I must have missed your comment about the ATM's. Perhaps it's a RCCL thing -- they have them on RCCL, Celebrity and Azamara. And you can get a cash advance at the Casino but that will cost you a 3% surcharge. (I've never done it and it might have gone up since the last time anyone mentioned doing it.)
Frank in sunny and warm (81º) SBA
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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I'm back!!!! Not quite back home yet, but I am off the ship and am now at the Courtyard By Marriott Fort Lauderdale. Before I forget: Frank-----YES, this hotel is DEFINITELY two thumbs up, and I highly recommend it. I know on TripAdvisor the Fairfield Inn is one number higher than this one, but this is the first time that TripAdvisor has let me down. If I were doing the ratings, I would put this Courtyard easily at number 1 or 2, and the Fairfield Inn somewhere around 10 or 11---way at the bottom. There simply is NO comparison between the two hotels. So you have definitely chosen the correct hotel, no two ways about it! Now I know better for my next cruise....I will stay at this Courtyard. BTW, it's literally right next to a humungous Bass Pro Shops, so if anyone has any interest in that and needs to blow some time (as I do), that's a great place to do it. I will be heading over there shortly to do some browsing. I want to see the guns and ammo that they sell here which is forbidden in "Kalifornia".
THE CRUISE WAS GREAT!! Sorry I didn't update more from the ship, but there came a point where I just could not purchase any more internet time. I pre-purchased 120 minutes, then purchased 100 minutes more. When I would log-on to get my email, it would take (literally) 30 minute to download 15 emails----sometimes longer. And just to get this web page to appear took a good 10 minutes. I learned that I could access the internet (and email) quicker from my iPhone using the ship's cellular system (just think of the ship as a cell site, except that it is "Roaming" and will cost you extra money. I paid $25 for 100MB of data). That was a much better way to go, albeit still PAINFULLY slow. And I could not post to this forum because my iPhone does not have the password in it (and I don't have my RF password memorized). So basically I was stuck until I could get my laptop online again, which is right now on this Saturday morning at the Courtyard. (Frank--I have pictures of the room for you, and I will email them to you separately). I think I'll go swimming when I get back from Bass Pro Shops---I'm going to continue this vacation as long as possible.
Overall, I have to say that I had a FANTASTIC time, the cruise ship is fantastic, the crew was great, and I loved Grand Turks. I would very much like to return to Grand Turks and just stay there for a week. It was soooooo nice. Once I figure out how to post pictures on this forum (I know there are instructions somewhere---can someone please point me to that page which explains how to post photos?), I'll show you my favorite one of the trip. One look, and you'll know why I loved Grand Turks so much.
I do have a few pet peeves that happened during the cruise, but I think you regular cruisers are probably so used to it that it doesn't phase you. But it was new to me, and to be honest, I really started to get fed up with it. What am I referring to? LINES!!!! This line, that line, this line, that line, this group wait over here, okay now that group go wait in that line, okay that line, now go to that group and wait in that line. EVERYTHING on the ship is done in "lines" or "groups". I do understand that they must somehow handle 2,500 passengers efficiently and this seems to be the way that they do it. But it took me by surprise---LINES EVERYWHERE, NON-STOP!!!! I was ready to pull my hair out by the end of the trip. And unfortunately, this ship was FULL of very rude, very arrogant, very loud and obnoxious folks from NY and NJ. I used to live back east (Philly and Cincinnati) and I know all about the NY/NJ crowd. Well they were out in FULL FORCE on this trip. Just the rudest people you've ever met. I know that not all NY'ers and NJ'ers are like this----but the retirees on cruise ships seems to be the nastiest. They are just so loud that you can't ignore them. They want EVERYONE around them to hear about the "mil that they deposited into my backup account before coming on this cruise, just in case I sawer ("saw") a piece of art that I wanted....ya knows, for my place in the Hamptons". "Oh GAWD Marco that would be FAB!! I think you should gew ("go") for it---just do it baby!!!". Ugh!!!!! If I don't hear another obnoxious NY'er for the next 10 years I'll be a happy camper.
They were also the ones who staked out their poolside chairs at all four pools by 6:30AM and kept them until 6PM. Believe it or not, I never got to swim in any of the pools the whole time I was on the cruise. Also, I never got to lay by the pool either. If you don't "claim" your lounge chair by early morning, "fugetaboutit"---you ain't getting squat. So I found plenty of other things to do, but I sure wish I could have taken a swim and just relaxed by the pool on "At Sea" days. I got in my share of relaxing and swimming in Grand Turks--it was so beautiful and, again, I want to post that picture. This picture will be worth a million words!
Any questions, let me know! By the way, for those who know this area, we departed from Terminal 2 at the Cruise Terminal, and arrived at Terminal 21. There were seven cruise ships unloading this morning, all at the same time.
Okay, time to transfer a bunch of pictures over to my laptop and get caught up on emails now that I can finally see them.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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PS: Regarding the comments above about ATMs. Yes, Princess does indeed have them. I saw two in the casino (and used one of them), and I saw another one outside the Passenger Services desk on Deck 6 adjacent to the Piazza.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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It appears that their restaurant has gone to the Mickey D 'line up and pay up' Bistro format that I found objectionable at Nashville.
Your paragraph #4 is certainly indicative of why I am 'full speed astern' regarding consideration of any future cruises. But then, lest we forget I was born and raised in the New Yawk area (might or might not actually been a resident of New York City during 61-62), but I leave it to the dozen or so here who know me face to face to decide to what extent I fit the described profile.
Posts: 9977 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Yes sir! That is indeed my Courtyard where I am currently sending this message from.
I have no idea about a bistro or a "pay" facility downstairs. Honestly, I didn't even look when I checked-in. I will make sure I go down and look before I checkout. I'll probably leave here shortly anyway to walk over to the Bass Pro Shops. I'll see exactly what it is they have down there as far as food goes.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Oh well, I guess if I want the Buffet Breakfast, I will have to seek out full-service Marriotts. However, what JW does not wish to hear is I just might check out Hilton Garden or Doubletree - their counterparts of Courtyard.
The ironic thing for Marriott is that 'Econobrands', such as Hampton and Holiday Inn Express, have upgraded their 'free' Breakfasts in recent years to meet my definition of 'edible' (unless I'm flying I'll bring metal utensils with me). Marriott's 'Econobrand' Fairfield is not even trying to compete - just one reason Fairfield is 'lower than I go'.
Posts: 9977 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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The Fairfield breakfast was HORRIBLE. As I was eating their version of "food", I was saying to myself, "I am spoiled by Hampton Inn". Their breakfast are always very good, and the staff is always very on top of things to keep the area clean and the food hot and refilled. Now I'm curious to see what this place has. My parents are scheduled to stay at the Fairfield Inn where I stayed, and I already emailed them this week and told them, "CHANGE YOUR PLANS!!!". The Fairfield is just not great. But I would recommend this Courtyard any day.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Glad to hear you enjoyed your cruise. I guess the lines relate to the larger size of the ship. We like the smaller, 1300-1500 passenger ships for that reason, less crowding for all events.
We stayed at the Courtyard once and I agree, it was great.
-------------------- Vicki in usually sunny Southern California Posts: 951 | From: Redondo Beach, CA | Registered: Aug 2006
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GBN: I went downstairs, and you are correct. They have a "Bistro" just off the lobby. I've never seen this before in a Courtyard (but I rarely stay at these particular properties). I looked at the menu, and it's got a lot of decent things. Salads, pizza, burgers, sandwiches, beverages, etc. But there is no "free breakfast" any more (if they ever had one). I also discovered that there is a menu in the room, in the information binder.
Vicki: I learned A LOT of tips/tricks on this cruise. I wrote them all down as I learned them so that I wouldn't forget. So many things that I was unprepared for. But the one biggee was the lines----deep lines, everywhere you go. You can't do ANYTHING without encountering humungous crowds and long waits. I could have done without that.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Smitty, Courtyard, save various promotions, has always been a 'pay' Breakfast.
At Nashville last April, it was just 'cold water' when I realized that all I had to do in the past was sit down at a table, a server would ask ' juice? coffee? and then you would go to the Buffet line and have as much or as little as you want (I'm afraid I was always in the as much gang). The only thing they asked you not to do was go through with a used plate - take a new one. Now I had to go Mickey D, place and pay for my order, which they would bring to the table (Culver's style) - and they STILL expected a tip.
But, as I noted at my Tripadvisor review, I respect the business decision Marriott has made - take away from Breakfast, 'dead space' in the property, and with minimal addition of help, make it into 'all day' (including catering for conferences) and in the process boost alcohol (high margin) sales.
Posts: 9977 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Oh yes, there were plenty of "cruise people" there today imbibing in fresh beverages before their cruise! I'd imagine that's a nice income stream for them. But I still prefer my Hampton Inn free breakfast (minus the alcohol).
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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PS: I need to correct a question that I asked earlier (pre-cruise). I was wondering who the train horns belonged to that I kept hearing. Silly me!! In my cruise excitement, I forgot that I was right next to a Florida Tri-Rail station. Whoopsie! Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Smitty -- SO glad you had a fantastic time on your cruise. Sorry about the lines, but that is inevitable on those huge ships.
Some friends of mine took a small 100-passenger ship to explore the eastern coast of Canada and see polar bears. That trip was organized and run by the California Academy of Sciences, so you know the people in charge know what they are talking about. Passengers learn a LOT, and that is FUN!
Other friends took a summer trip to Antactica run by Lindblad and National Geographic.. Not a big ship, but small, and they were blown away by the beauty of the area. Even had calm seas on the Cape of Good Hope!! (I would have thought that was impossible!!) And, believe it or not, it was not as cold there as it was in most of the US -- only around 32 F!
I am not a cruiser, but if I ever were to go on a cruise, it would be on a small ship, with no more than 150 people. (I did cross the Atlantic in the CP "Empress of France" long ago -- but that is another story for another post. I have drifted this thread enough already! )
I can't wait to see your Grand Turk photo!
Oh -- and when I stay in a hotel, I, too, much prefer an "AYCE" (All You Can Eat) breakfast bar to the Mickey D style.
DO please tell us more about your cruise. Meet any interesting people? And -- how DO ya get from that HUGE ship to the much smaller "tender" (is that the correct term?) that takes you where that huge ship is too big to dock at? Does the gangway work for that?
Glad you enjoyed your trip overall.
Margaret
Posts: 211 | From: California | Registered: Dec 2004
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Here is Marriott's page on 'Bistro at Courtyard'; again, I respect Marriot's business decision to 'go this route'. For any brand within any chain that offers only Breakfast, that represents a lot of space and kitchen facilities that simply were not generating any sales during the rest of the day.
Of course, in some instances, the owners of a property managed by a major chain simply can't or won't 'get with the program'. Here is a former Courtyard at which I had satisfactory stays in the past, but apparently did not wish to upgrade their property to include the Bistro format. Posibly the apparent requirement to serve alcohol was a factor, or maybe the owners did not, or could not, go into hock for the required renovations to remain a Courtyard.
Finally, I've poked around at other Courtyard properties at which I've stayed in the past - they all, save the noted Roswell property that is no longer a Courtyard, have 'gone Bistro'.
Posts: 9977 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Sorry about the typo in the e-mail I sent. It's the same one that Vicki discovered on spell check on iPhones.
We are at the Courtyard, the room is fine and the Bistro is busy. We are headed out to dinner at the Tropical Acres Steakhouse. One of our cruise friends swears by it -- been in business here for over 60 years.
As you noted, Tri-Met is within easy walking distance of the hotel. I'd go for a ride if we have more time. We are leaving for the ship at 10:45AM tomorrow. We've booked a hotel shuttle just for our group of 7. We've found that that works really well for us instead of signing up for the "general boarding" and having to wait or go very early or very late.
We just watched Allure of the Seas sail -- the last ship for today. Our ship, Celebrity Constellation, is scheduled to sail at 4:30PM tomorrow, Monday. If anyone can get some screenshots I'd really appreciate it.
Frank in cool and cloudy FLL
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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What a small world, isn't it? You guys are in the exact same hotel that I just checked out of a little over 24 hours ago!
BTW, my shuttle driver (on the way in---pre-cruise) told me about Tropical Acres Steakhouse. I was almost going to walk down to it, but I got too tired and ended up just ordering a pizza and having it delivered to my room. According to him, the steakhouse is outstanding and it is a "safe" walk, day or night, and is about three blocks away. (Did you see across the way from the Courtyard there is a Marriott Residence Inn under construction now? Now they will have three different Marriott properties all within a block of each other).
I will try to grab a screen shot of your ship leaving tomorrow, Monday, at 4:30PM EST (1:30PM my time). I'll set my alarm right now.
Let me know how the steakhouse is. My parents will be there (at the Courtyard) in 6 weeks. They're taking a 17 day trip and going through the Panama Canal. The cruise will end in Los Angeles instead of returning to Ft. Lauderdale.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Margaret: I'm still trying to figure out how to post a picture!! Can someone PLEASE give me the link that was here several months ago by the Moderator? It showed us how to add a picture to the forum, but now I can't find those instructions. I know it was really easy, but I don't recall how to do it. Shivam added the instructions at the Moderator's request, I believe, but I can't find them any more. I'd love to add my favorite shot of the entire trip. It's so RELAXING just to look at.
As far as how they work the "Tenders" (you are correct---that is the term they use), with 2,500 passengers it's sort of a pain in the you-know-what. They use a ticketing system where you first have to stand in line to get a ticket. Once you get a ticket (free---no charge), you are assigned to go wait somewhere---usually a large bar or large dining room. Then they will call "All blue ticket holders" and you then form ANOTHER line. You walk in this line from Deck 5 downstairs to Deck 4. On this particular ship, Deck 4 is off-limits to passengers except for the medical area (where the doctor's office is located) as well as access to the tenders. Basically what happens is that a HUGE metal door on the ship opens and folds down. As it comes down, it forms a "dock". It has posts for the tenders to tie up to and everything. So you walk out this big rectangular "hole" in the side of the ship that they opened up, and now you are standing ON that piece of metal that they opened up and is now a dock. They also have a moveable walkway type of thing that halfway sits on the dock and halfway sits on the tender. That way, you can safely walk between the ship and the tender without falling in the water in-between the two! The tender, of course, is one of many lifeboats that the ship has. I've noticed that they have many different "models" and styles of tenders/life boats. I heard a staff member give a "body count" of how many were on-board my tender, and he said "Ninety Two!". There were no available seats left, so I'm guessing that their capacity is 92 people. It is crowded, bench-style seating and it is HOT. No air-conditioning and NO comforts at all. It's just basic transpiration to get you from the ship to the shore and you're only in the thing for about 10 minutes.
Once you reach shore and get off the tender, you are now free to do whatever you want. They are constantly running tenders back and forth between the shore and the ship ALL DAY LONG. You never have to wait for a tender because as they are filling one up with passengers, another one is coming in and will pull right behind that one. It's very efficient, and is very easy to get back and forth from ship to shore and vice-versa.
The way they keep track of you is your "Cruise Card". It looks just like a credit card, except it has your cabin number on it, your name, the dates of your cruise, name of the ship, and what "level" you are with Princess (Gold, Platinum, Elite, etc). Every time you leave the ship, they have a hand-held device that's just slightly larger than your average cell phone, and they scan the bar code on the back. When they scan it, a photo of you pops up to make sure that you're using YOUR card and not someone else's. That's because this card is basically your Passport as well, because you are in a different country and there is no "Customs" or anything to go through----the ship is responsible for that, so they keep tabs on you with the cruise card. The way they get your photo is when you first board the ship at the beginning of the cruise, they take your picture and then associate that picture with your card. I could see it on their device---every time they scanned my card, my face appeared on the screen of their device. Also, every time you get back on the ship, you have to go through security. They have metal detectors just like in airports that you have to walk through, and they also have x-ray machines where you put all of your "stuff" down on the conveyor belt and it goes through the machine where some staff person is watching the monitor to make sure you're not bringing any weapons, etc, on board. I always wondered how they made sure that people are bringing guns on board from a foreign country---well, now I know how! They screen you every time.
Oh I wish I could post this one particular picture! I'll search again to see if I can find it. But if someone finds it before I do, PLEASE let me know where it is so that I can post it. Thanks!
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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I hope this works. We're about to find out! This is a picture I took from the beach at Turks and Caicos (Grand Turk Island). It's even MORE beautiful than it appears!
I think if you click on that photo, you can see some other photos that I just uploaded to Flickr as well. Check 'em out if you'd like to!
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Oh how funny! I didn't know my other pictures showed up in there also. Obviously, I don't understand how Flickr works. LOL!! I don't mind if my other photos show up---there's nothing secret in there. I think it's just funny that I didn't realize all that other stuff is in there. The private jet pictures and video are pretty neat. That's a deal I bought through "Jet Suite"---a private jet charter company. I've used them twice now. That one was a little test flight from San Jose to Monterey. I used them one other time by myself from San Jose to Las Vegas. That was great!
Margaret: I forgot to mention that I included some pictures of tenders, as well as a picture of me standing at the tender location on shore (Eleuthera) looking out at where the ship is docked to give you an idea of how far away the ship docks from land. There is one picture where I took picture from on-board the ship, looking down at the tenders in the water. I showed that picture to someone else, and they asked me, "What are those rectangles that are under water?". Well, those aren't underwater rectangles.....they are napkins folded at the table and reflecting off the window! Heh heh....I took that picture with my iPhone from the buffet restaurant on the ship, but I didn't know the napkins were getting in the way. Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Smitty -- when I clicked on your photo link, I got a message saying my browser is unsupported, so I'll have to upgrade to a new version of Internet Explorer, but I hate downloading "upgrades," since I usually end up either paying for something, or I end up unknowingly signing up for some other service, like credit reporting or something. I am NOT as "techy" with computers as I was 20 years ago........
Posts: 2428 | From: Grayling, MI | Registered: Mar 2002
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RRRICH: Hmmm, I don't know much about PCs (I'm strictly an Apple guy), but if you are getting a message like that, I would think it would be worth it to update your browser. It must be many years old at this point if it can't handle Flickr.
How about just getting a free browser, such as Google's "Chrome" or Mozilla's "Firefox". They are both excellent browsers and download fast and setup fast. I haven't used Internet Explorer in at least 10 years (probably more like 20 years) on any of my machines.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Smitty -- Thanks so much for posting those pix! LOVE the sunset (or was it sunrise?) pix! And you cat is absolutely adorable. (that is her main job, isn't it? ) How sweet!
That is one HUGE ship! And that tender looked small! Thanks for the explanation of exactly how a person manages to transfer from a huge ship like yours to a very small tender. I didn't think that a regular gangway would work -- too narrow to handle all those people. The entire part of the ship folks out? What a great idea!
I've been to the Bahamas, and know how beautiful a tropical island can be. And swimming around in the nice warm water when I was there was like being in a giant aquarium. (Warm ocean water is a strange feeling for this long-time northern California resident -- the Pacific is COLD! Brrr!)
That biz-jet flight sounded fun! Surf Air flies biz jets from SoCal to San Carlos Airport (KSQL) on a regular schedule, which I had no idea was going on until recently. I had thought that San Carlos Airport was strictly GA prop planes -- until I found out about Surf Air. Imagine that -- regularly scheduled flights to and from there -- 6 a day! You have to buy a monthly subscription ($1650/month, I think) to be allowed to fly with them.They treat you like royalty, from what I read. Nice!
Posts: 211 | From: California | Registered: Dec 2004
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FYI, Frank and Norm's ship (Celebrity Constellation) should be appearing on the Port Evergaldes webcam any minute now. The Island Princess just departed, and the Celebrity Equinox is passing through right now. His should be next up.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Margaret--I'm glad you like my pics! And my kitty cat is actually a "he". I named him Zephyr---I'm sure you can guess where I got that name from!
Surf Air is something I've been following along with some fellow aviation enthusiast friends of mine. They actually fly propellor airplanes (one single prop in the front), however, it is a jet-prop. The cabin is pressurized, and it's a really neat little airplane. Surf Air landed at LVK (Livermore) a few days ago---nobody knows why. It's not part of their route (yet). That would be neat if they had regular flights there, because I'm right down the street and it would give me something new to shoot.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Smitty -- Zephyr is a darling! Irresistible, like all cats! GREAT name!
Re: Surf Air: the crybabies in Atherton were complaining a lot about Surf Air flying "too low" over their homes (can you say "McMansions"?). Those Atherton residents also complained about the possible "dangers" of those Surf Air turbo-props possibly crashing. I never read one word, however, from them complaining about possible dangers from all the local GA planes that fly in and out of San Carlos and Palo Alto. Landing at Livermore? That's very unusual! A Google search showed that that flight went from San Carlos to Livermore to San Jose, as Surf Air Flight #URF 997 on Jan. 17. (Thank you, FlightAware! )
How'd you manage to get a ride on that Surf Air Pilatus?
Posts: 211 | From: California | Registered: Dec 2004
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That's interesting for Surf Air----San Carlos to Livermore to San Jose???? I wonder if they were doing a maintenance flight or something?
BTW, the pictures and video on my Flickr page are not Surf Air. That's actually a twin-engine biz-jet called a "Phenom 100". The jet charter name is Jet Suite (their on-air call sign is "Red Stripe"). I'm lucky enough to have chartered them twice: SJC-MRY, and SJC-LAS. The trip to LAS was AMAZING. They pulled up to the private jet center (across the tarmac from the airline terminal), and a limo drove out and met me at the plane! It was very cool. People were looking like, "I wonder who that guy is???". LOL!!!
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Just checking in from Celebrity Constellation.
We had a very good day in Cozumel yesterday. It was in the low 70's, sunny and breezy. Fish tacos and a Margarita at Pancho's Backyard were my only contribution to the local economy.
We liked Cozumel so much we turned around and went back at around 11:30PM. There was a medical emergency and we met a Mexican Coast Guard ship about half way. No details yet.
We were invited to the Staff Captain's Table for dinner on Tuesday Night and today have a Bridge Tour.
Tomorrow morning CBP will board in Key West for Immigration clearance. Our designated time is 7:45AM. A little early for us but we can get an early start that way.
Frank in the sunny and calm Caribbean
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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I'm very jealous! Sounds like a lot of fun. I've been following the Ruby Princess on their live bridge cam, and it looks like your ship is following behind them with the exact route by one full day. The Ruby is back in port this morning at FLL.
A bridge tour?? Lucky you! I tried to get a bridge tour, and I went to the Passenger Services Desk to ask about it. She said, "Sure, no problem!" and brought out a binder to put my name on the list. There were only six people signed up. I said, "Only SIX people???". She then said, "Well, the bridge tour is $150 per person". Whoa---what???? That's one thing about the cruise that really irked me. NOTHING was free or inclusive of your fare (except cabin and normal eating areas). Anything extra and you had to pay $$$$$.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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We are in the United Club at FLL after a very smooth disembarkation and transfer to the airport. We opted to take a later flight from IAH so won't get to ride the 787. We are getting $200.00 each in travel credits.
Yesterday in Key West we rode the Conch Train to see as much as we could as quickly and easily as possible. We did get off at the Flagler Station stop and enjoyed the small museum there and the video about the FEC.
Frank in cloudy and cool FLL
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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Glad to hear all went well. You're probably on the plane on the way home about now. It's always a let-down to come home after such a trip, isn't it? You get hungry for something and you have to actually make it yourself! Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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We're at The Club -- Lifetime Memerships have turned out to be one of our better investments. They no longer sell them. Mine expires in December, 2099.
Home to SBA tonight and looking forward to our next cruise -- a 15 night Panamá Canal in March.
Frank in clear and cool IAH
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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Last March, flying United to MIA, I sure had the feeling they were some kind of jerkwater airline in the Florida market. Many of their KORD-KMIA flights are operated by puddle jumpers.
But maybe Continental (it seems like you FA's talk of it as two airlines; at least listening to my neighbor it seems that way) has enough business through IAH to support a club.
Sorry bout the almighty $$$ interfering with a flight on a 787 (guess you traveled 'rev'); think I would have stayed put just to say I'd flown on one. It seems last July when I was about to have my 'almost' PRJ joyride, I was giving thought to a KORD-KIAH-KMSY routing as the first leg would have been on a 787.
If I am to think of such this year, somehow I think I'd have to 'tuck it up' and endure Southwest KMDW-KMSY along with the cattle chute boarding process. At least they offer refundable fares and with Ellis' track record of last minute cancellations, not sure if I want to look at a $200 exchange fee on your outfit (I've said same to her; all I get is a 'smirk' in return).
Posts: 9977 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Are we following each other around on cruise ships?? My parents are taking a 15 night Panama Canal trip in March as well. They leave out of FLL again, and end up in Los Angeles. It's on Princess though, and you'll probably be on Celebrity?
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Southwest was great on our trip. On time on both segments, seating in the A group (with timely on line check in) and best of all friendly flight attendants. On our ATL-MSY flight, it was a cold day and I got their famous (according to the FA) hot chocolate. It was great and I remarked as such to her. I commented that only way it could have been better was if there was a dash of Kahlua in it. She returned shortly with a refill and bottle of Bailey's. Compliments of SW, she said, for our inconvenience in relocating several rows because of a noisy mother and child behind us. Our return, DAL-ATL, arrived early, and had room to spread out. I understand SW will be moving some flights to DFW next year, but Love field terminal was very nice and easy to get around.
As to Pullman Co., our SCA on the CONO worked it regularly and said he hadn't seen their cars since early last fall. It was supposed to have been on our train, but MIA. Perhaps the cold weather?
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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They did an equipment swap on the flight that was scheduled to be the 787 so it wasn't a question of a 787 or $200.00. Yes, we were "real people" this time -- a Saturday with 6 cruise ships in town is not a good day to be a non-rev.
The Club at FLL was formerly a Presidents Club and likely before that an Eastern Ionosphere Club. It's at Gate C1 which is where our FLL-IAH flight departed. The only non-revs boarded were a pilot and a F/A in uniform who both rode jump seats.
All--
The only downside to this trip was that someone took my bright yellow "Wrong One" tag from my suitcase! I think it may have happened when my bag was in the corridor waiting to be picked up on the last night on board. 50% of the people on the cruise were on some sort of a beverage package and there was more of a party cruise atmosphere than we are used to on Celebrity. Ever the optimist I'm hoping they will return it when they find my name and address inside the tag. At least my bright red "Remove Before Flight" tag made it.
Smitty--
Yes, we will be on Celebrity Century. I believe we sail on March 6th.
Frank in overcast and drizzly (!!) SBA
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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Okay, my parents sail on March 2nd---Island Princess.
It sure looked like a party ship to me when it left port (on the webcam). Those pictures I sent you, you can see all of the partiers getting into it early! The funny thing about that Port Everglades webcam is when they turn on the sound as it approaches and passes the camera. You can actually hear the Princess employee on the PA up on top at the pool getting everybody all worked up. The thing they were doing on one of the Princess ships that I watched go by was the same thing they did on the Ruby. It must be a standard script. BTW, there were employees walking around upon departure from the cruise port with trays of cocktails. It was a mango thing I think (I'm not a drinker really, so I didn't have one). But so many people were grabbing one and saying "Thanks!", and then the employee would have to tell them, "Excuse me, but I need your cruise card for the cabin charge of $15.00 plus gratuity". GULP!! 15 bucks for those stupid drinks. They start nickel and dining you the instant you step on-board those Princess ships. I couldn't believe it.
Frank: I think I know where that club is at FLL. My VA flight departed from C9. Right after I went through the TSA checkpoint, I saw a club on the right. It was basically un-marked except for a small sign that I think said, "Airline Club" or something like that. It did not specify an airline. Is that where you were?
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Since we are discussing anything and everything other that what Miss Vickie had in mind when she originated this topic, here is a plaything I discovered for the airfans around here:
Plotted here was my first Trans Pacific flight in this life July 1967 going to 'UNOWARE'. It was in a 707-400 (edited to correct: 707-324C) operated for MAC (now AMC) by Continental.
Only rub, it appears only to support ICAO codes. No biggie with me, but everybody else (including my FA neighbor).....?
Posts: 9977 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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