Jim_Iain

Never mind my agent was finally able to get things worked out.

I've tried it and the way implemented by Celebrity is flawed. When you select casting it pops up device - In my attempts it shows about 30 TV's all with the same name as oppose to room number or something. After I found mine by trial and error found it was designed to work with android and need a iPhone program to pretend I was an android. Once to the final stage I tried it and it was really choppy with lots of buffering. I gave up.

I hope you don't mind me jumping into your thread. I'm just about to book my first Ponant and hoping one of the American Guests might help me understand booking direct with Ponant direct vs a travel agent. I know that from our friends in Europe and Australia bookings don't work the same as in the U.S. We are really wanting to try the Ponant product. We travel extensively on Celebrity and have been using a agent that provides good refundable OBC's for booking. Is this something that is also done with Ponant? Just curious as my agent is really slow on giving me a quote and wonder if I either need to deal direct with Ponant or find a new agent. Sorry I'm trying to stay within CC guidelines and only discussing Agent vs Cruise Line in general.

While we always travel in Suites - what I can see is that they setup time slot lanes like Southwest. If there are a lot of people there for check in they use the appointment hours but when there's a lull they allow people from the next group to enter and check in. Recently especially at terminal 25 it seemed like things were moving so efficiently there were no lines outside after noon.

Easiest is to download the Celebrity App and look at a current cruise of Infinity - They have a Daily Planner and show all activities. To see all on the filter button change from Recommended to All The app is very handy and will also show all the menus for each night. Generally just place holders until about a week prior to your cruise. You can also book and cancel excursions and dinner reservations.

There are no current plan for her to be Revolutionized until Celebrity returns to positive cash flow.

Options if not in Suite or Concierge are usually - Ocean View Buffet Mast Grill - Hamburgers and Hot Dogs Sushi on 5 and or Raw on 5 - Ala Carte Craft Social May be open but not sure for Ala Carte (E-Class) Spa Cafe is not open I believe Eden Cafe is also closed on embarkation day.

I was just salivating when I say your shout out. They definitely are one of my favorites. I as surprised the Luminae burger was served with the fries on the side as oppose to the little metal cups that are used on other ships. Wonder if it's an E-Class kinda thing.

The included tips i've been led to believe include all tips on the ship. I do take that into consideration when deciding amount of additional tips. When you purchase additional items like Bar Setup, Wine by the Bottle they add an additional 20% onto your bill on an ad hoc basis.

Charla - need to apologize. I've been calling you Carla in error - Blush Blush...

Instruction above are good. Also when you go to the Excursion Screen on the top right corner it will tell you how much on board credit you have remaining. Also if you click the round icon with your initials you can select Order History Select Excursion you want and Click Reserve Select the passengers you wish or add a passenger from a different reservation Click Add to Cart Either continue for more reservation or choose Cart and Checkout You will get a summary of the total cost Proceed to Checkout It may autopopulate the amount of credit other times I have to manually put in Partial Amount and the amount will change to zero due Finally click the box you agree to terms and then Place Order At anytime prior to 24 hours of tour you can go back in and cancel and the amount will be refunded to your OBC

My understanding is that there is a mini refrigerator or cooler in every cabin. While it may not be as effective as our home refrigerator, Iain often keeps a milk in the refrig for his tea and never had it go bad on him.

I'm not sure if the Celebrity agent was totally correct. I bought one that went to my old agent as I forgot that I had the current booking with her. I had to message her and ask her to release it back to celebrity. She did that and then I called Celebrity to make a booking from the one I on hold. She released the hold and then booked using the Future Booking Credit. I then transferred that booking to my agent for his extra perks.

Sounds like a good idea. I would on the other hand fly into Venice a couple days early and spend some time in Venice. It's a lovely city and way too much to see on a rushed single day when worn out from travel. On Boarding day I would probably take a train from Venice to Ravenna - It's about a 3 1/2 hour train ride. On day one would tour Ravenna and on Day 2 would think about a day train trip to Bologna.

Good to hear. Hope it is the same for us. We are spending a week in Amsterdam between the TA and a British Isle cruise. Last week they moved many of the cruises to either embark or disembark Rotterdam due to new port hour and protocols. From what I've read is it is due to sea level's raising and salinity so they will be restricting some of the canal hours of operation. We will arrive the TA now in Rotterdam but will be embarking for the British Isle in Amsterdam but returning to Rotterdam. It has really made a lot of the passengers to scramble to rearrange plans.

The unique jogging trace is indeed nice. From past crossings I would expect that we can walk outdoors more often than not. While I've never worn gloves (except in Greenland) I do have head band that I use to cover my ears when the wind is up. I use it, no so much for temperatures but to keep my Ear Bud Pros from whistling from the wind when listening to audiobooks while walking. Your husband will definitely see us out there walking with quite a number of others. We have a tendancy to walk between 11 and 1:30-1:45 ( have to make lunch).

I've done quite a number of the TA's As you would expect we do not have any control what may be thrown our way with the changing weather conditions so will only speak of generalities. I will be sailing myself in April on Apex to Rotterdam. Best to check your Itinerary --- We leave Fort Lauderdale where temps will be 70-80's Bermuda - Mid 60's to 70 Now this is best to just google on ports bu we are doing UK La Havre and then Rotterdam where temps will run between low 40's to about 55. OK... now at sea. Relatively warm and even sunbathing on the way to Bermuda. After that you can expect the temperatures to quickly cool but you will be in the Atlantic Current and will be in the mid 40's to mid 50's. I walk 10 miles a day and do it everyday regardless of rain. I find the temperatures are very comfortable with just a sweatshirt or a puffer. You can always take it off with layers. The largest deterrent to walking might be the winds that are unpredictable even on a warm weather cruise. When it get's too windy to comfortably walk take to the hallways. Starting at the top and working my way down. On the S-Class and M-Clss ships there are a couple floor that are complete loops while most are dead ended hallways forward.

When you have an overnight on the 1st of 2 days you basically just treat the ship like a hotel. You can actually board on either day during certain hours. After checking in you can come and go as you wish 24 hours a day up until about 1 1/2 hour prior to sailing. While on the ships the Restaurant and Bars will operate normal hours and they will have activities going on like the first day of a cruise. There will also show and entertainment. Saying that a couple things to keep in mind. Usually while you are in port your (non-package) drink purchases could be subject to VAT. Also all of the Shops, Casino and Duty Free will be closed.

Carla - if interested on CruiseDeck plans they have a link to a YouTube Video of your exact room. I could post it if interested - Pretty good video but the Wife is a bit Barby Dollish

Giving it a look. I think I want to go stay with Carla... if she has a empty room in her Penthouse for the next cruise. LOL --- I'm tempting you Carla.

Really like the new look. Can you advise which ships or class ships have been updated.

I know that they. like many other lines source what is available. I was speaking to the Food and Beverage Manager when on the Summit New England / Canada cruise in September. He was able to source Canadian Lobster for our cruise and indicated he couldn't get New England in the quantity he needed. They were on the small size much much tastier than the warm water tails.

I usually never order a 2nd Lobster or even a second Entree but there has been quite a bit of gluttony. On "that other site" someone was boasting that he ordered 8 of them. This was prior to the surcharge.

Can't wait for more pictures. Just to get a feel to a Celebrity Ship, I checed on CruiseDeckplans - Diva was built in 2012. She is 139,000 Ton and 1751 Cabins. Occupancy 3500 (2 per cabin). That would make her about the size of Assent and Beyond but they have 1646 cabins and Occupancy of 3276 (2 per cabin)

Beautiful little gift to yourself. I guess we are lucky in that all 3 kids are through College and mostly on their own. Collage does take a major hit but just think of all the extra money you will have when Gen Z graduates as a Doctor and keeps you in the style yo deserve. LOL --- Best advise I can give anyone that wants to cruise more in Retirement is to Marry Iain and have him put you on a Financial Budget Plan. When I first met him the kids were still in school and I had a bit of debt. Initial plan was pay off Credit Card and never carry a balance again. Next pay off all of our real estate and cars and finally enter retirement owning our own home and two rentals debt free. We don't live extravagantly and have one car that is 15 years old but only use it every two weeks for grocery shopping. The rest of the time I pick up what we need when out walking.