cruise kitty

13 minutes ago, JSR said:

Enjoy your Adriatic trip. We did push our trip a couple of weeks due to wedding so hopefully by our new departure on June 5 all will be good to go. 

 

Happy sailing to you....  we are also hopeful for more normalcy by late spring/early summer 🙂

Cynthia, what a gorgeous photo of the lights, yes, this year is SO much better than last...  had a lovely brunch with the kiddos...

Kat, hope you made out home safely to your eggnog & rum!   Sounds like quite a work day... yikes !

Iv'e been putting my eggnog in frother w/rum or whiskey for a treat....  so good like a boozy milkshake 🙂

Merry Christmas Everyone!   Cats are in their basket in front of the fire, Cornish hens are in the oven...& I'm drinking morning wine getting ready to do Christmas for the parents 😉 

Hope everyone hs some version of a wonderful day !

Merry Christmas Eve to all who celebrate!    Our mountains are covered with snow...  we thought about skiing today, but it's still snowing pretty hard up there.   

Finishing up some wrapping & then need to figure out what to do with the rest of day lol 🙂

Lois, I seem to remember last winter it got very cold where you are!    

We have a very cold storm here right now...  freezing rain, & high winds...  our Duffy got cancelled, darn!  Water too rough.    It's way too cold & rainy to get together outside, so we're not all getting together tonight, so disappointing...but our little granddaughter can't get vaccinated yet....  Sunday weather looks good so we'll have our patio brunch then.   

15 hours ago, SDARCH said:

We were on the same cruise. Excellent cruise but the worse disembark we have ever experienced. The SD port is a dingy and chaotic embarrassment. Why we built a brand new facility that is never used amazes me. 

yes, it was quite the experience lol 

16 hours ago, zgscl said:

What time did you disembark? I feel like very first or very last is probably the best time to go. 

 

Ultimately from the passenger perspective it doesn't matter whose fault it is. Embarkation and disembarkation are part of your cruise experience (even if there is a great reason for the problem or it is entirely beyond the control of the cruise line or the port). 

around 9 we got in the line... we were out of our room by 8, we each had one small suitcase with a duffle on the handle, took those to buffet... then stopped at Dutch Cafe for coffee, very nice morning... then the chaos began lol 😉 

On 12/20/2021 at 7:05 PM, DAllenTCY said:

"Disorganized" in what way?  It is a long process because of CBP stopping to ask questions of every guest.  This is a senseless waste of US Customs resources and taxpayer dollars. What good would a separate Global Entry line do?  

 

The sooner we have facial recognition stands in place for disembarkation the better for guests and staff.

 

I state this as my personal opinion, not that of my employer.

 

David

First off, I should have done a bit of due diligence regarding the port & been off the ship much earlier. 

I can only relay our experience...  almost a full hour in line...  never experienced that on any disembark day...  including plenty where we disembarked in non Schengen countries, or after having visited non Schengen on Celebrity disembarking in Seattle after we'd traveled through Canada, disembarking in Australia after coming from/traveling through all New Zealand ports...  disembarking in FL after a Trans-Atlantic,  disembarking on Celebrity in FL after having visited Mexico ports...

on our disembark day there were definitely not 6 or 7 CBP officers on the day we disembarked.... maybe 3.  I actually wanted to take a video of what was happening, but the signs say it's not permitted... very possible they were short handed CBP officers due to holiday weekend. 

I have no idea who is to blame, but it was the worst disembark process I've ever experienced.  The people working the port were great, helpful...the experience was awful....  & I'm not someone who complains, I'm pretty much go with the flow.    I would cruise from San Diego again, but would plan to be off early.... my fault for waiting until later in the morning.   🙂

another outfit repeater here... last cruise I was a big fan of racerback/tank style dresses...  I could wear them casual during day with athletic shoes for walking in port, & at night with jewelry & nicer sandals...   this was a warm weather cruise so easy peasy packing.

for our last b2b I took the same dresses for night time...  (this was Alaska in very late Sept/first week October). it was cold, but same dresses worked at night 🙂

Hi Ladies!

Kat,  dang, that's a lot of snow 😉. Here we are in CA & we just decided last night that when we retire (someday) we are going to send our winters in New Zealand... can't handle the dark before 5 & the cold lol... I guess as we are getting older we are wimping out..  it's been anywhere from high 40's to 60's but we are woosies lol..  getting lots of much needed rain lately...  tomorrow might we are going on a Duffy boat with all the kids for Belmont shores Christmas lights... taking spiked hot chocolate for the grownups 😉 

Cynthia,  are you all moved?  Florida sounds nice, warm & sunny...Enjoy!   & Omicron, I'm half trying to bury my head in the sand on that...  we still wear masks here, but have decided to add extra precautions next 4 weeks... it's been more than 8 months since Steve's booster shot...  he got a total AB test yesterday, & if his numbers aren't where they should be, we will be begging trial center for a full booster (he only received 10 mg, the booster everyone else got is 30).   I'll be doing all the shopping & we're only going to do outdoor dining for a bit.

Regarding the fun pics, I'm going to share some of mine from my work Christmas party last weekend...  got to get dressed up with heels & everything...  I don't have a pic by myself but there's one with a coworker...  also a little video of the boat parade that went past our party venue 🙂 

I'm the one with no jacket on 

1 hour ago, slidergirl said:

I do grow weary of them.  But, that's life in a big resort town, especially if you work in hospitality.  Oh, the stories I could tell!!  My one friend and I keep threatening to write a tell-all book about our experiences.  Drunk Supreme Court Justices, Harvey Weinstein, stoned pizza mega-owner, stoned celebrities,  amazingly polite US Senators, amazingly entitled US Senators,  very polite celebrities - you name it, we've seen it.

Kat,  if you ever completely retire, please write it... I bet it'd be a hit 🙂

11 minutes ago, sfocruiser said:

 

 

Thanks very much for the update.   We have a late morning flight and are debating self-disembark or the first luggage group.    

 We were on the Thanksgiving week cruise...  I've never experienced a more disorganized, long process... but the cruise was wonderful....  try to be off as early as possible & do self disembark if you can.  

There is no global entry at the port, which of course, increases the long lines

On 12/9/2021 at 12:38 PM, jesstree said:

Need help ladies. I'm about to get on the NCL Bliss for a New Years cruise. I'm super excited. Planning on dressing up two nights, and then nice casual the other nights. My main question is what is weather like? Is it strappy dress weather or sweater weather at night?

 

I have my days figured out since we will be very active. 

I live in Texas so I'm a bit of lizard and enjoy the heat. I did live in San Diego for almost 4 years, and I remember it being quite cool at night in the winter. Is it also cool at night down past Cabo? Any help or wardrobe examples are appreciated. Also have a grade schooler with me. I was planning bring a mix of leggings and skorts for her. She hates dress but loves skirts and skorts.

 

Thank you,

Jessica

the nights have been cold here...  but inside the ship you should be fine...  maybe a nice wrap if you want to go on deck...

Just did HAL Thanksgiving week out of San Diego... yes, once past Cabo it definitely warmed up but nights out on the balcony were still a bit chilly...  inside the ship it seems to be the same temperature no matter where you are, which runs a bit warm for me....  

I wore a mix of sleeveless dresses, long skirts with linen or silky dressy tank type tops & was comfortable the entire time 🙂.  Happy New Year & enjoy!

15 hours ago, cluso said:

 

Hmmm...not so sure about "all of us" because that includes everyone you come into contact with.  Hard decisions, we have 2 cruises planned (April and October), but time will tell.  Trying not to be negative, just trying to be smart for the overall health of everyone. Safe travels.  😷

Safe travels to you as well 🙂. 

Hi everyone!  

Lois, love the photos & the red jumpsuit, & it sounds like your cruise was so much fun!   how great to meet some people that you click with & make friendships

Melody, love the photos of you & your husband... & that green dress is divine!  Enjoy your time with granddaughter 🙂

I'm not surprised, expect this will be a requirement through March....  a big surge is predicted to last through March, & after that we should have some relaxing of rules until late Fall.   

Like everyone else, I'm tired of it, & would love a mask free vacation, but will go forward regardless...

have zero clue as to what ports we will actually get to go to...  no idea if we'll be masked on board or not...  all I do know is that Luminae will be wonderful, the retreat will have my drinks ready, & we get to go ba k to Europe 🙂

Lois, welcome back!   Sounds like you had a wonderful, relaxing time 🙂

Kat, fingers crossed for a negative test for you.. I don't think a runny nose is part of it, but who knows?   Enjoy your day off!

On 12/14/2021 at 11:28 PM, zwallace said:

So wow, I've done something on the spur of the moment.  I debated all day to bidding up to a sky suite, but just didn't feel the move up bids were woth it for that amount of money. We  were in Agua class on the January 3rd Celebrity Constellation, room 9100.  No more.  We now are booked in room 9197, the family verandah at the port aft on the ship.  I was just doing a fake booking (like I do practically every day) and found it available.  I have wanted one of these aft cabins for a long time and recently snagged one for a 2023 Canada New England cruise.  I don't think I'll miss Blu at all, and I'm not a big spa person.  But I do love having a bigger room and the bigger balcony.  Please tell me we'll love it and that I haven't made a bad decision.

With reduced capacity, MDR is like having a private restaurant..  this will be your one opportunity to experience that...   & those aft family verandah cabins look wonderful, don't regret your decision & enjoy your holiday!

6 hours ago, awhfy said:

Kat sent us the wind yesterday. We had the highest sustained wind ever here in Colorado Springs, 109. Lots of property damage all around town from huge blue spruces falling like kindling. 12 semis overturned on the 10 mile stretch through town in the interstate. This poor guy (2 streets over from us) thought he was ok. We don’t have any damage other than some branches & lots of pine needles. We have an 80’ & 70’ blue spruce out in front of our house & 2 huge ponderosa pines & another blue spruce in our backyard. We haven’t had rain since July or any snow since April. We’ve been pretty diligent about watering our trees, I think it helped. Melody

wow, holy cannoli! thank goodness you didn't have any damage... stay safe, Melody!

On 12/11/2021 at 12:47 AM, caneable said:

According to Google Maps the walking distance from the Reykjavik Cruise Terminal to Harpa Music Hall at the old harbour is a 55 min walk. That’s much too far for us to walk (age catches up with us all)!  That’s probably the furthest point we’d look to visit.  Unfortunately I haven’t been able to come up with the actual port that we will be using, but as our cruise is back to back, this is the point where many guests will disembark / embark so I’m sure that will need to be done at the terminal.

Of course the next question will be whether the HOHO bus service would operate from the terminal on a disembarkation day. Will have to check that one out.

If you're B2B you might be able to get off early & have the day to yourself as they will take care of any needed exit/entry requirements in the morning...  you should be given an "in transit" pass & might be free to explore... if that's the case, I'd consider contacting Saga Tours...  the cruise line should be able to let you know how they normally handle b2b.... you might have time for a 5 or 6 hour tour... & they do a great job!

Sherri, welcome back!   I hope your son is able to visit, that's such a long time to go without visits!

Melody, damn, your poor hand... & another surgery...that stinks

However, the birthday celebration sounds like fun... & your husbands burgers & fries sound really, really good 🙂.   

I'm taking a few hours today to do a little shopping,  will do some work, & then hit up Trader Joes's again for that cheese that Kat mentioned. 🙂

23 minutes ago, zdcatc12 said:

I thought that last year before our Med cruise and we know how that turned out, i.e. masked required on board and ship excursions only in Italy. 

If that's what happens, I'll roll with that.  So far we've enjoyed all our cruises this past year, masked or not.. 

If we were booked on a cruise that was mainly going to Italian ports I would probably feel differently

My attitude is one of making the best of the current situation... to be able to travel for enjoyment during a global pandemic puts all of us in the pretty damn lucky category .

🙂

Kat:   I bought the bacon wrapped scallops & can't wait to try them 🙂. Couldn't find the lemon ricotta (looked in freezer section) but thanks for directions.... will go there tomorrow after work 

In other news, our entire state went to mandatory indoor masks today...  our county (L.A.) never really went out except for a couple of weeks in the summer... it feels like this is never, ever going to end lol

@PurpleHays hope the rest of your crazy week goes ok....  & that you get to sleep in as long as you like on Sunday 😉

personally, I would pay the $55 & take the Celebrity test... you'll receive printed results, & won't have to worry about a possible lost internet connection...  they do tests on last full day for the B2B people, so the timing should work for you .

12 hours ago, 68Blackjack said:

So if I am arriving at Heathrow on Saturday morning and boarding my cruise Sunday morning, I will not even be in England 48 hours. Do I still have to get a day 2 test? 

it looks to me like you would fall under "landslide transit". you would fill out the passenger locator, but if you were traveling from airport to a Portside hotel, then no to the second test.... at least that's my interpretation of the rules.