markeb

Add a tip with guest services. The tips are pooled, so the entire waitstaff will share them. Let the employer and their employees sort it out.

Not necessarily. The USB A on the power side is for older devices. Most of the chargers I showed have USB-A ports, but they're at USB 2 or newer voltage. Many newer electronics come with USB C (15-25W) ports, or come with no adapter and accept 15-25W from USB C adapters. The "lamp" adapters, and most hard wired USB A ports, are first generation low wattage ports. The newer adapters are "smart" and modulate the power to match the device they're charging. The hardwired ports on the ship, plans, lamps, etc., are generally just straight voltage with no electronic regulation, so they go back to first generation USB to not fry older electronics. I haven't seen a new device with a "B" plug in probably a decade. I have a very old, no longer in use scanner that has a B plug. There are still plenty of devices (getting fewer all the time) that use Micro USB on the device side. And many devices are now using USB C to USB C (iPads, for instance. My Sony headphones. Battery chargers.).

As everyone says, it's a very personal decision. I've tipped extra and not tipped extra. More often the former these days, the latter earlier. And auto-tips creates an environment where the cruise line and their employees have established a baseline. But we definitely left extra on this last cruise. If you don't want to carry wads of cash and track down envelopes, there is an extra gratuity (it may actually be called additional tip) form at guest relations (or the Retreat if you're in Retreat class). You can fill that form out and the amount will be charged to your onboard account, or deducted from you OBC. You can name employees, or give extra to a category (such as dining staff). One very nice thing in the Retreat is the concierge will track down employee numbers if you name an employee! I've just joined the world in the 21st century and gone cashless...

I buy Pros. I'm not an artist.

I was just on Equinox and they had almost nothing onboard. Not even plain old in ear Lightning (wired) earbuds. The prices looked like Apple USA prices, but there's was nothing that I recall to actually sell. Maybe a Macbook or two. So US prices. No state sales tax (although if your state has a use tax, you're subject to that, whether you choose to claim it or not). If it's only you, you're likely to exceed your $800 exemption, so it's possible (unlikely I fully admit) you'd get pulled out of line to pay duty. If you had an opportunity to claim the purchase and didn't (again, it really doesn't seem to work that way in FLL), you could lose your Global Entry and TSA Pre. If you have any affiliation, corporate, teaching, government, military, first responder, etc., you can get better pricing through Apple.com. It's not a good deal for a US citizen. Period.

I said I'd do this, then I'm probably going to consider this horse dead... A couple of key concepts. The use of Gallium Nitride (GaN) in semiconductors appears to have revolutionized the use of small footprint chargers. Many companies make multiple output USB chargers. The ones I'm talking about will have 2-3 USB C/PD (power delivery) ports. Most will provide 65-100W total charging capacity, but use smart technology to split the available power. So a 100W hub probably won't let you charge two 45W devices. But most consumer electronics are in the 15-25W range. Samsung has a smart charging technology that I'm just not that familiar with, If you have a Samsung device and want to use the fast charge, you need to be sure the hub is compatible. There are portable chargers with folding plugs that plug directly into the outlet. I would NOT buy one of these. They tend to pull out of the outlet once you plug in cords. The corded models use a standard removable electronics cord, just like most laptop bricks. They'll sit nicely on the counter in a cruise cabin, or most bedside stands in a hotel room. They're 110-240V, so you can use them worldwide with the right adapter. And they're two pronged, non-surge protected. I have one similar to this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09JZG32SW/ref=sspa_dk_detail_2?pd_rd_i=B09JZG32SW&pd_rd_w=3hsro&content-id=amzn1.sym.999c0877-3704-4f0f-9726-eebf80846a35&pf_rd_p=999c0877-3704-4f0f-9726-eebf80846a35&pf_rd_r=GK4SQYZQZDKKHPTXTDGX&pd_rd_wg=n2bvu&pd_rd_r=812b7d8c-621b-4534-afcc-25a09122f6ff&s=wireless&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWw&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFPUzlFMTVXSlpXVUUmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAyNzQzNTRBR0ZMQ0FKMlpMRDcmZW5jcnlwdGVkQWRJZD1BMDAxNDU5NTFGNjgzM0VIRzVKVzMmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWwmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl&th=1 It's about 3 inches long and 1.61 inches square on the end. You can charge an Apple and some Dell laptops that use USB C (PD) cables. It's perfect for an iPad Pro and and iPhone, and a Fitbit. You can get adapters like this: for charging your camera batteries by USB C (search Amazon for your battery type). You can charge your camera batteries while you're out and about with your iPhone or iPad. This hub will give you 3 USB C and 3 USB A ports for charging (I don't think it's a GaN charger). Not for laptops: https://www.amazon.com/Charger-Sacrack-Charging-Station-Portable/dp/B09GJXVHVK/ref=sr_1_4?crid=KPAESP9YYE25&keywords=usb%2Bc%2Bcharging%2Bhub%2Bfor%2Bmultiple%2Bdevices&qid=1660686951&s=electronics&sprefix=usb%2Bc%2Bcharging%2Bhub%2Celectronics%2C138&sr=1-4&th=1 There are plenty of others. Just search for USB C charging hubs on Amazon. I like Anker, but there are a number of good chargers on the market. There are only a handful of cables left on the market. If your device accepts USB C or came with a USB C adapter, then you're looking at USB C to USB C, USB C to Lightning (iPhone), and USB C to Micro USB. If it's a low wattage device, then it's probably USB A to Lightning (will be slow for newer iPhones) and USB A to Micro USB. I have a small USB C Qi charger (wireless charger) I use for my iPhone, but could just as easily use a USB C to Lightning cable. Newer iPads use USB C to USB C. Newer iPhones use USB C to Lightning. Those will all allow you to charge 4-6 electronics with one outlet. With a Type E/F adapter, you can use them on the European 2-prong outlet in the cabin. I'd tend to say that GaN is nice, but not critical. It does allow for the really smaller chargers like the first one I linked. And it makes for small high wattage chargers that I didn't link. That's one outlet and a gadget bag maybe 4 X 4 X 1. Maybe 4 cables. Maybe a Fitbit charger. No need for a power strip for charging electronics. I completely get the power strip for medical equipment, but would tend to request it from Celebrity, unless you're traveling on land before or after the cruise.

On an iPad or I’d post the link, but post 53 in this thread is an example. If you need fewer ports, there are some really compact versions as well. I’ll find one of those and post later. I’d go with a detachable cord. The foldable plugs look really nice, but they pull out of the outlets.

To me, that's the challenge. There's a lot to do around Frankfurt, but there's a lot to do in Munich. In fairness, there's probably more to do in Frankfurt, but I know Munich much better...

I’d tend to Munich as well. Tons to do in the city and surrounding area. Lots of history, art, museums, etc., and a very walkable city center. And you’re only an hour or so from the Alps. Frankfurt has a more industrial feel. Never been to Hamburg.

Oktoberfest ends on Oktober 3. It would normally end on Sunday the 2d, but it’s extended when German Unity Day is on the 3rd.

Not a gamer, but it looks like this: http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/assets/media/images/switch/common/hac-photo-console_acadapter_attach.jpg http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/assets/media/images/switch/common/hac-photo-console_acadapter_attach.jpg Looks like one power connection and one cord. Unless there's a teenager on the board who knows something else. Pretty sure there were many of them on Equinox a week ago.

That may be part of the difference. Mine is a 4 X 6 "travel bag", and its contents have changed over the years. But it's small, light weight, and takes care of everything wherever I'm traveling. I just add the right adapter if I'm going internationally (or the E/F adapter for a cruise ship). But you can totally charge what you're carrying without a power strip by using a USB charging hub. And I get the impression a lot of people are carrying power strips/outlet extenders when they really just need a low power charging hub and the right cables.

I'm curious, too. You're the only person on the thread that I remember actually saying what they were charging and I'd like to understand. What are you using the 3 socket strip for? Everything you're carrying, except probably the laptop, will charge on one USB C/A hub without carrying the original charging adapters. There are plenty of portable hubs that will give you two high wattage (25-65W) USB C ports and 3-4 (and sometimes more) USB A ports. That should easily charge two phones and two kindles at the same time from one outlet. The Schuko (type E/F) adapter will give you an extra outlet in the cabin for any of your multivoltage electronics (they pretty much all are) like the laptop and save the space of a power strip. Most phone makers don't even supply adapters anymore. They assume you'll use your old one, or a hub. Even the cables, if supplied, will detach and work on a hub. If it works for you, great, but I'd never do what you're doing. I just carry a USB hub and if travelling internationally, an adapter for the country I'm traveling to.

More like this https://smile.amazon.com/Charger-Sacrack-Charging-Station-Portable/dp/B09GJXVHVK/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=jpykF&content-id=amzn1.sym.8cf3b8ef-6a74-45dc-9f0d-6409eb523603&pf_rd_p=8cf3b8ef-6a74-45dc-9f0d-6409eb523603&pf_rd_r=4WK34KKX3BVACQ6J7M60&pd_rd_wg=dxFJv&pd_rd_r=1d0b28c8-cd11-4c9a-8d53-96ada4e1bc51&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mi&th=1 This one won't charge a laptop; there are versions that have a 65W USB C/PD port that will charge USB C laptops (a lot of Dells, for instance) as well as an iPad Pro and other electronics at the same time. I have a 4 port USB C charger that looks like this, with 2 USB C ports and 2 USB A 3.0 ports. I can charge an iPhone and an iPad Pro at the same time, and and two other lower wattage electronics. I have chargers for my camera batteries that charge on the USB C port (no need to carry an adapter). They all have standard two prong plugs, just like laptop bricks. The outlet with the pigtail has USB 1.0/1.1 plug. They are very low amperage and will be horribly slow to charge most USB devices. And many if not most newer USB devices charge on USB C as well, which is even faster.

Those should all charge off a corded USB A/C hub. No need to fit adapters into the box or carry a device with extra outlets or slow USB ports.

If you click on the photos, it says surge prevention… it also looks fairly large and I suspect it could pull out of the socket. Not sure it’s a great choice.

You can only book an urgent travel appointment within two weeks of travel, You have to have proof of international travel. It looks like the State Department has stopped scheduling appointments online an you have to call them to schedule. I haven't had to do this. I've known people who have, and it worked. But the appointment only aspect now is a little scary. Especially if there's no location nearby!

Yes. You are correct. Most of us are assuming people understand that, but it never hurts. Almost all (but not all) electronics will accept 110-240V 50-60 Hz input. Most appliances are single voltage (hair dryers, etc.). So those of us suggesting using the European outlet are assuming, hopefully correctly, that people understand the difference.

What are you needing to plug in? If it has a cord with outlets, it’s likely to be considered as a banned extension cord. If it’s surge protected HOPEFULLY it gets confiscated. If you’re charging electronics, get a USB A/C hub with a detachable cord and USB C to lightning, USB C to Micro USB, or USB C to USB C cords. And leave the adapterS at home. The power strips with USB are probably the worst of all worlds unless you’re charging a 15 year old device!

The outlets are generally opposite the bed. The lights are wall mounted and hard wired. I believe the Edge class has outlets near the bed. No outlets on Reflection or Equinox and I assume no outlets for Infinity.

Tipping isn’t really a thing in The Netherlands. The porters are going to be salaried. If you have a couple of Euros, fine. But don’t sweat it.

That would be my understanding as well. For personal and "world events" reasons, it's been 4 years since we were last on Equinox. Way back then, they also had Lagavulin and Oban (Oban priced within the premium package), which are also Diageo brands. Those weren't there this cruise, just Johnnie Walker (also a Diageo brand).

Probably worded that poorly... A power strip lets you plug a hair dryer that can draw the full 15A and a straightener that can draw another 3A or so into a 15A outlet. It should throw the breaker before creating a fire hazard, and hopefully would! (Not an electrician, and I don't know how that whole maritime floating ground would impact that.) That would be another reason to not allow power strips or any other form of outlet multipliers onboard.

We're also just off Equinox, with the Premium Package, and the Retreat. The ship was definitely out of a lot of wines, but they mostly were wines we weren't going to miss, but a lot of people on this thread would and I get that. (Caymus, Mer Soleil, etc.) We were mildly disappointed they didn't have an Oregon Pinot Gris listed on the menu that sounded interesting, but they were out. We honestly didn't pay any attention to price. We had an excellent Italian Pinot Grigio that I'm sure was in the classic package, but it paired brilliantly with seafood. We may have been the only ones ordering it, but they had Cakebread Pinot Noir out of Anderson Valley that was spectacular, in the package. At one point our sommelier asked if we were interested in something out of our package, and since we had a ton of OBC, we were. He described it as a 100% Sangiovese from Italy; it turned out to be a 2016 Antinori Plan Dele Vigne Brunello di Montalcino. Priced at about twice retail, which is about right, and excellent. But they only had two bottles, and they certainly couldn't open it by the glass! (We actually had the second bottle the next night.) I can't imagine management opening bottles by the glass when they only have a handful of bottles of the wine. Should they have more better wines onboard? Sure. Celebrity hasn't done a great job getting its supply chain in order post pandemic. I will agree on the single malts. The World Class Bar used to have Oban, Lagavulin, and probably others. All Johnnie Walker, not even other Diageo brands! (Pretty much everything else was Diageo!) But we enjoyed the cruise, the wine, and the drinks.

It helps that the Netherlands and most of the major wine growing regions of Europe are all in the EU. No import duties...