Jiminy1955

Our preferred line is Celebrity but the only others we’ve been on is Royal which we liked and Carnival which we stay away from now, but am open to other lines.  We’ve done 4, 7, 12 & 15 night itineraries, prefer the longer ones. A friend did AK on a small ship with a land tour included just last summer. I think she was on an Uncruise ship which sounds awesome. Not sure if that’s affordable for us in the next couple of years. Princess and HAL I’ve heard are good for AK cruises due to an abundance of glass for viewing from inside. 
 

Not sure exactly what we want to see and do so I’ll be checking that info out. Can’t do Alaska until 2024.

Want to take an Alaska cruise but not sure which cruise line provides the best experience. Recommendations please and why. 

Doubtful 😷🙁

I wouldn’t pay it.  We cancelled our cruise through the Panama Canal this October because of the COVID-19 situation. We moved 2 cruises from this year into November 2021 and April 2022, hopeful that cruising will be possible by then. 

15 hours ago, farawayatsea said:

I think the airlines received a bailout and survived.  I think this is unlikely in the cruise industry . 

Here’s an article that addresses the bail out regarding cruise lines.  Bottom line is they do not qualify for any bail out money. 
 

https://cruiseharbournews.com/cruisebailout.html

When I cancelled our March 30th cruise earlier this month I went ahead and booked a replacement cruise during the same phone call using the fcc.  The Celebrity agent moved my cc points used OBC over to the new cruise.  I was able to take care of everything in one phone call, including the cancellation of booked excursions.  I did spend an hour on the phone but it was a very easy process, just time consuming. 

We were on the Eclipse in October/November 2019 and had lunch in Sushi on 5 on embarkation day. 

10 hours ago, Sunshine3601 said:

Our family physician advised on hep a vaccine which everyone that travels should have.  She also prescribed malaria pills for us to take daily during our western caribbean cruise to panama costa rica costa maya colombia etc

How far out from your cruise did you need to get the vaccine?

3 hours ago, mayleeman said:

Just be really careful of "recommended wines" listed on a daily menu that do not have a price. We ordered one in Blu and the bottle was over $100 after the premium discount. No hint of the price until the bill came. Lesson learned: ask!

Wow!  Thanks for that tip!!!

25 minutes ago, vtcruising said:

That cruise is on my bucket list. Lucky you!  We have found that if you show interest in wine, they will take good care of you (I usually tell the wine steward the first night that they will be my BFF 😉). If you purchase a wine tasting onboard, consider purchasing it from them as they will get a kick back and will remember you fondly.

 

If you like a bit sweeter white, the Conundrum White Blend is very nice. It isn't on every wine list, but I usually do see it somewhere on the ship. We sometimes bring a bottle of that and of the Conundrum Red Blend (around $20-25 each locally) to have in the cabin - good sipping wines as they are quite smooth. 🙂

 

Conundrum White:   "Sourced from California’s premier winegrowing regions, this wine is both exotic and bright, a blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Muscat Canelli and Viognier. It lures you in with scents of apricot, pear and honeysuckle, and if you’re paying attention, orange and lemon meringue pie."

 

Conundrum Red:  "Dried fruit and the taste of chocolate-covered cherries come through on the palate, while a wisp of smokiness makes this wine – created from dark red varietals including Petite Sirah, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon."

Thanks, we are very excited for the cruise and will remember to purchase wine tastings from our sommelier or wine steward. 

Just now, ghstudio said:

The 20 yr old tawny port is excellent....the port included in the classic package is best served over ice cream.

Good to know and sounds good too!

7 hours ago, cruisestitch said:

No, that list is something gleaned out of corporate.  If you ask for the wine list, you would get a multi-page bound booklet with all the wines by the glass and by the bottle that are potentially available.   Then to make it more complicated you would get something like that in the MDR, and there are smaller lists for Luminae, Blue, and the specialties.  That's why when someone asks if we can provide a wine list for them, it isn't a simple task.  

Thank you.

6 hours ago, vtcruising said:

We have received extensive wine lists onboard upon request in the past, but most of the time the wine steward will ask what we like and what food we are ordering and will offer something in our package range. We have our favorites and they are almost always available, even if not on the official list for that restaurant.

 

With the Premium Package, we have found in the last few years all of the following have been available (though occasionally have run out by the end of the cruise). We like Villa Maria for a Sauv Blanc (Cloudy Bay for a treat at an upcharge), Mer Soleil for a Chardonnay, Cherry Tart for a Pinot Noir (I order La Crema, if available, for $1 upcharge), Decoy for Cab (or Freemark Abbey for an upcharge). We have had the $50/bottle Caymus (with the $10 upcharge/glass). My DH loves Shiraz and that sometimes is more difficult (usually they have Grant Burge from Barossa), but if they don't have one, they will get him a nice Chilean Malbec and he is happy. We sometimes have Conundrum white or red, depending upon our food choices and will sometimes have the 20 year tawny port or ice wine as a finisher. Most of the time we are happy to stay within our package, but it is fun to try other wines at an upcharge, if desired.

 

We have sailed with friends with the Classic Package and they have also been happy with their wines. I have found that most wine stewards will work with you to have an enjoyable experience.

 

 

Thank you!  My favorite red is Pinot Noir and I’ve had both of the ones you listed. My husband prefers the Shiraz wines. As far as white wine I prefer sweeter, him not at all but he will be interested in the Tawny Port or even a Madeira.

We cruise in October on the Eclipse on the 15 night Hawaii round trip from Los Angeles.  So we will have plenty of time to try different wines. 

9 hours ago, vtcruising said:

As people have said, lists will just give you an idea of the types of wine served by the glass. If you scroll down this MDR wine list, there is a wine by the glass list for classic and premium, starting on page 6 (note that the gratuity is now 20% for buying wine or for the difference when ordering wines that are above your package). I have only seen sparkling wine under the classic package and no champagne, but that could be different on other ships/cruises.

 

The key is to talk to your wine steward about what you like and they will try to match it to your package (sometimes they will pull from stock elsewhere and have it available for you).

 

MDR Wine List.pdf 32.84 MB · 37 downloads

What an extensive list!  I had no idea there was a list.  If I were to ask for a list would I be presented with something like this do you think?

We re looking at the Coconut Waikiki hotel for pre/post cruise for 1 night for a rate between $150-$180 a night. Has anybody stayed there? If so how was it?

5 hours ago, scottca075 said:

 

The Coconut Waikiki is in Waikiki and virtually every hotel in Waikiki is in a safe area. The Coconut is a well regarded hotel, but it is back by the Ala Wai Canal, not close to the beach. I'd be comfortable walking to and from the hotel at just about any hour day or night. I might be more cautious at 2AM, but I wouldn't be overly worried.

 

My choice would be something closer to the beach, maybe with a view, but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Coconut.

Thank you. 

On 7/3/2019 at 4:52 PM, scottca075 said:

 

I would REALLY rethink this. Not 5*? It is barely 2*. It is a horrendous area. Not a place I'd step outside the door after dark.

I would go read the reviews in TripAdvisor (parent company of CC) where it is the #84 of #87 hotels on Oahu. Pacific Marina Inn Reviews

 

The other two hotels at the airport, the Best Western Plaza and the Airport HNL Hotel, are far, far better and better locations.

 

But there really is no need to stay by the airport. You don't save much money or much time and the area is beyond unappealing. I can't imagine a worse way to end a vacation.

Great information!  We are looking at the Coconut Waikiki and it has good reviews. Are you familiar with that one and it’s location?

1 minute ago, Astro Flyer said:

 

You’re welcome...either stroll around the historical old town of Lahaina (past capital of the Hawaiian Monarchy & whaling capital of the world) with shopping & restaurants or you can take a short cab ride ($20-ish) to the Ka’anapali Beach resort area (sandy beach with large hotels & restaurants).

 

For a day in port a rental car might not be a good option & having fewer cars available prices are higher than at the Kahului airport which as posted is a minimum 45 minute drive from Lahaina.  And driving independently from the Lahaina West Maui area to other parts of Maui can be risky.  There's only one viable route (2-lane road) which sometimes is closed for hours due to accidents, brushfires or rockslides.  It’s just something to consider & not to frighten anyone but a closure could result in missing the ship.

Thank you.  We just want to hang out in town since we’ve been to Kaanapali a couple of times.  Maui is the only island we opted to not do an excursion so the tendering drop off is perfect!

1 hour ago, Astro Flyer said:

 

Since you’re asking about Lahaina as a tender port then as princeton123211 wrote you’ll arrive in the town.

 

Here’s a link to an aerial view of the harbor & the surrounding area...the tender dock is in the lower lefthand corner across from the Pioneer Inn.  From that website you can also learn about an historical walking tour that you could take.

 

https://lahainatown.com/lahaina-harbor-map.php

Thank you! I had no idea it was right there! 

I know Maui is a tender port. So what’s the best way to get from the pier to Lahaina?  Is it a reasonable walk or should we take taxi or Uber?  It’s been 20 years since I’ve been there and then it was a land trip.

6 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Following is latest laundry prices 

 

Thank you so much!  I was having trouble finding the information on Celebrity website. 

On 6/30/2019 at 1:03 PM, Alakegirl said:

List of costs is all on the Celebrity website

Thank you.

Does anyone have a list of what laundry, dry cleaning, ironing costs are per item? If so will you please post it here.  TIA. 

Just found this review from a link in an article. Great review!  Love your writing style and the photos.

On 4/20/2019 at 1:27 PM, WrittenOnYourHeart said:

Hmmm. Having read that, I am now wondering if I should even stick with Celebrity or go back to Disney. I will wear a dress or skirt for dinner, but during the day I am shorts or yoga pants and tees or tanks. Not a dressy girl at all. I think I might be too casual for Celebrity. 😞 

I had those same concerns a couple years ago but the cruise critic community convinced me that we would be fine.  And we were fine.  I am so thankful we took that cruise on the Equinox and now have 3 more Celebrity cruises booked.  Loved the ship and booked on her again in 2021.