SamfromOz

Thank you for this.

I haven’t seen this one. I just keep getting emails for the big sale that excludes Galapagos.

We have a cruise booked next month (to the Norwegian fjords) and should make Elite on the 25th.

I’m wondering now, if it’s worth taking a gamble on whether these offers will be extended.

Is Celebrity ever likely to have a sale including Galapagos?

we would like to go next year, but I am frustrated as the Galapagos seems to be excluded form Celebriy sales.

I’m wondering whether I should just wait, or start to explore other options.

We are interested in the Xpedition.

We crossed I. January a few years back.

The way down was rough.

I remember laying in bed, and thinking that, yes, I now understand the stories I have heard about people being strapped into their beds, back in the day. A couple of times I felt I would fall out.

there was a bowl of fruit on our coffee table that repeatedly fell off, till we stopped picking it up.

we had taken meds though, and we weren’t sick.

Next morning, things were relatively smooth.

on the return trip, there were no issues at all.

The Drake is unpredictable. Which makes it an adventure, and I’m glad we did it

About ten years ago, my brother developed a very serious infection in his leg through a tiny cut, while gardening.

Long story short, the Doctors managed to avoid amputation by using one of those “last line” “reserved” antibiotics that aren’t generally available.

they told him that his leg was damaged, and would always give him trouble.

they suggested that he take an antioxidant called “Anthogenol” that significantly helps circulation.

So he did. One major side effect was that his hair grew thicker (and it still is) and his skin improved.

So his wife started taking it. Similar story.

I have lymphoedema in my arm. So I started taking it about five years ago.

My arm is goor. When I stop taking it, I notice increased hair loss and weaker nails (but I’m mostly taking it for my arm)

it’s not a cheap supplement, but it’s good.

over time it has become more popular as a beauty supplement, for hair, skin and nails.

On 5/1/2023 at 4:16 PM, 6rugrats said:

What flight is 23 hours?  

Sydney to London BA16 (refuelling stop in Singapore) Actually 23.30 hours.

Also QF1 (Syd to LHR)

There would be lots of others of a similar length, too. From Melbourne, Aukland etc to various points in Europe.

I agree about not napping. It can make you terribly groggy, and we slept through a couple of times when we used to do that, while Lae afternoon. Which just made things worse.

I’m Australian, and was an expat for ten years, living in Singapore and Tokyo, with lots of flights to France (where my husbands head office was) So have dealt with jet lag a lot.

My advice is to try to sleep on the plane. If you don’t have early checkin at your accommodation, see if you can grab a shower at the airport (we’ll, that’s what we do, but our flight is often much longer than yours. We have a 23 hour flight before our upcoming August cruise from Southampton)

Then, just power through the day. Drink some coffee, and try to walk around outside for part of the time. Sunlight on the skin helps to reset your melatonin levels, making the next day easier.

With an 8am arrival, we would probably have a very early dinner (maybe at 5.30 pm, depending on how we felt) Then hit the hay hard at about 7.30 -8.00 pm.

Doing it this way, we tend to sleep through, then wake early the next day, adjusted and good to go.

Thanks!

I wasn’t aware there was a points history as well as a cruise history.

The point is there!

So odd that I didn’t receive an email (I did check the junk mail)

But a happy ending.

Thanks again.

I did the March Edge quiz, and haven’t received a pup email.

would the point show up in my cruise history (it’s not there)

I’m unsure where to look for it.

Foolishly, I s didn’t keep a note of my exact points number before, so I can’t tell whether it’s in my account.

This is my first time earning PUPs, because I never received the email.

Oooh, thank you Alakegirl - I didn’t notice that!

Thanks so much for the link! I have signed up so many times, to no avail.

is it cheating too much to double check the answer to the last question.

im assuming the answer is “present” but can’t see a reference to it anywhere.

Am I overthinking?

We really need a couple of points, and all the answers have to be correct!

Any hints gratefully and humbly welcomed.

18 hours ago, TeeRick said:

Are you doing the Galapagos on Celebrity or on Silversea?

We are planning on booking the Celebrity Xpedition 16 day cruise and land tour.

SS isn’t really all that.

I did a Med cruise with them, and probably wouldn’t choose them again.

I didn’t love the ship (I find the Celebrity ships nicer - more light and airy.

But I really wish I had earned some Captains Club points.

I’m about to book a Galapagos cruise/tour. Elites save $1,500pp and we are 37 points short.

Although I had a quality, thinsulate lined, knitted cap which I pulled down over my ears at home, out on the zodiac it kept sliding up a little. Leaving me with cold ears. I remember gazing at those wearing hats with ear flaps, with something approaching sinful covetousness.

So, I recommend a hat that has flaps to cover the ears. Plus a gator to pull up over your nose on the windy zodiac rides.

I’m sure there could be proof in existence somewhere other than a US registry of service animals. For example, proof of registration/training/graduation from a recognised service dog association such as Guide Dogs for the Blind etc. There would be logical ways of sorting the real from the imagined if they really wanted to.

Cruise lines, Celebrity included, must meet food standards in the countries they travel to. US Public Health standards are hardly the overarching law in an international setting.

Plenty of Celebrity Cruises don’t hit US ports at all.

Wouldn’t ADA regulations be irrelevant on a Maltese registered ship sailing in international waters? I mean, if the company wants to see proof of registration of a true service animal, then so be it.

What would be the situation when the cruise finishes in another country? Even a registered service dog would NOT be getting off in Australia, that’s for sure!

Casa Camper tips - as you walk over to Las Ramblas you will pass a popular street cafe on your right, it’s pretty good. Also, check out the roof terrace, and the Camper shoe store nearby.

Casa Camper. Well located, a little hipster. Free snack and drinks room. Breakfast included.

I flew to Cuba from Miami in December, and bought a visa at the airport. I’m unsure about cruising, but it’s likely to be the same arrangements as for the US passengers.

I have been to Mexico a dozen times (including by ship in December - on the ill fated Celebrity cruise with the tragic bus accident) and have never needed a visa.

I haven’t been to Haiti proper, but to a RCCL / Celebrity “island” that didn’t require a visa.

I always use a US based TA. (Actually I have used a few, but have settled on one).

I’m currently looking at a cruise that is roundly A$4,000 pp here and US$3,000 all up with my agent, which works out to a similar amount. However, the US agent is offering US$325 per cabin on board credit, plus a $50 loyalty bonus.

Also, cruise companies in the US will generally compensate for price drops up until final payment (I foolishly used an Australian agent for a local cruise last year and was burned by the price drop policy)

I know we can’t name agencies, but I will say that the one I use is an “outlet” and seems to be run by a lady called Sandy. I got on to them through Travelzoo.

There may be millions watching around the world, but there are also millions (literally) lining every vantage point in Sydney. Often camped out days beforehand to secure a position.

If Azamara don’t resolve this, I suggest you book a harbour dinner cruise, restaurant (Aqua Dining perhaps or one near the opera house) or google “midnight at the oasis” at the botanical gardens.

Be warned that any of these options will book out early and be eye wateringly expensive. Supply and demand.

If you do manage to get off, head straight to Cable beach for the most spectacular sunset you will ever see. And a camel ride.....

Google it, you’ll see what I mean. It would be a wonderful Azamamazing evening!

Aww, thanks.

I must admit, it’s one of my favourite photos ever.

I would heartily recommend an expedition cruise if at all possible.

We went on the “Sea Spirit” , chosen because its an all-suite ship, but not too large.

Although larger capacity vessels do landings, only 100 pax can be ashore at any time. Passengers on larger ships may have to take turns landing.

Please be aware that it’s not all about “landings” we did a few zodiac “cruises” where we drifted in and out of icebergs, getting great shots, or were surrounded by friendly and curious humpback whales.

Let me tell you, if I could manage it, I’m sure you can do it. I was thrown from a horse rather badly in Patagonia the week before. With the help of pain killers, I was able to do it all (except the “polar plunge”)

After arriving home, CT scans revealed that I had not only broken two ribs, but crushed two vertebrae.

Most expedition operators will gift you an Antarctic parka, and loan you nifty neoprene topped waterproof boots (making wet landings a breeze) You do need to invest in good quality waterproof pants.

This photo shows the Sea Spirit in the background. It took me ages lining it up and waiting for the penguins to face the right way.

Possibly, but that’s an awful lot of cabins.

90% of verandah staterooms are unavailable.

I apologise if this has already been covered, I did search this board to no avail.

I’m booking three cabins on the Constellation, sailing from Venice on September 12th, 2019.

I was planning on “sweet sixteen” cabins. I checked a couple of weeks ago, and I swear they were almost all available.

Now, however, only the three aft cabins (the less desirable ones) are showing as available. On BOTH sides.

In fact, the whole distribution of bookable cabins looks suspiciously symmetrical all over the ship.

So, Celebrity must be withholding unbooked cabins for reasons I can’t really fathom. I haven’t come across this before, but then, I don’t usually book this far in advance.

Do you think Celebrity would release three cabins if my TA called and requested it? I’m worried about ending up with cabins we really don’t want. So much so that I would rather book a different cruise or cruise line than have dud cabins.