chrismch

Where is the Thalassotherapy pool located? I was hoping this ship had one! We love them. On past cur cruises we used it daily. Great for the skin. The description of the Persian Garden didn't include this pool. Is it open to all guests? Where is it located? What were the menu special options on the first "chic" dinner night? What was the best entrée and appetizer you had on board? What are the food options like at Cafe Al Baccio? Did they have live music nightly around the dinner times at the lounges? We're boarding in 2 weeks and it's been quite a while since we've been on Celebrity and appreciate all the details you've provided.

Thanks for all the details!

We've been to the Hemingway museum and Truman White house, had our picture taken by the mile marker and saw the lighthouse, had conch fritters, saw the sponge market (and the one in Tarpon Springs), walked around Mallory Square and Duvall St. Which is better - the shipwreck treasure museum or the maritime museum? What about the Mangrove Kayak Eco Tours - are they going to be really buggy (going there in Sept)? Our ship offers one Catamaran Sail and Snorkel tour. How do the reefs look in Key West these days? Will you still see a large assortment of coral and fishes? Can I walk through the Casa Marina Resort & Beach House? I love classic older hotels. Is it an easy walk from the port?

Our last cruise was in January of this year on RCL and we booked our Celebrity cruise while on that one to compare. So I have some questions... We'll be driving to the cruise an arriving around 1 pm. When do they release cabins so we can drop our bags? Are any specialty restaurants open for lunch on embarkation day? What's the max price point for the "all included" drink program? And can I get champagne and martinis? Are there any prizes for trivia? If I order one of the steaks or lobster fee options in the MDR, is the same as what I'd be getting at the specialty restaurant? How early do you have to arrive for the evening shows to get a seat? What are the best shows to see? What's the best menu item that I shouldn't miss having on the cruise? What do you enjoy most about cruising with Celebrity?

Yes, that's nice but it's a wash with the everything's included package.

Thanks for the info. We cancelled our excursion and then rebooked. We had trouble finding that option to use OBC as the Celebrity banner has a way of dropping down and covering half the page. We need to shrink the page to see it all. Still can't understand what happened to the Tuscan Grille and the only time available now is 9:00 and we're definitely NOT interested in that time slot.

We booked Tuscan Grille for the first night with our shipboard credits, but now it doesn't show up on our cruise planner. Also booked excursions, but rather than charging it against our credits, Celebrity charged our credit card. Can you not use shipboard credits until you're on the cruise?

Seems they forgot to put down padding for where they were moving the heavy stuff.

That bamboo flooring is not as impervious damage as you might think. Years ago, I represented a client who was buying a house with all bamboo floors. The offer was accepted prior to the seller moving out. The seller's movers left grooves in the floors from moving furniture and appliances. All had to be replaced as part of the sale. Bamboo has different finishes like paint and can't be "patched" with new panels as they don't match.

Found "Reef Safe" sunscreen at Detwiler's Farm Market today - 3 for $10 in a 6 oz. bottle. In regards to the UPF shirts, anything that's not cotton, linen, or silk will cling to my husband's back like a wet t-shirt if it's over 65 degrees.

I see you're from Florida, Yes, I live in the state people like to flock to for their 1 and 2 week vacations. I get to enjoy the beauty and freedom here 365 days a year. With a short 15 minute drive I'll be putting my toes in the beautiful white sand beaches any day I want.

Started looking at excursions for my upcoming Caribbean cruise with stops in Bimini, Cozumel, and Belize. When I opened the details for ones that included interactions with dolphins or doing snorkeling it said only "biodegradable sunscreen and UV protective clothing (rash guard)" are permitted. I don't usually do ship excursions, but this time I have substantial cruise credits to use. I haven't run into this before. I usually wear t-shirts over a swimsuit and use whatever sunscreen I can buy on sale with sufficient UV protection. How long have these items been a requirement. The sunscreen prices on Amazon start at $15 for a 3 oz tube, and the special rash guard swimsuits begin at $30. I've never seen this requirement before. Does the tour guide check our labels? And if I want to take underwater pictures it says "Only freehand underwater cameras are permitted on this excursion (only cameras with harness chest, wrist or head strap, no disposable cameras are allowed). I'd love to take underwater shots but I don't want to buy a new camera and an underwater case.

The only benefit that's noted and not part of the loyalty program is that gratuities are pre-paid. Guess we'll be buying our own drinks and waiting to do laundry until we get home!

It depends if you are at Terminal A or G. When we passed by Terminal A last week, where Symphony was boarding, there was a long line outside waiting to get into the terminal. There was a slight overhang that gave some cover for the sun, but won't do much for slanting rain. Carry a couple changes of clothes in your carryon - one for as soon as you get on to change into and one for the next day. If you have cloth luggage your bags may get soaked. As of today, they could be expecting 8-9" of rain in Miami on Sunday. Keep watching the weather forecasts. From living in Fl, I've learned to dress lightly for when it rains - shorts, t-shirts. They're easy to get out of when drenched and legs and arms dry quicker.

Cruise staffing is the real problem now. They can't process new staff in their home country quickly as they are overrun with visa requests.

With the "always included," package is there a maximum price point where it's not included? Could I get a lemon drop martini or would I pay extra for it.

Menus? Are they better or worse? Guess there are t-shirts to buy for the cruise theme as well.

That's like booking a guarantee. I can get seasick and have in front cabins. So we will only book a specific cabin number so we won't have to guess where our room is.

Do you know the cabin number you are bidding on? Or is it only by cabin category and hope you like the location?

So sorry for your loss. He sounds like he was a wonderful man.

Yes, I agree with you! I've been to a lot of small venues where you can get photos of your faves and thank them for their music. As my DH is a drummer, he loves chatting music with them.

Is there a charge for the gelato bar? If so, what are the prices like?

I'm an avid reader, but I also take time to do more than exercise my eyes. Is there a beverage daily limit for the "All in" pkg?

Wow! I just looked that venue up on Celebrity. It looks amazing. And ALL THAT is include in the "all in"? We'll be there for coffees, teas, and sweets!

Thanks for giving me the details of your experience with a chartered cruise. Would appreciated the perks I've earned sailing, but I guess both the cruise line and the charter need to profit the best they can. I've booked a Celebrity cruise with an inside cabin whose total cost for the both of us is equal to the cost for one day on the charter cruise an oceanview. Those entertainers don't come cheap - but well worth it.