JonnyGUofD

It's actually easier and still impressive than it sounds.  Try it!

Just celebrated Valentine's dinner by serving my version of Lobster Murano - which I recreated by memory and watching youtube videos a few years ago.  It was still great.  Although my recipe has a shrimp version, I used lobster tails and that approach is sooo much better.  Enjoy.  Here's the link to the recipe posted on Cruisecritic a few years ago ;  

16 hours ago, George C said:

We did both in last year, no competition quality of food and service is much better in luminae.  When we were on Oasis after two dinners wife wanted specialty restaurants for rest of cruise, on celebrity we were happy having all but one dinner in luminae. One thing that is better on CK is it is open for lunch on port day. 

Our experience is exactly the same as this poster.

Wow, so glad it turned out good!  I cook it every once in a while.  It's so rich, you can't have it too often!

Hi all,

I am the OP on this thread. First of all, thanks to all for all the great advice. It's fun just to watch the scotch drinkers sharing their experience and interests. To answer some of the questions, I have OBC from both TA and X and plan to use the X OBC for this purpose. My wife and I cruise Celebrity a lot and I'm only considering this now because we don't have a flight home (I don't want to have to schlep the bottles on an airplane/TSA, etc), we get other chances for other ship board purchases quite often, and I'm developing a taste for scotch nowadays. I've bought many Apple products on board in the past.

I plan to get my TA OBC refunded.

Since I'm such a neophyte to scotches, I've found that I enjoy almost all that I try - mostly because I find the variety of flavors interesting. I've been to some pretty sophisticated tastings but, alas, I don't remember much about favorites - I did notice that I found single malts to be more "interesting" than blends (not necessarily more enjoyable). I do like JW Black.

Based on your input, I'm probably going to buy some single malts that might be difficult to find in the States. I'm hoping they might have a "special" offering on board to help me decide. Also, I will be in Michael's Club each evening before dinner so, I will be asking for recommendations for tasting there.

Thanks again!

Jonny G

There really aren't any good buys in the duty free shops for those living in the USA. You'll find most of the items sold for less in your local liquor store. Think of the duty free stores as selling liquor at full price but without your local taxes.

 

But....depending on your cruise ports, there are some great places to buy liquor and bring it home. Tell us where you'll be stopping and maybe we can give you some ideas.

 

There is also a limit on the amount of alcohol you can bring back to the US without paying duty.....1 liter per person unless you purchased it in the US Virgin Islands and then you can bring in 5 liters per person subject to some special rules.

Thanks for the quick response. We are going to Bermuda but much of the reason for purchasing on the ship is because we have lots of SBC - so maybe I can justify it as being free?

I will be traveling soon on the Summit. I am a Scotch drinker but not much of an expert. Since we have pretty much OBC and are driving our car to the pier, I've decided to stock up on some bottles for myself and for my Scotch drinking buddies for home. I understand that you should buy what you enjoy but I was wondering if any experts out there know of any "best buys" in the duty free shop on board the Summit. I promise you I won't be disappointed :).

I tried to replicate the recipe at home. Hear is my post:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1961647

Enjoy

I had to go read the reviews because of this post too. Just my opinion, but they struck me as... well I rolled my eyes so hard I saw my brain. Wow, one someone thought quite highly of themself, and another struck me as someone with a persecution complex.

Maybe my outlook on life is just different. Why stress out and let small things ruin a good time. Like Elsa says "let it go."

I also had read these reviews and had the same reaction as you. We're looking forward to sailing again on the EQ in November - our fourth sailing on the Equinox and our 12th on a Solstice class ship.

You should go on Royal Caribbean's oasis of the seas or allure of the seas. They have lots and lots of pools

Thanks for the clear responses! I'll probably be wearing home the shirt that I wear down to Miami. Saves space on that 14 day packing list!

I've used Celebrity's laundry service many times, but, I've always done just underwear and t-shirts. On our upcoming Eclipse cruise, I'm thinking I'd like to put some dress shirts in the wash or for dry cleaning?

I'm a little concerned that, at worst, they get ruined or, at best, they come back wrinkled (unpressed).

If you have experience using the X laundry for men's dress shirts, I'd appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks!

I don't remember all the offerings, but they do have English brands. I do remember getting a Boddington's but there are also others including some ciders.

Is the space in the middle with the X truly "open"?

 

As an architect, I see a missed opportunity for more lounge chairs!

That area has a working fountain coming out of the floor on the Eclipse. Kids love to play in it (and adults). It is also used for dancing and zumba (and the fountain is shut off).

Thanks for the prompt responses. Looks like we'll find other ways to have fun!

I haven't been there for a while. Can someone tell me if you can rent snorkeling equipment at Labadee? I only need fins for myself and my grandkids. Thanks.

Quick question, we're cruising on the Equinox next week, would someone tell me what side of St. Maarten we dock, Dutch or French?

Thanks.

Dutch. $7 round trip water taxi into the town of Phillipsburg where there is some of the best shopping in the Caribbean and a nice beach right where the taxi stops in town. If you want to visit the French side you will have to taxi over or take a tour.

It is usually available in the MDR at breakfast. Not sure about elsewhere. You will need to ask the juice-server or your waiter for it.

Mark Preston . . .

I'm guessing both Saturday nights. Can any recent cruisers either confirm or set me straight? Thanks

 

Please don't tell me there are three.

Yep. You are correct for the 10 day.

hello....can anyone tell me if the eclipse has shuffleboard and what deck its on?

I've been on the Eclipse 3 times and I cannot remember ever seeing shuffleboard.

We will also be on the Equinox next week. The shops in the ports will be decorated for Christmas . . . it is, after all, black Friday. Dinner in the MDR will have Turkey and all the fixin's but not much else is observed for Thanksgiving. There will probably be football games in the Celebrity Central (that's the smaller room just off the Celebrity Theatre). When we were on Eclipse last year, they had a bar set up with snacks for the games.

I have had the opposite result of the previous post. I've used it many times. Valet is wonderful and I'm pretty sure that the boarding pass still showed TSA pre-check. Full disclosure - I did have some lost bags on one trip, but it wasn't a problem as we were going home.

If we dock in Fort Lauderdale, can I do luggage valet to Miami? The flight is after three. Thanks

Although I have always flown out of FLL, I believe they do provide valet from Port Canaveral to MIA.

I went on the Eclipse out of FLL in April and November and Valet was offered. We use it whenever we can. Makes the trip home so much easier.

In November, somebody (not sure if USAirways or X) lost one of our bags but it got home the next day.

Pretty sure they'll offer it out of MIA as well.