ProfessorandtheGeek

On 10/6/2022 at 1:42 PM, tlm48 said:

I've used and intend to use martin faynik again this month to move around my family of 9 with 2 booster and car seats supplied by him.

I am interested in using him in September. Is he safe for solo female traveler? 

Can someone tell me if these cabins will be loud? Or if there is a better deck (VA category). Thanks! 

On 8/3/2022 at 5:43 PM, YVRteacher said:

Hotels I’ve really enjoyed in Manhattan before and after NCL cruises:

The London (now the Conrad)

Hilton Times Square

Hilton Garden Inn Chelsea

the Roosevelt

The Hyatt near Grand Central Station

Ramada Plaza New Yorker

Marriott Times Square

 

Hotels that were disappointing:

The Belvedere

Novotel Times Square

What was disappointing about the Belvedere Hotel? 

Hello,

I looked in the compilations spreadsheet and cannot find my answer. Can someone tell me if the bed is by the balcony or the door? 

Also, if you have pictures that would be great! Thank you! 

Can someone just roll off the ship in a scooter in Nassau and into the shopping and all? Is that possible? 

On 9/2/2021 at 11:25 PM, Id rather be diving said:

As long as you don’t need a handicap accessible taxi, it should be a quick wait.  Last year when we traveled in February and needed a handicap accessible taxi it took over an hour for the taxi coordinator to get one.  The concierge at the hotel ordered the handicap accessible taxi the next morning for us and the taxi driver gave us his number and name and told us to call him directly anytime we are in FLL.

Can I get his number? I am struggling to find transportation with my scooter from FLL to Miami and back. Thanks! 

We are looking to take the Celebrity Millennium Northbound in Alaska. 

Cabin choices are 8172, 8185, and 7212. Which should we choose? We prefer the bed near the balcony. 

Please let us know which would be the better cabin. Thanks! 

We have sailed in a lower cabin mid-ship and never again. We had horrible seasickness on a bad sea night. Since then, we have sailed in a high floor cabin mid-ship or slightly aft (behind the hump) and never had another issue.

However, cabin position is completely a personal preference.

Did they give a reason? Extended dry dock or charter?

 

 

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No, they did not. Just cancelled it.

It seems interesting that the flyer posted in the first post says the Equinox is scheduled to be complete May 25, 2019. My cruise for May 25, 2019 has been cancelled by Celebrity, and the first available is June 1, 2019........surely the ship will not just sit for 8 days??

We received our cancellation notice for the May 25, 2019 cruise yesterday. They are offering 200.00 in OBC for those that reschedule, that's all.

We booked a balcony cabin through our TA for this cruise. We have not booked airfare because we are concerned the dry dock will be extended.

We are also hearing that they are holding cabins because some are being "reconfigured."

The app is a Celebrity app called Celebrity Cruises. I downloaded it from Google Play on my smart phone.

Do you have an Android? This app will not work on my phone, a Samsung Galaxy 8. The app opens and it says, "pick your ship", I click on that, then a screen appears that has a message and says "preview ships available" but it won't let you click on it.

OK recent Solstice Alaska cruisers.....what worked for you? Anything you wished you packed but didn't? Anything you packed but didn't need? I've got the ports covered, mainly need inside the ship feedback on hot or cold!

 

Our 5th cruise to Alaska, first time in middle of summer, always sailed end of season.

 

Trying to pack....in general do we need long sleeves or sweatshirts on the ship?

 

I know this is a question that will get many answers because everyone has different tolerance to heating/cooling indoor spaces.

 

 

TIA!!

 

***

We were comfortable on the ship in normal spring/summer wear (polos for him, skirts/dresses for me). I took a light sweater to throw on in case some restaurants were cold, mostly never needed it. But, if you go out on deck you will need a jacket (wind).

We also took a bathroom organizer, did not need it due to good storage in the bathroom. Also, we never take duct tape (don't understand that one). We also packed boots (hiking) and did not need them. We also over packed, but it was our first time to Alaska.

I spent an hour yesterday trying to get my reservation to load. I had to keep logging on/off and refreshing my browser before it would work. Then I discovered that they had completely removed the ability for you to book "gifts" (strawberries, cheeses, room decor) etc.. from their website completely. Now you have to CALL and talk to someone. Talk about going backwards in terms of customer service!?! All of this could be done online a few months ago. :(

I had the same worries before our Alaska cruise last May, then someone recommended Downy Wrinkle Release. Spray the garment the night before and hang it up. If the stubborn wrinkles persist, spray it again, and hang it in the bathroom during a shower. The steam will help release the wrinkles.

I never would have thought this would work, but I will not fret over not being able to take an iron again. I am a believer.

We did a private tour with Kat from KetchikanTaxiCab Tours in Ketchikan and loved it. They met us at the dock, and took us where we wanted to go. We got some great shots of waterfalls, eagles and the town general.

In Skagway, we rented a jeep from Alaska Green Jeeps and drove into the Yukon. The scenery was phenomenal! The jeep comes with a digital guide, so that you receive information on all of the best spots. Emerald Lake is your turn around point. They will also pack you a lunch, but you must request this when you book your jeep.

Enjoy your cruise!

The lines start at about 9am and it take about 2 hours to get onboard. Show up at 11am and you walk right on with no lines. We usually show up at noon and have never had a line of more than a few people. The only exception was last year on Oasis. We had a very early flight and arrived at the pier at 8 am, waited about 90 minutes to check in and then went upstairs to wait another hour to start boarding. The waiting are upstairs holds 3000 people and it was full. Thank God we were Diamond level and were almost first to board. happy lineless cruising

Thank you for the tips.

The check-in process can take quite a while. There are lines for inspecting your carry-ons, lines for confirming your I.D. & passport with customs, lines for getting your picture taken for your cruise I.D. etc. And all of the lines are long and tend to move slowly. But if you do finish all of that before boarding time there will be a waiting area with comfortable seats and restrooms nearby so it isn't so bad. But from my personal experience if all previous passengers have left and the ships gets the "all clear" then they go ahead and start the boarding process early. This happens frequently for us. :)

Can someone explain how this happens? In all my cruises (non-Norwegian) we walked into the terminal got checked in, checked id's & passports, pictures taken, baggage scanned and walked on to the ship in under 30 mins. In under 15 minutes for our last cruise with Celebrity. We have been on board before 11- 11:30 a.m. I am not comprehending all the line problems........

I would definitely rent a car as opposed to the Summit Excursion.

 

If you do a search for Murray's Guide and the Yukon you will find a map you can buy inexpensively. Driving to Emerald Lake is a beautiful drive.

 

I would rent a car ASAP from Avis. They go quickly. If you change your mind, you can cancel.

You can also rent a jeep from Alaska Green Jeeps as we did. There is a digital (virtual) guide that plays along as you drive, to give you details about important stops. They will also pack you a lunch for you to enjoy, just book this when you book your jeep. I will second that the drive is worth it, the scenery is phenomenal.

In Skagway, rent a car and drive into the Yukon. You will not regret it, as the scenery is phenomenal! We rented a jeep from Alaska Green Jeeps. The jeep comes with a digital tour guide for the day, and information on stops along the way. The trip is about 6 hours round trip. They will also pack you a lunch if you schedule that in advance.

Enjoy your cruise!

Thanks I guess that takes care of that

 

 

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Downy Wrinkle Release works wonders. Hang and spray the garment the night before. If there are still wrinkles in the morning, spray again lightly and hang in the bathroom, so the shower steam can release any stubborn wrinkles. I used it for the first time on my Alaska trip, and now I am a believer. Enjoy your cruise!

Leave St. Thomas by ferry to St. John and enjoy this beautiful island for the day. The ferry runs from Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay in St. John, the cost is 12.00 pp each way. Spend the day lounging on Magens Bay beach, or explore this amazing island.

The DSC covers more than just the crew that may help you during your cruise. It affects all of the crew members as they are paid by the DSC and other incentives. If a service does not meet your expectations, you can adjust it, but I never have for the above reasons.

However, I always give "extra" during the cruise to those staff members that go above and beyond, which is allowed.

Hope this helps.

Another vote for May. We cruised the last week of May to Alaska last year, and the weather was beautiful! If we go back, we will go again in May.