neilrr

Sorry for a spelling error - it should have been "conscience"  and an extra "a" in my writing.  I was called to a meeting, as I was finishing up and did not get a chance to proofread...😊 

18 hours ago, StanandJim said:

Neil & Jerry-

The bring on booze is not limited to "a bottle each". 

As long as you behave yourselves socially and don't plan to open a pop up bar on the pool deck, 

-Let your conscience be your guide-

 

Enjoy  🍸

StandardJim - We are always good boys...Sometimes🤡  But a a pop-up bar on the pool deck does sound good to me... conscinence - what's that??? LOL😁 Thanks for the info...I did think it was only one bottle each - that should get us through the 10 days...🍸 

4 hours ago, LHT28 said:

we noticed a couple getting on the elevator  with drinks in hand from the cabin

do they think no one would notice they were using the cabin glassware

If you are going to be sneaky at least take a glass from the bar to your cabin to make your drinks to carry around 😄

LHT28 - I totally agree... It's like I tell my students -- if you are going to cheat off someone -- make sure it is a smart student (which usually isn't the case)..LOL😊 We make sure we always have service for 12 in the cabin for any occasion and venue...Ha!!! 

Happy Cruising!!!.

dockgirl- You are also allowed to bring a bottle each aboard (not for use in dining room or public areas). We will bring a bottle of Vodka and a bottle of Rum... 😊 

Hi all!!!  We booked the cruise for Christmas onboard reflection -- just before they started the packages for the Inside Cabins. We are Elite and so we get many perks already. We got $100 for booking aboard. When we came back home - I saw the 2 perk deal before the TA did and called her... WELL... We ended up with the Classic Drink package, $300 SBC, Gratuities, the $100 from Celebrity and a $50 Loyalty Bonus.  The whole thing cost us $180 more PP... We are happy campers... We will also upgrade to Premium when we get on the ship with our favorite bartenders for $10PP + Gratuitiy per day...  Happy Sailing!!!😁    

1 hour ago, Classiccruiser777 said:

 

That’s correct. This is what we are doing on our upcoming Insignia cruise. We’re flying to England three days before our cruise from Southampton using our own flight arrangements then using O air from Miami to return to Seattle. Our one way fare that we booked independently from Seattle was just under $300 PP which includes our luggage fees and is a non-stop direct flight. O gave us a $250 PP air credit for that segment.

Classiccruiser777 -  Your trip also sounded like a TA, so the US flights are less expensive and generally London's airports are too.  It is very interesting. I will have to keep your suggestion in mind for the future. My issue is -- We have to travel during high times due to work and so the air is generally more valuable than the credit.  It also depends on where you are flying to, as many of the European cities are high i.e. Rome, Athens, etc... As was pointed out by Pinotlover - you must book early, because between O's agreements and the dwindling number of flights - best to book sooner than later. Thank you for your suggestion.😊    

32 minutes ago, PaulMCO said:

Even with an air deviation you may have to pay extra for direct flight.  Last time we used O air they wanted $500 extra for an MIA to Rio flight.  Instead they put on on Delta -- via ATL.

PaulMCO - You are correct.  Recently when we booked they told us that if they don't have a deal/agreement or can't get the dates - it could be higher - but we were fine and it was $175PP, as we are staying on both ends of the trip.

13 minutes ago, Classiccruiser777 said:

Also, you may use O air for one segment and make your own arrangements (and get the air credit) for the other segment. This way you may fly in before your cruise begins, or ends, without having to pay the air deviation waiver fee.

 

Classiccruiser777 - I had not heard what you stated above and I am a bit confused. Will O let you book only one segment and still give you a credit for the departure/return? So let's say -- if you you want to stay in Lisbon at the start- you book your own air (they give you a one way credit) and then take their air for the return from Rome? Interesting, if I am interpreting you correctly...😁 Thank you...

On 4/19/2019 at 3:59 PM, dockgirl said:

First time booking O Life Air,  does Oceania try and book direct flights for passengers when they are available from departing airport. 

Thanks you, Dockgirl

Hi dockgirl!!! They usually have specific gateways - and as Hawaiidan mentioned they usually do what is cheapest for them -- which does not mean a direct flight for you. Now, we usually take their air - but we like to stay in the cities before and/or after so we pay the "air deviation" fee of $175PP and you are offered flights (you can accept/reject) and we did get a direct flight going, but received a connection on the return which had good times. 

You can book on your own air, but remember if you are taking O's travel insurance for the trip (which is very expensive, as they base it on age; Celebrity bases it on ticket price - which is MUCH less expensive) your air will not be covered by their insurance.  When we take Oceania, we book our travel insurance separately.

Good luck and happy travels....😁

I will throw in my 2 1/2 cents...😀 We travel to Europe at least once per year.  We always buy our Euros through our bank here in the US (without any fee, other than the one calculated into the rate which is minimal). I have also used AAA in the past, where you can mix and match different currencies, if you are visiting different countries and they deliver it right to your door for $10 or less depending on amount ordered. 

We try to bring enough in the currency to generally get us through the trip. Some people (as we have seen) either don't bring any currency for the countries being visited  - which is foolish - then we see them hunting for currency or try to use US $. Also, break bills into coin for tips and miscellaneous items.  Upon return, we then keep the currencies for future trips (my foreign currency stash😊) as the banks charge you to sell it back - which is crazy. We generally estimate about $50 per day in Euros (more or less the same for other countries' currencies). If we are staying a few days -- other than a day here or there on a cruise ship we take a bit more per day. 

Always, make sure your rooms in the hotels have an in-room safe, only carry copies of your passports (if needed) and leave originals in safe and carry one Credit Card and some currency when going outside. Also, avoid wearing flashy/any jewelry. Keep everything in front pockets or fanny pak - as the pickpockets are notorious in Rome and Barcelona... Avoid people standing too close to you and take note of surroundings..  

As for Credit Cards - we do use them and we avoid the foreign transaction fees by using Capital One and/or one of the Amex cards that waive them (though many merchants in Europe will not take Amex).  In my opinion, It is safer to use the credit card then to give thieves access to your checking account through a debit card -- and money is harder to recover on a debit card from your bank. 

Good luck and happy travels....😁 

On 4/12/2019 at 4:51 PM, NantahalaCruiser said:

Unfortunately, I believe the free saunas in the men's and women's changing rooms are no longer there after the addition of 13 new A1 cabins on deck 10 forward starboard (the changing rooms appear to be less than half the size of what they used to be.) The LLP doth taketh away!

On 4/12/2019 at 6:02 PM, STLCRUISIN said:

When the Millennium moved the men's changing room to the port side they did put in a new sauna (no porthole window). I didn't get to use it on our Asia cruise in March but it and the changing room looked very nice.

It's all about the money and the generation of revenue... Sorry to hear about the sauna and the picture window. It was just beautiful. Someone else made a comment about the food.  We loved when Michel Roux was there -- it was the best... Hope to take Millennium again sometime... Happy Cruising!!!

On 2/12/2019 at 6:55 PM, elaineb said:

 

Thank you!  I am looking forward to this.

 

That pool was always one of my favorites.  When they did the Solstice class ships I was soooo disappointed that they did not put that type of pool in.  It is the best... Enjoy....😊

1 minute ago, bookitdanno said:

Now that we know that all the existing ships will be "Revolutionized"....

And we know that Celebrity has placed the order for a 5Th Edge Class ship...

 

What do you think the future WILL be for the "M" Class Ships"???

 

What do you think the future SHOULD be for the "M Class ships???

 

I realized that this is all speculation, but why not? Let's have some FUN!

 

Our all time favorite ship is still the  Millennium - love the main dining room, thallostherapy pool and the sauna with the gigantic porthole window.. We were on it when it was new and now it is almost twenty years old.  Glad they are putting money into the M- Class ships, so they probably will be around for a while.  I believe just like the Century - they put in 55 million in and then the Century and the other Century class ships - Mercury and Galaxy -- were sent off to TUI or Mein Schiff.  RCCL has a piece of TUI. We also go back to Horizon and Zenith - and the $35 fee to join the Captain's Club...😊🍸    

3 minutes ago, chengkp75 said:

It is not something that needs a "fix".  This is required maintenance, required by the engine manufacturer, by the classification society that gives the ship its certificates to sail at all, and by the flag state.  As I said, many, many cruise ships sail around for weeks on end with one engine taken down for maintenance, and none of the thousands of passengers onboard know anything about it.  Think of this as your car needing a required maintenance, at a given mileage, or the warranty is voided.

We will expect the worst and hope for the best... Too late now... It is all paid for...We will monitor what happens down the road...

Have a great weekend...  

3 hours ago, babysteps said:

 

As I understand it, it is typical to do the engine overhauls while the ship is in service, not at a drydock.  More "standard maintenance" than "engine issues".  Chengkp75 will correct me as needed!

45 minutes ago, chengkp75 said:

 

Yes, this is something that happens all the time for cruise ships.  This is not an "engine issue", it is routine maintenance, that cannot be deferred to a drydock, unless that docking is within the grace period of the maintenance interval.  Besides, the engineers have far too much going on in the engine room during drydock to have an engine torn down as well, plus the overhauls typically take longer than a normal drydock period.

babysteps and Chengkp75 - Thank you for your responses. I would hope that even if they could not do a full take down of the engine - they should do some type of fix, as they have a full and busy summer season ahead of them. How long is the ship going to be in dry dock for? I have not seen any information on it...  

Aren't they taking the ship into dry dock in May? I would hope they address those engine issues then.  We are actually on the 7/5 cruise out of Lisbon.  I am sure they will(hopefully) get things straightened out by then...😊  

16 hours ago, keithm said:

Hi, Neil! Hey, your e-mail "bounced" back to me as undeliverable! We booked a 14 day trip next Jan. on Silhouette. It's kind of our make or break on Celebrity for us. I would have liked to have done the late Feb. trip on Riviera(Feb.2020)but the itinerary is a Wed.-Wed. trip  & I hate going right back to work! Try e-mailing me at my address. If you lost it, just let me know on this thread & I'll resend it. Great to hear you guys are doing fine. Take care.

I can't understand. I will send you an email... I agree --going back to work in the middle of the week stinks.. 

On 4/7/2019 at 8:26 PM, keithm said:

I have to say that on both our Caribbean trips we saw very few shorts in the Terrace Grill. Very few sport coats as well. Generally slacks & short(or long sleeve shirts) The few shorts we saw were basically nice Bermuda type shorts. On our recent Jan. trip on Riviera, by the time we went through Terrace, it was getting near the end of dinner, but even around the ship, shorts weren't too common at night. Mura is quite correct in the "comfortable" style of dress. No guys, that does NOT mean walking around the ship in your skivvies!(this is humor, here!)

keithm - You always turn up where I would least expect to find you... You are too funny... How are you?  We have been busy... Just got back from the 10 Day Reflection to the S. Caribbean and going on Oceania Sirena this summer Lisbon to Rome (our favorite)... We will spend some extra time in both cities.  We also booked the Christmas cruise on Reflection and Jerry found the Ireland/Iceland cruise in July of 2020 on Reflection... I promise we won't run around on Sirena in the buffet in our skivvies...😁🍸 Take care and be well... Talk to you soon... Neil

On 4/6/2019 at 9:23 AM, pinotlover said:

I have no idea what your joke of ending up with glass ware is suppose to mean! Do you hide your dirty glasses? Do you tell the room attendant not to take any glasses out? We always leave our used glasses out to be taken and replaced by clean ones! How or why would one want to accumulate dirty glasses?

Someone got out of the wrong side of the bed on Saturday morning and sounds like they can use more than a glass of Pinot...🍸 Someday when you are older and smarter -- I will explain it to you... P.S. All of the glasses are washed and clean -- stop by for a cocktail sometime...😊  

Hi everyone!!! We recently booked another cruise on Sirena in July and as I recall all the drinks we had in Horizon/Martinis were the same size all the time (i.e. Happy Hour). We were quite pleased and being that we will be off the ship most of the day in each port the drink package, though nice to have, is too expensive for 10 days for 2 people. We will also bring a bottle along for each of us for room usage. We usually end up with a service for 12 of glassware in the stateroom....LOL😀🍸

Hi Everyone: 

My Partner Jerry and I just got off the Reflection and had a wonderful time.  While on-board we booked the Reflection Eastern Caribbean Christmas cruise. We have been on holiday cruises before and had a wonderful time.  We hope others can join us.  Look forward to hearing from you soon....😀

Neil & Jerry

Hi Everyone:

We just booked this fabulous trip on Reflection.  It was a great deal including the upgraded balcony cabin, liquor package, SBC, gratuities and Internet. We are very excited to go to Iceland.

My Partner Jerry and I are avid cruisers.  We hope others join us. See you all soon...😁

Neil & Jerry

Only 112 Days until Sail Away... Where are all you international travelers???😊

All Aboard!!! 9 Days until Sail Away!!!!😁

Thank you all for the good information... I think with Pay As You Go -- we can keep it to about half of the package cost...

Hi all!!! I figured I would throw my 2 cents in... The way I look at it -- If you are relatively big drinker then the package is worth it. I am not a huge drinker; my Partner a bit more (probably from living with me..). You are basically paying $70 per day including gratuity PP.  We will be on the ship for 10 days, so it would be $700 per person x 2 $1,400. I personally just can't see spending that money for 10 days.  We have been on Oceania twice before and they had great happy hours - BOGO free; one from 5-7 PM and one at 10 or 11 PM in the lounge upstairs.  We also bring a bottle each with us of what we drink.  We will also be off the ship in the Med all day.  I usually find those packages better suited for the Caribbean cruises.  I like them even better when I get them included as a perk on some cruise lines. Happy cruising to all....🍸😊  

On 2/25/2019 at 7:25 AM, steroc said:

We are also on this cruise with the OLife ultimate and had same queries. The beverage package will not show unless it is one that you have paid for. The free excursions are restricted to non OE and OS. Select and then go to checkout and will show as zero to pay. You can use your OBC to pay for OE and OS excursions or for any additional excursions over the three free ones. Look forward to seeing you on board

 Hi there!! I would like to add that after we chose the 3 included excursions each -- then we decided on a 4th excursion and the least expensive one came up in the cart at the end. The system worked fine. The others came up zero.  We took the excursions from Oceania which amounted to approx. $1,100 and we paid the additional $158 for both of us for the extra excursion. It was a better deal than taking the $600 SBC from Oceania. We also received the internet, gratuities, and a SBC from the TA and the air from Oceania of course.  We did pay the $175PP air deviation fee, so we can stay on both ends of the cruise. Enjoy your cruise...😊