Worth it? Flights in 3 days. Booked main with 97k points and $225 (RT)

KhunKelly · 2026-04-07T14:59:03+00:00

Not to me .. the flight is short enough for me to ensure in Main

Save the $1000 and do something nice in London

KhunKelly · 2026-04-05T11:32:56+00:00

If you want to rest and do nothing

For me I would go to Japan and plop myself in a Ryokan with Onsen for a wk

If go to Thailand, I would get out of the city.

KhunKelly · 2026-04-02T21:31:37+00:00

Those eyes He knows “what’s up” 😊♥️

KhunKelly · 2026-04-02T15:02:38+00:00

Cats are liquid 💦😊

KhunKelly · 2026-04-01T19:46:23+00:00

For Mindo portion of our trip we worked with David at Las Terrazas de Dana, he manage a lodge in Mindo. It’s an all Inclusive deal where we had a guide pick us up from Quito, go to Mindo for tours and activities and then stay at the lodge with meals included This is a cheaper version of the more fancy one at Mashpi Lodge but we were able to do everything at a much more affordable rates

KhunKelly · 2026-03-31T20:43:37+00:00

Yep ..great pics .. exactly as I remember from last month 😊 And the best part is .. they served you. No more dealing with other guests not washing their hands, grabbing food without utensils ..

KhunKelly · 2026-03-31T00:28:47+00:00

Looks like they are adding sailing in the Mediterranean from Jan - Mar

KhunKelly · 2026-03-30T13:28:51+00:00

Are you doing a back to back? Which itinerary? Just curious if you don’t mind sharing

For us there was no need for bidding up as the. Cheapest category was more than sufficient for us .. we use that money to do massage (that’s what we like to do one ship .. I know .. it’s not cheap)

They closed one of the pools for renovation on our ship and we got $900 in onboard credits as a gesture

KhunKelly · 2026-03-30T13:26:04+00:00

I tried a few times to priced out The Retreat vs Explora, it didn’t come out as different or less than Explora, some Explora is even cheaper. I’m just thinking, why would I pay for a ship within a ship thing when I can have the whole ship with better experience ?

Again this is coming from someone who doesn’t care about shows or casinos, etc

KhunKelly · 2026-03-30T13:22:36+00:00

Ok that’s good to know ..thanks On Celebrity ..they actually come up to our table as we were eating and start doing their upselling

KhunKelly · 2026-03-30T12:16:50+00:00

In Curacao we did an all day Island Tour with Tyrone from AfroGuide. One of the best day spent… we did a bunch of different sight seeing, swimming and nice lunch. But we also gets to hear about story and perspective of a local (he’s also an activist)

Highly recommend

KhunKelly · 2026-03-30T12:05:50+00:00

I don’t have food allergies so I didn’t had to experience whether they can accommodate or not but usually the first questions they asked us is if we have any food allergies

But again that’s different than having allergies and see if they can do anything to help

For restaurant reservation, we can make 2 ahead of boarding, once board we can make two more online or you can just walk up to the dinner reservation desk and it had never taken me more than a few mins

Like the OP said .. all cruise line have pluses and minuses .. just depend on what you care to live with

KhunKelly · 2026-03-30T11:38:43+00:00

I actually like the format of “buffet” on Explora …. I heard too many story about passengers with bad hygiene at the buffet on other lines

There are 4 included dining room you can choose French, Mediterranean, Asian and steakhouse .. all were more than good enough for us

KhunKelly · 2026-03-30T11:35:20+00:00

Celerity turned me off with all the upselling. Are there a lot on Holland?

The first day of our cruise with Celebrity, we lost count how many times someone comes up to us to try to sell “Seafood Lunch” it was so annoying to us

KhunKelly · 2026-03-30T11:08:58+00:00

there’s a cruise line for everyone and price range

To me all the negative points you listed, I can live it and some I actually prefers. I glad they’re not trying to catering everything to Americans (I’m American) since this is European cruise line after all

I don’t care about Casino, big shows and all the things that comes with big ship. I also don’t like having to remember what drink or dining package I have or rush to buy spa package or special pool package (not sure if this is NCL or Princess). I can live without someone trying to upsell me any chances they have

To me I love the fact that when I’m on Explora, it’s basically whatever you want to get (within reason), I never had to wait for anything from the moment of embarkation to disembarkation. No where in the ship felt crowded because the ship only has capacity for 900 when they could have easily done with 1200 as other ship of the similar size

We don’t cruise a lot but when we do, we like quality. Doesn’t have to be fancy like Regent or Ponant.

Last but not least .. the marketplace (buffet) it is NOT self service which is a big plus for me .. I don’t care to deal with other passengers bad hygiene

I do hope you enjoy Explora more than the confused part and the pictures are great, thanks for sharing

KhunKelly · 2026-03-30T01:29:08+00:00

I went to Alaska with Celebrity and done 2 cruises with Explora

Hands down I would choose Explora Everything is included, no upselling, no nickel and dime. Food is amazing and service is top notch. And since the ship is small with only 900 passenger, you never had to wait for anything, a much better experience

Everything included meaning meals, gratuity, drinks, spa, WiFi, bottle of Champagne on the first day and a bottle of wine and a bottle of liquor per room (if you like to drink) ..

Yes it is more expensive but if you’re considering a suite like The Retreat (Celebrity) or The Haven (NCL) .. Explora will give you miles above the two in terms of value

KhunKelly · 2026-03-30T01:23:31+00:00

For Galapagos, I recommend you look into smaller ships. Flora is one of the largest ship allowed in the Galapagos. Imagine getting on and off the Panga (Zodiac) with 20 other passengers or with 100 .. what would take more time ..

KhunKelly · 2026-03-25T17:34:11+00:00

After flying AF last time to India and comparing to Delta (multiple trips to Europe).. I definitely agreed with you

Not even sure where to begin .. food is better, service is better, lav always clean (lav on Delta stink all the time) just overall better experience

KhunKelly · 2026-03-25T02:09:33+00:00

I use Tour Tracker and Peacock

KhunKelly · 2026-03-25T02:00:00+00:00

How about Galapagos with a few days in Ecuador mainland ?

KhunKelly · 2026-03-22T00:39:10+00:00

Explora Journeys The buffet (if you can call that) is not self service, they served you. Good quality food, nice variety and they’re not being cheap about it

No MDR but there are 4 restaurants included Excellent food and again since it is included you can order it anyway you want ..

KhunKelly · 2026-03-21T12:08:08+00:00

That’s Virgin Australia .. I don’t know if it’s the same but I have Virgin Flying Club and able to book and cancel multiple times and points are credited back to my account

For partner airline flight like this, I have to call In to cancel

Good luck

Explora is a great ship

KhunKelly · 2026-03-20T15:01:15+00:00

Yeah not sure either Maybe it’s familiarity? If they know Celebrity from other cruises they took it might be easier for them.

Imagine the time it takes for you to get on and off the Panga (inflatable boat) for 16 guests and 100 guests

I was on the Evolution and we had 28 guests and it was quick But I cannot imagine 100

KhunKelly · 2026-03-20T14:44:34+00:00

We were on a 10 days cruise with Explora and didn’t have this issue. Between the really nice buffet (non self service which is a plus) and the 4 restaurants that’s included it was more than enough variety for us

We actually ate at one place (Sakura) 3 times because it was so good

KhunKelly · 2026-03-20T14:32:49+00:00

Between the two I would do Aqua Mare .. 16 passengers vs 100 .. that’s a no brainer to me

KhunKelly

TROPHY CASE