Lovely_Star

Where is the OP finding these recent Blu menus?

Thanks for sharing...where can I get that classic beverage package list on the ship? We're on the equinox this July and could use the reference during our sail

Which sailing is it?

Thanks for sharing

Yay for them! I hope we get a call from the upsell fairy too for this cruise :p

Fabulous pictures thank you for sharing 🙂

We will be sailing on the Equinox this July@ Afto, I really enjoyed your photos from your sailing on her. You take some very nice pics, what sort of camera do you use?

You are lucky to have such a long day! I'd go to Delos first, if you are interested, as it gets very hot there in the afternoons. Then possibly a beach in the afternoon, back to the ship to shower, and dinner in Mykonos Town. :D

Sounds like a plan :)

Bombay Sapphire is on the Premium Package as is all sparkling water. So, for you, the upgrade to the Premium makes sense. The only water on the Classic is plain bottled water--not Evian.

What about seltzer or soda water?

Istanbul and Ephesus, both ports frequented by Celebrity cruises, are not within the Travel Warning Area issued by the US Department of State. That area is in South Eastern Turkey along the Syrian boarder.

 

The link below will take you to the most recent warning issued by the USDOS on February 4th. If you click on the reference map, you will see Istanbul and Ismir (adjacent to Ephesis) are not in the warning area.

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/turkey-travel-warning.html

 

To put terrorist bombings in perspective, you have an extremely small chance of being killed in such an attack. The percentages are much, much higher of you being killed by some other unpredictable event.

 

http://pressfortruth.ca/top-stories/what-are-your-chances-being-killed-terrorist-attack/

 

Don't get me wrong. Travel can be dangerous. Turkey can be dangerous and that it shares a boarder with Syria, the risks might increase if traveling there.

 

I would add that the target of yesterday's bombing in Ankara was a military one. Did Turkish forces just shell a Kurdish military unit engaged in fighting ISIS in Syria? Yes? Connect the dots. This bombing was very likely Kurdish retaliation for the shelling.

 

The Kurds are a thorn in Turkish President Erdogen's side. There is a lot of tension between Erdogen and the Kurds who want an independent state and this has been going on for decades. There has been speculation that the bombing last October in Ankara may have been organized and carried out by elements sympathetic to Erdogen's policies and opposed to that of the Kurds. In other words it was meant to stir up Turkish support for Erdogen and dislike for the Kurds.

 

Worse things have happened in this complicated world. It is right to be cautious when traveling in it but fearful enough to avoid traveling all together, even in areas that might have a slightly elevated risk? That's for you to decide when you have some facts at hand upon which to base your decision.

Thanks for the links

We will be on Mykonos from 7am-10pm, perhaps that should be enough time to tour, visit beaches and Delos

Thanks guys...decided against the $160 cabin upgrade to concierge class.

I know this is somewhat subjective but since it will be our first time on Celebrity I'd like to know what the consensus is. We are booked on 7/9/16 Equinox sailing (Verandah, Deck 9) and I was wondering if an upgrade to Concierge class on Deck 10 was worth an extra $160?

First time sailing on the Equinox in July. What do they call their daily activities newsletter on Celebrity? Where can I find past ones?

Just wanted to update this thread for those of you still wondering...we were able to use a CC to purchase transit passes at the local post office.

I'm not sure I understand the NCL claim. Was it a third-party insurance policy or one sold by the cruise line? I think the way those work is that you can cancel for any reason up to a certain time period - say 48 hours before sailing. After that, you must cancel for a covered reason in order to be reimbursed. When did you find out the port was canceled and when did you file?

 

Yes, most major credit cards have some kind of cancellation coverage. You have to look at their list of covered reasons to see if that meets your needs, and most require that all trip costs be charged to that card. In addition, be aware of the limits of coverage. I haven't looked in a while, but I think most have about $5,000 per incident. My Sapphire card has $10,000.

 

It really depends on how much risk you can tolerate. A lot of people who post on here just insure for medical and evacuation and consider everything else "small stuff." A trip to Europe isn't cheap. It is smart to look for the best way to protect that investment - not necessarily easy but still smart.

We found out that NCL canceled the port when we arrived to checkin and attempted to cancel before boarding the ship! I also have the CSP card but will not be charging my entire trip to one card.

Once you have considered the cost of the policies and the dollar limits of coverage for medical and evacuation, the main difference is that a comprehensive policy will also offer cancellation coverage. It comes down to how you feel about losing the money if you had to cancel the trip - not whether you can afford the loss but how you'd feel about it. Would you be OK to say, "Well, the money is gone whether I take the trip or not"?

The policy I was looking at includes cancellation due to travelers death only. I purchased comprehensive "cancel for any reason" travel insurance for my last cruise. NCL canceled the port and when I went to file a claim I was denied so I am very leery of travel insurance companies who are quick to take your money, and quicker to deny your claims. Aren't there any travel credit cards that include comprehensive?

Taking a Mediterranean cruise next year and starting our trip off with a few days in Paris and Rome. My job insurance includes international medical evacuation, but I have been debating whether I should go with a medical only policy (Liaison International Travel Medical) or a policy that includes comprehensive (AIG Travel Guard)? Advice?

Most buy their passes or tokens at the Dockyard. This year was the first that I was able to use my credit card for the pass. That was at the Dockyard, at the ticket office on Kings Wharf. I don't know about other locations but as far as AMEX, I don't even bother using or attempting to use my AMEX card outside the US except at major hotels or very fine dining. (and even in the US it is not always accepted). You should assume that only Visa/Master Card will be accepted.

Thank you :)

Are there any locations that accept CC near Flatts Village or St George? I take it the Post Office locations don't sell with CC? And is only VISA/MC widely accepted in Bermuda...Amex?

Are there any locations that accept CC near Flatts Village or St George? I take it the Post Office locations don't sell with CC? And is only VISA/MC widely accepted in Bermuda? What about Amex?

The service IMO is way better at Magenta's, it is more intimate, almost the feeling of a specialty restaurant on the ship.

 

Grand Pacific is really grand.... you have waiters running all around and to me is not great.

 

Menu is the same but the overall experience is better in Magenta ( and usually open on sailaway, a fast not crowed lunch :p )

Thanks sebas030, this is good to know. I'm glad to hear this about Magenta, from looking at pictures I like the way that MDR looks by comparison.

Can someone tell me what are the main differences between the Magenta and the Grand Pacific MDR on the Gem? Is one better than the other in terms of quality, service, etc?

Ah yes the thread I already posted in! For some reason at the time I bumped this old thread, when I clicked on my user name I couldn't see any of my recent posts. Think it was because search function was down. Thanks SBtS you're the best.

Bumping an old thread! Can someone please tell me where I can currently get my passport stamped in Hamilton...is this service still available at the HM Customs on Front St?