Chelly

Thankfully I don't cruise RCI.

I carried on the two umbrellas in Los Angeles. They were attached to the upside down table with bungee cords and duct tape. They were only up while we were out there. There was no flutter at all in the umbrellas. The tops were aligned with the top of the dividers. Could you please explain the safety hazard aspect. Our cabin steward loved it and we gave him the umbrellas in FLL. Nothing much different from umbrellas that attach to a chair.

Tim

Wind on the balcony. Umbrella flies off, strikes someone.

While I wouldn't do it myself, I'm kind of impressed that you got two large beach umbrellas on board and managed to attach them to a flipped over table (I think?).

 

Care to share how you managed to do it?

Another safety hazard. Amazed they got away with it.

Just when I thought I've heard and see it all, I realize I haven't.

I once had a balcony on Aloha deck directly below the Lido pool area. Oddly enough, we had zero issues with noise. I know that everybody says it's horrible with chair scraping, MUTS, etc. but we didn't experience any issues at all.

 

We sailed on Star Princess and we were in A408. If you check the deck plans you will see that cabin is directly below Neptune's Reef pool. It was a 15 day SF/Hawaii cruise and we used the balcony a lot. We slept great with no noise issues.

 

Our son was right down the hall in A312 which is an interior HC cabin (he likes the dark for sleeping in late) and it was directly beneath Prego Pizzeria, Mermaid's Tail Bar, and Trident Grill. He didn't have any noise issues either.

You have been fortunate.

Rule of Thumb among experienced cruisers:

Book your cabin on a deck that is located between passenger decks....always.

Do yourselves a huge favor. Do not switch cabins. There will be no more of an issue with seasickness in an aft than other locations. If you are under the Lido you will regret it. Bring Bonine, take one or two a day. No problems.

GREAT NEWS:)....there are enough people for the Hungry Birds excursion:D

I got an email today and made my payment:D WOOOHOOOO!!!!!!!

Happy for you Lois R. I know how much you wanted this. Now, go and enjoy this wonderful cruise and don't forget us when you return. :) We will be hold our breaths waiting for your reports.

I saw that, but your cruise follows ours. You are welcomed to hop over too our roll call as I have created a website for us. I am still making daily additions, but you will find the link in my signature on the roll call.

 

It's definitely not too soon to begin planning this trip. I at least want to determine what we want to do in AMS, so I can select a hotel that makes sense for proximity and travel needs.

 

Becky

Thank you lobster129. I will do that and certainly appreciate your help.

Exactly what I was needing to share with my roll call for Aug 2017. Thank you!

 

Becky

lobster129, I'll be cruising from Amsterdam in Aug 2017 as well. :)

Wow. This thread keeps getting better. Full of first-hand knowledge and good info. Thanks again for helping me make a decision. While I think Movenpick is a great choice, as a first time visiter to Amsterdam, one of the suggested hotels closer to city central will work better for me. I often walk around alone in the evening.

I'll be back again soon with more questions. :D

Thank you Ine and Lois R.

Lois R. Have a wonderful trip. Hope you will check back here when you return.

This is a super thread with really helpful info. I've bookmarked it for my Aug 23, 2017 cruise out of Amsterdam. I am still in the early planning stages, checking out the hotels mentioned on the thread. I'd love to hear more opinions about the Movenpick. I know it is right at the cruise terminal and not close to city center.

Has anyone on this thread stayed there and walked into city? Also wondering about the metro or train stop being nearby.

For me, time is precious when traveling. I don't like waste it. Any thoughts will be so appreciated. Thanks. :)

Sure, but why in the world would you WANT to?

I would never take fruit off the ship into a port.

But, I must admit I occasionally can't resist bringing along a croissant.

Except in Mexico!

Cruizer2:

Spectacular photos!

I will be on on the Crown Princess for the first time for her April 23 California Coastal sailing. I've a balcony on Caribe deck too so really appreciated your great balcony photos. Looking forward to returning to Princess after many HAL and Celebrity cruises.

Thank you for taking the time to do a detailed review.

Happy Cruising

Chelly

Tips are gifts. You can tip in any currency you want.

Try Oceania. Maybe that cruise line will treat you better.

However, referring to your quote below......this is happening throughout the cruise industry. (been cruising for nearly 40 years. )

".....My issue is not the amount of money (the "good, better, best" promotion is not bad). My issue is that this has become a pattern of declining customer service from Celebrity corporate office. We have, over the last four years, had to correct errors made to dining reservations, billing, and excursions. The website has been erratic and the customer service on the phone has been almost infuriatingly inefficient and ineffective. We have nothing bad to say about the crew of any Celebrity ship we have been on but I don't want to feel devalued by the parent company. I simply cannot abide the apathy being evidenced by corporate management towards loyal customers. "

Can you make lunch reservations for the Pinnacle Grill before the cruise, or do you have to wait until you are on board?

 

Is Canaletto available to lunch and dinner? Can I make reservations before the cruise for lunch at Canaletto?

I'm quite certain the Pinnacle only takes lunch reservations onboard. No worries though. Plenty of availability for lunch.

Canaletto only serves dinner.

I cruised Celebrity years ago when a medical group was onboard. They did indeed "take over the ship". It wasn't pleasant. You'd be wise to take the advise of those suggesting you make other plans.

Lisa, What time did Super Shuttle get you to the airport?

Thanks!

Good Evening from the Norwegian Jewel 😀 Unfortunately we are out of port days and are going into our final two Sea Days. I kind of wished we would have booked a B2B but then I need the vacation days for when we are going to Rome in April.

Tonight was another night we had not made pre reservation dinner plan. When we booked this the promotion we had with the suite was the Ultimate Beverage Pack, the Ultimate Dining package, Free Gratuities and $75 per cabin shore excursion credit. For the dining we could have gone to a specialty restaurant every night but not knowing what we would feel after a day in port I had not wanted to make plans in advance. I had made dinner reservations with the Pre Cruise Concierge about 10 weeks prior to the cruise. I had left Wednesday and Thursday open figuring we would just wing it. Well tonight we went to Tsars because I severa things on the menu that looked quite good. I started with the French Onion Soup and Tom had the Lemon Chicken Cesar Salad, then I had Steak Diane that was excellent actually would say the steak was right up there close to our last Hal Pinnacle dinner and this was the Main dining room on NCL. Tom had the regular Sirloin. For dessert I had a snicker doodle pound cake with ice cream and white chocolate shavings sprinkled on it. Tom had an amazing Chocolate Volcano cake the was excellent, yes I sampled it ;)

Then I had a couple glasses of wine. We are definitely not taking full advantage of the Ultimate Beverage package at best I have three drinks a day. We are just not big drinkers but it's nice to have the package. I will say the service has been fantastic, never a problem in any of the dining venues.

 

Tomorrow night we have reservations for Le Bistro and the last night is Cagneys. Tomorrow is also Chocolate Night with all of the restaurants have chocolate dessert specials.

 

Tonight we start to gain back the two hours we lost.

 

Signing off from the beautiful Norwegian Jewel:)

Sounds wonderful, Lisa.

Thanks!

HUGS,

C.

Lisa,

Thank you for sharing boarding day with us. Wondering how long your meal was at Teppanyaki? I haven't been considering it because I head it takes about two hours.

Time for Tom to grow a beard. :D

Oh Boy! A Live From from LAFFNVEGAS!

It doesn't get better than this!

Doing the Happy Dance :D

HUGS!

On the 12/19 cruise, was wondering if anyone did a Chichen Itza excursion. Available? NCL booked or independent? Cost?

 

Thanks,

 

JW

Are you referring to the 12/19/2015 cruise? If so, check on your Roll Call. Plenty of info there.

We are going on a "first timer" NCL cruise from Houston, same itinerary, in December, too. From my friends who cruise a lot, it sounds like Cozumel is pretty easy to do on your own. We are thinking of taking a cab to a beach club. For Belize, I'm thinking of doing a NCL excursion because it will be a trip away from port and I want to make sure we get back! In Roatan, we are considering a private tour from Victor Bodden. Great reviews, sounds like all the drivers are accommodating and would get us back on time and let us build our own tour.

sounds like a good plan.