MixerDave

Obviously, Mixer Dave does not know The Villages too well. Our 2 for 1 Happy Hours begin daily at 11 am! Bloody Caesars are a favorite way to start the day. The Villages has been called a Drinking Community With A Golfing Problem.:D

 

Looking forward to beginning 2 weeks on the Eclipse tomorrow. Yes, I have the Premium package!!

I am familiar with The Villages. I considered moving there at one time, but I don't want to deal with cold and frost. And before you tell me it doesn't get cold, I recall a visit in March of 2013 that I had to scrape frost from my windshield. That's why I retired to Venice,. Also, I believe it is a drinking community with an STD problem. I have a picture of the Tri County Infectious Disease center.

Many thanks and a tip of the hat to gg88 and to Melissa for their support in the Great Clamato Debate.

 

Maybe Mixer Dave in Canada should check into the possibility that the Canadian Clamato was thicker because it got old sitting on Canadian shelves too long. Eh?

 

I will be on the Eclipse this Sunday for two weeks and will certainly be enjoying a few American Bloody Caesars! :D

Actually I am not in Canada EH!!! The Bloody Caesar is extremely popular in Canada so I bet their Clamato is on the shelf less time than in the states. I don't imagine folks in The Villages drink many of them.

If it is a Caribbean cruise that starts and ends in the US, you will be fine with your original birth certificate and driver's license. The passport law to cruise the Caribbean was never passed. Traveling to Europe and flying back is another matter. I met a man on a trans Atlantic who left his wife at the dock because she did not have 6 months left on her passport and Celebrity would not let her board.

 

My issue is you have to mail your passport in and in my case (six months before my cruise and I had 3 months left on it at sailing date, well, they don't give you those months back by adding them to the new passport's expiration date.

I don't know if the birth certificate applies in all ports. I recall that we were required to have our passports with us leaving the ship in San Juan. Actually needed to enter the dock area on return.

At Costa Maya we've signed up for a c. 6 hour walking tour of Mayan ruins. I assume they'll feel us some kind of lunch or snack during that time, but is that included in the tour cost, or is that extra? It's an official X tour.

I would look at the tour description, but if I recall we took a similar tour many years ago that made a stop at the usual "rest stop" where you could buy souvenirs and get something to eat.

This post makes me laugh... (sorry!) You do know that clamato juice is just marketing for tomato juice with clam juice in it, right? So, Sandtrap328 was correct.

Actually, I am a retired professional bartender and I will tell you - many of my guests from Canada told me Clamato juice in Canada is thicker in texture than the product sold in the states. I know how it made, so don't be so quick to laugh when you do not have all the facts. :)

Just got off Equinox. Tried Bloody Mary's one morning. Worst one ever. Tomato Juice,stalk of celery,tobasco sauce. Boring! Then they had the nerve to charge me $12.50 for it!!!

I wonder what the charge would be for a vodka / tomato juice?

A Bloody Caesar tastes better than a Bloody Mary. It has clam juice in it as well as tomato juice and spices.

Actually, a true bloody Caesar is made with clamato juice. Also a bloody caesar made in Canada differs from one in the states in that their clamato juice is thicker than in the states.

RCL, Princess and Carnival all have adult only pools. Not sure why X would not have this. Kids scream in pools. Living in California we have always had a pool in our back yard. The minute their feet hits the water the screaming begins. Not bad kids, just having fun.

They do have an adults only pool outside. Unfortunately it is next to the kids pool. Take a look at the deck plan.

We take a full size steamer. Never an issue. (Yet)

So you are into breaking rules meant to protect all passengers?

Thank you for all your feedback, very interesting the comparison between the two lines. I can see how the itineraries are better on Celebrity and that's very attractive to us. DS as an only child doesn't like crowds and loud people but he does enjoy the amenities on Royal Caribbean.

 

I think we have to try it for ourself, even if it's not on the newest ship to really make a personal assessment.

My interpretation is that RCCL is into building big ships with lots of amenities but BORING itineraries - how many times can I take what I call the all Saints cruise. Celebrity on the other hand offers more luxury.

Thanks so much for the link which includes the drink and food menus.

Looks like I will be upgrading my classic beverage package during my upcoming cruise in July. :cool:

 

I have lots of OBC do this this. I loved the pictures of the MDR food offerings. I know I will never go hungry on a Celebrity cruise:D

The only problem with these menus is they are from a cruise that was 18 months ago - hopefully someone has more current ones.

This is my favorite. Some bartenders don't know what I am requesting, I found it last at The a Passport bar on Eclipse in 2014.

quote=Dawniepoo;52497213]I haven't been on Celebrity in a few years, but I am going on the Equinox in July, so I hope they still have my favorite drink.

 

20 Year Martini

 

Celebrity Cruises 20th-Anniversary Martini Recipe

 

Ingredients:

2 ounces Grey Goose pear vodka

1 ounce Brut Champagne

¾ ounce lime juice

¾ ounce Dainzu rose-flavored syrup

Ginger passion foam

3 sage leaves

As a retired bartender it makes me laugh at a martini recipe made with vodka. (especially a flavored vodka.) Call it the 20th anniversary cocktail - but leave martini out of it. I would have customers asking me for a martini and I would inquire as to what gin they preferred. I would hear "gin?". I want xxx vodka!

Be aware that Celebrity's minimum for most if not all table games is now $10.

Glad to hear this - I play Blackjack, and my last cruise on RCCL the minimum was $5. As a fairly knowledgeable player it was frustrating to see some of the play by novices that would cost me money. After a few hands I decided to not play. I moved to the craps table where novice play could not hurt me.

I've been in touch with them and it's possible that something is screwy with my records but they won't or can't fix it unless I can provide documentation of cruises back in the 1990's and 1980's - I keep a lot of cruise stuff, but that's pretty much impossible. My problem is that I have a mailing from them showing a certain number of points and the current record shows far less.

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Linda - perhaps you have photo documentation from those earlier cruises?

Dave

Another way to check is to go to your reservation on-line and choose Manage Reservation. On the right hand side of that page is Order History click on it and you should see the Beverage Package you have. With Go Best the Unlimited Internet will also be reflected. The prepaid gratuties and OBC don't show up on-line.

Now I am really confused - my booking confirmation shows the cost / credit for classic, but doing what you say does not show package, only excursions and dinner reservations. Reservation status shows OBC.

You don't have to prepay gratuities. Cruise lines charge X amount from your credit card (or cash account) everyday. It covers all necessary tipping. You don't have to tip more unless you feel that someone went far and beyond for you.

 

Tipping used to be by cash in envelopes on the last night to your waiter, assistant waiter and cabin steward. Some people wouldn't show up during the last dinner to save money. This is what was described in this article I believe.

In the days of the envelopes, morning breakfast in the MDR was deserted - I asked a waiter why and he said those people did not hand out envelopes. Granted this was years ago before alternate dining venues were available.

I cannot believe people spend so much time on a nothing situation!

GET A LIFE!!!!

That is scummy!

 

 

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I'm not sure what the definition of Scummy is. Rather I think it was smart. Do you think what she did affected you? Maybe you feel your "Elite" status was diminished? i actually said she was Diamond, but in fact she is "Plus".

I will be Elite on Celebrity Solstice but my traveling companion won't. I thought I read that they can go into the Elite lounge if in same stateroom. Royal doesn't let that happen, so I am double checking here. Thanks.

I have a friend who is Diamond on RCCL. She was traveling with a recent "companion" and told Royal she needed him to be Diamond or she would cancel. He became an instant Diamond member.

CRZR: Another great tip. Thanks. So, sorry to be slow, but if I'm understanding even with select you can pick a time on the website in advance, 6:30 say, and so you don't have to wait in a giant line. That does sound useful.

THat's what I did - it was like booking an excursion. You put the day/time in you basket and then you checkout. No charge

This thread has some great cocktail memories and really makes me want one. I loved the Milky Way, Espresso Martini and blue martini.

A few years ago, we bought one of the packs of cards with the cocktail theme, each card has a cocktail recipe on. Whilst it was an impulse purchase, they've been used a few times to recreate some from holidays.

I tended bar for 25 years. I had customers come to me and ask what my drink specialty was. If I was really busy, i would tell them "Jack on the rocks". Or they would ask me to suggest something. Others would say can you make a ?????. I would ask what was in it so I could fake it - I would get - "I don't know but it was red"

Wow! Tighty Whitey's and sagging man breasts. He must be a real chick magnet.

At least I hope it was a guy and not a small breasted woman with short hair and granny panties :D

Where on the Celebrity website can you verify the beverage package you have purchased or been "perked"?

Have checked under My Cruise Summary and Cruise Planner...no luck? Should not be this hard to verify your cruise specifics!

On my booking confirmation under booking charges I see"YEF9-BEVCLINGRAT" with a $495 charge per passenger and "YEF8-PROMO2C" - with a $495 credit per passenger. I am guessing that "BEVCLINGRAT" means beverage classic including grats.

While I absolutely believe a well behaved 15 yo girl traveling with her father would not be in any way a problem, her swimming in the Solarium is prohibited. One must be an adult to go in that pool. Further, people do complain if anyone breaks the rule. Plus, I don't know how to explain to a child or young adult that a posted rule doesn't apply to them and they should feel to break the rule.

 

There are other pools available where she can swim to her hearts content. Further she can absolutely lounge in the Solarium if she wants. Other than that. the only place she will be prohibited that O am aware of is the casino. She can only walk through it to go from one end of the ship to the other. She can't loiter there.

That explains the problem in today's society (at least in the U.S.) - if you don't like a rule or the law - just ignore it. If you finish 3rd you still get a participation trophy. We are raising a bunch of spoiled kids that will not succeed when they are in the real world.

My dear wife is in the Solarium on the Equinox every morning about 7:30 - 8 A.M. She says there is hardly anyone there at that time. I'm sure there would be no problem taking a swim there with your teen age daughter. Even during the day there should be no problem as long as she is with you. Anyone who complains about a teen age girl with her father who is well behaved should be ashamed of themselves. As far as I know the Solarium is open after dark (I could be wrong).

 

The Adults only rule is only there to keep a bunch of rowdy ankle biters from ruining the quiet atmosphere for everyone else. I've seen pre-teens in the whirlpools fooling around and taking over keeping people who want to use them out.

They are removed eventually.

 

Cruised on the Equinox twice and going in 16 days for a third time.

 

Special places include the Mast Grill on deck ( great hot dogs and burgers no charge), Cafe al Bacio on deck 5 (cakes and cookies no charge plus specialty coffees fee and gelato fee), the Sunset Bar ( rear of ship outdoors on deck 14 ), the Solarium ( the indoor pool as mentioned ), the Oceanview Cafe ( buffet and outdoor seating area), and the Persian Gardens (spa). If you don't get free access there you can buy a cruise long pass as soon as you get on the ship ( it's about $100 p\p which gives you unlimited access (additional services extra)). The Equinox Theater is lovely. The exercise room is nice. BTW they have a scale there (stay away unless you want to ruin your cruise). You can also lay out on the Lawn or play bocce or croquet there.

 

Don't forget to go to the MDR and see the maitre'd to check on when and where you are dining.

 

BTW as far as DW and I are concerned there is no need to eat in the specialty restaurants. The MDR is very very good. In a 10 day cruise DW had lamb twice. What other cruise line does that?

 

I can see where you may want to get specialty sushi. We found the Tuscan Grill to be mediocre and not worth the added fee.

 

The Equinox is a beautiful ship and all the S-Class ships are a step above the Infinity.

 

I know you will have the trip of a lifetime. The only thing is you'll want to do it again with the whole family.very soon.

So - where do you draw the line with young people? Is a 10 year old OK? How about 12? The people who break the rules are the same ones having their kids find them on the topless deck when it existed. If a teenage is occupying a lounge and I can't find one, can I tell them to leave? Easy to solve - Adults only!!!!