Sammigar

When they first put the redesign up, I had a lot of trouble, but to me, it appears they've been busy getting the glitches out because I haven't had any navigation problems recently. I did spend some time getting used to it. I can't say that I like the way it's formatted, but it does function for me and at this point, that's what I need it to do.

Last cruise, we used our OBC to purchase a dining package, so basically nothing extra as the OBC was part our booking package. If it's just the two of you, please don't let previous comments discourage you from trying it. Q-Sine is an amazing experience and very enjoyable even when there's only two of you.

Another tip, the drinks served in Q-Sine are in the premium drink package, but if you've got the classic package, they can actually order your drink from elsewhere on the ship.

I am also looking forward to the new Embarkation Luncheon for Concierge level passengers in the MDR.

It's basically an abbreviated dinner menu and takes as much time as dinner. Next cruise we plan to skip it. We noticed on our last cruise that not only was the buffet open, but the mast grill and Aqua Spa Cafe were open too, so there really isn't actually a need for this. But, if you enjoy MDR meals, it is a nice place to sit and relax, have your food come to you and not worry about your suitcases.

Yay! I'm very much looking forward to visiting this December. Can't wait to snorkel under the Pitons!

We've got the same situation in December. We've booked the evening submarine tour, but I'm wondering what to do with the late morning/afternoon before our excursion. Shopping? Beach? Any ideas of what's kinda close to port that is easy to do on our own since we've already booked a late excursion?

We will be visiting for the first time in December. We are doing the evening submarine tour. It meets at like 5:30pm tho our ship will dock around 10am. Not sure what to do with the afternoon, so I definitely want to follow this thread.

I've actually heard Antigua is fine. It's its sister island Barbuda, that suffered the catastrophic damage. Excursions to Barbuda will definitely be cancelled, but Antigua itself should be fine, especially by December.

Puerto Rico is a wait and see situation. Now that the aid is there, and they're working on getting it out to the people, that port may be ready, especially be December.

St. Thomas and St. Martin are another matter. We were supposed to call on St. Martin on December 14, but Celebrity has substituted St. Kitts.

Your cruise line may have already or soon be substituting ports. I would check with them or your TA.

So far, we've only done Millennium class, so we've only tried the Tuscan Grill and Q-sine. My opinion of the Tuscan Grill, and I'm sure others will disagree with me, but I don't feel it's worth the upcharge. Sure, the food is good. And the portion sizes, they are GI-NORMOUS! So big in fact, you can't even finish that meal you paid all that money for.

We really enjoy Q-Sine, and while it's also a substantial extra fee, the uniqueness of the experience along with the excellent food, makes us think it's worth it.

All that said, our next sailing is on the Silhouette and we plan to take our $300 OBC and purchase a dining package on board to sample the newer restaurants and of course Q-Sine.

We're sailing on Dec 8, were supposed to be in St. Martin on Dec 14. Celebrity has already canceled all the St. Martin's excursions, refunds have already been issued, and St. Kitts excursions are already posted and being purchased. If in fact St. Martin does open Nov 11, does X change the itinerary back or keep their revised schedule and go to St. Kitts?

While they may truly believe they can get the port open by Nov 11, it could also be an effort to keep cruise lines from rescheduling their port stops so far out, so that when they are truly ready for tourist traffic, it's already ready to come.

We've had bathrobes in Concierge class, which on the Millie, is a slightly bigger balcony stateroom. There were also both types of outlets. No coffee in room, but it's included in the non-alcohol classic drinks package, alcohol classic drinks package and the premium packages. If your cabin is more to the middle of the deck, Cafe el Bacio is very convenient and has very good cappucino's esspresso's latte's and the like. The dining venues have regular coffee that's included in your standard cruise fare.

Celebrity no longer does formal nights, it's now called Evening Chic. The idea is you dress for dinner one step up from your dress the other nights, but we've noticed that people don't seem to heed that any better than they did Formal Nights with many coming to dinner in attire barely better than shorts and flip flops.

Also, it will be Celebrity Silhouette, Reflection and Summit and Norwegian Dawn, who's the 5th ship?

5 ships seems like a big influx of tourists all at once on the island. Anyone been there with 5 ships in port? How's the shopping? Restaurants?

Thank you!

We pull into St Kitts 30 Nov 2017 and there are 3 other cruise ships arriving into port the same day:

Norwegian Dawn, Celebrity Summit, MSC Fantasia, Allure Of The Seas

Can I ask where you got that information? I'm concerned about the number of ships that will be in port on the day we are there.

I know that Celebrity will have both the Silhouette and the Reflection in St. Kitts on the 14th of December. I am wondering how many other ships were supposed to be at St. Martin that day and got rescheduled to St. Kitts and how many ships were originally scheduled for St. Kitts that day as well.

The reason I'm asking is because I remember St. Kitts having just two slips to dock at and I'm wondering how many ships they'll allow at the port in a single day and what that does as far as services and such on the island.

Any information is much appreciated. Thanks!

My apologies for the snarky comment above. I thought better of it and wanted to delete it, but there's no edit button. I'm sorry.

Somehow I think that the residents of St. Martin are a bit more bummed than you are right now.

 

DON

Wow Don, get off your high horse. It is possible to feel bad for the people and the arduous task they have ahead and be disappointed that you'll miss the port that is the very reason you chose that itinerary.

Just got an email that we will not be going to St Marten on our 14 day cruise leaving Miami on Nov 26. We will be tendered at St Kitts instead.

Did your email say it was a tender port? When we were there last time, we docked. I wonder how crowded it will be.

I understand completely, but at the same time, I'm a bit bummed. St. Martin was the reason we chose this itinerary. We've also been to St. Kitts before, so I think I'd like to do an excursion to Nevis. Anyone have any suggestions to that effect? Thanks.

 

Perhaps you already know this - if you have sailed on Celebrity at least once before, you are eligible for a loyalty upgrade - i.e. book the C2 at the C3 rate. So be sure to ask for it.

We've tried this. Booking C3 works for getting a C2, but twice I tried booking a C2 to get a C1, I was told both times the upgrade wasn't available. I'm not sure if this is because there's a bigger price jump from C2 to C1 or if C1s get booked super quick. I generally book 18 months out, so it's hard to believe they'd all be booked.

Does Tuscan Grill have a dessert menu? We are trying Tuscan Grill for the first time on our upcoming cruise for DH milestone birthday. Should I speak with someone about this?

Warning: The serving sizes are very large, you may not have room for dessert. Seriously, I ordered a 1/2 portion of steak and it still took up pretty much the whole plate. I even asked our waiter if he was sure that was a 1/2 portion. Basically I ended up eating a 1/4 portion and was quite full. Although I was very full and really didn't have the room, I ordered the Tiramisu. Could only do a couple of bites and even full as I was, it was out of this world wonderful.

For decades,the major cruise companies avoided significant presence in the Caribbean in the summer. Cruise companies took a risk and lost. Don't bet against mother nature.

I don't think the hurricanes are a losing battle. They simply rearrange their ports. It's only really a problem when the home port or final port is affected. The Florida home ports all opened back up with a couple of days as did their supporting airports, so really the number of cruises shortened or canceled was minimal.

We were on the Infinity last October. They announce the movies in the daily. They are pretty recent movies.

Dominica and especially Grenada are well south of Irma's path and it's doubtful Irma had any affect at all on them. Barbados and St. Lucia, while not as far south, I believe were outside Irma's strike zone. St. Kitts is receiving cruise ships at it's port, so you're good there. Unless of course, some other hurricane takes aim at them.

I love having my card on a lanyard! My lanyard is a ball chain type-nice and cool on my neck-with a detachable clasp that holds the card. Easy to detach to hand to a cashier, bartender, barista, etc.

I want one like that! Where did you get it?