SbbquilterUT

Heading to Tilbury to board cruise intending to take the train the following morning. Looking for recommendations for hotel. Arriving at LHR and want to use public transport to hotel as well. Thanks so much.

We sailed in Deluxe Interior on Apex for 21 days - lovely cabin and bathroom. Slept very, very well.

Less expensive and quicker for us to use Uber to the airport, and no waiting for the shuttle to fill.

We really enjoyed relative peace spending our time at South Beach - not interested with constant music. Hopefully having Hideaway out there will not disturb the South Beach area.

At US ports the B2B cruisers are waiting for an empty ship before we can get back on board. Have heard of occasions when they had to hunt down some folks who apparently did not want their cruise to end , delayed B2B and even the start of boarding for the next cruise.

Did you stay in a hotel the night prior to boarding - that can also be a way to pick up those nasty critters.

We loved the open dining on the Apex - found that if we headed to the restaurants at about 6:45 folks who wanted the early show were leaving and we had no trouble getting a table. After trying each of them we ended up liking whichever was on the side so that we could see the coastline or setting sun. Since you can have food from all four restaurants it really made no difference. At that time they still had reservations but the line was the same for walk in and reservations so it really didn't matter. We never waited more than a couple minutes to be seated after the first evening when we arrived around 6 pm.

We had not booked any tour - it was not open for walk in visitors.

Jan last year did B2B out of SanPedro - had a waterproof light windbreaker that I only wore sailing out of LA. Other than that it was temperate at Catalina, then plenty warm as we went further south. Wonderful break from winter for most folks.

We did our first Mexican Riviera cruise last Jan and are repeating this Jan. It was comfortably cool in LA - bring a light jacket. Did experience a lady very upset at Customer Service be use she did not know it would be cooler than the Caribbean. We used this. Raise to totally relax. Catalina we just walked - to the Casino to see the Art Deco on the outside. Then up to the botanic gardens (good hike to work up an appetite). Then Mazatlan - walked the blue line into the town square. The cathedral is lovely, walk along the ocean front be sure to see the Beatles Road - statues, bus, etc. We were lucky that there was lots of decor for upcoming Carnival. At Cabo and PV we just walked after reading from other bloggers about which way to head. Also spent time on the top of the ship watching for whales!

We walked to the Casino - can only view the outside. Then walked up to the Botanic Garden - uphill hike that took about 35", it was January but still plenty warm. Views from the garden are lovely.

Feb 23 booking for 21 day sailing in Aug 24 - has 150 day final payment. Did notice cancellation for 100% refund is greater than 180 days prior to sailing.

B2B cruisers also have access to the MDR lunch on turn around day between their cruises.

We travel very light so have used the Celebrity laundry service - have had no negative results. We send pjs, underclothes, socks, tee shirts, casual shirts. I will also hand wash my knit fabric shirts and hang to dry in the room after towel drying them (use magnetic hooks on the ceiling near the air vent).

We found we needed a light sweater to be on deck - the Pacific is a bit cooler than Caribbean. Nicely warm as we went south into Mexico. I do keep an eye on the forecast as the cruise draws near.

We have twice walked off at about 7:30 and been at the airport by 8:15 for our 10:15 flight. As it was not a workday the drive was easy.

We have taken a US bound flight at 10:45 am the past two years - left the ship at 7 am and had time for a coffee before heading to the plane. That was just our experience and later saw much longer lines at security.

The UBER ride was about 15-20" - we walked off and were in an Uber very quickly and to the airport to pick up our rental by 8:30. To your advantage is the small size of the airport making check in move quickly. Good luck

There are often differences between an in-transit cruise passenger and arriving on the island for a land stay where they will evaluate your passport as you enter the country.

Barcelona or Amsterdam - both great cities to walk and explore pre-cruise or post cruise.

Unfortunately you missed some beautiful places to enjoy the water and relative quiet which were at the end named South Beach.

Just finished watching two weeks of Pickleball tournaments - DH competes and the level of play is amazing. In the US currently, the average age of USAPA member is 38 and the play varies from rec league to pro. On board the nets are temporary and can be adjusted to be more taut. Have seen many players who travel with their own paddles and balls. Certainly not only for the senior set any more.

Perhaps first evening is casual as you may not having luggage yet.

It will be interesting to see what happens over time. Celebrity went that way and then backed off and is selling cruise only again. We are booked on our first Oceania next August with cruise only as we rarely drink and do not want to be forced into ship tours. Our decision on future cruises with O will likely depend on the necessity to buy things we don't want. Having said that I am really looking forward to the cruise.

Plenty of two tops but understand they are only a few inches apart.