Cruise it or lose it

1 hour ago, Bo1953 said:

Hmmm, what part of GA do you live and what are the television and radio stations in the area?

 

It would be very, very, very difficult to miss cruise adverts unless you just do not listen or look at some of the major stations/programing.

 

Good for you if there is a limited market in your area...

 

No major newspapers, either, I guess...

 

We see them often, here in the NYC/PHL market, sometimes several a day.

 

bon voyage

We are 2 1/2 hours north of Philly and about the same distance from NYC. Our newspapers never carry the kind of ads you see in NYC/PHL . You may see a small ad from a local TA and there is always AAA. I have seen cruise tv commercials  but rarely Celebrity. The commercials are different in different places.

We also live close to mountain resorts that spend their money in the big city markets and only occasionally advertise locally.

I can't figure why Anthem would pull away empty. They will sail away full and then Summit will start onboard. Given the time line.

I actually knew some people who thought if they booked Celebrity they would sail with celebrities.

37 minutes ago, C-Dragons said:

Two years ago we had a similar situation when we went to check in at the Suite line at the port in Fort Lauderdale. An older man who I assumed worked for the Port asked to see our printed Sea Pass. He apparently didn’t see the word “Suite” on the Sea Pass so he told us quite loudly, while pointing, to proceed to the far end of the check in counter. I quietly told him that we were indeed booked in a Suite and that we were in the correct line. The man raised his voice again, while pointing again, and ordered us to move to the opposite end to check in. We decided to just enter the Suite line and as we did he said in a loud voice, “Go ahead, see if they'll even help you!” I was shocked. It was the very first time anyone, at any port, had been rude. Guess he was having a bad day.

A few years ago we were in a suite leaving from Bayonne. We were in a line for Sky and Celebrity suites. The woman behind the desk kept putting her hand up to stop us from approaching her and taking the people behind us. And the people behind us were just fine with it. I guess she didn't think we were in a suite. After it happened twice we went up to her and asked her what she was doing. She had no answer.

Are the people who check you in employed by the port or the cruise line? I've met more than a few clueless people at the port.

27 minutes ago, wwcruisers said:

In my 'stuff-a-bag' laundry situations, I have been known to 'reinforce' the seams of said flimsy paper bag with clear plastic packing tape. That way, you can stuff a few more things in, without having it rip. It's also a good way to seal up the top of the bag, when you're finished. What can I say -- some folks swear by duct tape, but plastic packing tape is one of my 'must-pack' items (and, I've used it for a lot of different things!)😄

Ahh an alternative to duct tape....thank you . My husband will be sooo confused.

Can someone clarify? It's a small bag, I can't imagine getting 20 to 30 items in it. Unless maybe 10 to 15 pairs of socks.

I have also read that as much as you can get in the bag without ripping it.

My husband is one of those guys who say to me before every trip "why is this suitcase so heavy?".

How do you do it? I'm at a loss. 

Any hints are appreciated.

4 minutes ago, Radio said:

Sunny Day and Blue Skies . . . on Celebrity Summit.

 

Radio

 

 

This is why we do it.

36 minutes ago, Radio said:

I was able to find a nice Cap holder for my NASA Cap. . .

 

Radio

 

Thanks for the great review and pictures. 

Thank you for all the beautiful pictures! They brought back some great memories.

6 minutes ago, Luvcrusn said:

Blu is the dining assignment for Aqua Class guests. It also is open to suite guests on a space available basis. To my knowledge there is no option for anyone to pay to eat there except on rare occasions they open Blu for a special lunch for a fee. Blu and Aqua Class is one thing they've added since we started sailing that we really enjoy. It's a quieter, more intimate venue than the MDR and the service is more attentive.

Yes but when I sailed in a suite there was no suite dining room maybe 5 years ago? Can't remember. Had to pay for Blu.

It's been about 2 years for us...if we can't park in the garage  will there still be ample parking?

On 5/4/2019 at 9:43 AM, Stateroom_Sailor said:

Where did suite guests eat before Luminae?  I remember seeing Blu on our 2014 cruise, but don't remember the others.

I paid to eat in Blu or specialty.  And than there was the main dining room. Could never understand why you had to pay to eat in Blu.

1 hour ago, miched said:

When I was was 5, 6 or 7 in the early 50s I had the measles many times.   I think at the time there were  different strains such as 3 day, 7 day, German  and etc. and once you had it  you became immuned to  that strain.  It was almost considered a passage of growing up along with getting the mumps, and chickenpox.   I don’t remember  it having any effect  except for being spotted with tiny red dots and not being able to go to school and laying in bed with no lights on.      I don’t ever remember getting vaccinated for it.  The only vaccinations I ever remember was for smallpox and polio.    I am over 70 and still have the scar from the one for smallpox.   

 

Now there are vaccinations for the flu, whooping cough, shingles, tetanus, and whatever else the drug companies can come up with to get more  money from us.  

 

For some reason they haven’t  come up with one for the  Noro,  except to use common sense by washing your hand frequently and being considered of the other passengers by using good hygiene and not doing all the other stuff you do or don't at home.  

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

I had measles twice. 

I try to keep a positive attitude no matter where I go. I know that something, somewhere at sometime is gonna get me. It's called life. (And this is why I buy a beverage package on cruises. Alcohol can kill some germs and can be ingested, unlike bleach. )

Measles are coming back, the CDC is gearing up for the next pandemic and most of this earth is going to hell in a handbasket. I will still cruise and at some point may even visit the buffet.

If the buffet can cause harm to you, I appreciate that and hope you stay safe. I will do my part to keep it clean.

Not one of us gets out of this life alive. Enjoy cruising while you can. 

Thanks for the pictures. Enjoy!

36 minutes ago, gold1953 said:

Any decent food service place would never do this.  None where I live do and I am living in a real fish n chip place

But they would put chicken wings and fries together? Someone mentioned that in this thread, I believe.

I don't know.. I  asked friends who are vegan why they  couldn't order fries and I was told that they believed more than fries got deep fried in the same oil. I never think of things like this when I go out to eat.

11 minutes ago, wpgcycler said:

I'm rather amused by the hysteria surrounding the multi-use utensil issue. Here's a little lunacy level test for y'all. If there is white clam sauce and red tomato sauce side by side on the buffet, would you use the same ladle for both? I wouldn't. If there are chips (fries for the US crowd) next to the battered fish on the buffet would I use the same tongs? You betcha! Any and all responses welcome.

 

(I'm on the January 3 Reflection cruise if anyone wants to report me, rebuke me or avoid me)

The fish and fries were probably deep fried in the same oil.

That is what my vegan friends tell me.

1 hour ago, bboop51 said:

I am totally confused. We received our second move up offer. We are AQ2.  (May 5th on the Summit.)  We love our cabin but decided we'd take a shot on a Sky Suite. BUT, when checking it does not appear any are available. Do they send out the offer with the "expectation" that someone may bail at the last minute ?  We won't be the least bit disappointed to stay where we are but I'm just curious.

I didn't want to believe it but after bidding a few times , I think they are doing market research on how much they can charge and what the market will pay.

I bid on  upper suites from a Sky Suite and then the prices on suites got lower and all the suites got taken. With perks and kids sail free or 3rd and 4th half off.

It would be nice to bid an upgrade for at least a little less, but with suites, there is always someone else that will pay full price.

I will never bid on a suite again.

Liked Bistro on 5. 

19 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

Correction.... after telling Marcia of a second request she checked the label.   It is Tommy Hilfiger

Please forgive me but I just have to do this...

Marcia, Marcia, Marcia. (And if she pronounces it different, me bad}.

11 hours ago, gold1953 said:

I have also seen very messy cabins while walking by open doors. If you hire a cleaning service at home the rule is that 'things' must be off the surfaces you want cleaned. It should be the same on a ship.  A cabin steward should not be expected to tidy up your mess. For those who leave clothes all over your bed they have to remove and fold them. Be respectful to these hard working people. Do you leave your make up all over bathroom counters and expect the surface to be cleaned ..Not fair!!

I have seen clothes tossed everywhere in cabins. It looked like a rock band from the old days trashed the suite. And one lone attendant trying to figure out what to do. 

Airline weight limits made taking formal wear more challenging. But 2 years ago when we sailed to Bermuda on Summit from NJ, a large group was on board. And the guys wore tuxes in every variety. They looked (marvelous). I loved it!

I'm the original poster. I got an email 51 days before sailing. I was in a Sky suite and bid high on a Royal. Well the prices tanked and they did a 3rd and 4th half off . If I had those rates I would have booked the Royal and taking two other people with me.

I will love my Summit cruise with the man of my (snoring) dreams.