SharonK

We are also on the Celebrity August 25 sailing.  Come over and join the rollcall if you haven't already.  Today I have been reading all about the ports.

from reading this thread it sounds like I need to call Celebrity when the time comes to reduce the balance.  Good idea ChezMarylou to use the card to book the excursions thus building up more points!

1 hour ago, HLR said:

Hi....one point....and correct me if I am wrong....if you redeem them now....you can't use OBC until you get on board. So you can't pre-book excursions. Unless you know something I don't know!

I don't know either and I'm trying to find out.  I probably wouldn't redeem as much if I can't use it until I'm onboard.  Does anyone know the answer to this dilemma?

I have used points in the past and redeemed them a few weeks or a month before the cruise.  We redeemed for OBC to be used once on the ship.  But I have a different situation now.  We booked a European cruise for August 2025 and only have a small amount of OBC.  We've have a lot of points to redeem so we could get more OBC so that we could book some excursions before they are sold out.  My question is if we trade in the points now to book excursions or upgrade drink pkg, what will happen if we had to cancel the cruise (or Celebrity cancels). I think once the points are redeemed they are not refundable.  Is that correct?  If so what have people done?

54 minutes ago, keesar said:

No, there are no additional charges.  The plates are not small.  We each had our own appetizers and entrees.  We also shared another appetizer and entree at no additional charges.  In fact, we were encouraged to do so.

Thanks!

Can someone explain how the a la carte menu works?  Is there an additional charge over and above what has already been paid?  Is it more like small plates?

2 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

I've been watching Apex recently on Cruise Mapper -  They show the current location and also speed.     They hare and have been cruising at 18 Knots which is the normal cruising speeds of all the ships.   I've have on occasion seen them crank it up to 21 Knots which is close to max to catch up when a ship has had a medical emergency.

 

I believe the rumor of problems came about due to some of the summer Norwegian Cruises having ports skipped or modified due to slower speeds.   I believe these are speed restriction being put in place to limit sea life and whale destruction.      The same thing happened last year along the California West Coast due to migration.

 

 

Thanks Jim.

If I had seen the other thread I wouldn't have asked!

I've heard on other boards that there have been a lot of itinerary changes on Apex and people think it might be a mechanical problem.  Does anyone know anything about this?

I have booked 3 tours with RIL and found people through our rollcall to join us.  We usually pay in cash but one person wants to use Zelle which RIL's website says they accept.  My question is:  Does anyone have experience with some folks paying cash and others Zelle? I have no experience with Zelle but will also consider using it.  I will ask RIL but wanted to hear from folks who have done this.

17 hours ago, nadeki said:

 

Italy tours said they are suspended any reservations at this time. 

Thanks!  I guess I'll stop waiting for the reply.

1 hour ago, cruisemom42 said:

Rome can handle a lot of visitors, but tourism keeps on growing and even Rome has her breaking points.

Cruisemom thank you so much for your explanation of the problem in Rome and the links you have shared.  You are a wonderful resource to us all on this site!  We will be rethinking our original plan.  I may be asking you more questions!

I have emailed Italytours about an excursion in Rome but they haven't responded yet.  Does anyone know what the situation in Rome is now as far as skipping the lines or buying tickets for Vatican and Colosseum?  I'm also in contact with Romeinlimo who I will be using for 2 other tours in other cities.  They recommend seeing the colosseum from the outside only??  Need some insight please.

10 hours ago, ollienbertsmum said:

I have to disagree about attitudes to splitting a bill and paying by card, we do that frequently.  We do it when going out as couples when it might just be of each paying half.  We also do it as a group of single after-work friends who might pay very different amounts because there are those who stop for a water and others who have an appetizer and two drinks.  As long as you do the sums and say e.g ‘can i pay £25 please’ it is the easiest way when multiple people are paying with cards.  No one has ever turned us away or even questioned what we do.  

good to know.

I am traveling with 3 friends.  When eating in a restaurant in Rome, will the restaurant allow us to pay separately (each using our own credit card) or will have to either pay by cash or have one person pay by credit card?

Will be cruising Barcelona to Rome in October.  I’ve already booked two tours with RomeInLimo - one to Pompeii, Sorrento, and Positano, the other Lucca and the Tuscan Riviera.  My question is about Rome. We have considered the Civitavecchia  transfer to Rome but everything in the first half of that tour we feel we can do on our own the next day (Trevi fountain, Spanish Steps, etc.).  So we are considering doing a guided tour of the Coloseum in the morning (after the transfer from the port), lunch and then the guided tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel, etc. .  Has anyone done a tour like this with RomeInLimo?  They can arrange it for us as two walking tours or with a driver.  I would love some feedback from anyone who has more experience in Rome than I do. Thanks in advance!

Thank you to everyone who has advised me.  I've booked Albergo Del Senato for our post cruise stay in October.  Can't wait!

Thank you so much.  Now I have a better idea where to look.

how is the location of Starhotel Michaelangelo?  I'm looking for a post cruise hotel for October in a great location for the sights.

5 hours ago, YourWorldWithBill said:

It's not the largest elevator, but we managed to get our luggage in with us!😃

If you didn't see an earlier note, Cuidat Comtal is an excellent tapas restaurant a couple of blocks away. If you go, try the eggplant chips! (I know, sounds strange, just trust me...)

Thanks again Bill.We will have to try the eggplant chips.  It actually sounds good to me!

2 hours ago, YourWorldWithBill said:

We stayed at the H10 Catalunya Plaza and were fine with that. We used a guide at Tours by Locals to visit La Sagrada Familia and felt that it was worth it and added to our visit to hear the details connected with almost every aspect of if.

Thank you Bill.  Sounds like a great idea!  Hotel booked!

I've looked at Hotel Jazz but they show only non-refundable room for October.  I'd like to book a refundable hotel in case plans change.  I've stayed at Hotel Jazz and Colon Hotel.  We are only staying one night pre-cruise but we'll have one day to sight see and want to go to La Sagrada Familia.  Any hotel suggestions would be welcome.

10 hours ago, Bruin Steve said:

Typically, I check various booking sites--usually via tripadvisor.com which checks multiple sites. Then I check the hotel's own website. In the end, most times, I find the hotel's own site is at least equal to the best deal... and that's who I book through--unless some outside site gives me a much better deal.

 

Other rules/comments: I always try to book as early as possible... and always on a cancelable rate. Then I frequently check back to see if prices may have gone down... or if there were other choices, to see if any have better rates on the table from time to time. Always consider rates with breakfast but also check what the hotel's normal breakfast rates are. Always choose hotels for convi=enience--close to attractions, close to restaurants, close to transportation options. Never go by numerical ratings only--read the reviews... but remember, some people give good reviews to bad hotels because they have low standards...and some people give bad reviews to good hotels for reasons unconnected to the hotels (like an issue with the booking process or cancelation process or some rude agent they encountered while calling the hotel chain with a question).  Read the reviews for comments regarding things important to you--location, room size, services provided, maintenance issues, etc.  And also note that it's often worth it to pay a little more for a better hotel.   Lowest price should not be a prime criteria...if it's about saving a few $$$ on a vacation that you are spending thousands on...

Thank you Steve!

Do most folks book directly with the hotel or through Booking.com?  In the states I like to book directly with the hotel.  Which is better in Barcelona?

Also, any thoughts on Colon Hotel? We stayed there about 12 years ago.

1 hour ago, mahasamatman said:

 

Yes. My favourite straight-up mixer is Bitter Lemon (Schweppes or Canada Dry), though not all the bartenders even know they have it.

I’ve never tried bitter lemon. What do you mix it with?

1 hour ago, twincheryl said:

Have never seen it… but I just get a can of club soda and drop in a piece of pineapple or watermelon from the buffet… or a splash of fruit punch or juice from the dispenser.  Take a plastic glass of fruit back to your cabin fridge to use later…

Good idea! Thanks