snyniew

24 minutes ago, AnnemarieC76 said:

I can not tell you how much I appreciate the response and reassurance...I will have to go back through posts to find some that caused me eeek red flags.  I can not quote verbatim but some of the mentioned comments were to the effect of inside passengers feeling as though they were also entitled to Blu - or insiders thinking they should be on the same level as suite when it comes to reservations - like I said  I will go through the posts and when I see them again I will snip them - truthfully the other passengers are the least of my concern - I can not change anyone's attitude it is all in my reaction - my larger concern was the staff differentiating - I hope that makes sense...

While I did say people don't care in my first post I will adjust that to most don't but you never know you may run into that one who thinks they are special for whatever reason. However I've learned may not pay out for them in the end. I will always laugh about this as on my first cruise 5 years ago I encountered some lady on the ferry back to the ship in St. Maarten. She was going on to me that she got a nice canvas tote bag and welcoming sparkling wine because she was "Concierge" I really didn't care and not sure what it was brought up. But however after having to listen to her crowing about being "Concierge" I just calmly replied, yes I know I get all that as well since I'm "Aqua". Boy that shut her up and the other passengers on the ferry from Celebrity were laughing at her. Good lesson that you may think you're "better" than someone else but their may also be someone who is higher than you. Better to treat everyone as equal.

You're getting the wrong impression. Other than the areas for suites and dining rooms for Aqua and Suites you can pretty much go anywhere. Even Persian Garden is available if you want to buy a pass. Not sure how anyone would know you are in an inside room vs. Oceanview or regular balcony unless they want to follow you around. I've done everything from Aqua to Oceanview and never felt I've been treated any differently by any one, crew or passengers.

I prefer Southern most but also Eastern way better than Western. JMO

yes, 11.80 a day. The minor will receive the classic non alcohol package so just upgrade to premium non alcohol which is $4/day + 18% gratuity so $4.72/day

Yes, you can change the order on the reservation so the 2 that need/want the BP get it. I did that when I added my niece since she was 22 and her sister who was originally the 2nd person was only 18. As to the other 2 people, they will have to pay per drink or purchase their own beverage package.

The Plat Amex gives you other rewards as well that can make up for the annual fee. You'll get $15/monthly credit for Uber and an extra $20 in Dec so totals $200. You get $200 in airline credit for any other misc expense. Get credit back for your Precheck or Global entry fee when using the card. Access to the Delta Lounge or Centurion lounges and many other perks. 

17 minutes ago, Lori_chapman2002 said:

We cruise many times a year, but this is our first on Celebrity.  Is it alright to wear dress capri's on the non formal nights?  Also, will the nice flip flops pass inspection to get into the dining areas.  Not the cheap ones, the ones that are stylish with embellishments and such.

 

I wear dress flip flops as my chic night footwear. Have a wedge heel, thick strap with glitter/sparkly stuff. No one has ever mentioned anything. I wear capris quite a bit on non chic nights.

If you get put on his smaller boat there is no ladder and you climb up using  a prop and ledge off the back of the boat. Not super easy but if mobile you might be able to manage. To get off you have to jump of the side of the boat. Is different if you are lucky enough to get on the 2 larger boats he has. I unfortunately got stuck on the smaller boat. Hitting the waves was brutal on my back as I had to sit up front in the bow.

I stayed in 2151 so close to your 2145 and I enjoyed the location. I was never bothered by noise from the pool deck at anytime even when sitting on my balcony. It's nice to be so close to the mid-ship elevators and since they have sliding doors to the cabins not bothered by any noise. Convenient to be that close to the pool deck and oceanview cafe. If I had to use the facilities while at the pool just as easy to run down to my cabin than wait for the public restroom.

I was on a cruise in December and started talking to a couple in the evening that had been on an excursion with me that day. They cruise a lot and asked if I had ever been on a Halloween cruise. I said yes and so did they and commented that they never dressed up. I had actually just gotten off one about a month before where I took my nieces so we dressed up. I pulled out my phone and showed them a picture. They took one look at it and exclaimed the cruise friends we had meet on the Halloween cruise and were in the picture with us "That's our son". What a crazy world that I would meet the parents of someone I hung out with all week long on a cruise a month before.

I've had the best luck getting better discounts on the first night by going directly to the restaurant & talking to the people there or Maiter'D than the people walking around trying to sell specialty dinners. Usually can get 30% vs their standard offer of 20%.

The Concierge actually booked the shore excursions for me and my nieces saving me from having to go down to deck 2/3 and do it there. Didn't direct me to go there but took and handled the reservation himself. That's really the only time I ever used them.

I'm going on the Summit out of San Juan in April and will be my 5th time. Always fly in a day or two before so I've already done OSJ. I usually arrive just before 11 am and get right on the ship within 5 minutes. Check-in times really mean nothing especially out of San Juan since there is such a long time as to when people can check-in. Since I've already experienced OSJ I get on as early as I can and enjoy the amenities of the ship since it's already paid for.

If you decide to do OSJ after you land I would see about storing your luggage at Barrichina (free in OSJ) and explore and then take a taxi/uber to the port. I wouldn't go to the port & check bags and then go to OSJ and then back to board, just wasted money on taxi/uber especially when there are place to store your luggage for free (plus tip).

32 minutes ago, h20skibum said:

Weighing the pros and cons of each ship.  So what am I missing?

 

Both ships are sailing the same itinerary, leaving the same date.  One sails from Miami, and one from Ft. Lauderdale.

 

Price difference is only $20 per person for the stateroom category we are considering.  Perks are the same.

 

Infinity is older and smaller.  It does have a thalassotherapy pool, which we love.  We have sailed M class before, as well as smaller ships on other lines.

 

Equinox is newer and bigger by about 800 passengers.  No thalassotherapy pool.  We have not sailed Solstice class before, but have sailed comparable size ships as well as Royal’s mega size ships.

 

Not wanting to get into a discussion about Royal’s activities (rock climbing, flowrider, etc) vs. the lack of those on these ships.  Just trying to choose between these two, and would be interested in opinions of those who have sailed both.

 

I've sailed both and if it's the same itinerary I would go with the Equinox. I do love the M class ships but just have a few more options for specialty dining if you want to do that.

4 minutes ago, CruisinCrow said:

Thanks!  I'm not sure we ever got up there on our last cruise either.  That's why I wasn't sure if it was new or if we'd just missed it.  Do they show movies at night?  

Yes. Just an FYI the steps up to the rooftop (unless they've changed them) from the Sunset bar are very steep. My niece who was 2 weeks out from knee surgery (5th overall) had a tough time going down and had to go step by step sideways (she was only 22). So if older or have issues with your knees I'd avoid the stairs from the Sunset Bar.

When I booked a guarantee I got my cabin number the next day. As for the upgrade it is $10+18% gratuity so $11.80 a day. Sometimes they will have a 20% off sale that you can use to upgrade but if not you can do it anytime before. If I don't get a discount I wait until I'm onboard and go the the bar I think I'll frequent the most and have a bartender upgrade me. They get credit for it and tend to remember you throughout the cruise so added bonus here. Or you can just pay the difference  from the classic to the premium drink price (I always upgrade as I don't want to deal w/ signing a receipt).

Glass blowing is now a class that I believe you have to pay for. Not sure how they deal w/ sushi on the package since I never go. They should be still doing the silent disco as it is very popular. On the last few I've done it's been at least 2 nights.

It was added in Jan/Feb 2016. It was new when I took my nieces in March that year. Not adults only, has a movie screen. Went when we were touring the ship and  have never been there ever since (3 cruises since then)

I'm 45 and have only sailed Celebrity. It is a very rare occasion that I'm in bed before 1pm.  There is a party if you want to find it. I usually end upstairs in the club and there is a decent contingent of people out dancing. Nothing crazy or crowded but enough to have fun.

On 1/3/2019 at 1:14 PM, mom23guys said:

How was embarkation? Any issues with staying the night before in a hotel and getting to the port?

 

Have gone out of San Juan 4 times on the Summit. Have never had any issue going from the hotel to the port. Usually stay in OSJ but also once in Condado

21 minutes ago, DancerOT said:

Does anyone know what time you can board in San Juan?  I wanted to get my stuff on board and then go explore San Juan a bit.  TIA

I usually get there 10:45 or so and am usually onboard by 11am

8 minutes ago, CruisinCrow said:

Do you know which dock they use in St Thomas?

They now dock at Crown Bay unfortunately.  Made the switch a few years ago I believe. Not quite as nice as Havensight for shopping but I'm not a shopper so didn't make a difference to me.

Yes, still docks at the Pan American Pier. When we were in OSJ and took a taxi it was about $20 +$1 per luggage I believe. Not sure from the airport as I always fly in the day before.

Call the Captain's Club. They have always gotten mine fixed quickly after a short phone call.

I never have

1 hour ago, dkjretired said:

 

Was that the price to Miami from FLL because that’s what the OP is asking.

That was to FLL but also took an Uber from Miami port to a hotel in FLL and it was $35 vs the $45 I paid 4 months before from port of Miami to a hotel by the Miami airport.