Hydrokitty

The main menu always has vegetarian options at all meals....if you're a strict vegan speak to your waiter or the maitre D....they will accommodate you. I eat plant based (there is a difference) and I've never had a problem except on rare occasions when I get bored with Indian cuisine, which I love but not every night. I mentioned it to the Maitre D, and the next night there were other choices. Obviously they cannot anticipate everyone's preference but I find them more than willing to offer what you want if you ask.

Happy New Year everybody! I hope 2018 brings you:

1. an easier web site to navigate;

2. the cruise of your dreams;

3. smooth seas and perfect weather;

4. wonderful shore excursions;

5. no missed flights;

6. no missed ports;

7. no lost luggage;

8. no seasickness or on board illness of any kind;

9. great food, entertainment, shopping and ;

10. the money to pay for it all!

Travel safe and stay healthy! :D:hearteyes::champagne-toast:

If I have non-refundable OBC on the last day of the cruise I go to the shops and buy something I like that I would never buy at home! Like perfume....last cruise I bought my daughters and DIL perfume for Christmas that's cheaper at sea, discounted on the last cruise day and it's bought with money I would lose if I didn't buy it.

Martincath: Loved your post....now I guess I'll have to plan another trip to Vancouver to see all the things you suggested! Only thing I disagree with is Capillano....it was one of my favorite things! I envy you, you live in a fabulous city and we even considered relocating to Vancouver....but your housing costs are worse than ours!!! :D

Sam...so very sorry to read of your loss....we were praying that they were just unable to reach you but I guess that was not God's plan....I wish there was something we could do to ease your pain....May God be with you and your entire family at this terrible time. <|3

I will do your recommendations one day to Victoria Island and two days @ Vancouver

 

Thank you

Vancouver is one of the most beautiful cities in North America! (IMHO of course) In your planning, keep in mind that the trip to Victoria and Butchart Gardens (totally worth the time and the $$) will take up one very long day. Stanley Park, the market at Granville and a stroll through the Gas Light district is also worth the time and will also take one very long day. While the aquarium is wonderful I would skip it unless you've never been to an aquarium with west coast marine life....In it's place I would spend a day at Capillano Park, which is beautiful and the rope bridge

is terrifying and wonderful at the same time. Vancouver also has some wonderful restaurants....our favorites are all in the area of the port. There's a very nice river walk between Coal Harbor and Canada Place and restaurants abound. We've stayed in both the Pan Pacific (Canada Place) and the Westin Bayshore (Coal Harbor) Both are excellent locations and wonderful hotels, but I would suggest the Westin because there's a free bus that will pick you up and take you to Capillano and back. Enjoy Vancouver....fabulous place.

That’s an interesting question. My theory is .....

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Many cruisers assume the waiters and cabin stewards are all from impoverished countries, and that they are sending every dime of their tips home to their families. Maybe this guy simply didn’t want you to know that he was spending his money in a casino. I do think tips would suffer if people thought they could afford to spend money that way.

I'm not being nasty, mslinda, but I don't think many passengers tip the waiters and cabin stewards because they're poor....I think it's because they wait on us hand and foot and being Americans, that makes most of us feel guilty 'cuz we're not used to it. That's just my opinion guys, please don't throw rocks. D

On our Baltic Caps cruise we had a crew member join our shore X to Berlin. I didn't know he was crew and he was sitting in front of me on the 3 hour bus ride and I and we had a delightful time chatting. It wasn't until we returned to the ship and he broke off from us for the crew entrance that we knew he was crew. Outside of drinking to excess or "criminal" behavior, I should think they could do whatever they chose. We've seen them in supermarkets and restaurants but don't let on if we recognize them.

.......... also q-tips, cotton balls, tissue boxes.

We just leave a post-it note on the bathroom mirror if we need anything replaced that they didn't replace automatically.

 

They also provide umbrella and hair dryer to use during the cruise, although some passengers prefer to bring their own.

You also get a tote bag that is yours to keep and take home.

They also provide binoculars but they're very poor quality so bring your own if you like using them.

It looks like I'm in the minority, the Concierge Lunch was a waste for DW and I. A very limited menu that didn't appeal to our tastes, we left and went to the OVC after looking at the menu. I'd suggest that you ask to look at the menu before you are seated.

Absolutely....they will show you the menu and then you decide. There's no question you will have MUCH more variety at the buffet and I'm not 100% certain the grill will be open but if it is, they have delicious burgers.

We have booked 8-10 flights with Choice Air. Once we have booked we are given a booking # and from that point on we have never dealt with or heard from Choice Air. We have had flight times changed, equipment changed resulting in seating changes and flights cancelled & we have been moved to different flights by the airline- never once have we heard from Choice Air; everything has been between the airline & us.

That's been my experience as well but when flying business or first class Choice Air is almost 50% less than dealing with the airline directly and I've never had a problem that wasn't worked out well before departure day...once I get my booking # I go to the airline, choose my seat, tell them I need a w/c to board....Virgin Atlantic changed our flight numbers at least 3x and were driving me crazy but once they decided on a number the flights went off without a hitch and their upper class lounges are the best of them all. KLM and Lufthansa are just exceptional service airlines and once I've selected our seats I don't hear from them until I check in.

Hi. I was wondering if the concierge class embarkation lunch is worth going to? We usually just check out the buffet and go to the grill. Not really in to a sit down lunch. Are the maitre d's there to discuss dining preferences? Also, can you leave your carry on bags there even if you are not sitting down for lunch? Any info would be appreciated. We are on the Summit and don't know if it is the same for all the ships. Thanks a lot

We book concierge class whenever we travel and one of the reasons is the sit down lunch in the MDR. The menu is limited, but they always have a soup or salad, a meat, fish and veggie choice and the most fabulous chocolate cake on the planet, ice-cream or fruit for dessert. We don't usually like the buffet because I have walking issues and trying to walk with plate of food in one hand and a drink in the other is just asking for disaster..and on embarkation day it's really crowded because everyone is there at the same time. As for bags, if you're CC and having lunch, there's a place where you can leave carry-ons but I doubt they would invite you to park them in the MDR while you go to the buffet....not that much room.....added bonus for me is getting to meet new people.

I am just wondering does Celebrity put bibles in the cabins? I have sailed Celebrity multiple times and do not remember ever seeing this nor do I remember seeing this on RCL ships.

Yes they do..it's usually in one of the night stands.

riclop.....huh??????

I think he meant they had no chance at all of getting an upgrade on B2B. :)

Don’t do what one woman did on one of the Mighty Cruise ship shows on Smithsonian Channel, she put all her documents in her checked luggage. They actually found the luggage and she was able to board.

That happens more often than you would think..my niece and her husband (really nice guy but not the sharpest knife in the drawer) was reminded to take out his passport before leaving for the dock....by each one of us...he left his passport in his luggage and they allowed him to board with the understanding that he would not be allowed off the ship at any non-USA port until he produced his passport! So good advice!!!

OP, you don't mention what class you're in, but if you're sailing concierge class you're eligible for a sit down lunch in the MDR...otherwise the buffet will be open around noon and some of the smaller venues like the grill or cafe may be open. You can also access the pool area and since it's your first cruise you can use your time to explore the ship. We usually do fly in the day before and I will remove everything from my back pack that I needed on the plane and only take what I need to check in... like my documents and passport, a book/magazine, Advil and my phone. Cabins are almost always ready between 1 and 1:30, although your luggage may not be delivered for several hours after boarding. You will be allowed in the dining room that first night wearing pretty much anything because not everyone will have their luggage in time to change. The longest wait, IMHO, at check in is the line not the process and again depending on what level you're in or if you're handicapped, the line can be by-passed. Have a wonderful cruise and don't forget to take your passport out!! ;p

Gerelmx, this is what I'm trying to book, the airboat ride with drop off at FLL....and I can't...it goes as far as selecting the passengers, which won't select, and then I get a note that says the excursion cannot be booked. I've done enough cruises with Celebrity to know this is not how it's usually done....in fact I have British Isles booked in August and I've already purchased a couple of shorex for that one. I'm thinking it's time I call Captain's Club and ask them.

Thanks Guys! I joined roll call and followed your instructions there and sure enough the airboat with FLL drop off was there. I had been accessing through my account...I wonder why that doesn't work but if you log in to cruise planner it does. Oh well....new and improved web site, I guess. See you on board! Can't wait since it's supposed to snow here by the week-end. :cool:

shorex : Miami tour + drop off at FLL or MIA can be purchase online, transfer only in not offered online.

Gerelmx, this is what I'm trying to book, the airboat ride with drop off at FLL....and I can't...it goes as far as selecting the passengers, which won't select, and then I get a note that says the excursion cannot be booked. I've done enough cruises with Celebrity to know this is not how it's usually done....in fact I have British Isles booked in August and I've already purchased a couple of shorex for that one. I'm thinking it's time I call Captain's Club and ask them.

Hello Hydrokitty check your reservation the cruise is Eclipse March 18 from Miami, we book this

 

 

To book Celebrity shorex in the web page hit the menu left up corner the cruise planner, there select find your reservation entering the data, here you can book shorex, purchase beverage pack, internet, etc.

 

 

Transfers from Miami port to FLL airport at the end of the cruise can be purchase on board

 

Link for The roll call for our cruise is https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2342686

Wow is MY face red!!! :o When I screw up I don't believe in doing it half-way! Maybe I should drink more wine. :wine-glass:

I know I can purchase the transfer on board, but I'd lose the discount of booking on line no?

As for the other shore excursions, I haven't had any problem booking for past cruises or even future ones.....this is the first time I've been unable to book shoreX on line and I'm sure it has something to do with the uncertainty of the itinerary.

Thanks for the link I'll sign up now. :D

We are looking at a couple of different 7 day cruises, out of Miami or Fort Lauderdale and with airfare are considering booking both. We did this a number of years ago and it's nice to stay on board while the boat is emptying that first week. The price of the 2 weeks is comparable to some of Celebrity's 10 and 14 day cruises. Are your chances of upgrades for the second week better when on board or any other perks folks are familiar with?

If I were you I would be more concerned about keeping the same cabin for both cruises! We did a B2B in August and loved it, but when I booked them I let X know that my booking was contingent upon my NOT having to change cabins . We did have to get off the ship for several hours (no problem when you're in Southampton) and we didn't have access to our cabin till after lunch but we also didn't have to check in or stand on any lines to reboard either.....we met in the theater at 10:00 a.m., had new sea passes issued and were off the ship by 10:30.

I'm sailing on 3/17 on the Eclipse from FLL and have not been able to purchase a single shore excursion. I can understand some excursions being up in the air because of potential scheduling changes but I'm trying to book a shore excursion in Miami with drop off at FLL airport and cannot. Is anyone else having the same problem?

The dividers aren't removed, they are opened. The "S" class ships have about 1/2 metal the half glass, the glass is on hinges and opens up and folds flat on the metal surface. You really only have an opening between the balconies

To be honest, I never noticed (nor cared) where they put the glass partition....all I know is it was gone! The metal portion of course was not removed.

That was my logic also about 15 years ago when my smallish pocket knife was confiscated until the end of the cruise. I was a police officer at the time, and figured I'd request a meeting with their head of security to "talk logic". You know, professional courtesy and all that.....Well, I was able to talk to the gentleman, but no amount of logic on my part, including your comment, swayed him!:o

 

If I bring anything, it will be my little Leatherman Micra stored in my shaving kit, to remain in my shaving kit unless I need it to file something, cut something small (got a 1.5 inch blade), or use its scissors or the screw driver tips. I cannot imagine traveling without those tools ANYWHERE! So handy to have when things invariably need "tinkering". But, any of my knives, including the 2 inch, non-locking blade pocket folders, will remain at home. Hopefully I will not need them......if I need a knife, I can always sneak down to the MDR and borrow a steak knife, eh? ;)

You don't need to sneak down to MDR to get a steak knife....just call your cabin attendant and ask him to bring you a fresh orange and a sharp knife...:halo:

Are the smoothies any good?

Same question since my next cruise is my first as Elite.:D

Not to be picky, but it isn't the airline that keeps things--it's TSA.

Of course you are correct.....airlines get blamed for enough stuff....;p