dln929

We are visiting Lanzarote on our cruise any ideas where best to visit.

 

Ive seen a trip to Timanfaya national park quite expensive would it be worth it?

 

Any idea please, is it worth just getting off the ship and going to the nearest town .

Lanzarote has to be one of my most favorite islands in the world! Lucky you to be going there. I hope you like it as much as we did. When we got off the Equinox we made a beeline to the car rental agency Cicar. Cheap car rentals and the personnel are very nice. It's right at the port so it's easy. We drove from one end of the island to the other. There are maps in the rental office. We got to the all the places T6oyd mentions and a winery too. Great day and we had so much fun and took lots of photos.

Interesting article in Forbes magazine about "genuine fake" watches in Kusadasi. http://http://www.forbes.com/sites/marcwebertobias/2012/09/19/how-to-buy-a-fake-watch-in-turkey/

We had 7708 on the Indy for our Canaries cruise two years ago and it was the most fantastic balcony we've ever seen. Even better than the Grand Suite balcony and that's saying a lot. :D One of my favorite things was to take a photo through the porthole on the balcony every morning and evening. Perfect picture frame, that.

I looked over on the Royal Caribbean forum and they reported that the updated link doesn't work on everyone's computer so here it is, the NEW rules regarding RCI's smoking policy. I for one am sooooo happy about this news! Our kids are in their early 20s and they love RCI and we love going on cruises with them so this gives us nice options!

Q: What is the Smoking Policy onboard?

A: For the comfort and enjoyment of our guests, our ships are designated as non-smoking; however, we recognize that some of our guests do smoke. Therefore, to provide an onboard environment that also satisfies smokers, we have designated certain areas of the ship as smoking areas.

Cigarette, cigar, e-cigarette and pipe smoking is permitted in designated outdoor areas of the starboard side of all ships; with the exception of Oasis-class ships that will allow smoking on the port side of the ships. To assist in locating areas where smoking is permitted, guests will find visible signage posted within all smoking areas and ashtrays that are provided for use. Outdoor areas near restricted areas, food venues, and kids play areas and pools will not allow smoking. On Oasisclass, smoking is not permitted in Central Park or the Boardwalk neighborhoods.

Casino Royale allows smoking and has a designated area for non-smoking guests. There will be visible signage indicating the non-smoking area in the casino. There are select cruises departing from China that will not have a non-smoking area in the casino.

Onboard all interior public spaces are smoke free*. Smoking is not permitted in any dining venue, theater, bar, lounge, hallway, elevator, and jogging track.

Smoking is not permitted inside any stateroom and any stateroom balcony. This applies to all stateroom categories onboard. If a guest is in violation of this stateroom policy, a cleaning fee of $250 USD will be applied to their SeaPass® account and may be subject to further action pursuant to the "Consequences Section" of the Guest Conduct Policy.

Cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco must be properly disposed of and never thrown overboard. Cigar and pipe tobacco is limited to designated outdoor areas and Cigar Bars**. You must be at least 18 years of age to purchase, possess or use tobacco onboard.

Electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes are only permitted within the designated smoking areas.

Royal Caribbean International kindly asks all guests to please observe the smoking policy. These requests are made to provide a comfortable cruise for everyone. Guest may also inquire at Guest Services for the location of the designated smoking areas onboard.

Guests who violate this smoking policy may be subject to further action pursuant to the "Consequences Section" of this Guest Conduct Policy.

Royal Caribbean updated the smoking policy July 2013 and the above policy is in enforcement on all ships with cruises departing on or after January 1, 2014.

*Mariner of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas offer one indoor smoking venue. Onboard Mariner of the Seas guest can smoke at the Connoisseur Club located on Deck 5. Onboard Voyager of the Seas guest can smoke at The Vault, nightclub, located on Deck 3.

**Cigar Bars on Royal Caribbean International are called the Connoisseur Club and are featured on the Freedom Class and Voyager Class ships.

Well Bill, I expressed some irritation earlier over why the Azamazing Evenings weren't posted when the sailing itineraries were released. Based on your thoughtful response on why they're still not available, I am going to reverse my thinking 100%. I appreciate that you're all taking the time to "measure twice cut once" as the great carpenter Norm Abram would say. I will continue to book a voyage for the destination, and when the AzAmazing Evenings are announced, I will consider them icing on the cake. How's that. We can all be adaptable and patient, even me. ;)

Will there an azamazing evening on this cruise?

Unless there are changes planned for 2014, no Azamazing Evenings on transatlantic cruises.

We took a cruise to the Canaries in February on board the Independence of the Seas. Out of Southampton. The weather was really pleasant. I'd love to see the Eclipse stay on in the UK to do a cruise like that.

One more question! On the 10 night "Spain, from the Alcazar to Dali & Gaudi" voyage on Sept. 3, 2014 there's a day in Gibraltar until 10 pm. What are the odds that there might be an AzAmazing Evening in St. Michael's Cave (concert)? Or will there be something new and different for 2014?

More of a comment here. Since Azamara plays up the AzAmazing Evening as an event that distinguishes itself from its competitors, I don't understand why details on what/when/where aren't released when the voyage is released. If I like two itineraries, for example, with all other things being equal, the AzAmazing Evening might be the very thing that helps me chose one voyage over the other. It's a little irritating not to have all the information on hand to make a good decision when one books.

Any ideas about the 16 night "Route of the Frankincense" November 10, 2014 from Athens to Mumbai? I know transatlantics are excluded from the AzAmazing Evening; does this apply to repositioning cruises such as this one, too?

Going on the Navigator this fall. First B2B and first time with both our son and daughter, ages 24 and 26. Oh yes! First time as Diamond. :D

Keep it coming! This is a fantastic trip report. I love the photos. We'll be there ourselves--on the Navigator--this fall so I am eating this all up. Thank you!

There have been lots of talk that celebrity Reflection is boring, I am now worried I pick the wrong cruise.

lots of reviews that they have the same shows repeated in a week.. The comedy show is the same one all week long. why would that be? even Carnival as 4 different shows on a 7 day cruise.

I was also told there is no night life at all after 11.. I think people of all ages like to have something to do at night. does celebrity have a suggest box or a person to email and ask what on earth is going on...

Let me know what you think.. Anyone that knows how to get in touch with celebrity about this let me know I think it time to ask them to step up there game.

Thanks for your time

Celebrity is known for its laid back and relaxing vibe. People who cruise on their ships do so because they like the product. In all likelihood it's easier for you to change your line, thus ensuring you get the vibrant nightlife you prefer, than it would be for you to write Celebrity and ask them to change for you. It's simply not going to happen. Have you looked at Royal Caribbean sailings? When we cruise with our children--now in their 20s--that's the line they want to go on because it's fun and action-packed. They love it. When it's only my husband and me, Celebrity is the way we go. We're in bed and asleep by midnight. :D

We used them to get from Civitaveccia to Rome. Price was right and it was exactly what we expected. We were very pleased with their service and will use them again.

Andy....with the general tone of this topic and some members posts being removed, for some unknown reason, perhaps it is time to close this thread.

I believe Bill as already addressed the sparking wine issue. If you don't like the product being offered by AZ, fill out the comment cards on board or vote with your wallet and take a different cruise line.

Kathy

I am in total agreement with Kathy. Well said. Enough's enough on the booze already. It seems like it's sucking the life out of this forum.

Will do - I just have to get DH to figure out the tutorial and I'll locate the other pics. Check back here tonight - should be able to get it together and post by then.:)

 

HEY - 7388 on Nav is the exact same corner aft we had! Our cabin steward was the best one we've had in 16 RC cruises - you'll love him!!

Judy

Well, I think we should carry on the hammock tradition, don't you? :D Our kids are coming along for the first week and they're at the other corner, in 7688. Looking for a good time to be had for all! We had a Deck 7 corner aft on the Indy and I thought it was just super so I'm still pinching myself that we snagged one for our B2B on the Navigator. Life's good. What can I say!

DH took pics of the superstructure where he attached the ropes to show how he did it - I can post them or email them to you if you want to try your own hammock.:D It was really very easy to do. He found a light weight hammock online somewhere - I think it weighed 2.5-3 lb with the ropes.

 

 

 

I don't think there's much difference. We were also on starboard side. We talked to the couple with the port side corner aft on our cruise and concluded that the only real difference was where the sun hit our balconies at different times of the day. Also theirs was a triple so there were 3 loungers and 3 chairs. The deck 7 corner afts are mostly covered, which was great for me since I'm not much of a sun worshipper. The fact that it's mostly covered minimizes any soot that might be drifting aft and also makes the balcony useable if it's raining. (It did happen that the Rock of Gibralter was on the port side when we cruised the Straits.:( Not a big deal...we just went to visit our portside neighbors!:o)

 

 

 

 

Yes - I think that's the only downside for me. I love the sound of the ship horn and it's not nearly as impressive (not LOUD) on an aft balcony.

 

I actually like the long walk to the aft. It's a good way to get a little extra exercise!;)

Judy

I am enthralled with the idea of a hammock on our Navigator aft! We're in 7388 for two weeks this fall and my husband would think I was the greatest wife in the world if I set up a hammock for him. I would love to have a tutorial on how to do it. Please show the pics!

Are there any good walking decks on S class ships? Any quiet spaces outside?

We like deck 5 on the non-smoking side. As you can see from posted photos, the lifeboats block the view though not at the end. However, you get some nice shade so it's not a total loss! There are comfortable padded chairs on the deck and lots of people go there to read quietly. One added benefit is that you're right outside Cafe al Baccio if you want coffee or tea.

The beer selection was the deciding factor for us in deciding whether to spring for an upgrade to Premium. There's no good beer for $5 on a Celebrity ship! If you care about your beer you absolutely will hate the Classic selection. :(

We were in AQ 9058 on the Summit we were bothered by no smells or sounds.

Just wanted to pop in and say I have not forgotten this review and will post more tonight! Work has been crazy this week!

 

jkt1220 - We had three formal nights - One the second night (after Monaco), and the other two were on Sea Days, I believe! One in the middle and one toward the end. I don't remember the exact dates.

 

Lissette

It's really very kind of you to write such an entertaining, wonderful review for us in the first place, so don't worry! We're happy to read it as you write it. :)

Hi Everyone,

 

A special welcome to my friends from Celebrity, Azamara and other forums. Great to have you with us !

I hope Host Faith pops in, too. :)

Hello Andy! Librarylady19 and I (and our respective husbands) are seriously looking into sailing on the Viking Star in April '15. You might be seeing a lot of us on this forum. It's very exciting!

Not exactly. What a Diamond sailing on a Celebrity ship gets is Elite privileges, Elite being the highest loyalty level in the Captain's Club,the Celebrity equivalent of Crown and Anchor. Elite benefits vary from Diamond. Celebrity does not offer a balcony discount the way RCI does, for example.

Never mind me! I read the question backwards!!! :rolleyes:

You do get all Diamond privileges.

However if you want to reach Diamond + you need to accrue cruise points and you start at the beginning with 0 credits not as a Diamond.

Not exactly. What a Diamond sailing on a Celebrity ship gets is Elite privileges, Elite being the highest loyalty level in the Captain's Club, the Celebrity equivalent of Crown and Anchor. Elite benefits vary from Diamond. Celebrity does not offer a balcony discount the way RCI does, for example.

That raises a question. Is the buffet open all day? I've never ventured down there between meals and it hadn't occurred to me that it might be open between mealtimes.

Shari, breakfast is served until 11:30 am, at which point all the breakfast foods are taken away. The food stations are roped off until 12 noon, at which point they're re-opened and all the lunch foods are out. Lunch is served until 2:30 pm and then everything's cleared away. However, the pizza and pasta station continues to serve until 1 am, so to answer your question, yes, in a limited way there's pretty much food available all day.