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Thanks for the great tips on Maya Key, with 5 of us, it sounds $$, but seems like a good day with a 3 year old

Welcome back and thanks Ron for the info, did you enjoy the snorkeling? How did the water quality seem? Did you notice any sea grass or debris here or Costa Maya? Planning on Blue Kay this time with family, any insight would be great

Thanks for the info on going under the bridge time. My guess of two and a half hours was about right. I haven't sailed from Tampa for about five years now, since we usually go from Ft Lauderdale or Miami for the newer ships. From where I live we frequently see the cruise ships go by, in fact I was just out there looking for the Star, but wasn't sure what time it had left today as was out with friends. It's nicer when it stays light out later, then can get a much better look. In Tampa, you might want to visit the aquarium near the pier or Ybor City. If you get time, a drive south about an hour over the Skyway bridge brings you over to Manatee county and out to our beautiful beaches of Anna Maria, we get tons of tourists!!

Sin City still around in Celebrity Central? Any scheduled comedian/comedy night? Did you notice if any lunches were offered on sea days at specialties? Did you happen to visit Persian Gardens? Thanks

Pretty sure that is in reference to ordering the mojitos special of multiple small drinks, etc., not if you were ordering one drink there. Those type of drinks specials or when they have drinks served in keepsake type of glassware are never included in drink packages

Thanks for getting back with some good news about the Star, for a change!

Thanks so much for posting this. Amazing, I live on a beach and can only imagine what it'd be like to have garbage coming onto our shores, let alone the stench of sea grass in the heat for any length of time, yikes! Steve's gotta be a really nice guy to respond with pics and explanation of what's been happening. I've never meet him or been to his place, maybe I should next time

Another Celebrity and RCI fan here too. Been cruising only these two for the past dozen years or so and hadn't been on NCL for around 14 years. Back in June we sailed the Oasis to celebrate our 25th anniversary and they dropped the ball this time. It'll be a long time before we'll give them our money. We decided to do a redo cruise and so tried the Getaway and had a blast! I was pretty anxious not really knowing if it would be a good decision, but boy were we glad we did. Liked it enough that we booked two more while onboard! It's nice to have another line to sail again. That being said, we're heading out on the Star in Dec with the family and getting nervous now since all the bad reviews she's been getting since coming back to Tampa. Just to be on the safe side we've got another coming up on the Reflection in Jan. I feel NCL might be looking for our kind of people these days. Plus, we're Gold and Platinum level, who would have known? I say give it a try, you might be very surprised

Thanks for doing this for everyone! We sail in Dec and wondering how long it takes the ship to reach the Skyway bridge. I believe it takes close to two and half hours till you get right under it, and we don't want to miss it as we live right across Tampa Bay on the last piece of land you see heading out into the Gulf of Mexico. Don't want to be eating at that time. Curious about the MDR menus and which items each night, to help in deciding specialty. If you get anywhere near the kids club, I'd love to see the listed Splash Academy activities for the 3-5 age range, but I'd completely understand if you don't. Hope you have a great cruise with good service and great attitudes. Oh, and great weather too!

Also wanted to thank Ron L for the great thoughts on Maya Key since we've been considering it for our day with the 3 year old along this time. Thought she'd enjoy it and the snorkeling sounds great there! When you go this next time, would you come back and let us know what the latest tender time to shore was/is? I've read that you can make this excursion longer than the 4 hours stated. Thanks

Thanks so much for the reviews and comments. It's great to hear some feedback from various people, it helps to know going in what we might encounter onboard. Crockea, could you please tell me what you had at La Cucina? I've never eaten there because so many people seem disappointed with it, so have always done Cagney's, Le Bistro and Teppanyaki.

While on the Getaway this past June they offered "Freestyle Free Play" for an hour in the morning prior to regular activities, from 2-3 pm, and on port days only, an additional time of 6-7 pm. Not really much, just an hour at a time from what I could tell. Hope this might answer what you possibly can expect on your sailing. BTW, this was the 3-5 year old schedule, so perhaps it changes with the older age groups, don't really know

I've not yet sailed on the Star, but will be taking the kids with their 3 year old in December. Hoping someone will come back from the upcoming 7 night Western routes with the Freestyle Dailies and the Splash Academy schedule of events for the 3-5 year olds. The parents and grandma would just love to know what to expect. Thanks in advance for anyone's help out there!

Am currently on board Oasis and eating in all specialty spots, did 150 CP for both nights menu, and totally didn't like the second one offered, waste of $$. Izumi Habachi was fantastic, Chops and Gios are fine, same as always. Been to Windjammer for lunch twice but just for salads as nothing else looked appealing. Lunch and bfast in MDR are fine and service was good at the times we went. Sandwiches were lacking substance and cold in Cafe Prom, and CP Cafe just so so for us. Dog house fine, and Sabor was great amount of food for the dinner menu at $20. We split one order and left totally stuffed, could have had three people share all that food! Expect the price to increase down the road. We are Diamond level and enjoying all our drinks and service so far. Celebrity food is hands down much better choice for us

Currently on board Oasis western and invite for all c+a members was leaving Labadee. Had cheap champagne and mimosas if you cared for a drink. Capt blew the horn three times to our group stretch and was fun 30 mins before the wind took over and everyone left

Check your cruise planner for available nights you could book the chefs table. My sailing offered it each night of the cruise at 8 pm. Cost was $95p/p

Stayed in 8101 last Nov on the Equinox and had some rough water but nothing that would keep me away from booking the same location again. Absolutely loved the additional room inside the cabin, more than I'd expected and willing to give up our balcony. Found the view interesting in our ports and while sailing in, etc. Reminded us of being on the Bridge looking out to sea, different location but quite unique

While recently on the Equinox, we were very encouraged by any and all of the bar tenders we encountered to upgrade during the first day or so of our cruise, which made me believe that they would receive the gratuity. We ended up upgrading part way through with one of the Café Bacio guys we liked, but he sure didn't seem to get excited, so I'm not sure now. Guess you could just ask when you first get onboard. We had previously always upgraded before sailing but wanted to use OBC, not sure what to do in a couple of weeks on the Eclipse as we have even more OBC this sailing, but I'm certainly not complaining about that! Cheers!

I just booked with Nafanny Esthetics Therapists Center which has some great reviews on Trip Advisor. Sounded good to me and pretty reasonable as well. They've agreed to pick us up and return us to the port area which adds to the value. Hope it's going to be as great as others have experienced. Hope this helps!

Those prices are pre cruise cost. Onboard the charge for Murano is $50p/p and for Tuscan $45p/p, I believe Qsine will still be $45p/p once onboard. You can purchase 5nt pkg for $139p/p, or 3nt pkg for $99p/p prior to your sail date.

Not sure how long ago some of these tours were taken, but heads up prices have probably gone up since. We leave soon for St. Lucia and the Cosol tour is now $75p/p as well as St. Kitts tour with Thenford Grey is now $48p/p

Haven't noticed any comments on refilling the gas at the end of your rental, other than to expect to pay cash. Can anyone give me an idea where to top off the gas tank prior to returning the car? Also, about how much did you pay after a full day of touring? Trying to get an idea of costs and how much cash to take off the ship for our day. Thanks!

Mitwif, would you please come back after your Nevis tour to give more info on your trip as well? I've booked this same excursion for Feb and would appreciate your thoughts as well. Do you plan to take the tour as described, taking the 3pm ferry? Our ship leaves at 5pm so we do have some concerns about making it back in time. Thanks!

Hi Paul! Thanks for the info you've been sharing with us. I'm curious to know if they've been offering any comedy shows in Celebrity Central on the Eclipse. We sailed Equinox over Thanksgiving and no late night comedy there, so really hoping Eclipse will provide a few laughs this time around. Thanks! Enjoy the remainder of your cruise

On Equinox last sailing each pastry we tried was stale, a first for me!