VeronicaS1970

We are flying out of Newark to Vancouver next May nonstop on Air Canada.

We return to Seattle, and are flying nonstop back to Newark on Alaska airlines.

I cannot do plane changes with 81 yo FIL and 24 yo DD- it is like herding cats traveling with them so one time on and one time off is a must.

I am a bit concerned now about Air Canada reading these posts

We cruise every February out of Bayonne. We are 2.5 hours north in upstate NY, and so long as I get on that ship I really don't care. Last year it was -14 when we left home and only 11 when we set sail. First sea day we were comfortable in the Solarium, but then it takes a lot to deter us from lounge chairs facing the ocean.

We don't usually get seasick, so the motion of the seas doesn't bother us much.

We love our winter cruise that we don't have to fly to. 

Been on 20 RC cruises. Have never made prime, much less been offered so much as a free soda much less a free cruise.

Went on 1 Celebrity 4 night cruise and got a postcard with numerous fee inside cabin options. 

Celebrity is very clear on how you earn points for table games, where as RC is very ambiguous. 

Not worth worrying about IMO.

Typically it is the American 00 in RC casinos, though some ships that also cruise Europe have both 0 and 00.  

I have not seen 000 yet, but guess it is only a matter of time. House needs more advantages

Effy most likely. 

We stayed in 1852 on Liberty, have to say it was one of our favorites. The windows are full length and the view is spectacular. It was just a shame that we had so much fog we couldn't see much! But would definitely book again.

We are booked on Ovation 8 night Alaska cruise next May, 9-17th.  Leaves out of Vancouver but returns to Seattle.  Doing one night pre cruise in Vancouver and one night post cruise in Seattle. Airfare is now available for purchase, question is should I wait or do it now? We are a party of 4 , flying in/out of Newark because I want direct flights.  The outbound leaves Newark at 6pm EST, in Vancouver at 9 pm local time. Return flights work best for us leaving Seattle 9 am PST and getting back to Newark 5:30EST.  I still have a 2.5 hour drive home, but since I am the only one who sleeps on the plane not an issue.

I guess my biggest concern is not getting those flights or prices going up, but I have never booked flights to anywhere other than Florida, so just not sure how to do this.  Any advice appreciated!

Try a Mastercard. Mango and strawberry daiquiris, kina like a lava flow or Miami Vice.

Everyone likes something different. Just found Libertys casino meh.

Casino on Celebrity Summit was worse. Looked like a 80's riverboat casino, and it was TINY.  But the drinks were free so.....

22 hours ago, Train4304 said:

Any specific reason or just overall didn’t like it?

High minimums on tables, for roulette no board to show you what numbers have come out.  We had 1 good dealer, rest were ok or poor. Strange layout and also very dark. 

I did not see any when we were on a few weeks ago. I will say that that was one of the worst ships casinos we have ever experienced.

I am not going to eat tacos out of the back of a truck, but will gladly eat local when visiting ports. We usually ask locals what's good or where do they eat. Best way to experience a culture is through food.   

One more this year, one for Feb 24 and Alaska in May 24. Am researching for Oct 24. Our new schedule is every Feb, May and Oct.  Looking at some other lines for Oct 24, and have found some interesting choices.  

We too use Allianz and have the yearly policy. Just a better value for us due to the amount of travel we are doing now.

We have always used a third party, but thankfully have never had to actually use it.

Can't go wrong at Paradise Beach. We also have done Playa Mia, it was ok but I like Paradise better.

Cruising since 2003, exclusively with Royal until last month, when we tried Celebrity for the first time. Now that we are at a point in our life where we can cruise 3 times per year ( darned work gets in the way, grrr), and we are D+ but FAR from reaching Pinnacle, we are looking to branch out. 

I am looking at MSC for next year, they status match so my Royal D+ equals Gold ( second highest) tier in their Voyagers Club. Plus they offer free drinks and wifi promotion and their newest ships look absolutely amazing.

We will continue to sail Royal probably 2 out of the 3 times, but want to see what else we might like, except Carnival, I refuse.

Stupid question- since there are no freestyle machines, is anything besides soda available with the soda package, such as juice at the bar or Powerade in the bottles that they have at cafe promenade?

We leave on Tuesday, just trying to figure out how much soda I will be drinking.

Thanks!

Celebrity had very nice towels when we sailed recently. And they put one one every chair, no signing out. And cuts down on chair hogs. 

It's nice that they treat us like competent adults

Every time we go to Nassau I buy cigars for my boss. There is a guy who sells them in a liquor store on Bay Street, he only has one leg. Nice guy, I get 3 for $40. I know full well they aren't really Cuban, but the boss says they are some of the best he has had.  I cannot comment as I don't smoke them, but he likes to have one with a glass(or 2) of good Scotch. All about keeping the man who signs my paycheck happy!

Wishing you luck on the upgrade! We bid on one for our Liberty cruise next month. Fingers crossed we can get it, would be super nice to have a suite!

Just an aside- next week is spring break for MANY northeast schools, so these ships are going to be full of folks who paid top $$$ to cruise that week.  Yeah, not a snowballs chance on CocoCay you are getting some stranger to switch with you. 

You cannot book GTY one parent/one child then expect others to change to accommodate your desires. This entitlement stuff needs to stop honestly. And nope, not switching seats on the plane either. Paid to choose my seat, I am going to occupy it, not interested in your sob story. 

Favorite (thus far) Odyssey. She was only 4 months old when we sailed her, just loved it. We also do Anthem frequently since she sails from Bayonne and that's an easy drive for us. 

Least favorite- I would have to say Adventure. Were on her this past August, she was worn and tired.

We have sailed every class so far, the Quantum class ranks first for me, then Radiance class, then Freedom class. 

We are back on Oasis this fall, and will sail on Symphony next year. Will see if we enjoy it, our first Oasis cruise was meh.

As always, JMHO and YMMV.

We are on Ovation next year.  Me and hubby in one cabin, daughter and father in law in another. Booked 2 balconies, one on each side of the ship! This way we won't miss any great sights, and there is privacy for us!

Thanks again! I put in my bid, we will see what happens!

Thanks! I am going to bid then, worst thing is I don't get it.