Covepointcruiser

The real problem with the Edge s that she only takes short cruises with a ma. Of two sea days not are not consecutive.   It’s not really made for lazy days at seas, no cardroom and no library.

Both St. Thomas and St. Croix are both of the U.S. Virgin Islands.  The liquor, tobacco, etc. have the same prices.   St. Croix is less crowded with fewer hucksters on the street trying to drag you into their stores.   The cheapest prices on both islands can be found in the grocery stores.    

We we have also had changes in itinerary on our last four cruises.   If you won’t be happy with the ship, without ports, don’t take the cruise.   If you book private tours make sure they can be refunded if you miss the port or change days.   If going to a particular island is required it would be best to fly there and have a land vacation.

We have been on two transatlantic in the past two years.   On the Reflection, Michaels Club was extremely crowded from 5 pm to 7:30 pm.  Getting a drink before dinner was very difficult.   On the Reflection there are extra suites so the impact of Zenith passengers would have been felt.   Michaels wasn’t as crowded on the Silhouette but it was still difficult to get a drink before a 7 pm dinner.

I suspect that Celebrity will change CC benefits whenever they become too costly or inconvenient for the company.   This has also been done in all other loyalty programs, just look at the airlines, our miles have gone from worth something to almost worthless and they increase the miles required for any flight.   Unfortunately, companies have the right to do this.

The QM2 has what they call “sheltered balconies” and they are within the hull on the lower decks.   These balconies can actually be used on the transatlantic sailings in bad weather.    You can sit outside in bad weather and you won’t get washed overboard by a wave or blown overboard.    Celebrity with its fair weather cruising has no safety reason for these balconies.

Check Azmara, they will hav longer cruises.   Silver Seas May also be fully incorporated with Royal by then and they also have longer cruises.   Big ships are moving away from these.    We can also recommend Seabourn but they are part of Carnival

Since you are coming in on a Saturday, check to see how many mega ships I’ll also be in port.   We have found Miami on those days to be a nightmare, especially security.   You will need to be at the airport at 7:10, 90 minutes before departure.   We left on a non busy Mondayin th early morning.   We were also first class, TSA pre check and it still took 30 minutes to get through security.   The pre check line was much longer than the other but you didn’t need to take off shoes or get out plastic bags.   Quite a few folks needed a secondary scanning (metal hips, ankles etc) which really slowed down the line.    Remember you are also at the height of Spring Break time.   Good Luck!

hoever, if you happened to be flight crew, you may go through a side door.   Don’t know if that only works when you are in uniform

I know there was a lot of coughing and sneezing on this cruise and those involved did not feel they should cover their mouths.   Fortunately,  we avoided the respiratory disease.   Glad your husband has recovered, did he have the pneumonia vaccine?   We always hope the vaccine will protect us but it may only work for certain pneumonia’s.   

We always take two carry ones with our medicines and electronics and any other pilferable items.    If our checked bags don’t make it at least we have the necessities and a change of clothing.   We also have checked bags and if it’s a long cruise we check two bags each.   We are allowed two bags each without airline.    We don’t hand wash items in our cabin and there is no self serve laundry on Celebrity.   Our trips typically include hot and cold weather on the same trip and we want clothing options.   Our bags are 24in and easily maneuvered.

On the Silhouette, the Porch and Sushi on 5 were open on port days.   This was a transatlantic sailing.

We also enjoyed LPC twice on our cruise on Silhouette.   The soup and lobster were the best we have had on Celebrity.   The fillet was alstroemerias as good as the beef in Murano.   Service was efficient and food was served hot.

If you don’t care for seafood this may not be the restaurant for you.  I believe the other choices were onion soup and chicken.    Luckily you have other choices for dinner.

They had a separate luggage check in in Southampton,however, our luggage did not arrive any earlier than the next door CS.

On our last sailing on the Silhouette transatlantic we had the premium package.   We went down to Celler Masters thinking we might want to try a good wine, however, above each round rack of wines was the notice, “These wines are not included on any beverage package.”    We never went back.   We did, however get good service in the restaurants as they always brought the bottle and opened it in front of us so we always received what we ordered.

I believe San Juan, with plenty of Roman Catholics, does celebrate Christmas Eve and Christmas in addition to Jan 6 and most of the time between 12/25-1/6.   Because they are still suffering from the economic impact of the hurricane tourist stores will likely be open.   You will also have the opportunity of attending midnight mass usually starting around 11 pm.

If we purchase an Azmara tour will we still be obligated to convert money?    I don’t want to convert U.S. dollars with the 10% surcharge and I would like to keep our safety net of Euros.    Can live without purchasing goods in Cuba but will we be coerced into converting funds by Cuban officials?

Thanks for the NYC sailaway photos.   This sailaway is always one of my favorites.   Surprised you didn’t enjoy Darren Dowler.   He sang mostly oldies and had performed as the lead vocalist for several well known groups.   He was on after we left Boston and we did enjoy the music.   

Yes the Tuscanwas having a special event.   It was pay $69 a piece to dine with a ships officer, not sure how many passengers took advantage of this.   The MC hostess did tell us we could also pay to attend, but we said no thanks as we had already paid plenty for the RS with unlimited Specialty Dining.   

We were on this crossing and found it quite typical.   We have had ports missed on both the northern and southern routes.   In fact, on one southern crossing, we were about 6 hours late getting into Florida.   It was a nightmare for those who did not book flights through Celebrity.    You often have weather issues on crossings and even on regular cruises.   We never book anything for a port until we are actually there.    The number of Elites on crossings is very high and we even had 22 Zenith members on this crossing.  The entertainment was better than we have experienced before on Celebrity.   Also enjoyed Dr. Jim Kennedy from NASA, he was an excellent speaker.

You don’t want the smoothies from the Aqua Spa Cafe.   They are awful.   The service is slow, once you are warned you need the premium package, and they are served warm.

Nt many passengers order them twice.   Never had them served warm in Blu or in Luminae.

Do you have enough loyalty points on Royal to give you elite status on Celebrity?   If so, you may qualify for free continental breakfast with drinks, complimentary lattes and cappuccinos, and basic drinks during the happy hour.

We saw the Edge pulling into Fort Lauderdale just after 9 AM on Monday.

Fireboats were escorting her.   We flew over her after leaving the airport for our flight on UA to Houston.   Luckily everything was on time for United so we made it to BWI just ahead of the Thanksgiving rush.   Because our points are with United we had to fly either through Houston or Chicago to get to BWI.   We chose Houston to avoid potential weather problems.   We left the ship at 10 AM, no lines or problems.

I would say they serve huge portions in the Specialty Restaurants.   However, that being said, I have seen some passengers order and eat more food than any normal human should be able to consume.   Doubt that Celebrity will let any passenger go hungry at Specialty Restaurants.

This should also be taken as a warning to cruisers who don’t want connecting staterooms.   The inside doors carry a lot of noise and you will hear every sound from the connected stateroom.   Really avoid unless you are saving money by getting this as a guarantee.    Study all of the staterooms and indicators to make sure you avoid them unless you really want to know what is going on in the stateroom next door.

We just returned from a RS on the Silhouette.   We made full use of Specialty Restaurants, however, don’t expect special treatment.    We made five reservations thru the Shoreside concierge, and 3 worked.    Two were pre emoted and changed to another night because of 1.  A “Dine with the Officers” event which we could have had for an additional $69 per person and this was in addition to the RS.   We said, no thanks, as this had always been provided free with an officers invite.   The second time was the Lawn Grill and we were told it was totally booked by our Butler and by Michaels Club.

We went up there, without a reservation, and the Matee D said he could accommodate us.   No one else was there.    In a few minutes the Hotel Staff (about 12) was seated along with the Cruise Director Sue.   So they were the ones who preempted us!   Needless to say, we were given no special treatment and don’t assume tables will be set aside for you.   The staff and money making opportunities will always some first.

Did not know they ever offered a Jewish tour in Cuba.   Did they also have a Catholic or Muslim tour?    Hope Asmara does offer some interesting tours in Cuba as we have a $700 shore excursion credit and we would only use it in Cuba.

The slippers we received in a RS on this transatlantic will not fit my husband’s size 13 feet.    They are okay for my size 8.    Definitely not reusable as they are too flimsy to wash.    

You don’t need slippers..., encountered a man this morning in the elevator barefoot and without robe.   He was wearing only a towel and was dripping water.