RNCheryl

We are on this cruise, though on the Royal, the following year.

Mainly asking for excursion recommendations. Ship based, privately reserved.

We have this cruise planned for 2017. Suggestion: go to your cruise roll call. We have always found a group of our fellow cruisers who are willing to share an excursion separate from the ship. In fact, we have NEVER done a ship sponsered excursion. Better prices, and you know the folks you are traveling with beforehand.

I would do Princess (we were on Coral) from Vancouver. The place to see in Glacier Bay. Princess had some good excursions, though we booked all of ours independently

Example of customer service: I had booked a Summit Southern Caribbean cruise for 2016. Never one word from Celebrity that the cruise had been cancelled (private booking?)

If it were not for Cruise Critic/Facebook group, I still wouldn't know.

Celebrity had my money and didn't tell me that they would not provide the service.

On board laundry. Great $$ saver

We took this cruise (Panama Canal) last March. Crooners Bar was our favorite. The piano player for the cruise was Bartie, and old guy who has played for/with or known everyone on Broadway. We came back night after night. He was adorable. Encouraged audience participation. St. Patricks Day was wonderful!

Hear, hear Bartie

If you are in San Juan for a day precruise, check out Flavours of San Juan. It is a walking history and food tour. Most entertaining.

http://www.sanjuanfoodtours.com/

As Host Andy said, the small Coral Princess thru the Canal is just the best fit. We, too, finished the transit of the canal. We have been from Atlantic to Pacific in the same day; how many can say that?

On a cruise of this duration, and with the heat/humidity year round in this area, we found it great to have self serve laundry facilities on the Princess Line. For a couple of dollars, you can have fresh, clean clothes.

Also like the Crooners Lounge on Princess.

We have also sailed Celebrity several times, and keep coming back. In fact, we currently have sailings booked on Celebrity Summit southern Caribbean and on Regal Princess Baltic. Based strictly on itinerary.

I was part of the Pop chorus on our Coral Panama Canal cruise earlier this year. For me, it was the highlight of the trip. Met some wonderful people from all over the world, had a great Aussie director. Nothing like this on Celebrity.

Enjoying your review. Looking at this ship for a Baltic cruise.

Just FYI, as you are a Sooner: if you are interested in Orange Bowl tix, we have 2 plus a parking pass. We had hoped our beloved OSU Buckeyes would play, but....

Email for you or any of your friends: Cheryl at prncomp dot com

Late to the party, but just read your review. We were on the Coral in 3/15 and did many of the same activities that you did.

The best thing I did on Sea Days was join the Princess Chorus. A group of about 20 "singers", lead by one of the activities staff. We practiced every sea day, and on the final day gave a performance in the main atrium. It was a great experience and I met a lot of lovely people.

Like the Coral very much, just the right size. Bartenders in Crooners, Bertie the piano man, the coffee guy all knew your name and preferences the second day.

We were waiting in line to board the Celebrity Reflection in Miami. It was a prolonged experience since the ship was just entering US ports from Europe. One young couple arrived in a taxi. They completely ignored the LONG line, and nudged in at the head of the line. A couple of passengers called them out; they acted like they were deaf and dumb. One gentleman was in danger of having a heart attack, he was so angry. Let it go; Karma happens.

Still, it was more than annoying.

Nothing original,just what others have said:

Glacier Bay in Alaska, a reason to go Princess.

We cruised with "Berty", an entertainer to be admired. He is an oldie, has a lot of great stories about Broadway performers. He plays piano, sings, audience participation is excellent. Really remarkable.

Finally, you can pack minimally knowing that there is a laundry facility on board.

Oh, yes, we also enjoyed a (free of charge) ploughmans lunch on board.

We were on the Reflection a week ago. Hubby had a back problem that was not resolved by visiting the ship doctor and taking medications. We decided to leave the cruise midway, in Jamaica. Concierge Karen was so professional and helpful. Got us plane tickets, eased us thru Jamaican customs, even wheeled 2 large suitcases for us. Hope Celebrity monitors these posts and sees how their employees are appreciated.

Enjoying your review so much, and disappointed that it is in progress. So, what did I do? Read your whole trip review that started in Venice!

Carry on!

First world problems. You are on vacation, chill out.

Ballistic about a pen or a lanyard from trivia, really?

We are in your age category, or slightly older. The Summit is a wonderful ship, just the right size. We did Aqua and enjoyed Blu, but the next cruise we have scheduled, opted for a balcony cabin and Set time dining.

Please have a good look at cruise line offered excursions, and check trip advisor for recommendations. We too have no interest in swimming with sea turtles, stingrays, dolphins, etc. Even if we have no plans, we have no hesitation to book a local taxi for an island tour.

Good price, good ship, why not go for it?

Norris, Cheryl from Ft Lauderdale here. I have spent the better part of 2 days reading this trip report. Not withstanding the photos that were no longer available to view, thoroughly enjoyed it. We have been to Rome twice on land trips, and the smile never left my face. We found the food to be amazing and the people friendly. We were lost in Rome looking for a restaurant, and SO many people stopped to help us.

Florence was probably our favorite place in Italy, so walkable. Stop at any cafe, have a vino, watch the parade go by.

Have not yet been to Venice, but hope to in the near future, along with much of northern Italy.

But your ship review of this beautiful craft has been the decision maker for me. We have to go on a voyage on the Ocean. We are mainly Celebrity cruisers, but loved the Coral on trips to Alaska and Panama Canal. Looks like we will need to do British Isles, but no sacrifice is too great, right? And another trip to London is something to look forward to.

Thanks again for the hours and hours it took to produce this review.

Absolutely enchanted with your review. Your enthusiasm is catching! Carry on

Have been to Europe from Eastern US several times, and to Australia once.

I have given up on the idea of sleeping. My adrenaline is running so high, it just doesn't happen.

I have tried all the suggestions (except upgrading, which my Scotch soul would not allow!), doesn't matter.

Power through on reaching your destination, or take a short (one hour) nap.

Now Australia is a different subject: do whatever you can to try to catch a couple of hours of sleep.

Panama Canal charged the Coral Princess $350,.000 plus for the transit. These charges are passed to you, the passengers, in many ways.

Shower: we brought our own shampoo/conditioner in small bottles. Used ships soap bars.

The sanctuary in Limon: Original/close to ship is closed for renovations. We drove for more than an hour to the Jaguar Rescue Center. Enjoyed it very much. Take a snack, as there is no lunch. They have a wonderful group of volunteers here. Make a donation.

Glad to oblige about the tours:

Aruba Trikes: http://www.trikes-aruba.com/

They made sure the drivers were comfortable with standard transmission before the tour.

In Cartagena, we used Marelvy. http://www.tourincartagena.com/

Very good Tripadvisor reviews. A very smart lady, well versed in her country's history. Just ignore the persistent street vendors.

Panama, took the ship's ferry boat trip thru the canal. Review the options carefully. We were disappointed in the length/quality of this trip. Think going to Gatun Lake is far enough.

In Costa Rica, our CC group did this trip: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g309264-d1754971-Reviews-Your_Lucky_Tour-Puerto_Limon_Province_of_Limon.html

Be aware, this is a day long tour, and the only food provided is a banana. Bring something to tide you over. I had mixed feelings about this trip, but the sights were memorable.

Finally, in Jamaica we went to the Blue Hole.

http://www.libertytoursjamaica.com/

It was degrees cooler than the ambient temperature. Very rough road to get here, great driver. The young men who assist you in climbing were amazing. Even this old girl scampered up the falls. DH sat in the falls, one of our group dived into the pool. Afterwards, lunch at Scotchies was wonderful; chicken perfectly done and seasoned. Ricardo is a lovely young man; you will love him!

I must be in forgetful mode,want to make a couple more observations.

Bayeau had a wonderful steak dinner. Perfectly done. Great service. But how can they continue to operate? We showed up on dining day at 7PM. Maybe 4 other couples in the restaurant. Sabatinis was worse; no body there. Wasted space as far as the revenue producing accountants remember.

Shower in balcony cabin C639 was claustrophopic. Not sure how larger passengers (and there were many on our cruise) would cope. Another plus for Celebrity.

If anyone is interested in the specifics of the port excursions, just ask; will be glad to oblige.