Banjo

5 hours ago, Mynki said:

 

 

 

 

Bait knife, filleting knife and scissors in a fishing tackle box clearly 'checked out' by security who've obviously been through my suitcase every time I take it was not confiscated. The staff have some common sense! 

 

Took my cork screw. Got it back at the end cruise.

2 minutes ago, mek said:

I hope they have it in Blu for you on Reflection.  We had it there on Equinox and it was lovely, but our last two cruises on Eclipse it's been in the MDR and it was not as nice - a different ambiance and the food was not as good.

I been in both (MDR & BLU) for the Elegant Tea. I believe if the cruise has a lot of Elites or higher (like a trans-Atlantic) they do it in the MDR, lower amount in BLU. Agree, I like the ambiance better BLU but the food I found no difference. I liked it, it is nice. Just plan on a late dinner :). They do ask you to RSVP but never had anyone check your name off when entering the dining rooms.

On 6/10/2019 at 3:25 PM, verizon said:

I will be on the same cruise leaving on the 22nd.

This should be a good cruise.

We love Australia and are planning to extend our trip another 9 days in South Australia.

We have taken numerous Celebrity trans-Atlantics so we used to a LOT of sea days. Maybe not this many :).  Hoping they have some interesting 'Beyond the Podium' speakers. 

On 6/10/2019 at 3:36 PM, Fogfog said:

 

 

 

Definitely drop your luggage at the terminal. Don't leave anything in a rental car (even the trunk)

 

We had a long layover in Honolulu and had rented a car to spend the day with our small children at various places.

We had carryon luggage inside the trunk.

When we arrived back at the airport --all of our luggage had been stolen out of the car trunk--

Police said PROS had done it. They drilled the lock on the passenger door...popped the trunk from the latch inside the glove box, and wheeled the bags away.

 

We lost 6 months of notes and  items from a church mission trip, $, our preschooler's and elem school child's items including toys/blankey and losing a first tooth, many music CDs, our Bibles, medications, PASSPORTS, House and Car keys...and on and on.

We had traveled in dangerous places and nothing was stolen (where people had far less) only to get robbed in HI!

 

According to police it is a BIG problem.

 

 

 

Thanks for that heads-up.

On 6/8/2019 at 9:28 PM, mchell810 said:

 

Banjo -- Just a heads up the actual memorial is closed until Fall 2019, not sure when your cruise sails.  The National Park service site gives some information.

 

https://www.nps.gov/valr/faqs.htm

 

"Temporary Closure For USS Arizona Memorial
Visitor access to the USS Arizona Memorial is suspended due to movement of the loading dock and corresponding movement of the loading ramp to the memorial. The National Park Service has awarded the contract for repair of the anchoring system. Repairs are projected to be complete by fall 2019 and in time for the next December 7 remembrance, provided no issues arise during the construction period. We appreciate the public's continued patience as we work as fast as possible to fix the dock at the USS Arizona Memorial. Updates will be provided on our website and Facebook page.

What can I do instead?
In lieu of USS Arizona Memorial programs, visitors are taken on a 15-minute narrated harbor tour of Battleship Row, very near to the USS Arizona Memorial. Tickets are still required. Visitors can reserve tickets online at www.recreation.gov or come to the visitor center for same-day walk-in tickets. The visitor center, museums, and bookstore are still open from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, seven days a week, and our partner sites – the Battleship Missouri Memorial, the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park, and the Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor – are open as usual."

Thanks for the heads up. That what was available after a Vancover-Honolulu Solstice cruise we took last Fall.  We did not make it out to the Missouri on that visit but did see the Bowfin & the Museum. Missour may be a option. 

Thanks Kokopelli thanks for the embarkation information.

We will check for some other activities, if not, go to the Cruise Terminal around 11 :).

Thanks Awhfy. The Aloha Stadium sounds like a great idea, unfortunately the ship leaves on a Monday. I am now searching for rental cars. Hertz has an office at the Aloha Tower which looks like a short walk to the Cruise Terminal. That looks like a good option which looks cheaper then uber in the long run, more convenient and allow us to get to Pearl earlier. Thanks Again, Banjo 

21 minutes ago, awhfy said:

Board as you normally would. Expect a couple of musters (as people will be boarding from 1030-2100). All the regular dining options will be available for lunch & dinner. Enjoy the day on board or touring Honolulu. 

Thanks Awhfy. You just gave me a idea. We are staying close to the airport and we arrive late-so that kind of kills the arrival day. But the embarkation day we can uber over to the cruise terminal. Drop off the bags and then uber over to Pearl Harbor. Last time we went to Pearl Harbor many of the exhibits, including the Arizona, were closed. Then, late afternoon, uber to the cruise terminal. The airport-cruise terminal-Pearl Harbor are all close together so the uber expense cannot be that expensive.

Anyone knowlegeable of Honolulu, is that doable?

Maybe some the folks that been in this situation can help me.

I am booked the September 23rd Solstice cruise from Honolulu to Sydney. I just noticed on the itinerary that the Solstice departs Honolulu at 1159pm. Few questions:

When can we board? All of my previous Celebrity cruises the ship left between 4p-6p, usually get down to the pier around 10a, onboard between 11a-12n. 

If allowed the usual mentioned time to board, will they feed us? If feeding us will the MDR and BLU be open for the regular dinner hours? Or, will it just be the Oceanview buffet?

When will they do a muster drill? Normally I like to be in bed by midnight 🙂. The next day early we will be Maui, like to be ready to go when we arrive. 

Finally, we are arriving in Honolulu the day before. Hotel checkout is 11a, if not allowed to board till 5p, what does one do close to Cruise Terminal?

Thanks, Banjo

Years ago I got a $75 perk to spend at  a specialty restaurant of my choice. It was so long ago (maybe 8 or 9 years ago) I don't know if that was from the TA or Celebrity. Never seen or gotten that again. 

6 minutes ago, 4cats4me said:

Perry Grant was the pianist.  We saw him on Princess last year and he had quite a following. LOL

he was just on Royal's Navigator of the Seas last Fall.

My wife used to love him, I endured.  

10 minutes ago, tromvest said:

Are complimentary hor d'oeuvres still served in the Sky Lounge during the Elite happy hour?

Yes, at least during our September Vancouver-Honolulu Solstice cruise.

We did a Reflection trans-Atlantic last April and were able to order the Elite drinks (which was wine) in the MDR. The sommelier was really nice, every time he walked by  he top us off.

I just did our express pass this morning for an upcoming Australian/NZ cruise & it was the easist its ever has been. Very user friendly. Took like 3 to 5 minutes. I think the website getting better.

I sailed on both and never noticed any difference. As far as passenger capacity it's a difference of 196 more on the Reflection. Less then 8%.

Last year I did a Panama Canal/W Coast of So America cruise on the Infinity. We had Aqua cabin 1138. It was fantastic. The pics I took going through the canal were fantastic.

I don't recall hearing any sounds from the movie screen above us.

Enjoy it.  

21 hours ago, davekathy said:

We're Elite and we never go to the Elite breakfast. 

We like it. We are not big breakfast eaters. Fruit and a bagel is fine.

Don't like MDR because a lot times it's sooo slow. Oveanview can get zooie during breakfast.

I just love sitting by those Tuscan back windows enjoying the sea with a specialty coffee. Nice and relaxing.  

22 hours ago, BosoxI said:

 

TAs are a different animal

I was on the Solstice for a 10 day Vancouver to Honolulu cruise this past September. They had a decent crowd in the Sky Lounge. All the seats along the windows were full. I did not ask the Captain's Club Hostess how many Elites or higher were onboard so from my observations on who showed for Elite Breakfast it probably was not a lot.

22 hours ago, BosoxI said:

So  many have drink packages.  It seems the Elite lounge is much emptier than it used to be.  At least that's our recent experience.  Does a bottle of water count against the three drink limit?

On our a last Spring Reflection TA, if you did not get to the Sky Lounge by 5 pm for HH you did not get a seat. Same was with the Ensemble Lounge during that time period.

'Beyond the Podium' lectures never have a sales pitch. Occasionally the speaker will have book for sale but never any pressure.

On a recent 10 day Solstice Vancouver-Honolulu cruise I sat most nights 5-7, the Elite Cocktail period, at an area of the Ensemble Lounge by the Murano entrance. Observing the folks going in for dinner, very few had suits of even sports jackets. It was very casual.

I am having trouble with the signatures with this new website, specifically the countdown clocks. 

I have one I just completed, one I cancelled & one I just booked on the recent cruise. 

I like the countdown clocks because they give me idea when final payment is, when to do express pass, when to make plane reservations, etc..  I usually delete the clock as soon as I complete that cruise. 

Any suggestions on adding and deleting a clock would be appreciated? 

I can only comment on last month's Solstice cruise from Vancouver to HNL. After the 1st day you could sunbath around the pool. As far as the turbulence, no rock-n-roll, the Pacific was like glass.  

I just returned from the 10 day Vancouver to Honolulu, the trip was fantastic. What I liked was we did 2 days prior in Vancouver and 6 nights in Oahu. Stayed out on the northside of Oahu at Turtle Bay. 

A few weeks back I was booking my Sidney/Auckland flights for my upcoming Solstice cruise. I made a mistake booking on the website, so I called. They were able to cancel my reservation and re-book at a cheaper fare. So sometimes it pays to call.

800-533-7803 or 305-539-6000, 24 hours a day/7 days a week.

Sometimes it is good just find what you want online and call.