snyniew

Take a taxi to Old San Juan, Barrichina will do luggage storage so you'll be able to explore the town for how long you want. Then take a taxi over to the Pan Am pier and check-in when you're ready. I wouldn't head over to the pier when you arrive from the airport because I don't think the porters will take your luggage that early. I know last time I was there we arrived about 10:30 for check-in and had to wait in line for the porters to begin taking luggage.Also going there first and the OSJ would put you at 3 taxi rides instead of just 2.

 

So, cin and I each have our own room and 4 bottles of wine which are now gone. The drink package would have cost us nearly $1000 pp more since the zero single supplement was not available on perk packages. I can drink a cocktail or two, but even in my drinking days it would be hard for me to run my bar tab to make the package even remotely cost effective.

 

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I'm confused when you say single supplement on the drinks package, you don't pay any extra for just buying one. On Celebrity even with double occupancy only one person in the cabin can buy the package so they are priced individually.

Dominica isn't know for their beaches but one of the better stops I've been to. My nieces loved it and it was their favorite stop of the cruise. If you do go there look up Bumpiing Tours with Levi Baron. He offers a bunch of different ones and runs a very nice tour.

We danced every night on all the Celebrity cruises I've been on. Never super crowded but enough to have fun. Sounds like you were in Quasar which they want to be the dance club but I've only seen it for karokee. The Sky Lounge/Revelations on the top deck is the place to go for dancing unless the Silent disco is going on.

I did this in March. Stayed overnight in Miami on the way down and Ft. Lauderdale on the return. For me the best source of transportation and value was Uber. Way cheaper than a taxi. Should be about 35-45 or in that range if not surging.

I've taken my nieces on a couple Celebrity cruises and they loved it. First was the Summit out of San Juan. The 22 year old loved the martini bar and we were out dancing all night long (of course I was with them as well). The 18 year old that year also had a blast and both have said they would go back on Celebrity in a heartbeat. They don't want all the hustle and bustle of some of the other lines. Maybe it's because both are college athletes and have super busy schedules normally so the more relaxed environment is what they loved. Also there is starting to be a slightly younger demographic going on Celebrity so we can find others closer to our/their age to hang out with.

This spring I took the younger one (now 20) and her cousin (almost 18) on the Silly and both still had a great time. Again found some of the younger crowd to hang out with and would go dancing almost every night.

If your nephew needs constant action and adventure then it might not be the ship for you. However is they like to relax and chill and don't have a problem starting conversations and enjoying all people of all ages then it might be OK. Also if leaving from Bayonne you'll be going to Bermuda (I'm assuming) and you're in port most of the time so much more to do off the ship.

If Woodwind in Bonaire is full look into the ships excursion. They use Sea Cow and they do a wonderful job. Didn't feel too crowded as when you went in the water they broke it up into 2 groups so the entire boat wasn't in one big cluster. If you look on Trip Advisor Sea Cow is rated #1.

I've sailed on both ships. I do love the Summit and never found an issue with the ship or crew. The Silhouette I've done the last two springs. In this case I would probably go with the Silhouette, there is something about the S class ships. Also if you are going to do specialty dining the Silly has a few more options that the Summit. Also the ease of getting to FL and the unknow about the state of Puerto Rico for the extra couple of days you may stay also would sway my decision. You really can't go wrong with either one IMO.

I second going to Tropicante. I was super surprised by our bill when we went to leave. Thought for sure for the 3 of us it was going to be about $100 but it was only $49.

As for Celebrity Shore excursions we did the dolphin swim and stingray city in Grand Cayman this year. It was my nieces favorite thing that they have done.

We had that in March. Out to the upper deck by 9 am or so and all loungers were taken w/ just towels. Asked the lady who was actually in the chair if anyone had been in the 3 next to her. She said she'd been there for over an hour and hadn't seen anyone. Since it was just towels I took them and moved them to the 4th lounger we weren't needing and took our spots. About an hour later a lady came and asked if anything had been in those chairs. I said just towels and pointed to where they were and told her that you aren't allowed to save chairs. If you hadn't been in them for 30 minutes they were fair game and that the woman next to us had said they hadn't been used for an hour before we took possession. She then muttered that she didn't know you couldn't save chairs but took the towels and left.

Saw a guy the next day in Costa Maya and he asked if I was the woman who told the lady saving chairs wasn't allowed. I said it probably was me. He said he heard it and wanted to come over and give me a hug for telling her that. Would have gotten a pool butler if there had been personal items but Celebrity towels are another thing when you have someone who can confirm how long they have been unattended.

I do get it and the first few cruises lasted a couple of weeks. I do take Bonine as I've heard that even if you don't get seasick it can help w/ the disembarktion syndrome. Usually when I get off the ship I immediately head to the airport and fly home. The last 2 cruises I've stayed the day of disembarktion and flew home a day later. In both cases the mal de debarquement lasted only a few days. I do continue to take the Bonine for the week following the cruise as I've read it can help. So now I may always be flying out the day after getting off the ship.

He was on the Equinox in October/November

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I’m taking my 2 nieces on March 4th 20 & 17. One has been before & loved her Celebrity cruise. The other one is looking forward to it as well. They don’t need constant excitement & spend the entire evening w/ me dancing. It’s all what they make of it.

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I usually tip $1/drink as I get them. Usual bartender gets to know you and you essentially become theirs when you go. They always have your drink and will keep an eye on you while there. Works the same for the pool attendants. They will keep coming back to you to make sure you’re ok. Room steward I usually give an extra $30 which may be on the low side for some but I usually sail solo so not much work for them to do. Specialty restaurants I give an extra $5/person since they are already getting a gratuity. Others may be more or less. I always tip in cash so they don’t necessarily have to share it. Some do some don’t. At the bars you can see them pocket it or put on the group pool jar.

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Let them know ahead of time & they will make sure you have plenty of options for dinner. They will bring you the next nights menu & if there is something you want that isn’t gluten free they will try to accommodate you if it’s possible. They will also have gluten free bread at dinner. I’ve also seen gluten free items @ cafe al bacio & up in the buffet. My niece was very pleased w/ the attention they paid to her needs on the Summit & didn’t want to go back to the real world as she said

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In October fixed dining was on the lower level w/ anytime dining was upstairs

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From what I remember it was $4 but that was about 2 years ago. Either way pretty cheap & your driver will make arrangements w/ the van load as to when pick up will be. But there will always be plenty of drivers in the lobby around 2:30-3 looking for more people

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If you read the Celebrity policy it does say that depending on the port of disembarkation or ports visited the adult can sign a waiver. In Europe over 18 can drink. However I’ve found that any US port even San Juan where the legal age is 18 Celebrity doesn’t adhere to that, goes with the US laws. That being said they don’t know what they are drinking once it’s to them unless they act a fool. My niece was w/ us on the Summit years ago and shared our drinks. Once there at the table unless specific glasses they won’t know unless the minors are acting inebriated. No big worry on criminal internet when on a ship, they won’t be driving or causing harm as they should always be w/ a parent. I wouldn’t ever consider buying for a minor in the States but on a ship in a controlled environment when they will always be w/ me I don’t have an issue

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We did a girls cruise last year w/ ages of mid-30's to early 40's but act much younger. We went on Celebrity and had a great time. It's not a busy as say Royal, Carnival or NCL but there is still things to do. Many will say it's an older crowd but I've found lately there are a lot of younger people going over there as well. If you are looking for one that isn't overrun with kids this is the line for you. I also value great service and food and have never found it lacking in that regard. Also an added bonus is they often have perks you can choose when booking so can snag a beverage package so you don't have to worry about a high bar bill at the end. I know NCL also offers the beverage package but they make you pay the gratuities on it, Celebrity the gratuities are included in the perk.

When I was on board the Equinox in October they did mention her current captain will be moving over to the Edge. I don't remember if they said who was going to take over. Wouldn't be surprised if it was Captain Kate.

I was on the Equinox in an OV in October and didn't miss the balcony since I wasn't in the room that much. I've done both so it really just depends on how much time you spend in the room and what the value is to you. I had a balcony on the Summit last Dec and don't remember sitting on it that much. However when I sailed with friends in March or my nieces the year prior we did use the balcony a lot. The cruise in Oct and last Dec I was solo so not sure if that made a difference as I was usually out hanging w/ new friends than sitting on the balcony by myself.

I've found Celebrity goes out of their way to make sure special dining needs are met and you are happy with your experience. My other niece is gluten free and was amazed by the attention she received on the Summit for her first cruise. She didn't want to go back to the real world. Which is why her sister isn't worried about this cruise and actually looking forward to it since she knows they will work with her diet needs. She also remembers the buffet and knows there are plenty of salad and fruit options to keep her happy as well.

I've researched this as well since I'm taking my niece on the Silhouette in March and she recently changed to a vegan diet. I also e-mailed a fellow cruise critic member (Bo1953) who is vegan and post frequently and he was quite helpful.

From looking into threads they do have a special vegetarian menu that they should show you each night for the next day. That way if there is something you would like but isn't vegan they can modify for you. I did e-mail the special needs department as I did for her sister who is gluten free but their response was they didn't have a vegan menu but to speak to the maitre d when you board to alert them to the special diet requirements.

Bo1953 was also helpful in information on the specialty dining as I was looking into it. He said if you give the chef 6-12 hours notice they usually will make something special for you that suits your needs.

You should really get your facts straight before you blast someone. There are NO flights the day of on American. They are all overnight flights from our town which would mean we would miss the ship. They are also $1200.00. I never said American wouldn't work with me. They just don't have any flights the day of the cruise and certainly not for $128.00.

They did have their facts correct as there are flights from DFW to SJU on the 28th for $128. If you are from Lubbock maybe you should look into driving to DFW vs your small local airport if you are really that concerned about flying in the day before.

My niece cruised w/ me 2 weeks after meniscus surgery. Was very active walking all over, swimming and dancing all night. However she did limit herself to certain things and we had to take a few breaks while in San Juan pre-cruise. She did try to ice her knee a few times during the cruise but by the last night was feeling a bit sore and that she might have overdone it a little but not to the point where she re-injured it. However that being said this was her 5th knee surgery w/ the previous 4 being ACL repairs so she considered this one just a small surgery.