excited balcony

1 hour ago, tonyinoc said:

someone said on this weeks trip to Santorini Celebrity added a sunset sail boat excursion - but i dont see it online  

I was looking for that as well and couldn’t find it. 

9 hours ago, Kreative03 said:

Touring updates:

Wednesday we did a celebrity tour - catamaran -  in Cyprus and then went straight back to the boat since it’s a shorter stop. There was a shorex person on our tour trying to help manage and perfect it. We all got fresh snorkel gear and were allowed to take it home which is a nice touch, though most folks left it. First stop was near a cave and a decent  snorkeling site. They called one of the swim stops a beach stop - but in reality the beach was something you could swim to only as a ridiculously strong swimmer in the time we had. The tour had 2 boats of folks and it seemed Iike everyone enjoyed the sail and the swims.

 

Did yesterday in Rhodes with a private guide. Went all the way around the island and they mentioned the outdoor mask mandate has been lifted and it was nice to be “free” fully outdoors like we are in the US. Not a ton of tourists in the area unlike prior stops. My last visit in Rhodes I explored on my own and would’ve preferred to do that again, as you can manage well in old town…but family desires.

 

 

 

 

 

Week booked the catamaran through Celebrity for the July 9th sailing.  A couple of days ago we received and email saying the snorkeling and kayaking will no longer be offered and that is will simply be a sail and swim adventure.  Would you recommend the excursion even without the snorkeling?

Thanks!  I will call Celebrity and ask about that!

We are sailing on the July 9th sailing of the  Apex out of Athens.  July 10th is our 28th wedding anniversary and I was wanting to have a special dinner onboard.  My husband does eat fish and I do not.  Any suggestions for the best specialty restaurant that you think might be best for a special celebration but also accommodate our dietary needs?  Thank you in advance!!!!

Beautiful photos!!

I read a couple of interesting books by Brian David Bruns where he chronicles his career working in different positions in the cruise industry.  One job he worked hard to get was as the Art Auctioneer.  The behind the scenes look was fascinating.  

How do you or where do you view the menus?  We are cruising on Majesty of the Seas next week and I would love to get a peek at the menus.  Thanks!!

Ask in reception - they have a supply out the back and will give you a couple of "O" packs :D

I had heard this somewhere - glad to hear it is true. Thanks!

We enjoy playing cards, will Oceania have decks of cards we can use while on board or should we bring our own?

Yes! Thank you for such useful information. I had no idea about day rooms. We are going to book a day room at the Marriott and relax until it is time to board the ship. Thank you!

Plan B: take a taxi to South Beach where you have preordered 6-12 bottles of wine at Total Wines. Pick up wine enroute to port (have taxi wait). Drink 1-2 bottles at port while waiting for embarkation.

 

Next time, take the air credit and DIY air.

:'):'):'):')

As everyone else will now post too: always fly in at least 1-2 days early to be prepared for cancelled flights/lost luggage/jet lag/ most "bang for your buck" extra vacation on the same airfare/etc.

That said, you're luggage, if not picked up immediately will go to a holding pen (you'll even get an e-mail to that effect if you're a registered FF or otherwise gave them contact info.). Then, use FF free (or purchased) passes to the airline's lounge.

In any case, count me with those folks who say "fly in day(s) before a cruise."

We used Oceania's air program this time and this was our only option without paying additional fees. We fly our THIS Saturday, so whats done is done - for better or for worse. I just wondered if there were options I wasn't thinking of while waiting in the airport. We are not registered FF'ers.

We are taking an evening flight and arriving at the Miami airport the morning of our departure on Insignia at 6:00am. We are planning to just wait in the airport until our ship boarding time, which is 1:00pm. :rolleyes: I just realized that we will be waiting down by the baggage claim area (not the main airport) because we will need to pick up our suitcases upon arrival. Any suggestions for us beyond just waiting in the baggage claim area for 6-7 hours?

thanks!!

No there is not. You may bring box wine if it suits you. Enjoy your cruise!

Thank you!

Correct.

Thanks!!

So, just to be certain - there is no difference as far as Oceania is concerned, with bringing aboard boxed wine vs. bottles of wine? Thanks!!

some airports have a wine store after baggage claim or if taking a taxi have the driver stop to pick up some wine

 

If not you can get bottle bags to put in checked bags for air travel it may add extra weight to your case

In anycase put wine in your carry on not checked bags for boarding the ship

 

Maybe you can pick some up at other port stops to enjoy in the cabin

That is a great idea about picking up wine at the airport or at the different ports. Is there a reason not to put the wine in the checked bags? Thanks!

Read a few other post regarding this and just curious if the Butler, along with cash, would like a 'Texas-Themed' edible gift (Pecan, Beaver Nuggets, Jerky, Chocolate)? I figure a coffee mug would just take up space in their quarters... Am I on the right track?

 

And, what gifts have you brought, if any.

I think that sounds like a really thoughtful, nice gift!

:)

If you have to absolutely resort to boxed wine, get Bandit or Black Box. Everything else is "rot gut."

:):)

I know . .. :) Not my first choice, or second for that matter! Do you think we will have trouble bringing the boxes on board in our checked luggage?

We are flying from California and will not be able to stop from the airport to the cruise terminal to purchase bottles of wine. Traveling with bottles will be tricky, so I am planning to throw a box of wine in my luggage to bring aboard for drinking in my cabin. Will this be a problem getting on the ship? I know I have read that Oceania does not enforce the 3 bottle rule, but I wondered about box wine in checked luggage. Thanks!!

Thanks!!

There's not much near the port so I'd suggest you hop a bus (minimal cost as I recall) and head down town and walk around a bit. If you wanted a nice long walk, you probably could walk down town but it would probably be 3-4 miles.

 

Here's a picture I took from the ship of the immediate area - down town is down and around the corner to the right. Now that I think of it, I wouldn't walk. Take the bus at the terminal.

 

We are celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary while on ship this summer. Do you know if Oceania does anything special for you if they know you are celebrating an occasion while on board?

Thanks for the info. We are looking to do our ships excursion tour which is a walking tour. Might see what tours are available once we get off the ship. Been reading up on the port on Trip Advisor and here on CC. Seems there are many tour options available outside of the ship tours.

Thank you! I will look on Trip Advisor as well. We have an Ultimate Highlights Tour booked, but a walking tour close to the port would be nice.

We have a Jeep Tour booked for Dominica, but we have quite a bit of extra time in port. Any suggestions for things to do within walking distance from the ship?

We are in Cuba from 8am until 6pm. We booked an Ultimate Highlights Of Havana, which will be done by 12:30pm. Are we allowed to wonder around on our own and if so, any suggestions about things we could/should do? Thanks!!