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Hi all--- I just returned--- This was a local port sailing for us. I normally don't go on holiday cruises. I don't think I would do this again. My husband and I are 68 and 70 years old and have been on many cruises- This was our 4th on Celebrity. I was too lazy to cook this year for Thanksgiving, and it was my husband's 70th birthday during cruise, so we decided if we didn't have to fly we would just do it. The ship was perfectly comfortable-- yes it can use new carpeting and paint in places, and perhaps update some of the furniture, but I wouldn't have really noticed it if I wasn't looking! Comments on this board prompted me to do so. The workers really went out of their way to please---very friendly and nice. We have always booked aqua class on Celebrity as we like the quiet 11th deck and David (hubby) makes full use of Persian Gardens and gym. We just saw two shows-- a Broadway review and magician. Both pleasant. We didn't do the other production shows because we just don't care for them. I guess we have become old farts! The food overall was good to very good. And yes, it was clear that Celebrity has tighten their belts with the food offerrigs. We ate one time each in all the specialty restaurants--- I found my go to Murano lobster as tasty as usual but a fraction of the portion that used to be served. At Tuscan Grille, the rib eye, while tasty was full of fat, making after cutting away the fat, a really small portion. The service was good at Blu most of the time. Regarding Thanksgivig day: We decided to have a small plate of Thanksgiving fare for lunch. It was so disorganized. One person carving turkey- no stuffing out- the gravy before reaching the Turkey line, blocking other foods that people were trying to get. Also the food was cold. So that was disappointing. In the am, I told the maitre de (sp?) that we just want a regular Thanksgiving turkey plate that was being served in the dining room that night. He said sure, no problem--- Well we told that to our waiter, and 55 minutes later we still weren't served. So I very nicely complained to the maitre de--- 10 minutes later he brought us our plates ) very little, I mean little food on it. He said, I had the staff make this up personally for you. Fist of all this was a blatent lie, And he assured me that it was never any problem getting food from main dining room. Any way, Thanksgiving was definately a disappointment . But all I really wanted from this cruise was a good rest, no cooking, etc. that I did get.

We once stayed at the Doubletree hotel in El Segundo. At that time it offered the best rate for park and fly, shuttle for lax-- a ride much shorter than I expected. We had a very nice dinner at the hotel, much better than I would have expected--- not particularly cheap, but not as expensive as I would have thought. You should check that out.

We are also staying one night before Celebrity cruise, this Thursday. Hotel is good enough and convenient for port--- We stayed here years ago, and it was fine. If we were going to stay longer we would have probably stayed at Doubletree----which is in a prettier area----

I am trying to find out if the afternoon tea at Frontenac is the same tea that you can book yourself for a Fri or Sat afternoon. The Tea is held in one of their nice restaurants or on their terrace. I read someplace that the tea that is part of a cruise excursion is held some place in a dingy room in the basement! I will be specifically on a Princess cruise next Sept-- and am considering their walking tour of Quebec with optional tea at the hotel. I'd rather skip that option, if it isn't really the same tea. Thanks in advance for any replies from people who have done this Anita

OK-- I'll have have him wear his brown shoes after all. He was planning on bringing an extra pair of clean white sneakers for at night, besides wearing his day time New Balance, like myself and the person who mentioned that. I'll tell him to pack them for "just in case"--- fortunately we live near the port so this is the first cruise not involving airlines, so weight of suitcase not an issue. After this cruise, we will both have an understanding of what the latest "cruise wear" is on Celerity. Thanks for all the responses. Anita

It's been 4 years since my husband and myself have been on a cruise- Last one was Celebrity Solstice- Alaska--- My husband wants to know if he is "stuck" having to pack his brown "good" shoes and black socks to wear at night in the restaurants, including Blu (we are in Aqua class) or can he just wear his nice white tennis shoes. He wears slacks at night and collared polo shirt. I want to know if he should have a blazer to wear at Murano's which I remember as being a bit dressier than the other restaurants. This is for a Mexico Thanksgiving cruise out of San Pedro. Anyway, I told him I will ask on Celebrity forum. Thanks, Anita

I'm not sure how close to the visitors center--- but I am doing Sitka on my own (Have been there before and did the Bears, Raptor center, etc.) and am planning on stopping at Pel Mel downtown for the dumplings!

Oh boy, of course I meant 2023--- Hopefully someone that could have taken advantage of this tip, realized my typo!

I just noticed on B of A credit card a 10 % cash back offer from Alaska airlines--- I grabbed it for my Alaska cruise for next August----- It does expire 10/6/22 at midnight.

ok, at the risk of sounding totally stupid, does the video on the app have to be watched on the ship upon embarkation? It is on the app now already. Is it very crowded to go in the am upon boarding to Murano? Just wondering. Anita

My next sailing on Celerity will be on Eclipse next month. This is the first cruise since Pandemic---- 1. I saw on the apt, safety briefing starts at 11:00. It said to watch life jacket video--- Location to show up is at Murano. I thought that after lunch maybe 1:00ish, I would then go to Murano to sign in. This of course is completely different from the way muster drills were handled before the pandemic. Any info regarding muster- how long will it take, what I am supposed to do on the apt regarding this etc. is appreciated. 2. While I have always booked Aqua class on Celebrity, I really only ate in Blu a couple of times for dinner on each of my sailings. I just liked the short ribs of beef and Rib Eye-- I read that on Eclipse, as long as you give advance notice to Blu, you can order off MDR menu. How far in advance do you need to do this? Early in the day? The day before? For example this is a Thanksgiving sailing. I would prefer to have the main dining room traditional Thanksgiving meal. So when should I let Blu know? Again, all info is appreciated. Thanks in advance. Anita

Being my usual paranoid self, I just called up Norwegian regarding my Haven spa cabin being changed from H9 to HI now called Haven Penthouse Suite with balcony. The gentleman I spoke with said he has been inundated with calls regarding the letter sent. I just wanted to make sure that as long as I don't try to get the basic fare changed (should prices drop between now and next August when I have the sailing), my thermal access is guaranteed as booked. I was nervous as it says "no reservation changes" that if I were to add or delete a shore excursion or something like that, it would cancel the thermal passes. He assured me it was just the basic fare. Hopefully, he knows what he is talking about!

THis is the 8 night sailing 11/17/23 out of Los Angeles Harbor----

My check in time for upcoming EclipseThanksgiving cruise from Los Angeles was first available this am. The earliest boarding time available was 11:00-11:30. Is this the earliest boarding time now that Celebrity has available? I remember on past Celebrity cruises, I never paid attention to the posted times. I always just showed up a little before 10:00 and was on board between 10:45 and 11:00---- This is my first sailing on Celebrity since 2017.

Ok, I just received notification that my Haven Spa cabin H9 has been re named Haven Penthouse Suite with Balcony HI --- It says spa stateroom reservations made prior to Oct. 2, 2023 (mine was made months earlier) will reflect the name change and thermal suite access will be protected. But if any changes are made to stateroom number or " reserrvation changes that adjust your voyage fare will void our complimentary thermal suite passes." What!!!

I still have all that from prior celebrity cruses- made things so easy. Mine were mostly from dollar tree or 99 cent stores, can't remember which. But inexpensive, and were wonderful for us!

OP here. Thanks for all the responses. I think I will just end up using the NCL transfers from the ship and just use shuttle express to get us from airport hotel to the ship. My daughter was at the other terminal for Princess and was glad she used the shuttle express-- She said the bus for that was right there when she got off the ship, 9:00ish I think she said. She was at the airport barely an hour later. But I think for NCL terminal their transfers are probably the easiest way to go.

I am embarrassed to tell you my cruise isn't until next year! I'm just gathering information and putting in my file.

Please post how it went. Thanks. Anita

My daughter used Shuttle Express and said it was quick and easy--- I think she was on a Princess cruise (she didn't like it, prefers NCL but had a cheap deal that time)---- I am probably using shuttle express to get from pre cruise hotel near airport to the cruise. After cruise is over, I just want the easiest experience to get to the airport-- Our flight will be leaving around 1:30 or so-- Alaska Airways----We were thinking to get to airport around 11:30 ish (we will hopefully just have our carry on luggage with us) --- want to get off the cruise ship 9:30? maybe----if this makes sense-------

I'll check this out. Thanks! Anita

Any recommendations for hotel near airport that has reliable (frequent) airport pick up to hotel? I am thinking about one of the Hilton Garden Inns because it has restaurant on site for dinner and then morning breakfast. But there have been complaints that the shuttle takes a very long time to arrive at airport ----- so now I am re thinking this-- I'm a Hilton Honors member, but truthfully for this one night before cruise, just looking for convenient easy hotel stay--- (I've done all the touristy stuff in Seattle- where we have rented a car, etc.) For hotel to pier, just planning on an Uber or Seattle towncar----- Thanks in advance for any suggestions. Anita

Hi all--- I was just wondering for those of you who had NCL take you to the airport in Seattle after Alaska cruise--- are you glad you did that? or are you sorry you did it? After a cruise, we usually arrange a private service, like Seattle Express or something like that. Hopefully we will just have hand luggage with us (making use of port valet service). But out of laziness, we would be fine with letting NCL just take us to airport-- probably will be around the same price---- if no one has had problems doing so. One time we made the mistake of having cruise line (off the Jewel) take us to airport in Miami or Ft. Lauderdale ( many years ago) and it was horrible- ac turned off in bus, and took an hour until bus left for airport---- That was a "never-again" experience. Appreciate all responses/opinions. Thanks in advance. Anita

Thanks for the photos! Years ago when I went on the Reflection- someone one on this board posted photos and advised getting the collapsible cubes. Boy was she right-- the cubes came in so handy-- it really made the storage area above the bed much more usable.. So I will definately pack the cubes and my magnets for my Nov Eclipse trip. Thanks again for the info. Sincerely, Anita

nice photo! Was the storage above the bed, the same on all three ships? I just want to know if I should bother packing the collapsible cubes or not (they made it easy for me to pull my stuff out as needed, over the bed.)