PinkSandGirl

Janice, Hi! Yes. We'll have to compare notes. 😉 See you at the Slot Pull! 🎰 🍹

Dennis, Hi! I just updated the google doc for Halloween. I have been going back and forth with what to do and when. I made it easy. 😉🎃 🍹

Cell phone Usage during a Cruise I have Verizon. There are different plans out there. Some include International and some plans you can add on International on a monthly basis. They also have TravelPass that allows you to use your domestic plan but Internationally and it only gets charged if you use your phone in that destination and it's a flat $10/per day (24 hour period) per device. You have to use your data/phone call/text to activate it. If you don't, you don't get charged. So, for this trip: I added Bermuda, Curaçao and Aruba and also Cruise Ship. While on the ship, you have to make sure your phone is in AIRPLANE MODE so you don't use any data. Make sure you have WiFi on to connect/use the ship internet. I have the Premium Internet so I'll be able to use WiFi calling. I'll have full access to my phone. Phone calls, texting and data. When we're off on the islands, if you don't plan on using your phone (data, calls, texts) then just keep it in airplane mode. Once you take it off airplane mode, it will charge you. I used to have to call to set it up but now I can just log into my Verizon account and do everything myself. TravelPass is already active but I still put in my travel dates and destinations. It takes a few minutes. Very easy. All set. ✔️ 📱 🍹

I will be sure to post pictures of that area. 😃 🍹

47 days at sea sounds fun! I would need a cabin just for my luggage. Hehe. I have read some reports as well about the Transatlantic. I was a bit concerned when I read them but then also thought, I'll wait to see for myself. I do hope and expect great service, something I've always had with Celebrity. I'll give an honest review. We have two Specialty Restaurants booked as of now. I will post about them before we go and then also when we dine there. 😃 🍹

Have fun packing! I was up until 5:00am but I did get a lot accomplished. I have to now go through everything again and see what I can take out. I did that last night, but I need to do it again. I like to be prepared but that sometimes leads to packing more than I need. 😉 I have everything in the suitcases but I have to distribute everything accordingly and also pack efficiently, like rolling things. We have a Pre-Sailaway Meet and Mingle at the Sunset Bar. I love the look of the new design. I'm looking forward to seeing it in person. The Gatsby theme sounds fun! Gen X (Charla), I'm sure she'll post a review like she usually does. She does a good job. Thank You! Yes, I plan to enjoy the cruise. 😃 🍹

I may be organized and everything comes together but there is a time in the middle of all of that where it looks a little scary. It's that time right now. 😂 I like things to be in order and straightened out so when things get to look like this...oh boy. 😆 I need to see everything and then as I pack things, I check them off of my Cruise Packing Checklist. ✔️ I pack things in the order I get ready/groups. This isn't even a 1/4 of the toiletries. 😉 I take small travel size versions of the products I use and/or put things in travel size bottles and containers, when possible. That's what I'm doing now. TIP: Use ziploc bags to help organize and they also help protect things if there is a leak. I tape the lids on certain things and then bring a roll of scotch tape to re-tape for the trip home. This is a scary picture. 😆 I am sharing it so you can see this is a real and accurate report. 😉 Ok, time to get this all sorted out, organized and packed! 🍹

You're Welcome. Anything you want to know, just ask. Enjoy your sailing! 😃 🍹

I've heard about them... actually I've read you mention them before. I will be sure to try them and give a report. 😉 🍪 Thank You! 😃 🍹

I have to get back to my lists of lists. 😅 I'll come back on later after I do some 'work' aka packing. I'm going to get my toiletries together. I already started setting things aside and making sure I ordered things I need. They alone take up a huge part of my weight limit. 💄🪞🩹 I will use my Cruise Packing Checklist that I created years ago and have added to/it's evolved. I print copies for everyone who travels with me so they can make sure they have everything. I have to go to the store tomorrow to get a few items but I'm pretty much set...it's just getting it all packed. I'll post some pictures later. 📸 🍹

Some more pre-cruise tidbits. > When were we able to check-in online? 45 days exactly, before the cruise. It was midnight EST. (It used to be 90 days. I still checked daily from the 90 day mark onward) > How did I check-in? I used the app. I find it easy and user friendly (especially coming from Celebrity). It seemed to go much quicker from when I did it last year. It seems more streamlined. You need your Valid Passport, a credit card for your SeaPass and you have to upload a picture. If you use your phone/the app, it makes it easy to snap a picture. You can also do this online. You have to enter all of your information and a quick "health" survey at the same time (that you can not go back and change/edit - the health questions). This is when you choose your boarding time. The earliest time for this Sailing was 11:00am. That's what I have and it seems most of Our Roll Call too. 😉 You then have your XPRESS Pass! > Does everyone in your travel party have to individually check in? Yes. If your reservation is linked to anyone else, they will also show up in your account information but everyone has to check in individually. > What's the XPRESS Pass? It's what you need to board. I print out paper copies, take a screenshot on my phone and also have the app ready to go with it. I'm covered. 😉 🍹

I was making myself a little crazy keeping track of the menus and trying to plan specialty around them but realize the menu order may change and then I ended up booking specialty on nights I wasn't aiming for. 😆 I will post pictures of the menus for where we eat. I will also post Luminae on nights I don't eat there. I do however see myself going on those nights for dessert since there are some desserts I want to try and they may be on nights I'm at a specialty restaurant. 😉 I don't eat sushi but I enjoyed Sushi on 5 so we plan to go to Raw on 5 for lunch or a 'snack' one day. I'd also like to try one of the MDR's. We'll see how Luminae goes. 😅 One thing we do like is to have the same servers every night. When we were in Blu, we requested the same table and servers each night. It was great. I then feel bad the nights we go to specialty. Hehe. The hostess did visit us when we were in Tuscan Grille to say, Hi! It's little things like that, that all add up to make a cruise even more memorable. 🥰 I have Eden Cafe on my list of places to try. So much to do. I'm going to need more days onboard! 😅 🍹

Thank You! I will definitely give my honest opinion on the Sky Suite and The Beyond. I have a feeling I will enjoy both. It's funny because I was never really interested in the Edge or Apex but I find myself very excited about the Beyond. 😂 🍹

That will be nice, Hawaii. I've been to Maui and loved it there. 🌺 I do love Bermuda. My Cruise Critic Name...is a nod to Bermuda. 😉 🍹

Hi! You're Welcome. 😃 I do that too. Research everything with genealogy and then tell everyone else. 😆 Sometimes I can get sucked into reading Cruise Critic ...well, genealogy is something that once I get on a 'hunt', I can spend a lot of time on it and then the more I find out, the more I have to keep on going. See you onboard! 🍹

Geri, Hi! Yes, it will be fun to meet in line. 😉 I'm sure we will since it's Our Roll @ 11:00am. 😂 🍹

Hi! There were reports of that earlier in the week because the ship hit some rough seas but then someone onboard said that did not happen (a roof collapse in the Retreat). If you look, there is a thread someone started titled "Beyond TA issues". It seems there was some broken glass around one of the Martini hot tubs and wine fridge/broken bottles in the Retreat seems to be what happened. I will report what I see once onboard. 🍹

Thank You! I want the thread to come across with some of my personality. 😉 I'm a little 'worried', maybe that's not the best word to use, about Luminae menus on some nights. I tend to be more on the pickier/particular side. There are 4 of us and I think that's more the concern. We all have things we like/don't like. I believe between hearing they are accommodating (not that I would be demanding or request anything crazy), the Classics available and kids menu... I'll be good. I also have some Specialty Restaurants booked. I would prefer having the MDR items as an option, if needed, but I know that isn't possible on the Beyond. Plus, there is always Blu (based on availability). I don't think I'll go hungry. 😂 If there is anything you would like to know once I'm onboard, just ask. You'll be the first sailing from Fort Lauderdale...not counting the Christening cruise. 🍹

Dennis, Hi! Thank You. I figured in between fun and relaxing, I'll update this thread while sitting on the balcony enjoying the sound of the ocean as we sail or while sipping a cool cocktail on deck. 😉 Looking forward to meeting you. Yes, I'll see you at the Sunset Bar! Rather than with bells on, I'll say with beads on. 😉 📿 I'm excited to see the Sky Suite in person. I love that you get direct sea views from the bed and the bathroom. I've been getting things ready but this weekend...it's like crunch time! Have a safe trip to the port. Kelly 😃 🍹

*High Seas

Hi! Thanks, Jim. I consider you a Mentor when it comes to Live posts. 😉 🍹

Since my weekend is Packing Weekend... > Flights by Celebrity. Our flight was booked through them. I've used them before. At the time of booking, I choose my seats. After final payment, do yourselves a favor and call and ask for the flight(s) to be ticketed. This way you have full control of the reservation and it shows Ticketed as opposed to Pending. I also just like seeing Ticketed. 😉 > Luggage. I'll have two 70lb checked bags, a rolling carry-on, a backpack and pocketbook. It's difficult to keep it to just that. 😅 I will pack for the ship as if I am flying. Since we are only flying one way and that's home, I have to make sure my bags are under 70lbs for when we board the ship. I can't just pack, pack, pack and then worry about figuring out the weight on the ship for when we come home. I bring a Luggage Scale with me. > Luggage Tags - Celebrity I liked the ones they used to mail. How exciting it was to see that envelope a few weeks before the cruise and open it up to see those Luggage Tags. 😉 I was able to still order them for my cruise last October. They are a thing of the past now so thanks to posts from others over the last year, I ordered these plastic Luggage tag holders. I ordered 15 of them for 4 of us. 😂 > Custom Luggage Tags and Shirts We have Our own Custom Luggage Tags - new for each trip. We also wear matching shirts. Yes. We do that. 😃 It's tradition. A new color each time. Design elements: some stay the same (tradition) and some are new each cruise. We wear them on Boarding Day. 😃 🥳👚 > Cruise Names We have Cruise names we go by. Not our real names. 😅 Again, tradition. It became a thing years ago. It's for fun. We do use our real names as well. Kelly is my real name by the way. 🤣 I'll post my Cruise Name the day we Set Sail. 😉 I'll post more details about packing. I have started but more to go. 🎒 🍹

Hi! Testing was a question we didn't have 100% clear until a couple of weeks ago. > Testing for covid-19 required for this Sailing? No, not for the majority. There are still circumstances that people have to test but since protocols are evolving, I recommend visiting Celebrity's website. It may take some time for them to update things, but that's where you go to see if you would be required to test. We weren't sure though, until recently, due to Bermuda. Bermuda changed their requirements though. So, no testing required. > Bermuda Travel Authorization details. They recently changed protocols and as of sailings October 25th, 2022 forward, covid-19 testing NOT required unless not fully vaccinated. Everyone had to fill out the Bermuda Travel Authorization form and pay $40/per person. Visa or Mastercard. This is required in order to board the Beyond in Cape Liberty. You need to show a copy during the boarding process It took a few days from when I submitted the application until I received the approval. TIP: For any papers I need to board, I have printed paper copies in hand (that are kept in My Cruise Folder) and I have screenshots of them on my phone. 🍹

Live reviews do help fill that cruising void. I wish your husband a speedy recovery and that you are on the highs seas before you know it. Thanks. 😃 🍹

Enjoy your sailing! 😔 Mine will be done by then but then there's the next cruise to look forward to. 🤩 If you have any questions, just ask. 🍹