goofysmom99

I'm quoting myself because my results changed. X supervisor said it was an IT error (ya think? 🤣) and those that got this will have adjustments after they've researched them. I kind of doubt anyone at X is good enough to find them. Nevertheless, there has been a pricing drop for my cruise and my net result has been to keep the onboard booking number, have fare reduced by $505, and an additional $120 has been added to my already enormous OBC. I'm pleased but I do NOT understand X's accounting.

I gave up trying to poach eggs years ago and now I just cruise to have them. Much better system. 😉

I've had no GF issues in Luminae, or any of the dining rooms for that matter, it's just that for all the Luminae hype, they don't or can't go out of their way to make something GF that should be relatively simple. They have whole potatoes so one would think they could make a fresh french fry (they're coated & frozen) one time upon request during a two-week cruise since they already have a dedicated fryer to make fresh potato chips. Nope. And I've asked every time. Maybe I'll try asking the F&B mgr next time. When you cruise weeks at a time, it's disappointing.

Thanks for posting the discount code! I just checked one of my bookings for next year (Nov) and it's $1104 less than my current cruise-only fare which has an absurd $1050 OBC. I'll happily forego the OBC, lose the $100 cancelation fee, and rebook (and use the savings to upgrade flight). Since I already receive wifi and bev pkg, I'd been wondering how I was going to use up that much OBC anyway; prefer lower fare to nonrefundable OBC. The $100 OBC will cover some of the gratuities. Anyway, this was a lovely surprise! Thanks again.

That's exactly what I've encountered in Luminae. I know the menus by heart in Blu, Luminae, and MDR and my go-to for GF is mainly Blu followed by MDR. For sure, skip the bread. Once seated, I immediately order a straight-up liqueur like Chambord, Kahlua, creme de menthe, etc, so it's there for dessert. Poured over vanilla ice cream, it becomes a very tasty GF "sundae" no matter what's on the dessert menu. I too bring along crunchy things and bagels/buns. Makes for weird packing for a long B2B; definitely not gonna be "just a carryon." 😆

I'd never cruised the Caribbean in August until the cruising restart on the Equinox last year. My long balcony, 2105, was too hot use in the daytime (heat radiated from those long metal walls even into the night). Two weeks later, I was able to switch 2105 to 2104 ON the hump which got lots more air movement. If I ever take any more summer cruises, I'll book the angled cabins in front of the hump. So for me, choice will now depend on the time of the year.

This is from the current 12-night Newark to Iceland cruise:

I'll keep thinking good thoughts for that!!

I had to use a VPN to watch Xfinity app last Fall.

When I was on Summit last Fall, had a CS on Deck 6 where wifi was good and Roku worked. Then a CS on Deck 9 where the wifi was almost nonexistent and I had to step close to the door or out onto the balcony for a reliable signal. Three tech guys tried hard find a workaround but it was no-go.

Almost a full house (2218), 94+%.

Mine actually recommended it.

I just bought two of these; one for travel and one that I've stuck up under the end table in the living room. It's lighter than the previous multi-plug I'd been toting and packs flatter (the power cord detaches). I use the C connection for my phone and tablet and the As for everything else. Especially like that it doesn't fall off the wall and is easier to use in Europe with an adapter (which I plan to do on the ship to leave the US plug open for the hair dryer, etc). BTW, I opted for their "used like new" versions that come from Anker; they were both new with slightly damaged packaging.

I got quotes from 5 companies for mid-Oct from VCE to Ravenna. The best one was ~€390, so I'm grudgingly taking the ship's shuttle (I can't manage two suitcases on the train as a solo).

I believe he was in a royal suite. Others, in regular verandas, concierge, and aqua, reported they weren't quite as impressed with their cabin freshness. I prefer the pre-revolutionized furnishings so am looking forward to 24 days in Oct/Nov on Constellation in a concierge cabin.

I've been having the same experience with AA. Every time they squeezed the connection time, they raised the mileage required for a decent change. Last week I finally reached my limit and canceled Oct flights to Italy (mileage) and paid for tickets on UA. My holiday AA flights were so far beyond simply being messed up, that today I canceled those AA flights and paid for UA. Not happy. Hoping to be able to safely use miles next Oct.

I purchased a Celebrity-provided transfer the other direction, VCE to pier, for $45. They'll have them from the pier to VCE and also the pier to Venice ($50). If you aren't able to purchase in advance, you can buy at guest services once you're aboard.

Since Transatlantics occur after the Spring or Fall equinox, for a Southern crossing (from/to Med), if you want sun, I recommend port side (sun will be on North side in April, South side in the Fall). The Reflection is 40% larger overall than the Constellation and has 40% more pax. I definitely prefer the choice of specialty restaurants on Reflection, especially Murano and Lawn Club Grill. And Tuscan Grill location on Reflection is way better. If all things are exactly the same, I'd opt for Reflection. But then again, I have two TAs booked on Constellation, so go figure. Reflection hasn't been updated since its launch in 2012. The Connie was last updated in 2017 and neither one of them has been "revolutionized." Yet.

I doubt they'll be offered next year. Depends on numbers of bookings, obviously, but it appears the current supplement offer is capacity controlled. A couple of cruises I've booked (through March) at 100% are now 200%.

I travel to Europe only in Spring and Fall so carry/wear a fleece vest which, along with my rain poncho, is my primary layering piece for warmth. It has loads of pockets. If necessary, I'll wear it on the plane for flights where my carryon items are weighed. I stuff every pocket (especially the heavy things = external battery, quart bag of liquids, etc) until I know the carryons will pass. I've seen others do this, too. It's an absurdly bulky fashion statement, but it's gotten me by the gate agents in Europe every time. My personal item is now a zip top tote with zippered expansion which opens wide to hold all the pocketed things once I get aboard. I've traveled solo twice via train for two weeks precruise with a rollaboard and backpack (shipped my 25" bag to the final hotel each time). Black walking shoes (mesh which dry quickly), black sandals, black slacks and jeans, black and white button-front and pullover tops w/varying sleeve lengths, black tanks, a vest, rain poncho, and lots and lots of scarves. That again will be the wardrobe packed in my carryon this October. I always HOPE my checked bag makes it but if it doesn't, I'll survive. No one remembers what you wear anyway. BTW, I've only endured one (knock wood) 15-night TA when my 25" suitcase took an altogether different trip.

I've been to all the Spanish (and Portuguese) ports many times so an El Corte Inglés will be one of my usual port day "tours." They're found in every port X visits in Spain/Portugal. The basement grocery stores are one-stop shopping for me for snacks and beverages plus they're well-stocked with gluten-free crunchy things (crackers). I always grab a couple of their special olive oils and balsamics to put together for thank you gifts for my neighbor and pet sitter, too. Definitely worth a cab ride.

Excellent! This could be a solution to my inability to book suites that have bathtubs. Good to know.

My doctor is taking care of it because he doesn't want me to be in the middle of the Atlantic on a TA and not have access to it if/when my self-administered tests register positive. I genuinely appreciate his overriding concern for my welfare.

My primary care doctor has agreed to provide paxlovid to take with me when I'm traveling/cruising for 7 weeks. I will need to stop cholesterol med for those 5 days but that's all. I'm old and it's a crapshoot how my immune system would respond. I'm not brave or confident enough to go it alone so Paxlovid will be in my carryon.

I always pack protein bars to take on tours, and have all over the world. If I can find GF foods while ashore, great. If not, I have the protein bar(s). Been doing this since 2003. It's lots easier now to find something to eat ashore. GF is pretty common now, even in Alaska.