Banana15

We are staying at Marriott Biscayne Bay in Miami before our cruise and rather than spend an astronomical amount of money on the ship, we are thinking to get a pre-cruise massage. I saw that there are two spas in the DoubleTree hotel (right next door) but their reviews concern me. Has anyone used any spas nearby that can recommend one? We'd prefer to stay close to the hotel since we don't have a car and would like to be able to just head back to the room and relax.

We are staying at Marriott Biscayne Bay before our cruise and rather than spend an astronomical amount of money on the ship, we are thinking to get a pre-cruise massage. I saw that there are two spas in the DoubleTree hotel (right next door) but their reviews concern me. Has anyone used any spas nearby that can recommend one? We'd prefer to stay close to the hotel since we don't have a car and would like to be able to just head back to the room and relax.

Are you flying into port the day before the cruise debarks? If so, consider a land based spa to kick off vacation before the cruise. That’s what my wife and I often do; Celebrity’s spa services are outrageously priced. My upscale Chicago spa I frequent is MUCH cheaper and better quality service and amenities. Don’t understand why some pay those crazy prices charged on board; guess enough do that they are profitable.

Yes, we are flying in the day before. Unfortunately, we won't be in Ft. Lauderdale until about 4pm and then have to pick up our car service to take us to Miami. I imagine most places close around 6 or 7, so I don't know if we would ever make it. I suppose I could check it out though. I'm sure I can ask in the Miami forum and see if anyone has a suggestion. -- I usually am willing to spend a little more, but based on the comments I've read, and even the ones above, it does not sound like a relaxing experience AT ALL.

We always bring a bar of our favorite shower soap with us. My husband does not like shower gel and deteststhe tiny bar soap. It’s not much added weight and it makes your suitcase smell great.

That's exactly why I asked. I don't like shower gel either and I can tolerate the small bars, but I do like my own.

Why would you need soap on a cruise?

:o:o:o:o:'):')

Not sure it holds true for Celebrity but most cruise lines have a special on port days.

 

Hopefully a seasoned Celebrity cruiser will chime in.

 

 

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The website does show that on port days it’s a bit cheaper. Unfortunately, we have excursions on all of the port days. I don’t really like to stay on the ship since I like to go and see the places we are visiting. I am hoping to land a miracle of it being on an at sea day.

I was hoping to book a massage for my husband and I for one of our at sea days. However, in comparison to the prices at home, the massages, and really all the spa services, are extremely overpriced. Has anyone had any success with booking them cheaper on board? I have seen some of the daily newsletters that show a discount is available, but it doesn’t say how much. Has anyone received a remotely decent price on spa services by waiting to book when onboard?

I am trying to log in to my Celebrity account so that I can potentially get some discounts during the flash sale. When I try to login it tells me that I have to wait 20 minutes because I have been locked out. I didn’t enter my password wrong or do anything wrong. In fact, the last time there was a flash sale I had the same problem. I had to call celebrity and she told me that you can’t just going to “manage reservation” and you have to do it some long complicated way. Does anyone know how to do that? I don’t want to miss the sale and of course at this hour they are closed.

All staterooms have bar soap. Concierge and above also have shower gel.

Thank you!!! Not like a bar of soap weighs much, but it's just one less thing to take.

I know this is a silly question, but I can't remember. Do the cabins provide soap? Specifically BAR soap? I am just trying to figure out if it's something I should pack.

*If it makes a difference, we are in a Veranda stateroom*

FYI, the stores at Renaissance Mall are all high end stores. The better deals are on the streets behind the mall.

I did know they were high end stores...hence the reason I said he will love that. LOL! I didn't know there were areas set up behind the mall, so thanks for that info. Would I be able to find those easily? I am definitely a souvenir addict. Haha.

Banana15, since we've talked about this so much, you definitely need to come back and let us know how your day in Aruba went.

Haha! Yeah, my husband tells me my OCD planning can drive people insane. I just like to be prepared for everything. And fortunately I talk to him about it, even when he doesn't want to hear it, because I ended up finding out he didn't want to take a cab. It would have been a LONGGGG walk back from Passions if he wasn't willing to get in a cab. Haha.

Now if I can only find some time to make a trip to Renaissance Mall...I'm sure he is really going to love that :'):')

Hi Banana 15. I'm the person that talked you a lot about arranging transportation with Trikes. I don't know if I told you that we spend 2 or 3 weeks in Aruba every year. I use a lot of taxis, and although I understand your concerns, Aruba is nothing like Mexico. It is very safe. I have been to Cozumel many times but I didn't know about the tourist incident that you are referring to. We have met so many wonderful taxi drivers in Aruba. We primarily use Bully, but he doesn't always work at night. He works with a group called A1 Taxi Service . We have ridden with most of them over the years , and they are all great and can be trusted. Their phone number is 587-8850. Just give the number to the folks at Passions, and they will call them for you. They will tell Passions the taxi number that is picking you up, or Passions will give them your name, and the driver will ask for you by name. We use taxis almost every night, and this works well, although I wouldn't hesitate to ride with any other taxi. There is also a bus stop in front of Passions, if you'd rather ride the bus, but it comes on a less frequent schedule at night .

Hey! Yes, thanks for the tip...I contacted Trikes and they told me they would drop us off at Passions, so that saved us a bunch of time and some money. Thank you!

Yes, recently a Dr, from Alabama (I believe) was beaten and killed in Cozumel. My in-laws were on their way there on a cruise, so he started reading about that and it just made him nervous about trusting anyone. Obviously these excursions have so many reviews that they make you feel safe, but I guess anyone could pretend to be a cab driver. I understand his concern. It's all we hear about on the news anymore...but I don't want to NOT go places on our trip just because of fear. I will definitely use the phone number/emails you both have recommended so I can at least be sure it's a legit driver. I am sure he'll feel better about that too. -- This is our first time doing excursions outside of the ship, so we are learning. Haha.

Here is a photo of Julio's minibus, which interestingly has his email address painted on the side, jn.croes13@gmail.com.

He is a good guy and a huge ambassador for Aruba, he'll try to convince you to come back and stay for a week.

 

 

Thanks!!!! Do you know if there's a possibility that he would be available in the evening during the week?

When you get off the ship you will run a gauntlet of tour sales and taxi drivers. Find a taxi driver there, check his credentials, and make arrangements for him to pick you up at the restaurant that evening.

 

If it would help I can post the name and phone number of a reputable taxi driver if we are allowed to do that here.

I am not sure if that's permitted, but is there an option to send a message privately in this forum? I've never even tried. That would be awesome though because I really do think a taxi would be a lot easier.

We have reservations at Passions on the Beach and we were trying to determine transportation. We are doing the Trikes excursion during the day and they advised me they would drop us off there, but getting back to the port is the issue. I assumed we would just take a cab, but my husband (who is normally NEVER like this) is concerned after hearing about the death of the tourist in Cozumel (I know, we are talking about night and day here, but try telling him that)....anyway, he is not really comfortable with a taxi at night, since he said there is no way to know if they are actually cab drivers or just people setting you up for a bad situation. So, I don't really know what to do. Is there any way to KNOW it's safe? Is there any options as far as a bus goes? We probably won't be out of the restaurant until 8 pm or so, and I'm not sure if transportation runs that late and if it's even available.

The restaurants in the Waterfront Arches area of Punda are right on the water. We have been to Scampi's and loved it! We are headed back to Curacao in a few weeks for an 8 day vacation and will be going back there.

 

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Is Scampi's near the port?

You should have no trouble sitting outside at Louie’s in May. There is typically a nice seabreeze and a tree and umbrellas to block the sun. I would reserve and request an outdoor table.

 

 

 

Mother’s Day will be busy and you may see lots of locals out celebrating, but as long as you have a reservation, Louie’s is used to busy days and I think your lunch will be very nice.

Thank you! I will try to call them tomorrow and set up a reservation. Hopefully there is still a good bit of availability this early on.

Our ship is in port in KW on Mother’s Day. I assume that all places are the same as far as being busy, but do you think restaurants will be extremely crazy, even with a reservation? Would we be better off grabbing something quick to avoid spending several hours of our day at a restaurant?

As I said earlier, Santiago’s has great food. It’s lots of small plates, and relatively reasonably priced for Key West. However, they do not have much in the way of fresh, local seafood, which is something most visitors want to try. Louie’s will be expensive, but they will feature fresh seafood options and specials. I’ve never had a bad meal at Louie’s, so I don’t think you will be getting “not so great food.”

 

 

 

The food is excellent at both places. The setting at Louie’s is beautiful and much nicer than the atmosphere at Santiago’s. Why not look at both online menus and see which one you prefer?

Also, I just realized that our day in KW lands on Mother’s Day. How bad will the restaurants be during lunch? Should we just do something quick to avoid wasting half the day in a restaurant?

As I said earlier, Santiago’s has great food. It’s lots of small plates, and relatively reasonably priced for Key West. However, they do not have much in the way of fresh, local seafood, which is something most visitors want to try. Louie’s will be expensive, but they will feature fresh seafood options and specials. I’ve never had a bad meal at Louie’s, so I don’t think you will be getting “not so great food.”

 

 

 

The food is excellent at both places. The setting at Louie’s is beautiful and much nicer than the atmosphere at Santiago’s. Why not look at both online menus and see which one you prefer?

I did look at both menus and my husband and I both liked Louie’s menu better. I just wasn’t sure if it was someplace that LOOKED good but didn’t taste that great. It doesn’t necessarily have to be seafood, but we both love it so that is always a plus. I am going to call them to attempt to make reservations. Is there any suggestion as far as requesting where we would like to sit? It is mid May, so I’m not sure how bad the temps will be and if sitting outside is even a possibility....or if they even take that type of request.

If choosing between Santiago’s and Louie’s, which one would you all prefer?

It would be for lunch. I like the idea of the view from Louie’s, but if it’s going to be not-so-great food at an expensive price, just for the view, I don’t want that.

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I thought that "shower power" was a bunch of hooey. But my BF packed his white dress shirt in such a way it was just a wrinkled mess. So he put it in that little bathroom w/ the hot shower running for a few minutes, left the shirt in the bathroom for 30 and oh WOW!! It was amazing. Much better than the Downey Wrinkle Release I'd used in the past.

My husband likes to do the this new “space saving” packing where he rolls everything into a ball. He insists it keep it from wrinkling, but considering he never packed a suit and dress shirt before, he’s wrong. I guess I’ll have to hide those items in MY suitcase or they really will be a wrinkled mess.

Shower Power. The shower will remove most wrinkles. Any wrinkles that are left are because of your advancing age.

See, that’s where you are wrong. I’ve been 29 for years..no advancing age here...AND if I squint just enough, I don’t have any wrinkles. I find ways around that whole age thing. [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

I certainly don't want to attempt to take anything on board that is forbidden. And while I am SO thankful I can take one, I certainly think a flat iron or curling iron is more dangerous than a garment steamer. But my hair without one would be dangerous on it's own, so I am NOT going to complain.

I'll have to attempt a wrinkle release and hope for the best. Worst case scenario, I pay them to fix it for me. Thanks for all the replies.