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caribbean2000

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About Me

  • Location
    Falmouth, MA USA
  • Interests
    professional guitarist/teacher, snorkeling, TRAVEL!!!
  • Favorite Cruise Line(s)
    Princess!!!!
  • Favorite Cruise Destination Or Port of Call
    Caribbean

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Cool Cruiser (2/15)

  1. Has anyone recently taken a taxi to Playa Porto Marie? We've done it a couple times a few years ago. We really like that beach, decent snorkeling, good beach bar. It was quite a long drive though and I just wantede to be sure there are still taxis available at the cruise port that will make that drive. thanks!!
  2. We've rented pretty good (not brand new, maybe a couple years old) but clean and dependable cars a couple times from a company that keeps a dozen of so right outside the gate. Does anyone know if they are still operating and the name? thanks!!
  3. We are going to be sailing on the Equinox in about two weeks. I'm very interested in hearing about the entertainment options and any individuals who play during the day. Large shows in the theater, bars with live music, solo performers, etc. A list of the production shows would be great, TIA. I am a professional musician and over the course of 25 cruises in the last 20+ years I've had the pleasure of hearing some great talent on our cruises. This will be our 2nd time on a Celebrity ship after 20+ on Princess, plus a couple other lines. Is there any one performer I should seek out? Again - I really want to hear from cruisers who have RECENTLY been on the ship. Thanks! Gene & Kathy from Cape Cod
  4. Well, that really depends upon what you want to see and do. We've rented from the outfit that is just outside the cruise pier three times and have been totally satisfied. The cost was about $50 for a small/mid size sedan with automatic transmission. All the cars from that agency and 2 - 5 years old but clean and in great condition, considering.... If you want to go to places like the lighthouse, Baby Beach or explore the side of the island that has a "low rise" beach area (no structures over three stories, if memory serves), the high rise area and down to Malmok for shore entry snorkeling, yes, renting makes sense. However, know that roads are poorly marked and if there is a sign it will be in Dutch. But it's always pretty easy to find your way back or to a place if you know it's location relative to landmarks. If you were going to be on Aruba longer I would strongly suggest using the local bus service, which is very good and costs about $10 for a full day of hop on/hop off. The bus depot is almost directly across the main road from the cruise ship pier. Just be sure to study the big map there or online to be sure you get on the right bus. All buses do circular routes and most of the time you don't have to wait more than 20 minutes or so until one comes by.
  5. Don't forget the bus system on Aruba, we've used it twice and will again next February. VERY reasonable price, just be sure to get tickets for the route you're interested in. They run loops all day and into the evening, and you can get off wherever you'd like (you must be at a designated pick-up spot to get back on, however). We've also rented a car twice from a rental outfit right where you leave the cruise ship area. That was GREAT, but understand that some roads are unmarked and of course if they are marked any directions or names will be in Dutch. The cars that company rents are mostly a year or two old but clean and reliable and the cost (before the pandemic, the last time we did it) was only $60 for the entire day, plus a full tank of gas when returned. If you're concerned about getting lost, just remember: you're on an island and all roads lead to SOMEWHERE that will be on any decent map.
  6. As a previous reply said, this situation is nothing new and (also in a previous reply) it is particularly common in cruises to the Caribbean. Next Sunday we will be embarking on our first cruise with Celebrity on the Reflection and after 22 cruises with Princess, two with RCI and one with Carnival I fully expect the chair hogs to be doing their thing. Our first cruise was with Princess in 1998 and it took a few more for me to develop a strategy. First, select an area in the stern of the ship. We have zero desire to be around the main pool because no matter what that area is often where lots of activities take place and we want peace and quiet. We scope out the areas on our first walk-around on the ship the day we board. It is especially important to select an area where there is some space around the chairs and here's why. I pass through the area where I hope to sit, make note of the availability of chairs, then go to an early breakfast. Then head for the area where I hope to get a chair, no later than 7:30. Even earlier is better, if possible. (BTW - What time does the buffet open on Celebrity ships, the Reflection in particular?) Then comes the fun part, and this is why it's important to find an area with some space. If I see two chairs that were "saved" on my pass through earlier, I carefully remove the Hog's stuff and place it neatly on the deck. THEN - and this is key - I drag the chair some distance away from its original location and do the same for my wife's chair. I get settled in and also place my wife's towel, etc. one what will be her chair, assuming she will show up not too much later. An hour or two or three later the person who was in charge of "saving" the chairs - and more often than not, it is one person from a group who has toweled-up a bunch chairs - and watch their reaction. They glare and look around.... but there is no way that person can positively identify "their" chairs and after a minute or two they stomp off OR....they essentially do what I did with another two chairs in the general area! FWIW, if my wife has little or no intention of using the chair that I dragged over for her within a reasonable amount of time - perhaps an hour at the most - I ALWAYS take her stuff off the chair and gladly give the chair to anyone who asks for it. It's so unfortunate that the deck attendants are so reluctant to enforce the rules, but the explanation is quite simple: In their world the guests are always right except in situations where the well-being of a guest is in play. And as has been said here and in messages posted for every other cruise line, if the cruise lines would just have more chairs available a lot of this situation would all but disappear.
  7. Thanks very much! One of the first things Kathy noticed was the couch, even in a "view" room, which will have on the Reflection and she was THRILLED to see it there. We have booked basic balcony cabins on 90% of our cruises and in the newer Princess ships we've found the balconies to be really nothing more than a way to step outside for some fresh air to watch the proceedings when arriving or leaving a port of call. A chair barely fits on the basic balcony in all the newer Princess ships so forget about having new-found friends in for pre-dinner drinks and snacks unless you don't mind them sitting on the bed. Depending upon how much we like the overall experience on Celebrity we may go for a balcony next time. And again - thanks very much for taking the time to post an answer to some of my questions, any other input is greatly appreciated. Gene from Cape Cod
  8. Thanks! We have cruised on all the classes of Princess ships except the newest. Glad to hear about Cafe Bacio - is something like the Princess coffee card offered? Interesting what you said about the differences in the production shows. Could you describe what you mean by an "immersive experience"? Also good to hear about the music offerings. I'm a professional guitarist and teacher and the music on board any ship is important to me. In any case, thanks again for taking the time to write. Anything else that pops into your head re: similarities and differences between the two lines is appreciated!
  9. GREAT review, exactly what I was looking for! We are Elite level on Princess, also a couple cruises RCI (which we'd do again if the time and pricing fit our needs), one on Carnival (never again!!). This will be our first with Celebrity, the Reflection on Feb. 19. Very excited to try Celebrity, we've been wanting to for a long time! I am a professional musician (perform and teach guitar) and I always enjoy conversing with guitarists on cruise ships. If I was 40 years younger and single I would apply to play on almost any ship in a heartbeat! Are there guitarists doing daytime sets as on Princess? I'm certain that I too will miss the International cafe. I'm an early riser and need coffee to basically open my eyes....maybe two coffees, ha! Could you elaborate on the evening shows? I recently learned that on some of the larger RCI ships you now need to make a reservation to be assured you'll get a seat. Is that the case with Celebrity? I hope not... I've asked on other threads but have yet to receive an answer, so.... Is it necessary to sign up for Chef's Table on Celebrity the minute you board as it sells out quickly on Princess where we've done it twice (fantastic doesn't even begin to describe the experience!) or is that something you reserve via the app or on the Celebrity site? Is there a lounge that features duos, trios or bands every night? I find it interesting that you think Princess has better entertainment but Celebrity has better food. Could you elaborate on those opinions, which are of course anecdotal and personal? Thanks VERY much. You did say fire away with questions! ;~) Gene and Kathy from Cape Cod
  10. Yikes! We are long time cruisers with Princess (23) our first choice, then Royal Caribbean (2) and Carnival (1). I do know about the "search" function here and will utilize it frequently before our cruise on the Reflection on Feb. 19. We are VERY psyched to try Celebrity for the first time. But wow - it looks like I'd better be very careful in posing questions to avoid the wrath of the Post Police! (joke, folks, only a joke!) Looks like I'll need to do more research about "coffee cards" on Celebrity. But to those who responded in a positive manner, thanks!
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