tonto524

Yup, this is how it went.  We drove to the terminal at 18, dropped our luggage, drove to the Palm Garage near 25, parked, went downstairs and there was a shuttle there waiting for anyone going to 18.  The very nice driver took any bags anyone had, we waited like 3 minutes while others boarded and went back to 18.  Walked right into the terminal, checked in and right onto the ship.  On board by 11:15am.  

It just would have been nice to know this. By the way, there ARE sidewalks so it's kind of walkable but unnecessary to do so.

3 hours ago, cruiseism said:

I called the Port...

Debark: shuttles will take guests from Terminal 18 to Palm Garage.

Embark: Park in the Palm Garage. Shuttles provided to Cruise Terminal 18.

 

Yup !!!! Actually ended up dm'ing Captain Kate (!) who gave me this info.  When I called the port this morning, I was simply told to park at Palm and take the shuttle - Capt Kate says there is no option to park at 18 for those embarking there in our case.  

22 hours ago, Host CJSKIDS said:

We have had this happen a few times.  We simply drop our luggage off at the Pier we are embarking at (you're Pier 18)  drive to the pier we are disembarking from (you're Pier 25) and park the car.  Then we order an uber back to the embarkation pier. Works very well for us.

We aren't very uber-savvy, sad to say.  Is the walk possible????

About to sail on the Beyond, now embarking at pier 18 and ending the cruise at pier 25.  Where do we park?  Since we can't walk to 25 safely from 18 , much less with bags, are we shuttled? (Maybe we have to leave the car at Embassy Suites, which we'd hate to do because of using a shuttle, but if we have to in any case...........).  Thanks for the advice - it's been a few years since we've sailed out of Port Everglades.

Can anyone tell me if there is an actual grab bar in the shower on the Constellation?? It's for cabin 9116 which I THINK used to be a Concierge Class cabin. Thanks so much.

Linda

Shof515, thank you so much ! Exactly what I needed.

We have the UDP - Jan 6 2024 - and only see Chops open for lunch on days 1 and 2 and Izumi for lunch on day 2.  Can anyone tell me what will be open for lunch on the other day at sea and what about Giovanni’s?
thanks,

Linda

I was wrong about the Villa - it’s $15 now, up a “mere” $3 from earlier in the month. The Conundrum blends, however, DO now cost $19, per friends currently on the Equinox. Please let us know what happens when you’re on the Connie, as I sail in early February. Thanks.

LindA

From friends currently on the Equinox, the premium package (however one has it) covers up to $17.  They are paying the upcharge for Conundrum Red and Decoy. 

1 minute ago, jelayne said:

I’m looking at the up for our cruise in January and it shows the new pricing on wines which moved some over the $17 limit  and it is showing Villa Maria Sauvagon Blanc at $15.  So it is still covered by the Premium package.  Unfortunately my go to Decoy and red Condundrum are $19. 

I swear I saw the Villa at $19, but maybe I was thinking of Conundrum.

To me, the "surprise factor" is what is so wrong (beyond the ridiculous pricing for those glasses of wine - from $12 to $19 in a week for a glass of Villa Maria which I like but $19??).  Last month, the premium package covered almost everything (no matter how one obtained the package - Retreat, Zenith or just plain paid for it as an inclusion or add-on).  Now, as a bad surprise, it doesn't.  It would be like getting on board to find that the daily gratuity charge had been increased with no notice and the upcharge would be added to your cabin account, even though your gratuities were prepaid.  I'm angry because I've had to go to my friends (15 of them) with whom I'm sailing in February and explain that their included classic package now isn't so great and upgrading to premium may not be so great either.  What's next? Awful.

(forgive me for straying off the OP's questions)

My guess after doing two westbound crossings is that by the time they zero out the ship with Immigration, the delay of an hour will make it easier for check-ins.  Last October, there were too few inspectors for the passengers, much less the crew. I’ll just be happy to board “whenever”. 👍🎉

Hurray !!!!  Safe, easy and fun travel!!

Linda

What ship, Georgetheblue???

I’ve done this before but can’t remember - already had Chops lunch booked and paid for. With the sale, decided to book the UDP.  Now - do I cancel the lunch reservation, get the refund and take the chance that we won’t be able to ge in for lunch? Or cancel it and figure it will be ok?  Or leave it as is?  I know that I can make all of the rest of the reservations when we board - at that lunch. 
thanks,

Oops - we are on the Radiance

The Godmother of the Constellation is Jean Arneberg. She was our neighbor. Her husband was on the Royal Caribbean Board for many years. 

Oh no !!!  Best wishes and prayers for a speedy recovery for Norris, Carol.  Your reviews have brought so much pleasure and so many laughs over the years. ("whale avoidance cruise" - hilarious!).

Linda

Thank you yet again for your detailed, informative and fun posts. Please know that the work it takes for you to do this day after day is much appreciated!!! 
Cheers,

Linda

43 minutes ago, Wineaux007 said:

I went to the cruise planner to upgrade.  It wouldn't let me upgrade just one.  Had to do both.  For a 17-night sailing, came out to a little over $800 with tax & gratuity -- just for the upgrade.  I called Celebrity and told them my wife didn't drink because of her medication, so they gave me an exception.  With my Elite+ discount, I was charged $297 for just me.  

Curious to know if your wife retained her Classic package.......

1 minute ago, cbfb said:

Thank You! I appreciate it. I’m thinking deck 11 will be too hot in the Carribean in November so I appreciate your info.  No noise is so important to us. We usually only book cabins above and below. 

To put a finer point on it, the AQ cabins on 9 from the midship elevators and aft are below Ocean View seating areas that are carpeted.  Forward of midship, the pool deck of course is not and could be subject to the rearrangement of lounges, etc.  

We have been in 9112, 9116 and will soon be in 9102. All Aqua and I much prefer deck 9 to those on 11, which to me anyway seem like they are in middle of nowhere.  We have also been in 9111.  None of the deck 9 cabins have had any kind of noise issue, but I think that further forward you will have pool deck noise.  My two cents...............

Our neighbors' granddaughter is currently on the World Odyssey doing the semester at sea.  She's a college junior - it's quite an amazing experience.  I'll let her grandparents know that you saw the ship in port - they've been a bit nervous about the whole thing lol.

Thanks, as always, for your wonderfully  informative posts.  Have you planted anything this trip??

Pre-cruise I was quoted $18.99 + 18% gratuity per day and that is with the Elite discount.  Regular price should be about $20 per day plus grat. Per person.

13 hours ago, DrOfBytes said:

I don't think the crux of the OP's question has been fully answered yet. It sounds like "eyelovcrusin" is asking if there has been any onboard experience with only one person in the stateroom upgrading. I'm sure all of the folks responding about calling Celebrity and having success have been helpful to other people. Personally, I'm also interested if upgrading only one person in a stateroom is possible while onboard even without a medical reason. Maybe the bartenders have a backdoor in the system to make this possible? Maybe not. I'm happy for those who were able to call and get one person upgraded for their personal situations. Cheers!

I asked this very question on FB this week.  We have no health issue or non-drinking preference - I just like the nicer wine and other "stuff" on the Premium list - my husband's liquor preferences are on the Classic list.  Since this change just started to be "enforced" in March, only one person said they had success upgrading one of the two in the cabin ----- all the rest were not.  I'm going to try when we board on the 17th and see what happens. Fingers crossed.

Linda

Thank you so much !