dread_pirate

So I can use my free internet to text people at home? I usually do email but I found WiFi texting even at sea to be faster. I was even able to send videos. Isn’t technology wonderful? (And that’s from a 75 year old grandma who is often the go to person for computer help!)

If you have the internet, AND you both have iPhones, you can use iMessage to text back and forth, whether you're both on the ship or not. That's because iMessage uses data, not cell service. As far as I know, that doesn't work for Android/Google phones.

If you really need your own coffee, you can bring a French press and ask for steaming hot water.

Is there somewhere to swim close to the dock? I don't need a beach club; just want to get into the water for little while, then go back to the ship.

Thanks.

If they simply priced the cabin as "double occupancy" without a per person rate and skipped the entire "per person" nonsense, like hotels do, they'd have many fewer PR issues. My room at a hotel costs the same whether I'm traveling solo or as a couple; they don't call it a "single supplement."

I think cruise lines are missing an opportunity here.

Many travel insurance policies will cover the cost of travelling solo if your companion cancels. Check yours.

Magnets, especially hooks. I put the daily schedule and any excursion tickets on the walls, hang damp but not dripping swimsuits or exercise clothes to get them out of the bathroom. Basically anything I don't want buried gets slapped on the walls.

We had him as our CD on the Reflection last December and thought he was awful. Stiff as a board at the evening shows, never around the ship. Sound like he's improved since then.

TPassports are very valuable documents and maintaining protocol is vital to the safety of our country. Of course they lapsed heavily on that by having it mailed without any signature requirement to you!

Yes, they are valuable. But they require that they be sent to the Passport Office by US mail, with an address clearly marked as "National Passport Office." Nothing ever gets lost or stolen from the post office. Then they mail it back by US mail, without the need for a signature (we were home when mine came, and it was left in our mail box without any requirement for signature).

They don't even offer an option to renew it in person, unless it's within 2 weeks of travel.

Most insecure system I've ever seen. Drives me absolutely nuts.

You may still be able to get some solo Studio cabins on Norwegian Cruise Line ships (Breakaway, Getaway, Epic, Escape). Small but comfortable, and with their own lounge area for solo travelers to meet and relax.

My concern about the FlexSafe is that there has to be a straight bar to lock it onto. So I chose the SafeGo travel safe. I've also taken a look at the PacSafe TravelSafe for a bigger one that can also hold my Kindle.

Remember, though, that health regulations prohibit swim diapers; kids not toilet-trained are not permitted in the pools. Check whether either ship has a splash and play area for them.

I actually have a great store to recommend in St. Thomas (not touted by the cruise lines). It's Ajanta Jewelers, a family-owned place. We bought a pair of long diamond earrings, a pair of colorful jeweled studs, a diamond cocktail ring, and a couple of other pieces. I was comfortable with the way they looked and the price I paid, knowing that they may not be objectively worth it.

On returning home, I had the pieces appraised. The appraiser looked at the diamond earrings and was shocked that they were made with "ring quality" stones. He looked at the colorful earrings (red, white and blue) and said that the white stones were not chips or white sapphires; they were Pave diamonds. The halos in the cocktail ring were also Pave diamonds.

Everything we bought at Ajanta was appraised for 25 - 150% more than we paid.

And no, I don't get a kickback from them! :halo:

Are the Qsine iPads cleaned every time they turn a table?

Unlikely. Just like menus aren't cleaned every time they're handed back to the server.

They do have some specialty frozen non-alcoholic beverages but you won't find them online.

Any frozen alcoholic drink can be made without alcohol.

Celebrity:

If you have the Classic drink package (which is likely if you have it as a booking perk), you will get charged the full price of the wine, not just the difference between the price of the covered wine and the price of the more expensive wine.

If you have the Premium drink package, you will just pay the difference.

Magnets. I use the hooks for bathrobes, damp but not dripping bathing suits, coverups that are still wet, etc. I also use non-hook magnets for invitations to events I want to attend, excursion tickets, dining tickets, etc.

Why play around with adhesives that may or may not work or may not come off cleanly? The ships are metal - magnets are easy and safe.

I bought mine for April 2018 today. 20% off on my sailing.

What was the price at 20% off?

Different strokes, I guess. I know Alex isn't with Celebrity anymore. I'm still hoping it's not Maarten, but if it is, we'll deal with it. :)

Changed cabins to Radiance, 7138. It's over Giovanni's. Any reviews?

I believe that Maarten Breuls will be on board for 6 months or so when he takes over from Sue.

Oh, no, I hope not! We had Maarten in December on the Reflection, and he was awful! Quite a let-down from Alex who had been on the Reflection in 2015.

We and guests traveling with us all complained about Maarten, and will be extremely disappointed if he's back. We never realized how much of a difference a CD could make until him.

Radiance of the Seas, 7670 - above Jakarta Lounge. Will I have noise problems? Any reviews?

Thanks.

Unless you're using a large agency, please note that any gifts come out of the TA's pocket. It reduces the TA's livelihood.

Does your plumber reduce her fee as a "thank you" for your business? Does your mechanic throw in free spark plugs as a "thank you" during your oil change?

If not, why would you expect your TA to rebate some of her commission as a "thank you"? Do you work for free?

I consider myself well off in retirement but still clip coupons and shop for BOGOS, perhaps that's how I got well off.

 

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You are in good company - J. Paul Getty had a pay phone in his foyer for his guests' use.

We recently booked Concierge Class. We also didn't think it would matter, as we're fairly low-maintenance guests. What would we need a concierge for? Well, while I certainly can make reservations myself, it was nice not having to wait in line to do so. When I asked for a last minute excursion, it was booked in 3 minutes for me. I went to take a look at the excursion desk, and it was 20 people deep. Nice not to have to wait in that line.

When we had a problem with an excursion, our Concierge dealt with it efficiently. No waiting in line at the excursions desk with people behind us glaring because we were taking too much time.

Booked Concierge again (also for location on the hump). Will we need the Concierge's assistance? Maybe not, but it's nice that it's there.

We also enjoyed the lunch in the MDR, especially since Bistro on 5 is now a la carte Sushi on 5. By the time we finished, our cabins were ready. Relaxing way to start the cruise.

So yes, I'll take the little perks gladly.

From what I understand in another thread the afternoon canapés have stopped. We are in a sweet class, Sky Suite, and from what I understand you now have to go to Michael's club for afternoon snacks. Of course there's always room service.

They were still giving us canapes (or cheese or one day hummus) in December in Concierge. We actually enjoyed not needing to wait in line to book excursions or to give feedback; we did it with the Concierge. We also booked specialty restaurants through her, with no wait, but weren't looking for a deal.

But isn't part of it the nostalgia of things past? It's the same with restaurants and stores we shop at and TV shows and movies. You hear constant complaints from older generations about how "it's not like it used to be" or "that place has gone downhill" or " they don't make 'me like they used to". In my early 40's I notice myself falling into that more often than in the past and my spouse and friends who are in their mid-50's even more so. Things of the past often seem better and can become elevated in people's memories. That's just human nature.

 

 

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Not entirely. My negatives (and the cruise was far from awful!) had to do with things I expect, not because "it used to be" like that, but because these were things I enjoy and make my trip more memorable. I don't think it's "nostalgia" to expect the MDR, and especially a grill specialty restaurant, to serve a properly cooked steak or burger. I don't think it's "nostalgia" to expect that the singers in the production show stay on key. I don't think it's "nostalgia" to expect some talks or activities not centered on shopping. (Many of those shopping talks were unnecessary anyway - people who are interested in Bulgari or Omega watches don't need a "talk" to describe them; they already know about the brands and if they want to shop, they want their specific questions answered. People who aren't interested in them before they get on the ship won't become interested in them by a "talk.")