charlielinda

Think the waterproof Fitbit will be on the Christmas list.

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I swear I was sleeping [emoji99]. No rice cooker involved! Remember I don’t know who to cook rice.

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First Day at Sea. I actually don’t have much to report today. As I mentioned we planned on a relaxing cruise and that’s exactly what’s happening. In the past I’ve run around to every lecture, bingo and trivia game. This time I’m going to stop and smell the roses (aka sea air).

We slept late today and just made it to the dining room for breakfast and immediately headed off to the Cruise Critic party in the Gastro Bar. Captain Kate was there and spoke about her husband, cat and introduced many of the officers. I have never sailed with Captain Kate and have to say she lives up to her billing here on Cruise Critic. She was delightful.

I then headed to my favorite place — my baloney — to read and relax. I was so relaxed I took a nap while Charlie explored the ship and went to a presentation on feet!

We then headed to pool and hot tubs for about an hour and then I came back to my balcony while Charlie went to his favorite place — the Persian Garden.

We relaxed and headed to Murano for a lovely dinner. A great day.

It was an evening chic night and we were dressed up for the evening. Walking to and from dinner we saw all sorts of dress — gowns and tuxes, shorts and tee shirts, sun dresses and slacks. There was music playing in the lounges and the main foyer, and the bars were hopping. All looked like they were having a good time.

I know I had a wonderful day.

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Not kidding ... husband wore fit bit in hot tub and got it wet. Someone suggested he ask the steward for some rice to put the fit bit to dry out. Can you imagine what would have happened ... I’m sure it’s noted somewhere we brought a rice cooker aboard.

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The backup light came on in our room and within a minute or two Captain Kate came on and announced a black out. The lights are back on but the ship isn’t going anywhere at this point. I’m sitting on the balcony and will relax and let the crew do there jobs. I’ve never heard of this before. Thoughts.

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I’m glad not the only one that has been called to the Naughty Room for a rice cooker.

Also, I agree it would be fun to sit in the Naughty Room to see all the items that are brought aboard

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Embarkation Day -- We woke to terrible weather and heavy rain all day. No problem — we are on vacation! We had a nice breakfast buffet at Pier 66 and then headed to Miami at 9:30 am.

We used Angel of South Florida Transportation for our transfer to the Port of Miami for $100. We decided to book a private transfer instead of a shuttle for the convenience and it was worth it. We dropped our luggage off at 10:30 and were on the ship by 11:15.

First stop was Murano to make our Specialty Dining reservations for our cruise. The Ensemble Lounge was quiet so we decided to wait there until the cabins were ready.

Charlie headed to the Spa to purchase a cruise long pass for the Persian Garden (one of his favorite places). I had been told by Canyon Ranch that it would be $120 for the cruise but they said it was actually $160. He went ahead and purchased; the manager said he would check on it but I'm not expecting it to change. The good news is Charlie entered the raffle and won a gift certificate for $75 -- the bad news is that it has to be used on a $250+ facial. I'll decide on that later in the week. Right now I'm thinking ... hot glass or a facial.

We are in a 1A cabin -- 7159. It has a slanted verandah which is great. To my surprise there are two foot stools which was a nice surprise. We were able to figure out a place for everything; thank goodness for the shoe rack for over the door. The cabin is great and our steward very nice.

We had purchased a Bar Set-Up for Charlie to enjoy a drink on the verandah but it wasn't in the cabin. We called and were to told they no longer carried Knob Creek but would refund the charge. We replied, "No, we would like to speak with a supervisor. We spoke with the Front Desk Manager and the situation was solved quickly. Thank you, Jack.

Then the "rice cooker" episode started. I posted it earlier and you can find it ... but just think of a episode of I Love Lucy -- Ricky going to the Naughty Room and being told that Lucy had brought a rice cooker aboard. I think we'll be laughing about this for years to come.

Just then we received a bottle of wine, shrimp, cheese and crackers and chocolate dipped strawberries. When I made our reservation I mentioned to the reservation agent that we were celebrating my finishing breast cancer treatment and it was from Celebrity. What a treat and gracious gift.

Dinner at the Tuscan Grill was marvelous as always. After dinner we headed back to our cabin. All in all a busy first day and enjoying every minute.

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Denny01 ... you really saw rice cookers in the Naughty Room.

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We will be at Murano three times and Tuscan three times. Had lots oh hiccups today with Celebrity but know it will be a great adventure.

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We boarded the Equinox today and I'll put on my blog later all about our day BUT this is to good not to share right now.

All our luggage arrived except mine ... we got a call from Guest Relations telling us my bag was being held and we (meaning Charlie) had to go to Deck 2 (aka the Naughty Room) to claim it. Charlie quizzed (interrogated) me to see what contraband I could have brought on board. I replied, "I followed all the rules". I know he didn't believe me and I couldn't imagine what I could possibly have done wrong.

He arrived at the Naughty Room and told the crew he was there to pick his wife's bag up, claiming no responsibility. The crew politely told him his wife had brought a rice cooker aboard! He said he replied "what did you say? A rice cooker!" And started laughing. If you knew me you'd know I've never seen a rice cooker in my life, and wouldn't dream of bringing one on a cruise -- I'm a Minute Rice type of girl. He said other crew members were laughing and showed him a list with our cabin number with rice cooker next to it. While he stood there they opened my bag in search of a rice cooker ... alias none was found. He was able to retrieve my bag and bring it to our cabin.

When he returned he wouldn't tell me what happened until he poured himself a glass of wine -- from one of the two allowed bottles per cabin ... then he asked me if I had brought a rice cooker on board!

So everyone knows you can't bring alcohol, an extra bottle of wine, a charger or knife -- now I can report that you better leave your rice cooker at home.

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Thank you and safe travels.

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Others have posted blogs of their travels and I always love reading them and thought it was a great way to remember your travels. So I’ve decided to try for our upcoming Equinox Cruise of the Southern Caribbean.

A bit about us ... I’m Linda, a retired legal secretary, and Charlie is an attorney with the Federal Government and we live in Northern Virginia. We have cruised many times on Royal Caribbean, Holland, Princess and Celebrity — Caribbean (many times), Alaska, Transatlantic and Panama Canal. Celebrity is by far our favorite and we have Elite status with them. The majority of our cruises were over ten years ago with the exception of a Transatlantic on Celebrity in November of 2016.

We had booked the same Transatlantic for 2017 but had to cancel because we had had a house fire in the Spring and didn’t move back home until December. I immediately booked a Transatlantic for October of this year but due to Charlie’s upcoming hip replacement needed to cancel. That’s when I came up with the brilliant plan for a Caribbean cruise in September.

We are looking forward to spending time with each other and relaxing. We have vacationed or cruised to many of the ports and plan on taking it easy.

PreCruise with Celebrity

We booked our 1A Verandah cabin without any perks but did purchase:

— internet package for one with our Elite discount ($188)

— six night Specialty Dining ($384)

— bar set-up with Knob Creek ($130)

We never purchase a drinks package because I don’t drink alcohol and Charlie just enjoys a glass of wine or bourbon. We’ll bring two bottles of wine aboard and have the bar set-up for him to enjoy on the balcony and just purchase drinks here and there as we go.

September 1 — Saturday

Flew from Washington Dulles to Fort Lauderdale on Southwest. Easy flight and most importantly no baggage charges. Upon arrival we jumped in a taxi for a quick trip to the Pier 66 Hotel and Marina. Our cruise is leaning from Miami but decided to stay in Fort Lauderdale.

Pier One Hotel and Marina

Room — We paid $149 for a garden room with breakfast. The room is dated with the most uncomfortable chair but a very comfortable bed and shower.

Doormen — Beyond amazing! Friendly and helpful. Next time we will be sure to get a room with a balcony facing the pools.

We decided to go to Pelican’s Landing for dinner on the property and we were taken by the amazing doormen by golf cart to and from. The view is beautiful over-looking the Intercostal and there would have been a wonderful sunset had the clouds not interfered. We had the peel and eat shrimp as an appetizer and split the fish tacos that had a great slaw on them. It was a casual fun restaurant.

September 2 — Sunday

We woke up to terrible storms but that’s o.k. — we’re in Florida. We headed out to the lobby restaurant for a nice breakfast buffet and then called for an Uber to take us to a local Publix. There we stocked up on Diet Coke (Charlie), Water (me), two bottles of wine and a few other items to bring along with us on the our cruise.

The weather cleared and we headed to the beautiful pools for the afternoon to read and relax. Plus had my first non-alcoholic fruity drink of our vacation.

We went to 15th Street Fisheries, by Uber, for dinner and sat downstairs. I had fabulous shrimp tacos.

Tomorrow is the day we have been waiting for. Cruise Day!

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Mistake — Please Delete

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I’ll be on the Equinox tomorrow and wonder if anyone has the hot glass? How does it work and did you enjoy it.

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We are planning on taking Uber or shuttle on Monday to the Port. My husband has a bad hip and I have a bad knee. Will we be able to be dropped off where the porters can take our luggage?

Also what time would be a good time to get there? I was thinking 11 ... thoughts.

Thanks so much.

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There is such fabulous information on Cruise Critic. I had purchased a WIFI package for $269 for my 11 day cruise. While reading posts saw I should get discount for being elite (should have known). Today I called and cancelled original and rebooked with discount and saved $81. So I’m considering that at free money [emoji6]

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I love your reviews and wish you were staying on board because we will be getting on as you get off. Enjoy every minute of your travels.

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I’m doing something wrong and need help. I purchased luggage tags for Celebrity. I’m trying to to figure out how to insert into plastic sleeve. They are much longer than the sleeve even with folding in half. How do you do it?

I hope you enjoyed your olives. We are going to have a duffle bag with sodas and water and will put the wine in with them and hope it gets delivered.

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I know on Celebrity they are now using Move Up bidding and think they are doing the same type of thing on Royal. Today a friend on Adventure of the Seas won at bingo — six nights in the Owners Suite — I guess no one bid enough or last minute cancellation.

Two years ago on a Celebrity TA they played bingo for an RS. Sadly, we didn’t win.

Guess the upgrade fairy is a thing of the past.

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Enjoy your cruise and wine[emoji485].

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I know we can bring two bottles of wine aboard. We have special packaging so the bottles won’t break. If we place them in our luggage will they bring to our cabin or will we have to claim our luggage? We are hoping not to have to carry onboard. Thanks.

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Do all the ships have made to order chicken and steak at dinner in the buffet area. We always go to dining room or specialty and thought it would be fun to eat under the stars. What type of things do they have. Thanks.

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We’re taking a cruise where I know we will be visiting 6 ports where we plan to go to the beach. I was thinking of purchasing a safe that can be locked and locked to a lounge chair. Has anyone used one or seen them being used? I thought it would be good for going in the water so we dont have to take all valuables in the water. Thoughts.

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