monicajay

Well if you want to come down now, hubby and I are the only ones here and the staff to guest ratio is 1:1!

Bazinga!!!

My prize arrived this week (I had previously received an email stating that it was sent on November 19th). Unfortunately, I will not find out what it is until I visit my Dad prior to our next cruise in February. Since I live in Canada and prizes can only be shipped to the US, I had my prize shipped to my Dad's. We always try to visit with him before or after a cruise. It's quite large apparently. I think Dad said it was 19 by 22 inches (yes he measured it before I even thought to ask) but pliable enough that it could be folded into his mailbox. It's like an early Christmas gift! :D:D

Yes, I had to get mine sent to our cottage in VT. It was about that size, in a big envelope not a box.

Today I received a fabric shopping bag from Cruise Critic. The sort one would receive from Celebrity in a regular cabin. Although not super valuable, I'm very happy.

You can gather the size from my 'thumbs up'.

I look forward to bringing it on our upcoming cruise.

I am grateful for the support of Celebrity Cruises and the cruise critic community.

Not that I'll ever make it to a suite but I'm happy 'Celebrity Cruises' was able to follow up on your situation and that it worked out for you too.

Enjoy the rest of your vacation!!

Having done only 2 Celebrity cruises and both departing from San Juan we found them virtually childless. Airfare to San Juan is much higher than to Florida so this discourages some families. Without the slides, skating rinks and climbing walls Celebrity would not be the first choice of families.

The few children we saw were both well behaved and well dressed :).

On our 14 night RCL from Boston to Tampa there were 6 kids on the ship. Our RCL in Nov. in Australia was also virtually childless.

I think itinerary and timing has a lot to do with it.

Enjoyed our day on C.C. very much. Rented bikes to tour the island.

Wondered if any one has visited the money bar on Cozumel? How far was it fun the ship and did you enjoy it?

Yes, multiple times. It depends on which of the 3 piers you are at, can't walk from any of them so it just changes the cab fare by a few dollars.

Enjoyed it very much. A chill atmosphere, OK snorkeling, good guacamole. Cold beer. Not recommended for kids (retaining wall at water's edge). Not a party place that's why I enjoy it.

Heading back on next cruise.

Best bar depends on the time of day.....

Mid afternoon....Pool Bar

5'ish....... Sunset Bar

Pre-dinner 7'ish....Martini Bar

Post dinner........my balcony

Missing the Summit! Sadly she is chartered the only week we can travel for both 2016 and 2017 :(:(

Received an e-mail today that my prize has been sent. (finally)

Will post what I get when 'it' arrives.

Awesome. Thank you all for the great information. The two times I sailed out of San juan, I guess I just included the transfers, but on other cruises, I just did it myself via taxi etc. So it's good to know that a taxi is fine. I think we are going to come in the day before for a buffer for bad weather and also so we won't be so tired starting out.

San Juan is great. Once we went 2 days in advance just to have more sightseeing time.

Taxis have flat rates and they are posted. If heading to the pier directly from the airport you will stand in the taxi line, meet with the dispatcher, he will ask you what cruise line, look at how much luggage you have, and write the agreed price on a piece of paper. This assures that you and your driver know exactly how much it will cost. No meters, no worries.

Same if you are heading to a hotel first. Prices are all per-determined.

This is not a port where I'd use cruise line transfers.

Just got an e-mail tonight from Celebrity (booked direct) final payment is due on the 14th of Dec. for our Reflection cruise.

This is a one month notice. I already had a reminder I put in my phone but I'm happy to receive this e-mail. It specifically mentions that they will cancel if payment is not received by this date.

Sad that when you book directly with the cruise line they make more money since they don't have to pay the agent commission, they don't give you any perks and they can't be bothered to follow up on final payment. :rolleyes:

Seems pretty harsh to cancel a booking when they have had your money without even a phone call or an e-mail.

I'd keep fighting!!

Thanks everyone! The boys (our son and his best friend) are expressing interest in zip lining and cave tubing so I guess we might have to do that in Belize and water/beach in Cozumel

 

So now searching for private snorkel, sailing, beach excursions in Cozumel.

With 2 teens of that age I'd head to Paradise Beach Club. Lots of water toys to play with and with the pool too, they won't be bored.

At that age all my kids wanted to do was go to Paradise Beach Club. If the younger one is really afraid of the ocean she can enjoy the pool.

Just an FYI, S class ships do not have lights on the balconies.

Looks to me he's on the Constellation. M class.

I am in the middle of the Atlantic in an Aqua Class stateroom. My neighbor leaves their balcony night on every night. Is it appropriate for me to let them know this annoys me and, if so, what would be the appropriate way to do so?

Check to see if it's on in the day too. If yes, could be they don't even know, then just ask the cabin steward to turn it off.

If no, then you'll have to find a polite way to speak to them about it. Again, they likely have the blinds closed and don't realize it could be bothersome.

Explain how you like to sit out at night and stargaze and how the light makes it difficult.

I have had to deal with this once and it worked out well. Just remember, you get more bees with honey.....

Good Luck!

Sorry for all those pax that now have to make alternative arrangements. I would love to see statistics on which cruiseline is at the top of the list for chartering their ships. I have to concur with others, X do appear to be chartering more and more recently, especially considering the size of their fleet.

I don't even think it matters which cruise line charters out the most ships. What matters is how they treat the customers that have already booked. This is where Celebrity is not playing fair.

More generous offers with a little more flexibility would likely soften the blow.

Thankfully, I'm not on the list of cancelled people this time although I was just about to book for Feb. 2017 but I did have another Celebrity cruise cancelled so I totally get the frustration.

It boggles my mind that you would build a footstool and then pack it in a suitcase. The beach ball idea, the garbage can idea all seem to make more sense to me. We used the small coffee table on our balcony as a footstool and brought the glass coffee table out to serve as a table.

I've also used my carry-on suitcase with a pillow and then a towel on top. Worked fine.

PS hoping to see pics of what you build

Not an expert but loved the Summit.

We had 6030, one of the sweet 16. Cheapest balcony but the balcony is double the regular size. Go figure.

One way or another , she's a great ship!

How much time do you need to be at the airport prior to departure? If two hours, then 9:45 could be tricky unless you can get off the ship early (i.e. take your own luggage off?)

Two hours prior is for International flights, most domestics ask for 60 minutes. Some, like Jet Blue now promote 90 minutes.

We fly to BTV (Vermont) and I'd have no worries at all about a flight that early.

Print boarding pass on ship (or port the day before if possible)

Carry your own luggage

Make sure your on board account has been zeroed out the night before

Line up at least 30 minutes before first walk off should begin.

Make sure you know where the taxi line is

And, most important, no being pushy or rude to others because you have an early flight. :)

Can someone please post a link to these contests. I can't seem to find them.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=996

Received my winning e-mail on Oct. 19th, now Nov. 5th, more than 2 weeks later and still nothing. :( I keep hoping though, each time I open my postbox.

A friend who is going on the cruise with me had this vaccine recommended by her doctor because we're going to Cozumel. Unfortunately, you need 2 doses 6 months apart and we're just short of time to get the second one before the cruise. She and my other friend are concerned. How big of a deal is this? Does everyone else get this vaccine before going to Cozumel? The article I read said you get it from drinking the water and eating raw food. So, if we take bottled water with us and make sure our food is cooked, are we ok? Help!

I'm sure you'll find very few cruisers who get vaccinated. My daughter who travels around Mexico (on buses and staying in hostels) has had it but having only done cruises I've never bothered.