CU64

13 hours ago, scottca075 said:

Look at ResortPass.com.

 

https://www.resortpass.com/hotel-day-passes/Honolulu-35

 

The availability is always dependent on how crowded the resort is. No one on the beach offers resort passes or cabanas, and the cabanas can be so expensive ($180+ at a decent place) that getting a room makes as much sense.

We are getting a room at Outrigger Waikiki. Very happy with my decision.

You appear to have a gift of choosing all the right foods in the MDR.

13 hours ago, scottca075 said:

 

Hawaii Island is not a lush island. There is Akaka Falls State Park close to Hilo, but mush of Hawaii Island is barren. There is actually a desert on Hawaii Island, the Kaʻū Desert. Lush and tropical is Kauai and Windward Oahu.

Ty. You are so experienced and knowledgeable about Hawaii. Good to read all of your Posts.

10 hours ago, princeton123211 said:

Less than you would think. I know that outside concession out front of the Royal Hawaiian the chair/umbrella set ups are limited to the guests of the Royal Hawaiian (and possibly the Sheraton) only. The public can do other things through them like outrigger canoe rides etc. 

 

I'm not aware of any day passes-- others might know more. 

 

Short of a day pass or a beach set up, the beaches themselves are public and fully accessible. You can bring a towel and sit on the beach. Things like the beach bars at the RH (Mai Tai Bar) and Moana Surfrider are very close to the beach. 

 

7 hours ago, marden1970 said:

Try googling beach chair rentals Waikiki and several places will pop up,  I'm thinking of doing that as well.  I remember seeing a vendor right on the beach last year, closer to the Royal Hawaiian.  Don't remember what they were charging.  Good luck!

I am thinking of revising my plan. After Pearl Harbor on our own, Uber back to port area where the shopping center and nice beach within walking distance of ship. …then …rest on ship. Uber to Waikiki in late afternoon to dine at Hula Grill and walk around that area, during sunset. 

Any of you know if this is available near Outrigger Reef Hotel Or Duke’s ….maybe at least an umbrella and chairs?

any Day Passes that are available in Hotels?….only near beach….

what have you done? Too long for us to be without a place to rest between walks, et al….restaurants 

Thanking you in advance.

I have read Hawaii port and done research. We are first time in Hawaii….do not want volcano but prefer rainforest and other lush environments. Any suggestions from those who have been there or used a flexible private tour.

Also, Kona looks more like we might just walk around after two days of excursions on Oahu and Kauai.

Thanking you in advance.

Barbara

I have read that Hilo has more lush areas. Kona private tours do not excite us. Can we just walk around there and do more extensive sightseeing in Hilo in March, 2024, Emerald Princess. Ty for all who have been there.

6 hours ago, CruzeQueen2 said:

@CU64 Is there a concierge lounge on your sailing? The dedicated lounge really provides you with a lot of extras. That space is such a wonderful respite from the crowds. If your sailing is on a ship without the lounge, then you are mostly getting a larger room, larger bathroom facilities AND a preferential dining area for lunch and dinner, and a specialty restaurant for breakfast. Again, away from the crowds.

 

If you want to be out with the masses, then keep your mini-suite. If you like the idea of having dedicated dining and not lineups, go with Reserve Collection dining as suggested above.

 

Depends on what your priorities are. Booking a suite on a ship that has a concierge lounge really gives you as much personal service and space as one could ever want. That is what I found from my recent experience. 

Ty for your thoughtful response.

6 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

That’s a lot of price difference.  Which ship?  Time of year?  Maybe consider a Reserved Mini-suite instead?  How often do you (want to) cruise?  Can you afford it comfortably or would you rather use the difference to purchase excursions?  Maybe put in a bid instead?  Although, suites to Hawaii are often sold out.

 

For me, I often do a suite since there are so many sea days to enjoy the suite breakfast.  

6 hours ago, CruzeQueen2 said:

@CU64 Is there a concierge lounge on your sailing? The dedicated lounge really provides you with a lot of extras. That space is such a wonderful respite from the crowds. If your sailing is on a ship without the lounge, then you are mostly getting a larger room, larger bathroom facilities AND a preferential dining area for lunch and dinner, and a specialty restaurant for breakfast. Again, away from the crowds.

 

If you want to be out with the masses, then keep your mini-suite. If you like the idea of having dedicated dining and not lineups, go with Reserve Collection dining as suggested above.

 

Depends on what your priorities are. Booking a suite on a ship that has a concierge lounge really gives you as much personal service and space as one could ever want. That is what I found from my recent experience. 

Emerald,older, doubt a Lounge.March 2024. I would not pay extra for a Reserve. …same MDR food. Bidding does not secure location. Do not want aft Suite. We walk but too far away from what we do, like gym.I did take notice of getting breakfast in Sabatini’s…..this,….might be a big plus. 

Ty for your feedback.

16 hours ago, david63 said:

Hindsight being the precise science that it is I would have escalated the issue up to the Captain if necessary. The cabin steward must have known that smoking was taking place as the smell would linger in the cabin, and what were they doing with the cigarette butts?

 

At the end of the day this is a major safety issue.

Agreed

We have minisuite. ph would be twice the cost. Both Seniors. Do like bed by balcony but am practical.

On 10/11/2023 at 7:41 AM, lorimay said:

We made elite before our Edge cruise in March and I was so excited about being able to go to the elite breakfast. It was held in Le Grand Bistro and was never full. I was very underwhelmed. I don't drink coffee and my husband only drinks Americano, so the fancy coffee is wasted on us. It was the same food you could get from the buffet except pre-plated. Service was very spotty. My biggest disappointment was that I drink iced tea at every meal and they would not get it for me. The first day they said it wasn't available. After that I would ask for hot tea and some ice. Other than the fact that I could sit in a room and have people bring me the same food as I could get in the buffet, there wasn't much special about it. Sorry to be so negative - that's the way I experienced it.

Agreed. Service not good on Eclipse. We got there first. Table next to us showed up after. They were waited on first & got food before our order was taken.  Waiters not seem to notice. 
maybe if we knew about asking for substitutions, like toast instead of bagel. Never went back.

10 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

I know this to be true of Viking..not sure of VV.

 

Agree.  Just took a look...4 and 5 night sailings in the Caribbean and nothing too exciting.  Also, in reading the room descriptions it has a real Hard Rock vibe to it.  Really not for me but will likely appeal to some.

I have seen pictures of cabins and think they look too modern & sterile.

Not my type of decor. Put me off going farther. 

On 9/16/2023 at 11:19 AM, ChucktownSteve said:

That explains very well why you like the current Celebrity food.

Omg you people are too much.

4 hours ago, phoenix_dream said:

One of them is Topper. Not sure of the others.

Hated Topper. Walked out.

On 9/3/2023 at 12:41 PM, Clemmnj said:

I guess I will miss more of what the embarkation champagne represented. I will miss that feeling of excitement that it gave you. That feeling of luxury. You save and plan as the excitement builds and then you step on board to a glass of champagne with your whole trip ahead of you. So I will miss that special feeling I guess. Most mid level hotels in resort areas welcome their guests with champagne so I think rather than the champagne itself it’s the lack of it, when it once was there, that will be a sort of let down for me. It may seem silly to some but I bet I am not alone in thinking this is a misstep on Celebrity’s part. 

Book a concierge cabin. They bring you a bubbly. …..or as others have said, go to Cafe Bacio. 

5 hours ago, gold1953 said:

The person sharing the cabin must live at the same address and there cannot be another using status listed at your address. If the cabin mate lives else where then they can attend elite events with you but do not get the other perks like drinks , laundry, wifi. If the drinks are served at a closed event then they can drink

5 hours ago, gold1953 said:

The person sharing the cabin must live at the same address and there cannot be another using status listed at your address. If the cabin mate lives else where then they can attend elite events with you but do not get the other perks like drinks , laundry, wifi. If the drinks are served at a closed event then they can drink

We live at the same address. Ty

2 hours ago, the penguins said:

All bars except: world class, Cellar Masters/Craft Social (the new name for CM on revitalised ships) and in any dining room.

You can take your drinks into the Dining Rooms.

There is a printed list in every bar. Just show your cards.

You can also get unopened bottles of water/sodas from the same bars during Happy Hour - if you want several you might have to more than 1 bar, we get our water at Al Bacio .

 

I am now Elite. My sig other in the same cabin is not. I understand since he is my cabin mate, he is also eligible for the elite HH drinks. Is this correct? Ty in advance.

13 hours ago, dlh015 said:

I just can't fathom what rationale these sort of people come up with in their heads...maybe some overwhelming need to be noticed?? Some sort of backward thinking that this anti-social behavior is a way of being social?? "Hey, everybody is going to dig my music (or whatever) and think I'm really cool!"

Oblivious. Totally self-centered

14 hours ago, Texed said:

 

Unless I am remembering incorrectly, Oceania does not even have a casino.  

13 hours ago, Texed said:

Absolutely!

Not only that, no one is in there playing. Small casino & dead. 

On 6/23/2010 at 5:33 AM, Lsimon said:

 

Hmmm... if you go to Celebrity's site and click the selection link for the "Classic" option you get this screen: http://www.celebritycruises.com/beverage/package/selections.do?consumerInterestId=28

Which lists a water I've never seen on the ship: "Aquarius spring". Perhaps they've brought on a generic brand for this new package.

The bottled water in a can is non premium 

17 hours ago, wintrystew said:

Concierge is more about cabin location and you get afternoon canapés and bottle of champagne. Not worth it in my estimation. 

The other addition is a nicer lounge chair on balcony with footrest.

3 hours ago, GSPG said:

Okay, thoughts have moved on in the last hour.

 

How do Concierge rooms stack up for room for 3 adults compared to ‘normal’ veranda rooms.

Still have to run this past my son yet!

The 3 of us had a Sunset Veranda room on Eclipse 6 years ago. From memory we got by, but he is older and had cabins of his own since then and would be hard to go back to a three?

 

Concierge is no bigger for 3. Princess has a minisuite that would work for 3. I would put him across hall in an interior, paid for by 50% of his money at the age of 26,maybe 100%

12 hours ago, Mark_T said:

... and there are of course plenty of other bars happy to serve whatever they have in stock, it is just that this particular one has a very narrow range of stock and is limited by the conditions of the brand licence to only make the 'approved' cocktails.

 

 

You may find some flexibility with some staff on some sailings but if they are sticking to the rules they have to say 'no' as they are not a generic cocktail bar.

I now know this. On the Solstice, the male bartender was making custom preferred drinks for cruisers who were happy to benefit from bartender’s expertise, et al…we always added small tip. Best bar on ship.

21 hours ago, cublet said:

Hello,

 

Not only can you not get Captain's Club drinks at the World Class Bar, you cannot be served anything other that what is on the specific World Class Bar Menu.

 

Regards,

 

Cublet

Yes, I was stunned when asking for a Negroni at the WCB. No.

they made me one every night on the Solstice last October.