Empehi

Is there a Wal-Mart within close proximity of the cruise port in Puerto Vallarta? Is it similar to a US Wal-Mart (similar products - Wal-Mart house brands etc0? Thank you for any info. e

How doable would an 11:30am out of MSY be? Thanks .... e

Air travel is such a mess .... a cancellation with a flight going in the day before is no guarantee you can be re-booked to get to your cruise the next day .... so something to consider: If you can fly non-stop the first flight of the day on the day of the cruise ... I would consider this. You MUST book the flight with the cruise line so if something does happen, they will get you to your cruise .. life is a gamble and given today's flight problems ... this would make as much sense as anything. Oh ... only travel with carry-on luggage. e

Does anyone know if these balconies (designated spacious balconies) have bed that come down from the wall or ceiling? Thanks ... e

The vaccines and boosters were developed to combat the very early COVID infections. They did a fine job until the virus began mutating and the vaccines (and boosters) became less effective to the point we are at now that they DO NOT prevent contracting the new variants. I suspect that the new variant are not anywhere as lethal as the original strains and thus people are usually having very mild symptoms. Therefore, it seems plausible that the vaccines are not really doing anything at this point. I know many non-vaccinated people that contracted COVID recently that had symptoms similar to vaccinated people. My doctor said to not get the 4th booster but instead wait until the fall when a new vaccine should be available to combat the most recent COVID variants. I know, there will always be exceptions but in general, I feel this is the case.

If you book your flights with Flights By Celebrity ... They say if you miss the cruise they will get you to the next port. My question are .... 1. Do you have to book Celebrity airport transfers with the air for Celebrity to get you to the next port? 2. Will Celebrity cover the cost to get you to the next port (airfare & hotel rooms)? Thanks .... e

One thing to keep in mind ....... the internet works pretty good but depending where the ship is, you may have a less than ideal connection. I would get feedback from those cruisers that have actually completed an e-med test on board and get their input.

Does Celebrity require on board COVID testing for all cruisers when a cruise is over 10 days long? What is the current rule for testing on longer cruises? thanks .... e

Everyone that cruises out of the US and must test to fly home knows the insidious nature of this virus. There is no vaccination to prevent ... perhaps the jab will lessen the symptoms or maybe the new variant has lesser symptoms anyway. This has been a godsend for the cruise companies as hardly anyone is getting extremely ill from COVID and there has been very, very few hospitalizations. The cruise lines will continue cruising under these circumstances. Now, we as cruiser have to decide if we will accept the protocols the cruise lines will institute if one catches COVID, will we accept the protocols of the countries we are traveling to and finally will we accept the re-entry protocols to get home. It is up to us .... go with your eyes wide open or do not go. e

Have the folks on this cruise been made aware of the COVID numbers (if any) that may be on this sailing? Just wondering how informed the passengers are of the situation. e

Does anyone know if you need a COVID test flying into San Juan from the US? Also .... Do you need a COVID test to fly from San Juan back into the lower 48? Or is it just like flying from MIA to ORD (no test)? e

After reading many of the posts on this thread, I am now beginning to realize it is an extremely risky undertaking to cruise in Europe. It appears to be an impossibility to know how to avoid COVID ... and if you do ..... the quarantine, uncertainty about returning to the US, dealing with the travel insurance companies and the general disruption of your life would make traveling to Europe at this time very problematic. You can drive into the US without testing, get off a cruise ship in the US without a test, walk into the US without a test (yes 1000s do it daily in Southern California) but for a US citizen to fly into the US you need a test ( I thought flying had air that circulated constantly with fresh air making catching COVID almost impossible) ... apparently this isn't the case. So .... as long as we can not come back to our country (by plane) when we want from Europe (or any other place) ..... I don't think it makes sense to leave. Cruise from US ports and return to US ports and have a more relaxing vacation. Remember, you can drive into the US from Canada without a test but you need a test to fly into the US from Canada. Go figure. e

On a westbound TA crossing ... would it be better to have a Port side (southern facing) balcony because it would always get the sun or does this fact not make a real difference? Thanks e