Sandtrap328

No real differences. All. Of our Infinity cruises have been great---most recently, Nov. 2017 Panama Canal Eastbound.

Myself, my cousin, and a friend of hers will be taking this same cruise in late June 2019. We are also adding on the Alaska Wildlife Tour offered by Celebrity. We will be sharing a SS2 for extra space purposes. Plus, if we had booked our normal balcony cabin type, I would have ended up paying double in order to be in a separate cabin. We have not begun any serious research--I just began reading "Alaska by Cruise Ship" and it seems like it will cover a lot. But, I am really interested in reading about your planning, shore excursions planned (and reasons you chose them), and then to find out how it all ends up. I too plan on miles and Marriott points to make trip a tad more affordable. My husband and I, together with our daughter, sailed on Millie's inauguaral cruise in 2000 (At her request, it was her highschool graduation gift.). Then, over the years, my husband and I traveled the world with Celebrity and, in so doing spent over 90 days on Millie. Obviously, we loved her. Unfortunately, my husband passed away in March, so only I will get to do this trip which was in the discussion phase before his death.

Mine too! I always have people stop me and ask what I am drinking and where can they get one.

Cartegena, Colombia is a very beautiful and SAFE city. You missed one of the best ports of call. Should have done some homework first, instead of relying on old outdated stereotypes.

Sure, all the private events, lounges, and restaurants equal elitist perks. However, this is what people pay for.

Just look at the majority of threads on this forum and how many deal with suites, Luminae, Blu, Premium drink package, certain top shelf booze, etc.

Is it right? Seems good to me.

Did you know that The Everglades have around 135,000 breeding pythons and they are multiplying every year?

You can sign up as a Python Hunter and the State of Florida will pay you a bounty on each python you kill. Just think, you can help the ecological balance, make money while waiting for the night flight, and tell the grandkids amazing stories.

YES! I love to start my cruise days with a Bloody Cesar from the buffet area or pool bars.

Ok, rant coming. I think our upcoming first cruise with Celebrity may be our last and we haven't even set foot on the ship. We have been on many cruises on about 8 different cruiselines and never, never have we had so much trouble just trying to get it set up! What the heck is up with their website. Really??? In 2018 they don't have any tech people that can make a website that consistently works? There are probably high school kids that could do a better job. I can get into the website about 30% of the time.

 

We booked a Panama Canal tour over a year and a half ago. In November of 2016 we booked the one shore excursion we really wanted to do, the dome car train ride. A couple of months ago they cancelled it with no explanation. On the phone they said they just weren't doing it anymore. It is still available on other cruiselines. Major disappointment.

 

Then of course, they cancelled the whole cruise. I do understand that these things happen but how they have handled it is the biggest disappointment. The lack of informed employees and the total lack of follow up is driving me crazy. The only official notification was a phone call where the woman told me we would receive a refund and a 50% future cruise credit. Also offered was $250 towards airline change fees. Sounds good, right? She also said the future cruise credit would not have an expiration date, wrong. It must be used within a year. Not a biggie, but the people calling should have the correct information.

 

The refund eventually came thru and we booked a new cruise for the same time. We were told when the future cruise credit certificate came, we would be refunded the 50% we had to pay upfront because it was past final payment. It came, I called and a week later, no refund. I have actually called 3 times.

 

As far as the $250 for airline cancellation fees (even though our cost is $400 ea), they keep promising they will take care of it, but I have called and emailed 3 times and each time nothing. They promise they will let me know that they got my emails, but they don't.

 

I really don't think taking a cruise should be this frustrating. I do know this is an unusual circumstance, but when someone tells me they will follow up, I don't think it is unreasonable to expect that they do so. Rant over.

Yes, it was a rant. Simple solution - Don't go.

If you are so put off by things that happened BEFORE your cruise, you will be looking for things to go wrong while on the cruise.

Stick with a cruise line you know and like. It makes NO difference to us who really like Celebrity if you sail with Celebrity, Crystal, Carnival, or RCCL.

They will give you the "egg crate" mattress topper. It isn't much help for a bad back but better than the regular mattress. You can ask for a piece of plywood to put under the mattress.

You can always get chummy with the captain and hope he will offer to share his TemperPedic mattress.

My husband ALWAYS packs an extension cord with his CPAP machine. It has never been mentioned much less confiscated over the past eight cruises. Should he ever forget it I am sure that Celebrity would happily provide one.

Why are there always people who believe that the established rules do not apply to them?

Perry is a must-see but, for me, once was ENOUGH! Entertaining to his groupies and there are those who follow him around.

Basically, groupies will follow certain people. I have seen the Sue Demming groupies and there are the Captain Kate groupies as well.

We are taking our dog to get a therapy certificate and he is taking the third and hopefully final course. Dog has had to pass tests for each course to move on and has been successful so far. People often comment how well behaved he is in public but that is due to alot of hard work on everyone's part.

Don't start to muddy up the water with Therapy Dogs. They are NOT Service Dogs nor are they Emotional Support Dogs. They are dogs going into hospitals, nursing homes, etc to give patients comfort. Therapy Dogs do not travel on ships. They do not fly free. They do not go into restaurants. Therapy Dogs are great for the comfort they bring to patients.

(This did not happen on a ship but at one of our town squares).

I saw a couple with a baby stroller at a square. There was a ShiuTsu in the buggy. The dog was wearing a Service Dog vest. I got to talking with the man and I jokingly asked what service the little dog provided. He laughed and said the dog would bark at the doorbell and alert his wife someone was at the door. (Okay, but why have the Service Dog vest on when outdoors away from the house?). He told me the dog flies free on planes and they also take the dog in restaurants, and on CRUISES.

Nice old couple but totally scamming the system.

You can never go wrong with a Marriott.

Yes, it is true - as long as the OBC's are from Celebrity and not from your travel agent.

Yes for me it was about reliving memories. I found some that are eco friendly, no harm to the ocean or animals. I going to try and pop one off and spend the rest time enjoying the memory.

 

If only now I could figure out a way to let family and friends on board for a pre party. Nice to have good memories!

 

 

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Well, not saying it will happen, but if you "pop one off" you could be in serious trouble with Security. You possibly could be disembarked right then and there.

Savvy cruisers know to speak with the maiter'd as soon as they board in regards to changing dinner times, tables, and special requests.

What difference does ONE day make in celebrating a birthday? NONE!

You definitely handled the situation wrong. Have to say the mix-up was your fault.

Now that you know most people say Bulgari products are heavily scented and has caused some to experience allergic reactions - the wise thing to do would be to bring the brand of soap, shampoo, etc that you use at home.

You have no idea how you might react to other brands carried on board.

With 2,400 - 3,000 passengers on board, someone WILL have a cold (or worse) to spread around to others.

Airborne, Nyquil, and others are always good to have along. They take zero room in a suitcase.

Do not worry that security will make you be seen by medical. They won't. Everyone must sign a statement regarding recent health. Be honest!

I also take AlkaSeltzer in case I have an extra drink or two late at night.

My last sailing on the Equinox in November, the Oceanview had salmon, tilapia, snapper, pork chops, and steak for grilling in the evening. Excellent preparation and delicious taste!

I have not seen filet mignon at the Oceanview. Sorry 'bout that.

I snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef in early December a few years ago. It was box jellyfish season so we had to dress in a head to toe neoprene suit with hood, gloves, and boots.

The tender from Yorkie's Knob to the ship was extremely rough and a couple of folks got seasick. One yelled for the first mate to open the front deck window. He did. I was sitting in the first row in back of the window. A huge wave crashed through the open window. I got soaked! The crew apologized but I was just laughing too hard to care.

By the time you have cruised Celebrity the required times in order to receive Zenith status, you will know exactly what perks you get.

Yes, it is really nice to sip a cocktail or glass of wine on your balcony. Very relaxing.

Remember though that the drinking of wine and spirits is only allowed on the balcony of your cabin. :evilsmile::evilsmile:

Usually a liter of Evian in my experience. Which you can also get from the bar. So yes, you could replace the room water.

 

 

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We always have the Premium Drink package (provided by our travel agent as a loyalty perk to her). The first night we usually use the bottle of Evian from the room and then replace it with one from the bar.

Did you realize Evian spelled backward is Naive? Makes you think.

Fortunately, X has not attracted the hairy armpit tank top, tatoo crowd, Yet.The drink packages seriously downgraded the demographics, however! And that led to new X cruisers who did not want to dress up or have set meal times etc. We still enjoy cruising on X but less frequently.

Last January, Mrs. Trap and I took a last minute 5 day cruise on the Summit. The demographics were SURE different from the 14 day cruises we usually take! Yep, lots of tattoos, "man bun" hair styles, and kids on board. It was a lot of fun!

Drink packages downgraded the demographics? Get real! The older, wealthier folks drink just as much as the 35 year old cruisers.