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Habits and mentality.

People most likely expect cruise vacation diaries on these boards.

They don't expect expert reviews here.

 

This is not my vacation diary (OMG, I had chicken soup on Day 2).

This is a review of the ship.

Why do I spend so much time?

Why do people write books, perform research?

I am an engeneer and a travel professional.

This is my field.

That's why I spend time writing about ships.

This is a research.

It's not intended to please this board regulars.

It's for everyone who is interested in cruise ships and cruise line business.

And of course it's for those who is going to take a cruise on Celebrity S-Class ships.

 

Happy cruising!

Thank you! I'm sorry you have had to deal with people and their attitudes.....one of the reasons I'm primarily a reader on CC and not much of a poster. Here you are trying genuinely to help people and they attack you for what you have to say which is based in fact and backed up with photos even! If they feel your opinions are unfair then they need to take it for what it is....an opinion....we all have them and you know what they say about opinions :)

Yesterday I held a room on an X cruise (which will be our first) because according to the deck plans on the X site it looked to be a good one. Then I got to researching and came across this thread and learned it is anything but because it was on deck 6 and we'd have a lovely view of life boats and tenders while cruising the mediterranean. So, I kept reading and looking at your very helpful photos. I canceled that hold and rebooked a much, much, much better room in the same category for the same price. Without you taking so much time to be thorough here we may have shown up for that cruise and been very disappointed.

I'm currently on page 19 so back to reading I go! Thanks again. This was/is a tremendous effort on your part.

Thanks for the snapshot of the aft view. My Dolphin aft looks might inviting. Can't wait till I step onto it on the 9th.....:):):)

 

Bob

Please, please, pretty please tell us all about your Dolphin aft room when you can. We're booked in one for the eastern TA next April. Can't wait!

I second the recommendations for the Volcano from the kids' menu. I sailed Princess for years before I had kids, and frequently requested a banana split because I liked to see the various interpretations my waiters came up with. ("Banana split" not usually being a phrase they understood readily). Once they brought me a dish of topped ice cream along with a banana still in the skin. :cool: Another time it was a bunch of banana circles mixed in with the ice cream. I do love me a good banana split.

 

Then I had kids, started cruising with them, and saw the Volcano on the kids menu and now I order it all the time. :D

I know the above is old but it reminded me of a miscommunication or misunderstanding on a cruise one time. We went to the buffet for breakfast and a sweet young waitress stopped by to see what we would like to drink. I told her coffee please with 1/2 & 1/2. She got a puzzled look and in broken english said she didn't know what 1/2 & 1/2 was. I explained it was 1/2 cream & 1/2 milk. She nodded and walked away. A few minutes later I spied her nearby feverishly whipping some cream with a carton of milk to mix in :) I felt terrible! So, I went over and told her just milk would be fine!

Thank you Meg for your reply :)

It is usually a flat rate..you got taken for a ride.

 

As for Bayonne Taxi, i am having a hard time getting their contact info....mainly due to my lack of coffee this AM.......i used to have a number for them...i will poke around.

 

Check with Independent Driver...number on my blog....no website...no frills and many CCers use.

 

Whatever you do...do NOT let the hotel call a service for you...they are getting kickbacks....the rate you paid is $25 bucks too high..even if allowing for traffic.....

 

ETA: yes, the number for Bayonne Yellow cab looks correct......

 

you could probably call any of these.....

http://www.bayonnenj.org/taxi.htm

Another thought - if you park at the Doubletree, call Bayonne Taxi. I think they do a lot of the RCL transfers and the Doubletree is one of the precruise hotels. Several years ago someone left their car at nearby Vista parking, took the Vista shuttle to the Doubletree, and got a Bayonne Taxi shuttle to the port which used to be $15 but is now $16 or $17.

Are you able to give more information re: Bayonne Taxi? We are coming in on 10/20 and staying the night at Doubletree (the one at the airport) and will need transportation to the port on 10/21. I googled it and Bayonne City Yellow Cab is what came up. Is this the one?

The last time we cruised out of Bayonne we stayed at Country Inn & Suites on Glimcher. The cab from there ran us $75 :eek: but most of the fare (I think) was due to getting caught in the endless line of cars going into the port.

Looks like you joined us?

 

Now you have to visit the place, when you get here!! :)

 

 

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It is definitely on my list so no worries :D The question is, how many beautiful beaches can we squeeze in to about 5 days or so?

You might like this :confused:

 

 

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=51193118890

 

 

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Thanks!!!

Somebody visited Bottom Bay again today..

 

 

 

 

 

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You're killin' me!!! :D

Happy feet in the powdery fine sand in Barbados :D

Sunset as we sailed away from beautiful Barbados :(

:p The good news is we are going back to Barbados!!! Yahoo!!!! We found it to be absolutely beautiful there and want more time to see more of the island and its beauty. We will be returning next May and staying for 5 or 6 nights before boarding the Sea Princess back to Ft. Lauderdale by way of Aruba, Bonaire and Grenada. I can't wait!!

Here's a compilation of songs listed so far with a quick and dirty cleanup of the titles and artist to make it easier to locate them on your favortie site. Apologies in advance for any inadvertent mistakes, typos, or omissions.

Great list! Our son is getting married on the beach in St. Thomas and we're taking our ipod and cordless Bose idock for music for the wedding and reception. This will be perfect for the reception. Thanks for compiling the list. I have a feeling I'll be spending a lot of time on itunes now.

There is a story that goes with this picture. At 41 my sister had a major stroke. To save her life they had to do surgery and as a result, take out about 1/3 of her skull....it stayed safe in her belly for over a year (because she had a staph infection post op they did not want to put it back too soon) while she recovered. At her most critical moment in the ICU, I held her hand and told her if she would only open her eyes I would take her anywhere in the world she wanted to go....her eyes flew open (the first of many miracles!), and as soon as she came off the ventilator she requested we go on a cruise. So in late April this year, almost 2 years after her stroke, we boarded the Legend with our mom, our other sister, two nieces and my sisters’ best friend. My sister wanted to swim with the dolphins more than anything else, so I scheduled the Royal Swim. Although VERY skeptical when we arrived, given my sisters physical limitations, the staff agreed to "let her try”. This picture was taken during the foot push.....what you can't see are the six women standing in the water watching her, laughing and crying at the same time. Since this day, my sister has continued to recover, expanding her horizons daily; because this moment in time renewed her confidence and made her realize that ANYTHING is possible!

 

 

 

Oh wow!! That made me cry. God bless your sister and you for being there for her. May she enjoy many, many more cruises.

 

This is my dad and you have to know him to really appreciate it, but it's one of our favorites.

Hey Jeff! How ya doing?