Old Coastie

The United bagage fees are currently $30 in advance and $35 or $40 if waiting until airport checkin.  I can't find anything on the United web site that tells me if I would get a refund if I first checked in advance, online with the United credit card.  I also see the statement that the airline tickets must be purchased with the United credit card to qualify for a fee checked bag.  If I wait to check the bag at the airport I will be subjected to the higher fee if United refuses to give me the free checket bag feature.  

I am planning to book my flights, on United, with EzAir, using my United Explorer Card.  That card provides 1 free checked bag with each reservation but will that work with a booking through EzAir.  Has anyone had experience in doing this?

OK, so a vaccine becomes available.  It will take some time to get wide distribution and then additional time to ensure it’s effectiveness on a worldwide basis.  I would guess that any “normal” cruising will not take place until, at least, 2022.  Regardless of how long it takes to get, some cruising changes will also be necessary, including, verification that each passenger has been inoculated (the good old “shot” card), elimination of the buffet as we know it, much more spacing between tables in dinning rooms, and improved ship and cabin ventilation systems.  Also the mandatory warning of masks, at least when going ashore in some 3rd world countries.  We have a long way to go before cruising is a safe vacation bet, and I really hope the cruise lines will step up and start implementing these changes quickly because, like all of you, I want to get back to cruising as soon as it’s safe.

No system is perfect!  In 2015 we sailed, with another couple, from Amsterdam on the Silhouette. Being 2015, the "old" check-in process was being followed where we were given our SeaPass in the terminal.  We waited until the announcement that staterooms were ready for occupancy before entering.  We, DW and myself, entered our standard balcony stateroom and started checking it out. 

Our friends knocked on our door, came in and in very hushed voices told us that someone was sleeping in their beds (their stateroom was next to ours).  What should they do?  They didn't want to wake the sleepers for fear that they might become aggressive. 

We contacted Guest Services and a manager immediately came up to our cabin.  She first checked our traveling companions SeaPass and documents to ensure that they were entering the correct stateroom and then proceeded into their assigned room and found a couple partially dressed (or undressed) and soundly sleeping in the beds.  

As it turned out, once the sleepers were awake and dressed, they were actually assigned a cabin on the other side of the ship.  They had just arrived on a long, overnight flight, from the U.S. and were exhausted.  They looked for their stateroom and when the thought they had fond it, also found the door open.  At the time the stateroom attendant was still in the process of preparing the rooms.  Finding no one around to ask, they entered, closed the door, and went to bed. 

They went on to their assigned room, with the guidance of staff.  The stateroom attendant was summoned and proceeded to strip and remake the room.  While this was going on we all went to the closest watering hole to refresh and have a good laugh. 

This is still our favorite cruise story when we get together with our friends.  The only thing missing was The Three Bears.  It just proves that no system is perfect, you just have to roll with the waves. 

We bring a few led (candles/lights) for night lights and to use on the balcony in the evening (very romantic), as well as a door hanging (plastic) shoe holder for storage of various things like shampoo, medications, cosmetics, electric toothbrush, etc., etc.  We hang it on the inside of the bathroom door.  It doesn't work on some doors so I carry a small spool of fish line to use for on-the-spot modifications.  This year we are bringing two inflatable foot stools for the balcony.  DW has her own travel hair dryer.  Oh, and individual laundry soap packets to wash out quick-dry underwear in the sink.   

We are taking the Journey, Aug 27 cruise (Southampton to Lisbon) and have been thinking about booking flights through ChoiceAir.  I noticed today that they are indicating on their reservation site that you can Book Now - Pay Later but I am unable to find any additional details about this feature.  Has anyone used this or have any information regarding this feature.  It states that flights that have the Green Star have this feature.  The only think that I can find for those flights is the ability to cancel (for a fee).

Would love to see some photos on here if you get time :). We are on the Grand in August.

Do they have gluten-free scones available? We will be on Grand 23 Sep.

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Thanks to all of you for your insight, advice and information. I just booked the PP fall cruise for 2018. The next challenge will be making flight reservations, once they are published. We will most likely arrive in London 2 - 3 days early since we have never visited that great city. We toured Rome a few years back when on a Celebrity Med cruise so no urgent need to remain there at the end of the cruise. I'm looking forward to sailing on a smaller ship with fewer passengers. I have always felt that our interaction with our fellow cruisers contributed as much to the cruise experience as many of the port visits. I'm looking forward to seeing pictures of the PP post-refresh in the near future.

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Sound like a good fit provided it is not too late in season for Mediterranean tourism spots and temperatures we went late one year and some resorts were practically closed.

Personally would prefer Azamara ambiance and staff interaction but if you have not experienced Azamara may not be important to you

 

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Proctor....Thanks for the response. I was just looking at an Azamara cruise, similar to the PP and about the same time of the year. While Azamara is really all inclusive, the cost is also higher. With Sip n Sail, the PP doesn't look too bad. Also, I like being able to book flights with Princess and not pay (flexible ticket) until final cruise payment. If we had to cancel for some reason we wouldn't be stuck with an airfare ticket. I'm still wondering about the food. I have celiac and must eat gluten free. Hopefully that wouldn't be a problem.

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I am looking at the Pacific Princess Oct 6, 2018 European Explorer cruise. While the PP is the smallest Princess ship it is close to, in size, capacity, and design, Azamara's Journey and Quest. I would be interested in any insight on how the compare with respect to food, service, and overall creature comforts. This cruise would be the first on a "small" ship. Will it be a comfortable ride and will there be enough evening activities to hold our interest? I am 72 and DW is in her late 60's. We are not heavy drinkers and do not participate in casino activities. We do enjoy attending some shows and musical entertainment, and, if course, good food.

I've seen some reference to the diamond drink benefit as being 3 free drinks available at (almost) any bar with the daily credit on your seapass card, thus eliminating the need to go to the crowded diamond lounge. Is this a frequently used practice and is it for all diamond and above or just diamond+ and above? Sorry for asking about what may be common knowledge to everyone else but having been sailing exclusively on Celebrity for the past five years, I'm not at all familiar with what is standard diamond practices on RCCL.

Thanks for the quick response. Good that you can "travel" with drink. Celebrity does not allow drinks outside of elite event space.

We are taking 01/25 cruise on Antham and this will be first time on RCL in many years. We moved from RCL to Celebrity 5+ years ago. This return to RCL will be first as diamond. With regard to nightly 3 free drinks, can you use them in any of the dining rooms or are you restricted to only bar/lounge use?

Cruisestitch....Yes.....I too see that FAQ and link has returned from it's vacation. This once again confirms my assumption that the good old Celebrity web site is a Work In Progress...progress....progress.

Cle-guy......That link works. Thanks for providing it. Your response to my problem was about 300x faster then Celebrity customer service. Have a great day....

With the recent "improvements" to the Celebrity website:confused:, the link to the Booking Transfer Form has vaporized and there is no longer any information under the FAQs re transferring an on-line booking to a TA. Has anyone else had this problem and found a workaround, or does Celebrity have a new policy that prohibits transfers within the 60 day window?

Thanks to all for your very possitive responses. We have been very happy cruising with Celebrity but this itinerary is very tempting. Since we live on the east coast, heading that far west is something we will do maby on once. I'm not looking for a copy of Celebrity and am fully aware that each cruise line has it's own special characteristics as well as each ship within a brand, but we do like good service and having moved beyond the "kids at home" stage, a more adult focused vacation. Correct me if I'm wrong, but given the time of year and length of cruise, would one expect to see fewer young families and children then, say, on a Caribbean cruise?

My wife and I are considering the Crown Princess 28 day cruise to Hawaii, Tahiti, and Samoa in Oct 2014. I would be interested in hearing from others who have sailed this same route and also experiences with the Crown Princess. We are long time fans of Celebrity and RCCL. Will we get the same level of service on the Crown? How's the food??:D