youwash

On 10/1/2019 at 12:50 PM, Barwick Cruiser said:

Interesting....I did our NZ and Aus applications by the website yesterday and never had to submit a photo for either.  Is this just an app thing?  Don't imagine I missed a step as I received approval within minutes...

The difference would be between the app on the phone,which is what I used and it takes a photo versus you used the website which doesn't do the photo. Seems both are correct just different. 

We were conditionally approved and signed up for appointments but we work away from home and never know where we will be. So I had appointments for Dec 23 in Milwaukee figuring we'd be home for Christmas. We ended up in North Dakota this week and my husband says check if there's somewhere here. There was at the border crossing to Canada at Pembina, ND. Made appt Monday night for Tuesday afternoon  luckily we had the time as the round trip was still quite a drive. Less than an hour later we had our approval emails.

The Customs officer said that GE would be easier to use at cruise ports that they were putting in kiosks.

Wonderful for you! Hope you have a great time.

Just used the app on my iPhone and it took maybe 5 minutes. Kind of neat as you scan your passport and then take your picture. Had email response in about 15 minutes. 

On 9/1/2019 at 2:49 AM, roscoe39 said:

just checked with my father this morning, they don't use the tee down but the Waitangi Wharf now, to get to the clubhouse you will need a taxi - its a bit of a hike but yes they will hire everything you need there.

 

Thanks for the additional information. I have passed it along to the golfers in our group. It certainly looks like a beautiful place!

2 minutes ago, NumnuT said:

Yes.

The tenders drop you very close to the course & the treaty house.

A must do if you like golf, rent everything, clubs & carts, bring plenty of balls unless you are really good?

the Treaty house is amazing, well worth a look at too.

Cheers

Craig

Thanks so much for the information!  I'll pass it along. 

27 minutes ago, NumnuT said:

Love the Bay of Islands...

 

have caught many big sharks & plenty of snapper in the Bay of Islands!

 

Much better to stay onboard

 

Waitangi Golf course is awesome too....

Craig

So are you saying Waitangi Golf is in Bay of Islands?  Do they rent clubs for cruisers?  Four of our group like to try and golf somewhere on a stop when we cruise. 

Than you for the help!

Can anyone recommend a service for transport to airport hotel?  We are a group of 8 adults traveling together and would like to book something ahead of time that can accommodate all of us and our luggage. Disembarking Celebrity Solstice on a Saturday morning. 

I received an email from Celebrity last week about a time change for a port call on our Solstice cruise in February. We are booked through a TA.

In January we just used a taxi van for 6 of us and all of our luggage. It was a 12 night cruise with 2 nights hotel precruise so it was a LOT of luggage. 

11 hours ago, cruisingnewtoit said:

My DH and I are sailing on the Summit next Sat & it will be our 1st Celebrity cruise. Also our 1st Caribbean cruise.

 

We are staying in a verenda cabin. 

 

Can you rent snorkeling gear on the ship?

 

Are ship leaves at 8:30 pm what time is embarkation? Are hotel check out is probably 11:00 am so I'm hoping we can get start the process 11:30-12:00.

 

Thanks for any info

In January we were at the Port about 10:45 and they opened the doors about 11. Had my sparkling wine in hand and first one in the buffet by 11:20. ( They opened a few minutes early) 

I saw snorkeling equipment at shore excursions on a display but don't know if they were for sale or rent. We took our own. I had invested in the new full face mask and they are THE BEST THING I ever bought. So much easier and comfortable. 

On 3/28/2019 at 3:52 PM, Ashland said:

Can you go in to both DL & CL? Who's the concierge?

We'll be on her mid May out of Barcelona and D+ staying in a true aft JS.

The Concierge was Fransisco. 

As we are only Diamond we only had access to DL.                    . D+ Pinnacle and Suites had CL, not aware of any that were in the DL.  We met and talked with many wonderful people in the lounge. Considering it was a short 5 night cruise it was very easy to enjoy conversation with the people you saw over and over again. 

On Vision of the Seas now  our first night, last night all cards were checked and room numbers checked off a paper list. 

Instant update on The Key on Vision in Galveston. 

Arriving at port at 10:30 very few passengers through security and check in very fast. Key access didn’t get us anywhere faster due to few people. 

Up to waiting area. I asked and was told we would board after Pinnacle and Suites but announcement said differently. As we are Diamonds we were ready to go whichever was called first. And they did call Pinnacle, Suite,Diamond + and Diamond, so we went. Key fail!

Boarded and took carryon to theatre which just took a minute. Then went to Chops and it was 11:10 and they said they would open at 11:30. We waited in the area and were the first to be seated about 11:25. 

There was never a line for seating. We loved the calm quiet atmosphere and the food was fantastic. 

Rooms ready at 1:00 and it’s now 1:30 and carry ons are here no other luggage if the key is supposed to help in that which I don’t read anywhere. 

On 3/20/2019 at 4:46 PM, Mcdonaldbam said:

Did the Summit stop at St Kitts? I had to show photo ID  and cruise card both times I went ashore there.  

Yes we did stop in St Kitts so that must have been it. Thanks

My personal observation on the paper straws is that halfway through my daily afternoon Mudslide, the straw was a slimy mushy yuck. Not good at all. 

On 3/8/2019 at 8:46 AM, GottaKnowWhen said:

The cruise lines totally do not care if you have any form of passport, except when you check in the first day. After that your room key is your access/egress from the ship. The Port security or other officials may want to see some form of photo I.d. I’ve heard of that but in about 80 or so different ports I have never been asked. Carry drivers license, passport card, whatever. You won’t need it, but carry some I.d.

In late January when we sailed on the Summit Southern Caribbean  itiniary when re boarding the ship on one of the islands we had to show our photo ID and cruise card. I'm trying to remember which one but can't at the moment.  My husband probably will I'll have to ask and report back. 

We always take our Drivers License when going ashore but we're suprised that we actually had to show it. 

On 3/4/2019 at 2:15 PM, RadioPeri said:

 

This is very rare, indeed, bordering on apocryphal. According to TSA, "Virtually all passengers wait less than 30 minutes in standard checkpoint lines, and 99.6% of TSA PreCheck members waited less than 10 minutes in line, according to the agency. In other words, the fast lane is almost always faster."

Does it happen? Yes, but I'd still rather be on a "busier" precheck line instead of a regular line waiting for people to take off their shoes and jackets, remove their laptops, etc. The generally more experienced travelers who bother to pay and register for Global Entry or another Trusted Traveler program are MUCH faster going through security. If random travelers luck out getting assigned precheck, they're still greatly in the minority. 

My observation of TSA PreCheck is not the Tom Dick and Harry applying for and using it that is changing the wait times and lines. It is the RANDOM granting of PreCheck to travelers who have no idea what it is and how it works. They slooooow down the process and test the patience of people who have paid for the option (me). The TSA agent is telling them what to do or not do and they're still taking there shoes off and I'm saying-no you don't have to do that.  😬

10 minutes ago, wendychloecruiser said:

NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER use these glasses in a hotel.   Pick a bug...it will be cultured from these glasses...

 I guess I’m not staying in the right hotels I only get plastic or paper cups LOL

Looking for hotel stay pre cruise Feb of ‘20

seeing some nice apartment air B and B as there are 8 of us. 

Ship sails Monday the 17th and I want to stay at the Hilton on the Wharf for that night prior to boarding. Looks like a lovely hotel and great experience but it is expensive. Looking for opinions from others. Husband has HH diamond status with tons of points but others in group do not.  

While on Summit Jan. 29 to Feb 10 we were told by Vulcan our waiter in Tuscan that Quisine will remain after the "revolution" but will get menu changes. Tuscan was to remain also but it will be made smaller. 

We also will be sailing Summit on the 29th. I eagerly awaited each days report. I am hoping (and praying) that our itinerary is not changed as yours was-I have 8 private tours booked for our group of 8. 

You're certainly asking in the correct place, in my opinion.  We have been to San Juan numerous times and are going there again for our Celebrity Summit sailing in 3 weeks. 

The forts are definitely worth seeing if they are open at the time your friend visits. 

Old San Juan is interesting in itself just to walk through. There is also a free trolly that you can take through the area and get off where you like-just Google it. Varied and wonderful restaurants also. 

We did this tour last February and enjoyed it.  We had done luggage valet so only had our carry-ons which we left on the bus during the tour.