mommyz

3 hours ago, gerelmx said:

Take into account that the insurance is not valid when the problem is related to the passport or other travel documents.

I was thinking more about if something happened medically and we had to stay behind.  That's when we would need valid passport to get home.  I have heard a few horror stories. Luckily travel insurance would fly us back home.  Trying to cover all bases!

12 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Due to the fact that you are on a closed loop I really think you will be fine because a passport isn't required

 

From CDP   https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-74?language=en_US

 

U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises will be able to enter or depart the country with proof of citizenship, such as an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL), a government-issued birth certificate (issued by the Vital Records Department in the state where he or she was born) or passport, and if 16 or older, a government issued driver's license, picture ID, denoting photo, name, and date of birth. The Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) allows you to re-enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. The EDL is only accepted at land and sea border crossings, not for air travel.

 

An U.S. citizen under the age of 16 will be able to present either an original, notarized or certified copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad issues by Department of State, (DOS) and/or Certificate of Naturalization issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

@Jim_Iain  thank you so much....puts my mind at ease.  

Traveling with family in Dec 2022 and 2 of my kids have passports that expire in March 2023.  I know it's recommended to have 6 months on the passport.  Is this risky?  I am planning to take their birth certificates as well.

Will we have problems at the port???   

It's a closed loop Caribbean cruise and we have purchased travel insurance so not too worried about getting home before March if there was an emergency.

Worried if I need to get a rushed passport there won't be time.

We may be on the same sailing in December. I booked a bunch of excursions bc we had a ton of obc to use up.

We have been to several of the ports before. Most have a “shopping area” right off the ship but San Juan is probably the easiest to walk around without needing transportation unless you want to go far from Old San Juan. We enjoy walking to the fort, shopping in the outdoor park and lunch at a cafe.
Puerto Plata Monkeyland was a blast. St Kitts we took a 10 minute taxi ride to a pretty secluded beach. Had an amazing day. St Maarten is a gorgeous island (half Dutch/half French). Agree with @39August it’s a hike to town. Quite a few really nice beaches there as well but will have to get transportation.

8 hours ago, vickykay said:

Same for us on the Oct. 22 cruise.  We did not receive an email either.  Much quicker check in process on the app than previously.  Quick photo of passport ( rather than having to type in all the info), photo, answer a few health questions, etc and select a time.  Took about five minutes.

Oh taking a pic of the passport is SO easy.  Haven't seen that yet in the other cruises we have taken in the past.  Looking forward to a quick check in process.

Thank for all for the clarification.  App says 45 days.  I guess before it must have been 90 days but Covid changed all that.  Would have been nice to enter all the passport info beforehand and get it over with.

I shall wait until first week of November 😝 

Getting some conflicting answers on when we can complete online check in.  Just spoke to TA and she said 90 days prior to sail, on Celebrity website (FAQ's) it states 90 days prior but on the app it shows what looks like 45 days prior.  This is the first family Celebrity cruise and on other cruise lines I was able to at least put in passport info, emergency contact info...soon after booking.  BTW not that 45 days prior isn't sufficient time just wanted to make sure I had the dates right.  

Also at check in I am assuming I will be able to choose arrival time at the port?  I like to get on the ship early before it's super crowded and check everything out.

Sailing on Silhouette from Miami!

Thanks 🙂

1 hour ago, 2VaCruzers said:

Thanks for the info.  We’re on Anthem next week and trying to meet up with relatives and trying to coordinate a time was getting difficult.  Hopefully we dock at noon next week as well.  

Waiter said bc Anthem is so large it travels at 20 knots max. If weather is bad they slow down even more and ultimately gets delayed also ship travels against the current slowing it down. 
Also note the time you have to be back onboard. Today it’s 8:30pm for us.

Good luck

3 hours ago, LivLove2Cruise said:

Do you mind confirming your arrival time when you have a chance?

On the ship now. We arrived around noon. Cleared to get off around 12:30. Waiter said last week it was bc of restocking took longer than expected. 

59 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

You’ll likely have the folks from specialty dining coming to you with offers - get ready to negotiate. 

That's good to know.  Will keep that in mind.

We were thinking Chops and maybe Jaime's Italian.  I see online Chops + 1 dining is $68 per adult.  30% would be great.  

How's Chop's for lunch?

Just found out our TA gave us $50 dining credit and was thinking about maybe doing one or two specialty dining restaurants.  We are leaving this weekend and I don't see the offer available any longer on the online account.  By chance are there any onboard???  If so what are they?  We are on the Anthem of the Seas!

Thanks

We booked this cruise for the week after.  We will be travelling with our 12 and 15 year old.  From my research there should be quite a bit to do for them on sea days (swimming pool, trivia, bumper cars, sports plex (forgot the name), indoor skydiving, movie theatre, shows and of course tons of eating). As far as the weather is concerned the Bahamas and Florida should be pretty warm high of 70's low 80's in the day.  We always pack a light jacket for the evenings.  We are hoping to go snorkeling in Nassau but Coco Cay should be a great beach day.

We were on Holland America cruise 2 years ago during winter break and stopped in the Bahamas (different private island) Half Moon Cay and it was absolutely gorgeous. We did have about half an hour of rain but weather was great.

I looked at the menus...I am so surprised they do not change them up that often or at least have menu items specific to the area you are visiting.  Honestly menu looks okay.  We are big foodies and love to try everything.  There is not too much that I am like omg I have to try.  We shall see...hope to be pleasantly surprised.  

On 9/2/2021 at 10:57 AM, Biker19 said:

See answer above. Pick any close in sailing in the app.

Thank you!  I had the app downloaded for our upcoming cruise but didn't realize I could see the menus on closer sailings.  Appreciate the suggestion.

Going on Anthem of the Seas....are all the main dining room menus the same???  Would love to see some as well 🙂

1 hour ago, zebra36 said:

Post hijack!

 

Seeing the word Puzzle in the title made me think of days gone by when ships were much smaller and there would be a table set up in a lobby area with a puzzle that passengers could work on or not.

We were on Holland Veendam (port intensive cruise but super boring on sea days...kids called it Boredam 🤯 ) last winter break and there was a library/bunch of tables.  My kids did every puzzle available.  They loved it.   Interesting name for an "escape room" for sure.

5 hours ago, Merion_Mom said:

Minimum age is 12.

 

They may have it just for individual family groups. That satisfies the social distancing rules.

Good to know.  Luckily both girls are over 12.   Just wondering if it's still happening on sailings right now.  I would be fine if it's just our family.  We shall see....

Thank you so much for the information!  Already downloaded the app and will make sure to sign up right away when we get onboard. My kids love escape rooms. 

Just hope we can get on the ship at a decent time.  I miss the days when we were on by 11am and got a full days in.  

Trying to get more information on the live "escape room" puzzle break.    Can teenagers participate?  I think I read somewhere it is free but can't find where I read it...

How often do they have them?  Where on the ship?  Do you have to sign up beforehand?

If it's still around are they having them?

Any other information will be greatly appreciated 🙂

That is super annoying.  😠

We just booked on Anthem out of Bayonne for April and already I am thinking about back up plans if it gets cancelled or major changes.  It under the "Cruise with Confidence" so we will apply future cruise credit to one for the summer.  Everything is SO fluid right now and every state is implementing different restrictions on the cruises.

Hope they at least offer some concessions??

Good luck and sending you positive vibes.

Good to know.  I will have to add it to my list of questions to ask before I book.

Thank you @Alakegirl and @jelayne

I can't seem to find the answer anywhere.  I was on the Celebrity Millenium years ago and enjoyed the art classes.  Thinking about going with the family on a Mediterrean cruise in the summer.  My teenagers would enjoy art classes if available.  We went on Holland and luckily it was port intensive if not they would have been bored out of their mind.  

Also if still offered is there a fee?  Wasn't before.

Thanks 🙂

Beautiful blue water 😍

We will be on the Veendam over Xmas.  Wondering how many kids are on there now?

Have been reading some very polarizing reviews...honestly a little nervous.  We were on the Oosterdam for a Greek cruise several summers ago and had a blast.  The itinerary was very fast paced so we really enjoyed relaxing when we were on the ship.  We really want to do the same on this vacation.  Don't mind the low key part of it but want to make sure there are activities for all of us on the days at sea...especially the kids.

Love the updates!