mljatsea

2 hours ago, darsura said:

When I first called to upgrade, I was told by the agent that the Elite upgrade to premium was only 10% off, and I booked it.  When I posted that on CC, a poster said that was wrong. So I called back and the agent I got that time said it was supposed to be 15% and I did receive the additional 5% off.  I really appreciate all that I learn from fellow posters.  

Thanks, I will try that.

Just did our elite upgrade and only got the 10%. Basically that means I got a whole 1% extra over anyone who booked ahead. Sounds like discounts are all over the place depending on what agent you get. Oh, well.

3 hours ago, dreamer321 said:

Yes you only pay the difference plus 20% gratuity on difference. This question has been answered hundreds of times on numerous different threads regarding upgrading the drinks package.

Ok . You don't have to be snarky. We've been sailing on all-inclusives prior to the pandemic but looking forward to getting back to our first love.

3 hours ago, dreamer321 said:

Yes you only pay the difference plus 20% gratuity on difference. This question has been answered hundreds of times on numerous different threads regarding upgrading the drinks package.

I haven't sailed on X in 7 years but at that time if you ordered a more expensive drink than was covered under classic you paid the whole amount, not just the difference. Has that changed?

Considering a move up bid from Aqua to sky suite on Silhouette but see that almost all are under the cafe. Is there noise from chairs moving all day? It says ALL suites are sold out anyway.

On 8/22/2022 at 3:32 AM, DirtyDawg said:

I wear Kirkland. Very up and coming American designer. Way "Cic-i-er" than those pretentious Italian designers and they give you all of the jeans without parts ripped or missing! 😁

The Today show just had a piece on Costco Couture, so you're very in!

It seems that some of the other options require a subscription service that's pretty pricey.

Anyone have experience with Apple Air Tags for luggage tracking or any other type of tracking device? We're concerned about the horror stories of lost luggage this summer. Please don't lecture on doing only carry-on. Fortunately our only connection is in the US and it's five hours. After our land trip in Spain and Portugal we will fly from Barcelona to Heathrow to head to Southampton for our Silhouette TA. That's where I have my real concern.

5 hours ago, racephoto said:

Thank you. I did email the tour provider listed there but they’re sold out for that day. I *really* want to see Newgrange. I was in Dublin in 2019 on a cruise but I didn’t think to look for a tour there as I didn’t realize it was so close. I’m considering renting a car but I really don’t want to do that. I don’t know how to drive a stick and I doubt I’ll be able to find an automatic for a reasonable price. I don’t know, I’ll look some more. 

That's too bad. The provider that Viator used no longer offers Newgrange. One of the best parts is going into the mound in very tight space so might be a COVID issue. Hope you can go another time. So much is different now, sadly.

1 hour ago, racephoto said:

Do you remember who you used for the Newgrange tour? I really want to do that.

We booked through Viator in 2019 but they aren't offering it now. There is some info on the new grange site: https://www.newgrange.com/tours.htm that might be helpful

I can't remember who we used but we met at Molly Malone. Good tour but a packed van made an uncomfortable day. We did several day trips from Dublin and most memorable was Newgrange. 

26 minutes ago, TheOldBear said:

The Dancing Man http://www.dancingmanbrewery.co.uk/ on the Town Quay

 

Perhaps John Bull will weigh in with some local knowledge ??

Thank you! I'm expecting I'll hear from John Bull.

Someone on our roll call suggested a pub meet-up the evening before our TA. Suggestions for a place that could accommodate a group of 30 or so? Duke of Wellington?

13 hours ago, John Bull said:

EC Minibus are based in London where there are dozens (hundreds?) of operators, so I'm not surprised that you don't see them mentioned on Cruise Critic.

 

West Quay Cars are long-established & reputable Southampton-based operators, and I've seen good feedback from a number of Cruise Critic members.

 

JB 🙂

Thank you.  I like the idea of using a Southampton company and will book West Quay Cars.

Anyone used either of these for Heathrow to Southampton hotel? Good reviews on TripAdvisor but never see them mentioned on the boards. No interest in train or bus.

There are a few. Make sure you book a cabin that is not under the pool, cafe, or gym. That doesn't leave many options but its possible. Blu is worth it. 

The SBP sure looks better then the standard beverage package on Celebrity. You would never get Bombay Sapphire or Hendrick's there.

I won't be sharing my travel ducks bu plan to take some others on our November west coast Koningsdam. 

I see that the beverage pkg in the "Have it All" is for drinks up to $11. On a cruise I like to have an evening martini or cosmo. Does $11 cover those? The martini needs to be with Bombay Sapphire.

1 hour ago, HeddaGarbled said:

 

I had my vaccination done at a newly set up mass vaccination centre in a local theatre. Obviously the vaccinations are being done by professionals, many of whom have volunteered to do this and are putting in long hours, but there are lots of unpaid volunteers managing the car parking and queues and admin and disinfecting the premises etc. 

We've seen that here as well. We are more than six weeks past our second dose. The workers at our vaccination sites, many volunteers, were so glad to be doing their jobs. It was a heartwarming experience--smiles all around. I'm feeling a bit of reentry stress but looking forward to better days ahead.

Thankful that the three educators in our family got their first doses on Friday. Unfortunately Texas has jumped the gun with opening to 100% on March 10 and lifting the mask mandate. Will be interesting to see where that takes us... 

This has been one hell of a week in Texas. Today, Friday, I can hear the ice and snow melting in the sun and most folks have their power back. We have water now but are on a boil water notice. Store shelves are bare even if you venture out which my DH did. Fortunately we are well stocked. We only lost power for 20 hrs but our daughters homes were without much longer--one of them for three days. Lots and lots of damage to homes and buildings. This storm expected to surpass Hurricane Harvey in damages. We usually spend Feb. and March in Mexico but glad we were here to tend to things.

A favorite meme going around: 2020--the year from hell; 2021--the year hell froze over!

Happy 2021! We were lucky to get word early that the vaccine  was available for 1B (+65) and got our first doses of Moderna on Monday after waiting an hour. As the week progressed the distribution system got bogged down with long waits in cold damp weather. Hoping they will get something better in place. This was through our county health department.

We had a great Thanksgiving with just the two of us for dinner. Earlier in the day we did Zoom bingo with our daughters' families that live in our area. We were reluctant about joining them and grateful that they called it. Today is my birthday and we all met up in a parking lot between our homes. Exchanged birthday presents with our daughter whose birthday is 12/3. Here are the grandkids with their presents.