SbbquilterUT

Perhaps our opinion is different than many above but sailing out of San Pedro was nice for us as it was the first time we could drive to the port. After a 6 hour drive it was lovely to see no long lines at the port. Sailed Solstice twice last January and really enjoyed that as well as our day port stop at San Diego to just walk through town. Solstice has shore power to meet the requirements (I believe we were told almost all the Celebrity ships have it now). Last year the Solstice planned schedule changed which made her available for this special Mexican sailing season.

I personally hate the single use plastic - bring a refillable water bottle.

The challenge is that you traveled during family holiday time in Europe. We sailed 12 night Iceland/Ireland on the Apex last August and it was lovely. The next week (B2B ) was 7 night out of Amsterdam and it was totally different. Lots of kids, noisy dining room with kids allowed to run around tables, teen packs roaming and resting a different atmosphere. We will not sail less than 10 days in Europe again. Consider traveling at a different time or length cruise to get the Celebrity feel.

There was an interesting study by UCLA of medications from pharmacies in Mexican tourist cities sold as Adderall, percoset and oxy were contaminated with other drugs - just be mindful.

The Yellow fever vaccine is not recommended for cruise ship passengers per the CDC site - if you were going into deep jungle/forest it is. Those recommendations do change periodically so it is good to check.

The travel level has been 3 and 4 periodically for at least 6 years - certainly this may be concerning to many people and they have to decide their level of comfort with that stop.

We rented a van for the drive up the Yukon Highway - easy drive up to Emerald Lake.

We sailed mid-September and had moderate weather - some rain and some nice days. In port lots of things were already closing for the season and the last of the salmon had already run so that changed the feeling from cruises we had done at other times of the season.

We pack in carry-on luggage : these packing lists are so lengthy and we have not found a need for most of the things. I start watching the 14 day forecast two weeks before we go to decide final clothes list. For Alaska, Iceland, Norway we used the same list. Bottoms are hiking pants and capri length pants plus a skirt and dress pants for dinners. Tops are layered starting with a tee, then wool long sleeve tee, mid weight fleece or quilted vest and rain coat for top layer. In August we have been cool and hot so be prepared. Shoes are waterproofed as is the backpack we take. Have a great time.

We were out early and headed to South Beach - farthest from the dock. Nice beach, lovely water and pretty quiet, with plenty of beds with shade. Food and bathrooms very close. The shuttle will take you out there as well.

I suggest you evaluate how much you personally would use the plan. For us it does not make sense - we drink one alcoholic beverage each evening before dinner, bring a refillable water bottle for the water we drink during the day, and perhaps buy a specialty coffee each morning so we pay as we go. Other people really enjoy trying drinks, getting bottled water, juice with breakfast.

Loved our deck 11 Aqua cabin on the Constellation but the spa on the M class is very dark and no true heated loungers. Sadly I contracted CoVid so spent the last 5 days on deck 7 in quarantine. I enjoy the quieter atmosphere of Blu but not at that price.

We had the Classic one cruise and soda, water and coffee at Cafe A were included. Our drinking is limited to one pre-dinner so since then no package. I did the coffee package on Iceland/Ireland/Norway and it was well used, not so much on warm weather cruises.

We found lines to be seated if you want to eat when the restaurant first opens so we would wait until about 6:45 to go as early diners were leaving for the show, we were easily seated with time to finish before the later show.

It has been made quite simple using the app - much of the information is known from your booking. We rarely do a photo at home, enter passport data and verify credit card info then select our entry time. At the port they take the photo without any problem. Have a great time.

Do not recall seeing any glaciers from our inside passage sailings.

Last August sailed 12 night Iceland/Ireland on the Apex and there were very few young children. Next week was a 7 night Norway and there were loads of families which definitely changed the ambiance of the public spaces at times. We knew August would be very family oriented and it was on the shorter cruise which better fits vacation needs. There is a great kids club which seems to keep the younger ones happy, the pre-teens and teens did what was natural to them and travel in packs.

Sometimes there may be a Priest traveling as a passenger who volunteers to say Mass.

We very much enjoyed Coco Cay - old enough to be celebrating dear friends 50th anniversary! Headed directly to South Beach (farthest beach) which was quieter, had plenty of beads with shade and was fairly quiet. Food, bar, bathrooms easily accessible.

We have driven the Yukon Highway up to Emerald Lake - beautiful drive and we stopped when we wanted. And with 6 of us it was a bargain.

We eat a good breakfast and avoid the buffet crush. Drop your bags - or if you travel in carry on size as we do, carry them with us. Drop them in room, lock up valuables and say hello to cabin steward. Check in at muster station. Be sure to register your kids with the kids club. Walk around and explore the ship. We found that at Southampton they are strict about when you can enter the port so don't get there before your assigned check-in time. Have fun

I have packed my old fashioned hot water bottle for travel.

Royal Caribbean Oasis class - the smoke haze goes out into the wait areas for the dining room.

In Miami and Ft. Lauderdale the airports are not that far from the port - we plan on using Uber as the hotel shuttles frequently charge per person to the port and it has to be on their schedule. As you are arriving so late, You can stay near the airport (read hotel reviews carefully) and then Uber to the port when you choose the next day.

The spa staff have quotas to meet on product sales and the more they sell, the better bookings they are offered.