps14

I am not really sure I should be pointing this out, however, here goes nothing.  Don't know if others have noted this, but, under "In Room Food and Beverages", they list the bottled water prices.  For $3.95 you can get ONE of the large (50.72oz) bottles of water.  Yet for ONE dollar more, $4.95, you can get an entire case of the 16.2 sizes (much easier to tote around).  What kind of sense does that make?  We are Platinum so we would get two of the large bottles, however, I would rather just pay the small fee for the case and get it delivered and get the two large bottles if we run out, which is highly unlikely.

1 minute ago, EdmundXXIII said:

In the past, all VIFP benefits were given on the cruise on which you turned that level. I would be a bummer if Carnival chose not to give the early check-in time to those who are turning Platinum during the cruise.

I don't remember them ever giving the benefits for the new level while on the cruise in which you turn that level.  Maybe someone else will come along and correct me, but, I do remember this being an issue with one of my sons and they were told no, it doesn't apply until the first full cruise under that level.  Even a back2back they wouldn't allow it.

Okay, maybe I didn't put all the required info on my request.  Can y'all tell me what all identifying info you put in your's?  I'll try again with whatever I need to put on there.

10 hours ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

Yeah - just found out it's $500 casino cash. Now to decide how to play it! It can go very quick at $25 BJ table. Perhaps I can just put it all on BLACK - lol

How long did it take you to get a response if you emailed the Oceans casino dept?  I emailed on Monday and still don't have an answer.

Thank you for all the info.  After posting, I kinda thought that the 18th sounded right.  I did not know about 16 and 14 days out though. I’ll know for the future now. 👍😁

Good morning all.  My DH and I are at Platinum level yet it says online that we can check in on July 18th.  I thought Platinum got a two day jump so that wouId/should make it the 16th?  I swore I saw regular boarding started on the 18th. We’re on the Alaska cruise for Aug 3rd. 

I purchased two specialty dining credits (2 people for 2 dinners) however, for some reason, I was not given the option of booking times.  I see now that it does come up when purchasing.  Who can I call or what can I do to go ahead and make the reservations before boarding?  TIA.

The deck 11 cabin is set back and it will affect your view looking forward and aft.  It's certainly not a deal breaker but just something to be aware of.  With the deck 14 cabin, the "hump" will slightly affect your view looking aft.  Again, not a deal breaker but something to be aware of.  Of those two cabins, I would take deck 14.  Based on the video, that is a green cabin so it would be the better of the two.  Hope this helps.

Can anyone tell me how the “free” casino cancellations are being handled?  We were booked for one in Dec and I doubt it’s going to go.  We had paid for an upgrade and just wondering how we go about getting that money back. TYIA. 

Can someone post the phone # for Blue Chip Club?  It would be very appreciated.

Never mind, I found it.  But for future reference, the number is (866)461-7170.

Based on NCL's site, as of today there are 11-H4's (2-BR) available on your cruise (this is what I would recommend for 4 people).  You could outright purchase it for $8700 (does not include drink package gratuities or specialty dining grats should you choose the Free at Sea offers).  Take what you are paying for the mini-suite and subtract it from the above amount.  Then divide the balance by four.  This will tell you whether it is worth it to go thru the bidding process and some idea of where to start, or better yet, just pay for the upgrade if it's doable.  Only you can decide if it's worth the money or not.  The kids would be fine in the mini or the 2-br.  We had three adults in a mini last Spring and it was just fine, four shouldn't be too tight with them being 12 and 14.

Good luck whichever you choose.  I will add, the butlers in the Haven take really good care of the kids with all kinds of little extras.  That price above for the H4 is actually outstanding for the week you're sailing.

Oh my gosh, too funny!  Chances are they got the Latitudes number wrong.  Still, that's awesome.😂

Also, the Getaway has a Starbucks now.  It was added during dry dock.  If I had to make a choice between the two, I favored the Bliss.  The non-smoking casino, Food Republic, observation lounge (incredible!).  That being said, we are sailing the Getaway for the fourth time in just under four weeks.  It's more about the itinerary for us these days than the actual ship.  I don't feel like you can go wrong with either one.

We did a full transit just this past Spring on the Bliss.  Our cabin was a deck 8 mini-suite which gives you a really close up view (because these cabins jut out from the ship).  I wish I could give you exact times of things not to miss but my memory is not quite that good.  It was truly fascinating from start to finish.  Going through the locks, you definitely want to be somewhere you can see well from.  If you have a balcony cabin, you may be able to see just fine from there.  They do open up the helipad on the front of the ship for viewing and I believe that is where the guides were.  You'll be going the opposite route we went which was west to east and I know you'll hit this very early, but, make sure to get to the starboard side of the ship when you're coming up to the entrance of the canal.  There are some incredible views of the Panama City skyline.  Waaayyyy more urban than I had anticipated.  Move about the ship to get different perspectives of the crossing.  We ate lunch in Food Republic because of all the windows and didn't miss a thing.  Passing other ships in places where the canal was very narrow was fun as well but this is very hit or miss as to whether it happens or not.

Hope this helps some.  Any specific questions you might have, I'll be happy to answer if possible.

You'll get one every cruise since it's a Latitude level perk.  I don't know if there is a significant other with you, but, if both of you have achieved the level for that perk, it is one bag of laundry per person, not cabin.  Therefore you'll each get a coupon and two bags of laundry (one each).

Unfortunately, the only ships that have extra capacity in the DOS is the Bliss and the Joy.  Both of those have two bedrooms as opposed to just one.

Edit:  Some of the smaller ships do have suites with two bedrooms as well.

Lots of ways to check cabin location online.  Just Google "Celebrity Equinox deck plans" and you'll find exactly what you're looking for.  As stated above, 7292 is the cabin closest to the row of non-hump cabins, and is facing the aft of the ship.  Generally they are considered largest balconies are 1 (closest to the straight line hump cabins that stick out the farthest) and 3 are the largest balconies.  2 and 4 (which is yours) would be a bit smaller.  Also as stated by Fouremco, I would prefer the forward facing angled ones as you get more air circulation while at sea.  Either way, you've got a good one that is larger than a regular balcony cabin.

1 minute ago, Essiesmom said:

Costa Maya Coz, GC, Key West last.  EM

Ah, thank you.

Why didn't y'all stop in Key West today (Sun)?

The Equinox is doing the western route this week.  I thought Sunday was supposed to be Key West.  Anyone know why it was skipped today or was it changed to the end?  It shows on MarineTraffic.com as headed to Costa Maya.

4 minutes ago, rattanchair said:

Dear Tarp,  On our June 9 2019 sailing on the Breakaway the menu for breakfast, lunch  and dinner does not change. Heaven help those who stay longer than a week. We requested, In advance, like at lunch for dinner to have just have one order of plain broiled chicken breast and a baked potato, no butter. It took the chef an extra hour to deliver this order to our table, EVERY EVENING!!! While those seated after us were up and gone. My mistake was telling the maitre d on the first day that we would not be using our perk 3x specialty dining package, that we would be taking all our meals in the Haven Restaurant. Obviously that did not go over too well with them.

Okay, after your explanation, I can absolutely see this happening, simply because of the ship you were on.  For some reason, the Breakaway seems to find the most difficult way to do everything under the sun.

Many cruises ago got called to the naughty room.  It was my full size metal can of hair mousse that was causing problems.  The worst though did not happen on a ship but in the airport. It was just found out about when I went to unpack on the ship.  (Cannot believe I'm gonna share this.)  I got the dreaded "your bag has been searched" notice on the top when I opened the bag.  Unpacked and couldn't begin to see what had caused a problem.   Eventually I found a hand written note in a small zippered pouch.  It said "your bag was vibrating so we removed the battery for you".  And, yes, you guessed right.  *hangs head in shame*.  

3 minutes ago, Big_G said:

 

Sorry you had to wait 15 minutes for dinner. If that's all it takes then OK then. Happy cruising.

I mean, right?  

And, having sailed several times in the NCL Haven on three different NCL ships, we have never been encouraged to not use the Haven restaurant.  That's what it's there for.  

Folks, go back and read post #15.  It's not her own personal line of jewelry.  It's just one that Celebrity carries in their shop called "Captain's Collection".  I have seen many officers, including captains, doing this on other lines with other products.  I for one am greatly disappointed that we won't get to meet this lovely person on our cruise in Aug.

They definitely have tables that will seat as many as 12.  Usually it's just a matter of putting several together to create it.  Last time we were on the Equinox there was a very large group of 25+ from one family.  They had three tables but I distinctly remember there being more than 8 at one table.  They took a table for 8 and combined it with another to create a long table for all the minors to sit at together.  Surprisingly well behaved for the age spread at that one table.  Elementary age all the way to high schoolers.  Fun group to watch and converse with.

**this is the main dining room I'm referring to.