Pennstatedj

Visa card that gives points. I have a Merrill card from Boa and never have problems with points and them keeping records on any use of points. 

I had a card for years. During the covid outbreak I had five cruises that were cancelled, two of which had a total of $800 worth of obc was lost. Between BOA and X neither could find any trail of those transactions. Fortunately I had a copy of the transactions. Boa said it was an X problem and as you know X computer systems are not good. So after many calls and finally finding someone willing to search out by had I find out from that X rep she authorized credit for 600 of those dollars. So I lost $200. I was not happy and finally this year I pulled the plug and cancelled the card. It is just not worth it and we took 5 or more cruises per year. Your normal card may not be as good but safer. 

We have sailed both and enjoyed both. To us the major issue is the Silhouette sails out of Miami and Equinox out of Fort Lauderdale. It is easier to get to FL via air or car. 

If you know 48 hours before sail date you can substitute a person otherwise you lose. We had a breakup at last minute and girlfriend dropped. We found another brother to take her place. We called office from onboard and they let him board in her place. We were surprised and thankful. 

On our cruises this year.  Avian has not been available in Coffee shop and is MDR most of the time. Aqua Panda was in some. Just do not expect to find Avian. Most of the time it is canned Rain. Once in a while they have small bottles of avian in a couple bars if they have it. No large bottles anywhere. So, if you want water do not think you can get what you want. It is very hit or miss, even in our one retreat cruise. 

First night is busy everywhere.  Cellar masters may have more time but not always a good place. It all depends on sommelier on duty. I have found a good sommelier at dinner is best place to try different wines. They can give you anything if they are enjoying your company. Just be patient and ask them you would like to try wines. Ask when not busy after their initial service. 

We find each of our 67 cruises with X varies with regard to sound. We find say something to an officer, bartender or guest relations. If nothing changes go to another venue.  It happens about the same for the last 30 years. Music selection is the same. 

I would go to the ensemble lounge during the first day or some other bar and ask sit at bar and ask for a sample of wines that are classic for that cruise. If you are thinking that there are many choices you are wrong. There is usually only one Chardonnay, one cab, etc of each type grape in each lounge or restaurant. In dinning rooms sometime the sommelier can give you something else, their choice. Usually the chard is Seekers red wines vary each cruise but you never know what could change. 

One suggestion though do not ask for samples first night in the dinner rooms, they are swamped and do not have time. Thats why I said at a bar the first day. 

Great review. Happy cruising.

This is easy. Remember the Solstice class ships were designed to emphasize Aqua class and introduce speciality restaurants Murano, Tuscan and Silk Harvest. The edge class ships were all about the Retreat class and Beyond actually made improvements on the Retreat. So there is really no comparison when it comes done to in. The Solstice class was retro fitted to do the retreat etc. The are both great but Edge class ships are much better. 

13 hours ago, Tinknock50 said:

They received my application and check on May 3rd. I requested expedited delivery.  My cruise is 5 weeks from that date.

So by your experience, I should be fine.

 

Did you do this recently? I ask because every month or so the wait time increases.

I applied on Feb 20 of this year and got it back last week of April. We send to the southern office since we live in Fl. good luck. 

Just for some info I applied for a renewal of my passport and did not expedite it. It took 6 weeks to receive my new passport. Live in Fl. I was nervous because we only had 5 months between cruises. Good luck. 

Thank you for all the suggestions. 

Cruising on equinox in July. One of the ports is Bimini. Anyone know a ship excursion or private excursion to a beach that was good?  Thanks in advance

We enjoyed Charlie"s performances whenever he played, especially in Eden. Also, do not miss the Mad Hatter at the Eden lounge. We were on the ship last month. Enjoy. 

cannot hurt to call, but probably will not get anything.  Every call is different, sometime I get a value and sometime we do not. When pricing on ship it always seems to work. When call and thru TA it does not seem to get anything. 

Yes, at time of booking you will get something. They compare all you possible discounts and you get up to 200 per cabin. It is not combinable with other discounts. It is up to them. 

I have always gotten regular chips, but every dealer is different. New ones let you go sometimes. New rules make you make a combined $10 bet min. I was doing an outside Red/Black bet and 9 one bets, then stopped the CC coupon bets and then only played 9 and he let me go. I played 200 in OBC promo bets. So it depends on ship casino rules and then dealer has final say and it varies. 

On Apex and Sit and Eq I could not use promo chips on red and Black bets.

You will be able to use OBC for promo chips. You can use and then when you win you will be paid with real chips. Then you can cash in your winnings. 

To cash in the promo chips that depends on the ship you are on. You will see many threads on the subject. 

The lunch for concierge, Zenith and BTB is not listed on app sometimes so do not fret. You might get an email about it and sometimes nothing. X never has good communication with their limited systems when it comes to IT. Not their strong point. App is not end all. Check other hand or ask someone. 

Lunch is 1130 to 130. but varies on cruise depending on embarkation problems. I would just go to door and they will let you in or not. If you want something private go to sushi on 5. you can get something other than fish. That what we do. 

It's not how many ships are in dock that day it's how many celebrity ships are in port. if 18 and 25 are occupied then they go to 29. I think. We have left from 25 and came back to 29 or 18 many times. 

I have found on my last two cruises that special needs replied within two days via email.

I have seen decanting done in Murano and at a chefs table on X.