Jim_Iain

I think we are similar to many of the responses. If someone just does their job and nothing else then we do not feel compelled to tip extra as we have already tipped as part of the tipping program. Having said that about 90%+ the time we leave additional tips for the Butler, Room Attendant, Waiter, Assistant Waiter, Bar Tender (if they have been attentive). The Retreat Hosts, I don't feel necessary to tip if they just do their job but if they go above and beyond we have often bought the host a nice necklace or other gift. The main reason for this is they have to pool tips but a personal gift they keep. I know they appreciate it as seeing a Host on a future cruise they often have it with them and come up and say --- did you see my beautiful necklaces. Usually we try to find a piece by a local artist that represent a port or country in a subtle way. I'll give you an example of something above and beyond. We were on a cruise a couple months ago and near the last day I noticed I was missing my puffer jacket. The Retreat host checked with the Front Desk and Retreat and nothing. I then remembered that at the last port I kept setting off the metal detector and they had me remove everything including my puffer. The host contacted Security and review the video and somehow (not explained to me) found my jacket and returned it to me. I had already just written it off in my mind.

Don't recall if Celebrity offered a Transfer at LAX. You should be able to go into cruise Planner or call agent or Celbrity. I've generally found that if there are two or more traveling Uber is cheaper than the person charge for a transfer. If like other airports, the transfer was only available on the day of Embarkation and Disembarkation. You meet the transfers in Baggage Terminal and they do not have accommodations for other days or to and from hotels. That would probably rule it out if your coming in a day early and staying at a hotel. We used Uber to San Pedro and found it very easy. You can be picked up curbside only if you are using Black. If using regular Ubar you just grab a shuttle in front of each terminal to the LAXiT Lot. From there there is a lane for Uber and One for Lyft. On our return the prices started surging right when disembarkation began so we just grabbed a Cab that was sitting there. Prices were about the same as Uber but less than the Surge Pricing.

I must be the exception here but when I read the announcement - I yawned and thought Ho-Hum. We would just not do a 3-4 day cruise. One reason is too short and the other is that when you live on the West Coast and it takes about a full day of travel in each direction just not worth it. Other reason is we are not big fans of Private Island Beach 'adventures' and laying out in the sun. If we were to take the longer cruises we would probably just stay on board and enjoy the peace and tranquility.

If you really want the tags in advance possibly you friends have a printer. If not you can stop into any UPS or FedEx store and can print there. They have PC's and you can just log on and print or bring on a USB drive and print. I did this recently in Amsterdam.

Crush is simply a seating area adjacent to the Martini Bar. The Martini Bar is a refrigerated top "Ice Bar" and when turned on it builds up with frost that you can play with or keep you drink cold. Crush is simply and Eye Shaped seating area that is quieter and not directly looking at the bar tenders. The center of the bar and the end cap are filled with Ice and bottles are stuck in it for decoration. Crush Martini Bar

I stand corrected. When I look at the deckplans I can understand. Silly me I never new there were rooms on deck 3.

While I generally agree with this on a recent cruise out of Amsterdam if you didn't have luggage tags there was a line with about 100 -200 waiting to get tags. They really weren't really using porters. When you came into terminal if you had luggage tags you just put luggage onto an unattended Conveyor Belt and off they went. The first time I've seen this. We originally didn't have our tags but got them a couple days before the cruise and found a copy shop in Amsterdam to print them out.

Don't want to dispute with my best friend. Are you sure? You can look up and down at least one deck down and one up.... the do have heavy glass going Dow so you can’t slip in and fall.

Chef's Market experience -

We were in Amsterdam for a full week between cruises. Since we had Iain's BIL and Sister joining us we booked an AirBnB with two full bedrooms, Kitchen, Bathrooms and private Deck. It was perfect for our needs and far less expensive then booking two hotel rooms and having to eat all of our meals out. After being on the ship for 3 1/2 weeks it was nice to just have some comfort food. In our Roll Call for the Apex TA there were LOTS of hotel recommendations.

It's kinda cool. We were thinking about taking the Art Work tour and the Retreat Hostess said she could give us the basics of the tour for free while we had pre-dinner drinks--- she was incredible and then next day gave us a photo booklet with pictures of the Major Art. We then went out and tried to find all of them. this is what the open hill looks like

We have had the same experience 2X. Decided not to try again. As you all know the Chef's Market tours are very expensive and in our case they cancelled it on the last port day which left us little time to spend the NR once they got it credited back to our account. We actually started using it even before it was credited back as they later apply it to NR first.

Yes you need to either pre-book or book once aboard. If travel in RS and above with free Specialty Dining you can call the Shoreside Concierge and make your request.

It doesn't show in the app until you are aboard the ship and then under account. You can however see the NR Credits using the web. The Refundable will not show until you are aboard.

Curious if you have tried one? Out of curiosity I ordered one as a Second Entree telling our waiter I really just wanted to try it. My personal opinion is Yuck but you must take with a grain of salt as I hate Beets and they have both beets and beet juice in them.

To my knowledge they had the original Chef's Table Menu and just before Covid Shut down they changed it to the Daniel B Chef's Dinner. To me I much preferred the original menu. On this tread - Post #9 has a picture of the menu - posted by @GottaKnowWhen

Recently they have had Heineken Zero, O'dule's for beer and Fre (NA Wine by Sutter Home). They have it in White, White Zinfandel, Red and Bubbly. To me the White is too sweet and the Bubbly leaves a bad taste in my mouth. The others are very drinkable and and I drink them daily since I don't drink Alcohol. When in Retreat the bartender asked if I would like to try a non-Alcoholic Gin. I agreed. I took one taste and almost spewed it across the room. The worst tasting stuff I've ever tried. I wouldn't say it has any resemblance to Gin (very strong herbal taste that just stayed on you pallet).

I've also noticed sometimes the Retreat Deck staff come around offering Sliders (small burgers) and Fruit on a stick.

Norris - Not sure if you have noticed across from this going AFT near the MDR - They have slats then when walking forward you can see the hull of ship and lots of names and writing from the construction workers. If walking AFT you don't notice them as the slats are on a 45 degree angle.

It may vary but my experience has been that it is based on Departure Port. I logged on at 5:00 PM PDT for a cruise departing Reykjavik which is Midnight Reykjavik time and was able to select a checkin time. Out of an abundance of caution you could always try the earliest time and if not available then check back Miami time.

The only one that benefited from the overabundance of pillows and Kitch it Kelly Ann's Bank account. We usually just pile them up in the closet.

All HDMI devices will work on the ships. The trick is getting to a LogOn screen (commonly referred to Hotel Mode). Found these instructions - How to connect an Apple TV to hotel Wi-fi Using an iPhone or iPad, connect to the hotel's Wi-Fi network. ... Hook up the Apple TV to the hotel room's television and turn it on. On the Apple TV, open the Settings app. Select Network then Wi-Fi, and select the hotel's Wi-Fi network. Good luck

The CC minutes are all premium.

Agree --- Iain and I both worked there and feel very comfortable and safe there regardless the time of day. If you are a foodie you will have to try the restaurant SENSES that we dined at. Truly one of the best dinners I have ever had.

Norris - Now I'm sitting home surviving shore time by reading live posts. Amsterdam has to be one of my favorite Cities - Your photos really capture the many sides of the City.