Janedoe2012

We had a great flight yesterday YYZ-FLL with Porter.

The flight was delayed an hour from departing but they did a good job keeping us informed of the situation.

I had Porter Reserve seats ( front section of the plane, more leg room, very nice meal with different options, snacks, and generous beverage top ups, speedy wifi, friendly crew). It was a full plane and carry on baggage/storage didn’t seem to be the usual gong show for passengers like other carriers). 
I had similar positive experience when I flew YYZ-Vancouver this spring.

I don’t believe bottle water in cabin is included unless you are staying in Aqua-class cabin. I am one cruise away from Elite so hoping another poster can give you an accurate answer. Here are the Elite perks.

Really enjoyed all your posts and photos 81Zoomie. I am embarking on the Reflection a week today and my family is excited with all your buffet photos lol.  
 

I sailed another S class ship last year, Eclipse. I think the Silhouette had the Revolution dry dock so there are probably some bells and whistles on it that the Eclipse doesn’t have. It was an Alaskan cruise and I sure did enjoy the views and entertainment in the Sky lounge. We also were invited out to the Helipad for sail away a couple times and I would highly recommend doing that if given the opportunity. They served refreshments and the ships officers mingled.

The Oceanview buffet has a nice outdoor seating area to enjoy the views.

Enjoy your cruise!

Twice a day or you can opt in to “ Go Green”. Only difference is with Go Green it’s nightly turn down service and towel refresh vs full vacuum/ room clean. Still get a detailed room clean once per day. 

32 minutes ago, twsalso said:

None of this surprises me. I dealt with Hacksaw Laura when she was at RCCL. I was taking family and grandchild on a Caribbean cruise. Low and behold three months prior to sailing and two days after final payment my daughter in law informs me she is four months pregnant with second grandchild. I called RCCL and tried to rebook. Nope cancelation fees! Only thing that saved me was Covid.

That’s why you have the option of purchasing travel insurance.

The situation the original poster wrote about is completely different then the choice you made when you booked.

All cruise lines have made financial cuts. Name calling and deflecting blame is weak.

I stayed at Hampton Brickell last year and took the light rail from the airport.

They do not offer airport shuttles. I would recommend an Uber vs the light rail service for a couple of reasons

1) The rail service terminal was a longgggggg walk from the arrivals area

2) I had to switch trains to get to Brickell. It was a weekend, early evening and a long wait to board both trains.

The hotel does offer shuttles to the cruiseport. I think I paid $10.

When you check in, they have sign up sheets for different times.

The shuttle was good however the driver made a stop at another hotel further away from cruise out then the Hampton.

I have used Uber to the cruise port on other trips and paid under $20. 
If you have Hilton Honours points, you can redeem them for Lyft vouchers and use them instead of Uber.. ( prior to booking the ride). 

The Hampton is a great hotel! Enjoy your stay.

Fantastic review!  Your photos are amazing! 

I use the Canadian site often and it’s been that way for a long time. Cruise Only is new to Aqua as mentioned above by the other posters above

Have you considered driving to the Amtrak station near the Buffalo airport and taking the train into Manhattan? 

You can call your travel agent or Celebrity and ask that the reservations be linked. Once linked you can book reservations for the total or partial group in your party. ( it may be hard to find reservation for six).

You can do this for speciality restaurants as well but the person creating the reservation has to pay for the meals if booking prior to boarding on the ship. 
I am on the Reflection in December and there appears to be more availability for 4 or 6 tables then 2 seaters.

I received an email response from the front desk supervisor today

$9 per person payable to driver.

Reserve with front desk when you check in.

Shuttle times 10 am, 11am, noon and 1pm

I had the same problem on my iPad when using the “saved” username and password.  It works ok if I manually enter them.

7 hours ago, bimbo123 said:

I haven't cruised for several years and I see you now have to check in.  I read that one person can check in for everyone in their party if the reservation is linked.  Is that still the process?  Do time slots book up fast?

Yes, I was able to book check in for all 3 linked reservations last week on the app. Check in opens at 45 days.

You can also book / link dining reservations as well.

I have a similar issue with my iPad. I have to manually enter user name and password vs “saved password” on the iPad in order to log in.

2 hours ago, kayehall said:

Beautiful pictures!!  What date in June for the Solstice?  We sail her on the 23rd!!!!  Very excited

Thank you!  June 9- hope you have a wonderful cruise!

I preferred May vs August. Snow was more visible and saw more wildlife!

47 minutes ago, Salf777 said:

So we have never done Alaska and our travel agent says Celebrity does not do glacier bay and would recommend another line. In looking I see Celebrity has Dawes Glacier, Southbound glacier, northbound glacier, and Hubbard glacier. She also said that the Seattle to Seattle doesn’t do the inside passage which the itinerary says it does. She said Seattle to Seattle has to go via ocean to make up time and it’s not a scenic. Suggested sailing from Victoria BC   
so my questions are to those who have done 

1. What’s the difference in all these glaciers? Is one better than another?

2. Would prefer flying into and out of Seattle but not a deal breaker do you think the itinerary from Victoria is truly better? We have been to Victoria so don’t feel the need to stay there

3. May is a better time for us to sail but an do June or July is may not a good time to go?

4. Any other insight on Alaska anyone can provide appreciated 

5. Is celebrity good for Alaska or would you suggest another line?

I sailed on the Celebrity Eclipse in August 2022 which included Hubbard Glacier, Vancouver Departure. 
I also sailed the Holland America Koningsdam in May 2023 which included Glacier Bay, Vancouver Departure.

Both were fantastic experiences.

HA cruise we spent 7am-4pm in Glacier Bay looking at multiple glaciers, Eclipse 3 hours at Hubbard. 
Both cruises stopped in Juneau and we did an excursion to Mendenhall Glacier which was impressive as well,

I have never sailed from Seattle but the inside passage route from Vancouver, cruising past Vancouver island was beautiful.

Skagway was also a stop on the HA ship and the train excursion was just as impressive as the glaciers. To me that is a “must do” in Alaska

Cruise ship wise- service, food, entertainment and more importantly “viewing areas” were far better on Celebrity better then HA, although having Park Rangers onboard providing commentary and doing presentations was outstanding.

I think I would select the cruise that has the most time in Alaska vs travelling to Alaska. 
I am headed back to Alaska on the Solstice in June because there is still a lot of new things to see!

32 minutes ago, Stupot74 said:

Probably not. This is the first time I've posted my opinion about a thread. It will likely be the last.

 

Edit: Sorry, I thought you were replying to me!

Looking forward to hearing your review of your FIRST Celebrity Cruise in May 2024.

Jim, welcome to my neck of the woods. Glad you are enjoying your day. I love all your photos especially the ones of you travelling thru the Welland Canal.  I have never seen that perspective before.

As for the Falls, the fireworks take place in the summer every Friday night. They do light up the falls every night with different colours.

A few years ago a tight rope walker crossed from the American falls over to Table Rock on the Canadian side. 

Enjoy the rest of your cruise

I am Captain’s Club Elite status and have 2 cruises currently booked with Celebrity ( Dec 2023 & June 2024). I am at a point where I think Celebrity’s premium pricing doesn’t equate to a premium product. ( up charges for room service, lame dining room menus with entree up charges). 
 

I have sailed MSC Yacht Club and Holland America. I enjoyed the cruises but thought  the food and service was superior on Celebrity.

I am going to go on the December cruise and have a great time. In the mean time I will look elsewhere and pull the plug on the June 2024 cruise  based on my December sailing.

The baggage drop off at the cruise port is located in the lower level parking garage.

If you enter the cruise port at pedestrian level, you will walk a fair bit into the terminal, stand in line for an elevator, then a short walk in the parking garage to the bag drop off area and then stand in line for another elevator to go back up to the pedestrian level to check in.

If you take an Uber they will most likely drop you off in the parking garage at the bag drop and you can skip the initial elevator line. ( I am not sure if cabs do this).

You can definitely drop your bags off before 11:30. Be prepared for ALOT of walking and lines (check in line, security and US customs).

Just received cabin assignment for Koningsdam for next Saturday.

Booked a VF and was assigned to large balcony VB starboard side of ship!
I received notification by email.

We had an aft cabin on our Alaskan cruise last August on the Celebrity Eclipse. We absolutely loved it, especially views sailing thru the inside passage. The only negative for this particular ship is there isn’t much of an overhang on the balcony. Here’s a shot of us sailing out of Vancouver as well as leaving Hubbard Glacier

It was the company you provided the link for earlier in the thread. Cruise ship used the same tour operator. We booked direct with the company. Rob was our guide.