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JoePDX

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Posts posted by JoePDX

  1. Photo is not required to complete on-line check in,

     

    The reference to a “camera ready device” is really incorrect.  What you need is an electronic headshot of yourself saved to the device you use for check in.   Could be a passport photo.  Or there is the option to bypass the photo step and they will take one when you check in for boarding.

     

    Joe

  2. 18 hours ago, ToxM said:

    Outdoor smoking area looks a bit of a letdown. The nicest outdoor smoking areas are on the R’S where the area has lovely squishy seats and a nice social feel. it also has a hidden heater for the middle of the Atlantic 😉

    Agreed.   The outdoor smoking areas on the Regatta class ships are the best.   Especially for the social atmosphere.   The outdoor area on Vista will definitely be a letdown for Jeff.

     

    Joe

    • Thanks 1
  3. 3 hours ago, ToxM said:

     

    I wonder if it has doors on it like The R class. Looks lovely,  and I hope they installed good ventilation 🙂 


    I pulled up the deck plan - which shows no doors on any public rooms…so no help.   But the deck plan implies an antechamber you pass through before the hallway…..   “I would kill for a Polaroid!”    
     

    A quote from a favorite show…. 😊

     

    Joe

    • Thanks 1
  4. On 5/13/2023 at 9:54 AM, slw207693 said:

    Order of pictures

     

    terrace before deluge of guests

    Privee (seating for 14)

    Polo 

    Waves grill

    aquamar Cafe (extremely popular today, but it’s a sit and be served restaurant)

    Embers

    Toscana

    Favorite Barristas

    Lync digital Center (located on deck 14 forward behind Artist Loft) - formerly Oceania @sea internet area

    Barristas bakery and seating area


    FYI - 6th photo in Post #9 is not Ember, but the Grand Dining Room.

     

    Thanks for all the great photos!  🎉

     

    Joe

  5. 17 minutes ago, ssawjo said:

    We did a private tour but the same route.  There was a "rest area" along the way.  I would describe it as being very rustic.  Women should bring their own sanitary products, that is, toilet paper.  Long boring drive, a lot of check points, and speed bumps.  If it is an overnight, I strongly suggest saying overnight in Luxor.  You will not regret it.  Have fun.


    We also did a private overnight tour from Safari to Luxor.  We stopped at a roadside convenience type stop.   Beverages and snacks were available.

     

    Highly recommend an overnight stay if that is an option.   You will see so much more.   I used Ramses Tours. https://ramsestours.com and we had an excellent time at a very reasonable cost.

     

    Joe

    • Like 1
  6. Hi Jan -

     

    Since bike riding is not an option….. 😎

     

    I have used Suntransfers.com twice in Barcelona.   They are located in the UK though.

     

    Excellent experience both times.  Driver on time, nice vehicle of size requested.   They also called while we were enroute to the airport to make sure all was OK.

     

    Looks like you can book car service through viator.com too.

     

    Joe

     

     

  7. My advice - check airfare for several weeks (or more) to get a sense for pricing.   Google Flights is a great way to look at flight options.  

     

    In the past I have used Flights by Celebrity, usually when I need a one way.   In 2019 for a TA I snagged Business Class one way seats for a $1000 a person.   My more recent research has shown that Celebrity pricing is the same as I can get directly with the air carrier.   I much prefer to direct book with the carrier so I am fully in charge.

     

    Joe

    • Like 1
  8. Hi -

     

    First, I have checked the spreadsheet for information on these staterooms, and nothing noted.

     

    For the connecting oceanview staterooms on deck 3 (3129-3131-3133-3135 and 3128-3130-3132-3134) - are they like the other connecting staterooms on the Solstice Class with the connection being two doors closeable on the hallway, or is there a door inside the stateroom?  

     

    Appreciate information from cruisers who have sailed in these staterooms.   We are specifically looking at Silhouette.

     

    Thanks,
    Joe

     

     

  9. 2 hours ago, honmani2 said:

    Is there a different 9:30 pm show every night or does it repeat on some nights?

     

    The production cast shows are not repeated, unless you are on a B2B.   Headliner acts (singer, comedian, magician, etc.) that are brought onboard, generally do two shows (although different) during their time on board generally a couple nights apart.  Some are quite good.   Some, not so much.  On our last cruise on Sirena (March/April) the production cast was excellent.   Martin Kaye (piano man extraordinaire) and Katie Porter (singer/Adele tribute) two acts brought on board were superb.

     

    Joe

    • Thanks 1
  10. 51 minutes ago, cruisingxpert said:

    I bet you will see a bunch of these on future trips.  I printed your template and I think we are on the same cruise next Nov from Rome.😀

     

    Hi @cruisingxpert

     

    We are - however we are getting on a few days early in Athens.  🙂

     

    Really looking forward to Vista.   Met several crew members on our recent Sirena cruise that were getting ready to transfer over to Vista.

     

    Joe

  11. Other cruise lines have not sent luggage tags for years and expect you to print them at home.   I never thought this would hold up, so I bought these as we sail Celebrity too.   They are strong and reusable.

     

    https://www.amazon.com/Cruise-Luggage-Caribbean-Celebrity-Essentials/dp/B09Q94FLCC/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=cruise+luggage+tags&qid=1681458346&sr=8-5

     

    For our cruise on Riviera in Sept/Oct 2022 the Blue Book never arrived and thus no luggage tags, so I made up a template for Oceania Luggage tags.   I print two per piece of luggage, cut them out and tape them to a thin piece of cardboard.  This makes it much easier to get them in and out of the sleeve.  I have attached the template below.

     

    On that Riviera trip, getting tags at the pier would have been a nightmare as the whole embarkation process was just that.   The guy accepting luggage said they were the best tags he had ever seen.  😀

     

    I used them on our recent Sirena cruise too, along with the ones that Oceania sent.

     

    Joe

    Oceania Homemade Luggage Tags Template.docx

    • Like 3
    • Thanks 2
  12. 5 minutes ago, scamper said:

     

    Not to go off topic, but educate me: does the extra special relationship between Delta/KLM/Air France provide full MQM/MQS/MQD (especially MQD) when booking through any carrier's site, or just on Delta (for Medallions)?  I'm a lowly silver and I'd like to keep it since Delta raised qualifications for higher levels and I don't travel that much.  I also know that sometimes the earnings have as much to do with whichever carrier's metal you fly on.  I also use ita matrix to check fares and oftentimes the fare differences are extremely wide.

     

     

    Hi @scamper -

     

    Yes, it has been my experience that MQM/MQS/MQD all are earned regardless of Carrier.  Now my experience has been booking a KLM flight number that actually flies on a Delta jet.   If yoku want to get into the details - this seems to confirm:   https://www.delta.com/us/en/skymiles/how-to-earn-miles/airline-partners

     

    One other hack - I have the AMEX Delta Platinum.   It is very easy to charge $25,000 a year and get the MQD waived.   I charge our car insurance, house insurance, cable, cell phones and all of our utilities to the card.   Add on top of that any travel expenses and it is easy to get to $25,000 a year.

     

    Joe

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