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We get off the ship, head all the way out to South Beach (there is a tram), find a pair of beds with shade and we are set - not a dime spent. There are some fun play areas nearby (for big kids), 10" walk to the pool if you want a dip, food and drink close and clean restrooms. Unless you want to buy more the day can be totally carefree.

I am lucky to have a closet where I can keep travel items and it is stocked with travel size sewing kit, eye glass repair kit and a dental repair kit. Needed the eye glass kit but then could not see well enough to put in the miniature screw.......

Be aware that a European cruise is quite different than a Caribbean - long days off the ship in port so ship amenities may be less important. I would look hard at ports and time in port when booking your trip. Have sailed Celebrity 12 night cruise and it was a typical mostly older crowd but then did a 7 day and we had loads of kids - particularly during the summer.

Also consider buying skip the line tickets online if you think you want to see the Cathedral. Since time is important to you I would suggest arranging a pick up at the airport with a van (for baggage) rather than waiting for a Celebrity transfer. Have the driver let you drop your bags and then head out, being very aware of the time as touring is amazing and I could easily lose track of time.

We found there was no need for a reservation on the E class ships - we would show up around 6:45 just as folks heading to the 7:00 pm show were leaving. Usually seated or a very short wait.

The system here is that the Grand Jury is only called when needed for a specific case or group of cases - only meet occasionally as needed.

Had the same happen - 6 month Grand Jury duty and had to provide paper documents showing what we had paid and what we would forfeit. Did get excused and did not serve a single day I. Those six months. Good Luck

Thanks - did not receive anything so checking if it is user error before I write any more.

Not worth it for me - part of getting ready to travel is a massage and pedicure. But always ruin my fingernails packing so have booked a manicure on board and was satisfied. I did learn that the spa staff have sales goals they need to meet and assignment of clients is based on their rank among the therapists.

Luckily there are cruises for everyone, just not all the same cruise luckily. We did a 12 night transatlantic on the Anthem and it was a great ship for us and very few kids, mostly toddler and younger.

I wear my swim suit under a cover up dress, bring the least valuables you can (DH has zipper pocket on swim suit so credit card, cash, ID and ship card go in there in waterproof bag). I don't carry a phone but if you want to there are excellent waterproof phone bags that are on a lanyard (kept it dry in torrential rain in Iceland).

Thanks - our conversation was strictly about the water bottles after I saw so much plastic waste. This was about where ports are that they offload recycling related to how easy and economical it was.

I had an interesting conversation with an officer on the Solstice - he reported there is difficulty in getting the aluminum cans recycled so many ships were dropping the use of the .

We have enjoyed our meals in the Tuscan Grill but the portions are large (even the half portion) and wish we could order a la carte.

We found that we could head to the dining rooms area about 18:45. The folks heading to the early show are leaving and we were able to get a table easily. On our first sailing we tried each room, found the one with the atmosphere we enjoyed the most and ended up there each evening. You can get the food from any of the 4 menus as they share a kitchen. The website is not clear on this so I am glad you reached out with your question and hope this helps.

Also, be sure to look for the list of activities you are invited to, should be in the stack of papers waiting for you in your cabin. We have had at least one event in a lounge space on each cruise recently. We tend to find where we want to enjoy a pre-dinner drink, get to know the waiters (a tip is appreciated).

Sounds like such a nice sailing. For me I would want to make sure I like the ship as there are so many sea days.

Another idea is Windstar - lovely experience per friends. Size of ship is small and they sail some really different places in the Caribbean.

Thanks for letting me know. I hate single use plastic bottles and have not had any bad water on our cruises.

From our experience it is unlikely you will feel much motion unless you hit a storm (and ships try to avoid those). Try any medication at home so you are sure you tolerate it - Bonine (meclazine) works for many people. Start taking it the night before sailing if you are really nervous. Try to ,go easy on any alcohol the first day until you are acclimated and spend some quiet time on an outer deck, watching the sea to get your eyes/brain in sync with any motion. I travel with ginger candy but have only needed it for a quick sweet treat.

The water for drinking, ice and cooking is all Reverse Osmosis and very safe to drink. We lived in the Middle East for years and there was a difference between our desalinated and our RO filter. We travel with refillable bottles and enjoy the taste of the water (also drink RO at home).

Another consideration - if you are at a tender port it will take longer to get off and on the ship.

Just checking in - twice I have written reviews (most recent late January) and never received any indication they were received nor have they been published. Each one was a favorable and balanced review so I wonder why they have not been published. Thanks

That is port dependent - which port? It is a function of the port rather than the cruise line.

The newer ships may have more speciality restaurants and we have enjoyed the 4 dining room concept on E class ships. We have had fine to excellent food on each of our cruises with Celebrity.