Driveshaft

5 hours ago, smogfarmgirl said:

We just got off the Allure yesterday for our very first cruise. We really enjoyed it! The question now… Do we do another Royal Caribbean cruise, or should we try Celebrity? Pre-pandemic we had booked a cruise on Celebrity, that was canceled in March 2020. So now we are thinking of giving Celebrity a try. For those who have cruised both, what are the biggest differences/similarities, or what puts one above the other for you?

We did it the opposite. We are elite on Celebrity and we were not impressed with the food on our last three, We had our first on RCL on the Allure in April and were so impressed with it we are going again this November.

If you get your bid on a suite picked do you get the suite amenities for that suite class

Is there a list of the liquor brands available for the premium package? 

29 minutes ago, janetz said:

Check out Trikes-Aruba

Great non ship excursion

Do the morning tour 😊

Yes it is a hoot and a half. We are seniors and had a ball on it.

Why I like Bourbon:

Actually a Manhattan is made with a Rye or typically a Canadian, which is also conspicuously absent. It's a Boulevardier when made with a Bourbon. How do you make a seven and seven with no Seven? Or that Bourbon and Branch.

All Bourbon is Sour Mash per se. The wort is fermented from a mash of grains, water and yeast

1. It must be made in the United States. Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t have to be made in Kentucky, although 95 percent of the world’s supply is.

2. Aging must take place in a new, charred, oak barrel.  Whiskey can be aged in used barrels and often is (Scotch). The bourbon must be aged for at least two years to be considered a straight bourbon.

3. The mash must be at least 51 percent corn. Rye, wheat and barley are typically the other grains

4. The whiskey cannot enter the barrel at higher than 125 proof. It cannot enter the bottle at a proof less than 80.

5. Nothing can be added but water and only to lessen the proof when necessary. Other whiskeys can add color and flavor. Not bourbon, it must be au-naturel.

Note: Once the original aging is done it can be additionally aged in other new or used barrels e.g. Angel's Envy (Port) or Woodford Reserve Double Oaked

23 hours ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

 

 

 

I am much more charming than John, but I can only get "diamond list" alcohol at bars.  😉 

 

Twangster posted an outdated list.  Here is the current list.  

 

Dang it, No Bourbon. And yes JD is not sold as a bourbon even though it is technically one but filtered.

Is it worth lugging my snorkel equipment to the island? is there anything worth seeing? We are going in May.

Can anyone tell me about snorkeling on Coco Cay? Is there a spot worth lugging my snorkel set  onto the island. The only thing we have paid for for the cruise is the jet ski tour.

September 15-21 Empress 6 day change

6 night western caribbean cruise

1. MIAMI, FLORIDA
2. KEY WEST, FLORIDA
3. PUERTO COSTA MAYA, MEXICO
4. COZUMEL, MEXICO

Celebrity does two New Orleans cruises. I think you are chatting about the one that covers the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival first weekend. We were on that in 2017 and this year 2018. Celebrity Equinox both times RT Miami

The other is timed to be at New Orleans leading up to Mardi Gras

Here is what I did and it worked on the Equinox April 23/2018 cruise. We were listed as early dining (Concierge Cabin and Elite if it matters). I went on to the Celebrity website and "booked" select dining for 6:45 pm for all nights of the cruise. You go to the specialty dining site and at the bottom was a pick for select dining. You have to do each one separate. The cost is $0.00 but it goes through the motions like a paid order except no credit card involved. Then checked and printed the"calendar" showing my pre-purchased shore excursions and the Select dining purchased dining dates. I printed it out and took it to the Maitre 'D on first evening at 6pn early dining time instead of 6:45pm. They checked the computer and looked quizzical since I presume they saw both arrangements on their screen. Bottom line they honored the booked Select dining reservations for all the rest of the 11 nights

Scootaround did the rental for us

Happily, the short lived experiment of changing Mast Grill to a for fee venue on a few ships failed miserably and it's back to what it was before. Free burgers, hot dogs, fries.

I wonder about the charges in the Gastropub too. Haven't seen any posts raving positive or negative on that per pay venue. It's got no real hook like other lines tying to a popular chain or chef.

Thanks Good to know that they are still gratis and still good eating. I love that grille during sea days.

No worries it is included in the perk. Normally 18% added if pay as you go, a purchased package or in the classis to Premium upgrade

Did they change to per pay burgers etc or still fee free?

Awesome photos thanks

Last year we went to Tropicante and the owner Steve Uhl directed us to one of the local silversmiths. He is on the strand there near Tropicante. His work was intricate, some unique and high quality. I therefore suggest you try Tropicante and ask Steve for an introduction to the Silver place.I wear one of his pieces every day. It's over 3.5 oz of silver bracelet.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Are the steak grilles back aft near the rear bar area on most OV layouts? I assume they are because I never went back there and missed that gem

I did some searching, but the last post about such things seems to be 11 years ago.

My girlfriend and I have a port stop upcoming in Costa Maya, and we'd love to do some shopping, especially to get her mom some silver jewelry, either with turquoise or opal in it. Does the port-section of Costa Maya have that? Or would we need to head elsewhere? Additionally, my girlfriend is concerned about getting indigestion with the Mexican water; what sort of food can we get that won't be bothersome? I've read a lot about a really good bakery nearby, but I admit my chemistry isn't the best; will baked goods make with Mexican water cause issues for us?

Thanks in advance, and I warn, I may have some follow-up questions.

Last year we went to Tropicante and the owner Steve Uhl directed us to one of the local silversmiths. He is on the strand there near Tropicante. His work was intricate, some unique and high quality. I therefore suggest you try Tropicante and ask Steve for an introduction to the Silver place.I wear one of his pieces every day. It's over 3.5 oz of silver bracelet.

As a first time visitor to Alaska, for a taster, which 7 day cruise on which ship would be recommended to get a decent taste of what Alaska has to offer?

 

I was looking at the Tracey Arm Fjord as a possibility, or is there something else I should consider?

We too are booked first time for Alaska in June 2019. My DW and Sister in law were the prime reason to try Alaska. It was a tough decision on cruise lines and itineraries. I used the CC Boards and Trip Advisor etc. for background in making the decision. We finally ended up with a mid June 19 RT from Vancouver going to Hubbard Glacier. . Here is the order of decision making we did:

1. When: June is considered dryer and still wildlife intensive. A little, very little, cheaper than July Aug too.

2. Cruise line: We opted for Celebrity because we were transferring from a booked Caribbean cruise primarily and were not opting for a land portion for this first trip. Alaskan cruises and shore excursions are pricy. We like the Eclipse too.

3. Itinerary: We opted for a RT with Hubbard with Icy Strait Point. It is the best compromise for wildlife which is what my Sis in law wants to see. Her fellow workmates gave her some scoops on their past experiences to nail this down. RT also provides better airfare pricing.

No one will yell at you, just maybe give you some strange looks. LOL

I love to play craps, but still have to think of all the rules and odds. The dealers will help you enjoy the game..

Don’t be shy and tell them you are novice players.

What might help you is a online tutorial game for practice before you go on board.

Good luck!

On the contrary, our last Equinox cruise one night we casually walked over to the Craps table with only 2-3 people playing. I was quietly explaining some of the betting details to my DW when the closest player chided me for doing so and especially for breaking some sacred rule of never mentioning certain numbers near the table. I usually play a little which was why I was doing the explaining why it was better than slots, but I chose not to play any craps that cruise because of his rude behavior.

Does anyone have the correct link for Choice Air or Flights by Celebrity? No matter which browser I use once I get a connection the page either states that "this page no longer exists" or the screen just keeps "flipping" and you cannot choose anything.

 

 

 

Any assistance would be appreciated. Thanks.

They changed the name. It is now called Flights by Celebrity

There is a link on the Celebrity main page

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Try Tropicante in Costa Maya. Steve Uhl is the expat that owns it and they do a good job. Not an all inclusive but you will eat and drink well for probably the same outlay.