celebritydave

Both of these guys are awesome bartenders!! I would really like to sail with them again,

I never thought of the length of the days....good point!! We just booked out first TA for 11/17 out of Rome because DH doesn't like flying west as much as east due to the jet lag. I don't really know because it doesn't bother me...thinking of doing the "pre-trip" and spending more time in Rome...I've been there before but there's so much to see and do....has anyone done this? And has anyone purchased air through Celebrity?

We are also booked on the 11/17 TA from Rome. This will be our 4th visit to Rome, and we will arriving at least a few days before the cruise. We always find plenty to do in Rome or you can take day trips out of the city.

We have used Celebrity's choice air for 3 of our cruises and they always have the best one way price.

Dave

Enjoying your posts and pictures. I am sure you will become addicted to the Transatlantics as we have. We will be doing number 5 next fall on the Silhouette.

We prefer westbound and the 25 hour days!

Dave

 

Sitting down for our pre dinner martini.

 

 

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My favorite bar on the ship:D

Enjoying the review. It's really making me want to book the TA. I'm deciding if I want to go my normal route and book directly though the cruise line or through an agent since I'll need hotel and airfare.

If you book you air thru Celebrity, the prices for one-way air are very good.

Putu is on the Reflection now and has been looking after us for the past 2 weeks..................excellent bartender and a bit of a nutter!! In fact he leaves the ship with us tomorrow for 3 months off and some much needed therapy!!

:D

He made my wife a napkin flower which she still has.

The Martini Bar is my favorite place to hang out since 2004 when they changed the champagne bar on the Connie to the first Martini bar. I even remember the bartenders name - Putu.

The first ice bar was on the Century, we christened that too in 2007.

Can't wait for my first Martini in 2017................................

Dave

Thanks for all the menus, they came thru fine. We are not beef cheek fans either, one of the few meals I didn't like on our last cruise

 

Dave

The menus look pretty much the same as in 2014. It is time for an upgrade.

Thanks for all the menus, they came thru fine. We are not beef cheek fans either, one of the few meals I didn't like on our last cruise

Dave

Just head to the Martini Bar , after a couple ... who cares about the wrinkles :rolleyes:

That always works for me:D

:confused:

 

What is the best way to exchange American $$ into Euros?? Do it before the cruise? At the airport? On the ship? In Europe?

 

I have heard the airport in Europe is the best place. What kind of fee is involved?

Airports usually don't have a good exchange rate. You can probably buy them from your bank.

We have used ATMs in Europe and get a decent rate on that, but there can be an ATM fee. Check with your card company to find out.

We have never bought any on the ship, so I am not sure about the rate there.

Dave

We have been to Rome 3 times and enjoy the city very much. We stay at the Albergo Cesari, nice hotel, great location, breakfast included that is very good.

We have used RomeinLimo for transfers from airport to hotel, hotel to ship and also for tours of Rome. They are very prompt, have very nice cars or vans, and the prices are reasonable.

We would highly recommend both.

I know you will enjoy Rome

Dave

10 years ago, before the solstice class expansion, the service was more professional, the food was higher quality and served correctly, and there were more choices - it is so poor now, we avoid this line as my wife is tired of eating rubber chicken every night.

 

For those of you that have not tried other lines, you may really be surprised what is out there and how good it really is - blind loyalty only encourages Celebrity to cut, trim and further pull back from the truly great line it once was.

Last year we did a New Years' cruise on Royal. The food was not very good at all. On a 7 day cruise, there was one meal that was good, and that was in a specialty restaurant.

After sailing over 100 days on Celebrity, I have never had rubber chicken. There have been a few meals that were not very good, but after sailing Royal, NCL, Princess and Holland America, Celebrity is still our favorite.

Our next Celebrity sailing is in 2017, it will be interesting to see if I feel the same way

Dave

We did get a visit from the upgrade fairy a long time ago. 2004 on the Constellation got an upgrade from a regular balcony to a concierge.

Ever since then, we have been doing concierge class. It's getting tougher to do that now because the price difference can be a lot.

Dave

We have done 4 TAs, all on S class ships, and have another one booked for next year! We are hooked. The sea days are relaxing but they have plenty to do if that's what you want.

There are guest lectures, wine tastings, dance lessons and more.

We love them.

Dave

My favorite ship, have sailed her 2 times with a 3rd scheduled.

We don't go for the entertainment, so it's not a bother to us if it is not very good.

We do like the Cirque shows that they have.

I bought a few years ago at 20$. It's in my ira so I don't plan on selling anytime soon. We mostly do TAs now, so I can get my shareholder benefit of 250$ for every cruise. So far, I have received almost all my purchase money back in OBC. If they stop giving me the OBC for TA cruises, I will probably sell mine then and make a nice profit.

Dave

South Shore of Long Island.....we're expecting 24" of hype and flooding at high tide. Saw pictures of Jersey Shore.....good luck down there....we're both gonna need it.

Stay safe and warm!!

Hype

No more comments?? You must have something to say.

Hype

That's a lot of white hype that's falling down:)

Another option may be to buy a bottle at one of the ports and bring that on board. According to the rules, they are supposed to take the wine when you board, and then return it to you at the end of the cruise.

On our last 2 transatlantic cruises, we brought wine on board in 2 ports, and they never said anything when we boarded, so we just took it to our cabin.

This is somewhat of a gamble, as they may take the wine when you board, but you really don't lose anything.

Of course, if you are flying after the cruise that could be a problem.

Dave

I have had pretty good experiences with the Sommeliers in the MDR. I have the waiter bring them over, and then order my wine and when I sign for it I always leave an extra 2$ or 3$. I never have a problem after the first night.

I do the same thing at the martini bar and I have the bartenders saving us seats and giving us free drinks.

A few extra dollars gets a lot better service. I know it's not supposed to be that way, but like everything else in life, it is what it is.

I am on vacation, so I want to enjoy myself.

Dave

The hump cabins have oversize balconies that are great. They are pretty much covered.

I would never advocate putting two bottles in your checked baggage and two bottles in your carry-on.

Neither would I. Too risky.

Sorry to hear your cruise was not up to your expectations. Sometimes though you have to take it for what it is and make the best of it and not let things ruin your vacation. Definitely mention you aren't happy, learn from it and put it to rest.

 

Just a small tip- I always pack a few over the counter meds and store them in a ziplock bag. Dayquil tabs, Nyquil tabs, Advil, Tums, Pepto, etc are my staples. If we need something we have it but if I didn't have something we needed we would no doubt purchase even at a crazy price so we could better enjoy our vacation.

When we travel abroad whether by land or sea, we always take a 'sick' bag containing enough over the counter meds to cover a cold, fever what ever. We never leave home without it. It has saved us many times.

Dave