snowmc

16 hours ago, BobbM81 said:

If you put one in your carryon and one in your checked bag, a couple can bring 4 bottles. That’s what we’ll do when we board in Rome with some nice Italian reds. 
 

I think the cork fee is $25 but I’ve never not had the premium package. 

Your luggage will go through a scanner.  If they see bottles inside, they will be pulled aside and you will need to retrieve them from security.  There is a good chance the bottles will be removed and you can collect them at debarkation.  All beverages must be carried on.

13 hours ago, cruisestitch said:

This has been suggested many times, and the powers that be always said that they have no intention of creating that intermediate level. It’s nice to dream, but don’t waste too many brain cells on it.

The new president said in her power up points video last year that they are actually exploring options.  So...who knows....could happen.

7 minutes ago, pghalbs said:

So do I have to specifically ask for a brand on the classic side:  ie Tito's & tonic,Don Julio Margarita, etc or do the bartenders know what to give you when they take your card and you ask for a margarita or whatever?  Or if i wanted one of the specialty drinks listed on the menu at a bar can i ask to substitute one of the cheaper liquors or is that frowned upon? 

 

Also - when dining at a specialty restaurant, it says drinks are not included in pricing, but are they included if you have a drink package? 

The bartender will look at your card and pour the appropriate level.  At specialty dining, if you have a bev. package, drinks are included.

For those of you who have sailed with Activity Host Erin from Idaho on Apex, Equinox or Reflection, she is back!  Her broken arm (her Reflection contract was cut short due to the injury) is 100% healed and she is returning to work!  You will find her onboard the Millennium.  

She is excited to be returning.  Please say hi if you sail with her.  She loves meeting passengers!!

On 8/30/2022 at 9:00 AM, deliver42 said:

With all the B.S. coming from Canada, this tug boat strike being the latest to inconvenience passengers and force changes on itinerary, why don't the cruise lines say goodbye to Canada? I know Congress would have to eliminate the passenger act  I believe  Representative Murkowski has or will be introducing a bill to permanently eliminate it.

All cruises sailing from the US must stop in Canada or another foreign port due to the Passenger Vessel Services act (PVSA).  Under this act, foreign-flagged ships must visit at least one foreign country during the cruise.  A cruise line would face significant penalties for not complying.  PVSA came into force in 1886. 

Much has changed in the 135 years since, and while it now arguably prevents growth rather than supports it, the PVSA remains U.S. law.

There have been many calls for this act to be amended or removed. For cruisers, this became particularly apparent in 2021, when Canada effectively canceled the Alaska cruise season by refusing to allow even technical port stops for cruise ships to comply with PVSA.  They were able to remove it last summer to salvage part of the Alaska season, but it was a one-time removal only.

32 minutes ago, vermonter16 said:

Why did they allow the tie up in the first place when the workers were already on strike?  

It was the fuel barge.  Without fuel, they can't sail.

1 hour ago, OrcaGirl said:

 

I don't think the Eclipse is big enough to have its clearance under the bridge affected by the tides. That's usually only an issue for the larger ships that are based out of Seattle and very infrequently come to Vancouver, e.g. the NCL Bliss/Encore.

All ships have to account for the tide levels for clearance.  You would be surprised at the regulations.  All cruise ships have to take the tide into account.

And now they have to wait for the tides in order to clear the Lions Gate Bridge.  I'm sure Celebrity is offering some type of compensation to the passengers, even though it is 100% not their fault.

Hi!  First time sailing on MSC.  Going on Divina.  Which deck is best for Yacht Club....15 or 16?

The drive to Long Beach is only 4 hours.  I would leave Las Vegas mid-day and spend the night in Long Beach.  Morning traffic into the city will be bad and could cause a major delay.  I lived in the LA area for many years....I learned to avoid the freeways in the morning.  The traffic will not just be near the Long Beach/Metro area....you will encounter heavy traffic as soon as you hit the San Bernardino area.  Save yourself the aggravation of driving during the morning hours.

Our very first trip to Alaska, we were on the bus heading to Seward.  Just outside of Anchorage, there is a stream where combat fishing was occurring.  There was a momma bear and her two cubs at the top of the stream....didn't bother the fisherman at all!

Another visit, in Ketchikan, we had police stop us from walking down a street...there was a bear raiding trashcans.  You never know where you are going to see them!

On 1/11/2022 at 7:19 PM, Mainiac85 said:

I'm use to the cold Maine winter's so not to worried about the cold.

But are rain pants really necessary? 

They can be very useful.  We've been on cruises where we didn't get any rain and on others where it poured buckets!  You just never know.  Having an extra pair of jeans along has usually taken care of it though.

Just curious....would you mind telling me who is handling the Activities onboard this cruise?    Are there plenty of things planned so far?

39 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

We were on Equinox a couple months ago and the masks on the bed were double layered Celebrity Branded cloth masks.   There were 1 mask for each guest.    At the time I did not see any crew with N95 / KN95.

Crew is now required to wear only the KN95.  Not sure what passengers are being given.

6 hours ago, TeeRick said:

Congrats!  Can I ask if your daughter is an American citizen since you live in FL?  Just curious as there are so very few American crew members.

Yes....she is.  We currently live in Florida but she grew up in Idaho.

I can FINALLY announce that our daughter Erin has joined Celebrity Apex as an Activity Host!  She is currently in quarantine and will begin work on Nov 18th.  If you sail after that, please say hi!  She is looking forward to providing fun entertainment opportunities and sharing her love of cruising with passengers. You can follow her adventures on Instagram at EnchantingErin. 

There is a good article with the pros/cons of the different glaciers...maybe it will help you decide. https://zest4travel.wordpress.com/2017/03/12/pros-and-cons-of-hubbard-glacier-glacier-bay-and-tracy-arm-fjord/

Here is a good article on the different glaciers visited in Alaska: https://zest4travel.wordpress.com/2017/03/12/pros-and-cons-of-hubbard-glacier-glacier-bay-and-tracy-arm-fjord/

We used Rome Airporter last October.  Well priced and driver arrived before scheduled time.  Quick easy drive and we were delivered right to the ship.  Super easy.

Have a great time Jim! One of these days, we are going to need to sail together!

Sailed on Solstice June 1. Was very disappointed to find out that prime rib was removed from the first evening menu and moved to the last night. We ordered it the final evening and was VERY disappointed in the quality. NOTHING like in the past....quality was subpar. Lesson learned.

Was on solstice in early June. Premium package now covers drinks up to $15

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Here are a few ideas for Ketchikan: https://zest4travel.wordpress.com/2017/02/23/fun-in-ketchikan/

Check out https://zest4travel.wordpress.com/2017/02/23/fun-in-ketchikan/....some good ideas here.

Here are my favorite things to do in Anchorage: https://zest4travel.wordpress.com/2018/01/28/what-to-do-in-anchorage-alaska/