PKB

It is a VERY expensive at-home covid test if not used in conjunction with travel. My second question is....wonder how many people had to cancel their cruise because of a positive pre-cruise proctored test?

I have four proctored Emed tests I was saving for our cruise in February, 2023. But if testing is still not required, what to do with them? Can't return them.....

We hang an inexpensive party decoration outside our door so we know we are on the correct hallway. It can be seen from the end of the hallway right off the elevators. Our neighbors always thank us for doing it because they can make use of it! It started with our wedding cruise when I hung tissue wedding bells. I still have them.

Depends on your "Are we gonna miss our flight?" stress level. I have done a 11:30 flight and we were the first ones off the ship. Carried our own luggage off and hopped into a cab.

What Patty said....

We are sailing Reflection in February, 2023. Will certainly look for Alfred!

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I didn't know for sure but I suspected a travel agent's commission was around 5%. Our cruise history has involved multiple cabins the last 10 years or so, making a travel agent a valuable resource. Traveling with only my spouse will be an adjustment, especially at meals. Love the full table for dinner. The upside for our next cruise on Reflection will be in the retreat and Luminae.

I agree with the OP. It's just good manners.

Not trying to open a can of worms here, or start a war...this is an honest, legitimate question....Could someone explain to me the reasoning for contacting Celebrity planners directly for new bookings and subsequent adjustments, answers to questions, and all the things a travel agent would do?

The Bahamas could be cool, and the ocean water will be cold. When you get to Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, and others further south, it will be tropical year round. The humidity may be slightly less during the winter months, but it will still be hot. The water will be warmer and won't feel like an iceberg.

I would say it depends on your itinerary. If in the Caribbean or Mediteranean or other tropical locales, where hot direct sun would be a possibility, I would go for deck 7.

I did mine on Solstice August 19-26. Just went up there to watch and ended up making this.

We attended on Solstice August 19-26.

The cord that comes with the system is just like the above photo. Maybe the cord the grandson is using has multiple plug-in options. I would suggest bringing the cords that came with the system. If the grandson wants to play on the TV, that is a whole different can of worms, with access to controls on the TV. The remote in the cabin does not allow changing the input on the tv.

I interpret specialty coffees as espressos, lattes, cappuccinos, Americanos, and the other frothed beverages. Premium coffee would be ones including alcohol.

I am curious about this grand mimosa of which you speak. google recipe says orange juice, but there were mentions of pineapple juice. Also, is cointreau a good substitute for grand marnier?

I'm glad not everything has to be a struggle.

Please do not rely on precruise testing at the port as a backup.

If you are worried about being positive right before you leave, take an at-home test the day before just to confirm you are negative. Then do your official test at your leisure knowing it will most likely be negative. You can order free at-home tests from USPS. We are doing a 10 day soft quarantine before departing on August 17th for sailing on 19th. Will do at-home tests a day or two before departure before flying cross country to Seattle. Then doing the official proctored test at hotel in Seattle. If the at-home test is positive there is time to cancel and save that flight for a future time.

Depends on which proctoring service you use. Emed/Navica requires you to purchase their tests for their proctoring service. You can buy as many as you need and share. Each person who does the test will need their own account with Emed. It is suggested you buy two for each person in case of inconclusive results or other technical issues. Occasionally the liquid vial inside the test has been empty. You can get a replacement from the company but not a refund. No appointment necessary. Just scan the QR code to start the test. Their income is made off the sales of the tests. This company seems to be the most widely and reliable company. The test box must not be opened or tampered with before the proctor is online with you. I ordered two six-packs for our group of 8 sailing in August. DW and I can use the extras for our second cruise in February, 2023. Cost per test-$30.00. Peace of mind-priceless. Another popular company is Onpoint-testing, which uses any purchased or "free from the goverment" at-home test. Requires an appointment date and time, paid when appointment is made. Can be changed if necessary. Price fluctuates between $15 and $22.00. I have read of poor customer service and no replies to inquires. Many of the free government provided tests have two tests in the box. I spent two hours waiting to ask if a box with two tests which was opened previously can be used. The only reply was "just so the inside envelope is intact." No "sorry you had to wait, how can I help you...." Did not give me a warm fuzzy. This company also has brick-and-mortar sites and there are many complaints of not receiving email results and possible erroneous results.

Theoretically that's true. There are a few potential pitfalls though. I have read that testing sites, commercial and dedicated sites, can have testing supply issues, not having the particular tests on the day you are scheduled. Some testing sites are requiring an actual "health visit" with a medical practitioner, taking temp, blood pressure, and creating an actual medical visit in order for them to get reimbursed. If it were me, I would have a backup plan in case there is a snag.

We always book port side mid ship or towards the stern for a number of reasons, one of which is trying to figure out how to navigate the ship and which way is forward. Can't predict which side of the ship will be toward the port each day, but port side has always been good for us.

Back in the good ole days the cruise lines sent a whole booklet of documents and plastic sticky luggage tags to put on when you left home. The airlines would help get your bags to the buses for the airport transfers. There was no having to claim bags for security reasons. Of course, this was when flights were reliable and flying to the departure port the morning of embarkation was the norm. I also remember doing the document dance when that big packet with the cruise documents and luggage tags arrived in the mail. Ahhhh....the good ole days......

I have heard of people letting the shore excursion desk know in advance that you would like to meet the group where the tenders unload. I'm sure you won't be the only ones wanting to meet on shore. Might be a good idea to ask where the group is meeting for your particular excursion. May be onshore anyway.