Georgia Peaches Takes Sweet Mama on Her First Celebrity Cruise...Reflection Live 7/29-8/2

[TommyD3]

5 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

 

Decoy was put back on the Premium Beverage package so it's back to $17.00, or at least it was in May on the Millennium.  Conundrum was still $19.  

 

 

 

Apparently it has been raised back up to $19 a glass !!!

[barneyboy]

9 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Yes, whispering Angel is $19 a glass. I highly recommend the Silver Ghost though.

That’s very disappointing. We were drinking it last month on the Summit and it was included in the Premium package. 

[hcat]

What is the extra upcharge for those with  Premium?   Are there any choices covered by the Classic?

 

   We may have to start bringing  our 2 btls onboard and carry a glass each into dinner..husb can drink mine!

[TommyD3]

1 hour ago, hcat said:

What is the extra upcharge for those with  Premium?   Are there any choices covered by the Classic?

 

   We may have to start bringing  our 2 btls onboard and carry a glass each into dinner..husb can drink mine!

If the wine is now $19 a glass the upcharge with the premium package is $2 plus 20% gratuity.

Yes there are several Classic package wines available with a price cap of $10.

[Georgia_Peaches]

Let’s talk Bimini for a sec… for those of you considering this particular 4-night itinerary… 

 

Bimini is a very small island in the Bahamas that is a short ferry ride from FLL for those seeking a quick, long weekend destination at the Hilton Resort….also the economic hub of the island. 
 

The locals are welcoming and full of energy in both offerings of music and drink as well as local food delicacies like conch fritters. 
 

As a cruise port, Bimini is not a favorite of mine and ordinarily, I would not bother getting off the ship. But for this cruise we ventured to dry land so Sweet Mama could say she’d been…and of course, to visit a small casino 🎰 attached to the Hilton Resort. 
 

From the ship one can walk a short distance to the free tram pick up location which is mercifully covered with outstretched canopies that block the elements, including the blazing sun. We waited in this line for a short time until the next available shuttle arrived for transport. The shuttle consisted of two open air cars equipped to house a wheelchair/scooter in the front and approximately 50 additional passengers in standard bench seating. 
 

I must caution everyone by saying the shuttles are on a very loose…VERY LOOSE…every 15 minute schedule and will make 5 stops along its route. The furthest stop from the ship is at the Bimini Beach Club, which many passengers seemed to be going to for the day.
 

The problem as I saw it was that the shuttles were consistently running full so when they would make a stop at a crowded place like the Beach Club, there was only room to take someone on if someone else got off. This made for some very tense interactions when we stopped at this point and were greeted by hoards of tired beach goers looking to return to the ship…but there was no room to take them. One lady began yelling at our driver because ours was the 4th shuttle to stop that had no room for new passengers. She had been waiting for “over an hour” trying to get back to the ship. Her companion was in a wheelchair so walking/pushing wasn’t feasible. 
 

The solution was to send an empty shuttle directly to the Beach Club to help clear the crowd and that may be their SOP on most days except they were one shuttle short due to a break down at the security check point leaving its current occupants without transportation the rest of the way back to the ship (maybe half a mile’s walk). 
 

Moral of the story…Island time is not the same as Ship time. If you venture off the ship in Bimini (all ports, really) be sure and give yourself ample time to get back by your own two feet should the need arise. 

 

[hcat]

3 hours ago, TommyD3 said:

If the wine is now $19 a glass the upcharge with the premium package is $2 plus 20% gratuity.

Yes there are several Classic package wines available with a price cap of $10.

thanks.

.So upcharge from Classic would be steeper.. $9 per glass ;plus 20% of that for grat..not worth it!

 

Classic sounds doable for my husband  who just likes a basic dinner wine..usually he is satisfied.  He can also  buy and bring 2 btls from Fla liquor store.

[DaKahuna]

5 hours ago, TommyD3 said:

Apparently it has been raised back up to $19 a glass !!!

 

 i can't help but wonder if this is just a delay in updating the menu in Sushi on 5. 

 I recomend going to another bar and pricing it there and or asking the wait staff in Sushi on 5 if that price is correct. 

 

5 hours ago, hcat said:

 Are there any choices covered by the Classic?

 

 The Pinotb Grigio at $10 is the only one I see.  I believe the Hot Sake, not shown, is on the Classic. 

[Stem to Stern]

55 minutes ago, hcat said:

Classic sounds doable for my husband  who just likes a basic dinner wine..usually he is satisfied.  He can also  buy and bring 2 btls from Fla liquor store.

There used to be a low-end Merlot by Columbia Crest that was palatable.  Who knows if it is still covered under the Classic Package with X’s currently evolving dynamic pricing.

I’m on board with you on the idea of bringing wine on board and schlepping a full glass with me to dinner.  But I will definitely be doing it sorely, knowing it is really lame that we have to make this our modus operandi to avoid excessive up charges.

[Lena11033]

Cruise I was just on Whispering Angel was part of the premium package

[Iamcruzin]

2 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Let’s talk Bimini for a sec… for those of you considering this particular 4-night itinerary… 

 

Bimini is a very small island in the Bahamas that is a short ferry ride from FLL for those seeking a quick, long weekend destination at the Hilton Resort….also the economic hub of the island. 
 

The locals are welcoming and full of energy in both offerings of music and drink as well as local food delicacies like conch fritters. 
 

As a cruise port, Bimini is not a favorite of mine and ordinarily, I would not bother getting off the ship. But for this cruise we ventured to dry land so Sweet Mama could say she’d been…and of course, to visit a small casino 🎰 attached to the Hilton Resort. 
 

From the ship one can walk a short distance to the free tram pick up location which is mercifully covered with outstretched canopies that block the elements, including the blazing sun. We waited in this line for a short time until the next available shuttle arrived for transport. The shuttle consisted of two open air cars equipped to house a wheelchair/scooter in the front and approximately 50 additional passengers in standard bench seating. 
 

I must caution everyone by saying the shuttles are on a very loose…VERY LOOSE…every 15 minute schedule and will make 5 stops along its route. The furthest stop from the ship is at the Bimini Beach Club, which many passengers seemed to be going to for the day.
 

The problem as I saw it was that the shuttles were consistently running full so when they would make a stop at a crowded place like the Beach Club, there was only room to take someone on if someone else got off. This made for some very tense interactions when we stopped at this point and were greeted by hoards of tired beach goers looking to return to the ship…but there was no room to take them. One lady began yelling at our driver because ours was the 4th shuttle to stop that had no room for new passengers. She had been waiting for “over an hour” trying to get back to the ship. Her companion was in a wheelchair so walking/pushing wasn’t feasible. 
 

The solution was to send an empty shuttle directly to the Beach Club to help clear the crowd and that may be their SOP on most days except they were one shuttle short due to a break down at the security check point leaving its current occupants without transportation the rest of the way back to the ship (maybe half a mile’s walk). 
 

Moral of the story…Island time is not the same as Ship time. If you venture off the ship in Bimini (all ports, really) be sure and give yourself ample time to get back by your own two feet should the need arise. 

 

Bimini is a port of call on our cruise in Sept. Can you just take the shuttle and eat at the beach club or gamble without paying for the Celebrity excursion beach pass?  Now that we live in Florida the beach and palm trees aren't a big deal anymore. We are doing the Key West Bimini itinerary. We have never been to either and this was a good price with a residents discount. Also did you notice any cabs available to get back on the ship?

Edited August 1 by Iamcruzin

[Stem to Stern]

29 minutes ago, Lena11033 said:

Cruise I was just on Whispering Angel was part of the premium package

So that was on Apex.  
Good to know.

Hopefully Beyond is consistent with this next month.

I do love my Whispering Angel.😇 

NOT paying an extra $2.40 per glass for it.

Especially after paying to upgrade to Premium Package.

[Georgia_Peaches]

1 hour ago, DaKahuna said:

I recomend going to another bar and pricing it there and or asking the wait staff in Sushi on 5 if that price is correct. 

Yes!  Could totally be the case. I will try to find out today. 

[Georgia_Peaches]

1 hour ago, Iamcruzin said:

Bimini is a port of call on our cruise in Sept. Can you just take the shuttle and eat at the beach club or gamble without paying for the Celebrity excursion beach pass?  Now that we live in Florida the beach and palm trees aren't a big deal anymore. We are doing the Key West Bimini itinerary. We have never been to either and this was a good price with a residents discount. Also did you notice any cabs available to get back on the ship?

Yes!  No charge to shop or visit any of the stops that aren’t considered ‘excursions’. In fact, lots of folks rent a golf cart which are available at the end of the boardwalk, and do their own thing. 

[DaKahuna]

1 hour ago, Stem to Stern said:

There used to be a low-end Merlot by Columbia Crest that was palatable.  Who knows if it is still covered under the Classic Package with X’s currently evolving dynamic pricing.

 

Collumbia Crest Merlot is shown in the MDR wine menu at $10 a glass which puts it on the Classic package.  At least that is what is showing for our April sailing on Solstice. 

 

3 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Bimini is a very small island in the Bahamas that is a short ferry ride from FLL for those seeking a quick, long weekend destination at the Hilton Resort….also the economic hub of the island. 

 

 I agree. We stopped there once on one of our cruises.  We caught a small golf cart (seating for about 8 people) and rode it to the Resort, a couple of folks got off we stayed on. Next stop was the Public Beach, we got off stepped to the front of the shuttle, looked at the beach and got back on the shuttle.  We were the only ones.  Shuttle went back to the ship, stopping at the Resort to pick up two more passengers and then proceeded back to the pier.  We got off and walked back to the ship.  

 

[Essiesmom]

I was there in July on another line.  I only got off because I had never been there.  There were at least three full cars on the first shuttle, two on the second.  The first stop on the shuttle was for those with excursions, and those who wanted to rent golf carts.   I rode to the Bimini Beach Club, got off, walked around taking pictures, got on the next shuttle back which stopped at the casino, then the ship.  EM

[Lena11033]

1 hour ago, Stem to Stern said:

So that was on Apex.  
Good to know.

Hopefully Beyond is consistent with this next month.

I do love my Whispering Angel.😇 

NOT paying an extra $2.40 per glass for it.

Especially after paying to upgrade to Premium Package.

 

Hopefully, I mean we know how much Celebrity likes to change things randomly and have exceptions for exceptions.

[depplep]

I found two drink menus from Beyond two weeks ago. The Magic Carpet and Raw on 5. I guess I didn't take photos of any other menus. 

[abbydancer2003]

3 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Let’s talk Bimini for a sec… for those of you considering this particular 4-night itinerary… 

 

Bimini is a very small island in the Bahamas that is a short ferry ride from FLL for those seeking a quick, long weekend destination at the Hilton Resort….also the economic hub of the island. 
 

The locals are welcoming and full of energy in both offerings of music and drink as well as local food delicacies like conch fritters. 
 

As a cruise port, Bimini is not a favorite of mine and ordinarily, I would not bother getting off the ship. But for this cruise we ventured to dry land so Sweet Mama could say she’d been…and of course, to visit a small casino 🎰 attached to the Hilton Resort. 
 

From the ship one can walk a short distance to the free tram pick up location which is mercifully covered with outstretched canopies that block the elements, including the blazing sun. We waited in this line for a short time until the next available shuttle arrived for transport. The shuttle consisted of two open air cars equipped to house a wheelchair/scooter in the front and approximately 50 additional passengers in standard bench seating. 
 

I must caution everyone by saying the shuttles are on a very loose…VERY LOOSE…every 15 minute schedule and will make 5 stops along its route. The furthest stop from the ship is at the Bimini Beach Club, which many passengers seemed to be going to for the day.
 

The problem as I saw it was that the shuttles were consistently running full so when they would make a stop at a crowded place like the Beach Club, there was only room to take someone on if someone else got off. This made for some very tense interactions when we stopped at this point and were greeted by hoards of tired beach goers looking to return to the ship…but there was no room to take them. One lady began yelling at our driver because ours was the 4th shuttle to stop that had no room for new passengers. She had been waiting for “over an hour” trying to get back to the ship. Her companion was in a wheelchair so walking/pushing wasn’t feasible. 
 

The solution was to send an empty shuttle directly to the Beach Club to help clear the crowd and that may be their SOP on most days except they were one shuttle short due to a break down at the security check point leaving its current occupants without transportation the rest of the way back to the ship (maybe half a mile’s walk). 
 

Moral of the story…Island time is not the same as Ship time. If you venture off the ship in Bimini (all ports, really) be sure and give yourself ample time to get back by your own two feet should the need arise. 

 

We were on Bimini for the President's cruise.  Celebrity bought out the pool area for resort world, so we went for about an hour and then got back on the shuttle and enjoyed the ship for the afternoon.  They did do a nice buffet, but we decided to eat on the ship since it's air conditioned.  Our Ascent cruise originally had Bimini, but it was switched to Nassau, which is now fine with me.

[hcat]

3 hours ago, Stem to Stern said:

There used to be a low-end Merlot by Columbia Crest that was palatable.  Who knows if it is still covered under the Classic Package with X’s currently evolving dynamic pricing.

I’m on board with you on the idea of bringing wine on board and schlepping a full glass with me to dinner.  But I will definitely be doing it sorely, knowing it is really lame that we have to make this our modus operandi to avoid excessive up charges.

we have no alternative... we will each take a  glass..he can enjoy mine!

[hcat]

if we have BIMINI as a stop on pur next few cruises , we will mark that as a stay on board day!  Reviews of the Resort were def not "stellar" and seems not much else to do at this port???

Edited August 1 by hcat

[Lena11033]

3 minutes ago, hcat said:

if we have BIMINI as a stop on pur next few cruises , we will mark that as a stay on board day!  Reviews of the Resort were def not "stellar" and seems not much else to do at this port???

 

I have it coming up in December and my plan was to stay on the ship as I didn't see anything I wanted to do, especially as I'm by myself.

 

[hcat]

1 hour ago, Lena11033 said:

 

I have it coming up in December and my plan was to stay on the ship as I didn't see anything I wanted to do, especially as I'm by myself.

 

Hope alot of others don't have the same idea!  That happened to us in San Juan... so many stayed onboard!

[Lena11033]

43 minutes ago, hcat said:

Hope alot of others don't have the same idea!  That happened to us in San Juan... so many stayed onboard!

 

Hopefully people get off lol

I did ask for my birthday this month my husband gives me some $ for a thermal suite pass. I didn't get one for the last cruise as I was off the ship most the time, this time I don't plan on getting off the ship much

[PTC DAWG]

On 7/31/2024 at 4:33 PM, mac_tlc said:

There are shuttles that bring you down the pier, and to the main tram station where you can catch a tram to every part of the island. My wife has mobility issues and we walkabout 50 steps on CoCo Cay. Tram from ship to main station, tram to Lagoon pool, get off and grab our "secret" chairs behind the bar and near the snack shack!. You don't have to spend a dime on the island. Drink packages and wifi travel with you, food is free, chairs free, pool free, ocean free.  Skip the cabanas and the pay areas and its zero $$. 

 

But, sometimes an empty ship is a great option too!

 

 

mac_tlc

Don’t give up the secrets..

[PTC DAWG]

Peaches, Bless you for taking your Mom along on this trip..you’ll never forget it..sounds like it was overall a great time..I like y’all’s gambling style..

 

My Wife and I cruised with her parents a few years back, sadly, it was our only one,,we still talk fondly with each other about it..safe travels always..