LF2C

Just off 20 days on Royal Princess, and Perry Grant is still charming his guests, only now in Crooners Lounge. All of his shows are packed, abet with the older crowd who know all the old time standards. I guess Celebrity’s loss is Princess’ gain. Although he is not for me, he does have a huge following wherever he goes. To each his own, & more power to him. Go Perry!

No loss as far as I’m concerned. Worst act I’ve ever seen on a cruise ship

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We will be on a 13 night European sailing. Will there be 3 Chic/Formal nights? We enjoy dressing up. How formal will those nights be on the Adriatic Sea agenda?

There should be 3 “Shabby Chic” nights

I’m British and having done 8 consecutive Celebrity cruises, have seen things go from bad to worse as far as dress is concerned.

When we had formal nights, people knew how to dress and how to observe a dress code. Now, anything goes. Passengers seem to delight in pushing the dress code boundaries and those who like to dress properly are now a very small minority.

European sailings tend to be slightly better as Europeans generally are better dressed than those from the US and Canada.

Celebrity have created a ridiculous situation for themselves and their customers.

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Due to a rescheduled late departure on March 4, we have a few hours to kill on Sunday before returning our rental car to MIA, would like to experience some South Beach shopping, people watching, and lunch. Is parking easy, structure, hotel, lot, etc?? Recommendation very appreciated!

We stayed in SB last year. Wasn’t driving but did notice plenty of car parks

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Thanks guys. :) I think she's thinking about the American sweets she hears mentioned on tv, like sour patch kids, milk duds etc. We live in the U.K. so don't get any of that here :)

If you have any sense you won’t let your child anywhere near any American candy! Pure sugar and incredibly unhealthy. Plus, it’s all fairly vile stuff anyway

Sorry, no offence meant. I’m also British, but as we have family in the US who are one the largest candy/sweet manufacturers I do know what I’m talking about.

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We are seriously thinking about this cruise because of it's itinerary to Israel. Especially interested in any comments, suggestions, pluses an minuses about: The Connie

 

Dining

 

Entertainment

 

Sky Suites

 

Etc.

 

 

 

 

 

We've been on Horizon class, Century, and several Solstice class but somehoe missed the Connie and her sibs.

 

 

 

 

 

Any help would really be appreciated in making our decision.

We sailed on Connie twice in 2016. One of the itineraries was the one to Israel, Haifa and an overnight in Ashdod.

Wouldn’t have a clue about suites as we only book Balconies.

Everything else is exactly what you expect from X

Just get it booked and relax!

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Interesting. Here, many health insurers' drug plans make pricing extra attractive when the mail order option is used.

 

 

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Move to the U.K.!

Prescription meds are free once you reach age 60 [emoji38]

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There are various mail order services in the US that package daily doses qualified as "original containers".

I was asking about what law in the State of California (suggested in an earlier post) requires travelers to keep ALL prescribed meds (regardless of status as a "controlled substance") in containers dispensed at a pharmacy (or via mail order packaging described above). I've never heard of any such "legal requirement."

 

 

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In the U.K. we don’t have mail order for prescriptions. They are dispensed by Pharmacists governed by our NHS. Maybe that’s the difference.

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Unless I am misinformed, the only California health and safety laws regarding repackaging one's prescribed medications refers only to care facilities' need to maintain patient/resident meds in the original containers.

Please cite the law of which you speak.

 

 

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My meds’ are supplied in what are known in the U.K. as dosset boxes, clear plastic containers with all the pills dispensed for a weeks supply. Each box comes with a copy of my prescription. I really can’t see why any country in the world would have a problem with this?

I’ve only had the meds for a few months as a result of a quadruple heart bypass, so apart from a week in Tenerife last week I haven’t yet travelled anywhere but will be in December when we are doing the Milennium SE Asia cruise from Singapore to Honk Kong. Maybe I’m being too simplistic?

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Since I have never cancelled a booked cruise with all the cruises we have done, this could prove to be a positive for us. We book early to get the cabin we want. With nonrefundable deposits, maybe the better cabins won't be booked by people that aren't sure if they are going on the cruise; but want to reserve the cabin in case. My only concern is that if we aren't able to benefit from price drops with out losing the deposit.

 

 

 

As far as losing the deposit due to a medical condition or other valid reason, if you charge the deposit on a credit card that provides free travel insurance, I assume you should be able to get it back.

Trust me Mike, you can never have too much travel and medical insurance! [emoji6]

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Aren’t all deposits non-refundable?

 

Transferable yes, but refundable???

 

 

 

 

 

Hi Paul

 

The US get deposits back if they cancel a booking up to final payment I think, there is a lot of discussion about people booking multiple cruises and cancelling as they draw nearer which reduces availability and keeps prices high. Also the US don't get travel insurance as we do, we purchase annually but some Americans just purchase something called "cancel for any reason" to protect a deposit.

 

 

 

Then it’s nice to see one of the many “advantages” they have in the US being brought into line with the rest of us [emoji38]

BTW, if you book with Cunard they want 15% deposit, non-refundable!!!

 

 

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I saw in an email from a travel agent today that non-refundable deposits are coming in November. Anyone heard about this?

Aren’t all deposits non-refundable?

Transferable yes, but refundable???

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YouTube is a very good source to find videos about Cunard and other passenger ship lines which would even include videos from years ago. In the 1950s the Cunard Line did release this promotional film titled "Getting There Is Half The Fun". This film was filmed aboard the Queen Elizabeth sailing a transatlantic crossing from New York to Southampton and it is 33 minutes long. The start of this film does show the other Cunard Ships at that time in the 1950s. The film source is probably old 16 millimeter film so there are a few frames missing probably where the film broke apart and had to be scotch taped together again but it is worth viewing for people like us who like nostalgia about the great Ocean Liners. Here is the link

Any thoughts about this film? Regards,Jerry

Fascinating!

It’s long been a bucket list item for us to do a TA on an Ocean Liner as opposed to a cruise ship. A dream that becomes a reality on August 3rd 2018 when we return from NY on QM2

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We have always enjoyed 'Formal nights' on P&O, it's a shame Celebrity don't do them - does that mean I can't wear my beautiful new long dress!! Boo hop!

 

 

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You can wear what you like!

My wife and I still dress up, because we enjoy it, as do others.

Meanwhile, some guests will turn up looking like they've just got back from the gym. Who cares! As long as you're wearing what you want, don't worry about the others. There are still plenty of fellow guests who will dress appropriately.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions. We have done 4 X cruises in recent years and have 3 more booked. I'll also be booking another whilst on board our next cruise.

We've sailed on both M & S class. each has it's plusses and minuses. Obviously S class is newer.

Why do we love X? Itineraries, food, service, entertainment, comfort, general ambience, value for money. Basically, it's the whole package.

Anything I don't like? The sad demise of formal nights into what we now call shabby chic. But does it matter?.........not really. Oh, the other thing I really can't stand is people who seem to delight in finding fault and criticise every minor flaw, things that most mortals wouldn't even notice......'cos we're too busy having a wonderful X holiday!

We usually sail with Royal Caribbean, but next month moving over to Celebrity (eastern med on the Silhouette) and the 'Chic Nights' will be new experience.

As I understand it, the idea is that while no strict dress code is in force it is expected that people will not be in casual attire and dress smartly.

No problem with that, but as we are flying to the port luggage has limitations and do not want to bring unnecessary options 'just in case'.

How do the majority dress, lounge suits with or without a tie? smart trousers with an open top shirt? I know the idea is that we wear what we feel comfortable in, but in reality we will feel more comfortable if we blend in the the majority.

As a fellow Brit, I actually enjoy the opportunity to dress "up" rather than "down". On our last cruise in June I still wore a dinner suit and did not feel out of place. There were three chic nights, so for one of them I just wore a linen jacket. I don't mind wearing a dinner suit complete with bow tie, but there's no way I'd wear a tie (too much like being in my office!!!)

Basically anything goes, but I do suspect that European sailings will be that bit more formal than those sailing out of the USA.

Guess I'll find out over the next few months!

Have you checked the thread that lists Who's On Board? Try there: although it might not be up-to-date, it's a place to start.

Thanks, it's a thread I've never bothered looking at as I always assumed it was for people to check on the whereabouts of their favourite Captain or Cruise Director, but can't find it anyway! no worries.

We are due to sail on 21st October on Constellation.

When we last on Connie in June there was a very good Latin Band and an average House Band with a girl singer who dressed like she was going out to the supermarket. She had a good voice but no personality.

Anyone know who's on at the moment?

We are on the June 23rd sailing

I'll make sure we leave the ship tidy for you then :D

We have a family group on an Alaska sailing next June.

 

My husband and I are in a Sky Suite. Everyone else is in balcony cabins.

 

Will we be able to eat with them in the main dining room?...or are we required to eat in Luminae?

Never had a Sky Suite, but have met people who have. You can eat wherever you like.

Are you on the 16th June sailing? if so, why not join our Roll Call.

If your flight is late enough, you can do the Celebrity post-cruise tour with airport drop off. We've found this to be a very pleasant, informative and interesting way to spend 4 or so hours. You get escorted off the ship to the waiting bus and they usually aren't packed full, so you can spread out a bit, relax and enjoy the tour. Your luggage stays with you the whole time. At the end, you get dropped off at the airport. Sure makes a good way to end a cruise!

Thanks but we'll be in Seattle for a few days pre cruise staying with friends. I think they have a fairly hectic schedule arranged for us, so I assume we will have done most if not all the things seen on the pre airport tour.

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Thanks for all your replies and information. There are a number of reasons why we are taking the sailing from Seattle and not Vancouver. All of that is booked including all our flights (except the one I'm asking about), so whilst all suggestions are welcome, I really just wanted some insight into the question.

Thanks again to all who have replied. I think we are agreed that the morning flight is a non starter.

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If those are your only two options, then you NEED to go with 3:00. The 10:30 flight is way too early, especially for an international flight!

Thanks

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OP, what time is your flight out of SEA TAC and where are you going? If it is domestic (with an international connection later), that will be less stress but if you are flying direct to the UK you will need to allow extra time.

We are going to a Calgary with some friends and doing a Rockies road trip. Not returning to UK till a few days later so that's not important re this question

Flight is either 10.30 or 3.00

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My standard advice on transfer time is:

Its a 30 minute drive from pier 91 to Seatac Airport, but give it an hr to allow for road consruction, city events, sports events, and the usual congestion. You should be at the airport 2 hrs prior to departure. So .....to be safe, allow 3 hrs from the time you disembark to flight time.

 

As a Brit i've never had any problems with immigration in seattle . Plus you would have provided the neceassary docs to board the ship, so there will be no surprises.

Thanks for the reply.

Not been to Seattle yet but had horrendous problems with US immigration in SD a couple of years ago, they were just awful, and that wasn't just because we are British.

Since it is 7:30 in Seattle right now, just checked Google Maps. The drive is taking 32 minutes right now. The airport traffic, immigration and security delays are worrying me more than being able to get off the ship and to the airport now.

Mike

I think we have our answer?

Better to book the p.m. flight and just accept that we can leave the ship as late as possible and have a very, very long lunch in the airport!

Thanks to those of you who have replied so quickly