cruisemuse13

The existing tub is several inches above floor level, compounding the difficulty to get in and out for those of us with leg and/or balance issues. That difference in level is why I can stand up straight in the bathroom but have to stoop when showering in the tub.

I, on the other hand, am short. And I really noticed the difference in height between the bottom of the tub, and the bathroom floor, when stepping out of the tub. It seemed a "long way down" to reach the security of the floor. I was always relieved to get in and out of the tub/shower without incident.

I actually prefer the small , walkin shower in the veranda stateroom over the elevated tub/shower in the CC suite. And I never had an issue with a clinging shower curtain.

Last November, we booked a veranda cabin on deck 8 and had chosen the cabin ourselves. About a month before the cruise, I was checking my booking and was pleasantly surprised to see that we were upgraded to a suite on deck 8. I checked the new cabin for comments on cabin spread sheet, and there were no noise complaints so I was happy with our good fortune.

Well, I was always quite content in my balcony cabin, but that suite, with the extra space, larger bathroom and shower, and jumbo shrimp cocktail served every afternoon, specialty restaurants included, and stateroom bar setup, and afternoon tea won me over. I am now spoiled.:)

I was one of the lucky ones and benefited from my free upgrade. If I was switched to a cabin with noise , or other, issues, I would not be happy either. I just wanted to share that not all unsolicited cabin changes are undesirable.

But this does seem to be a common practice, and I was not notified either.

 

One other question, how willing were the Luminae staff to get you things from the main dining room menu? I've looked at the 14 menus that somebody very kindly posted and there are a good 3 or 4 days when I don't care for anything listed. I know we will have 2 free Speciality dining meals, so I may well make our bookings for those nights. We particularly like the Prime Rib, which we don't get in the UK, and I didn't see this listed on any of the Luminae menus.

 

Glad you had a great time. Sue

I was using the search function to try and find the Luminae menus, but seem to be missing them. Any hint as to where you found the menus posted?? Thanks for your help.

Newbie to Celebrity, going on the Reflection in a month. When you get to the main dining room and you have to wait do they give you one of those light up viberating thingys so that you know when your table is ready but you don't have to stand there?? They had this on our Holland cruise last time and thought I should ask.

We just got back from a cruise on the Eclipse, During 14 nights, we only waited twice and yes, they gave us a pager. It was about a 5 minute wait.

Usually at the pier close to the Renaissance.

that's good to hear. Thank you.

I read on the Curacao forum that there are 3 docking locations. Where does the Eclipse dock? I hope it is not by the oil tanks:eek:

Thank you for your quick review and port suggestions. I have been wondering about the lobster lunch, and also the catamaran in St Lucia. It is always nice to have feedback from someone who actually went on the excursions.

We were in #8054 on the Journey, and had no issues with noise. It was also conveniently close to the staircase.

For our cruise last November, I ordered luggage tags from the website, using the info from baytraller, and they arrived in the mail in 10 days.

We used Romecabs for a simple transfer from our hotel to the ship, and our driver was very fluent in English and entertaining.

It was off season since it was November. Maybe when they are busier, and require more drivers, they may have less fluent drivers.

alot of people start cruising in an inside cabin, and over time, move to more expensive accomodations. Most of the regular posters on CruiseCritic are long time and /or frequent cruisers, so may tend to be booking balconies. Also, the newer ships are built with more balconies than oceanview cabins.

It also depends on where you are cruising. In the Caribbean, it is nice to have a balcony to sit outside, and we tend to spend more time on the ship. In Europe, the cruise is usually more port intensive, and we spend very little time onboard other than to sleep. So an inside cabin is more acceptable.

Bottom line, to each their own.

In November 2014, we were in a suite on Journey. I looked for the "shabbinesss" some people reported and did not find it. The carpet looked brand new, the bed was great, no mold in the shower, NO complaints. The only thing I did notice was some wear on the upholstery on the arms of the chair and loveseat, but that is to be expected.

Yes, the decor could use an "update", but it was clean and comfortable.

Thank you for taking the time to post, especially all the photos. This is a valuable resource for newcomers, and a lovely trip down "memory lane " for repeat cruisers. :D

The value of "flights included" depends on where you live. For flights from Canada to a European cruise we usually need to spend between $1000 and $1300 each. So the Choice Air credit of $1000 per stateroom [/b] helps, but still does not come close to being a free flight. It also means you are still paying full fare for the cruise.

Thank you for posting and Enjoy your cruise.

Any comments about what to do in the different ports would be appreciated. Good or bad.

thanks for your answer. so the rough seas, high waves caused movement in the cabin, but did you also feel sick?

 

for me to have that nauseated feeling would be worse than rocking about, but can understand the discomfort.

 

does the captain/staff warn about predicted bad weather or does it just happen?

On every Azamara cruise we have been on, the captain has made public announcements about anticipated rough seas well in advance, and has advised passengers, that "if you take motion pills, now would be a good time to take one".

This has happened to us on our last 2 cruises. We paid the onboard account , using cash, before we left the ship. Later, a $20 charge appeared on our credit card. We did not take anything from the room, nor did we use anything from the minibar. Both times we called and the charges were removed.

It does make me wonder how many times this happens, and how many people either do not notice, or just let it slide. Considering the number of staterooms,and the number of cruises, an extra $20 here and there would quickly add up!!:rolleyes:

We'll be sailing on Reflection (soon), and since it will be a longer cruise I decided "to create" additional storage in the stateroom (regular veranda stateroom). We are bringing $1 fabric foldable cubes to organize small items from our wardrobe (socks, t-shirts, etc.). I remember that there was a shelf over the bed on Solstice where we could place those cubes. Reflection doesn't have these shelves. Question for those who used the cubes in the past: Any idea where we can place the cubes so they don't clutter the room but help to organize it?

 

Thanks!

I am interested to know where you found the foldable cubes for only $1?!. I plan to get some for my next cruise. they sound like a great idea.

We were in a continental suite on Journey a few weeks ago. And yes, the liquor setup was there when we first arrived. We easily exchanged the bottle of rum for another bottle of gin.

We ate at the specialties four times, and the charge was $0.

Also the deck area in front of the gym and spa with the T-pool was complimentary for suite guests as well.

And the butler did come around with the tea cart every afternoon. with coffee, tea, sandwiches and sweets. And he left a plate of appetizers in the room if we were not there.

But best of all, he brought shrimp cocktail. The largest shrimp I have ever had in a shrimp cocktail. Requests for other snacks such as a cheese tray, or peanuts were also quickly provided.

I have always been content in a veranda cabin but the extra space in the continental suite was very noticeable and appreciated. And so were the suite amenities.

I was just wondering if anyone booked RomeCabs and paid in advance using Paypal. Did you have any issues with the driver proving that the trip was already paid for?? I would then tip the driver in cash.

Hello, I am back from my cruise and just thought I would answer my own question.:)

we booked RomeCabs on line with no difficulties and I paid by Paypal. They were 20 Euros less expensive than booking a car from the hotel for our transfer from the hotel to the Port. We promptly received emails with all the information we needed.

Our driver, Rossella, arrived early because it was raining and she was accounting for traffic delays. She was fully aware that I had prepaid by PayPal before I even mentioned it so I did not even need to show her my copy of the invoice. It was very convenient and I am glad I used the pay in advance service.

Rossela was a very professional driver and we enjoyed our trip with her. She dropped us off at the port directly in front of the doors to the terminal to check in. Great service! We will definitely use them again.

I was just wondering if anyone booked RomeCabs and paid in advance using Paypal. Did you have any issues with the driver proving that the trip was already paid for?? I would then tip the driver in cash.

1. OSTIA ANTICA and the ruins there are very spectacular . Easy to do from Rome indepentendly. You take the Metro from Roma Termini and change a few stations out to a surface suburban train that takes you to Ostia Antica a 45 minute trip overall from Rome . One Metro ticket covers the entire trip. Check Ostia Antica website and it gives full instructions how to get there from Rome by Metro and suburban train . Catering on site at entrance.

 

2. ORVIETO in the hills is just stunning a short trip out of Rome. Take Trenitalia from Roma Termini to Orvieto. Walk out front station and take the funicular up the hill . At top station of funicular shuttle bus will take you up to the village . See the stunning Duomo and climb to the top of a separate tower in the town for stunning views . On returning to the top funicular station dont miss St Patricks well on the left a wonderful piece of engineering .

Thank you for your reply. After looking at information about Orvieto we definitely want to go there!!

And I did come across the thread about "4 days in Rome" so that was helpful as well.

There are some posts as to what others have done re not doing Rome per se again on this board Ostica Antica being one of them. I have been to Rome quite a few times and I love just wandering into different areas just to see what's there if you get my drift.Have found some great little places to eat,shop,and just sit and people watch as well as some ruins people have just stumbled upon while fixing up a house or shop. The main shopping area (not the high end) is on and right off via del Corso which runs from the wedding cake to the Popolo. There is a great dept store just off the Corso that anyone can direct you to just down the way from the Sp.Steps. I usually shop there when I need something and they have great leather items w/o all the logos:) Have fun.

Thank you for taking the time to reply. That is the type of information I have been looking for.

I did try a search for older posts, but I must not have used the correct words to elicit the replies I was hoping for. I will try again.

In November we will be back in Rome for several days before our cruise. During our previous visits, we have visited the major historical sites and are looking for other suggestions on how to spend our time.

I am thinking of a day trip to Ostica Antia (sp??) and also want to spend more time just exploring neighbourhoods in Rome. Are there any areas that are good for shopping with an Italian department store, or where local residents are likely to shop? I am not looking for the tourist shops but more of an idea of what it is like to live in the city.

Any other ideas as to how to spend our time would be appreciated. Thank you for any suggestions.

I have booked an excursion from Florence with Shareashoreexcursionitaly. They were recommended on another thread here on Cruise Critic and they have everyone sign up individually on their website so you are not responsible for "no shows". They do have tours available in Sicily too.

http://www.shareashoreexcursioninitaly.com/excursion

You can determine the size of group you want and set a minimum and maximum limit, They have been excellent with communications so far.