Jim_Iain

Generally the Chic nights will be the first Sea Day and the last sea day that isn't the final night. The third (I believe they have 3 on a 10 night but could be 11 night) is in the middle. Not sure of which cruise you are on but if May 15 - I would guess May 17 (day after Martha's Vineyard) and May 23. If a third either 19th or 20th. I will show up in the Cruise Planner in the app about 2 weeks prior to departure (maybe sooner). Can generally be found by looking at 5PM and they either state Chic night or say Chic Night Photos

So excited to see your Live Post. I've been waiting to join you for this wonderful adventure. While we won't be doing this same cruise will be visiting many of the ports on the repositioning cruise next year. Hope you have great weather and a great time at sea. I know you have been anticipating this cruise after so many cancellations.

Didn't you love the Penguins? They really were a highlight of our trip. We took the excursion to the same preserve.

I tried going to Captain's Club site and it errors out and says can't find an internet connection but in the grayed out under the error message it says I have Zero Points. From my booking page it say error but shows all my cruises in Cruise History. Celebrity IT strikes again.

Not attacking but curious why you don't call your agent and ask? Since it is an agent you shouldn't have a long wait time. They may just say that is what the cruise line was charging.

A possible idea which I do often is to book on your own and then offer to a couple agents and ask what they would offer to transfer the reservation to them. You have to do the transfer within the timeline. I've even done this using that Competitive Bidding site. That is where I have found a number of agents that I used for awhile. That way if you find the offer attractive you could give the agent a try.

Really looks like a nice hotel. We were talking about hotels for our April cruise (2 night FLL pre-cruise). I booked Embassy Suites about 8 months ago at $400 a night and though it was extortion and was hoping the price would drop. Low and behold the prices have only increased since then. Embassy Suites is ok but not nearly as nice as your hotel. We have just been staying there for year and like how many places are within walking distance.

We did b2b's on that cruise last year and yes it is common. Many of the ports just don't have the infrastructure to commit to many tours. As Joan said above private tours may be a good option. In Bar Harbor - Olie's Trolly (book direct) is a great way to see all the sights with more time and less cost than the Celebrity tours. When I took Celebrity's tour to the top of the Mountain I would say it was the worst tour I have ever taken. Besides Tours by Locals I've been booking a number of tours via Expedia under the section called attractions. Most tours are cancelled up until 24 hours before the tour. While most are small group tours they are much more reasonable than a private tour with Tours by Locals. I do have to say I love Tours by Locals and also use them often.

I think they are having problems. I logged on this morning and it says

Your cruise can't be over yer. I think you have to go down and book the next cruise. I've really been enjoying live post. I really love your attitude about traveling alone. I've often wondered if I would continue cruising if something should ever happen to Iain and he couldn't cruise. I know when traveling most of my life on Business Solo I found it difficult to not isolate in my room and force myself to go to a nice dinner by myself and usually opted for McDonald's or Pizza.

Carla - Glad you made it. I was worried when I heard on the news this morning about the FAA outage and all the cancelled and delayed flights.

I think it may be important to understand that the "King" in a Standard Room is not really a King. It is a UK or European King which is a U.S. Queen. I've measured an they are 60"W x 80"L (many unrevolutionized and revolutionized) also are rounded at the corners. I'm not sure if it's true post Revolutionized Ships but on Solstice only the RS and PS had the King size and CS and below were the U.S. Queen. I could be wrong bu I believe the pillows are Queen even if you have a True U.S. King. On the Back to Back we had our Foam and Isotonic moved to our RS from a CS on a B2B and they appeared to have been same size.

We have been wearing masks since cruising has resumed. While it is a good insurance it of course isn't fool proof. Many will recall that last April we were on a B3B and was masked 100%, More then fully vaxed (at the time I had 4 shots due to a screw up), never attended a show or go to the Casino, didn't use elevators and stayed at least 6 feet from anyone. We both still came down with Covid. It was so mild I would not have know I had it except for testing positive on a B2B testing. We are at risk daily whether on a ship or at home and we can only do what we are comfortable with to mitigate risk. Obviously it has not slowed down our cruising. On our December Cruise we both again wore masks. Lots of hacking and coughing on the ship and near the end of the 2nd cruise I came down with a scratchy throat and cough. I immediately took a Covid Test and was negative. The coughing increased so again took a test and was still negative. When I looked at the progression of my cough, runny nose etc... It was the Common Cold. Just as a precaution we were attending a Xmas party and all guests agreed to test. Again we were negative. The cold passed in 7 days but unfortunately I gave it to Iain.

Call CC or Engagement Center. I've never had much luck with emailing either.

I can understand the heavy lift of keeping two threads going. My situation is hugely different. I'm just about to book Ponant which is a small exploration type ship. Their CC Board is very small with maybe 1 or 2 posts a week. I'm reluctant to post there and totally take over their board. Having said that when someone does a live post there pretty is not anything else posting for days or weeks.

It was years ago. When I looked it was about 2011. Basically they were pretending to make a stop at a distant foreign port. Was common on the Hawaii out of San Diego or the return. They replaced that with what was described above. They dropped off passengers in San Diego and sailed empty to Ensanada where the bused new passengers joined the ship. I was on the Millennium Oct 22, 2012 when they did this for the first time. What a mess. Our driver got lost in Ensanada and couldn't find the ship. They finally had to send another bus to guide us to the port.

I did the same but that was when they were playing games with the Jones Act and would do a drop stop. Drop anchor but not even let passengers off in Ensanada. The government cracked down on it and it is now not a possibility. I also had a cruise once, I believe Millennium that was San Diego to Honolulu but you checked in at San Diego and then they had to bus us to Ensanada - What a mess took us over 10 hours mostly stuck at the boarder.

Celebrity does indeed to Hawaii and the South Pacific. Most of the cruises are at then end of the Alaska Season for Trans-pacific West bound and again in April when the ships leave Australia for the Alaska season. I've booked a number of these cruises and have another booked for April 2024. If I'm not mistaken they have also had a couple trips to and from Hawaii. The problem is the compliance with the Jones act that require a stop at a distant foreign port. They use to slip in Ensanada with a drop stop but that practice was ended They now often do it by sailing out of Vancouver.

You outdid yourself with your photo uploads. What a fantastic tribute to you wonderful cruise. You have me sitting here remembering our visits to most of the same places. I love it when you see how many of the crew are just as excited as you to see something new in their life.

That is where I first saw Fireflies. My relatives on my Mother's side moved to Blount and Sevier Counties back in the 1790's and remained there since. Pigeon Forge is a great area (the entrance to Gattlingberg and the Great Smokies). After my Grandfather passed we donated a log cabin to be moved to a historical site at Pigeon Forge. Really showing my age but remember seeing Dolly Parton long before she was famous at local places and on local TV.

It's something you don't miss unless looking for them. I believe they need moist climates to breed and you know what are summers are like -- bone dry. I think they would love our current weather.

I think the most important part is to find a good agent and hope they remain consistent. I had used one for over 8 years and then she screwed me over - I believe she got into a bind during Covid. It was shortsighted on her part as I booked 15 cruises all in suites after dropping her. I know many ask - How do you find a good agent? Since we are not permitted to give recommendations here on CC the best route is to request the information from a trusted member when you meet them as a result of a Roll Call or other means. Give them a try and if you like with them stick with them otherwise keep searching. I would believe you could also use the "Other" site and send a personal message. The one I have been using for the past 2 years I met as a result of a recommendation from a trusted friend. I've not been disappointed. I personally always use an agent. 90% of the time I either book direct or book on board and transfer to an agent.

Generally once on board you can ask various People - CC Host, Retreat Host, Customer Service Manager, Hotel Director - they are usually very open. They also often announce the passenger count at the Captain's Toast and the CC Reception.

What sad news. Chemmo has been a longtime trusted contributor to CC and this board in particular. I always enjoyed hearing from him and respected is information and opinion. I will definitely miss him and can only offer my condolence in your incredible loss. Wish I could reach out and hug you so will send a virtual hug.

I would hate to see what percentage Air Travel and Hotel's have gone up. I just know the ones I recently booked made me shutter. Thanks for the discussion on Stock Prices. I had jumped out of RCl at $133 in 2020 and sporadically bought back in for Cruise Discounts. I decided to get back in at $32 kicking my self for not buying in when it hit the 20's. I haven't looked at the price since July when I bought back in. I'm happy. While I didn't buy RCL as an investment - The amount I've received as OBC's has tempered the risk factor.