CaribbeanBound

At what point can we make reservations for a dining time (when we're on anytime dining).

In any event it does not apply to Day 1. The spa isn't open that day for services. It's open for visitation.

We LIKE using the T to get from the airport to the Aquarium stop via the Blue line. Upon arrival, you'll find Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) vending machines near baggage claim where you can use cash or credit card to buy a 7-day T-Pass (You can also buy single-use passes, or store any amount of money on a pass if you prefer). It's all stored on a paper "Charlie Ticket". You can also buy your passes at any subway station. It gives you unlimited travel on the Subway, Local Bus, Inner Harbor Ferry, and Commuter Rail Zone 1A. The 7-Day Pass is valid for 7 days from the date and time of purchase. We used it exclusively and extensively on the subways. There are 4 subway lines: blue, green, orange and red. Now that we're in Boston, from here on out, the subways are referred to as the "T". Be sure to pick up a T map upon arrival. You can also order one by phone before you leave. A note about the T lines: there are at least two at each station. One goes the way you want to go and the other goes in the opposite direction. Make sure you know which way you are going. Generally "inbound" trains are heading into the city while "outbound" trains are going out from the city. There are several stations for each T and a few opportunities to change from one T color to another to get you where you want to go. Most of the time the T will display its color and post its termination point which is usually the end of the line. Assuming you've looked at a T map and know which station you want to exit at, make a note as to the termination station on that line. Once you know which end of the line that termination point is, then you can easily determine if that's the right T to board.Most of the T stations are well marked and easy to find streetside. Others however are very hard to find since many are located under historic buildings and in the middle of the street. The closest Orange line station to Custom House is hiding in the basement of the Old State House. The Museum of Fine Arts Green Line station is located in the middle of the street in front and to the right (as you face the street) of the museum. From Logan airport, outside of baggage claim, take the free shuttle buses marked "Massport" #33 or #55, that stop at each of the airport terminals (A, B, C, and E), to the "Airport" T station serviced by the blue line. When you get off the bus, walk into the station and follow signs to the blue line inbound route to "Bowdoin". Get off at the "Aquarium" station. Be aware that the Aquarium station has three entrance/exits. Do not take the exit to the Aquarium if going to Custom House. Instead, follow the signage to the "State Street" exit and then follow the signs to Faneuil Hall/Quincy Marketplace. When you get up to the street level Custom House will be directly across the street! (If you are staying at Marriott Long Wharf, do follow signs to the Aquarium exit. That hotel is literally next to the exit). A Week in Boston (lavasurfer.com)

Bummer the ferry isn't running. That's what we took both times we went as well. Agree. Go.

LOL. Goodness, I guess we better not gather for any event! 😜

To each their own. I work in Honolulu annually and very much prefer staying in downtown. Getting back to the question at hand, if you're only staying one night in Honolulu and want to stay "near" the port, then downtown is the closest option --- and a good one especially if you prefer visiting historic sites rather than beaching. Granted, the distance from the pier to Prince Waikiki is only a 15-minute taxi ride or a 30-minute bus ride. But the Prince also doesn't have a beach.

Note that Waikiki is not "near" the cruise port. The closest hotel is the Aston Executive Center in Downtown Honolulu. Great for seeing sites but no beach. Next closest I believe is Ala Moana Americana. Again no beach, but there is a nice beach (Ala Moana Beach Park) across the street (4 block walk).

I wouldn't expect it to be closed for long. Feel free to contact them via their website or phone. Contact info can be found here: Wailua River Boat Tours to Fern Grotto on Kauai (ferngrottokauai.com)

I've stayed there a few times. They have a main building and additional units across the street above the parking garage and restaurants. Princeton 123211 pretty much nailed it. More of a condo feel than a resort feel. Location is good. There is a city bus stop directly out front of the hotel for busses heading towards Waikiki, and across the street in front of Discovery Bay heading towards Ala Moana and Town. Buses come by very frequently. It's a pleasant walk to the beach --- either Ala Moana or picking up the beach in starting in front of the Hilton Hawaiian Lagoon (which is also where you can watch the Friday night fireworks --- suggest getting a "plate lunch" and sit out by the lagoon to enjoy a late meal with the fireworks).

On almost every cruise we are offered a 25%-50% discount in a specialty restaurant on Night 1. The trick is to try to get a really good discount on any other night --- which can sometimes be entertained if you ask at the restaurant reservations desk daily or with the folks often standing around trying to solicit diners as they enter the MDR at breakfast or lunchtime. They are most inclined to offer a discount if bookings for that night are low.

We very much enjoyed Blu.

Thank you for the suggestions. When I tried emailing it, I got no response even after 3 weeks. I decided the lack of response may have been related to sending the email via my business email. I resent the email via the web address I have on file for Celebrity and received a form email reply saying it was received the following day. So that's a start. I have yet to see the credit but given the holiday I don't think I need to bother them again until the New Year.

Well those responses are exactly what I would hope and expect to occur. It's been over two weeks and I haven't been able to submit via the website and have not gotten any response via email. I'll keep trying. Thank you.

Has anyone successfully applied and received the "Shareholder Onboard Credit" for your Celebrity cruise for being an RCL shareholder? Every time I try submitting my information at Shareholder Benefit Request | Online Survey Software (questionpro.com) the website fails. Been trying for 3 weeks.

We also enjoyed a meal at The Porch on our last Reflection cruise while watching Greek islands pass by. We enjoyed the Seafood Tower (cold lobster, mussels, shrimp, scallops, and seafood salad) as an appetizer followed by lobster bisque and a lobster roll. The mussels are the tastiest I've ever had and everything else was also quite good. Most passengers never find The Porch which is hidden on Deck 15 next door to The Lawn Grill Club. Seek it out if you like seafood. For just $30, you'll be glad you did.Most of the restaurants are located on Deck 5. Lawn Club Grill and The Porch are on Deck 15. While the food in the Main Dining Room was quite good, we ate at the Lawn Club Grill and The Porch as a change of pace. The cover charges run $15 to $50, but discounts of 10% to 50% can be found most nights at one or more of the venues --- depending upon the current bookings. You'll find representatives from the restaurants each morning outside of the Oceanview Cafe on deck 14 at breakfast and sometimes at lunch. Ask them about any available discounts.

I didn't receive any confirmation after watching either, but then, I didn't expect one.

You won't have any problem catching a taxi or Uber or Bus from the airport to the cruise terminal. (If bus, be sure to drop off your bags at the cruise port before returning car as they usually don't allow luggage that can't sit on your lap. Also, the bus will drop you in town, just a few blocks walk to terminal). While you're at it, if taking the bus, you could also drop off your spouse at the cruise port before returning car as well.

Okay, so what's teh easiest way to discover how many unsold cabins there are in each category for your particular cruise?

Last time in Halifax we ate at McKelvies (located directly across the street from the Maritime Museum). McKelvies is where you want to go to enjoy tender, buttery, melt in your mouth, Digby scallops, and lobster rolls (properly moistened with a little mayonnaise, and bits of celery and onion). It all goes down good with a Garrison Irish Red draft beer. This is where we enjoyed the best Digby scallops and lobster rolls on this cruise.

Thank you!

1025cruise... thank you for the vote of confidence in this hotel. Makes me feel better about booking so far out of town. Is the 30-minutes or so Metro estimate about right?

The best months to visit are January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November, December followed by June, July and August. Agree, there are no "bad" months. There is a reason Diamond Head is a lush green in the winter and brown in the summer. The winter months could indeed be wetter and will be a little "colder" (relative term). January and February are peak whale months. The summer months tend to be hotter and more humid. You'll typically see less rainfall April-September. We lived in Hawaii for 20 years and I've been going back every January/February for the past 22 years. I like to go in the winter because the weather at home is so awful that time of year it makes Hawaii that much nicer!

Actually you can easily do the Diamond Head hike in under an hour, especially if you arrive when they open (which I highly recommend). Of course roundtrip transport needs to be factored into your plans. Here's highly detailed info on the Diamond Head Hike

CruiserBruce offers good whale siting spots. Lahaina of course was a whaling capital of activity back in the day. Nawilili Harbor on Kauai is also good for whale sightings. Yes, most definitely consider whale watching. It's one of those magical events when you see them.

I spent 20 years in Honolulu and go back annually for 4 weeks each year. Totally agree with scottca075 except I wouldn't look to spend 2 days at Aulani. Yes, it's a beautiful hotel in a beautiful location (and okay, I would go there before I spent 2 days on the north shore) but it's a 45-minute drive with no traffic and a 90-minute+ drive during the extended rush hours to Ko'Olina on the West shore.