Extend Your Stay - Celebrity Reflection March 2

[Plato123]

We were provided information on procedures for the Extend Your Stay "Excursion" the day prior to arrival in Fort Lauderdale.  We were given special baggage tags which we put on our bags and left outside our cabin the night before arrival.

We could stay in our Cabin/Suite until 9am, one hour longer than normal.  We decided to have breakfast on the buffet which was very busy, then returned to our cabin . We probably could have had breakfast in Luminae as we were in a suite, but chose the buffet instead.

As a side note, I really enjoy the canned figs that are in the buffet as part of my breakfast, but it was not until disembarkation day that they were available, and I had asked earlier during the cruise and was told they did not have any.

We left the cabin just before 9am and the 24 of us who were on this "excursion" reported to the Shore Excursions desk at 9:30 where we were given excursion stickers and small classic drink package stickers which we were told to affix to our visitors badges which we got later from Security.  Interestingly, we were able to store our carry on items at the Shore Excursion desk for pick up when we finally got back on the ship. We were then escorted off the ship, picked up our luggage and went through Immigration, then dropped off our luggage in a secure area where it could be picked up anytime before 2:30 when we finally left the ship.

Next we were escorted to Celebrity Security where we handed over our passports and exchanged them for Celebrity visitor badges, onto which we stuck our little Classic Beverage stickers. then re-boarded the ship at about 10:45. 

Cafe Al Bacio was open but not much else so we had some decent coffee. At 11:15 the Oceanview Buffet opened and we were able to get lunch and a glass of wine.  Later we picked up our carry on bags at the Shore Excursions desk.  We chose to leave the ship at 1:45, and dropped off our visitors badges and retrieved our passports then picked up our baggage in the secure area then got a taxi to the airport.  We were able to get a taxi that was dropping of new arrivals at that time.

It was fascination to watch as the ship went from almost a ghost town then rapidly filled as embarkation proceeded.  From quiet to crazy.

The cost (which seemed to vary among us on the excursion), the time wasted in the process and the limited facilities open need to be considered against the terrible waiting room at Fort Lauderdale Airport.  For us, we had lots of onboard credits so it was worth it.

 

 

[mamaday]

As we have an evening flight, We were wondering how late we could stay on the ship.  Thanks for posting this info.  What restaurants are available?  Are the pools open?  Did you feel it was worth the cost?  Would you choose this option again.  Thanks!

[Jim_Iain]

10 hours ago, Plato123 said:

We were provided information on procedures for the Extend Your Stay "Excursion" the day prior to arrival in Fort Lauderdale.  We were given special baggage tags which we put on our bags and left outside our cabin the night before arrival.

We could stay in our Cabin/Suite until 9am, one hour longer than normal.  We decided to have breakfast on the buffet which was very busy, then returned to our cabin . We probably could have had breakfast in Luminae as we were in a suite, but chose the buffet instead.

As a side note, I really enjoy the canned figs that are in the buffet as part of my breakfast, but it was not until disembarkation day that they were available, and I had asked earlier during the cruise and was told they did not have any.

We left the cabin just before 9am and the 24 of us who were on this "excursion" reported to the Shore Excursions desk at 9:30 where we were given excursion stickers and small classic drink package stickers which we were told to affix to our visitors badges which we got later from Security.  Interestingly, we were able to store our carry on items at the Shore Excursion desk for pick up when we finally got back on the ship. We were then escorted off the ship, picked up our luggage and went through Immigration, then dropped off our luggage in a secure area where it could be picked up anytime before 2:30 when we finally left the ship.

Next we were escorted to Celebrity Security where we handed over our passports and exchanged them for Celebrity visitor badges, onto which we stuck our little Classic Beverage stickers. then re-boarded the ship at about 10:45. 

Cafe Al Bacio was open but not much else so we had some decent coffee. At 11:15 the Oceanview Buffet opened and we were able to get lunch and a glass of wine.  Later we picked up our carry on bags at the Shore Excursions desk.  We chose to leave the ship at 1:45, and dropped off our visitors badges and retrieved our passports then picked up our baggage in the secure area then got a taxi to the airport.  We were able to get a taxi that was dropping of new arrivals at that time.

It was fascination to watch as the ship went from almost a ghost town then rapidly filled as embarkation proceeded.  From quiet to crazy.

The cost (which seemed to vary among us on the excursion), the time wasted in the process and the limited facilities open need to be considered against the terrible waiting room at Fort Lauderdale Airport.  For us, we had lots of onboard credits so it was worth it.

 

 

thanks for the review.   I was surprised on how long it took for the customs formalities and ability to rejoin the ship.   Which terminal did you use.

[Hawkstar33]

We are doing the same extended stay, on  Silhouette this month.  Usually we have the long sit at the airport in crowded conditions.   Hope we get more then just a few hours out of this excursion.   It was pricey but better then other choices.  

[Plato123]

12 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

thanks for the review.   I was surprised on how long it took for the customs formalities and ability to rejoin the ship.   Which terminal did you use.

Terminal 25, the new one.

[Plato123]

13 hours ago, mamaday said:

As we have an evening flight, We were wondering how late we could stay on the ship.  Thanks for posting this info.  What restaurants are available?  Are the pools open?  Did you feel it was worth the cost?  Would you choose this option again.  Thanks!

The only restaurant available was the Oceanview Cafe and it opened at 11:15.  Can't recall about the pools.

Was it worth it?  If there are any other hotels/resorts that have a day pass option I think that would be better, depending on the price and ease of access.