GEORGIEGIRL

On 11/30/2022 at 6:32 PM, islandchick said:

Yes, apparently when shown the whats included list the f&b manager has stated it has changed on Allure. I wouldn't care too much except that they are still selling it as originally stated. This is called fraud and they obviously don't care about their passengers. Of course, this is only based on several reports recently, I will have to see for myself. I always buy the UDP when offered but expect to get what I paid for, if this is a strain for the cruiseline in cost or service then they should discontinue selling it. 

Or, you can chose not to purchase it.

Did the "Beach Club" in May on "Mariner" and they actually contacted us via phone in our cabin a couple of days before we were to arrive at CoCo Cay to get our lunch request. Presume it is the same on each ship. (PS. the food and the Beach Club are awesome)..

You may to check out "Cocoa Beach Shuttle". Very popular and reliable company.

I'm confused. I thought the "Vax" mandate was still required. However, the Covid-19 test is no longer required to board. Can someone please confirm?

TIA

22 hours ago, bigeck said:

Sometimes it's better to say nothing at all.

But, probably because Tarragona is 60 miles from Barcelona. Easier to sail from Barcelona

Oh, Okay. I was curious what you were posting about. Your header was very vague.

Can you please provide the port you are sailing out of. It might help in providing a last minute testing site suggestion.

Okay. So????

If you have them, could you possibly post the "Dailies" from your cruise. We board her this Saturday and are still trying to see if there are any special "Themed" nights to do. We love to dress up if they are scheduled to happen. TIA.

KJM

Keep in mind that any unused "Vouchers" do not carry over to the next day. So use them up..

1 hour ago, tumbley said:

Another idea: order (free) continental breakfast, keep the tray (leave a note for stateroom attendant not to take it away, or hide it lol)

That's what we do. We "HIDE" it.

If I remember correctly (and it has been a few years since we stopped at those ports) none of them have Rental Agencies close to the ports. You either have to grab a cab or a shuttle in some cases. As was mentioned earlier some of the agencies are only at the airports..

7 minutes ago, TwinMamainMN said:

Do you tip in cash or write it on the receipt? Curious.

When you have the UDP you don't usually get a receipt. So I just pay in cash.

I do not believe so.

17 hours ago, davekathy said:

My wife. 

Ditto for me:

Nice review of your cruise. Thanks for taking the time.

We will be on her in 4 weeks and I have a few questions.

01) Do you have copies of the "Daily Planner"? (not exactly sure what Celebrity calls them) {If you do can you post them please?}

02) Was the ship full/sold out?

03) What "Theater" shows are being offered?

04) Did they have "Pool Games" like other cruise lines?

05) Did they have "Themed" nights like a 70's or 80's, etc..?

Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks again.

On 8/8/2022 at 7:45 AM, Jcol5786 said:

Thanks for the replies including the suggestion to purchase the Refreshment pack so we don't use our D vouchers for OJ and bottled water. That being said I  understand that the decision to purchase the DBP depends on how much one expects to drink, type of drink  the price of the package itself. What I'm wondering is whether or not Royal will sell me a single package after I tell them we only need one because we plan to pool our diamond vouchers. I have read that when people phone in for a single package purchase the reason given is usually that the partner/spouse doesn't drink. In this case we both drink but are simply trying to save the cost of one DBP by combining our D vouchers.

 

I think in the end we will probably end up purchasing a Refreshment package, using our D vouchers and budgeting for a few extra drinks through the cruise.

 

That would probably be the best thing to do. We are D+ (we get 5 drinks) we save the vouchers for the more expensive drinks and just pay as we go for the other drinks.

22 hours ago, Arubamoose said:

I downloaded it and filled it out for our cruise in three days.  Received an email from them and printed out the QR code just as a back up.

Having just traveled to Canada 3 weeks ago (not buy cruise but by air) I can verify that they definitely require you fill out the ArriveCan app and need the "QR CODE" (either paper or electronic).  

On 8/4/2022 at 4:59 PM, The Maddens said:

Thanks to Everyone!  This is great info!
We just went thru the steps to enable Wi-Fi calling, tested it, and tested sending a Text as well.  between this and (if we have to) the Cell tower, we should be good.  Thanks!

Keep in mind that you were asking specifically about "Explorer" and their internet/wi-fi. A friend of mine just sailed her in December and said the internet/wifi was horrible due to it being an older ship and not having been upgraded yet.

19 hours ago, dodgestang said:

Holland House Beach Hotel.....super nice bar/restaurant right on the main boardwalk drag downtown.  Easy to get to from ship (water taxi to downtown).   Shady, breezy and tastey

 

Ditto for Holland House. That is our go-to stop in St. Maarten. We eat, drink and stay on the beach there all day. It usually cost just $20-25.00 for 2 chairs, an umbrella and a couple of drinks (beer & water). The beach area is very clean and very comfortable. There are also a bunch of different "Beach" restaurants that you can chose to eat at.

21 hours ago, Reijo said:

I appreciate this information.  Our Bermuda cruise is 9/11 and I just heard about this authorization.  The $40 per person really irks me though!!!

I think it used to be around $75.00 or so last year. So, less irking required.

I think you still have to pay for the parking at the "Radisson". However, it may be in the form of an all included higher cost for the room.

As was mentioned earlier, nothing is free anymore.

Ditto. Usually it is split between the first 2 people in the cabin.

Give me "Folgers" instant, freeze dried coffee over "Starbucks" any day. I say this with the thought that I don't drink "Folgers".

Quick question. You never mentioned if you are doing B2B in the same cabin or have to change cabins. That would be important to be prepared for as well if you have to change cabins.

20 hours ago, ZoeyVictoria said:

I remember a thread from years ago about a couple flying in a day early before cruising out of Fort Lauderdale or Miami.  Their tote bag was stolen out of their rental vehicle while they were sightseeing, and their passports were in the tote bag.  They were unable to cruise.

 

I live in a condo and refuse to load luggage into my car the night before a cruise.  And I take every piece of luggage into my hotel room when we spend the night at the port.  I feel a little silly checking in for one night with six pieces of luggage, but I am not willing to take a chance.

We do the same thing (we live in Florida as well so we often drive to the port). We NEVER leave anything in the vehicle overnight when checking into the hotel. I don't feel silly at all. (Sometimes we cruise/travel together with others and we might have 6-8 suitcases in the mini van). I would feel worse if I had to buy all new clothes the morning I was scheduled to leave on my relaxing cruise.