shofer

On 1/14/2023 at 7:38 PM, DEBCAT65 said:

We are flying out of Vancouver in Sept and just starting our research.  Our flight leaves at 1:45, so we are not worried about time, just the logistics of getting to airport.   We are just starting our research, however, to get to airport, would we take the Canada Line, route from Waterfront Station (Downtown Vancouver, to YVR?  We have never been to Vancouver before.....P.S., we used to live in Foothill Ranch, not too far from Newport.  

We were leaving Alaska ending in Vancouver and booked the transfer through the cruise line which was Princess.  Our flight was at 10:30 AM and Princess handled it like champs. Our TA confirmed it through Princess as to the earliest they would handle.  Everyone on this site was naysaying we would never make it.  Canadian Customs met us at the gangplank to check our passports for our "entry" into Canada.  Our bus actually arrived before our luggage but by just a few minutes.  We had acquired Global Entry cards but there were only a few people at Customs for leaving Canada and we were at our gate 1/2 hour before boarding.

10 hours ago, st5310 said:

First, the details: DW and I just had a Royal sailing cut short because of a health issue.  We did purchase insurance (not thru Royal) prior to and I have submitted a claim for reimbursement.  As I await their reply, I wanted to ask my cruising brethren if any of you have had this unfortunate experience and how did it turn out for you... i.e. how long did it take, did you get the full amount applied for, etc.?  Thank you kindly.

February, 2020, one day before our cruise, DH was in the ER being worked up for a cardiac issue.  We had the Royal insurance and everything was covered, no problem.  I don't remember how long it took but it wasn't excessive.  This was right before Covid shut everything down.  Southwest gave us credit for our flight for a term of 18 mos. 

On 1/5/2023 at 2:41 PM, ATSEAMYLIFE said:

No need B&W is fine.  However, I would buy some luggage tag holders to put them in.  I bought some years ago and use them when we cruise.  I cut down the tag, fold in half, and insert in the holder.  They have really strong steel loop chains to attach to your luggage.  Much better and easier than folding, stapling, and/or laminating.  

I love using these luggage tag holders.  Ours are all plastic but haven't lost/broken any yet.  They are pretty sturdy.

4 hours ago, Teeboner said:

I was worried because I originally had a late flight out the night before and was worried if it got canceled or delayed I might miss the cruise.

 

Rebooked to an earlier one in the morning, got there uneventfully but had to book a hotel room for overnight stay instead of crashing at the airport. Though, guess it was worth the extra cost, since I had a good night sleep. 

 

My earlier fears were mostly unfounded, my original flight was delayed 1hr and half, but made it. The ship had to delay departure until the next morning, so currently on the Enchatment of the Seas still in the harbor.

 

I wonder if I could've still checked in if I was late.

We were booked on an 8AM flight for our last cruise and we always arrive a day early.  Called Southwest to check for a delay and discovered our flight was cancelled.  Luckily there was an 8 PM flight with some openings and the reservation clerk was very helpful.  Didn't get to our Miami hotel until 1AM but still had a good nights sleep.  

With the impending holidays complicated by nasty weather, I haven't been active on this site recently.  DH and I had seriously considered the World Cruise but his health issues shot down that idea this time.  Wondering if anyone has posted any news about it?

22 hours ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

Glad everything worked out, but 17 cruises in 10 years is far from being an experienced cruiser. 

That sounds experienced to me.  I have 16 cruises in 25 years and think I know the ropes.  We forgot ours once which I mentioned in an earlier posting.   Different stressors, i.e., weather, illness, etc. can supersede careful planning.

This happened to us in 2008.  We were focusing on the coming snowstorm and hubby assured me that they were on his dresser.  I remembered them on the plane.  Our great TA went to our house with a locksmith (friend), found the documents and FedEx'd them to our hotel.  A minor glitch when someone else wrote the wrong address of the hotel, but it did arrive after I left several messages with FedEx.  Never again.

12 hours ago, lcpagejr said:

I agree with OP.... If Im spending mega bucks on a cruise....I do not want an amusement Park atmosphere and large crowds. Yes their are other cruise ship options which better meet what a cruise should be. Six flags enviornment...``not my cup of tea

DH & I are retirees and agree we would rather not sail on children+ itineraries.  We sailed on Symphony 1/29/22 and there were some children but it was only half capacity and of course most kids were in school.  Loved the ship, able to enjoy shows, activities, etc. with mostly other adults.  Only exception was the ice show @ 10:30 PM, there were 2 little boys (about 5-6 y/o) who wouldn't stop talking.  As a parent, I'm thinking why aren't these kids in bed?  After turning around a few times and glaring, the parents finally separated them.  If your vacation schedule allows for sailing while the kids are in school, just choose those off times.

2 hours ago, sjb317 said:

You think? 🙄. As a maternal child nurse for over 40 years, it seems to me that if it is accurate, mom might have been less than truthful about her due date.

 

Sherri🙂

20 hours ago, JamesEM said:

Had one on the Symphony this past September, but not in the elevator, outside the Comedy Club.

We were on Symphony last January and we only saw him once across from Sorrento's.  Very well received by the passengers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

cl

On 11/15/2022 at 9:43 AM, jelayne said:

On E Class if the light around the door is green the Elevator is going up, if the light is red it is going down.

 

Do not let your cabin door slam behind you when entering or leaving your cabin.

Also don't slam the closet drawers closed.  You can hear it in the next room.

As much as we enjoyed our meals on Symphony, we do feel that Celebrity's food is definitely a step up.  However, I was very impressed with the buffet on this last cruise.  I think the new ships always have the the best:  food, crew, etc.  

We did 2 cruises on Vision OTS in  2016/Mediterranean & 2018/Baltic.  The food was terrible in both the MDR and the buffet on the earlier trip.  My traveling partner ate the "sliders" option for dinner at least 3 times.  On the survey we gave the food a big, fat Zero.

The ship itself was fine as was the crew, entertainment, etc.  We were a little hesitant to book the Vision again but wanted the itinerary.  Big Surprise!  The menu and buffet were totally revamped and we could add the enjoyment of our meals to the whole experience.

On 10/15/2022 at 9:13 PM, nasa1974 said:

On our first Alaska cruise/tour we took the Alaska Line from Denali to Whitter. We were two hours late. Listening to people complain about the delay we explained the captain was waiting for over two hundred passengers not a few pier runners. 

This happened during our last Alaska cruise on Princess.  We were on the bus while others had the train to Whittier and arrived at least 4 hours before the train.  It had to go very slow d/t danger of avalanches.  We were sitting down to dinner and spotted all these people lining up to board the ship.

I've left jewelry and a watch in the safe and didn't realize it until many months later.  I run my finger around the edge of the safe and still miss stuff. 

On 9/14/2022 at 5:29 AM, Cruise a holic said:

This past may, we were on the Adventure of the Seas.  The ship was really a mess.  Rusty- plumbing not working in our bathroom, we had service a few times during our cruise to fix it.  Furniture old and dingy- crowded ship- subpar entertainment- suite lounge coffee machine broken most days. Buffet like a school cafeteria  I do not know why people like these older ships?  Perhaps it reminds them of good times years before- but now, things have changed.

In 2015 we took Vision of the Seas on a Med cruise,  We were nervous about the condition of this "older" ship but she had just come out of dry dock and the furnishings and fixtures were very nice.  The only complaint and this was a major one, was the food.  The buffet and the dining room were definitely subpar and earned a Zero on our survey.

Fast forward 2 years and we booked Vision again for a Baltic cruise.  She still looked pretty good and the rooms none the worse for wear.  Big surprise on embarkation day was the buffet.  It was 1000% improved as was the dining room.  We actually looked forward to meals.  

I do agree that the newer ships usually have the better food and entertainment.

We were Diamond for the first time in January.  Hubby was included in my status.  We each had the 4 drinks on our cards every day.  He asked and received top shelf liquor and never paid extra.  I like the frou-frou drinks and never an upcharge.   We never used all the drinks every day.   

On 10/8/2022 at 10:06 PM, luvcruzing said:

Any win over $1,200 is taxable and generates a W-2G form to report your winnings for tax purposes.  But, the government also says all winnings should be reported.

In 2006, on a Celebrity RT LA to Hawaii, I had a string of good luck @ 3 card poker.  I won about $100/day=$1400 total.  Last night I won the big Bingo prize of $3400.  Not a word said about Uncle Sam/taxes.    On a later Princess cruise, I won a few Bingo prizes and they made me fill out the tax form. Never could figure that out and my tax preparer said it didn't count as it was under $10K.

On 10/7/2022 at 9:07 AM, mom2miracles said:

 

I stopped reading at crockpots...CROCKPOTS?! PLURAL?! What on God's green earth would someone NEED a crockpot on a cruise ship?! I'm speechless. LOL!! 

Haven't these people heard of Amazon?  I have children who live out of state and all their gifts are purchased off their Wish List and delivered to their homes.  We don't bother with gift wrapping.  They just unpack them on Xmas morning.

7 hours ago, pcur said:

If I ask for anything extra in addition to the usual cabin clean-up, then I tip some extra in cash.

On a cruise with my mother several years ago on Celebrity, I asked for a pitcher of ice water in the room and he supplied it every day.   On disembarkation day I made sure to give him $20 as a thanks.

Only have done GTY 2x and had it assigned about 2 wks before we sailed.  Can't complain. We did 

an Alaskan cruise on Princess for $799/pp and received a very nice location.  Talking to our dinner companions, we mentioned what a good deal we scored.  They were on the same deck and paid considerably more and were not happy about it.  Trying to smooth it over, I did say we had booked later and were willing to accept a lower grade cabin.  It was simply the luck of the draw.

We actually prefer to cruise in February, except for the 3rd week which is Winter Break for the entire East coast.  Did that once 20 years ago and there were 600 kids on Grandeur of the Seas.   It's a time back home when Winter seems to be forever and escaping to sun and sea is heavenly.

11 hours ago, BennyBrun said:

Turn Around Day

 

Yikes … it’s such a mess !  They really do make Magic Happen!  Take care of your room steward!  The line at guest relations around 9AM … gee wiz!

What room were you in?  You could keep the same one and not move?   We had 9196 and really liked it.

We were on Symphony in January and booked all our shows when we arrived in our room.  Easy peasy to do with one phone call.

On 9/9/2022 at 2:04 PM, mjkacmom said:

My husband frequently wore suits to the office but now he usually wears a button down with his boxer shorts in our dining room. He was in a bit of a panic when he had to do some travel to other branches for work, not knowing if his suits still fit (one did). Occasionally he wears a jacket and tie with his boxers.

We are retired so never had to do the work from home thing.  But I laughed about the fit of his suit.  Hubby definitely has "Covid belly" as I call it and we had a wedding over Labor Day weekend.  I made him try on his "dress" clothes and big surprise (!) nothing fit.  Digging deep in his closet I did find a pair of Size 40 waist dress slacks with the tags still on them.  A dress shirt, tie and open sport coat completed his ensemble.

DH is so happy that Formal Night is no more.  On our first Celebrity cruise, in 1993, he took 2 sport coats and a suit with dress shirts and ties. Our luggage weighed just under 75 lbs!  

This last one on Symphony,  button down shirt and Dockers was as dressed as he got.  I keep to black dress slacks and different tops.  On dress up night, I might wear rhinestone earrings.