PhD-iva

.......watch the water go by while enjoying the sun and my BP.

BP?

Business Partner?

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There is (almost) no downside to using a (good) TA. Since you are going on your honeymoon, I will tell you my honeymoon story. In 2005, I asked my TA to keep an eye out for a good deal on a Mediterranean cruise for our Honeymoon. She found a 10 day round-trip Rome on HAL for an unbelievable price. That’s because it was a typo and the price was missing a digit. However, she called the cruise line, and they confirmed the price. She sent them a fax (faxes were still used back in those days) and they confirm the price in writing. Of course later when the mistake was discovered, they wanted to charge us the full price, which my fiancé (now husband) would never have paid. Because we went with a TA associated with a large agency, she was able to escalate through her management chain up to someone at HAL (a vice President of operations?). It was a lot of back-and-forth, and some crosswords were said to HAL, But in the end they split the difference with us and my fiancé agreed to keep our honeymoon plans. The first night in the MDR we were seated with a wonderful group of three other couples. Just before we were about to tell our funny story about how we saved so much money on our cruise price, another couple told their story about how upset they were because they got stuck paying so much more than they expected because of the same typo problem. They had booked their cruise directly with the company, and therefore had no one to intercede for them.

We learned our lesson, we are very loyal to our TA although I think she doesn’t get us many discounts or freebies. But she has proven her worth. Use a TA!

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We have been in an angled balcony state room on a previous Celebrity cruise. It was absolutely huge and wonderful. We also have been on a sunset veranda balcony state room on the Reflection. It was fabulous as well. Congratulations on your nuptials and have a fabulous honeymoon!

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While tipping is not required, it is highly recommended! Call it a small “insurance” policy to help your bags find their way on board.

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OP, could you please have a word with my husband and convince him to learn how to dance? His DW also loves to dance.

Just saying...

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Who would blast or blame you, since you may not have read the web page quite far enough down, which in part says:

 

"* Cruise must be booked February 1–28, 2018 (the Offer Period). Offer applies to select 4-night and longer cruises departing between March 1, 2018, and April 30, 2019. Offer excludes Galapagos, repositioning, transatlantic, and transpacific cruises." (my annotations)

 

bon voyage

If I have correctly posted the picture of the Celebrity webpage for the April 2, 2018 reflection cruise in question, this particular cruise is advertising ttwoperks for free.

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OK, I pulled out the laptop to do a mock booking. I believe that the webpage is confusing, perhaps intentionally so. If you only pick two of the four available perks, there is no additional charge on the state room total price. You can modify which two of the preselected perks you prefer.

There’s only an additional charge if you want the go best plan w 4 perks.

This is my best understanding (of an almost unfunctioning website).

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One other thought to add to the great advice you have already been given, consider whether you should fly into the embarkation city the day BEFORE the cruise departs. Even if you are not flying during the winter, many times flight delays or mechanical issues can cause you to arrive after boarding ends and the ship sails without you. On the same note, think about whether you would benefit from travel insurance. Work w a good TA. Ask around to your friends and see who they can recommend. The TA will be a great resource to help you to navigate the process.

Enjoy!

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It is what it is...meanings come from one's background and filters. We will find out soon enough, but it will not make any difference at all...happiness is a choice; unhappiness is also a choice. you all get to choose!

Thank you! I choose to find the bright side for (almost) every situation!

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I have used salon services on a formal night on a Celebrity ship (don’t remember which one, and it was many years ago), and the one thing I will say is that the salon is very busy the afternoon of formal nights, which is to be expected. So I felt that my updo was very rushed, but I understood that they were booked with many women wanting the same service. I was happy with the results, but I just wanted to help set your expectations. Go for it!

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Thank you so much for the wonderful review/comparison. Really enjoyed your descriptions. After having been on 1 Oceania cruise (10-day Baltic cruise June 2016), I can’t go back. Unless traveling w a group of “uninitiated”. [emoji31]

Am dreaming of my next cruise on O!

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I have to agree that for those who are able, walking in Rome is the way to get around. I've talked with a lot of visitors -- having been to Rome more than a dozen times now -- and so many of them never get a real sense of the place. Being chauffered around in a car, you don't realize how walkable most of the sites are.

 

You don't say where you are staying but I'm going to assume you are centrally located. I would suggest:

 

Wednesday late afternoon evening: after you rest a bit (but not too long), take a stroll from Trevi Fountain to the Pantheon to Piazza Navona, and then have dinner nearby (there are tons of restaurants in this area). These three sites are very pleasant in the evening, although Trevi is always very crowded in peak season.

 

Thursday: Book a Vatican tour -- either one of their official tours or one offered by a reputable Rome agency. Try to get one that includes both the Vatican museum (and Sistine chapel) and St. Peter's Basilica. In addition, you can climb the dome if you are interested. And if you want to make a whole day out of it, also visit Castel Sant'Angelo, which was the tomb of Emperor Hadrian, then a castle used by the Popes AND features prominently in the "Angels and Demons" movie.

 

Friday: Do the Colosseum tour, but also visit the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.

 

The activities on both Thursday and Friday shouldn't take the entire day, leaving you some time to take it easy -- have a glass of wine, shop for souvenirs, or just enjoy being in Rome and do some people watching.

 

Edited to add: You might find that Rick Steves' Rome guide book has some pleasant walks laid out, such as the one I suggested for Wed evening; as well, there is basic information on all the key sites. I would still probably recommend some type of guide in the Vatican unless you do some research in advance -- the museum is vast and crowded, and St. Peter's is just huge; it is too easy to miss some of the highlights.

Having been to Rome on many occasions (and having lived in Italy for a year when I was young and dumb), this is excellent advice. Get a sense of the city by walking when you can and taking a taxi to cover longer distances. I especially endorse the Wednesday itinerary! Love it! Buon appetito!

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Nice pictures. Only beautiful people - no seniors, no one w walkers or motorized scooters.

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Kiwis are a bit sketchy but Aussie's don't bite ;)

Love it! Been watching a fair bit of kiwi tv (brokenwood mysteries on acorn tv). So, I am amply informed about the katipo spider - poisonous spider in NZ. Avoid those. [emoji15]

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DH, BIL & SIL and I will be on the Celebrity cruisetour 1B southbound on Millennium departing 24 July (cruise embarks 27 July in Seward). Adjoining A2 balcony cabins. SIL and BIL booked the “extended balcony” so we will lurk on their balcony a lot!

Really looking forward to it! I love Blu!

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There is a sticky with detailed information on cabin locations. You might find good information on the cabins you are considering.

Also, I would confirm whether you are excluded from dining in the MDR if you are Aquaclass. Doesn’t sound right to me.

Enjoy your cruise!

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We are currently booked on a celebrity Alaska cruise departing July. The rollcall for this cruise is also very slow. Very few postings. No movement.

I heard somewhere that rollcall participation has moved over to Facebook groups, reducing Roll call postings on Cruise critic. I don’t Facebook, so ....well.

I’m sure you will enjoy your SB cruise!

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“Life is short, so eat dessert first!”

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I've always considered my wife much more intelligent than I am, !

Smart man! [emoji106]

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I hope it works out for you! Keep us posted! [emoji31]

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Ok, one other piece of advice - many Oceania included excursions are not v good value. I didn’t say they aren’t good excursions; they aren’t a good value. Use a third party group for SPB, there are many good tour companies. We liked SPB Tours. If you get some free Olife excursions, use them and then book the rest of your excursions with third parties. You’ll have a terrific cruise!

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DH and I sailed on the Marina in June 2016 Copenhagen to Stockholm. Fabulous ship, fabulous food, great itinerary and met interesting people. Only downside? Now I am spoiled! Only Oceania is good enough for me! (Will be slumming next year with BIL & SIL who are building reward points on Celebrity. Hope she doesn’t see this post!)

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After our arrival from the reflection in December 2013, we took an Everglades excursion, Directly through celebrity as I recall. We thought it was very worthwhile and a good use of our time after debarkation and until they dropped us at the airport at the end of the tour.

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One person asked about water bills while the house is empty. I teach during the academic year and am gone during the summer. The water bill is about $32 each month whether I am home or gone. There is probably a minimum charge and I don’t use enough water to get charged more than the minimum. The local municipality will charge me $1 if I want to pay by credit card or on-line, which I stubbornly will not do. Instead, I write a check for about 6 months of usage and pre-pay. I hate writing checks so this way I only write a check twice a year. I do the same thing w my HOA fees. It’s not like I’m losing any interest by prepaying my bills.

I’m dreaming of a WC someday, but I might ease into it by first doing segments of one. Enjoy!

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Hooray!!! [emoji106]

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