BBsails

This post is not a recommendation; it's to provide information: The generic name for Bonine is meclizine. The =X= ships distribute meclizine at no cost either at guest services or in the medical facility. If you want to buy your own supply, you'll find that asking for meclizine at your local pharmacy will cost much less than buying Bonine.

There are still some open cabins on the Explorer for the 35 nights in April! ;)

Hey teecee60, I'm seeing 24 nights transpacific on the Explorer in April 2016 and October 2016. Where are you seeing 35? B2B?

Betsy

Veteran of five transatlantic and one transpacific on =X=

I have flip flops very similar to these, same color, same brand, same heel, different bling. I have worn them in the MDR several times and no one has chased me out. BTW, I bought them at Ross for $18.

http://www.zappos.com/yellow-box-birder-clear?zlfid=191&ref=pd_sims_p_ab_1_t_1

Betsy

I don't remember the details, but the public bus runs right outside the port, so check the bus routes and schedule.

Bon voyage

I was on the Equinox for the October 15, 2015 12 day cruise to Italy, Greece, Turkey and Malta and experienced the new internet system. I was told that the upgrade had been in place for about 2 weeks and that Equinox was the first ship in the fleet to get it.

 

Pricing was $199 for unlimited access during the 12 night cruise. However they were offering discounts of 30% to Elite members (making the cost $139.30) and 20% ($159.20) to Select members. (I don't know what discounts were offered to other tiers.) They also still offered the 90 minute free allowance on the Elite coupon sheet if you didn't want the unlimited package.

The speed was the best I've ever experienced at sea.

We were on the same cruise and had the same experience as Sailor Scott. Very zippy service with VOOM. Then, we were B2B on the TA from Barcelona to Ft. Lauderdale without VOOM, so it was back to sloooow service.

 

Suggest not pre-paying for internet until you board as there will probably be tiered discounts for Captain's Club members on board that are not offered on line.

 

Betsy

Thanks a bunch for your replies, fleckie and 4774Papa. I switched to 7177 based on your input and wait listed 7049. We'll be happy with either one.

Betsy

I've searched Cruise Critic for input and Google images for photos, but can't find a photo of the balconies near the aft of deck 7. I booked a 2017 cruise on the Millennium, and we have a choice of a sweet 16 or 7171, 7173 7175 or 7177 on deck 7. I've stayed in a sweet 16 before, so I'm familiar with those balconies; how do the balconies in 7171 thru 7177 compare? I doubt they're triple size like the sweet 16, but how do they compare to a regular balcony? I'd book 7049 in heartbeat, but someone beat us to it (want to be on the port side). Thanks!

Betsy

Signing in to report that I had a stellar experience booking a B2B with a phone rep today. He couldn't have been more knowledgeable or more professional.

Betsy

I love the bathroom nightlight on the S-class ships. The soft glow reminds me of moonlight. Don't remember if there is a nightlight on M-class.

Betsy

Bringing this to the top in hopes that Celebrity will fix the glitch as they did previously so we can continue to enter the sweepstakes daily. Last day to enter is supposed to be Jan. 11.

...Still not fixed. Anyone finding it possible to enter?

Betsy

Hello Celebrity Cruises. The link no longer goes to the sweeps entry page. Could you look into this again?

Thanks!

Betsy

Sure wish they'd do a charter from the West Coast of the US to FLL or MIA. Are you listening, =X=?

Betsy

The contest entry works! Thank you, Celebrity Cruises, for fixing the error so promptly!

Betsy

Ditto dodger1964's post. Rules and regs say 1 entry/day is possible. Entered once over the weekend successfully, but when I tried to enter today, I'm told that I've exceeded the number of possible entries. Go figure. Anyone able to enter more than once? Sigh....

Betsy

I don't know of any US Cards that provide travel insurance.

Many US cards provide insurance. We use Chase Sapphire Preferred, which provides great travel insurance, and the entire trip doesn't even have to be booked on the CSP card. I don't think there's an age limit. Be sure to read the fine print though.

Betsy

Ditto what Chris writes about booking through the warehouse site. I've used the online TA that gives more OBC, but I'm seriously thinking about switching to the warehouse site due to its excellent reputation and emphasis on customer satisfaction.

Be sure to check the travel insurance that may be provided by your credit card. If you have a card that provides insurance, you may or may not need to buy a separate policy. You can find your card's benefits on line. Read it carefully.

Also determine what your medical insurance covers when you are out of the country. Getting this information may help determine what, if any, additional insurance you need.

Bon voyage

ALso on the same cruise and agree with TMaine's observations. Actually we are still on the Equinox, crossing the Atlantic and enjoying the ride to the max.

Betsy

Typing this from the Equinox at this very moment. Life is good!

Betsy

Thanks, Hartleykg. Good to know the tax won't affect our Italy and Greek Isles cruise out of Barcelona, other than waiting until we're 12.5 miles out from Spain to avoid their tax.

Betsy

Thanks for your reviews. I'm wondering why there was a 22.5% tax on anything you bought. I understood there's tax added in the sea within a 12-mile limit of Spain, but have not heard of any such tax in either Italy or Greece.

Is the VAT avoided if the preferred internet package is purchased from the US prior to boarding?

Betsy

Will be giving this faster internet, if it exists, a test on Oct 15 & Oct 27 B2B cruises on Equinox.

Me too, colliercruiser. Fingers crossed.

Betsy

From the CSP benefits brochure, soxfan 2013

Benefit Information for Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption (p. 12 and p. 14). Who is covered?

"You, the primary insured person, and your immediate family members are automatically covered. Immediate family member means your spouse or domestic partner and their children, including adopted children or step-children; legal guardians or wards; siblings or siblings-in-law; parents or parents-in-law; grandparents or grandchildren; aunts or uncles; nieces or nephews."

Seems fairly inclusive to me. No coverage for pets, though.

Betsy