KyRoamer

We used withfaye.com twice. We are both 80. Saved at least 30% and got better coverage. On international trips, all coverage is primary. We also asked questions via the app and were pleased with the fast responses. We also made changes like adding air without an issue.

We are cruising on the Brilliance of the Seas in April with two six year olds and their mother. We were wondering what are the hours of the Kids Club for that age group and whether  they serve lunch or dinner in the club.

We want to do a specialty restaurant with their mother one night and would like to leave the kids at the club. If dinner isn't available at the club, we'd feed them first.

Right now we have the anytime dining. We'd like to eat early and catch the early shows. What times are show time on the Brilliance? Also, how soon can we reserve times in the anytime dining rooms. Usually they get crowded before show time.

Thanks. Love your tag line.

We arrive in early April with our twin six year old grandkids and (thankfully) their mother. Both of the twins are good swimmers. They want a simple beach. Just sand and water and perhaps beach chairs for rent and a bite to eat(they're fussy eaters and anything beyond chicken strips or hot dogs is too much).

Suggestions?

We did the Dream. Our six year old twins did not care about the ports. The girl enjoyed the private Island (twice) but the boy only went once and then for just over an hour. Both kids loved the AquaDuck and the lines were shorter on days the ship was docked. Port Canaveral is less than an hours ride from the Orlando Airports. There are lots of hotels at the port and we went there the night before. This was our second time on the Dream. We liked the big ship. BTW, there is plenty for the adults onboard.

There are other dining options. We were prepared to eat off the buffet but waitlisted the early dining and got it.

Our almost six year old grandchildren loved the kids club so much that I was only able to get our grandson to eat with us in the dining room two out of four nights. He was well fed in the club. His twin sister enjoyed the dining room rotation.

Most cabins have a couch. I think you can request that it be made up as a bed with a comfortable mattress topper

We are on an Insignia cruise to Cuba and will be overnighting onboard in Havana. Will we have email access while on the ship?

I got one answer that said yes, at least in Havana. The caveat was that the ship’s limit on connections might be stretched and even if you get on limited bandwidth will slow you down and might limit what you can do.

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I'm going to ask on some Insignia roll calls. There are several cruises to Cuba this month. I'll report back here.

We are on an Insignia cruise to Cuba and will be overnighting onboard in Havana. Will we have email access while on the ship?

We are on the December 1 Oceania cruise and looking forward to it. We are doing ship's tours on the first day in Havana and in Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba. In Havana we are using Old Car Tours. Our roll call is dead so I thought I'd reach out here for some advice.

I hear the Parisian at the Hotel Nacional is indoors, air conditioned and smoke-free. I believe the Tropicana is outdoors, weather permitting, and smoking is allowed. Anyone know how the Parisian show compares to the one at the Tropicana?

What do I need to do to be sure my 6 hour tour with Old Car Tours meets US guidelines and how should I document it?

Thanks.

We have dinner reservations at 7:30 on at sea days and wonder what time the main entertainment programs are? What is best times for dinner at specialty restaurants if you want to see shows?

Having read other threads, I am still with questions.

We have arranged for a six hour tour December 3. We requested a convertible.

Questions are -- do the tops go up, do they have air conditioning and are they comfortable for six people (two couples, driver and guide). Once I have your views I will get in touch with the tour company.

Six hours of sun might be too much. Weatherbase (http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=42287&cityname=Havana-Cuba) reports average temperatures ranging from 65 to 79 degrees and nothing above 88. Still that is a lot of sun and we might want the top up. If so, air conditioning would be nice.

Six hours run about $180 plus $60 for a guide. If taking two couples would be uncomfortable, we can afford the full cost (cheaper than two taking most ship's tours). But if not too uncomfortable, getting to know another couple and sharing costs would be nice.

Anyhow, its been so long since I have been in a car from the 50's or 60's I just don't remember how crowded the back seat was with three adults.

Maine76 tells it like it ought to be. Too bad the cruise lines have you at their mercy. Can you imagine the losses if everyone that had a Cuba stop could cancel. We are headed to three Cuban ports in early December. I am hoping that our trip doesn't become another western Caribbean trip. However, since all three ports are "open" I suspect that we will at least dock.

I usually buy cruise insurance that offers compensation for missed ports. That company does not insure Cuban cruises at all. We did not buy cancel for any reason so if the ship sails, we sail.

Sometimes a State Department advisory will trigger rights under an insurance policy. Not sure the Cuban warning qualifies. I suspect it will be lifted before December.

The people of Cuba need our tourism dollars more than ever. So actually I am glad that it looks like we are going.

Is there something on the Celebrity site on this? If so, what and where as I missed it.

We will be doing the Eastern Caribbean t of Miami. We'd love to see a copy of a recent Celebrity Today.

If you are looking at Thenford Grey's tours, I believe he can arrange a custom tour. So choose the sights you want to see from his grand tour add the chocolate factory. What takes his tours so long is the time at the stops, especially the batik factory and the Brimstone Fortress. With a small group you can cut that in half easily. Unless you want to see the views at Timothy Hill, you can avoid the beach part. But there are some good eating spots along the beaches. Ask him or the driver/guide for recommendations. If Thenford can't accommodate you, check Royston or others listed on this board. There are also tour operators and guides on the pier or just outside the port gates.

Thanks for the good advice. We plan on customizing the tour to accommodate our likes and, if we get others to join us, their likes.

Personally, I hate the stress of dealing with this and wish that Celebrity would just add an extra couple of hundred dollars to our bill and call it all-inclusive and make tipping forbidden. We went to an all-inclusive that had this policy and it just made the whole trip less stressful!

Automatic tips and tips included as part of all inclusive provide little incentive for good service. Not sure what the answer is. Until someone comes up with something better I too would like a strict no tipping policy.

As far as extra tips go, tip pooling turns me off. I'm not sure if the pools are ship wide, restaurant by restaurant or what? Are bar tenders and waiters in the same pool? Too confusing. If I establish a relationship with a staff person and he or she is extra-ordinary, I'll likely slip them some cash and not worry what they do with it. But if I want to tip $20 I'll give them two $10's and hope they keep at least one.

Who and how much? We plan on eating in Luminae often for breakfast and for some dinners and will use Michael's from time to time. We understand tips are pooled but want everyone covered. Our cruise is 7 days on the Reflection.

Getting close to departure time and I would really like some advice on this. My thought is too tip about $20 first night in Luminae and $10 first time in Michael's and then nothing more.

Not sure about bartenders, room stewarts, etc.

We have booked a private tour with Treyford Grey and need suggestions as to what to ask to see or do. We are not beach people. We like to sight see, eat at someplace with character, shop a little and my wife likely would enjoy the chocolate factory.

We saw the itinerary for Grey's grand tour and where it was interesting, we were hoping that there would be special things for a group of two to six to do and see. Your suggestions will be appreciated.

Who and how much? We plan on eating in Luminae often for breakfast and for some dinners and will use Michael's from time to time. We understand tips are pooled but want everyone covered. Our cruise is 7 days on the Reflection.

We are doing the Eastern Caribbean on the Reflection. We want to keep packing to a minimum. I will have khakis and polo (golf shirts with collars) but no regular sport shirts unless you guys and gals tell me they are needed. We will do dinner in Luminae as well as in several specialty restaurants. Will Polo shirts do even on the dressy nights? What about breakfast and lunch? I know shorts are okay. Are tee shirts (no collar) okay in Luminaeat breakfast and lunch?

Can you take unopened soft drinks, water and beer back to the room?

Package does not include drinks in the room, mini-bar or room service. Boo.

Can I get unopened water, soft drinks and beer at bar and bring them to room to keep in room fridge?

I plan on having mini-bar emptied on day one so that I will have room. Mainly I want bottled water in room but wife likes diet drinks, mostly Coke Zero. Does boat have Coke Zero? She is not fond of Diet Coke.

We have the premium beverage package and are in a Sky Suite on the Reflection in March. If we want an included drink in the suite, what are our options? Room service included? Mini-bar included? Other options? If we have to order it via room service, how long should we expect to wait and is there a delivery charge or added tip?

And what about water or soft drinks in the suites.

Finally we get a free bottle of sparkling wine with the suite. Can that be taken to the dining room without incurring a fee?