go noles

Loved Hotel Almanac. 

We just returned.  Our hotel arranged for someone to come to our room and test us. 

Norwegian Wood - The Beatles

Arrive Gatwick at 0730 from US on a Sunday morning.  Celebrity transfer is $100.00 each and departs airport at 1100.  National Express has one leaving at 1015 that arrives Southampton at 1310 for $16.00 each.  Here are my questions.

Is National Express reliable and do they run on time?

Do you think a 1015 departure is doable after a flight from US?

Are taxis readily available at the Southampton station to take us to pier how far, how much etc?

Thanks in advance.

Just realized I can fly nonstop to Gatwick but not Heathrow.  Suggestions on transportation from Gatwick to Southampton on a Sunday?  Thanks again.

Booked an 8/25 cruise on Silhouette yesterday with two perks.  Thinking about changing one of them.  I went to reservation and did not see them.  Am I looking in the wrong place?  Thanks

If we walked off and hired a car from Southampton would a 1220 flight to the states be safe?  It would be Sun 9/1.  Thanks

If we landed Heathrow at 1105 and hired a private car would we be ok for a 4:00 departure; on a Sunday

On 3/13/2019 at 1:39 PM, OlsSalt said:

 

Can't think of anything worse than coming on board, hands full with carry-ons and be handed a glass of anything to juggle, while working our way down the crowded foyers, elevators and corridors to our cabin.

Can't think of anything worse?

Is it possible to get an air quote on the website without having a booking number like on Princess, Celebrity and Royal?  If so, I can't figure it out.  Help.

I just got ten day Equinox in October $25 deposit and two perks

Thanks CherryG and Go Bolts!

Never been to HMC and was really looking forward to it.  Just realized there will be another ship there the same day.  Will it be a mad house?  I've rented a clamshell.  Are they all in one place or dispersed throughout.  Any and all advice appreciated.  Thanks

I can't hear toots.  I hear the VHF but that is it.  

Poor guy in the catamaran is going to miss bridge

Have done Princess Sanctuary once before.

Can you tell me about the experience on HAL and current prices if known.  We will be on the 9 night cruise departing January 4th.  Thanks in advance.

We will probably be there early as we don't want to miss 10:00 to JVD.  Any restaurant or bar there if we have to wait some?  Thanks

Is there a discount if you purchase on line prior to cruise?  Thanks in advance.

Just booked a cruise leaving on 1/4.  I didn't realize until after I booked it didn't ask about dining preference.  Now when I go back to my booking summary I don't see my seating.  Am I not looking in the right place.  Thanks

First Canadian cruise coming up this weekend. I have a credit card with no foreign transaction fee which we will use ashore. Wondering if there are some cash only vendors etc that require Canadian $. Thanks in advance.

We were supposed to be spending a week in St Martin later this month. Looks like Irma is going to make that an impossibility (praying for all in harms way). So we are scrambling to make other vacation arrangements.

We've cruised extensively with Princess and Celebrity and are looking at taking the Veendam from Boston to Montreal.

Thoughts and advice appreciated.

Had a great dinner there one night. That and the two lunches in Sushi on 5 were the only real highlights as far as food goes. MDR continues to fall and they no longer mass produce fresh burgers at the mast grill. They have these luke warm things in a chaffing dish that they will put a cold piece of cheese on, yuck. They will cook one to order but it takes fifteen minutes.

They touted it on the ship so I set it up on my phone. Walked off showed it to one of the guides employed by Celebrity. The guide took us out of the line and took us over to a line behind two couples. When we got there, Mr Friendly customs agent says, "We aren't doing those today, where is your form?". I explained that they were really pushing this on the ship and the app had all the right questions down to terminal number. He just looked at me and slid a from my way. I then produced the one I had in my pocket and handed it to him along with our passports. He grunted looked at them and shooed us through.

Agree and don't get me wrong we are having a great time and are blessed that we can do these things. We started cruising mostly Celebrity after cruising mostly Princess. I no longer see a real difference in the two products like I once did.

It has to do with level of expectation.

If you are accustomed to having certain things that you like on a cruise, you notice and miss them when they are changed or taken away.

 

New cruisers don't realize when things have changed and most likely are not even aware of what used to be provided that is now missing or downgraded.

 

 

 

Exactly! On Equinox now. No stir fry in buffet as far as I can tell. My favorite guilty pleasure of a hot fresh burger at the mast grill is gone. They are in chaffing dishes. Luke warm with cold cheese. Ordered charcuterie in gastropub and they brought me a dish of cold cuts from the buffet with some decent pickles and some mustard. Had to call steward for shampoo as it was not being replaced. Most of crew remains excellent and hard working. Pool bar tenders for the most part have been non engaged and somewhat incompetent. Tuscan grill and sushi on 5 are great. MDR is continuing to lag. Also, it would be nice if they would hire another couple of people to clear the bus stations occasionally. Tired of seeing trays of half empty glasses and baskets of silverware.