Clancy14

Did you research the ships that were available to you in driving distance from Jersey?  You picked the smallest and the oldest and the least expensive. 

Everything you criticized was available to know online beforehand. I gather you spent more money on a grander suite expecting better perks?

Celebrity is known for their food while RCCL wins in many other categories.  The fact that you're a "senior" should not enter into it. 

- Clancy

I was on the Oasis from 10/22 to 10/29.  D+ with 28 cruises behind us.  Even my DH and I don't like the same shows on most ships.  On this sailing:

* We sat through about 25 minutes of Cats but that was all we could endure. Both agreed.

* Ice Show - Frozen in Time - started a little slow but picked up quickly and was enjoyed by both of us.

*Aqua80 (water show) - amazing!  Colorful, athletic (to say the least) fast paced, clever, etc. etc. Both agreed>

*Comedians were loud, rude and crude. Not a huge fan of filthy language. (I've heard it, not a prude, just don't want to sit and listen to it on vacation).

*everything else was excellent on the cruise...food, service, weather except tha twe were unable to stop at CoCo Cay because of the terrible wind there (as told to us by the Captain).

We loved Grease, he loved Momma MIa, I despised it and anything to do with ABBA.. Chicago was so-so and We Will Rock You was fantastic.   To each, his own! Just have fun!

3 hours ago, OC PAT said:

.  I usually can't find anyone who plays pinochle on our cruises.  I do know they have open bridge games and some ships have announced other card games going.  I think I am booking the cruise in October, 2024 out of Baltimore, if you are interested.

I have been on 26 cruises (22 on RCCL) and I have yet to find anyone that can play Pinochle!!  I would love to be on your cruise but I have chosen Symphony, out of Cape Liberty, October 2024, and the Oasis, again out of Cape Liberty for October 2023, instead.  Many more venues for card playing! although I love the Vision, it is very small, with only a few lounges. hard to find a table in the Solarium, and the tables are various sizes and number about 15-20 total. Perhaps the Vision is not the best ship for your plans. 

This is a long excursion and a hot one!  The train is old and loud but the scenery is beautiful.  That being said, a toddler, or small child, will be extremely bored.  There is nothing for them to do because they must remain in their seats.  Our excursion had a 4 person church group on it, that sang about 2 -3 songs, 3 times during the trip. Although my DH and I enjoyed the excursion, we would never do it again and were relieved when it was over and glad to get back to our air-conditioned cabin! 

This is just simply an informational post, and not telling you what to do or not do - - - -. enjoy your cruise!

On 4/18/2022 at 1:12 PM, DELTABLUE said:

, then August>> end of year #Me

Hi!

What happened between Post 119 and Post 135 to explain this for Bobby Boughton on the Enchantment?

Thanks!

Hi!, from Northeast PA.  I have driven to Cape Liberty approximately 7-8 times.  It is a 3 hour drive and I give myself 5-6 hours.  Traffic is terrible, even on weekends.  BE SURE TO CHECK THE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE TO SEE IF THERE IS A GAME THAT SUNDAY!  Jets, and Giants both play their home games at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, about 17 miles away.  It has a capacity of 82,000.  That's a lot of traffic 

Good Luck and enjoy your cruise!

John Blair has never passed a mirror that he hasn't fallen in love with the reflection he sees.  The most egotistical, self-serving, phony cruise director that I've ever had the misfortune to have.  26 cruises so far.  I've gotten to the point that I now check the list so I can make sure that he WILL NOT be on the cruise i choose. 

I witnessed him berating his wife mercilessly, in a derogatory, demeaning manner when he thought no one was around.  The next instant, a Pinnacle couple exited the Casino (this was on the Enchantment) and he INSTANTLY became the biggest suck-up I ever heard.  One day, the right person will catch him at his true behavior, and then he will be gone!

- Clancy

just another thought.....

I have stood in the line to reboard the ship (the Explorer, the Granduer, and the Celebrity Summit) in Bermuda, several times. Standing in the sun, it was long and hot, and there was only 100=200 of us, carrying only hand-held luggage.  I think the logistics of boarding 1500 luggage toting anxious passengers, needing Covid and Vaccination documentation, Set Sail passes, Passport checks, carry-on screenings, getting Sea Pass cards etc.. I don't see that dock area handling that in it's present physical setup. And all those Buses, Blue flagged cabs dropping travelers off, plus equipment loading supplies. Yikes!  And I love Bermuda! 

- Clancy

16 hours ago, kathy884 said:

I've been reading this thread for inspiration and travel ideas.  Wasn't expecting to see Mackinac Island listed.  We are going to Mackinac Island for the first time next week (I've never been) and am really  looking forward to this.  With all this COVID-19 stuff, I have mixed emotions about traveling, but decided to do some vs. none, but have cut way back.  This will be our first trip since our cruise last February.  

Kathy,

You will fall in love with it. My DH and I go every other year.  We always stay at The Main Street Inn and Suites.  The #1 Fudge Shop (an actual national ranking) is on the ground floor of the Inn. It has balconies that over Main Street, where you can sit for hours, watching the ferries, the horse and buggies, bicycle riders and people just strolling along.  We repeat some of the sights year after year.  It never gets old.  Last year, there was a new shop, called "Forged In Memories" from a local man that actually was on the TV show, Forged In Fire. I had never watched it but had seen commercials for it.  It is up by the Butterfly House.  You ( or anyone) can make their own knife with their help.  It is a wonderful souvenir for my DH.  Also, we walk to The Grand Hotel (pay $10 to step on the property as a non-staying guest) and spend hours touring the property, dining, and going to the very top of the hotel to the Cupola Bar, for an overpriced but delicious cocktail and have the BEST views while you sip. The Hotel is one of the 50 Best Hotels in the World, and has the longest front porch in the world.  Be sure to take a horse-and-buggy tour of the island.  Great way to familiarize yourself with the geography of the island.  Please let me know how you liked it!!! Enjoy and stay safe!

- Clancy

On 7/5/2020 at 3:07 PM, bearette said:

Junior suites don't get suite perks like extra points, you must be in a full suite for those perks. The only thing you get is a bigger cabin.

 

Junior suite

Size

• Stateroom: 247 sq. ft.
• Balcony: 74 sq. ft.

OccupancyUp to 4 guests

ViewsOcean view

Living SpacesRoom with bed, vanity and sitting area with sofa

BathroomsOne bathroom with tub

 

Hi!  You are not correct.  I ALWAYS travel in a Junior Suite (the last one was Grandeur, February 8 to 20, 2020).  I ALWAYS get double points.  What i DO NOT get is the access to the Concierge Lounge for Suite clients.  The double points got me to Diamond Plus much faster. And the Grandeur is a wonderful ship.  It's smaller than most but still a wonderful time.

- Clancy

Buy a condo on Mackinac Island! 

On 5/9/2020 at 9:46 AM, jknc said:

Hey all you cool cats and kittens,

 

I don’t have time for this. Y’all can send me fan mail later. Trying to enjoy some time on the links. 

I'm rooting for the North Carolina alligators!

58 minutes ago, jknc said:

How would I expect my customers to react if I told them after calling me multiple times:

 

 

OMG! Someone like you owns a business?!?!?  Boy, you must REALLY need that refund!  With your acerbic attitude, mixed with the droll sarcasm you're spouting, your business must have been bad before the shutdown. 

Stay home in NY/NJ and let the rest of us enjoy our cruises.  We don't need your verbal tantrums anywhere!

2 hours ago, potsie57 said:

That's great you have that many cruises my only concern would be if the ports are open.  

Thank you for your pleasant response. However, the ports are not that important to me. I’ve seen every port in the Caribbean, Alaska , the Northeast US and most of Mexico. We mainly cruise to just get away from our busy, stressful everyday lives. And see the ocean,  and sunrises and sunsets from our balcony. 
After we retire (1-2 years), we will do Europe. My DH will not fly, so we will need Transatlantics and Repositioning cruises to get us there and back. 
Stay safe. Stay healthy. And stay calm, everyone.  Better times are coming.

- Clancy

Hi!

Have 3 cruises booked currently - - - September 2020,  March 2021 and February 2022.  If the ship is sailing, so am I! 

I've had 2 different types of cancer, and the Norovirus---all on land! 

- Clancy

I get a discount for being a return client and I forgot to add that in. But the tip usually brings it closer to $ 240, because he is waiting for me with water in his cooler, bread to feed the fish and that day’s copy of the newspaper. Unfortunately my last trip was 2018.  I

probably can’t make it back until September 2021. 
- Clancy

Hi! Been to Bermuda MANY times (9, I think).

Your 4 hour private taxi tour would be roughly $180 total (tip is optional). He will go EXACTLY where and when you want to.  A bus tour will not do that.  Also, dinner at Elbow Beach (which you'll need a taxi to get to, and return from, will be about $30 each way.

Your dinner, without drinks/cocktails will roughly be $ 150.00 (All prices are US dollars).

On 3/31/2020 at 4:16 PM, parrotfeathers said:

 

Thank you!  I'll research it.  Over the water suite sounds good.   I could pretend.

Hi! I didn't catch the first part of the question, so if I'm being noisy, I apologize.  Beaches Resort is overrun with kids, of ALL ages.  There are very few quiet sports at either of their resorts, Beaches Negril or Beaches Turks and Caicos.  Trust me on this, I've been to both. Nice properties, pleasant employees and kids everywhere!

- Clancy

2 hours ago, sj25 said:

We are 2 hrs north of Pittsburgh!  I never thought about Amtrak would have to take that out of Erie Pa if I ever did that how long would that take you on the train?  I know we are very loyal to Royal but for this cruise we will not be...

Hi,

You are about 4 1/2 hours west of us. We are outside of Wilkes-Barre.  When we went to Seattle on Amtrak, for our Alaska cruise, we got on in Harpers Ferry, WV.  That train went straight to Chicago, where we changed trains to Seattle.  The whole trip was 2 1/2 days both ways but it was wonderful! Our own bedroom with a huge picture window, individual lamps for reading, electrical outlets for charging our "gadgets", storage for our carry-ons, a fold-down table for meals or card playing, etc., all the meals included, comfortable beds to sleep in, domed viewing cars if we wanted to stroll and see another view, unlimited free luggage!! 

We take them to Florida, too.  No more hassle with traffic, construction, looking for exits, and all that.  We were going to get on for Alaska in Chicago originally but when we found out that parking for our time frame would be $ 450.00 !!!!!, we looked at alternative stations.  Harpers Ferry was 3 hours away from our home and the parking was free, so adding that fare, and saving all that driving (10 hours) was a no-brainer!

My husband will retire this year and that will allow us to take longer trips.  I really enjoy the sea days, so this will be a wonderful vacation!  I just hope they hurry up and load those itineraries!  Hope to chat with everyone again! - Clancy

On 12/16/2018 at 2:25 PM, sj25 said:

Thank you, I just can't wait for them to come out cause I want to book it for our 40th Anniversary!

Hi!

This is exactly what my DH and I want to do in 2020 as well II  We are also from Pennsylvania and wonder if we are "neighbors"! LOL!  The only difference for us, is that we will be taking Amtrak cross country in a bedroom sleeper to whatever is the port/best port they are offering. That will be our 26th cruise but only the 2nd on Celebrity. We are usually "Loyal to Royal"  Hope to hear back from you!

Hi!

This is exactly what my DH and I want to do in 2020 as well II  We are also from Pennsylvania and wonder if we are "neighbors"! LOL! only difference for us, is that we will be taking Amtrak cross country in a bedroom sleeper towhatever is the port/best port they are offering. Hope to hear back from you!

I choose Harmony.  The day before disembarking is a sea day, not a port day.  Gives you all day to do your packing, not rushed after returning from an island/port and having to hurry up, shower/change/pack/hand out additional tips/get your photo package, say good-byes, etc. and then ,have your luggage outside your cabin by 10pm.  (Plus, I like the ship!)!

- Clancy

Mickey's at Elbow Beach Club and Resort.  Right on the sand, 50 to 70 yards from the ocean.  White chiffon drapes and tiny white lights for illumination accents.  Delicious food! And, oh yes, VERY EXPENSIVE! but worth it, for a once in a  lifetime meal.  No good for kids!!!

Hi!

My DH and I used Havana Vintage Car Tours. They were TREMENDOUS!!!! Answered my email quickly, answered my many questions, and kept in touch by phone when we arrived on the island! A charming driver, who spoke beautiful English (HIS name was Ariel!). I found them through TripAdvisor and the web site's reccomendations were totally accurate.

After our 3 hour tour, (which ended up lasting 4) in a 1953 red-and-white Ford convertible, Ariel drove us to a restaurant that we had made reservations for dinner for, spoke to the doorman and told him to watch for us and get us a reliable ride back to the ship. He even called a friend of his, who had a taxi, for our evening excursion, from the ship to the Tropicana Show.

He, (the taxi driver who's nickname was Beard) arrived an hour EARLY, to make sure he could find us and get us there on time. He waited outside the show, had the taxi ('58 Buick) turned around and parked by the exit, for our return to the ship. A great cruise and a wonderful island. We plan to return and will use them all again! -

Calm seas to all! - Clancy

My support giraffe and I will be on decks 6, 7 & 8. Simultaneously.

Thank you for the best laugh I've had in days!!!