ridge4

You're right, that doesn't make a bit of sense. Either it's a glitch in the booking engine, or there is another exhibit at that time not currently shown on the event calendar. I echo another poster's advice, call.

Where did you see that? I went on the website and couldn't find any place to enter the code. . .

From the main page, click on the large image advertising the January sale. Then click on the Celebrity logo just below it. Now you should see the general offer (#49). Now click on the small arrow to the right of the offer info. Allow the page to fully load, and you should see the info on the code extension in red.

Since I did not book online, I don't know how you enter it during a booking. Maybe there is a comment or special request field?

 

ridge4 - When did you book?

Thursday evening, 1/9. Perhaps the confusion over the additional OBC is because I booked Europe. When I follow the links from the email for Caribbean, for example, the offer is different.

I just saw that the offer for the extra $100 with the emailed code has been extended through the weekend if you book on the website.

I don't understand how you came up with $700 OBC? :confused:

The TA's offer was all 3 perks, not one or two.

• Classic drink package (or waive this for $300 OBC)
  
• Prepaid gratuities
  
• Up to $300 OBC - 10+ nights was the full 300
  

The small print offered the additional OBC if you were not interested in the drink package. The last $100 was an offer I received via email celebrating an award they received from Celebrity, if you mentioned a code from the email during booking.

The agent kept warning me that it will be difficult to spend $700 OBC and that it would be non-refundable if not used. I told her we would manage. :)

We booked the Greek Isles on Reflection on this promo also. I have used this TA several times without issue before. I did stop using them when they started the $100 pp cancellation fees, but this promo was too good to pass up.

Apparently we are the only ones who traded the drink package for the additional $300. :o We just don't drink much at all, and it would be wasted. With the other extra $100 offer, we now have $700 OBC and prepaid gratuities. This will be a good cruise to have some spa treatments and visit some of the speciality restaurants! :D

I called yesterday afternoon, and received a return call that evening about 8pm! They were obviously working late. Once the big promo dies down, you will be able to reach them much more quickly.

In the case of some cards like the Andrews FCU Global Trek Card (mentioned in previous posts) the institution has set "Signature" as the default. So if you use that card in any place that allows the signature option (i.e. most restaurants) the credit machine will automatically spit out a receipt that must be signed. If that is not an option (such as at a ticket machine) it will then allow you to complete the transaction with just your PIN (and no signature).

Hank

That is exactly the way the Penfed Visa worked on our trip. :)

Thanks for the information on PenFed.

 

One disappointing aspect of the Andrews FCU VISA card is they do not provide eBills to online bill payment services. This makes it a bit difficult when on extended trips as I have to go online to the VISA site to get my balance and then access my online bill payment website to enter payment information. Not a big deal stateside, but it can be while traveling. All my other bills are paid in full automatically so I don't need to be concerned with them.

 

So my question: Do you happen to know whether PenFed provides eBills?

 

Thanks...

 

Lew

I don't use e-bills, so I can't be certain, but I don't believe they do. I am going by the list provided to me from my bank's website. I use their bill-pay, and it shows a list of payees eligible for e-bills. Penfed is not on the list. :(

Another option is the Visa branded cards from Pentagon Federal Credit Union. They are both chip and pin / chip and signature. I used mine in Europe on a trip this month, we returned 12/15.

In manned situations, it performed as chip and signature. But at the kiosk in the Barcelona metro, it promptly asked for my pin and worked beautifully. It has the added benefit of no forex fees. I assume it depends on the machine running the card, as to when pin is requested.

You do not have to be affiliated with the military to join. There are many other options, such as joining the National Military Family Association for a one-time fee of $20, or Voices for America's Troops for a one-time fee of $15.

We have been members for years. They often have great loan rates, our used car is currently financed through Penfed. They also have excellent customer service.

Note that the Amex branded cards do not yet offer chip and pin through Penfed.

How about breakfast? Can you use the package in the MDR for some decent coffee or does it take so long that you're done eating?

It also pays to keep an eye on the outlet at Coldwater Creek. I have ordered a few dresses there recently during some great sales. Several of these aren't really formal, but I like them to wear to dinner on more casual evenings. The Caribbean always makes me want to wear dresses! CC carries many of their dresses up to size 24. They are always nice quality fabric and are usually fully lined.

http://www.coldwatercreek.com/product-detail/52033/58161/indigo-print-mesh-dress.aspx?colorid=994&refLink=outlet-dresses.aspx&Skn=outlet

http://www.coldwatercreek.com/product-detail/52080/58160/textured-a-line-dress.aspx?colorid=404&refLink=outlet-dresses.aspx&Skn=outlet

I am considering this one for a formal night, as it has beading and sequins, a bit dressier:

http://www.coldwatercreek.com/product-detail/49476/55410/floral-jacquard-dress.aspx?colorid=317&refLink=outlet-dresses.aspx&Skn=outlet

Nice thread. Checked out the website and the FB page. Sounds perfect for us, I love how they let you pick and choose your options. We booked for our January cruise on Voyager, looking forward to it!

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When were you there?

If sometime after hurricane Ike

the elevator had its problems with 20 feet of water is understandable situation.

No, this was well before Ike. I was actually hoping that the elevator had been updated during repairs, which is why I checked recent reviews. Unfortunately, several recent reviews I read still reference elevator problems. This was actually the deciding factor for not booking HH for our upcoming trip.

We are currently booked with the Tremont, although I do have my eye on a really good price at the Quality Inn and Suites on the Seawall that I may not be able to pass up. ;) I do like being in the Strand area, though...decisions, decisions!

We have stayed there too. I really enjoyed the stay for the most part, but there were ups and downs.

The good: rooms and views were great! Our room was very large, comfortable, and had a fridge. It is very convenient to the cruise terminal. Some walk to it, but since we normally cruise RCI, and RCI's ships dock a bit further down, we prefer to drive over and one of us waits with the luggage while the other drives back and parks, then walks over.

The not-so-good: the elevator is very small and unreliable. It was not operational when we arrived, and we had to haul all of our luggage up to the 3rd floor ourselves (no staff to help, they seem to keep very minimal staff). It did start working later, but was still dicey. Reading some recent reviews, the elevator still seems to be an issue, so it apparently has not been updated.

The breakfast really is kind of a joke. They throw out a few store bought bagels and rolls, some yogurt (maybe some cereal, can't recall), juice and coffee. There is no one attending it or restocking if something runs out.

There does always seem to be confusion on the parking fee. In our case, it was $20, but I know what you mean about the conflicting reports.

Overall, I would stay again if the price was right, but we are looking at other options this time.

We are also staying at the Sutton Place. I would be interested in the revised fall schedule to the Cap.Bridge. We arrive in VC on 9/15/10 pre-cruise stay.

 

Thanks,

 

Mary

Mary, here is the the gist of the response I received:

We still do not have the fall/winter shuttle schedule. At this time all I can tell you that it will only run 4 times a day and the pick up times will be approximately 0900; 1000; 1130 and 1245. The pickup locations will be Canada Place, Marriott Pinnacle, Hyatt Regency; Blue Horizon Hotel and Westin Bayshore. The times above are approximate departure times from Canada Place. I appreciate you are planning your visit, but this information will not be available for probably another week at the earliest. Our website will have the updated schedule up about two or three days prior to September 6th. Our shuttle schedule will also be available from the downtown hotels on your arrival.

We are planning on taking the free shuttle offered by Capilano. One of the stops is the Blue Horizon Hotel, easy walking distance from Sutton Place. The one snag in this plan is that the published schedule is only through Sep. 6th. I called and was informed that the shuttle will continue to run, just on a reduced schedule. They said it would be published very shortly (that was six weeks ago :confused:).

I just emailed them today trying to get the schedule for Sep. 7th onward. If I don't get a straight answer, I guess I will just call them when we arrive in Vancouver.

LadyBentley,

 

Did you also use Hotwire? I noticed the price was slightly lower than ridge4 who booked through Hotwire. We are looking to book pre-cruise to Hawaii for Sept 15th - Sept 17th. This is close to the date's ridge4 booked through Hotwire. I'm glad to see a winning bid for Vancouver. Have you been to this hotel in the past? Is it close to the port/dock in Vancouver?

 

We have 90 days till sailing and counting!!

maryh307,

It looks your dates would actually be slightly lower than LadyBentley's. I took a look at your dates on Hotwire and see a 5-star with the same amenities for $122. Going by info on betterbidding.com, this is either Sutton Place or the Pan Pacific (I am betting on Sutton Place). There is also a 4-star that looks like it is likely the Sheraton Wall-Centre for $115. None of this can be guaranteed, of course.

Sutton Place is 6-8 blocks from Canada Place. The Pan Pacific is actually right at the cruise terminal. I didn't check the location of the Sheraton.

Good luck with your search!

Just booked a 5-star on Hotwire for 09/10/10-09/12/10 post cruise and got Sutton Place for $129. This is exactly what I wanted, so I am very pleased! We decided to splurge a little for the weekend before returning home. :)

An excellent read is "It Isn't All Mink" by Ginette Spanier who was the "directrice" of the famous House of Balmain fashion empire during its 1950s heydays. It is a great insight to haute couture.

 

It is also about her fleeing the ****s during WWII.

Thank you, that sounds like an interesting read. I am going to track that down.

Cindi

Hmmm..it appears somes posts are being removed. That is unfortunate, a well composed and thought provoking post by Jane is now missing. Perhaps she chose to edit it instead, I'm not sure. My reply will be referencing comments removed, sorry for the confusion.

Jane;

You have some valid points. Upon review, my comments do convey a closed mind.

Your restaurant analogy was very good, and stirred a memory of one of my first cruises. Among our tablemates was a lovely couple, who apparently had a very narrow taste in food. While my husband and I were delighted at the opportunity to try a variety of new dishes, it quickly became apparent that this couple ate only "steak and potatoes" type of fare. As the week wore on, I even found myself able to predict exactly what they would order at each meal (as did the waiters). I recall wondering why anyone would not avail themselves of the chance to expand their horizons. It is one of the many reasons I love cruising. While the food is far from gourmet, I don't understand trying to recreate a meal from the local Golden Corral.

With regard to the experts, I learned over the years to never just accept their advice at face value (in general, not just the fashion industry). I feel it is always wise to question them, at least until I gain a modicum of respect for their abilities. From your comments, these individuals have gained that respect within the fashion industry. Gaining the respect of the average television viewer is another task entirely. Unfortunately, several of them appear to often contradict themselves. The fact that the show allows the producers a say in the results also muddies the waters somewhat. I hope the judges opinions truly are their opinions, and not those of the money behind the show. Perhaps gaining the confidence of the average viewer is not part of the point at all. My respect for Tim is growing, as his opinions seem consistent, even when I disagree.

Admittedly, the entire concept of haute couture is a tough one for me. I do understand that this is an entirely different area than, for example, ready-to-wear. I can certainly appreciate custom fitting and detailed handiwork. However, fashion is a business, and like any other, needs to be profitable. It is my understanding that many haute couture creations are never sold, or sold at low profit. Is this incorrect? If the idea is to display the skill set of the designer or house, and indirectly boost the sales of a ready-to-wear line, that is understandable. The fact that it is stressed to be a very, very different area does not seem in line with one skill set benefitting the other. It does appear that it is more important that the garment be "out-there" and generally too extreme for the masses. The scorn that Kayne's gown received seems to underscore this theory.

Thanks for your thought provoking post!!

Cindi

Opinion from the great unwashed, who obviously doesn't "get" high fashion:

• Uli - beautiful, just beautiful. Glad to see something other than the prints, even though she has a great eye for them. I am troubled, though, about the "all the same" vibe I am getting. The braids, roping, and essentially same bodice are getting old.
  
• Vincent - Ick. Every once in a while I actually had some admiration for the simplicity of his designs. However, he does not execute well, and this one did look like a child dressed her Barbie backward. Good choice for the auf.
  
• Kayne - Yep, I get it, Kayne's taste is questionable, but not this week. I completely disagree with the scolding he received from the judges. That gown was gorgeous. If I had the body for it, I'd love to have it. Kayne understands how to flatter the female form better than anyone there.
  
• Laura - I do like Laura's classic taste, but this dress made me think of Cruella DeVille. Not a good week for her. I'm glad she survived. I completely agree with another poster that this dress did not translate well on a black woman with short hair.
  
• Michael - one of my favorite designers on the show, but this was definitely an off week for him. I was amazed at how much better it looked after the judges had him tone down the Mickey ears. I'm glad he survived, maybe on the strength of his past work.
  
• Jeffery - completely hideous, a total stinking mess. Maybe I can apply for the show next year...I can have the cat throw up on my grandmother's tablecloth, bunch it up, throw in the general direction of a model, and win! Maybe it's just that a tv show needs drama and ratings. Unlike the judges, I can't equate "innovative" and "fashion-forward" with something so atrociously ugly.

I think I prefer to stay "uneducated" in fashion. ;)

Cindi