Showing posts with label Fort Lauderdale. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fort Lauderdale. Show all posts

Monday, December 6, 2021

Celebrity Apex Embarkation Day

Celebrity Cruise Terminal FLL
Welcome to Port Everglades

Celebrity Apex sails from Port Everglades Terminal 25.  When we first arrived, our shuttle bus driver first went to where Celebrity Reflection was docked.  Everyone on the bus started yelling this is the wrong terminal.

We gathered our hand luggage and checked our bag with a porter.  If you download the Celebrity app, like we did, the embarkation process will be quick and efficient.  Here are highlights from embarkation day.

Prior to arriving at the pier we used the Celebrity app to complete the check-in documents. There are a series of health questions to answer as well as uploading a copy of your vaccination record. 

During the check-in process on the app an embarkation time is generated.  This allows for less congestion making social distancing possible.   Since our group was having a general session with the CEO of Celebrity at 2 PM, we were given priority boarding which superseded the generated times.

Upon arrival at the pier we showed our passports, vaccination cards, negative Covid-19 test results, and the express check-in on the app. After going thru security, we had to show our passports and express check-in on our app a couple more times and then we were on the ship. 

Once we were onboard the ship, we put our masks away as they were not required onboard unless passengers wanted to wear them. The crew wore masks the whole time. On land, masks were recommended.

The embarkation process went very smoothly for the most part.  Celebrity representatives ask you to have all the necessary documents ready to be checked, but there are always a few people that aren't as organized.  That was the only delay as they fumbled around trying to find all their documentation.

After boarding we headed to our cabin and dropped off our carryon baggage.  We then went up to Oceanview Café for some lunch.  We'll dedicate another post to the café.

Muster Drill
Not a Fan of Muster Drill?

It's not our favorite thing to do on a cruise either, but safety is the number one priority of the cruise line and crew.  However, thanks to Covid-19, the muster drill has changed.

We watched the required video on our Celebrity app and then could go to our assigned muster station (which can be found on your cabin card) at your convenience.  They simply scan your card and you are all set.
If you have any questions, they will answer them there.


Thanks to the new protocols, embarkation is a smooth process giving you more time to enjoy the ship while maintaining a safe environment for guests.


Apex Mini-Series
#2021TogetherConference
Mini-Series

Click on the image on the right to continue our mini-series on Celebrity Apex and our national conference cruise.   Our ship was only 65% full but the crew was at 100% staffing.   This is a great time to be cruising.

Cruising has always been the best vacation value and it still remains so.  Also, it is one of the safest things you can do right now.   The cruise line controls the  environment and with new protocols in place they have been providing safe vacations for thousands of guests for several months now.



I recently completed extensive training and have become Travel Safety Verified. As your dedicated Travel Advisor, your safety is our priority, and it's our job to ensure you have the necessary information you need to give you confidence and peace of mind when making your future travel plans. Click the link to review our Travel Safety program with valuable resources that will answer many of your questions.




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Friday, November 12, 2021

Get Ready to Sail On Celebrity Apex

It's National Conference Time 

Each year World Travel Holdings has a national conference for all Cruises Inc., CruiseOne, and Dream Vacations travel professionals. Last year our conference was held virtually due to Covid-19. It was to have taken place on the brand-new Celebrity Apex, but the ship was grounded like the rest of the cruise industry. Finally we are all back together in person for our annual event. We are still holding it aboard Celebrity Apex which has just come over from Europe to begin her Caribbean season out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. 

Follow along on our social media platforms for an inside look at the ship and how the crew of Celebrity Apex hosts their largest group to date. We have over 800 people in attendance making up 45% of the ship's capacity on this sailing. Tonight we will be kicking things off with a preconference cocktail party at Le Méridien Dania Beach at Fort Lauderdale Airport . Tomorrow morning we will take a shuttle to the pier and board our ship for the next 7 days.

#2021TogetherConference

The theme for this year's conference is Together.   What a fitting theme since this is the first time in over 18 months that we are able to meet face to face with each other.   Normally we'd also have had regional conferences in addition to our national event.   As travel professionals, we are always continuing our education on the products we sell, destinations, and other industry knowledge.  Being together gives us the opportunity to network with our peers as well as others in the industry from our various travel partners.

We flew into Fort Lauderdale this morning and it's already great to see our friends in the industry, shake hands and give hugs to each other.   This will be an emotional week for all of us.  We are thrilled to be sharing it with you, our loyal readers and new followers.  

 
I recently completed extensive training and have become Travel Safety Verified. As your dedicated Travel Advisor, your safety is our priority, and it's our job to ensure you have the necessary information you need to give you confidence and peace of mind when making your future travel plans. Click the link to review our Travel Safety program with valuable resources that will answer many of your questions.




Where have you explored? 

Gather your travel and food pics and join us every Wednesday afternoon at 4 PM Eastern for the latest installment of #FoodTravelChat





Thursday, May 27, 2021

EdgeCiting News Someday is Here

Celebrity Edge Magic Carpet
Click (here) for Celebrity Edge Itineraries



CELEBRITY CRUISES LEADS INDUSTRY WITH FIRST CRUISE SHIP APPROVED TO SAIL FROM A US PORT

 "Someday is here." 

That was the one-line tweet Celebrity Cruises CEO and President Lisa Lutoff-Perlo used to announce the news yesterday that on Saturday, June 26, the exquisite Celebrity Edge will be the first cruise ship to sail from US waters in more than a year. Captain Kate McCue, the first and still only American female Captain, will have the honor of leading the fleet — and the industry — back into operation.

Celebrity Edge will depart Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, setting sail on a seven-night cruise of the Caribbean in what promises to be a historic moment for the brand and the industry. Celebrity Edge was given the green light by the CDC to be the first ship back in the water, having met all new standards for providing a healthy cruise experience for its guests and crew.

Celebrity Edge will sail with a vaccinated crew. US Guests 16 years and older must be fully vaccinated with all COVID-19 vaccine doses administered at least 14 days prior to sailing. As of August 1, 2021, all US Guests age 12 and older must be fully vaccinated. Requirements for Non-U.S. guests vary, for details please visit https://www.celebritycruises.com/healthy-at-sea

Additional testing and protocols will be confirmed closer to your client’s sailing departure date in line with the most up to date recommendations from local government and health officials as well as our Healthy Sail Panel. These measures, including vaccination and testing requirements, will evolve along with public health standards.

Celebrity Edge will sail alternating 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings from Fort Lauderdale, FL through October 30th.  She will sail an 8-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary on November 6th.




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I recently completed extensive training and have become Travel Safety Verified. As your dedicated Travel Advisor, your safety is our priority, and it's our job to ensure you have the necessary information you need to give you confidence and peace of mind when making your future travel plans. Click the link to review our Travel Safety program with valuable resources that will answer many of your questions.




Where have you explored? 

Gather your travel and food pics and join us every Wednesday night for the latest installment of #FoodTravelChat

Saturday, December 7, 2019

Pre-Cruise Fort Lauderdale


Early Morning Chicago to Fort Lauderdale

Vacations should not be stressful, so we recommend flying to your embarkation port a day early.  We took our own advice and stayed at Hampton Inn near O'Hare last night, so that we could get to the airport for our early morning flight without hassle.


Staybridge Suites Fort Lauderdale Airport

We arrived in Fort Lauderdale around noon and headed to Staybridge Suites Fort Lauderdale Airport West.  Please be aware that there are two Staybridge Suites in Fort Lauderdale, so be sure to select this one if you are looking for a hotel near the airport and pier.  After checking in we arranged the shuttle to the pier for 10 AM and headed up to our room.

On Saturdays, the hotel serves breakfast only.  They have a pantry where you could by frozen foods to prepare in your room.  We decided to check what was near-by instead.

There was a brand-new Wendy's four blocks away and Happy Pappy's restaurant.  We picked up sub sandwiches and brought them back to the hotel for dinner and ate lunch at Wendy's.  This way we wouldn't have to go out again.

Also close by is the the brand new Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. We had an amazing view of it from our sixth floor hotel room window.

 Check out this video for an example of the Guitar Facade Light show

Tomorrow we will have breakfast at the hotel and then take the shuttle to the pier.   Be sure to follow us on our social media throughout the cruise.


Edge Mini-Series (click)








@ChrisPappinMCC

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Where have you explored? 

Gather your travel and food pics and join us every Wednesday night for the latest installment of #FoodTravelChat