tnt10

There have been no cases of fully vaccinated people getting Covid and experiencing serious or life threatening symptoms.  There is no evidence that it has happened, and studies have shown this to be true.

This is more political hype and not backed by evidence.

Just remember:  According to the CDC, if you are fully vaccinated, you can neither get nor spread Covid.  So, if you are vaccinated, who cares what others are doing or have done or not done?  If they want to risk getting sick and experience serious side effects, let that be on them.  Personal responsibility people-let's all be grown up about this.

On 2/22/2021 at 8:21 PM, Sam.Seattle said:

On Princess they offer "Ultimate Balcony Dining"  

A server comes to your room and sets up a complete table with linens, flowers and serves the meal course by course.  The ships photographer will stop by and take a picture.  Of course there is a extra fee the balcony dinner.

 

The picture below was a very special event where the head Chef made a off menu special dish.

 

It's a great experience we have enjoyed more than once.

 

My intended humor might have gotten lost in the message.

 

Cheers!

Looks very Special for sure!!!

On 2/15/2021 at 7:17 PM, Sam.Seattle said:

Or... you are remembering Ultimate Balcony Dining on Princess?

Never been on Princess.... Only Royal and Celebrity.

Whatever happened to ordering dinner from room service and them bringing in a table, all set up??

Guess  I'm stuck in the past....

As a side note:  Unless there has been a recent change regarding travel agents, I would consider removing this agent from your booking if you are able to do the leg work yourself.

I went through this a couple of years ago.  Spoke to a Res Specialist about an issue I was having with a travel agent.  I told them unless we could get it sorted out, I would need to pull the reservation from that agent.  The Specialist got the TA on the phone, (via  conference call),  and got the issue worked out.  Bottom line: Res Specialist was willing to let me remove the TA if we could not get the issue resolved.  And needless to say, never used that TA again.

On 2/8/2021 at 7:04 AM, Eric79DAM said:

The Renaissance Cruise Port Hotel is well located 

Will check it out... Thx!

On 2/7/2021 at 7:36 AM, SkierRobUMN said:

What’s your budget? What amenities or features are you looking for in a hotel? Ex close to shopping or restaurants? Will you have a car?  I live in the area so I can help point you in the right direction. 

One night pre cruise.  No car.  Amenities:  Clean, Convenient to Cruise Port, decent restaurant(s) nearby.  Budget:  $200/night max.

Thanks!

Very frustrating indeed.  The state of California at this point does not have the vaccines available for a 74 yr old with pre-existing conditions.

That is embarrassing, as well as dangerous.

ALL cruise deposits should be fully refundable at this point.  There are just too many variable outside of everyone's control!

1 hour ago, 81Zoomie said:

We wear a mask whenever we are unable to maintain the appropriate distance, or are indoors in public spaces.   We haven’t eaten at an indoor restaurant since Mar 2020. If you have to wear a mask on a cruise at the pool and around the upper outdoor decks, I find it hard to justify feeling safe eating in a dining room or drinking at an indoor bar. I can walk, bike, and swim at home without a mask and my lanai furniture is much more comfortable than the new “modern luxury” balcony furniture.  It would be much cheaper for us to order Door Dash and takeout for a week at home then have to worry about getting close to people, having our temperatures taken, or being concerned about who is eating at the next table.  We would love to sail, but we want it to be a relaxing vacation experience.  Celebrity is holding our cash as FCCs, but we are starting to ask ourselves if the $/cruising is worth uncertainty and frustration for the next couple of years.

Agree 100%.Where is the science in wearing a mask out in the sun, (where the virus is killed within a minute or two), vs. sitting at dinner inside without a mask?  Does the virus take a rest when you are seated at dinner??

Need to be scientific and logical....

6 hours ago, markf said:

not sure why you would want to.

i understand you can get ay dish from the main dining room menu at BLU.

You will find service more attentive in Blu, with a better menu

From what I've read on this post, (I believe), you are only able to get dishes from the MDR's in Blu or Luminae if you order ahead since the MDR kitchens are so far away....

Just curious, if you are in a suite and assigned to Luminae, is there a problem eating in one of the four MRR's?

(This would be on the Edge or Apex.....)

2 hours ago, PROCRUISE said:

Have often stayed at Crowne Plaza Hotel/ Ft. Lauderdale Airport/Cruiseport.

Pros: Large rooms, clean, nice staff members, very close to airport and directly across the street from port entrance, decent restaurant in the hotel, nice pool, shuttle or Uber to port. Free shuttle from airport.

Cons: About a two block walk to Walgreens, fast food places or any other restaurants.

 

Many other hotels on 17th Street. Have stayed at : Embassy Suites and even Extended Stay America. If you need lots of restaurant choices and shopping, 17th Street hotels are good. 

Thank you!  This at least gives me a starting point....

On 1/1/2021 at 3:48 PM, rthomasmke said:

Most of the time we have stayed at the Hilton Ft. Lauderdale Marina.  If you face the port, you see the ship in the morning.  Nice boardwalk, outdoor bar and pool area. 

thx for the info !!

Hi All,

Looking for a recommendation on a a pre cruise hotel in Ft Lauderdale.... I know there are many, but just looking for a nice hotel before a special TA and European trip.  Celebrating 40 year anniversary... oh, jeez!!

Thanks

2 hours ago, zitsky said:

 

I haven't had much experience with corked wines.  Did they taste a bit "off" or like vinegar perhaps?  What was the reaction when you sent back #2?

The Matre’d also tasted it, agreed it too was corked, handed me the wine menu, and said, “Order anything you would like-on the house.”  In fact, there was no charge for the SR dinner for both myself and guest.  He was obviously quite embarrassed.

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions....

As far as the vast selection (and price points) on board, we were on a RCL cruise a couple of years ago, and selected a Caymus Vinyards Private Reserve, (on a recommendation), and ended up sending bottles #1 AND #2 back.  Both were corked!!

We ended up with a wonderful Chilean red  costing a fraction of the Caymus.  (approx $35 vs $200).  Was told later, (and have have researched since), that cruise ships are notorious for the mishandling of fine wines..... too bad.

My apologies for not being specific.  As a resident of the Napa Valley, I should have used the term "Champagne/Sparkling Wine" instead of just champagne.

Interestingly, the Domaine Chandon Brut is rated higher on average than the Montaudon Brut.

As everyone has opined, I will ask once onboard as to what my possible choices will be, and decide after a "tasting" of my own....

Thanks everyone.

Can anyone detail or explain layout.  Very little written so far...

Thanks

Since the "search" function doesn't seem to work on these boards for me, can anyone tell me what the choices for champagne have been when on the Premium beverage package when traveling in a suite?  Won't be traveling until 2022 on the Apex, but what ever is included now can give me a clue as to what might be offered in the future.

Thanks!

On 12/17/2020 at 1:09 PM, shipshape sam said:

For  sure.  

 

I do not understand why anyone would wish/want a company to fail.  I can understand not knowing anything and thus not having an opinion of IF you think they might fail for 'x' reasons, but to wish a company to fails seems a bit odd.

Makes you wonder, doesn't it??

On 12/16/2020 at 1:11 PM, ECCruise said:

Honestly, upper management got them into the position in which they now find themselves.  Gobs of stock buybacks instead of conserving cash.  Overexpansion before the market had the time to catch up.

 

NYSE:RCL's 3-Year Average Share Buyback Ratio is ranked higher than
85% of the 470 Companies
in the Travel & Leisure industry.

 

There are any number of companies with significant cash reserves that will not need to raise prices to point of beginning to turn off scores of potential customers.  Many tech firms but also corporations such as Ford, Bristol Myers, Costco and others have plenty of cash in their coffers.  

 

Not only do I not want to pay higher prices, I won't.  I will not help them shoulder the downturn because of poor business decisions.  That money goes to charities first.

Are you kidding?

None of the companies you mentioned has been shuttered since March 2020.  You can't compare Costco, (that has been open all along),  with any cruise company, that has virtually had all revenue streams shut down!

Like comparing apples and oranges, or donkeys and elephants.

7 hours ago, ROYALBOY said:

We have Apex Israel booked for Oct 2022, but looking for the TA to make is a b2b and take us home to Ft Lauderdale.

Very nice and the best way if possible!!

This would not be the first time we've booked a cruise a year and a half away!  Have done this many times to get the desired suite!

We are also on the the Apex April 2022 TA FLL to AMS.

Hopefully, all the Covid stuff will be sorted out by then, and the first time on an E series X ship.

Very excited!!