carnivalman

Just read article about an impending shortage of rapid tests due to private and public employers frequently testing employees who are not vaccinated. This could create problems for testing 2 days prior to embarkation since PCR tests in many cases can take longer than 2 days to get results.   Complying with CDC guidelines will be harder and the cruise industry cannot afford another hit as a result of people unable to meet pre-cruise requirements 

37 minutes ago, wrk2cruise said:

While this FAQ doesn't exactly match your question I believe the answer based on below will be NO.

 

If I’ve had Covid-19 and am recovered with a negative test result, but am not vaccinated, am I permitted to board with a Certificate of Recovery issued by my doctor?

At this time, Celebrity will not accept Certificates of Recovery.

 

https://www.celebritycruises.com/healthy-at-sea/faqs

Thanx.  I noticed a key phrase, “At this time…..”. It does leave the door open to possibly allow it.  I’m several months out before cruising so things can and will change many times over.  Hopefully they will allow those who tested positive 2-12 prior to sailing.
 

I recognize things are evolving & will for a very long time.  Each company/country establish their own rules & guidelines.  I'm unable to find on the Celebrity website, if it even exists, that proof of a Positive Covid Test 2-12 Weeks Prior To Departure is currently allowed in lieu of a Covid test for getting on a boat.  For example, Aruba allows visitors to fly into the country if they can show proof of a positive test in the past 2-12 weeks along with a doctor's note that you're OK to travel.  CDC also allows it for return to the US.  The rationale is you are currently Covid free with antibodies similar to having been vaccinated although most people can shed the virus for up to 12 weeks resulting in a positive reading during that time period.  And yes, there are stories that there are exceptions to this, although they are few & far between.  Since more & more people who are fully vaccinated seem to be catching the Delta virus & are asymptomatic, testing several weeks before departure would seem to make sense.

They showed me the money!!!!!  I too received the 2 e:mails including the one from May 6.  The full refund was posted with a date of 5/6 but didn’t post to the credit until this morning.  Refunded full amount and it showed as 4 different credits. 

On 4/25/2020 at 9:58 PM, hrt4girls said:

We are making plans to cruise the Caribbean in the fall. (Fingers crossed)   We will be making stops in Bonaire, Aruba and Curacao.  One of those days we would like to have a beach day instead of an excursion.  We have no problem finding our way to the beach and back.  Usually we like to learn a bit about the port of call, but we are on a longer trip and want to have one day just for sun and sand.  And maybe lunch.  We are looking for a beach that has beach chairs and umbrellas to rent.  Restrooms and/or changing rooms would also be nice.  We don't have to be at a fancy hotel or beach club.  We certainly don't need a pool.  So which one of those stops would have the best options for a beach day?  If you have a favorite beach, please share.  Thanks for your help.

Moomba’s on Palm Beach in Aruba. 

On 4/17/2020 at 12:04 PM, flipflops55 said:

Hi I have a trip planned to Aruba with my family there are 9 of us. Can someone give me some info on taxi rates? I know we are only allowed 5 people per taxi. We are only doing beach and some site seeing. Weighing my options of renting a car or not.  

 

Thank you 

Karen

You're better off taking 2 cabs if your going to Eagle Beach or Palm Beach.  Cab each way is no more than $15.  If going to BabyBeach, rent a 15 person van.  Also, have a change of clothes since most cab drivers will not let someone in their taxi since they assume the person's bathing suit is wet and they will not get into a debate about it.  Putting a towel on the seat doesn't cut it.

On 4/15/2020 at 1:17 PM, alwaysonaship said:

You are missing my point. When they change  the “rules” the contract starts all over again. For example I sign an agreement to sell you my house for $500,000. You agree, and I agree. We have a contract. Then a few weeks before closing I decide to change the terms to $600,000. I have broken the contract and that is what Celebrity did. The contract between us a null and void 

While I'm not  lawyer, if you have a ratified contract on your house and either party does not fulfill the terms of the contract, the other can sue for "Specific Performance".  The Seller cannot void the contract because someone came along who offered more money for the house.  Cruise ships contracts are much more complicated with many caveats.

On 2/23/2020 at 3:04 PM, Travel-Diva said:

Also.. which beach has less waves and is less rough.  

Not sure when your going. Baby Beach is perfect for kids and snorkeling. However it’s not a cheap cab ride. Moomba’s at Palm Beach would fit your needs. Taxis are only allowed By law to carry 5 passengers. 

1 hour ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Glad to know about this.  Thank you for posting.  If we ever get to take our cruise, will definitely look into this option.

While the bus is a few bucks cheaper, take a cab straight to Moomba's and hang there for the day.  Also, have a change of clothes such as shorts, etc. since cabbies will not let you in their cab with a wet bathing suit.  Even if your suit is dry, they are not going to feel it to verify.  Food at Moomba's is good.  It's all outdoors with a bar, eating area and lounge chair service on the beach.

2 hours ago, Hatteras51 said:

Pelican Pier is near Marriott Surf Club

Although the Pelican Pier is between the Holiday Inn and Playa Linda, the OP talked about the Riu Marriott hotel and the Pelican Pier is not that close to either.  My gut feeling is the OP took the walkway between the Playa Linda and Holiday Inn with the sign at the street entrance saying "Pelican Pier"   Probably rented an umbrella from a beach vendor at the Holiday Inn or Moomba's.  

On 12/28/2019 at 11:24 PM, bonsai3s said:

 

When we got off the "Arubus", we walked across the street, in a paved alley in between two hotels.  If I'm not mistaken it was between the Hotel Riu Palace and Marriott Casino.  After a short walk to the beach, the first thing you'll see is a pier with a restaurant.  To the right were many loungers and beach umbrellas.  We did not use any of the many loungers and umbrellas available at Palm Beach, because we thought they were reserved for the hotel guest staying at those various hotels along the beach.  We simply used our towels and we had our own umbrella...plenty of room. 

You were probably at the Riu since there is no pier with a restaurant anywhere near the Marriott Hotel and Stellaris Casino.

All depends where it goes after Puerto Rico.  Does it curl up the mid-Atlantic towards Bermuda, eastern Florida coast, or into the Gulf?  Captain has the discretion to change the itinerary based on weather conditions.  Taking this cruise as a getaway and have been to these ports many times.  Doesn’t really much matter where it goes.  However, I do recognize it’s a first for many people.

I was on Alejandro's last cruise on the Equinox in November 2016.  When the ship docked in Ft. Lauderdale he switched over to the Infinity which was making South American cruises.

Moomba's at Palm Beach

Sorry...but you're not correct either.

 

 

Per Carnival: All guests must complete their Online Check-in process no later than midnight prior to their sailing date. During online check-in, you will be asked to select an arrival appointment.

It is not Boarding Time or Check in Time. It is "Arrival Time"!

The Baltimore cruise port doesn't have restaurants or pubs at the pier. You would need to walk underI-95 and it's not worth it. Terminal doors open at 11:30am and they do check your papers. You may very well be denied entry to the terminal building if you're there too early. Why take the chance? Have a relaxing lunch somewhere and then show up when scheduled. If one shows up too early and is denied access, not a fun way to start off a trip.

From my current booking it states Check-In Time

My Ship:Carnival Pride# of Guests:2Stateroom:

Bedding:King Bed Edit Dining Time:Your Time 5:45-9:30 (Confirmed)

EditCheck-In Time:12:30 PM - 01:00 PM

We will be in Aruba from 11:00 AM until midnight. Looking to rent a car but don't want to have it back by 5 or 6 pm. Would like to have some extra time like 7 or 8 PM.

 

Every car rental place I looked at closes at 5 or 6. Does anyone know of a car rental place that we can get a car from maybe 11 - 7?

 

Thanks

Check the Renaissance Hotel in town. If not, one of the rental agencies at the airport might be open until 8pm.

Planning a true to Aruba for my honeymoon staying on Marriott points and news hlep deciding between 2 hotels:

Renaissance Aruba resort

Or

Aruba Marriott resort and Stellaris casino.

 

Would like good resturants close by as I don't anticipate eating at the resort much to save a few bucks.

 

Thanks!!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

If you have the points, book the Ritz which is next to the Marriott on Palm Beach. Their beach is not crowded. It’s your honeymoon, go for it!

The free parking is a big deal.

 

Just so you understand. Those of us 'up north' are jealous about how easy it is for you sunshine state folks to cruise! :D

Living up north and retired, always I always go the day before. The ship’s not going to wait until I arrive. Spending that much for a cruise, a hotel the night before is cheap at twice the price.

so , FTTF, get to the port by 11am???? we are driving from DE. thanks for all the tips and helps.

Terminal doors do not open until 11:30am

Wow, thank you so much for that information. I would feel much better getting there on time and not worry about the buses and we can always do the buses back to the ship

Don't waste your time taking a bus back to port. Bus is $2.50 per and with 5 people per cab, that would be $12.50 for the bus and the cab might be $14. Have a change of clothes since cabbies won't let you in their cab if they think your suit is wet. Go next door to the Holiday Inn and catch a cab back to port instead of waiting for one to show up even if Jolly Pirate calls for one.

We did Jolly Pirates last week and loved it. Our group consisted of 4 adults and 8 kids between ages 7 and 17. Everyone loved the excursion. The crew was amazing and the ship was so fun. We loved the snorkeling, dancing, music, lunch and best of all the pirate rope swing. I recommend this tour to everyone! Then after we hung out at their beach bar having drinks.

I presume the name of the beach bar is Moomba’s?

I will be staying on deck 9 leaving Sunday! I hope for the best, but we make the most of whatever solution they come up with.

They're bring back water beds for your cruise.

Our last cruise we got super excited because when we got off the elevator when they told us the rooms were ready there was our beautiful luggage on the rack in the hall like 3 doors down from our room and so we thought yay we will be getting it rather early - went out to do something expecting it would be there when we got back and when we got back the rack was gone and we had no luggage asked our steward about it and he had to go look could not find it took several more hours for it to appear - needless to say if we spot our luggage ever again we are gonna snag it right off the cart

When on a cruise, I place a sheet of paper in the suitcase with my name and cabin number on it in case the cruise tag and my own luggage tags get ripped off. Same if I'm flying and will have the name of the hotel I'm staying at. Finally, same when flying home with my home address. At least if they open the suitcase, they'll know where it should go.

Hi All,

 

This is our first time to Aruba and thus first time to Palm Beach. We are planning to rent a couple of chairs (with shade) and relax.

 

Do any/all the places that rent chairs provide access to the rest rooms/changing rooms at their restaurant/hotel?

 

I presume when we walk up and down the beach there will be folks trying to get us to stop and rent chairs from us like we have found in other places. Besides price, any other distinguishing factor we should be on the look out for when choosing?

 

Thanks!

Brad

Beach vendors don’t hustle you on Palm Beach. Go to Moomba’s near Holiday Inn to rent chairs and umbrellas. Great beach bar.

I had this happen in San Diego. Now, it’s much easier in SD to fill in the extra time thanPort Everglades. However, 2things. One, you can drop yourbags off and not get on the ship. Secondly, do not attempt to board at noon since everyone else will tryto get on the ship at that time. I’dwait until 1:30pm or so before checking in. What I do not know if there is a place at the port to getsomething to eat. If so, go andjust wait. Not much else you cando.