BBsails

Recently returned from two cruises, one on the Infinity and one on the Constellation. I wore sparkly, bejeweled flip flops with a slightly elevated heel to dinner several of the nights, including formal nights. I don't think anyone ever noticed what was on my feet. I think I could have worn beachy flip flops without fearing being turned away. Nobody seemed to give it a second thought.

Captain Tasos is the man! He loves to sound that horn. BTW, he's Greek.:D

On our late April, 2014 TA we used the shareholder credit in combo with a military discount and OBC from a travel agent. Very nice reduction to the bottom line.

Congratulations, Perry!

Betsy

A packet of instant coffee such as Via and hot water from your faucet? Wouldn't work for me, but YMMV.

Thanks, Cruise a holic. It definitely could be caused by the recirculating air of the plane, but there doesn't seem to be a definite correlation. For example, we flew to from SFO to MIA to board the Infinity and were symptom-free on that cruise. We didn't fly again before we boarded the Constellation about nine days after leaving the Infinity. The symptoms started about 10 days into the Baltics cruise. Not planning at this point to give up cruising!

Betsy

Very interesting thread. After picking up a respiratory infection during several =X= cruises, I'm beginning to wonder how common this is.

We're just back from two cruises, the TA on the Infinity from Miami to Harwich and the Baltics on the Constellation. No problems on the Infinity. However, during the latter part of the Baltics cruise, DH and I both felt that familiar tickle in our throats which soon developed into full-blown respiratory infections. Two weeks later, despite daily doses of guaifenisen, we're still hacking like seals. Need to say that we're not especially susceptible to respiratory problems in general, but it seems almost every time we sail with =X= we pick up a nasty bug. We're so careful about touching surfaces around the ship. For example, we touch the elevator buttons with a knuckle instead of a fingertip. We wash our hands thoroughly every single time we get back to our cabin and at other times during the day. Here's a summary of our experience:

2012 Solstice Mediterranean Cruise: It struck in Venice. Several sleepless nights due to cough. Stopped in a pharmacy, and by pantomime (our Italian is rudimentary), communicated our symptoms to the pharmacist who prescribed a cough syrup, which helped. Cough lasted about six weeks after the cruise.

2013 B2B2B Sydney to Seattle: I had a cold and cough on all three segments, DH was spared. I hacked for about six weeks after disembarking in Seattle.

2014: Reported above

I'm getting to the point that I'm trying to decide if it's worth it to cruise when one or both of us is almost sure to get sick. Our recent trip home from Amsterdam to San Francisco was 30 uncomfortable hours, coughing all the way. On the other hand, both cruises were fantastic....

Betsy

Me too, German Cruiser!

Betsy

Seems like it would be a good idea to add this thread as a sticky or at least get it into the Choice Air sticky that's already at the top of the page.

Betsy

Many thanks to everyone who has replied. I understand the level of benefits offered by Azamara to Elite members of Celebrity's Captain's Club. What I don't understand is what those benefits are. I copied the information below from the Azamara site (I hope it formats OK in this response). There are benefits listed for Adventurer, Explorer, and Discoverer Platinum. Under Discoverer and Discoverer Plus, there are no benefits listed. As a potential Discoverer level passenger, I would be interested in the benefits offered at that level.

USE YOUR CREDITS FOR SPECIAL SAVINGS AND EXPERIENCES ON EVERY VOYAGE THAT FOLLOWS.

LE CLUB VOYAGE ADVENTURER: UP TO 149 POINTS

Exclusive Le Club Voyage hostess at your service throughout your voyage

Le Club Voyage onboard party

Welcome home gift after your first voyage (shipped to your home)

Savings for booking future voyages while onboard

85 minutes free Internet service per voyage

10% savings on Signature Spa Treatments

LE CLUB VOYAGE EXPLORER: 150 – 299 POINTS

Includes all the benefits of the Adventurer level

A bottle of champagne on arrival, compliments of the Captain

Welcome to the Explorer-level gift (shipped to your home after the voyage)

Private get-together with senior officers and staff (Voyages of 10 days or more. This party may be combined with the Discoverer party due to busy port schedules.)

One complimentary bag of laundry (dry cleaning excluded) per week per stateroom

Additional free Internet service, for a total of 150 minutes

15% savings on Signature Spa Treatments

LE CLUB VOYAGE DISCOVERER: 300 – 749 POINTS

LE CLUB VOYAGE DISCOVERER PLUS: 750 – 2,999 POINTS

LE CLUB VOYAGE DISCOVERER PLATINUM: 3,000 PLUS POINTS

Includes the benefits of the Adventurer and Explorer levels (except private Explorer-member cocktail party with senior officers and staff)

Discoverer-member get-together with senior officers (Voyages of 10 days or more. This event may be changed or combined with the Explorer party due to busy port schedules.)

Welcome to the Discoverer-level gift (shipped to your home after the voyage)

Additional free Internet service, for a total of 235 minutes

Complimentary wine tasting on voyages of 10 nights or more

5% savings when spending $1,000 or more in Fine Jewelry, or 10% savings when spending $2,000 or more

20% savings on Signature Spa Treatments

We are Elite with Celebrity, not Elite+ (and not really striving to get there). Thanks for the information, Kellie Poodle.

Guess I'll join those of you who are collectively holding your breath to find out about the Discoverer benefits. :)

Betsy

Thanks for your replies. I thought there was still come reciprocity between the two lines, and you confirmed that. I've searched all over the Azamara site, but I cannot find the benefits offered at the Discoverer level. The benefits of other levels are specified but not those at the Discoverer and Discoverer Plus level. Am I missing something?

Betsy

Wondering if Azamara still has a relationship with Celebrity? Specifically, do Captain's Club members have benefits with Azamara? We're Elite with Celebrity's Captain's Club and are considering booking with Azamara. If I remember correctly there was formerly some sort of reciprocity.

Betsy

Wow! I am surprised by the way your issue was handled. I've only had one problem that required Guest Relations to intervene, and that was handled on the sport by a phone call to my TA. When our OBC wasn't showing on our statement after the first day or two of the cruise, the rep picked up the phone, and it was taken care of.

Betsy

Still 50 cents each at our local Safeway in the SF Bay Area. When I shopped for limes yesterday, the fellow in the produce department was starting to unload a huge carton full. We have two lemon, an orange, and a grapefruit tree in our yard. Time to plant a lime!

I agree with those who would like to be able to access the survey for more than a week. We usually travel after a cruise, and while we may have internet access, it may be limited.

When you're on a Celebrity ship, accessing the Celebrity website is free in that internet minutes are not charged. So if the survey were available on the website in the last 24 hours of the cruise, it might be simple to fill it out then.

Just an idea....

Betsy

I'm 5'2" and the sleeves of the terry robe almost drags the floor on me. If that's your problem, ask for one of the waffle robes. I've never had a problem getting one.

Betsy

Ooooh, so that's why limes have gone from 10 for $1.00 to 69 cents each at my local fruit and veggie stand! Interesting to know if the shortage is real or planned to manage the price.

Oh Travel Bear, you're bringing back such fond memories. I worked at Hotel La Pierre in Ocean Grove during the summers that I was an undergrad. Most of the staff were college students. Totally awesome experience for someone who grew up in Virginia. Best memories of being introduced to opera in the auditorium over the ocean in Asbury Park where the summer Met did productions. Now really dating myself, I saw Bob Dillon there as a scruffy young guy in overalls. He was unknown then and introduced by Joan Baez. Many nights we did last minute dashes to get our cars out by midnight.

Betsy

Booking used to be so much simpler. Now it seems so complex with layers and layers of "specials." The mind boggles. I feel your pain.

Doing our fourth TA this spring with anticipation. Love the long, lazy (or not) days. In my experience (based on two separate events), the medical facilities aboard are more than adequate. Never antsy for a second.

Bon voyage1

Betsy

Wow! How frustrating. Hoping you are able to get through. Please let us know how this turns out.

Betsy

Here's something to keep in mind: On an East to West TA you gain an hour each night for about five nights, giving you 25-hour days. On West to East TA you lose an hour each night for about five nights, giving you 23-hour days. We prefer East to West but are doing West to East this spring.

Betsy

Good luck is right. Our cruise is on the Tuesday Special this week. It's possible to upgrade from one of the Sweet 16 to an aft balcony Concierge. TA phoned Celebrity and was told "nope." Has to cost at least $1.00 more, and the Concierge is now less than the Sweet 16 (2C). The bummer is that we upgraded for $80 each in November from one of the new Ocean View cabins on Deck 3 to the Sweet 16. If we hadn't upgraded, the aft balcony Concierge would have cost us $20 each. So...I have now "paid tuition" and learned to book after final payment for sure.

You're right, cathy, It's a 2C. Will send TA an email Monday in hopes that she'll have everything lined up to pounce on =X= at the earliest moment on Tuesday. There are lots of CC cabins available. Fingers crossed.

Betsy