NETSEG

Now, when I choose to go to the casino on RCCL, I wear a mask in the casino because of smoking not Covid.  It does not stop my clothes from smelling like a cigarette but reduces my inhaling the smoke.  I also continue to give the casino low ratings on the post cruise survey and when asked why, my only response is smoking.  Doesn’t change anything but I feel better.  Cruised on the Carnival Mardi Gras recently.  They designed the casino with an even split between smoking and non smoking.  One is on the port side, the other on starboard.  In between are mostly walls and glass doors.  Interestingly, the casino host and bar are on the non smoking side.  I never set foot on the smoking side.  

On 8/14/2021 at 7:13 PM, NETSEG said:

You are not alone.  We do not have cabin assignments for the New Year’s cruise that was switched from Rhapsody to Serenade.  We were told the same thing…should be done by August 18.  We know folks on the same cruise that got their room assignments as soon as the switch was announced on August 3.  This is affecting pricing, shore excursions, dining, etc. We are frustrated as well.  😡

Still waiting ….no balcony cabin assignment. Balconies for the cruise are shown as sold out.  If Royal can continue to sell this cruise do January and February room assignments for other cruise , why can’t they finish assignments for December.   Just venting!!!

You are not alone.  We do not have cabin assignments for the New Year’s cruise that was switched from Rhapsody to Serenade.  We were told the same thing…should be done by August 18.  We know folks on the same cruise that got their room assignments as soon as the switch was announced on August 3.  This is affecting pricing, shore excursions, dining, etc. We are frustrated as well.  😡

If the cruise lines are doing what was in the CLIA proposal to the government, you would think CLIA and the lines could agree on one form.  What I am seeing is different forms from each Cruise line, e.g., Royal and Celebrity.  Different forms just puts more onus on the doctors and their patients.  

Today is Tuesday and Horizon is currently docked in Amber Cove, Dominican Republic.  Original itinerary was Ochos Rios, Grand Caymen, and Cozumel. Captain announced that Jamaica and Cayman Islands are still working on their corona virus policies and were not clear on whether the ship would be cleared.  There is no illness on board.  Carnival opted to change the itinerary to Amber Cove, Grand Turk and Nassau.  

We did a group of 15 on Allure using MTD with 2 adjacent tables - one with 9 and another with 6.  Before the cruise,  we made sure the booking numbers were all linked as a group, made reservations for everyone on Cruise Planner and then visited the Maitre’d as soon as we got on board.  We ate every night at 6:30 with the same tables and waiter.  It worked out fine.  They will try to work with you but you need to be flexible and work with them on times and table locations.  

I need distilled water and also an extension cord for the older ships with limited outlets. I have sent an email to special needs about 30 days out and get an acknowledgement.  If it is not in the cabin, the steward has it when the rooms are done while we’re at dinner.  Interestingly, on Carnival you are required to supply your own extension cord and either can carry on your own distilled water or buy it in the ship.

Returned from a Baltic cruise on Navigator of the Seas two weeks ago. I used my U.S. VISA card with a chip in tourist places with no problem. They all just printed a receipt for me to sign. I also used it in the outdoor market in Helsinki and for payment on our private tour in St. Petersburg.

When I get the comment email at the end of the cruise, I rate the casino low and explain in my comments that it is because of the smoking policy. It may not do any good but I feel better having "said my piece."

We were asked similar questions in Barcelona last year including questions for teens whose parents were asked not to stay with them in line. My understanding was that this was definitely security related. I was told the agents at the US check in asking the questions were specially trained to do so - not just any gate agent.

Our quote from londontoolkit.com for a coach transfer from London to Southampton is from company called First Choice Bus. Has anyone heard of or used this company for cruise transfers? We are also looking at International Friends.

Thanks.

Was on the Anthem for the end of the baseball playoff NL series with Cubs/Dodgers and the start of the Cubs/Indians World Series. The playoff was on Fox Sports 1and the series on Fox. Anthem had both on In-room TV, on the movie screen at the pool and on the TVs in the pub. On Sunday afternoon, the pub's two TVs were showing two different football games. I am guessing that Super Bowl should not be a problem.

The ship anchors in Villefranche, not Nice. The tender ride is about 10-15 minutes to the town. You can arrange transportation to Nice from there.

I have not had to take the CPAP out if TSA-pre. But did have to take it out when I was not TSA-pre.

Currently on Brilliance. We got a call from the Diamond Lounge hostess advising us that Diamond members not on tours could pick up Group 1 or 2 tender tickets from her in the morning before our arrival in Kotor.

Please let us know more details. What happened at the airport and what airline. This is my favorite nightmare.

 

Margee

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

American Airlines. We had to file a claim thru Iberia as they handle baggage issues for American in Barcelona. That made tracing more complicated. The only info we got was from Guest Services on Brilliance. No follow up info from the airlines or from tracers thru our travel insurance. We'll see what happens when we get back to the Barcelona airport Saturday.

We are currently on Brilliance of the Sea starting from Barcelona on July 25. Two members of our group had luggage that went missing at the Barcelona airport. At first, they were told by Guest Services that the luggage was located and would meet the ship in Venice. At Venice, the news was that new EU rules prohibit shipping of non-EU luggage without the presence of the owner. This was also news to Guest Services. Bags will need to be claimed at the Barcelona airport when the ship docks on August 6. Thought I would post this to let travelers know to pack wisely in their carry on just in case.

Any thoughts on where to set up a pre-cruise dinner for 9 in Barcelona?

Since I am on the Reflection right now, let me take a bit of time to add to my previous comments. I agree with Chcagopaul. Enjoy the cruise. The Reflection is beautiful, the staff is great. Food in Luminae has been excellent. The Top Chef events so far have been great fun and Alexander does an excellent job as the emcee of each event.

The Martini Bar is full every night so people seem to enjoy it. That said, I have also heard some passengers say that because the dj is set up in the Martini Bar, the music makes the the bar and other open areas in the atrium more conversationally challenged. When the Solstice Class ships were designed they had Quasar as the "club." Quasar is gone now and Celebrity iseems to be making some changes trying to use the current venues to create that atmosphere on a wider scale.

My earlier comment was specific to music while eating, especially at the Lawn Club. It seems that the Lawn Club gets whatever music is on the general speakers so don't be surprised if you get a jolt from some heavy rock followed by smooth jazz. Not a big deal but noticeable there.

I am currently on the Reflection Top Chef cruise 7 day cruise. We just had dinner at the Lawn Club. We really enjoyed the dinner. Through most of the dinner, I could not tell you what music was playing, it was in the background. Suddenly as we finished our entree, all we heard was screaming. I have pretty broad taste in music but my feeling is the music should fit the venue. While I am not into screaming rock, I would expect it if I went clubbing. I don't expect to hear it while I am sitting at a dinner trying to have a conversation with my tablemates, especially when I am paying a hefty premium for the dinner.

Just as an aside, Celebrity is making an effort to create the suite experience; hopefully, their demographic has the $$$ to pay for it. We are in a suite on this cruise, and I have to say that I doubt most of the folks i see in Luminae go clubbing.

Soxfan2013, don't know how many cruises you have been on but most lines have the outlets at the desk, not next to the bed. I've been on Celebrity, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Regent and they all have pretty much the same set-up in most cabins.

On our May Alaska cruise on the Infinity, it was an adventure each day to see what would be on the appetizer plate. The question is how much extra would you pay each day for 1 taco chip and a little guacamole, 5 olives, a melon-ball sized scoop of ceviche and a toothpick with a cherry tomato and piece of cheese with no utensils to eat the ceviche with. Our conclusion was that, in Concierge, you are actually paying for a better cabin location (and on "M" class a larger cabin). The listed perks are minimal and don't add much to your overall enjoyment of the cruise.

Celebrity's addition of Luminae has added to the attraction of booking a suite. Like Blu, it is a great choice for those traveling in the same cabin or at the same level.

My observation, however, is that Celebrity also made it even more important that family groups or groups of friends going on the same cruise make their cabin selections with a good understanding of the dining choices available at each level. It is not as easy as it used to be when the choices were early seating, late seating or select.

If dining together is important, then decisions about what level to to get need to be made at the time of booking. If not important but preferred then, if the choice of level involves more than one dining room option, everyone needs to have a general plan on what will happen for meals, especially dinner. Will everyone eat in the MDR on some nights? Will some non-suite members of the group want to pay to eat in Luminae with the those in a suite? Will everyone want to try a specialty restaurant?

You don't necessarily need to decide on what night for each option as Celebrity has set up ways for the ship staff to manage requests each day, but you do need to have the discussion when you book so everyone is aware of the costs and choices involved.

The extension cord I got on the Infinity recently was patched in several places with electrical tape and was probably 20 feet long. Besides the shoddy tape, it was a challenge to get the extra length under the bed. An accident waiting to happen

I agree with Happy Cruiser. After I posted the issue on embarkation, things settled down. The ship was spotless thanks to the hard work of the crew. My travel companions and I felt the food in the dining room was the best we have had in a while. Weather in Alaska was perfect. It was a really enjoyable cruise.