baggal

In the MDR, definitely (politely) instruct the waitstaff NOT to bring the breadbasket to the table - ever. As said previously, also ask for proteins to be served without sauces. You can also double up on vegetables and ask for a fruit plate for dessert. I enjoy a spinach/mushroom egg white omelet at breakfast with a 1/2 toasted bagel. There's also lots of fresh fruit available. I even treat myself to a 1/2 grapefruit once or twice during the cruise. (people on statins know what I'm talking about). The big challenge is staying away from the breakfast pastries. Its entirely do-able but its up to you. Have a great cruise.

If you need to return a call made to you, I have found that Guest Relations is very helpful is placing a return call to the U.S. But before you leave on the cruise, make sure you tell the person that might be contacting you to ANSWER THE CALL from a Miami phone number (the calls are routed through Miami headquarters) or even if their phone reads POTENTIAL SPAM. This has happened to me twice. First time we were still in port in the Med and I was able to text my daughter to answer any unusual phone number. It was Miami. Second time, my son was attending to our leaking roof that we discovered on the morning we were flying to Ft. Lauderdale. His phone read potential spam and he didn't answer.

Romecabs.com

Thanks for the info!

Thank you. Do you know anything about the Marriott Vacation Club Pulse? I believe its in downtown San Diego.

Will be staying in San Diego pre-cruise in January 2025. Looking for a hotel that's in the $300 range. It does not need to be in walking distance of the port. Thanks.

Actually, there are attorneys that specialize in cruise ship litigation. I would definitely begin an internet search.

Even if the window is closed, you are able to keep the doors to the verandah open 24/7 so you can look out at the sea all the time as well as being able to sit on the verandah to enjoy the view.

Thanks for the info. We're coming from the East Coast and was looking to avoid a very long flight to Hawaii and then spending additional time in local airports to visit a few of the islands.

Trying to decide between a cruise to Hawaii in early October or late January. I'm concerned about the weather during the 5 day sailing to Hawaii and an additional 5 days back to San Diego. Is the Pacific Ocean considered calmer at one time or another? For instance, I know NOT to sail in the Caribbean during active hurricane season but I have no idea about the Pacific. Thanks.

Also remember that the 3 of you will also be sharing one "smallish" size bathroom. Enough said.

That's exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks.

Is there a supermarket (Publix) or Drug store (Walgreen’s, Rite Aid, etc) within walking distance of the Riverside Hotel? It’s our first time staying in this area and I’d like to be able to pick up some hair care, suntan lotion, etc instead of packing it. Thanks:

Everyone should assume that all food on a cruise ship, MDR, Buffet or Specialty, has salt added to it. Even the oatmeal at the breakfast buffet has been prepared with a "dash" of salt. (otherwise it will be inedible to most palates). You have to be super diligent and know what your actual tolerance is. Asking for low sodium foods is not realistic. Asking for no salt added while my food is prepared IMO is a better choice. And sorry, telling the Head Waiter that you want low sodium food and then ordering a bacon cheeseburger is just giving mixed messages to the crew and not beneficial to anyone.

We sail on a few different lines and it has never been an issue having the cabin steward bring our luggage into the cabin for us. I didn't realize that it was an "upsell" on Celerity in order to get that service.

Assume every food item in the MDR has salt added to it in some way - especially any dish that has a sauce. You are better off ordering no sodium and adding your own salt as you want.

When I go into the Apple Store with a question about my devices I ask for someone who is comfortable working with Senior Citizens. Very often a bright, young person that still has a lot of patience is brought over to assist me.

I guess I'm one of the few people here on cruise critic who are just happy to be able to cruise a few times a year, with or without pillow chocolates.

Please all: if you want a pillow chocolate book a standard veranda cabin and bring a $5 bag of Hershey Kisses on the cruise with you. I'm sure if you ask your cabin attendant he will put them out on your pillow every night. As for afternoon canapes bring back a snack from the Oceanview Cafe and leave it in your cabin refrigerator for a few hours. It won't go bad. Problem solved and $$$ saved.

Interesting that HAL let you disembark in Italy. Last October we were on the Celebrity Apex and my husband came down with Covid. He was also put into isolation for the last 5 days of our 12 days cruise. But, my Covid liaison crew member adamantly insisted that the Italian government would not let anyone who was still testing positive (he was) to disembark in Italy. What to do since the next cruise was a transatlantic back to the U.S. with a few stops in Spain? Celebrity graciously offered to let us stay on board free of charge for the continuing 2 week cruise back to the U.S. but at that point, we only had an extra week of meds and we just wanted to go home. 3 days later we got off at the first point in Spain - Valencia - and began our journey to fly home. A few days after we got home I read here on cruise critic that Celebrity was reimbursing quarantined passengers for their days spent in isolation. Sure enough, after a few phone calls to reach the right department he was told yes they would reimburse him (they tested me only once and at the time I was negative so I stayed in our original cabin) for time in isolation. Two weeks later our credit card was credited for the pro-rated 5 days. I can't say whether this is still Celebrity's policy but we were very pleased with the outcome at that time. We did submit new travel expenses to our insurance company (purchased through the big box store) and they reimbursed us for that.

Just disembarked HAL Rotterdam two weeks ago and our next cruise is on Celebrity Beyond but I have sailed both lines almost exclusively. I'll touch on a few points: Food: Although I liked the physical set-up of the Oceanview Cafe vs. the Lido Buffet I felt the food on HAL was somewhat better at lunch. Their baked goods are exceptional. Service: overall, service was excellent on HAL, especially at breakfast in the Lido where a server will always get you coffee and/or juice. On the Apex, this was sorely missing in the Oceanview. As for dinner food and service in the MDR I found that this is where HAL excels. I had a special diet request, and our servers took it as their personal obligation to insure that my meal was as requested, always with a smile. I am not looking forward to Anytime Dining on the Beyond. I now know my preference is for the same set of servers at every dinner. Cabin attendants were excellent too. Laundry: on HAL its amazing! You can specify whether you want your laundry folded or on hangars or a combination of both. It come back beautiful without any wrinkles. On Celebrity not so much. Entertainment: this is where HAL really needs to improve. First let me say, I am not a fan of Billboards and the Rolling Stones Rock Room. I do enjoy the BB Kings performers. Where they really need improvement is their main stage. IMO, a video on the history of HAL IS NOT A SUITABLE evening entertainment. Nor is 3 showings of their dance troupe performing to pre-recorded music acceptable. No other real evening entertainment like on Celebrity. For right now, our recent cruise on HAL was our last unless we hear that HAL greatly improves their entertainment.

You can get lobster its just different than a cold water (Maine) lobster.

Except that there was no ribeye available in the Pinnacle on our very recent Norway cruise. Supposedly there was a problem with USDA certification and the meat didn't make it to Amsterdam our port of departure. Our server discouraged us from ordering the lobster because they only had "warm water lobsters. There must have been several complaints. The only item on the menu that I thought was worth having was the Chocolate Souffle.

Thanks all. Disembarking the Rotterdam after 2 weeks touring Norway. Flight is at 9 am so we are staying over one night and flying out the next morning. I already made a reservation at the Rijksmuseum for that afternoon since we haven't been there (did Anne Frank House and Van Gogh Museum on our last trip). Will probably use Uber or a taxi to get from the ship to our hotel in the Museum district. I'd just feel more comfortable having something booked for an early pick up, probably 6 a.m., rather than chancing waiting for an Uber.

We have an early morning flight back to the U.S. from Amsterdam. Any recommendations for a private car service that we can book in advance (like RomeCabs in Rome)? And please, no advice to take the train. We are in our 70's and its not an option. Thanks.