mjwcruising

 

We lounged during the morning. This was our view of Nellie’s Beach, nice. You don’t need water shoes here. Of all the beaches, I think I like Nellies the best.

 

Can those blue sun "shades" be rented? If so, how do you go about renting one?

AZAficionado & SolsticeAZ ,

I am on post 78 and want to say I totally agree with SuitCaseBears:

Best Review Ever!

Love the effort you've put into organizing things - all the food stuff together, activities together, then chronological. LOVE LOVE LOVE it. And having started several reviews and then not finishing them, I am in awe of the effort you've put in.... and the humor.

Thanks:):D

I am definitely looking forward to finishing this review and then looking up your Freedom review and reading it.

DH likes to smoke cigars. Just wondering where that is permitted on Allure.

Is there a Cigar Lounge indoors.

How about the smoking side of the casino (I'm thinking probably not in the Casino, but thought I would ask.)

Also, where can they be smoked outdoors?

P.S.....I know no balcony smoking.;)

Looking forward to reading your review. We just booked an Allure cruise and I want to soak up all the info I can about sailing on her.

I am also following and enjoying your review. I just booked the Allure for Feb. 2016. I have so much to learn so I will be a sponge soaking everything in because unlike many of you we have never sailed an Oasis class ship.

your room key will open the door and ONLY if you are entitled to the access.. so anyone NOT a diamond or D+ in their own right may NOT access the lounge especially during cocktail hour.

 

the only exception is a spouse or domestic partner residing at the same address who has their C&A account linked with yours.

 

it is generally considered bad form to request an exception to this policy, especially with the larger numbers of Ds and D+s who have earned the access and will fill the lounge to capacity

Thank you for the clarification, DH and I are both diamond (Elite Plus on Celebrity). I was thinking it would be extremely crowded if members brought their friends who weren't diamond.

the D lounge is a dedicated spot for continental breakfast in the am, a 24/7 specialty coffee machine that with a push of a button dispenses cappuccino, latte and reg coffee( and hot water) in the afternoons there might be a plate or two of cookies and fruit. the evening cocktail hour is hot and cold hors' deurves, a bartender to give you free booze(* basic mixed drinks, usually a red and a white wine, a few basic beers) and a Concierge who staffs the location in the mornings to about 11 and again during cocktail hour to handle stuff for you..arranging tours, booking reservations, printing out boarding passes, etc.

 

location, size and desirability of this and the Reg Concierge lounge( for Suites, D+ and Pinnacle members) vary by ship and ship class.

 

they are key coded for entry.

spookwife, thank you for the details.

can you explain the key code for entry?

If Diamond level guests travel with another couple who is not diamond yet is there someone to check cards to make sure everyone is entitled to the offerings in the lounge or are friends of diamond level allowed to partake?

I am Elite Plus on Celebrity with a reciprocal benefit of being diamond on Royal

We have only cruised royal once in 2010 but will be cruising on the Quantum in Feb. 2015 and hopefully on the Allure for a TA in 2016.

I am not familiar with the Diamond Lounge. Can someone please tell me about it and anything else I should know out Royal Caribbean's diamond level benefits.

Thank you,

Mary

I had the premium alcohol package and DH (can't drink alcohol) had the premium non-alcohol package. Sometimes he would order off of a bar menu and sometimes he would just ask the bartender to make him a non-alcoholic drink and they would. He even did this when he joined me at the Martini bar. He always enjoyed them although there were a few he thought were a tad too sweet for his taste.

DH and I are interested in doing a TA to or from Spain on the Oasis or Allure.

We have never done a TA before.

Would love to hear opinions on whether eastbound in the spring or westbound in the fall is best.

I also see there is an Oasis TA eastbound in Sept 01, 2014. Not sure why there is a ship going to Barcelona in Sept.

We won't be going until 2015 but would like opinions on that date if this is a usual sail date to Spain.

Any other tips or opinions would be welcomed also.

I recently wrote Celebrity and it took over a month to receive an answer.

I think that is way too long. The answer to the question I asked was no longer important by then; but I have the answer incase I need it for the future.

If I recall correctly I had captain (spiced) and coke at the Sunset Bar on the Century in October.

The space for Blu was carved out of the MDR, but it is now a completely separate space with its own entrance

Sounds great; I was just wondering what to expect. We are looking forward to a wonderful experience in Blu.

I see in your signature you are cruising on the Infinity on 4-24-14 to Harwich. We will be on the Infinity from 4-14 till 4-29 San Diego to Miami which means we will be on the same ship from 4-24 till 4-29 :confused:

Mary

We were just on Infinity in December and ate in Blu every night. I didn't even realize that it was part of the MDR. If so, it definitely has a distinct look and feel. It is was just like the Blu on the S-Class ships we've been on, except the layout is slightly different. It's a lovely, private venue and if you will get the exact same ambience here as on the Blu on S-Class ships.

 

 

 

Michael

That is great to hear; we really liked the ambience and service we have received in Blu on the "S" class ships.

Mary

I am familiar with Blu on "S" class ships but not on "M" class ships.

I will be cruising on Infinity in April and booked in Aqua Class.

I am wondering what Blu is like on Infinity so I know what to expect.

I understand it is located in the MDR. Is it sectioned off, private and have a distinct difference from the MDR, or is it just part of the hustle and bustle of the MDR.

I think everyone is making this more complicated than it is: retired military=veteran :cool:

Retired military does = veteran but veteran does not = retired military and I am wondering if my husband who is a veteran would get the military rate.

runningaway2 explained it quite well.

I would think so, but I would call the Captain's Club just to verify.

Customer Service with Celebrity phone calls isn't too dependable. I usually call Captain's club when making changes or inquiries, hopefully they will have the correct answer on this one.

I did send Celebrity an e-mail to captainsclub@celebritycruises.com on the 14th but they have not responded yet and now the military rate for the particular cruise I was interested in no longer longer has that discount. :(

I figure I might as well find out the answer anyway should the opportunity arises again.

I noticed that too. I just upgraded today on a cruise that offered the military discount, and my TA told me to make sure I bring my DD-214 to the pier to check in, which implies prior military service only, because you don't need a DD-214 if you have a retired or active ID card. :confused:

 

I've been on 4-5 cruises where I got the Military discount and have yet to be asked to provide an ID or DD-214. Most of them have been out of European ports where they probably wouldn't know what a DD-214 looked like or how to read one. :rolleyes:

We have taken a copy of hubby's DD214 on previous cruises when we rec'd a military rate but I don't believe he ever had to show it.

Are you saying veterans still get the discount even though the website doesn't mention veterans? I certainly hope this is the case.

Sorry, I don't know the answer to your question but I want to say that I think Veterans should get a discount, even larger than 10% off. NCL are you listening? I would also like to thank you for your service to the USA…

I will relay your thank you to my hubby...he is the veteran ;)

In the past one of the qualifying factors for a military rate was:

“3. Veterans with an Honorable Discharge serving a minimum of 2 years, or 6-months in an active war zone, in any of the United States service divisions listed above. Proper identification in the form of a DD 214, plus a current photo must be presented at time of check-in.”

Now I notice the requirement states:

“Is an active or retired member of the U.S. Military or Canadian forces

A valid US or Canadian military ID must be presented at the pier to validate eligibility for any applicable Exclusive Rate. If eligibility cannot be validated, you will be charged the standard rate or denied boarding.”

There is no mention of a Veteran discount. Do veterans no longer get the discount when a military rate if offered or am I missing something?

very helpful threads; thanks very much for posting them:)

I just ordered this ebags bag from Amazon and will report back when I receive it. This forum is dangerous and expensive! LOL

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004B0G8C4/ref=shptrk_scth

I love all the pockets, because i'm all about organization.

Does the zippers on the back of the bag make it possible to put it over a luggage handle?

1. Wondering what type bag do people prefer for excursions??

2. I am interested in getting a bag for travel that has a strap to go over my luggage handle and after I'm on the ship I can use it for excursions. Muti-funtional handles would be great because I like either a shoulder strap or cross the body strap for excursions. Any suggestions???

For the past 3 and upcoming Celebrity cruises DH and I have been on I purchased the alcohol package and DH purchased the non-alcolhol package.

If you are a Captain's Club member call the Captain's Club and book it through them. Hopefully you will not have a problem.

You can request it, but I don't recommend it. The quality of the cheese is questionable.

 

Alternative: go up to the buffet and get some real cheese, crackers, bread, olives, whatever you want and bring it back to the room to enjoy while you are preparing for dinner. Or just relaxing on your balcony.

Do they have those items available mid afternoon or do you bring it back from the lunch buffet?