Captain-John

I have never been but recall reading that Japan isn't as 'modern' in this sense and that cash is more widely used, sometimes the only option in some venues? Happy if that isn't the case but I have been doing a bit of research ahead of sailing round Japan on Millenium next year. Could be muddled thought!

I have my jitters as well but could just be because it's 'different.' I'm so familiar with the Breakway/+ style of ship and Haven. I am looking at Viva for next November and agree r.e the lack of indoor pool, as well as all of the exposed sun deck areas meaning it won't be much use to me at that time of year in the Med. So also keen to soak up all people have to share about Prima and Viva Haven. I'd like to experience this class of ship in Haven but some of the differences, on paper, aren't for the better.

I'd argue the toss about that last point. If I've just paid for a drink at the bar 2 minutes before going to the restaurant, I deem it extremely unreasonable not to be allowed to take it in. I don't get the angle here at all and I'd look forward to that discussion with the relevant manager.

Duplicate

Not sure if we are discussing the same one or if there are a good few that do this. I have used my particular firm (VV) for over a decade but their service has declined recently, and payment terms have extended over the years so I don't think I will use them again. Very much a 'transactional' relationship whereas I expect an agent to represent my best interests with a cruise line, not just take my money and an admin fee. 'My' firm must do some kind of commission sacrifice and make money with the flat rate fee. Often their rates are competitive but to me it's a red flag they want the payment earlier and earlier and your example proves the risk. My payments never fail, my card details are correct, my accounts are not closed - so that money is just sitting in a holding account until the TA decides to pay the cruise line.

I love french fries. I know, it's no better than having mash with every meal - but I'll definitely be asking to swap the mash out for french fries instead. I can make good mash at home, but I don't have a deep frier so I enjoy the fries as a real treat.

My question too...

That's so funny, I bring all the papers etc back home but never scan or upload them (or read them, half the time!). I stick them in a box and that's my 'memory' of the cruise. Got far too many boxes now just filled with laundry promo flyers and daily schedules from years ago. Can't bear to leave anything behind though.

The agency I normally use is asking for the money well in advance of the cruise line final payment date and I'm getting fed up with it. I have pushed back the last twice on this (it's just sitting in their account earning interest). I booked with another agent and payment is only due 30 days before departure and paid direct to the line(MSC Yacht Club, not Celebrity, but still - my original TA wanted the payment 4 months before the cruise!).

You're kidding? I thought that kind of thing was relegated to Carnival, Costa etc. I want to slip away (from this earth) whenever they do a parade in a dining room and did not expect this on Celebrity at all.

Agree, we were in Miami in April this year and the prices are unlike anything I have ever seen (well in excess of 'inflation'). I can only speculate that people are still living off their Covid savings and may have a 'live for the moment' attitude given the restrictions we had to endure all those years ago. Miami is also very 'trendy', half of Wall Street have relocated there I think. Best rate I could find was directly with the hotel during a sale last Autumn, it only went up and up after that. With rising interest rates and housing/food/energy costs, I don't think these rates are sustainable and hotels, airlines, cruiselines are 'making hay while the sun shines' ahead of a downturn. Well at least I hope so as the price vs. value proposition is way out of skew. A Canada/New England cruise is fairly high up my list for booking in future, and I'm pleased you have been twice already and have found it interesting enough to go back again. For some reason, I had put in the 'one and done' category, unfairly it seems! I'm at risk of contradicting myself here, but with a relatively short season and what I would imagine to be high demand originating out of NYC, I find the pricing to be suspiciously good value for these types of sailings - across all lines. I had been eyeing up NCL Joy (terminates in Quebec) as well as MSC as I want to do a longer cruise than just 7 days here and your 10 night sounds ideal so really keen to follow as you go.

Thanks very much for your review and it sounds like on balance you had a good time. We are sailing her in November so good to get an up to date experience. We will be in 18006 so may have Sandor as well? I am particularly intrigued by the ' La Brasserie ' concept and thought the menu looked great. Although I understand it was introduced to alleviate some of the service issues in the main restaurant. How did you find the YC areas in terms of crowding - e.g. the sundeck/pool/hot tub (is there just one?) Also are drinks in the Speakeasy included in the Premium Plus package? No big deal and I'd still like to go if we are lucky enough to get the invite but I have seen mixed reports on whether it is included for the PP package that comes with YC.

I have a May 2024 sailing booked through a US agent (I live in the UK) and have been able to use OBC as well as pay for excursions. I then cancelled and rebooked them all to take advantage of the savings, all through the Celebrity website, with no issues. Do I remember rightly seeing something that after a certain date you couldn't book through an agent in a different country with Celebrity (several lines already prohibit this)?

Not MSC, but the bidding programme is run by the same provider (Plusgrade). We found out sitting in the terminal in Miami after already checking in for our non-Haven stateroom on NCL. We checked in around 11:30, I got an e-mail at 12:30 sitting in the 'holding pen' to say we'd been succesful. A couple called in to cancel at the last minute and it took a few days to filter through to the e-mail landing in my inbox. All the paperwork in the cabin still referred to the 'original' guests by name. Missed out on the 'VIP' check in and had to stand in a line at Guest Services once onboard to get our Haven keycards, but otherwise were pleased. Bottom line, it can happen any time and NCL very publicly caveat it to say it can happen up to 5pm on day of sailing - so conceivable you could already be onboard and in your original stateroom when it happens.

I wish people would stop paying the higher prices - it will come when raising interest rates etc. bite - but in the meantime, pricing will remain high for as long as people will pay it as has been noted. I don't see the value vs. price proposition as being very strong and make my cruising decisions accordingly... if only more did.

I for one am puzzled at those that defend multi-billion dollar corporations (and yes, with multi-billion dollar debts) who decrease the quality of the experience offered to their guests. We should be seeking the best possible experience for the fairest price, just as they are seeking the best price for a level of experience they can get away with offering. Crusie lines aren't in the business of doing anyone favours, they are there to make money. But when their tactics involve charging high rates for declining service and amenities, that rightly should be called out and criticised same as any business. I do wonder how low some posters would let the cruise lines go before drawing their own line in the sand and making a stand? The level of upset is clear and those that say 'X won't care' or 'sail with another line if you don't like it' are part of the permisiveness that allows the lines to get away with it.

Please provide your feedback to Celebrity loud and clear, for the sake of future cruises even if it won't make any difference for those cruising in the immediate future (and my comiserations to those who are). The MDR choices being touted are wholly unappealing and I do regret chosing 2024 as the time to try Celebrity for the first time.

Where are you seeing the 16 night leg? I can only get the longer 20+ day legs. I don't think it's likely all the cabins are booked up at this stage. Rather if you are going via an agent, they will get a certain block or allocation to work from. If MSC direct, they will likely be phasing the release of cabins and not all are on sale. Who knows why - but I'd bet the cost of your cruise that not all the cabins are sold out.

Our flight is at 7pm so also looking to stay onboard as long as possible. Be keen to find out how everyone gets on that is sailing before us (we are 10/11/23).

Have a great time. We will be following you on the 10 November sailing, also in YC. If you get the chance to post some fo your thoughts from the trip, that would be fantastic.

We will be coming in from Tokyo on the day of our departure. There doesn't seem to be great information out there about the terminal, where the ship might be docked (I understand it's a large port) and how easy is it to access from the Nihon-Odori metro stop- e.g. can you walk to the terminal or do you need to arrive by taxi? Also, is it a definite that Celebrity will offer airport transfers at disembarkation (nothing showing just now)? Thanks

As a further point of reference, I have also received an invitation to bid under my new booking for the YC1 (priced in Euro this time) :

7 days. I feel the minimum is quite high.

Indeed it was. My bid offer minimums are per the images. I could book under a new agent/booking for a c. 45% uplift in base price from BA Aurea - £2.9k vs £2.0k. The *minimum* bid would have represented a 75% uplift. So not always worth it to bid vs. booking outright.

Interesting.... I have received first offer today, 79 days out. I have in fact cancelled the original booking and re-booked YC at a lower total price than original (BA) booking + minimum bid with a different agent. So quite happy really as I have picked my cabin and it's a 'sure thing' - even with loss of original depsoit and cancellation fees it's a better deal.