Boycey

According to AZ UK (eventually...)it is possible but depends on local rules etc. They won't commit ahead of time but advise to ask on board. As others have said, it's a great perk and really doesn't disrupt the boarding process, so I hope they continue to see it as one of the measures that differentiate a premium product from a mainstream one.

We have previously made good use of late departure from AZ but not since the change of ownership. Does anyone know if this is still available? Flight schedule means this could be a good option if still possible.

Not sure why you’re quoting me only to rebuke me? My question was to another who’d already answered it in detail and with some clarity, but thanks for clearing up your exalted status. I’m much relieved…

The coaches bringing people back to the airport arrive from around 9h30-10h00 and then there is a steady flow. These then fill up with guests on their way out to the ship and when we did it last year there was a very steady rhythm.. This year, watching from the ship (we were back to back so avoided the Venice/Ravenna schlepp) the arrivals flowed steadily until late afternoon. I don’t think you’ll be waiting long if at all, and anyway as you booked it all as a package you’re their problem so you can relax! Hope you enjoy. I’m sure you will.

Interestingly, the very same point is often made on the Royal Caribbean board when people ask whether to take the step ‘up’ to Celebrity, and of course it’s not until they actually try it for themselves that they realise how wrong the assumption is. Virgin could suit? More in line with the demographic you describe and in my experience more lively than Celebrity.

I get that wifi may not matter to you, and even drinks at a push, but OBC not having value? Other than that I happen to agree with most of your methodology and though I might come to a slightly different conclusion on the value threshold, I admire your resolve.

Good points all. All cruise lines are trying to recover their balance sheets helped by pent up demand but in the case of Celebrity, the price point is nearing the realm of the genuine 5 star lines but the offer, though good, is someway short. The risk is stalwarts of X who figure why not try the alternatives may not be in a hurry to come back, and the price will have to be the thing that eventually tempts them back.

Hope the following helpful. The ship was alongside by 4.30 am, and by 6.30am had permission for crew and passengers to disembark. A couple of Covid cases being transferred to local hotels caused a slight delay, but by 6h45 people were off and in taxis. Just an observation for future in Piraeus, cruise port taxis are not anyway allowed through the main gates until 6am, so that’s the very earliest available in any normal circumstances. Hope you enjoy!

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Pleasure. We’re doing the same thing tomorrow morning off Infinity as we have an early flight, so I’ll update you with how things go. 👍

Well we’re on a cruise forum, so i feel entitled to start from the assumption that cruising and cruise ports are central to the discussion, an assumption buttressed by the 45-odd posts that preceded yours, which discuss the suitability of Ravenna as a turnaround port. Not a generalisation at all, but a very specific reference.

Bit of a straw man argument as I can’t see who blamed Celebrity? The solution isn’t to abandon Venice as it’s unique and wonderful, but to find a way to get the mainstream ships into the area without causing damage. @JeanieC,Aston demonstrates above that its already possible so no need to ‘forget about cruises (from) Venice.’

I’ll ignore the ad hominem bit and simply ask how many cruises called in Ravenna before Venice closed its doors? Assuming you’re out a lot, as you imply, how many cruises did you personally take there?

Agree wholeheartedly with the OP. Ravenna is unsuitable as a turnaround port. The main attraction in the North Adriatic is Venice, and Ravenna is 3 hours away at best, and a horrible 3 hours at that. The Bologna mitigation is a bit of a sleight of hand as it may well be nearer to Ravenna, but no-one wants to go to Ravenna as a destination in the first place. It was never included in any serious itinerary before Venice closed its doors to larger ships, so we must always remember the end game has to be a sustainable facility in Venice, entered and exited other than through the ancient city. Any development in Ravenna is short term and the shorter the better.

7am latest according to guest services on board, but last year we were in a taxi at 6h30.