JUST TRIPPIN'

15 minutes ago, garyl62 said:

On our March 23, 2024 Ascent sailing Labadee was changed to Falmouth, Jamaica.  We've never been there so will look into options on land, although the port times are 7:00 - 3:00 and it's a tender port.  This is already a "stay on board" trip as we have 3 sea days, Grand Cayman and Nassau as the other ports.  

Falmouth is a docked port.  We just found out that is where we are going now too a month earlier.

Not sure if this is relevent or not, but on our cruise in early March we used luggage express.  For $10 per suitcase, Celebrity will deliver your luggage to the airport ( we were in San Juan ).  You put your luggage out the night before as always.  We got Zone 8.  We picked up our luggage the next morning in the warehouse, went through customs and once outside, were directed to a large white truck who took our luggage to the airport, freeing us to wander about.  Once at the airport, follow instructions where to pick up luggage and then proceed through the normal airport check in tasks.  It was worth it in our opinion.

Just came back from our cruise. One couple in our group wanted their bed facing the other direction.  They asked the couple next door to them ( also part of our group ), if they would mind switching.  Both parties went to guest relations and the issue was solved in minutes.

Thank you all for the reassurance!

I should probably know this but how long after finishing Celebrity Check In should I expect to wait for my E-documents, including luggage tags?  It states they are " pending ".  I did use a travel agent.  Maybe that's who sends me the E-docs.  It has been 3 years since last cruise.  I'm a rookie again, lol.

I should probably know this but how long after finishing Celebrity Check In should I expect to wait for my E-documents, including luggage tags?  It states they are " pending ".  I did use a travel agent.  Maybe that's who sends me the E-docs.  It has been 3 years since last cruise.  I'm a rookie again, lol.

Thank you for writing probably one of my favourite reviews since joining CC.  I especially enjoyed the red highlighted tips.  It has been three years since our last cruise and your review has me amped to go again.  Thank you!

When I saw the title, I was hoping Celebrity had finally changed their menus.  It seems like we have been served the same menu for the past 10 years in the mdr.  I almost have a 7 day menu memorized...

1 hour ago, lawk said:

For how many days?

7 Day cruise

I'm not elite, but I just paid $111.51 pp to upgrade to Premium.  US$

Can you book these excursions online and use your obc or do you have to call Celebrity?

Slightly similar issues with AirTransat.  We were booked to fly home from Porto to Montreal next summer.  I was randomly checking my booking when I discovered our Club Class seats had been changed?  Long story short, I was advised both via phone and by Messenger that our flight had been cancelled!  I was refunded my money.  Many hours later, after rebooking with another carrier, oops, I was informed by the agent on Messenger that the flight was indeed still on.  No official notifications at any time.  Maybe just wait it out or get a 2nd, 3rd or 4th opinion from AT.

From an earlier post, but it might be of interest...

We did this tour in March 2020.  You simply walked off of the ship and there were reps waiting to take you on your tour.  I believe we paid $30 pp.  You visited Condado area, then OSJ.  You had the option to self tour or as we did, go for lunch.  Those with earlier flights went to the airport.  The driver then returned to pick up the remaining passengers and bring us to the airport.  Very flexible tour.  The van held roughly 12-15 people and your luggage is stored safely in the back.  Nice commentary throughout tour.  We use this tour everytime while in San Juan due to our 4-5pm flights.

Received another point today.  Hard to remember what they are for anymore. 🤔

I just saw your earlier post that stated you had to test 1 day prior to departure.  Would getting a covid test at the airport still qualify on the day of?  I apologize for what may seem like silly questions, but getting advice from actual travellers is better than most sites available.  Thank you for that link.  I have some researching to do and that's a great place to start.

Thank you all for the replies.  We leave Toronto Thursday morning around 9am.  I really have not researched this proctoring yet.  Rather than take two tests, one here and one in SJ, the only alternative would be to do it while still at the YYZ airport pre flight hotel.  Do these companies work 24 hours?  Hoping these tests go away but I'm not betting on it.  Btw, we are looking at March of '23 and are both fully vaccinated + booster.

Edit...we sail Celebrity on a Saturday and they currently require 2 days prior testing max.

Hoping things change in the future, but assuming things stay as they are now...As a Canadian traveller, do we have to take a covid test to fly to San Juan?  Secondly, we fly out Thursday for our Saturday cruise.  Do we then have to test again for the cruise?  I believe we have to test 2 days prior which would be Thursday at the soonest.  Does anyone know where or how to do this in SJ?  

27 minutes ago, njhorseman said:

We've stayed at numerous hotels in San Juan over the past 50 years and haven't had any more problems with "hot water, thin walls or hotel cleanliness" than we have anywhere else in the world so I'm having trouble understanding what your concerns arise from . 

 

And hotel prices are high most everywhere these days. They've gone up tremendously in Manhattan for example.

If you are staying at a higher priced hotel ( $500+ a night ), you probably wouldn't have any issues.  For example, the hotel we always stay at and love in Isla Verde has had absolutely scary reviews lately but they are also $100 more than we have ever paid.  Note, we are Canadian (exchange rates apply) so we are maybe more sensitive to price increases. 

26 minutes ago, SpaceCowboy9 said:

Last time through San Juan, we went a couple days early and got an airbnb/vrbo - $106/night  in 2019 (including all fees).  Had a great time.  The place was a little wonky, but it was clean.

 

You just need a place to sleep and shower.

We thought about an airbnb but have been told many places will cancel last minute if they get a better long stay offer.  

We love cruises and especially cruising out of San Juan.  My issue is the cost of hotels recently and all of their fees for what you get.  Maybe its just my " frugalness " but paying $300+ a night minimum for a hotel room that you have to worry about things like hot water, thin walls or hotel cleanliness is scary.  Is San Juan taking an unfair advantage of cruisers who need to stay somewhere?  Probably.  It makes us rethink sailing out of San Juan but ultimately, I know thousands more will not think twice about it.  Are we the only ones that feel this way?

We did this tour in March 2020.  You simply walked off of the ship and there were reps waiting to take you on your tour.  I believe we paid $30 pp.  You visited Condado area, then OSJ.  You had the option to self tour or as we did, go for lunch.  Those with earlier flights went to the airport.  The driver then returned to pick up the remaining passengers and bring us to the airport.  Very flexible tour.  The van held roughly 12-15 people and your luggage is stored safely in the back.  Nice commentary throughout tour.  We use this tour everytime while in San Juan due to our 4-5pm flights.

12 hours ago, NWHairGal said:

Do you have a contact for Allan?

ajmeddy2@outlook.com

He was very nice to work with.  He even kept in touch with me as the organizer.  I just received an email from him 3 days ago.  Tell him Bob from Canada says hi!

I like to plan my own tours when on a cruise. Having never been to Grenada, we all wanted to see the island, known as the Spice Island, before heading to Grand Anse Beach. I do a lot of research and Allan Medfords name kept appearing.

I tend to use Cruise Critic before cruising. On the roll call, I mentioned that I had booked a private tour with Allan ( Allo Taxi and Tours ). Our group of 8 needed a few more people to fill the van, so I asked if anyone would like to join us. We ended up with 24 total and needed 2 vans.

My groups van were fortunate to have Allan as our tour guide. I had proposed a simple tour lasting from 9-2pm. Allan suggested we let him show us a few other places to get a better feel for his home island. We finished at 4pm. It was perfect. We saw such beautiful parts of the island and learned in depth, the history of Grenada. Allan was so proud and knowledgeable and his passion showed through.

We experienced Concord Falls, a spice factory, a chocolate factory, drove through the rain forest, took so many pictures and then were off to a perfect beach to relax and we did all this for half of what other companies were asking. We could not possibly have asked for more. It was better than expected.

Please do not hesitate to contact Allan. He communicates very quickly and is willing to put any tour together you wish for. We can not thank him enough for that wonderful day. Everyone thanked me for putting this tour together but really Allan deserves all the credit. Until our paths cross again, we wish you nothing but the best.

Thank you!  One of the best reviews I have ever read.  Really liked how you put it all together.

I agree 100%. It is not about the amount of increase, it is about altering your contracted price especially after final payment. You would not accept this with any other purchase. This is no difference.

P.S. How do you go about paying your tips online? I can't figure this website out...but that is another story.

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