FloweryBranch

I need assistance in boarding and have found it differs per port. I can walk to gain entrance to line but need wheelchair to go the distance. I am Elite-plus but this does not come into effect. In some ports the porters can get you a wheelchair when you check your luggage but that only gets you inside the building. I have never had any success with this option. The normal situation is you go into the building for check-in and find the nearest Celebrity person and inform them that you need assistance. They will find a wheelchair for you to sit in but you must wait for a pusher. This can be quick and can take a few minutes as only a specific number of the Celebrity crew are assigned this task. Be patient, once the pusher arrives, they will scoot you and your mate around the lines and get you onto the ship. If you are in a suite, go to the suite location in the building and they will arrange for a wheelchair and pusher to take you on board. I hope this helps. 

5 hours ago, The Wood Duck said:

I wonder how Celebrity will adjust their itineraries now that Venice is off limits to mega cruise ships. We are booked on Infinity on b2b Barcelona to Venice April 24/22 and Venice to Barcelona May 05/22 .

According to Cruise Industry news, the ban goes into effect August 1st so these cruise may just be the last to have, in my opinionthe best of the sailaways;

The Italian cabinet has approved a decree banning large cruise ships from Venice.

According to a press release on the official website of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, from Aug. 1, large ships will no longer be able to reach Venice through the San Marco Basin, the San Marco Canal and the Giudecca Canal.

Instead, the ships would be moved to berths at the port of Marghera – a mainland port across Venice.

Investments of 157 million euros were made to allow these berthings within the Marghera area, according to the ministry.

Marghera will see its first large cruise ships in 2022, according to the statement.

According to media reports, the ban only applies to the ships that are more than 25,000 tons.

What is interesting about the article you quoted is there was no mention of the seven cruises booked on the American Empress from May1 to June 14th. I also saw the article and sent it to our TA and asked if this wasn't the ship we were fully paid on for departure on May 31, 2021. To my utter dismay, our TA responded late Monday (had to wait for hours on the telephone in queue) and was told that, Oh yes we were about to send out letters to the affected customers letting them know we were canceling their cruises. If I had not read the cruise industry article I would still be looking ahead to a cruise, and with the laid back attitude of the person representing AQSC I do not think they would have told us for quite some time. ALL I CAN SAY IS "GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR CRUISES" BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT IS WHAT YU WILL NEED LUCK....

Papeete issued the following:

Papeete, February 1st, 2021

Travel restrictions to French Polynesia

Faced with the resurgence of COVID-19 cases around the world and in order to preserve French Polynesia which has for its part, shown significant improvement for several consecutive weeks, the authorities have decided to temporarily suspend travel to French Polynesia including for tourists from all origins until further notice.

As of Wednesday, February 3^rd, travel will be authorized only for travelers who can justify one of the compelling reasons (health, professional, family, return home) as described on the website of the High Commission. The duration of this measure will be specified in the coming days.

Travelers currently in French Polynesia whose return is scheduled during this week can end their stay normally; beyond that, it is advisable to contact your airline to check your flight schedule.

All travelers aged 11 and over who travel to French Polynesia by air are subject to the following mandatory conditions:

• • • Prior to boarding:
      • Proof of a negative RT-PCR test (any RT-PCR test listed on this FDA site is allowed) carried out within three days prior to their international air departure. If the result is not obtained in due time, a certificate of completion of the RT-PCR test must be presented to the airline company, together with a negative result to an antigen test performed on the day of boarding. Any antigen test listed on this FDA site is acceptable for the same-day test in the event the RT-PCR test result was not received. Self-tests are not accepted.
      • Present the receipt of the health registration from the Etis.pf platform (Electronic Travel Information System).
      • Present the certificate of derogatory travel HERE and the declaration on honour HERE completed and signed.
    • During the stay:
      • Travelers must complete a self-test 4 days after arrival in French Polynesia. The self–test will be provided upon arrival in French Polynesia.
    • Prior to departure (returning in United States only):
      • Beginning January 26, 2021, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requires all passengers 2 years of age or older on a flight to the United States, regardless of their immunization status, to present at check-in :
        • A negative result from a Covid-19 viral test carried out within 3 days prior to their international flight;
        • or, in the case of a previous Covid-19 infection within the last 3 months prior to departure, a positive viral test result, along with an official letter from a physician indicating that the passenger has made a full recovery and is authorized to travel;
        • The possible options for testing prior to departure are available HERE. For travelers who could not carry out their test before reaching the international airport, antigenic testing are available at Tahiti Faa’a Airport. Hours: Tuesday to Thursday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Travelers staying in the islands need to ensure to reach Tahiti no later than 4:00 p.m to have enough time to get tested at the airport’s Covid Center.

Also, the authorities of French Polynesia have declared a state of health emergency with the application of reinforced measures through Feburary 15, 2021.

A curfew is in effect on the islands of Tahiti and Moorea. All trips, circulation or movement in public areas are prohibited, every day, between 9:00 pm and 4:00 am through February 15, 2021 with the possibility to be extended. The official statement can be downloaded on the website of the High Commission. Find the curfew terms and conditions in the frequently asked questions.

9 hours ago, Redtravel said:

Getting a vaccine is a good start to getting back to living.  It does give some protection and alleviates stress. However, it doesn’t mean we can move about freely.  After getting my vaccine, I was told that wearing masks, distancing, etc. is still necessary.  Until most people have the vaccine, nothing changes.  Travel is not advised to many countries.  If you do travel internationally, you have to have a covid test before getting on a plane to go back to USA.  Having vaccines doesn’t exempt you from covid testing.  It seems like a real hassle.  

You are right on. Having gotten the vaccine I contacted the CDC to see if this removed the requirement to get tested prior to returning on an international flight, The came back quickly with a NO, You still must be. In addition, I contacted several of the islands to see if the vaccine negated the need to be tested prior to arrival. They all responded NO. You still must have the test. Short term, the vaccine is not the answer. Long term, I hope so but no clear answer.

1 hour ago, Bo1953 said:

What I currently have in stock and ready for consumption, to a great degree, are the following:

 

The Balvenie Tasting Collection

Glenmorangie Single Malt Tasting Collection

Bunnahabhain Single Malt 12 yo

Black & White (Blended)

Royal Salute 21 yo (Blended) Limited Edition

Aberfeldy 12 yo

Johnnie Walker Platinum

Johnnie Walker Black 12 yo

 

My limited collection, meager as it is, currently...

 

I did have a Macallan 21 yo but a friend coveted it so much I had to give the bottle to her... as a gift.

 

Of what is left, what is recommended for a nice evening with friends or what should be consumed under cover of night? LOL

 

Cheers and bon voyage

You gave away the one that would be drunk alone. The rest are good scotches and I would say "offer the drinker their choice"

Personally I would ask for the bunnahabhain as I have never had it.

1 hour ago, C-Dragons said:

😁 

It's actually the container for the bottle of Cardhu.

 

This is the Cardhu I buy. I have had the 15yr and 18yr.  As I said I do not trust Cardhu No age on the bottle.

33 minutes ago, ScubesDad said:

 

By definition and law, to be called a Scotch Whisky, it has to be distilled in Scotland.

 

There are many whiskies distilled outside Scotland in the same manner as Scotch; however, they cannot be called "Scotch".

 

In fact, Glenora Distillery in Nova Scotia was the first  to distill a single malt whiskey in North America - "Glen Breton".

33 minutes ago, ScubesDad said:

 

By definition and law, to be called a Scotch Whisky, it has to be distilled in Scotland.

 

There are many whiskies distilled outside Scotland in the same manner as Scotch; however, they cannot be called "Scotch".

 

In fact, Glenora Distillery in Nova Scotia was the first  to distill a single malt whiskey in North America - "Glen Breton".

Good old BREXIT. In fact, the EU has the mandate but nothing stops a distiller from selling their product elsewhere. The US has no such restrictions unless you trademark the name, but you can not because there are to many products called scotch,

Never heard of Glen Breton as to scotch whiskey goggle scotches made in Taiwan and see what it is called. Then try Japan.

Both of these scotches can be bought locvally here in Geogia and they clearly call themselves SCOTCH

On 8/5/2020 at 6:11 PM, hcat said:

Sounds like the same games...Get folks to make large final payments.

Keep them hanging and then if  Celebrity cancels,  take forever to get out the refunds.

 

Will you cancel to avoid that or roll the dice????

I guess it depends on the luck of the draw. We were booked (and fully paid) on the September cruise out of Barcelona. They canceled and we ask for a refund and it was provided to us in 9 days

27 minutes ago, C-Dragons said:

Thanks so much for this info. I really like The Macallan.

I bought this bottle a couple of years ago, without trying it and wondered if it would be to my liking. I've been saving it for a special occasion.

 

Like the cup

1 hour ago, Bo1953 said:

fb - Thank you very much for your insight and the compliment...

 

Personally, it has been quite some time since having had Famous Grouse, will try that one specifically in the next few weeks.

 

Have you had any favourites on-board or rare ones that you can recommend?

 

bon voyage

 

p.s. - Lived in Roswell & Sandy Springs for a combined 15 years some time ago... I have visited FB and liked that town a great deal... neighbour.  😎

Small world. I lived for twenty years in Roswell in an Avida complex off 92 near the Cobb/Sandy Springs border. We moved Flowery Branch to be near our boat (5 minutes vs an hour drive) . Back to Scotch. I noticed Highland Park mentioned, I am quite a fan of Highland Park and Scappa both made on the Orkney Islands where my wife was born and we have visited numerous times to see family. 

The chart you have been offered is quite a good one. Notice the "Dalwhinnie" on the legend it is also quite good. Also Mcallan 15 is mentioned that is a nice smooth scotch and any 18, 25  etc would just get smoother. Be leery of distillers getting away from aging their scotches. Cardhu played that game several years ago. Everything on the bottle was the same except "12 year

Single Malt". This label read Real Malt. It appears they were running out of the scotch. 75% of their production goes to Spain the number 1 consumer of the scotch and with Johnny Walker there was little left. According to the Malt Shop on the High Street in Edinburgh they were crooked and trying to sell a blend as the single malt

Here is a Scottish toast for you "Here's to them what's like us..Damn few and there all deed" and in the immortal words of Robbie Burns "drink the water's of life" to keep you healthy.

1 hour ago, Bo1953 said:

Will some of the Scotch drinkers provide your input on these differing regional products?

 

If you would provide your personal tasting notes and brands that are not widely and those which are widely available, that would be great.

 

Then those which have been seen, at least once, on in any bar on X, rather they still are available or not.

 

Cheers and bon voyage

I will try to make this short. There are two forms of scotch whiskey, Blends and single malts. The Scottish people created blends when they found that they could drink the whiskey sooner than the 10 years needed for single malt whiskey to mature. The aging being the evaporation of the alcohol (angle’s share) over time.  Scotch is white, but gets its’ color from the madeira casks that they use to store the whiskey in bonded warehouses. The two dominate tastes come from the material used to heat the stills (which are still used today). Spreyside uses wood to fire their stills , and the Isles and some mainland distilleries where peat is the Source for heating. The smoke permeates into the liquid, and you get  your Peattie taste’.

Last year the scotch voted the best Scotch Whiskey was not from Scotland, but from Taiwan and is call “KA VA LAN”. I is good and quite smooth. I believe the scotches made in Washington state, Japan and Taiwan use closed stills so they can achieve whatever taste they want. The Scottish distilleries continue doing what they have been doing for hundreds of years'

I have a number of single malts that I like, but my favorite single malt scotch is a Spreyside scotch called Cardhu. If you have had Johnny Walker Black (a blend of some 40 scotches) the dominate Scotch in that blend is Cardhu. My favorite Blend is ”The Famous Gross” half the cost of Black and much smoother.

Ps I have enjoyed reading your posts

Have your group all been able to get your visa's for Cuba? We hear all sort of reports about who can and who cannot fly into Cuba.

Yes. There are two visa's required. The first is required to get from the airport to the ship. Delta provided this visa for $50.00. The second is required to get off the ship for excursions. This visa is included in the cruise rate and provided by the cruise company

Welcome. Sorry it took so long to post a reply. We, likewise, are looking forward to this cruise. Hope to see you onboard...

We all belong to the University Yacht Club which is located in Flowery Branch, Georgia ,on Lake Sidney Lanier. We are all flying in on the 13th and have arranged for a bus to transport us to the cruise line.

My wife and I will be on this cruise with a group of 16 friends from Flowery Branch Georgia. I must have missed you posting on 5/16 as I usually check every couple of weeks to see if there is any activity. We are all flying in the day of the cruise and hiring a van to take us to the ship.