leaveitallbehind

LOL. By today's standards it was small enough to maybe get away with being called a "boat".

No, I doubt you were ripped off by your agent. But one way to be sure is to ask him for a copy of the Celebrity booking confirmation. They should match - if not line for line (as some agents may show different line items) they should show the same total. Celebrity (as do most lines) issues one with each booking to the agents. At least in the US they are always provided. If not by the agent automatically, then by request of them from the customer.

Have you ever been to the backside of Cozumel? Beautiful ocean scenery and five interesting bar / restaurants. Only open during the day. Well kept secret from most visitors.

Unless the port has a stated "curfew" type of restriction, which I am not aware of with Cozumel, then there should be no restriction other than logically when the shore venues would close for the night. When the ships are overnight in Bermuda, for example, you can come and go as you please. But typically everyone is back on board once the local bars, etc., close. But there is no ship-based restriction.

As others have mentioned, "offensive" is subjective and relevant to the audience and context in which it is said. IMO the more accurate descriptor would simply be "incorrect" based on the many nautical vessels defined in this thread.

Agree. RCCL / Celebrity are probably more like 14 inches space underneath the beds - not the 12 inches I originally said.

We tend to use the softer luggage as IMO it is more flexible in terms of variable packing amounts. I also think it is well suited for cruising as it easily fits under the beds, which is the ideal storage area. In our experience that space is typically about 12 inches from bedframe base to floor. Hard sided luggage may not fit as well and would then have to be somewhere in the stateroom, which is not ideal. But if hard sided is your preference, just keep that depth size in mind. Not aware of any Amtrak policies regarding luggage restrictions for carry on other than it needs to fit on the overhead storage, which most will. But maybe google Amtrak (or call) to see if there is any information available to be sure. One tip - as mentioned, we always store our empty luggage under the bed and at the end of each day we pack our worn clothes in them so that by the end of the week on the last night we are already 90% packed for the trip home.

Depending on your cruise line(s) of choice, a number now do offer a dedicated solo stateroom for solo travelers that typically are a little smaller than a standard double occupancy stateroom and designed for one person. On Celebrity Edge class ships, as example, they are a veranda category stateroom. They are also typically attractively priced as such at a pricing level that is somewhat higher than a one person rate in a double occupancy stateroom, but significantly lower than the usually double occupancy rate for a solo. You may want to look into this option for future cruises.

As pointed our previously, the problem with last minute bookings is obviously limited inventory. And pricing doesn't always drop just to move that inventory. This is even more of an issue with dedicated solo staterooms as those lines that offer this category don't necessarily have them on every ship, and those ships that do have them have a limited number to begin with. And as a great alternative to standard double occupancy staterooms at a solo rate, they are now increasingly more popular and tend to sell out very quickly, which means the odds of a last minute booking for one is typically nil. Most often last minute bookings for solo travelers are in standard double occupancy staterooms as a result.

Royal Caribbean, as one, has their own sponsored Visa card that has cruise benefits accrued via points based on spending. A number of years ago when it was first introduced I had one which I used for business expenses and over a couple of years time accrued enough points for a free cruise for my wife and I. I no longer have that card and, as I understand it, things have changed over the years considerably and the benefits earned require higher point totals than years ago, and I don't think the levels I attained would provide a free cruise today. There are other cards that have earned points that can translate to different participating cruise lines. I think you would just have to google that topic to see which cards might apply.

Per the RCI website: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/driving-directions-port-galveston-texas I believe all RCI ships will sail from there.

Each cruise line probably has a different process but friends of ours tested positively recently and were quarantined in their staterooms for a few days. It isn't like it once was and so much has been done on the ships and remains in place to reduce the risks on board. Not for anything, but to your thread title, we have been on 5 cruises since the restart and have not had any issues nor have contracted any illness on board.

If the travel agent is associated with a company the specializes in cruises, or if he is independent but advertises so, then they will likely be good to use. As long as they have gone through the individual line's training and are members of CLIA, then you should not have much concern. And there is nothing wrong in asking them this. To assure that they best match you with the right cruise line, you just need to detail your ages, travel likes and dislikes, expectations for your cruising experience (tour / sightseeing preferences, educational or lecture interests, individual activities or interests, etc.), and anything else that will help reveal your personalities. Most cruise lines target specific demographics (families, younger couples, adults, older travelers, etc.) and their cruise atmosphere and on board activities will reflect that. Royal, as you mention, while catering to all, is primarily family oriented with a lot of on board activities targeted to that demographic. Celebrity, by comparison, is more adult oriented with less family attractions on board. You should be very candid with the travel agent regarding your preferences to hep assure a good fit. It would be helpful to have some ideas as to itineraries you prefer. Look at different island destinations ahead of time to get some ideas of ones that may be appealing over others. But mostly, just engage in a good Q & A session with them to cover as much information about yourselves and your travel goals as possible.

I think either is a good choice. We are partial to Celebrity as well, but Princess is one of the few lines that is currently permitted to go to Glacier Bay, as 1025cruise and CruiserBruce indicate. If that is a "must see", then Princess would be the choice of the two.

It varies by cruise line but typically most of the mass market lines are 90 days prior to sailing on 7-night itineraries for final payment. (Other lengths and certain Holiday sailings may differ). You would need to check with the individual cruise line(s) you are considering to confirm their terms for the itineraries you are considering. I only suggest this based on the questions you are asking but I again would recommend using a travel agent to assist in your planning. They would be able to answer all of your questions and provide advice with your searches. There is no charge to you for their services as they are paid by the cruise lines from your booking. No difference in published fare to you either and some offer perks for booking with them. They also have access to certain fares not generally published by the cruise lines that may be favorable, such as group rates, etc.

With most cruise lines the price you book at is locked in when booked against price increases, but is eligible for a reduction up until final payment should the price decrease. So if the price changes favorably, you can take advantage of that. Note that post final payment price decreases are typically not adjusted. Typically the earlier you book the better the price is, but it will almost certainly fluctuate up and down based on demand and available inventory as bookings progress. My suggestion would be if you are certain of the ship and itinerary and you would be eligible for price reductions should the price decrease, and the current pricing is within your budget, then I would book it and then continue to monitor your itinerary's pricing to see if it decreases prior to final payment. Just be sure you understand any terms and conditions regarding your booking, in particular with regards to refundable versus non-refundable deposits.

There is no way to prevent them from coming to the table - that's their job. But as they approach you just simply and politely say "no thank you - we are not interested". We've never had an issue with them in that manner. If you eat frequently in the MDR and sit at the same table, typically after the second approach, they will stop coming altogether. Or will just look over at you to make sure you still don't want their service. At least that has been our experience when we would eat at the MDR.

To answer this part of your question, unfortunately the short answer is no. You have to look at each cruise line and individual itineraries to see any stateroom availability. To my knowledge there is no website or search tool that coordinates all cruise lines and itineraries by stateroom availability as this is very fluid and changes constantly. In addition, cruise lines typically do not release available inventory data publicly for that kind of search. That data is held privately for a number of business reasons. Your best bet to find what you want is to determine a preferred cruising time and itinerary and go from there. Picking a cruise line may be a bit more difficult as they cater to different demographics and offer different cruising styles to appeal to a broad base of customers. I would suggest contacting a travel agent and working with them of sorting this - and all of your stateroom questions - with them. That is what they are in the business to do and they have a strong partnership with the cruise lines to accomplish this.

The average Bermuda October daytime temperature is in the high 70's to 80 degrees F. Water temps are also still in the high 70's. The NY weather departing and returning on the first and last days obviously will be cooler common to that time of year. But it should get warmer towards Bermuda as being off the coast of S. Carolina it is affected by the Gulf Stream. I would plan on summer clothes in Bermuda and somewhat warmer clothes for the first and last day on board. Not sure why you are concerned about white pants. Wear what you like and feel comfortable with - there are no "codes". Just my opinion.

Guess their "Suites Only" program isn't quite so. Good to know for those who cruise Princess.

I understood that. Just wondering why that occurred. But good for you!

As I understand the question of this thread, the OP is asking about a certain perk associated with suite guests only. As such, why would non suite guests be entitled to it? Asking politely would seem, IMO, to be of little value as you would be asking for something you are otherwise (by the cruise fare paid) not entitled to. Dinners with the Captain are one thing. A perk associated with a certain level of booking is another altogether.

My understanding is it available only to suite guests and then by invitation only. I don't believe non suite guests will be invited. I am not sure how the invitation process works but it may be by highest suites first on down until capacity is reached.

Celebrity Edge class ships have dedicated single veranda staterooms with attractively proportioned rates as well.

You are absolutely correct. My personal issue is that I don't like the frequent intrusion by them while I am dining or just enjoying my day as I would rarely buy any of the pictures they take. So I would prefer to not be bothered with having a picture taken in the first place. To me letting them take my picture is something I just don't want to be bothered with. Just my opinion and personal preference. Early in our cruising days we were involved in more pictures - and ultimate purchases of same - than I can count. But after 30+ years of cruising I we just cant be bothered anymore. My smartphone is just fine for all the pictures I want at this point.