graphicguy

My sincerest apologies. If I had known On-Point was so janky that they would just close up shop without telling anyone, I would never have recommended them. Previously, they worked out great. I thought since they also had physical testing offices they did more than just testing monitoring. Apparently now. Again, apologies.

Thank you! I figured I was probably a week or two late for the colorful foliage. But, the deal was too good to pass up.

Thank you! Were you staying in the Haven and used those concierges? Or, did you use other concierges. I’ve never been able to find them if I wasn’t staying in the Haven.

I’ve had a great time hanging out in downtown Sam Juan at night. I think it’s more beautiful at night than it is during the day. NASSAU? ½ day is about all I’d need there.

LOL! Was on the “listing” cruise before COVID shutdown in March (with full knowledge of weather issues) on the Escape. Sudden 115 MPH wind burst knocked the ship to tilt 20º and knocked me out of bed, as well as spilled shelf items to the floor. Scary at the time. But, we all survived and made it a great cruise. Trying to remember which ones, but some excursions were changed/cancelled. Stayed on board and had a blast.

OK….week from check in and sailing. Time to do a way too early check of weather predictions. Actually, it’s looking pretty good from NYC to ME to Halifax. It’s predicted to be relatively sunny (with some possible showers a few days) and highs in the high 50ºs to low 60ºs. Will check again probably Thursday or Friday, but looking good as of right now.

Why did I click on this thread?

It’s been since before COVID since I sailed Escape. I don’t recall it being as bad as on the Breakaway in the Casino. But, I sailed the GETAWAY (Breakaway’s twin) this past spring and thought the smoke situation was better than it had been in the past. But, it was bad before on the Break/Get-away ships. So, while improved, it was still not great. Decks 8 and 6 weren’t bad for smoke. But, I think in general, fewer and fewer people smoke. So, probably fewer smoking on board/casinos.

That would have irritated me. You are kind hearted. I think it may be against policy at the cruise lines for one PCC to badger a guest to change a booking to them. I have never had an exceptional experience with any PCC (or even a good one, for that matter) on any cruise line. They can’t offer me any discounts and they can’t offer me the perks I get from my TA. Personally, I would have asked for a supervisor and reported the PCC that called to badger you.

Depends on the sailing. As others point out, the Alaska and New England season are over. The last sailings for those itineraries aren’t usually at capacity. That said, no one really knows what the pent up demand is. You can kind of make a guess if you go to some web sites and look at available cabins. But, as my TA has told me, even she can’t reliably make a guess looking at availability on her site until she tries to do a booking. I won’t make her do that if I’m not seriously looking at that category. GTY and SAILAWAY categories usually aren’t assigned until right before the cruise sails. So, hard to say. Lots of factors. I will say, it’s a good bet that cruises will be sailing at capacity over Spring Break, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years. Conversely, there is usually plenty of availability during Hurricane season and end of the season to cold climates.

I’m not certain the AMEX Plat perk is even available when booking directly with Royal. I know it’s not when booking directly with NCL. And, I booked my last Royal Cruise through my TA, and that was the way I got the perk.

Clear Plus fee is what’s covered by the AMEX Plat card. And yes, according to the CLEAR agent I spoke with, you scan, have your facial recognition done at the kiosk, and go directly to the front of the line…no shoe, belt, laptop fumbling. Since I just signed up, won’t try it for myself until next weekend.

This is talked about at length in another thread, but just a point of information. If you have an AMEX Platinum card, in addition to the OBC and other perks they offer for booking a cruise using their card, they also offer to reimburse you for the airport CLEAR pre-check fees. It’s combinable with the fee for TSA-Precheck. To me, it always seemed both TSA-Precheck and CLEAR were redundant. But, CLEAR lines at the airport were always way shorter and included proof of COVID Vaccination. The latter isn’t so relevant unless you’re sailing to/from some of the countries that still require proof, but still convenient. Your PSA for the day! 😉

Well…far be it from me to not test this theory. Was out raking leaves last night and decided to throw myself in the pile I had made. Neighbors must think I’ve finally succumbed to the mental deterioration they’ve suspected I’ve been going through for some time. Sure enough, my Apple Watch chimed in that I had a suspected fall and would call emergency services unless I let the watch know I was “OK” (touch the watch). For that, at least, it worked. Roller Coaster? I can see that triggering the watch.

Booked my NCL cruise using the Platinum AMEX benefits ($200 OBC + dinner at the French Specialty Restaurant + bottle of wine) that I’m sailing end of this month. I have used the perk probably 6-8 times over the last 4 years, or so. The perk goes as high as $300OBC + dinner + wine). I’ve used it on Royal, NCL and Celebrity and combined it with whatever perks/discounts were offered by the cruise line. For example, on my Celebrity Cruises, Celebrity offered $600 OBC. I was sailing in the Retreat. AMEX Platinum offered $300 OBC. Combined, that was $900 OBC I used. My TA participates in the AMEX program. I believe the TA pays a fee to AMEX to do so. Not all do. It’s not necessary to book the trip through AMEX Travel. Also, I note that the cruise lines don’t offer the perk if you book directly with them.

Yes…..the only down side is the only two airlines who allow for the reduced price is Delta and United if you have a frequent flyer account with them. The annual fee for Clear is $189. IF you have a Delta or United FF account, the annual rate drops to $109. Clear is also offering a free 2 month trial right now. @Selion….Not sure if the fees changed, but the one I noticed were $189 annually and $109 discounted with the FF numbers. Bottom line, it doesn’t matter since AMEX Platinum picks up the annual fee for CLEAR. Most of the sing up can be done on line. But, I still have to complete it when I get to the airport so they can take my pic and answer a few questions about myself. I called CLEAR. They were quite helpful in sorting out the fees, discounts and procedures to sign up.

Thanks so much. That's great to know. Just signed up. AMEX Platinum does indeed cover the annual fee, and I can use CLEAR with TSA Pre-Check. Also got the discount as I am a Million Miler with both Delta and United.

Haven seats in the big(ger) venues aren't really much to write home about. I usually just find a seat for the main shows where I feel most comfortable. Again, in any venue, short of SRO, there aren't any bad seats. My pet peeve? Those who show up late to any performance and insist on standing while blocking aisles to survey what seats are left. Or, spying someone in your group, and forcing everyone else to get up to let you through while everyone else is trying to see the performance. You're late. You're rude. Be as inconspicuous as possible and sit where you're the least obtrusive. Better still, if you're going to be late, find another showing of the performance that you can be punctual for so your not a disruption to the performers and the entire theater.

Good point....especially for solo travelers. My son is listed as my emergency contact in both my iPhone and my wallet. Moreover, just got a new Apple Watch. Supposedly, if I have an accident, it will notify my emergency contact and emergency help. Fortunately, I have not had a chance to see how it works.

So, just doing an inventory of the paperwork I bring with me for a cruise. May be redundant for some. But, also good to use it as a check list. -Cruise eTicket-I keep a copy on my iPhone as well as a physical copy in my cruise manila folder I keep in my back pack, which is with me, always -Passport-also in my back pack. Make a color copy of my passport page showing my pic in case I lose my physical passport. It's not a replacement for my passport, but certainly worthwhile to have if I'm stuck in a country where I lose my passport -My airline ticket information-have it on my iPhone and a physical copy in case my iPhone is stolen/lost -CASH-I used to go back and forth on this one. At one time, I carried minimal cash. Then, I was pick pocketed in Paris, where my credit cards were with my wallet. Now, I carry some cash (actually, more than I probably should) in a secret compartment that's with me at all times...just because. CASH can get you out of some predicaments the credit cards can't -Passport card-I know, it's redundant if you carry a passport. However, a passport card fits in my wallet, which fits in my pocket, which I carry with me all the time -COVID Vaccine card-less of a requirement recently, but if I'm not traveling in the U.S., Id rather have it and not need to show it, than to not have it and need to show it. - I have a "mag safe" wallet connected to my iPhone. When on excursions in a foreign country, that wallet has my passport card, my AMEX card, and my Cabin Key Card. Wallet gets stolen, I can still get to and back on the ship with those 3 cards. iPhone gets stolen, I have my regular ID in my wallet and an "emergency" VISA card as back up -Copy of travel insurance coverage. I've never needed to use travel insurance. But, if I did...... -AMEX Platinum Card-"Don't leave home without it". I charge my cruise with this card. It offers some travel insurance benefits. It has a travel concierge I can use/call if something goes sideways (like I get stuck in a foreign country and the ship leaves). And, if worse comes to worse, it will allow me to have access to some large amounts of money that could get my derrière out of trouble (not that I plan to be in trouble) -Printed copies of my flight information-I have this on my iPhone, too. That way, someone who needs to get me on a flight, if I'm unable to do so myself, will know where/when to get me there -Printed copies of my airport to pier and pier to airport transport reservations-also on my iPhone -Copy of all Latitude "perks"-use this all the time as when you have to get billing info corrected, and discounts applied, it very helpful to have something to show Customer Service. Don't assume they know what you are entitled to -Copy of TA's billing showing fares and perks for the cruise-see above in case there are discrepancies. Sometimes Customer Service on board the ship has to contact the TA to get everything in synch For me, redundancy is the rule of the day. I don't always need to do all the above. But, when I do need something, I have it, or know where I have access. I might lose my wallet or my iPhone, but in my cabin, in my backpack, will be all necessary information that will cover any medical emergency and/or prove my identity and citizenship. Plus, it has not been unusual for me to be in a foreign place where cash is more revered than any credit card.

Not that I’ve ever noticed. Then again, all the cruise lines seem to always be running sales.

That’s the way I view it, too. Delta Platinum does not offer the same perks that the Platinum AMEX branded card does. Over the last 12 mos, I’ve received $1,000 in on board credit for my cruises, 3 speciality dinners, 3 bottles of wine. Had to renew my TSA pre-check renewal @$70 which AMEX covered. Gained entrance to either Priority Lounges, Centurion Lounges and Delta Lounges at the airports when I fly ~$500/year. Used two “Fine Hotel” dining vouchers AMEX provided that equaled $250 The travel insurance that’s offered isn’t the best, but it’s pretty good. Someone mentioned I should take advantage of CLEAR airport pre-screen as AMEX Platinum would cover it. I’m not sure about that, though.

The Studio Bar had limited drink options, and the bartender was there only a very limited time. Coffee machine is nice and getting breakfast pastries every a.m. vs fighting the buffet crowd or waiting around at the MDR to be served was a nice touch. My Studio stay wasn't all "that" given the door to the other "studio" was pretty thin. I could hear my neighbor snore at night....and was privy to other sounds that I could only guess at. Plus, my shower door banged into my neighbor's door. So, not a great fist impression of the Studio, but it was my only encounter with it, too.

Have cruised many times solo, even in the Haven. Booked a solo cabin once. It was fine, but small. I only met up with other solos once. Personally, I find I can make cruise friends fine on my own without organized solo activities. NCL does a nice job in accommodating solos (particularly recently, since the restart). Celebrity makes solos feel welcome, too. Now, it’s to the point where I’ve cruised solo so much, I don’t hesitate to book a cruise solo that I may like. As mentioned previously, you come and go as you choose. You don’t have to take turns getting ready (although the big showers in the Haven cabins are fun). You pick and choose where, when and what you do, as you have final “say so”.

Adrian and Virginia were two of the best. Anoop was another fave. Last I heard, they had all moved on to different careers. Sorry to hear about your last Concierge. S/he sounds like there's been a drop off in the quality of their Concierges.