FloridaHockeyGuy

Thanks, Hank, for taking the time to respond. That was my suspicion, which is why we will be doing an afternoon departure, or perhaps as you suggested, spend the night there.

Appreciate your insight.

3 hours ago, FloridaHockeyGuy said:

We were looking at the same situation for our preferred JAL flight after our cruise next May. Unfortunately, we have decided that it is just too stressful to take a chance. Perhaps if the ship was docking at 4 and we could get off at 6, then we would try. But docking at 6:30 and not being sure when we could depart the ship and get ashore, problems with getting a taxi, insane traffic on a Monday morning, etc., so we will take an alternate flight in the afternoon. Travel is already stressful enough without putting more stress on ourselves.

I did want to add, though, that if anybody DID have a flight this early and found a way to make it work, we would love to hear from you! Thanksl

We were looking at the same situation for our preferred JAL flight after our cruise next May. Unfortunately, we have decided that it is just too stressful to take a chance. Perhaps if the ship was docking at 4 and we could get off at 6, then we would try. But docking at 6:30 and not being sure when we could depart the ship and get ashore, problems with getting a taxi, insane traffic on a Monday morning, etc., so we will take an alternate flight in the afternoon. Travel is already stressful enough without putting more stress on ourselves.

Thanks for everybody's input. I confess that the way I read it, that once the deposit of $200 was applied, it was not refundable, but could be changed, but that the balance could be refundable. Like I said, we never had an issue in the past, but just another thing that Celebrity (and most likely most cruise companies) is doing in moving the goalposts to their benefit and without caring about customers.

And although I am ultimately responsible, it was not clear, nor was that what the agent on board told us at all.

This was the first cruise that I came away feeling empty- NOT because of the food, the staff, or the condition of the ship for the most part, but just the accumulation of multiple little things that sent a message of "you don't count- like it or lump it". Again, though, I suspect most cruise lines have gone that way, and will continue until the next travel slowdown.

To answer some who have asked why get them, I figured I would soon book, and so I would get the $200 back, plus another $200 to $500 of OBC, which would be worth it. But I can guarantee you, that I will never, ever get another one.

Came off the Equinox Portugal-Spain cruise last week, and while we were on it, we got a Future Cruise certificate for the $200, figuring we would figure out which cruise we would take after we got back. You get your $200 back and $200 OBC, so why not. Yesterday, we booked a Japan cruise for next year. Our travel agent, who is very experienced and sharp, called me last night and said she was very frustrated because Celebrity told her that the Future Cruise certificate could NOT be used towards a refundable fare. If we wanted to apply it to our deposit on this new reservation, we had to put in another $700 and the deposit could NOT be refunded if canceled. (As I get older, who knows- life happens). So if I wanted to use the refundable fare (it was a group fare), I could NOT use the Future Cruise certificate. She had never heard that before, and will be contacting them back this morning to try to get this resolved, but has anybody here encountered this problem before? I ask because we never had a problem before, but Celebrity seems to be nickel and diming more and more with less regard to customers. Thanks.

(Not to mention that the Casino gave my wife a $300 certificate towards a future cruise, and although this cruise is on the list, they will NOT honor it because it is a "group" rate. Why bother?)

Just be aware that the size of the smoothies are pretty small. We just got off the Equinox last weekend, and not only were the glasses small (I would get about 6 ounces), but they only filled them half full. When we tried to get more or try a different one, we were told we had to wait at least an hour before getting another. And yes, we had the Premier Drink Package. I found it outrageous that somebody can go to the bar and get liquor every 10 minutes, but we could not get more than 3 ounces of a smoothie every hour. And it was not just one server...happened every time. We finally gave up. I hate to admit this, but it was just one of several examples of them nickel and diming customers, and although we are Elite, it is making us re-evaluate upcoming cruises.

Thanks for all for your responses. I will take time off work this week to go get another one for our upcoming cruise on the Equinox next month. Appreciate it.

For those who have rented cars in some ports ssuch as Malaga and Palma...have you ever been asked for an International Drivers License? I know that you do not need one in Portugal, but wondering about Spain. It's not about the $20, just the hassle to get pictures done, go to AAA, etc.

Thanks.

We stayed at a small B&B called Huis Koning B&B. A short walk from the main square, located on a small canal. Small and intimate, but there are steep stairs going up. The breakfasts were terrific...whatever you wanted, and tons of homemade breads and pastries. Really helpful ownership, helping with transportation, calling on our behalf for reservations, etc. All depends on your style.

On the Celebrity Silhouette Nov. 21 and 3 of us had hoped to do the Kayaking excursion when in Puerta Plata. Unfortunately, we were slow to book, and it says there is only ONE spot left. Some people have told me that Celebrity may hold back some spots for after embarkation, but not sure if that is true. Does anything know any private tour companies that do this excursion? I have checked some such as Marysol and RV Tours, but neither seems to have that. Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

On 4/22/2022 at 9:01 AM, EatonDoolittle said:

 

I was there in Dec 2021, and had no problem getting a taxi over to Christensted to pick up a snorkle trip charter. 

 

I did not see any specific "tour" signage, but I wasn't looking.  There was a line of van/cabs out in the street along the waterfront, and I would imagine one could talk to a driver and negotiate a tour of some sort. 

 

 

Was there any problem finding a taxi to get back to Frederiksted? I have heard stories of problems locating in Christiansted to drive back to the ship, but not sure if that was more during COVID. Appreciate any input. Thanks.

Will be in St Croix on Black Friday. Hoping to find transportation to Christensted to visit a friend and then get back to the ship in Fredericksted. I have heard stories of unreliability of taxis, especially coming back from Christensted. Anybody visit recently or have more input? Thanks in advance.

On 6/26/2022 at 9:01 PM, pierces said:

......

As illustrated, discreet camera sales down 87% from 2010 to 2019 and taking a further hit during the Covid era, the problem isn't supply. ....The improved sensor and processor tech wasn't cheap and the cost of competing with vastly improved smartphones became prohibitive for compact camera makers. Sales forecasts and actual sales of fixed lens compacts sank like a stone, not because there weren't enough cameras, but because there wasn't demand. In 2019 15.2m cameras were sold. In the same year, 1.5b smartphones were sold and people took pictures with them. Lots and lots of them. Forecasts show that cameras are making a bit of a comeback but most recovery will be in interchangeable lens units as people introduced to photography and videography on their phones are inspired to up their game. There will be compact P&S cameras for a long time and even the basic are good and will get better. Tech works that way, .....

 

Dave

I have really enjoyed the discussion on this thread. Like some of you, I print out one great shot from each trip to put in my study. Recently, I had 6 of them printed as large metal prints and they are fantastic. Plus, I always made a collection of shots to view on my computer or TV, and I absolutely look at them regularly because it allows me to relive the memories, the friendships, the emotions of the time. I started photography over 50 years ago with the Konica T3, which I believe was the first auto-aperture SLR. Over the years, I have had Canons and Nikons, and my last is a Fujifilm T-2, and always with an assortment of lenses. I love the process of taking the photos in the first place, but now with digital photography I even enjoy the process of taking the RAW photos and bringing out what I saw and felt in person.
 

Having said that, with my advancing age, I am definitely considering going to a compact camera with a fixed zoom lens, if I can find one that would satisfy my quality needs. The honest fact is that it is getting more and more cumbersome to have a camera bag with an extra lens or two. I can still remember back about 25 years ago when we used to also have a little Canon Digital Elph. It was really convenient to slip it in and out of your pocket to take snapshots when it was not practical to take out the SLR.

So I sometimes wonder (and hope) that the compact fixed lens market continues to hang around for people like me.

FYI, our TA said no worries, Princess will assign the rooms before being available. But I called Princess directly this morning and said that: No, our rooms were now categorized as guaranteed, so we will be assigned at some time closer to cruise time, and that if we wanted specific rooms to select them and have the TA call it in (which we did). Unfortunately, although the fare is cheaper, we could not get a reduction because we booked during one of their sales and got onboard credit, and I was told by the TA that if the fare was reduced, we would lose the OBC. Oh well. Anyway, if your room has not been assigned, I would suggest you either call Princess to get a room assigned, or get the TA to do so if that is the way you booked.

I agree. TA said not to worry, but I noticed that in the category we booked (BB), there are 288 rooms on the Regal, and yet if you go to make a new booking online, 269 of them are available. Is it possible that there were only 19 rooms booked so far for this cruise. That is around 6.5%. I know it is 11 months away, but I would think a lot of others had a similar cruise booked for COVID years and rescheduled. Hard to believe so few.

1 hour ago, sjde said:

I couldn’t remember where I read it so I called them . 
 

She was no help . So I got on their site. Apparently it’s our supplemental policy that covers it ( but just at 80%). Which is strange because usually if Medicare doesn’t  cover something, the supplement  won’t. 
 

I don’t know about Medicare Advantage plans. 

 

But  either way , travel insurance covers a lot more than medical and that’s why I get it. 
(And I believe your drug plan is no good overseas. ) 

Thanks for the update. You are really brave to get on the phone with them! I would need a drink after that!
 

Like you, I get a decent travel policy, because the peace of mind is worth it.

Happy travels!

5 minutes ago, sjde said:

That may be true prior to age 65 , but Medicare will cover emergency care overseas.

Can I respectfully ask you where you found that information? Have you actually used Medicare in Europe? When I read their website, that is not something they cover under their very few conditions of coverage outside the U.S. 

Again, NOT trying to be argumentative, but trying to validate this to be a smarter consumer.

Thanks.

26 minutes ago, gnome12 said:

Because the cost of treating someone in Canada is generally considerably lower (as Medicare is then the primary payor) than out of country (particularly the US) Canadian insurers have an incentive to bring you home.

Good point. When my mother was alive she broke her hip while visiting me in Florida. She had to have surgery down here, but then the insurance company flew her back to Canada- only people in the jet were her, me, two pilots and two medical personnel...all because they did not want to pay for her rehab down here. 

1 hour ago, sjde said:

I would get the basic in case of illness or god forbid, death, right before the trip. I don't even worry much anymore about medical expenses since I found out Medicare would cover emergencies overseas.  And not being on a cruise ship , I don't care about emergency evacuation. If I got sick there I would trust those hospitals . But the insurance is a package deal. So what I am trying to decide is do I get the basic like I usually do or get the CFAR added on? 

Are you 100% of this? This is not what I have been told at all. They will cover in certain cases, but in any event, you will have to pay and then try to get reimbursement. When you read the details on Medicare's site (https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/travel) there are just a very few specific instances of when they will pay.

I have to confess that I begrudgingly buy the travel insurance, but without too many frills. Having spent several days in a Croatian hospital and being prepped for surgery there, several MRIs and ultrasounds (although a joke of a price compared to US), as well as countless time in a cruise ship's sick bay,  it was good to know my expenses were being covered or to be reimbursed.

Thanks everyone, nice to know details and see a photo. This will be our first time with a balcony.

So, how did you enjoy the room? Only asking because we will have the exact same cabin on our cruise next year.....