davy jones

Our cruise is making a port call at Port Canaveral.  Port hours are from noon to 8 PM, really not enough time for a ship excursion to the Orlando area or KSC.  We're looking for a way to spend the afternoon there.  I have a few questions.

It looks like Jetty Park is walkable from terminal 1.  Not so much from terminal 5.  Is this correct?

What are options for getting to Cocoa Beach?

Are there any good options near the port for self exploration?

Our only Anthem cruise was when the 4 dining rooms had different menus.  We had MTD and were able to book a different restaurant each evening.  However, there was a mass rebellion among traditional dining folks and the different menus ended.  We just booked again and made MTD reservations for each night, but it did not offer a restaurant selection or indicate which restaurant to go to.

My impression is that there are 4 different restaurants with the same menu but different decor?  Is this correct?  Also, one of the venues required jackets for men every evening.  Is this still the case?  I dress nicely, but do not want to lug a jacket.

We personally like these beach days as a sea day alternative.  Some are better than others, but they are not for everyone.   IMO, the best one is Half Moon Cay, but that's a HAL stop.  We like the large beautiful beach and the ability to walk to the more distant quieter areas.

I guess they could use Coco Cay.  We have not been there since it was "upgraded" by RCI.  I suspect it may be too much of a theme park atmosphere for us.

How does it differ from Summit at this time?  Any major differences?

Does anyone know when the next refurbishment of the Constellation is scheduled?

On 6/1/2022 at 8:52 PM, Hawkstar33 said:

After doing some reading, it seems like we got the worst of this change for tomorrows 10 nt sailing. Itinerary change with us going first to Bermuda from Sat 10am - Mon- 5pm, then Charleston later in week.  Due to Bermudas  arrival protocols.  Bermuda has limited ferry service over weekend, many stores closed on weekend, and 3 ships in port with us supposedly docked first, then moving to tender position for Monday, to accommodate regular schedule.  Hearing about sardine packed tenders recently . Tendering can be a bit challenging at times, especially for those who are physically challenged. Plus we miss the street fair in the middle of the week.   Guess we will see what happens.  Itineraries can change at any time.  

The same thing happened on the May 13 cruise.  It really was not a big deal for us.  Sunday we docked and the Dockyard is fully open.  Plan your day for there or take a shuttle to Horseshoe bay.  Shore excursions are also an option.   On Monday, the ship was docked until about 11:30 AM.  Get off before then and you avoid that tender trip.  On Tuesday, it's all tenders.  It's a lot better than the onboard testing alternatives.

If we had followed the original itinerary, the weather in Newport would have been poor.  Instead, we had good weather when we got there.  It's something that you can't control, but it worked in our favor.

On 5/31/2022 at 12:43 PM, zitsky said:

I'm sure a lot of people leave phones in the cabin safe.  But if you want to hang out at the pool or in a lounge, do you have to constantly worry about someone stealing your ebook reader or something else?  I would like to sit by the pool reading a tablet but I don't want my partner to have to sit there watching it while I go in the pool.  I'd like him to enjoy the pool too!

If you use reasonable caution, keep it out of plain view, and are not playing the chair hog, it should not be a problem.  Remember that the eye in the sky sees everything on the public areas and will easily identify any scoundrels.

On 6/1/2022 at 11:23 AM, zitsky said:

We all talk about how good or bad the internet is.  If I have the basic internet will I have trouble reading newspapers or magazines online?  I like to read the New York Times when I travel.  So I thought I might subscribe before I go.  It's mostly text but I'm guessing there are a good amount of photos that have to be downloaded.  I plan to take a tablet with me but I also do a lot of reading on my phone.

I guess it depends on the ship and how the e-paper is configured.  On the Summit, reading my local paper was a long chore.  It has never been the best site at home and the Summit's dial up speed internet made downloading each page a long ordeal.

On 5/29/2022 at 3:27 PM, Guppy99 said:

mast grill ice cream on summit is most certainly self-serve unless it has changed in the past 6 months

There was no self serve on the May 13 sailing.  Only hand scooped in the OV or the gelato.

14 hours ago, ScottC4746 said:

This is my first cruise on Celebrity on the Solstice leaving 2 Sept to Alaska and am getting a little worried about my wardrobe now.

I've been watching Youtube videos and everyone seems to be dressed like they are at a swanky resort.  I saw no one in the videos in shorts, blue jeans or Polo pull over shirts.  No tennis shoes and no flip flops.

My DH will probably poop out by 7 but I want to enjoy the evening activities be it a show, or late night in one of the bars listening to music.  We are in Concierge Class room so main dining room for us.  We probably won't do an upcharge restaurant.

Help!  Suggestions please?  I am not the best for fashion choices here which is why I am reaching out for help.

Promotional videos are likely taken on elegant chic nights (formerly called formal nights).

Reality is that shorts are fine pretty much everywhere during the day.  In the evening, men's shorts are not supposed to be allowed in the MDR.  Enforcement is mixed.  I did see one guy an adjacent table was wearing shorts and a Hawaiian shirt on elegant night, but on regular (smart casual) nights, I saw some turned away.  Nice jeans are fine in the MDR on the "smart casual" nights.  

Outside of the dining rooms, you will see shorts.  Some of them change after dinner, others will have had dinner in the buffet, where shorts are permitted.

Just off the Summit.  Our experience with select dining was pretty good.  We had reservations for 6:30 each night and only had to wait for those ahead of us in line to check in.   We had the same wait staff every night, so in that way it was like assigned dining.

I would highly recommend reservations though.  I did see waits for walk ups, but I don't know how long it was though.

Our sailing itinerary was changed so we are now arriving in Bermuda (dockyard) on Sunday morning.   I imagine that the dockyard will be in full swing because of the ships in port, but that may not be the case elsewhere in Bermuda.  

Are businesses typically open in Bermuda on Sunday?  Does the bus and ferry run on Sunday on a reduced schedule (or at all)?  If not, I will just plan to spend Sunday in the Dockyard area or go to a beach.

Drats....Just got a move up to a deck 6 port side balcony and thought that the location was very good.

Since the subject came up.....This is our first Celebrity cruise.  How diligent are they at enforcing the no smoking on balcony rules.  We always seem to end up near (often next to) balcony smokers on other lines (several lines).  Only once have we seen security tell them to stop.  (We do not contact security about it in order to avoid conflicts on vacation)

Problem fixed by TA.  You think that they would have these problems fixed by now.

4 minutes ago, MadisonMom said:

Yes, happened to me. My TA was able to straighten it out with one phone call 

I have contacted my TA and am awaiting their response.  Hopefully, we will have the same result.  The policy about keeping existing promotions is quite clear.

I had a move up bid accepted yesterday for my cruise next week.  My credit card was charged and room changed on my reservation.  My TA sent us a revised invoice for the sailing reflecting the room change, move up payment, and other details, including OBC.

Today, I went onto my cruise planner and it is showing that my OBC is $300 lower than yesterday.  This is not consistent my invoice and the policy.

Has this happened to anyone?

2 hours ago, davekathy said:

The C&A drinks are no longer limited to the evening. No unlimited C&A drinks in the DL. C&A drinks (diamond = 4, diamond + = 5, pinnacles = 6)  are loaded on your SeaPass card daily and can be used at most bars and all dining venues no matter the time of day. The DL C&A HH in the evening is now from 5 to 8:PM. Buffet snacks in the DL are still available but they are now served to you. Like at the buffet.  I've seen a few people wearing their tier level pin. To each their own. We have never been asked or brought up our C&A tier level.  We sat with Super Mario at the Captains table (2011) on one of our B2B cruises. Until the Captain introduced him and his loyalty to RC we had no idea who he was. IMO, he's a nice guy (as most people we meet on our cruises), but far from being consider deity.  We like the similarities and the differences between Celebrity and RC.  

Thank you for the current status.  

Please note that everything that I read about Mario is that he is a great guy who is very down to earth.  He is a bit of a legend to some on the RCI boards due to his combined love of cruising and his ability to be able to cruise whenever he desires.  (which is what many would like to be able to do)

47 minutes ago, phoenix_dream said:

Why are you seeing so many older folks onboard RCI?  As a senior myself (but loyal to Celebrity) I think there are several reasons.  One is that even if you don't see them together all the time they may be traveling with their families.  But I think the other two reasons are more likely.  The first is that Royal is the one who is always advertising on TV (at least in my area).  Many people don't bother to do research they just see something and go for it.  They don't research other cruise lines to determine the best option for them.  They're retired, they want to try cruising, so they go with what has been presented to them the most.  The second is that they are (as a friend of mine would say) "Loyal to Royal".  They started sailing Royal years and years ago and never tried another cruise line so they don't know any better, and don't want to know any better.  They are comfortable because they know the product so they know how to handle life onboard a Royal ship.  Frankly, that's how I feel about Celebrity and why I am reluctant to go back to trying other lines like Holland, which many say is very similar.  Obviously these answers don't apply to everyone as people are all different regardless of age.  But I think these reasons are the most likely.

 

I believe that many of them stay because of their C&A status and benefits.  They are not big drinkers and the lounge and evening drinks essentially become their drink package.  Some also like the "status" boost, wearing their pins, etc.  I have seen a number of people actually wearing polo shirts declaring their status.  Often the first question is about your C&A status.  I have never met Super Mario, but am aware that he has achieved deity status in some circles.

I also suspect that many of these older folks prefer the older, smaller ships without the bells and whistles.  

While there is some crossover, they are essentially targeting different markets looking for different experiences.

9 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

Agree, I have had great cruises on both lines…for different reasons..

I have had good cruises on NCL.  

I have never had a good cruise on Celebrity, but my first sailing is later this month.

2 hours ago, Pinboy said:

No " sarcasm " at all.

Holy cow---- I was only " having a little fun , humor , or whatever ".

( I wouldn't do it even if you paid for me ).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Humor is a better word.

For the record.  I have done the ropes course but could not muster up the nerve to go walk the plank.    The view from near the plank was more than enough for me.  Actually, looking down is not a good idea for me.

1 minute ago, Pinboy said:

See post #9 :

$99 for 30 minutes ( harness included ) or $10 ( no harness attached ).

Photo $25 extra-- 

All payable in advance ( just in case ).

That sounds like sarcasm to me.

On 4/28/2022 at 9:48 PM, mom says said:

Let me guess... they charge extra for this?

Unless things have changed, it is included as an option on the ropes course.

We are considering this and have a couple of questions?

1.  Can you download the photos to your own device when they are available?

2.  Does this include all photos taken onboard, including those "portrait" photos that can be taken each evening?

3.  If you had the package, what was your experience?

On 4/13/2022 at 5:07 PM, csoud68 said:

Maybe im in the minority but Bermuda leaves me wanting more. They have pretty beaches but the overall vibe of that island is kinda dead. I  am going back because my wife wants to go. Im happy to cruise and get in the sea days and hopefully one day in while at the port. I have done my research and the beaches, although beautiful, have nothing else more than basic bathrooms. It seems not much has changed in 13 years.

 

St Thomas, St Maarten, Puerto Rico D.R. and even Cozumel are better stops.

 

Our answer is no, but I understand how you could feel that way.  Bermuda has a British vibe, which is more formal than the Caribbean vibe that is found in the other places that you mention.  It all comes down to what you are looking for.