Muushka

We are firm believers in celebrating Christmas with decorations.  In our cabin.

Small tree in cabin (battery operated of course), Stockings in the cabin, for Santa to fill, cabin door decorations (small, tasteful of course) and lots of Christmas music to enjoy throughout the cruise.  We also bring Christmas movies to enjoy in the cabin on our laptop.  We have done 4 Christmas cruises and bringing those things is something that we enjoy and does not impact anyone else.

I hope you enjoy your first Christmas cruise!

1 hour ago, sptrout said:

Will not necessarily fix the OP's problem, but if any of you live near a Costco (Sam's Club too I believe have similar pricing) you may want to join their prescription program which is not connected to any insurance that you may have (Part D in most cases in this thread). We have found out through trial and error that their program, for generics especially, can beat the crap out of Part D Plans. For example, I have one drug that is not on any Part D program. For a 90 day Rx at any standard drug store it costs over $500. At Costcos it is around $50. No typos in the the last sentence, a 10x difference for the exact same pill/manufacturer. We have found savings on nearly all generics even those that are on Part D Plans (co-pays are more than just paying cash). When Costco receives a new Rx they compare the person's Part D Plan to their price and then they pick the least expensive (they also accept GoodRx, but don't waste your time here, they will beat it too even their own GoodRx coupon LOL). We have saved way more than enough money to pay for our annual membership fee many times over. Only two downsides; not open on Sundays, and no drive throughs at least not here). For the money, I can adapt.

 

You do not need to be member of Costco to get access to the pharmacy, but I am not sure if non-members can join their Rx Program. I know that when you apply (on paper) it does ask for your membership number. 

I will check out Costco.  Thank you!

2 hours ago, Lisah101 said:

90 day prescriptions are usually only available if you use the mail order option through your Medicare plan, but they are available.  Publix only fills the order, Caremark must be either your Part D carrier or the pharmacy benefits manager hired to manage the claims which means they also control the pharmacy network you can use and the approval of all medications.

Again, BCBS, not Medicare.  And since the drug is free, why would there be a claim?  

As opposed to 2 other meds that I pay for OOP (like the Levo... and another), they give me 90 day supply.

Why the discrepancy?

5 hours ago, Kwaj girl said:

Don't know if you're just on Levothyroxine generic...but you can get a 3-month supply @ Walmart for $10 WITHOUT going thru your insurance.  I have been able to get an early refill more than once on this.

Ah, it is all coming back to me now.  I get the Levo...at Walmart now, can't beat that price!  But it was a common medication that Publix gives for free (ever check out their free drugs? They beat Walmart!).

So my relationship is between Publix and me, right?  No.  Caremark for some reason has control over the Rx and it was that medication that I had to get the emergency override.  And the doc writes the script for 90 days and Caremark won't let them give me more than 30 days at a time.  AAKKKK

5 hours ago, cangelmd said:

MD here - this is pretty common now with widespread pharmacy benefits management plans.

Makes no sense to me, but I'm not the kind of MD that writes lots of scrips, so maybe there is something about the policy that I don't understand - I do know that it is NOT just pain meds and not just expensive non-generic meds either. I do think an MD can write you a new scrip or a bridge scrip as someone else mentioned, at least on non-Medicare plans.

If you are a frequent traveler with multiple meds, consult with your pharmacist about options. Medicare rules are so obscure that I wouldn't be surprised to find out that you can't technically do what was mentioned above - I don't KNOW that , but I just wouldn't be surprised.

When the time comes - traditional Medicare for me, with a strong supplement - no Medicare Advantage as long as I can afford the premiums!

I think I am going to get Plan G.  That is a very strong supplement.

Thank you for the head's-up.  Now that I think about it, I am currently on a non-Medicare health plan, and a pretty good one.  Last year I faced a similar situation that you described and they had to do the emergency override.  I was also told that it is a once a year thing.  Even though I was not getting an early refill for painkillers, just boring thyroid meds.  This was with BCBS/Caremark.  Who comes up with these rules?   No common sense.

Good luck with your meds!

1 hour ago, dolittle said:

Many on this site (and this cruise line) are bored with some Caribbean stops .Was wondering why X does not do private islands the parent co. has spent big time on these (I think they have two). Is it just to be different or set them  apart . I know many do not like P.I . but many would . Does anyone know and would you like to do a P.I. on your next cruise.

I agree with your sentiments about PI and X.  I would rather stop at a PI than many of the Caribbean islands that we visit.  We usually just stay on the ship, but we would get off at a PI.

I always enjoy reading your posts.  I hope you have a wonderful time.

I love U Studios and Islands of Adventure.  But it has been years since we went. 

Is there a third theme park there now?

I remember the gelato used to be wonderful.  The last time we cruised (Silhouette 2017) it was more like ice cream.  Either way, I shouldn't eat the waffle cone anyway.  But sorry for those who love 'em.

54 minutes ago, bikerunner said:

It was meant as sarcasm, from reading the boards it was like the end of the world for so many.  I said in other postings I understand how it might affect others but I don't watch tv or movies at all, maybe an hour a week its on but that's about it.  I find many other things much more stimulating and healthy.  I'm glad Celebrity listens and there is power in social media.  Luckily for me I have never gotten sick on a cruise, or any vacation overall but do know people who have. 

I think we all knew you were being sarcastic.  I guess those of us who enjoy watching a good movie at the end of a wonderful day on a cruise are just not enlightened.  See you in Nov.

I can't believe I am feeling this way about X.  Over dumb movies.

Last year we were only doing 1 cruise in Feb (RCI-NOT my favorite).  Round about Nov I couldn't stand it, I had to do another.  So I looked and looked and found a great deal on a 2 week Christmas/NYE cruise on HAL.  We had never cruised on HAL before.

As I look back and remember, there were some things about that cruise that I absolutely loved, I know, I am a broken record about 1 of them.  HAL so outshines X in these areas I am seriously thinking that a switch might be what we need.

1.  They have a laundry package for $7 a day that is awesome

2.  They have the best movies (free of course) I have ever seen on a cruise.  And a huge assortment.  We were on it for 2 weeks and I think I may have missed 1 or 2 and I watch a movie each evening (while my husband is on the balcony).

3.  The evening entertainment is the best.  They have BB King venue which has classical music in early evening and R&B at night.  And they had a classic rock area and dueling pianos.  As a lover of music, I was very happy.

Just like anything, it was hard going on a new cruise line.  You get used to a product and that makes you feel comfortable.  But honestly, if X is going to play the bean counting game, I think it may be time to start looking elsewhere.  And after this cruise on X in Nov we will be Elite +, dang.

We had Cranston in Michael's Club on Silhouette. (11/17)  Nice man. 

Sorry he won't be on Reflection.

Well, I am sort of upset.  While I didn't think the movies were particularly good in the stateroom, they were better than nothing.

Thank goodness we will have unlimited internet.  Prime and Netflix here we come.

As was already asked above, any way to plug the devices into the TV?

PS We did a 2 week holiday cruise on HAL.  The movies were amazing.

And of course, the unlimited laundry package at $7 a day per cabin.

On 5/17/2019 at 5:39 PM, JBCall said:

Is there a better or best cruise line for a panama canal cruise?

 

For example lots of people suggest Princess and HAL as the top two lines for Alaska as they go to Glacier Bay.  Is there something similar for the Canal (i.e. a must see)? 

 

Is it better to be on a smaller ship that go through the old locks or are the newer locks more scenic?

 

We would be looking at a multi-generational trip (70s, 40s, teens).  Previously we have been on Disney, Celebrity, HAL, RCI, Carnival.

 

 

I see you've cruised on Disney.  It was a long time goal of mine to cruise with Mickey at the helm through the Panama Canal.  Mickey did not disappoint.  It really was a special cruise with characters all over the ship throughout the transit.  And the response from people viewing the ships when our DCL ship came through was priceless.  DCL is usually quite pricey, I'm sure you know.  But our PC cruise was actually a bargain, even compared to other cruise lines.  I vote Mickey.

My personal favorite hurricane or power loss tip is to buy a USB fan.  Some of our wireless speakers are also power banks and we have some other power banks too to keep phones charged.  Being able to have a breeze during a power outage makes all the difference in the world.

1 hour ago, Lastdance said:

The angled balconies on S class(S1 corner aft sky suites) are my favorite.  They are found on decks 6-12, but deck 6 is very small and deck 12 has the largest overhang with noise from above due to chairs scrapping.  Also, the spider for window washing is on one of the decks too.  Edge does have the pool for suite guests, but no angled balconies like S class, although they are huge...for me, I prefer the S class stateroom configuration and no pool!

There are also a couple of  S1 angled balconies on deck 12 near forward elevators, formerly Aqua suites on Refl.  We have one for our cruise in Nov.  We were torn between that one and the S1 corner on deck 12.  We will try that one next time!

I'm glad it all worked out for you.  Congratulations!

2 hours ago, SergeiKa said:

Hello!

 

Again bought a cruise with Celebrity! Only now on Constellation.

They will have an opportunity to improve! ))

Although there are already difficulties - it is not clear with visas!

I hope there are not too many difficulties!  Have  wonderful cruise.

I have a grasp of what our idea of a 'steal' for a cabin is, but I'm not sure anyone else would agree with me or not.

Here is what what we have gotten that I thought was a steal:

circa 2010 5 nights in a RS on Century for $1000 pp not including any perks (including no Michael's Club or Luminae) or fees.  Not a lot was given back then for a RS other than a great suite and butler.

2012 12 nights in a S2 on Silhouette for $2300 pp (same as above no perks (other than the 2 specialty dining) or fee)s.

2015 (or whatever year Reflection began) $799 for  C2 with all 4 perks, 7 nights.

2016 7 nights in a RS to Bermuda in July on Summit, $3000 pp no OBC, no grats, yes internet and prem bev pkg and of course unlimited specialty dining, MC and Lum.

the next to were pretty OK deals:

2017 12 nights in a S2 on Silhouette for 3K pp including the 4 perks

2019 11 nights on Reflection, no perks S1 $3000 pp

Happy hunting!

Oh how I wish X did laundry like HAL does.  We are Elite and get the 2 free bags and I would be happier to pay the $7 a day per cabin for the great way HAL does their laundry.  Nicely pressed and on hangers.  Or in a nice straw basket, neatly folded.

I know I repeat myself on threads like this but I am hoping that X gets the hint.

Did we miss our free bags of laundry while on a 14 night Holland America cruise?

NO!!  (and I am very frugal)

$7 a day per cabin gets you unlimited laundry.

And there's more! 

It is returned (beautifully pressed) either hanging on a hanger

or neatly folded in a straw basket wrapped in tissue with a gold seal.

Celebrity, I would gladly give up our Elite benefit for this service!

On 3/26/2019 at 4:07 PM, Jim_Iain said:

Only one warning!   You will find it difficult to go back to a non-suite.  

I used to say Bah Humbug, I can certainly stay in a cabin that is not a suite!

Now, not so much.  It's that quality vs quantity.  Cruise more or suite??

They (Yardbirds) sound fantastic.  What a band!  Thanks for the music.

46 minutes ago, hotelmom said:

How are the crowds in Luminae? We are currently on the Reflection, and since the number of suites were basically doubled during refurb, lines at Luminae are ridiculous. They don’t have enough capacity in either the dining room or galley to accommodate all the Suite passengers.

I hope I am not reading your post correctly.  Do you mean to say the the suites doubled with the new ship Reflection (and not refurbed Reflection)?  We are nervous about what you mentioned, Luminae being crowded due to so many suites.  You confirmed our fears, sadly.  Is there a better time to eat there when it is not so crowded?

Sorry OP, to hijack your thread.  Thank you for all of the pictures you took. 

I really dislike the RS (lack of) color.  It looks like it was fashioned after the movie Pleasantville, before the color came.  But then again I wasn't in love with the previous RS color schemes before the refurb.  Other than the lack of color, it is a wonderful suite.

I remember your original thread.  Thank you for following up with us!

I'm glad you enjoyed X.🙂

11 hours ago, Xport said:

Long time/frequent Celebrity cruiser but, other than occasional "fill a bag" offers, have never seen an unlimited laundry option.

 

Might you be thinking of Holland America?  Based upon my reading, I believe that they offer a prepaid "unlimited laundry" package. 

Ahhhhh.  HAL's unlimited laundry for $7 a day per cabin is just wonderful.

It comes back on hangers, all pressed or if you like, folded beautifully in a straw basket.

I had a cotton blouse that NEVER looked so good after they got done with it.

They even ironed my jeans.

Celebrity, are you listening?