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.

On 4/10/2024 at 12:29 PM, mnocket said:

From the FAQs on the Celebrity website...

 

How do I contact a friend or family member aboard a Celebrity cruise ship?

For all Celebrity ships:
• Dial: 1-877-266-1020(applicable country code)+1-321-953-9002 (outside the United States)
• Dial the appropriate number above. 
• The caller will be asked to enter the credit card number and expiration date. 
• The system obtains a real-time hold for $79.50 ($7.95 x 10 minutes) and initiates the call to the ship. The $79.50 hold is the maximum that will be held. Actual charges will be calculated based on the number of minutes used on the call. 
• A voice prompt directs the caller to the specific ship. 
• The call is connected to the ship. 
• The call rings through to the designated department onboard (Radio Station or Purser Desk). The call is then routed to the guest's stateroom. 
• The PBX monitors the call. If there is no answer, the call will ring back at the designated department onboard (Radio Station or Purser Desk) and a written message is taken for delivery to the guest's stateroom.

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

Just now, KeepCalmBearOn said:

 

Nice place, bad location up on Cortez Hill. Not much close by and lots of walking up and down a big hill to get anyplace.

Thanks for the info!  

14 hours ago, KeepCalmBearOn said:

Start with the InterContinental San Diego on booking sites, then the SpringHill Suites Bayfront, Best Western Bayside, Wyndham San Diego Bayside, Holiday Inn San Diego Bayside and maybe La Pensione. Depending on exact dates, they could all be inside your budget.

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.

On 3/13/2024 at 3:13 PM, capsplace said:

Time to call Morgan & Morgan!  You need an attorney.  Seriously.  

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

6 hours ago, KBAJ said:

I just read a review that stated their "infinite veranda" was locked shut many days due to weather/winds. We are scheduled to be on the transatlantic cruise and am worried this might happen to us. My claustrophobia is already starting to kick in. Can someone please share their experiences - does this happen very often? TIA.

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.  

2 minutes ago, princeton123211 said:

Not really. The Typhoon season really only applies to the northwestern part of the Pacific in and around Japan-- doesn't really apply to Hawaii and certainly not the ocean between Hawaii and the Mainland. 

 

There is no predicting the sea state. What we can predict is that it will get warmer as you approach and cooler as you leave Hawaii. It'll be a little bit cooler in San Diego in January vs October but not by a huge amount. It will cool off a bit once you get out to sea the first few days. 

 

Either time is a great time to visit the islands-- if you're worried about the sea state why not consider just flying over and spending more time? Unless you love a ton of sea days, instead of 3/4/5 days on the islands you can spend a week or more. It's a much better way to see the islands than by sailing to/from. 

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.

2 hours ago, Charles4515 said:

Not sure what you have in mind as walking distance. There is a large CVS that is walkable but it is a few long blocks. I have walked there four or five times with no problem. 

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.

1 hour ago, KEN31VA said:

I'm not making myself clear.  I've spoken to many Maitre'Ds,  although I don't want them to "do anything".  What I am trying to find out is which dishes I should avoid due to their salt content.

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.

38 minutes ago, POA1 said:

Most of HAL's PCCs are in the US. They are not all in Seattle though.

 

You'll see the 206 area code when one calls you because of the way the phone system works. (This should not be a surprise to anyone today. When we travel, anyone looking at my cell phone number sees a Fort Lauderdale number. It doesn't matter if I'm visiting our friends from when we lived in Maine or traveling outside the US.)

 

If we're not happy with anyone we're dealing with, and this goes for anyone from TA to PCC to car salesperson to doctors even, we ask for someone else.

 

I'd simply ask for a supervisor (or tell them my name Karen and I need to speak to the manager.) I just say that I don't "click" with the person assigned to me, or that I simply want someone different or more seasoned or whatever. (I would not personally mention location or accent. Folks today might just assume racism. Not "clicking" is hard to classify.)

 

Our original TA went to high school with my dad. I'm 60. Our TA decided to retire. We didn't click with the next two assigned to us. But the agency didn't want to lose a 25 year customer, so they reassigned us - happily. Sadly we were not a good fit with any of the new TAs. (Not being a "Good fit" is another excellent reason.) Now we book direct.

 

Maybe I should just start asking for "old farts" or geezers. 👴👵

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.  

17 minutes ago, LMHSRN said:

Well, that was special.  I guess you don't expect to get what you paid for in everything in life?

I however think that if I pay for something, I should get it. 

Let me ask this.   If you go to the grocery store, select your items, go to the check out and pay for the items, do you expect to leave with them?  Perhaps you just pay for them and leave without them.  Same issue!!!

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.

54 minutes ago, terrydtx said:

Last August my wife caught Covid on the Oosterdam the last 5 days of our 14 day cruise of Greece. She was in isolation and then we spent 3 days in quarantine in Venice. I was negative until we got off the ship. Our Travel insurance was bought through our TA's company, it is with Travel Guard. My TA handled the insurance claim for us after the cruise and all we needed was the medical papers from HAL showing the positive test and the 5 days of quarantine and receipts for our 3 days on Land. The insurance pro-rated the 5 days of ship's isolation and reimbursed us that cost for both my wife and I and all of our hotel and meal costs for the 3 days on land. The only thing not covered was $42 for the cough syrup on the ship. We received about $5500 in compensation from Travel Guard. This is one of many reasons why we use a TA, as she handles everything for us. It is important to know what is and isn't covered with any insurance policy you buy.

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.

1 hour ago, Haljo1935 said:

Oh no - the rib eye is my go-to. That and Candied Bacon are the only reason I go to PG; well and because DH goes for the lobster and doesn't like to dine alone. He will not be happy if he can't get lobster.

I do hope they're able to resolve the supply issues (not their fault, but sadden us).

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

44 minutes ago, VMax1700 said:

Just going through the current Northern Europe menus and the Striploin is offered on MDR menu on regular nights and 15 oz Pinnacle Ribeye is offered on Gala & Culinary Council nights. Both at $20 +18%

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.