Dobby36

I would try roulette. You could bet on red or black. Or odd even, etc. they will take a $5USD at the table or you can room charge with your keycard. That seems like a simple way to double your $…or lose it 😉

Most bars also have a few flavored vodka, usually Grey Goose and Absolut.

We are not on this cruise, but did our honeymoon on the Millenium in Japan a couple months ago. We ended up with a great group of LGBT folks from the meetups, even spent a few nice sea day lunches together and some excursions. one word of advice: if you don’t see the meetup (ours was daily 730 in martini bar) on the printed program or app, go check at guest services. They have a “commmunity events” board there where AA meeting, religious services etc are listed. We kinda made a stink to the cruise director that no one was coming because they didn’t put it in the app and hardly no one would notice that board downstairs. On the third day they put it in the app and all sorts of fun folks showed up (some who we’d already met in casino or elsewhere) and it was a blast all around! enjoy the heck out of it -we wanna go back ASAP!

My fav was the Thai Beef Salad and the Lobster and shrimp dumplings. I think we all had multiple starters and don’t recall a charge, but perhaps this has changed since 2023. The cocktails were all interesting and worth a try. They can also modify the drinks easily if you prefer the mixers with a different spirit, for instance. Or less sweet, etc by adjusting the juice. I found the desserts to be the least impressive of the courses, but overall LOVE Tamarind!

I may have mis-worded the sentence. I know the TSA Precheck fee is good for a longer period, the annual fee I was trying to reference was a credit card annual fee, for a card that includes a credit to cover TSAPrecheck fee.

The calculation of “worth it” could also include the fact that many credit cards (usually premium or travel ones) offer a statement credit to reimburse the cost associated with global entry or TSA Precheck applications. Check if yours does, if not perhaps this added value would offset the annual fee. Some, (IIRC) like the United Explorer card waive the annual fee for the first year, so you could sign up, use the benefits and cancel the card if you don’t find the ongoing annual perks to be worth $99 in years 2,3,etc…

Just to add one more data point: I usually book onboard and I have (at least once, but I believe twice) added Club Orange at that time onboard to include the upgraded room selection. The last time was when there was a husband and wife future cruise consultant couple (FCCC?!) and it was the wife who helped me and did it, she was lovely.

We used it in Chan may Vietnam and Singapore, but it was downloaded in Singapore. Incredibly slick! You have the option to pay in cash if you’d like, when hailing a ride. You can also order food, pay for food at hawker markets or to street vendors and at booths where you just say “grab?” And they will show you a QR code to scan and show you the # of dollars/funds for your purchase. Highly recommend. Functionality gets limited once outside WiFi, unless you use cellular service. But we found this no issue.

if you are considering a specific aircraft type on an airline, you can often search YouTube for reviews by entering the aircraft type and airline in the search function. Be aware of the date they’ve been recorded, and that some planes have multiple configurations, but it’s at least somewhere to start. Occasionally the reviewers will have helpful tips or drawbacks of various portions of the cabin. (And primarily the business class cabin! Much less interest in economy trip reports, I imagine…)

Celebrity is offering tours to the bridge as part of their behind the scenes tours. Or at least they were on Millenium a couple months ago. The captain spoke to us there and encouraged taking pictures. IMG_4080.heic IMG_4081.heic

I was on a cruise to those countries in march 2023, and nothing beyond a covid vaccination certificate was required (or suggested!) and I’m not sure it was the countries that even cared about covid, I think it was hollland America. If they were needed, the line should tell you with plenty of notice

I did a BA to Santiago trip last year, early March. The above post aligns with our experience in the Falklands, etc. but I would also stress how important it is to have LIGHT clothing for both ends of the trip. Our experience was Buenos Aires (low 90s) and Montevideo were much hotter than Santiago (80ish) but both warranted short sleeves and shorts in the daytime if you wanted to do much walking or anything outdoors at all. We realized we packed much more options for the middle of the trip than for the start and end!

I also am booked on this trip, did so in Dec directly with Regent. Found out here on CC a week later about the changes. Mixed bag for me, as I am happy with more sea days and have no strong desire to do Athens or some of the other ports over. But I agree with the “bait and switch” claims of others, and think those booked have every right to make these claims and be angry! This isn’t a case of “operational reasons” as we cruisers are all accustomed to. It isn’t adding or dropping one port, or minor time changes. Take a look my screeenshots to see at what it originally said online when we booked in Dec 9th, versus the update we got last week: Dropping more than half a dozen ports!

@LHARTWICK they very much do still provide paper maps at the entrance in a big display box, and the show times and closures etc are most up to date there. Although apparently it isn’t the best for navigation, @negn ! we are locals and annual members so we walk to the zoo from our home. In holiday times they also have light displays and winter themed shows. another tip - Alberts Treetop Restaurant is the nicest (only sit down) restaurant in the zoo and it takes reservations. It’s pricey, but good -and not much more expensive than the othergrab and go or cafeteria options around the zoo. That said, they all are not bad for “amusement park” type food and there is more to be found than the usual fried fare and gimmicky stuff. Also, many kiosks and restaurants serve local craft beers, wines and mixed drinks if that is of interest… enjoy!

Currently, I think the Seattle route from ATL is the only one Alaska flies, but they are starting a San Diego to ATL flight in May. I wouldn’t let their light presence at the airport deter you from trying them, especially in first class. For a flight this long, they will have a full meal service and an experience on par with Deltas. I fly with them regularly, and would be comfortable with this, especially since Seattle is a major hub for them, enabling them to more quickly recover in the case of any irregular operations.

To answer your question, you may be able to get into the American Admirals Club or Alaska Lounge (if flying on a one world alliance airline) or the United Club (if flying on a star alliance airline) All of these will be depend at on them having space available, as they prioritize members and premium cabin guests over day passes. Admirals clubs are in multiple terminals, Alaska is in terminal 6 and United is in 7. It’s a long walk depending on where you’re going but I’ve been able to hop to multiple terminals and lounges on a long layover without having to clear security. I think that’s improved over the last few years. The day passes are something like $59/person, and you can buy the united ones on the app, but I’d suggest just waiting until you arrive at the club to confirm you’ll be accommodated space-wise, before purchasing. once inside, you will find a buffet of sorts, some amount of included alcohol and seating with charging available. This level of airport lounge will not have ultra deluxe amenities such as massages or sleeping rooms or showers typically, but each will vary a bit. You can google reviews or YouTube tours of most of them, or use LoungeBuddy website/app as others have suggested. Lastly, there can often be an official time limit for entry, (ie: maximum of three hours before flight) but I find these are sporadically enforced, if at all on a connection. happy Lounging!

There is also a water taxi that comes every hour from Rowes Wharf to do airport transfers, but you must book ahead. You can find it by googling rowes wharf water taxi or searching water taxi on the east coast forum. We loved the experience earlier this year!

have you looked for you tube casino walkthrough video tours? This is one: sometimes these videos move slowly enough to catch details like denominations. Others, not so much. I didn’t watch until the end…

You can also use the “order service” (wording could be off) tab on the navigator app, once you get to the room and if you find them not arranged how you prefer. This is handy since the room attendants are often busy on the first day and I haven’t always caught them. Quicker than a phone call, too. other requests on that menu of the app include extra hangers, extra pillows, ice, turndown service, and similar room items. im always finding folks have never seen this, despite being app users. I believe that’s because it’s behind the menu button “order now” and that icon looks like a food service icon, so it’s easy to overlook.

I did HAL Zuiderdam New England/Canada surmise this fall, and wouldn’t suggest going on any ship larger than that. Quebec City was plenty big enough to handle the crowds from the cruise, but Bar Harbor and Charlotte and Sydney (and I suspect others from your list) were small enough to see many stores and restaurants near the pier be over run with folks and hard to get a table, etc. this was of course on top of the fall land tourists in these lovely places. I would highly recommend this trip, however. So beautiful scenery and wonderful people abound.

There are also periodic Amex “offers” under your membership tab of the Amex platinum site. Some of these are spend “$x” on certain cruise line and get bonus points. The offers vary between cruises and come and go. But if you have something booked, or are about to book they can be lucrative. I bought myself $500 worth of OBC for a celebrity cruise I was on during one such offer and ended up getting a 10,000 bonus of Amex points (or more? Can’t remember exact figure of points)

I think the K-Dam Halloween cruise out of San Diego can be added. I’ve seen it for sale on the Atlantis site (they out on full ship charters for gay men primarily, using various lines) for returning members and it should be public soon. Was interesting because until recently HAL was also still selling as “usual” on their site, and I see it’s now disappeared. Also on your list for a continuing education group at that time. the Atlantis parties wouldn’t be conducive to the normal HAL clientele, and makes me wonder: what happens to all those folks already booked? They get offered a different date? It’s only 11 months away so hopefully not too many have airfare booked…

We just got off the Millenium and Jeramie (female) was the host. She mentioned she was performing two roles at the moment, so it could be temporary, but her photo was on the slots listed as host, and she introduced herself as such…didn’t see anyone named Liam.

Also, once those pics posted I forgot to mention we certainly did do the iconic Gardens By The Bay! We were on the fence about the paid to enter portions (Cloud Forest and Flower greenhouses) tu saw the Cloud Forest had a short term Avatar Movie tie-in. It runs from 11/23 to early 2024. The entire greenhouse has flora and fauna from the Avatar films set up, and some interactive exhibits than you can take pics with yourself from your device for free, or try flying a banshee. Was pretty slick! And in addition to the usual signage and info about the specified plants and local weather, etc. a huge bonus to visiting this area (cost was almost $50 pp) was the entire greenhouse felt about 15 degrees cooler than the outdoors. A huge relief from walking over there in the humidity for a mile or so. IMG_4384.heic IMG_4382.heic

Here is part two observations and some pics: terry, the JW Marriott looks like a treat! We were just down the road at the Ritz, which was also great. The Marriott has two gorgeous towers and was bustling with excitement when we walked by. Grab- if you are at all app-savvy, I’d highly recommend getting the app “Grab” downloaded. When I logged into Uber in Singapore, it said “we’re not here, give Grab a try”. But it’s so much more than a ride sharing app. You can not only order a van, a traditional taxi, etc. (and even pay in cash if you prefer!) but you can also order food, and pay for things at vendors and stores using their Grab QR codes. It came in handy at the hawker markets. Food- speaking of Hawker markets -we adored these! So fun and vibrant, cheap food, and very organized. We tried dumplings, chicken, noodles, smoothies, and more over a few visits. One was in Chinatown, the other was Maxwell. We also had sugarcane juice from a vendor by the bay, which was interesting and something I’d never seen before. We tried an anime cafe, which was unique and fun. The breakfast Buffett at the Ritz should be on anyone’s list if you like a solid hotel spread. It had dozens of western foods, nice made-to-order Asian options, and endless fresh fruits and juices and seafood. Honestly, even if you aren’t a buffet person, the Colony is lovely. Marina Bay Sands is exquisite. Be sure to bring your electronic entry receipt from immigration and your passport if wanting to visit the casino. Security is tight! But it was fun once inside and huge variety of games. The mall is also gorgeous, and the evening light show worth seeing (on the mall side, not the gardens side or in the hotel itself) Airport - the airport was incredibly efficient. Make note of not only your airline but your “door” and “row” when you check in. Ours was on the confirmation screen once checked in and they also emailed it to us. Your driver will need that info to drop you off directly in the front of where you need to be. Once there it is so easy to navigate and clean and quirky.