1 hour ago, drakes2 said:

Where were those so called cameras when she stole my Chanel sunglasses right from my lounger?  I was chatting with her in the pool and she kept looking at them: a half hour later they were gone. Totally my fault for bringing anything valuable on board but it was my second cruise. 

I said I tend to worry less, I didn't say I don't worry at all. I'm sorry somebody took them, unfortunately it was just too tempting for somebody without a conscience!

I tend to worry less on the ship because there are a lot of cameras.

On 12/28/2023 at 7:59 PM, D. B. said:

By what happens I mean as far as the Billing as a single guest in a cabin is always charged more than double the 2 guest rate?

 Would X Add a charge to your account?

My son ask me that and I didn't have an answer?

 Has anyone  experienced that situation?

 

just traveled with that situation.  Wasn't an insurable issue so were just refunded port fees and taxes.

On 12/17/2023 at 11:29 AM, Peteymil said:

Important Updates on Passport Processing

 

Monday, November 6, 2023

The Department of State is committed to providing the best possible service for our passport customers.

We encourage all Americans to:

• check their passport expiration date before making plans for international travel, and
• renew their passport well in advance of international travel. 

Current Processing Times: Processing times have changed several times in 2023. As of November 6, we are processing routine applications in 7-10 weeks, and expedited applications in 3-5 weeks. Processing times begin when we receive your application at a passport agency or center, and do not include mailing times.

Updated today:

2 minutes ago, iTownPrincess said:

I sent in my renewal right after Thanksgiving and received the new passport in about 2 weeks. Haven’t received my old one back yet, tho’. 

Thank you for that info.  Sent mine today.  Don't need it until Mid-February but I'm feeling pretty good about it since I expedited it!

5 hours ago, MartiniBarhooked said:

I always say if you want to punish your child take them on a Celebrity Cruise.  

Do you have experience with this???   Just took my grandchildren, 2 1/2 and 6 1/2, and they had the time of their lives.  We all had the best time and I hardly think it was a punishment.

1 hour ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

It took 8 weeks this summer, and 2 weeks ago at the passport agency they had a November 2023 dated announcement from the Dept of State that the average wait right now is 10-13 weeks (unexpedited).

9 hours ago, sun bum said:

I called Celebrity and verified that a copy of the birth certificate and a valid driver's license is all that's needed. I will be also taking a copy of our marriage license due to the name on the birth certificate and DL not matching. 

So did you just give them your ports, and they verified that you would be okay with a birth certificate? Sending in my passport to be renewed and right now expedited is running 3-5 weeks, so I should be okay for a mid-February cruise, but you never know. 

7 hours ago, fshagan said:

 

No, you don't, at least not in the US. Doctor's can diagnose without a third party test. They can diagnose over the phone.

 

I called mine, told him I was positive on a home-administered rapid test, and gave him my symptoms. He confirmed I had Covid, the diagnosis was put in my chart, and they had no problem filling out the paperwork from the insurance company when it came a few weeks later.

I'm glad that works for you. It did not for me, but I'm sure every doctor has different policies.

Interested in hearing from somebody that requested and received a crib in their cabin. Is it full size? Did they provide the sheets? Any issues?

Thank you in advance.

3 hours ago, LMHSRN said:

So sparkling wine but no Vodka?  Has that been totally eliminated?

On the Solstice class there is no bottle of liquor.  Of course you can order a drink, but only included if you have the beverage package.

On 10/11/2023 at 9:04 AM, CruisinShips said:

I'm curious how one gets a doctor's note confirming they have Covid?  I didn't go to a doctor when I had it last year, and I assume your doctor's office doesn't want you to come in.  How exactly would you get them to complete any paperwork without examining you?

The person would need to go to a testing center to prove this to a doctor.

On 10/18/2023 at 2:26 PM, kywildcatfanone said:

Is boarding time enforced?  We boarded Equinox on Saturday. We has 11:30, got to the terminal at 11:30, through security and were motioned back to the next available waiting section.  No looking at our boarding times assigned.

 

They did come get our group a few minutes later, but no one was checking assigned boarding times.

sometimes yes, sometimes no

Just did this cruise in September. One of our favorites ever.  Loved every port-I know they are not going to do Bar Harbor anymore (which we enjoyed), but it is a beautiful cruise. We were on Summit and loved it. But we were on Eclipse in January and enjoyed that, too.

9 hours ago, zitsky said:

Are you all talking about people walking around museums or eating dinner at a nice restaurant or going to a dance club?

All of the above. 

On 10/7/2023 at 7:50 PM, hcat said:

makes it easy to spot American tourists in Europe!

Not any more. Was in several European cities in May and we were hard pressed to see anything but athletic style shoes on men and women.  I am not talking about the huge chunky sneakers that we used to have, but today's sneakers are much more stylish and worn with many options.

6 minutes ago, micruiser2002 said:

Have you looked at the inflatable bumpers on Amazon?  You can tuck them under the sheet or some have a pad that can go under the mattress on the sofa bed.

Thank you!

My two-year-old granddaughter normally sleeps in a crib, but on the cruise she will be sleeping in a pull out bed with her sister. Has anyone ever taken a toddler travel bed rail with them and used it in the situation? If so, is there a brand that you recommend.

2 minutes ago, micruiser2002 said:

https://www.travelvisapro.com/blog/passports/do-you-have-to-carry-your-passport-in-japan#:~:text=Everyone in Japan must carry,as it has international recognition.

You are correct and this is something I did not know when I was there!

18 hours ago, micruiser2002 said:

Some countries like Japan require you to have your passport on you at all times for identification.  It is a legal requirement. They can fine you if you do not have it and they will not accept other identification.   

That was not the case when we were in Japan.

On 9/28/2023 at 10:52 PM, George C said:

I know rules were changed to one bottle , but if you have drink package is there a corkage , I know there was none earlier this year .

No corkage if you have a drink package

15 minutes ago, edinburgher said:

And once you look at the HOHO route, you will know if any of the stops will be at attractions you found when researching which will be of personal interest to you and you can hop off, visit, and hop on again.

I think you will see more of the city than you would with a walking tour.

I appreciate your help

1 hour ago, edinburgher said:

Vigelands Sculpture Park

Being a city there are many sights and attractions and "one size won't fit all" for a one day visit.

 

And it is fairly spread out so I am not convinced a walking tour would cover what are considered to be the top sights in Oslo.

 

I recommend you put in a bit of time reading tourist information websites and guidebook recommendations , also review sites such as Tripadvisor.  Once you read descriptions and look at images of what Oslo offers, you will develop an idea of which sights/attractions appeal to you most and can plan  your day accordingly.  We found public transport very easy to use so don't be put off if your top choices are not in close proximity to each other. The Vigelands Sculpture Park was probably a favourite of ours, as it is with many others, and reviews and images can be found online.

Thank you, I have done research and I've decided that the best bet for us is to do the hop on hop off so that we can see a more spread out variety of places

26 minutes ago, Jjohnb said:

 

Following are just the changes that I'm aware of but there could be more:

 

There is no longer a tray with apples and pears on embarkation

They no longer provide herbal tea every day in cabin

They no longer provide a daily tray of canapes

They no longer provide a welcome bottle of champagne

They no longer provide the individual bottles of upgraded shampoo, shower gel etc

They replaced the tote bag with a smaller one

They no longer provide a sea pass card holder

They apparently eliminated the pillow menu

They do not have the yoga mats and in-room fitness items available

 

While some of these items may seem trivial, in the aggregate it's quite a lot to take away after you accepted a non-refundable deposit based on your toting that these things would be available.

We were in aqua 2 weeks ago and I got the sea pass card holder, I used the yoga mat that was in my room, and I had the champagne, but you had to ask for it. Same with the pillows, I just ask.

I haven't had a tray with apples, pears, or tea in my cabin in years.  

Although I didn't care for the canapes, they are gone, as you say. The other couple things don't bother me, but someone else may be bothered.

5 minutes ago, Jjohnb said:

 

I see it as being taken advantage of and not valuing me as a loyal customer (of RCG).  I booked an Aqua class cabin with Celebrity based upon the current offerings at the time, they gladly took my non-refundable deposit but have no qualms with eliminating a majority of the Aqua class perks, downgrading the quality of the food and so many other changes.  While it may be within their legal rights to do so per the cruise contract, it is not how you treat your loyal customers.  Change is a reality and we need to embrace it but so many significant changes is a clear choice between profits and respecting your loyal customers. 

I am curious what Aqua class perks they took away?