galavant3

I have to admit that I assume people are as interested in my status as I am in theirs. Not in the least.

When I see people refer to status when they post or ask a question, I figure it is because it is relevant to the question/post.

I have never seen anyone use or flaunt their status on any cruise I've been on but then I'm not really paying that much attention to what other people are doing.

And there appears to be a relationship between status and age. Plus, I'm not sure frequent cruising counts as an "accomplishment" worthy of bragging about.....

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Several years ago, the entire family got their luggage. With the exception of my 18 year old son. I was convinced he packed liquor in his suitcase even though he insisted he hadn't. But the luggage never showed up.

Royal measured him for a Tux for formal night and he was borrowing his brother's clothes for the first few days.

The third day, our cabin attendant brought his suitcase in. Apparently there was a room full of boys next door and they didn't realize there was an extra suitcase in the cabin. How can you not notice an extra full sized suitcase in a tiny cabin??

Regardless, we were happy to finally get it and I was relieved that my son wasn't a "smuggler".

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You can request it and they will do their best to accommodate. We did not even request on our cruise earlier this year, and had the same table and wait staff every night we were there with just the 2 of us.

Thanks so much!

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If you choose my time dining, can you request the same waiter each night?

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Just off the Infinity and there was a bar server that handled cocktails, bottled water and specialty coffees.

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I have never been able to get any martinis not on the menu.

Wow! Maybe we were just lucky or maybe we were not so much ordering off the menu as "customizing" a menu item?

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Assuming that the GE card works the same as NEXUS for logistics, cards are sent in the mail unactivated - need to log on to GOES to confirm receipt & activate, just like when you get credit/debit cards you generally have to call your bank/log in to online account.

 

Since GE works with passports only just about everywhere except ports and foreign pre-clearance airports, if you forget to do that you'll only find out when you try to use the card in one of those places.

 

Question, since you quoted one of my posts above, are they now accepting GE at the Security line too so it saved you lots of time? Or was it still just Immigration stage, but you felt it was a big time-saver compared to the non-Trusted Traveler folks?

I'm fairly certain that GE is not used on security lines. When we boarded, those lines were non existent so we didn't even explore that option. The customs line was for both ships in port - one was Celebrity and one was NCL (I think). That line looked like Space Mountain on a busy day. I was the hero in our group because I knew to look for GE and reminded them to bring cards.

To put it in perspective, when we checked in with Celebrity, an agent checking someone else in referred to the immigration line as a S@$T Show. Those were her words, not mine.

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Why is the Martini Bar always so popular? (ie crowded!)

Anyone care to venture a guess?

The drinks are exceptional and if you request a drink with an ingredient they don't normally carry, they will try and get it and have it each night. In our case it was jalapeño.

They will custom mix anything you ask for.

They have the designation of "flair bartender" and they routinely put on "shows" each day.

In addition to the Flair designation, I believe they select bartenders that are very outgoing and personable.

All in all, a very fun bar.

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Our Aqua Class cabin on the Infinity does have an umbrella.

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It is available - but it's no use for getting through Security faster, only CBP, so it's not as much of a timesaver as at airports.

We just used Global Entry at the port in Vancouver and it saved a lot of time. It was a little hard to spot but if you look for the "Crew" signs, there was a small Global Entry sign next to it. If you don't see it, as soon as you get to the line (there should be a person there directing traffic) ask and they will direct you.

Bring your actual Global Entry card or you will likely be delayed, maybe even denied Global Entry.

Also, even if you have used the card for air travel, make sure it is "activated". People with us were delayed because their cards were not activated. I have no idea how that could happen since they have used GE for air travel many times.

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On the Infinity now, in Aqua Class. No umbrellas in the cabin but the Daily stated that they were available upon request.

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I wish your son the best in whatever career path he chooses. My boys both wanted to work on cruises ships also but as they approached high school graduation and college, they seemed to forget about it and focused on other fields. After the FBI tour, they also wanted to be FBI agents. So did my husband.....[emoji849]

My unsolicited advice would be to let him enjoy his high school years and allow his career path to develop naturally.

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If you use a passport, make sure it is a certified copy and not a photocopy or a hospital "record of birth". I'm not sure if all states will have a raised seal but some do.

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I would remove the grats for the little one and then tip as you go along. You may need a lot of assistance and tip more or not need anything and tip less

 

 

 

Full price for an infant is outrageous.

Keeping it in perspective, the cost of gratuities is about the same as one drink per day. I'm as frugal and the next guy but just doesn't seem out of line to me.

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This reminds me of a cruise we took with our three kids. My youngest came down with a virus (probably Noro although he wasn't diagnosed as such). Anyway, the cabin attendant was amazing. She completely disinfected the cabin, washed all the bedding and had to keep the cabin clean and sanitary for the other two kids (who did not get sick). She checked on him on her own. She went way above and beyond and we were very grateful because she made a bad situation a little bit better.

The small amount we paid per day seemed embarrassingly small.

Also, when my kids were younger, the dining room staff always went out of their way to keep them happy and entertained.

My guess is that when it is said and done, you will think that the recommended gratuities are quite reasonable.

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Aqua Class!

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We've been on all three and we are of similar age. I will not cruise Carnival again, regardless of itinerary or price. It just wasn't a good fit for us. Our preference is Celebrity.

We prefer Aqua Class and find the food to be excellent. We have never eaten in the main dining room. The lack of announcements is appealing. We usually have dinner late so the shows aren't really important to us. The atmosphere is a bit more sedate on Celebrity which may or may not be what you are looking for.

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I'll weigh in! I've cruised from Carnival to Regent and to me (my opinion only!) Aqua Class on Celebrity is the best value. I think it approximates (does not equal) a luxury line experience for much less money. We like port intensive cruises but at the end of the day we want a really good dinner with fabulous service.

Edit: The question wasn't asked but if price were no object, Crystal is my favorite line.

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You forgot that all seats--window, center and aisle--fly to the same airport.

 

 

 

However, you do have to concede to SWA's biggest shortcoming. Passengers do not get a piece of paper (or a digital image on their phone) proclaiming that they have exclusive claim to a particular seat. Most Americans have serious esteem issues and have to be assured that they are so special that they have complete dominion of a particular seat.

 

 

 

Between you and me, I'm surprised that the Early Bird Check-in is still only $15--surprised and pleased. It's a no-brainer for me.

I think this was implied, but a huge benefit is that if the price drops, you can rebook at the lower fare. You don't get the cash refund but it is banked and you can apply it to a future cruise (up to a year).

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There are balcony cabins on the Oasis that sleep 5. We actually put 5 kids in one. It was a board walk balcony cabin.

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Learn something every day. Never had our cards checked...but we were on two smaller ships...Radiance and Serenade.

 

 

 

We have not been on the larger ones.

I've never had my card checked either. Large or small ships.

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We weren't really concerned with becoming Diamond but my son became Diamond on his 18th birthday. And now, he and his fiancé both have Diamond status. And we paid for it.

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Did you want the kids to stand?.

When my children were young, we taught them to offer a seat to adults if none were available. As kids, they are generally comfortable sitting on the floor so it was never an issue for us. It was a matter of showing respect for adults.

We taught our sons to extend the same courtesy to women and the elderly.

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I really want to try Fever Tree tonic. I don't know where I can get it in the NY state (not the city) area. I'm a somewhat reformed vodka drinker and now enjoy a Hendricks with cucumber in hot weather. I still do like vodka and unless I can get Hendricks, I don't do gin. Would, however like to try The Botanist!

Our Total Wine carries Fever Tree here in the Dallas area. I think many grocery stores do also.

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What if you don't use some of the services that is included in the direct tipping? for example, we don't use the main dining room at all. Why would I then tip for a service that I didn't use?

Tipping shouldn't pay for the salaries, cruise lines should. Tipping is an appreciation of a service received not a granted right simply because you are on board and they have access to your credit card information.

There are lines where gratuities are included in the cruise fare. If you object to the compensation system in place, you might check other lines out. By not tipping, or under tipping, you are not punishing the cruise line, just the worker.

My personal feeling is if you plan to remove gratuities, please let all who serve you know so that they can adjust their service accordingly. We have never gotten anything less than excellent service and objecting to the relatively small daily charge seems unreasonable.

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