Emerson's girl

Although it could be a nuisance having to drag a carry on around, it is a good idea to pack a change of clothes as sometimes your luggage might not get to your cabin before dinner. I'm sure I don't need to say that everything of value should be in your carry on also but I am constantly amazed by posters who have lost bags with iPads, jewellry and other valuables in them. You are not limited to one carry on like the airlines.

We like to pack bathing suits and valuables in our backpack (which we use later in the cruise for our shore excursions) so that we can hang by the pool if our luggage is late. All the rest we give to the porter. For us this is way better than lugging a carry on about. ;0)

Enjoy the magic that is a first cruise, but beware, they are highly addictive!

But for an alarm clock, it is better to use the ship's telephone wake up call which will be on ship time regardless of your actual geographic location.

 

That way there is no concern about the "correct" time setting.

 

Ditto this and on the inside we usually turn the TV on to the ship's bow cam station with the volume muted. Sun comes up and the light gradually brightens the room. I too am so smart phone challenged that I just turn it off and stow it till I get back. :0)

We did Lamani as well and highly recommend it for seeing lots of wildlife both on the boat ride as well as at the ruins. Truly one of our best ever Caribbean excursions! Remember to take a good bug spray in Belieze. ;)

We are booking our first Celebrity cruise on most likely the Silhouette. Can't wait to try Celebrity - been on my list to try for quite some time now. Been reading and trying to absorb it all. We've sailed regular balconies on Royal and aft suites on NCL. Love the aft area - the wake and often quite larger balconies. After searching a lot of threads, I have a few (ok, several) questions:

- Looks like deck 12 is the only covered aft balconies, correct? I do prefer covered.

- Are there any regular aft or concierge aft balconies bigger than normal?

- Are there any balconies that have regular loungers? Not foot stools, but real loungers?

- Right now I'm leaning toward one of the larger balconies off the hump if the aft area doesn't work out for us - 1A's I believe they are called.

- Was interested in possibly concierge - are there any CC staterooms with larger balconies?

 

Thanks so much to all of you...

We are booked in a 1A on 8 located as the last cabin before aft on the side(which might qualify as "aft area" I suppose ;)) and it is reported to have a slightly larger balcony however, we have not seen it in person yet since we won't sail until March. There is one of these cabins on each side on decks 9 & 8 if I am not mistaken.

It's been 3 years since we were there, so I don't know if Celebrity still offers the Mountain Bike tour. We did this thru the ship and even though only 4 of us (DH, the couple we were traveling with and myself) showed up they did not cancel the tour. The guide was very informative regarding the landmarks and history of the island. There was a sag vehicle (to offer a ride or mechanical assistance with the bikes as well as drinks, snacks etc...) with us the entire time. We saw a lot of the island as the tour is really primarily on roads as I recall. Our guide offered the choice of routes to go either to the top of the mountain or to go around it and did seem surprised that we all road our bikes all the way to the top (we are all avid cyclists to be clear) but they would have placed anyone and their bike in the vehicle if we had desired. The view up there was BEAUTIFUL.

The ride ended at Rainbow beach where there are plenty of little bars/eateries with lot of beach chairs and yes, we saw monkeys. This is not a sugar white sand kind of beach but it was fun and nice to swim after a hot ride. A van ride back to the ship was included.

So for the slightly adventurous types, I would definitely recommend this tour. Have a grand time whatever you do!:D

A thousand and one thanks for this! We will sit down to do the math to decide--to beverage package or not beverage package, that is the question. You've made finding the answer a lot easier.:D

We are cruising with first timers and this will be most helpful to them as well.