Jim_Iain

Happy your Teddy arrived.   I have been checking periodically to see if he arrived home safely.  cc Members are so helpful. 

2 hours ago, olegna said:

Take mine all the time. No problem. Even have one with princess name and logo.  Always gets through. 

Do you pack it in your suitcase or carry it in your carry on.    I am tempted to bring my Swiss Army Knife and put it in my shaving kit.

3 hours ago, Northern Aurora said:

 

 

Totally agree with you -- so many of the chairs and bench seating in the Retreat Lounges are so uncomfortable.  

Let alone those Lamp Shades over the bench seating that everyone bumps their head on.

Those bench seats are terribly uncomfortable as the cushions are usually lower then where ones back hits the railing.   My least favorites are the sofa's with taller legs in the front -  one feels like they are going to tumble over awkward when their legs almost fly in the air.

2 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

 

Yes, on Solstice decks 7 and 8 allow you to do a full loop fore, aft, port and starboard. Those are the only decks with forward view cabins

 

On Deck 11 you can do it if you cut through the Relaxation lounge, otherwise you have to cut through just after the forward elevator bank. 

 

I knew about 7 & 8 but out of boredom to put in my 10 miles I often start at the highest deck and work my way down.    It really doesn't bother me with the split forward hallways.    It's funny that on a number of occasions I've bumped into a number of Hotel Directors putting in laps.

I've sailed all classes of ships over the past 24 years and I think that the S-Class is our go to class.    I've spend about 60 days on E-Class ships over the past 8 months and can only say we will probably never set foot on another e-Class. 

The main drivers of this decision is:

1.   None of the Specialty Restaurants and bars  are isolated from excessively loud music.  

2.   Food preparation in Luminae is hit and miss and is prepared banquet style (cooked in advance) as oppose to Cook to Order on the M and S class ships.

3.  Retreat Lounge is like a huge Airport Business Class lounge and lack the personalized feeling of the M- and S- Class ships

4.   Even while isolate in the Retreat the passenger count is really apparent when in Tender Ports or when all the tour busses arrive back at the ship at the same time.

We have instead after all these years traveling exclusively in Suites on Celebrity will be no longer a dedicated cruiser.   For the next 3 yeas we only have 2 cruises booked on Celebrity and both are on S-Class.   So far we have booked 2 Oceania, 2 Cunard, 1 Silver Sea and working on a Regent Sevenseas.

I can't say we are abandoning Celebrity but will base future bookings on Itinerary and Price.  

On 6/20/2024 at 4:14 PM, Stem to Stern said:

Where are the quiet spaces on Beyond?

I don’t do well with crowded, loud, and shouty.😩

You can find some really nice quiet out of the way spaces in the Eden area on the ramp that traverses two floor.   There are lots of quiet little nooks and seating area -  quiet and secluded.

In all reality the only thing you really need to do during checkin is to select a time.   All the rest can be processed at the terminal. 

Filling in manually will possibly save you 15 seconds and they will take a picture of your passport and possibly of you again at the terminal anyway.

Have a great cruise.

On 6/20/2024 at 9:35 AM, Stefken said:

Not a stupid question at all.

 

we are doing the Safari through RSSC. It’s one of the pre cruise tours, offered by RSSC.We leave everything to them now, especially after Covid. It gives us peace of mind knowing if anything happens in the world that we can’t pre empt they are responsible for getting us to where we need to be or home, or.anything else that needs doing. They have never let us down yet.

 

if you go on the cruise for 5th January 2025, and look at pre options it may give you an idea of the Safari etc. they have on offer.if you’ve booked it should be available on your Account under pre cruise. It’s under the Hotel/Land package option on account site.

 

hope this helps.

🛳🛳🛳🛳🛳🛳

Thanks for the information.   I had looked at the Safari's offered.  While they looked ok I really also wanted to see Victoria Falls and some of the Safari's close to Victoria Falls really look interesting.   As we continue to age the ability to do this type of cruise/Safari may be limited.

We are not planning on the cruise until 2026 so plenty of time to plan.   

1 hour ago, SusieQft said:

If you deviate you can use Regent Air to fly to your cruise destination up to 30 days before embarcation, and you can fly home up to 30 days after the cruise.  Some people have successfully flown home from a different city than where the cruise ended.  I have not heard of doing that on the way to the cruise, but you can always ask.  Of course it costs $75 for you or your TA to talk to Regent Air, but that is applied to the $175 per person deviation fee if you choose to book the air with them.

Thanks for your kind reply.    I had not heard of the $175 per person deviation fee until now.   So much to learn.   At least my cruise is far out and haven't booked yet while I learn more about all the little things only experienced RSS cruisers are passing on.  

20 hours ago, JLMcruise said:

On the Solstice -  I do part of the walking track but include the upper deck (Bow and Stern) I find it is not as crowded and the stairs help me with cardio. Otherwise - it is the track. Celebrity S class does not have a deck like HAL that goes all the way around the ship on one level.

I do the same walk.  It helps on some of the ships with Retreat to have card access so I can do the forward part.   In inclement weather I walk in the hallways -  If I recall there are two floors that have complete loops forward and back.  

From my experience over 24 years I can confirm -

1.  You're Iphone or any other device automatically change to be in sync with the ship.

2.  Normally position and time is automatically  derived via Internet Connection and depending on which server the ship is tied into.   Could be Miami, Seattle, Various places in Asia and Europe. 

3.  The only way to keep your watch in sync with the ship is to manually adjust your phone.

4.   FitBit doesn't like just changing the time and generally requires me to select a timezone which corresponds with the time.    I'm not sure if Apple Watch will just accept a manual change of the time.   Because of this I preload my World Clock with all the timezones I will need and then look them up under timezone.    I usually change my clock before going to bed so I know what time it is when I wake up.

You can download at anytime.   You don't even need a booked cruise.  

About 50% of the time in traveling in upper suites the police very aggressively told the driver to drop me where he pointed not the drop off area.      I found it really doesn't matter so just give my bag to the first porter we see.  

On 6/19/2024 at 3:52 PM, IggleDoer said:

When offered a move- suite, will they tell you what room number they are offering?   There are some suites are below the Luminaire which would be unacceptable.   

No -  If you are upgraded they will assign you a cabin in that class.   Expect the worst (as those are usually the ones available) and be happy if you get something better.

Cabins under Luminae are generally not a problem.   I once was upgraded to a SkySuite under the Buffet entrance to the dish washing area.    Sounded like subways going by every 15 minutes starting at 5AM.    Also the room was an accessible room (not my favorite).

20 minutes ago, jelayne said:

We’re a very talented group🤣

Multi tasting on multi threading.

On 6/6/2024 at 4:02 AM, megr1125 said:

The only time the shuttles can pick up at the terminals is if it's for uniformed airline crew, and even then, most of the shuttles are contracted and crew only.  (Even hotel shuttles, they'll have the hotel name on it, but it'll say like Signature transportation or something).  Some of them CAN drop off at the terminal itself, or will do it anyway 😉 if it's VERY early in the AM or VERY late, and you're mobility impaired or have a zillion kids.  

 

As for "reliable" shuttles, it's a crap shoot. 
 

Also be advised that the Crowne Plaza is surrounded by crap, there's nothing to eat by the Hilton or Doubletree but if you're JUST sleeping, it doesn't matter.  I'd still never let anyone I know stay at the Crowne Plaza.  

I generally book the Embassy Suites through Trinity Reservations unless one of my fave Marriott flavors (Courtyard or Residence Inn on International Drive, adjacent to the ES) have decent deals or I'm not parking my car.

 

All that said, technically shuttles are to go to P4 only.  And BTW, getting FROM there TO the new Terminal A is a pain in the arse.  The airtrain does NOT go to the terminal but rather the parking garage that's a 15 minute walk from terminal A OR another shuttle bus ride.  PANYNJ ridiculosity (yes it's a word, I looked it up!) at its finest. The airtrain will not go to the new A until MAYBE 2027.  Maybe.

Thanks much... We've done it before.    For now I have Hilton booked.    We will be arriving after 1AM so food not important. 

9 minutes ago, shirazcruiser said:

Thank you so much! I never knew you could do that. After looking at the current sailing and the next one, they show Sirloin steak on the 1st night in Luminae and not Filet mignon as I’ve had in Luminae every single Celebrity cruise I’ve sailed on. I hope that’s a mistake. 

I have a feeling it is not a mistake.    We were on a B2B on Edge in April and they had the Sirloin on the first day of both cruises.    As Abby said.... at lunch on boarding ask the Maitre 'd if you can get a Filet for Dinner....

Yes

54 minutes ago, shirazcruiser said:

Can you please tell me how to do that on the app?

You open the app -  Top the Head Icon

Under Booking --- Select a Different Cruise

At very Bottom "Don't See your Cruise"?  Click Let's add it now

Under the box to add a booking ---- Choose Browse our Ships

Select Ship and then Select current cruise.

I was curious about this so googled...

29 minutes ago, shirazcruiser said:

I didn't think I would see it this far out for my Oct sailing....thanks!  Luminae always has Filet Mignon on the 1st night...I see Sirloin!!!  Really?

It is still on Day 1 Menu - It is way too far out for the menus for your Oct trip to be reliable.   Now whether they have day 1 menu on day one is a different story.

Current Infinity cruise, Filet is on Day 7.   

12 hours ago, Kelownadon said:

The information below suggests to me that if I put an AirTag into my car or a piece of my luggage and somebody steals it, the AirTag will let the thief know that their privacy is being invaded at some point if they have an iPhone. Read “AirTag is designed to discourage tracking” Am I wrong in thinking this as it appears to go against what I thought the AirTag would be good for ie. finding my car or luggage after it was stolen. 
 

 

 

 

They only do that if the are following an individual (not the owner) over an extended period of time.    It is not an immediate notification. 

5 hours ago, patty1955 said:

Not true. I book and manage all our travel but all the emails, snail mail, etc come addressed to my husband

Same with me.

9 hours ago, kayehall said:

Do you have to have them in a leather key ring?  Or can you just place them in your luggage without one?

The key ring is not required.   I personally use the lather key ring and attach it to one of the interior zipper pulls.

2 hours ago, Kordy said:

Cruise companies are facing increased food costs and therefore have reduced the menu choices and downgraded the dining experience a little, in order to keep their food expenses down.

 

The same is happening in restaurants where food prices are going up and quality is not.  In the case of a cruise company, they have to keep overall cruise prices at a certain level that keep the customers coming, so they are reducing costs elsewhere, to offset increased expenses.

I think we can all relate as we look at our spiraling cost of food at our local supermarkets.