peacefulOR

On 6/10/2021 at 9:14 AM, 57redbird said:

Somewhat off topic but.....  I've got a top & jacket that the colors are way TOO loud for me.....looking for suggestions on how to mute the colors.....bleach via a spray bottle, vinegar......  help, please & TIA.

White vinegar in cool water is good for setting colors (not to fade, lol) so I'd stick with a tea wash. Hopefully, you can test a small section first to see if you like the results. Good luck!

We chose not to book a cruise this year to avoid the potential problems, particularly getting stranded like early last year. Totally opposed to the idea of sailing with masks, etc and people who think it's their right to cruise. The Florida governor is opening more money for his state at the risk of greater damage to our recovery. Cruising is a privilege not a "right".

I second the port side (booked same cruise, port side). It will probably be cold & windy, so plan for that either way. A former Alaskan, I wore winter gear sailing out of Homer in the end of August in choppy seas (never again). For that matter, out of Seward in July I was grateful for ear warmers!

Check out our roll call....pretty active for so far out. Some great people on there and some have taken this cruise before.

Rainey

I chose Celebrity from Vancouver to Yokohama for Fall, 2022. Having sailed on two NCL transatlantic, I will not cruise with them again. Everyone has their own comfort level. On the plus side, NCL has single cabins and a lot of get-togethers for solo travelers. Celebrity has superior service, ambience, food, and fewer ship problems (in my experience and postings on CC). Look at videos on Youtube, read about both, and you will enjoy whatever you choose.

2 hours ago, cangelmd said:

Hear, hear.

We are almost at that tipping point of community responsibility where that is still an important outcome of vaccination, but at the same time, people who aren't vaccinated are just making a choice that they will personally have to live with. I hate it. because as a physician we have to deal with the results of those choices, but I also hate that people smoke and that we have to deal with the devastating results of those choices.

You are spot on for me. Lung cancer and COPD aren't  pretty either but at least the cruise ships I sail on have designated outdoor smoking areas. We can choose to avoid those areas.  With Covid,however, we have unvaccinated people who can simply remove their masks at will and blend in with the vaccinated. Do I think that my words will change their minds? Nope. My doctor says that venting truth is good for my blood pressure!

On 5/13/2021 at 3:48 PM, medtech71 said:

If you’re vaccinated, what do you care if someone else isn’t?

 

 

 

 

That's easy. There are recent cases of vaccinated people acquiring COVID again (maybe one of the new variants) and the vaccination may make the illness less severe but doesn't guarantee that we won't get it or be a carrier. Also, I believe that we need to act together to make it safer for everyone. I care, a lot, if someone doesn't use every available precaution that we know of to protect the more susceptible and fragile. I, for one, am ready to sail again and without masks or eating boxed meals in my cabin. I respect other people's freedom of choice  as long as they abstain from behaviors than endanger others.

You're a med tech? Well, I'm a RN, BSN, with years of hospital experience including infection control, now retired but volunteering at a hospital. Yes, we're vaccinated and still wear masks, wash our hands, and do what we can to educate others. I hope that you are asking this question to stir the pot with comments and are vaccinated yourself if still working.  We are fortunate that our education and experience will influence our personal choices; too many today rely on politicians and fearmongers to follow.

Putting soap box away now; caring about others in just one of my passions. Safe sailing everybody.

Rainey

It's a good question because the "map" on the Celebrity site looks like it sales SW until the International Dateline but I believe that is deceptive; we chose the port side for that very cruise (also low to center for smoother sailing). I grew up in Alaskan waters, deep sea fishing, and the water and wind is COLD, even in August and more active than the Atlantic, in my opinion. Early Fall, we're expecting some choppy seas and temps from mild to cold.

You might ask your question on the roll call for the cruise; there are repeat cruisers for that same itinerary and season.

Rainey

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17 minutes ago, ipeeinthepool said:

 

I don't know that we can accurately compare AI and non AI prices.  Just out of curiosity is your 2022 TA a recent booking or did you book it when it just was announced?  We haven't ever had an AI cruise leave the dock.  I think all of the FCC floating around out there are inflating the price in the next year or so.  If AI still exists later in 2022 and cruising has returned to normal, prices should return to normal levels.  We also have the new ship effect.  Celebrity has the Edge, Apex and Beyond they are hoping that those ships also raise prices on the other ships sailing similar itineraries.  I'm happy you have a good price on your 2022 TA.  Eventually market forces will require Celebrity's prices to be competitive to other lines.

Why not? Same TP: leave Vancouver in Sept. Sitka, 3 stops in Japan with an overnight in Yokahama.Same class ship, same class cabin. I booked in March with AI already in. If they drop it before 09/16/22, I expect our price to hold. We did not use any FCC and that may have made a difference. The Solstice is the only Celebrity ship on this itinerary. Like I said, there will be a variety of price changes (or not) but research will tell us what is available. TA's may be different because of competition.

17 minutes ago, Oceangoer2 said:

A soul brother/sister?  I keep a spreadsheet on cruising back to 2009.  Recently reviewed cruise costs and found 10 night cruises varied up AND down over a 5 year period by no more than $200-$500 Cdn, which included grats and bvg. pkg and pertinent OBC.  Change depended on itinerary and promo offered;  sailed S class C1.  Tried to compare apples with apples.  I can't be upset with the line making a profit.  I do think, however, we had the option to include these perks.  Those who don't avail themselves of alcoholic bvg may have a point and feel over-charged.

Soul sister here. I too compared S class, 15 day. If the perks cost more than the former up charge for grats and wi-fi, we'd write it up to inflation over 2 yrs. It's part of the memories to read back and compare quotes from different sources.

Three pages and almost no positive comments? A long-time cruiser and one who keeps old fare information in each year's planner, I have to speak for "the other side". We missed out on a 15 day TP last year but I kept the quotes from Celebrity and 2 big on-line agencies. Guess what? Going in 2022, same cruise on Celebrity, Same Price, but now includes: gratuities, basic drink package, and wi-fi.....we always pre-pay gratuities and wi-fi. Classic drink package won't be used much, so what?

I did find one fare last year that was $50 pp less than the new Celebrity always included. In other words, still not a better deal by gratuities alone. It sounds like there are some significant increases on some cabins and some cruises, but not all of them by any means. It would be more helpful to address a particular sailing that to paint an "all included" picture of negativity. We're delighted to sail again with such a great cruise line and at a great price.

Bon Voyage wherever you chose to go; no line has every great itinerary or best price all the time.

Rainey

I just booked the TP from Vancouver to Tokyo for 2022. After reading this thread, looked up the quotes from last year and the price was the same (except. it was $50 less from an agency) and did not include the gratuities, classic drink package and Wi-Fi.

. For us, it's a great deal....we would have skipped the drink package. With no perks built up, we definitely saved a lot. I hope that they offer a "no frills" option for those who don't want it all. You've certainly earned some loyalty perks vs. those of us who sail by itinerary over several lines. We may become loyalists after sailing Celebrity for the first time.

7 hours ago, Host CMLA said:

 

At some point we will have herd immunity and hopefully mandatory vaccines won't be a condition for cruising anymore.  We won't get the vaccine or wear mandatory masks or be limited to specific shore excursions.  That puts us out of the cruising game for a while but that's our choice. 

I totally respect your right to choose your path AND accept that it will put you "out of the cruising game" for awhile. This is how to be true to yourself while still respecting the rights of the many.

NO. 4  I completed my vaccinations in early Feb. (volunteer in hospital, lots of patient & family contact). As a retired RN, I feel very confident about the vaccines....I could still get Covid-19 or a variant but it would probably be a much less severe infection. I still can be a carrier (as can children under 18) so masks, social distancing, and HAND WASHING until we see a greater percent of the world being vaccinated.

We're waiting until Sept. 2022 for our next cruise, a transpacific to Japan. I believe that crew members, shore personnel (cruise line staff) and children should all be vaccinated to travel in close quarters since children usually don't wear masks, etc.

For me, the question is not whether I feel protected , I feel safe, I can feel free again. The question is whether we're willing to do all we can to protect our families and all others. Still hoping that Sept. 2022 will be a go, I do miss cruising!

Rainey

We're booked on a transpacific from Vancouver to Japan in September, 2022. A little concerned even this far out but needing some sea days!

On 3/8/2021 at 6:02 PM, LGW59 said:

Indoor pools in solarium will be

Good news! I have found your posts to be: informative, sensible, and intelligent so I make it a point to read them. Lots of different opinions on what a "heated" pool; I'm referring to a swimming pool not a hot tub, so a water temp. of 84 or so is what I currently appreciate for my post-surgery PT. Room temp. in most homes is closer to 72, average, a cold temperature for most of us.

Our TA is northern waters, not southern. A cruise you may be familiar with? Hope we all finally get to go next year.

Rainey

We're doing a transpacific (Sept, 2022) cruise and can't imagine getting in an unheated pool, covered or not. Thank you for the info.

Rainey

3 hours ago, drsel said:

On one of my Cruises I remember meeting a small Chinese group, who were always well dressed, prim and proper every single day of the Cruise.

They had the best manners and were most dignified.

 

Exactly why I didn't talk about her homeland. The others were very nice and I think that Tea Bag has a good insight about possible dementia. My favorite uncle peeled 5 lbs. of green apples over his daughter's brand new white carpeting (he wanted a pie).

23 minutes ago, drsel said:

Which is her country?

I don't think that is the norm in any country, although at the Raffles hotel Singapore, it is customary to throw peanut 🥜 shells on the floor while sipping the delicious Singapore Sling, their signature cocktail.

I was being nice by not mentioning her country. She was part of a large tour group from China. I'll bet that the hotel in Singapore would discourage wet beverages being treated the same as peanuts. Didn't get the impression that she was upset about anything....maybe her first time in a restaurant setting. Who knows?

1 hour ago, Pinboy said:

People are people-- you can't teach " class ". 

It doesn't matter what ship you are on.

There are many more things for young families to entertain the kids on other Lines.

LOL--- Ever been to the " Slugfest on 14 " ???

 

Isn't that the truth? Actually, folks, it wasn't the WHOLE cup of coffee. It was more like cleaning out the last third. Maybe we should give her credit for not scraping her plate as well?

1 hour ago, broberts said:

 

Was the coffee that bad?

You'd think so, wouldn't you? Haven't traveled to her country yet....maybe it's the norm?

I was just sitting down in the buffet area of another line when a woman at another table poured her coffee on the carpeting......what? She calmly got up and left. Never saw anything like that before. Note....not a Celebrity passenger, lol.

I can see that Celebrity has a covered pool but is it still cold water? I can't imagine that on a transpacific cruise but haven't seen any reference to pool temperature. Thanks,

Rainey

1 hour ago, rocklinmom said:

I don't bother with the Princess website on Sundays, it's always screwed up somehow with their weekly maintenance. Glad you got this sorted out and can now enjoy your cruise. 

Still learning, it seems. Each cruise line has it's quirks. Cruise Critic people are the best in my book!

10 minutes ago, dog said:

I cannot get into my booking to see it for 2 days now. Let’s me sign it but that is it. In your case go to your roll call and see if anyone else is having same problem as you. Call Princess in am

just saw your post. Good news. 

I seem to have been the only one...probably a glitch during IT maintenance. You might call Princess also, just to be sure. Happy sailing, everyone!

1 hour ago, Colo Cruiser said:

They open at 6:00am. 

I hope they can restore your booking/cabin etc.

Hopefully they will get it straightened out.

Let us know what happens.UpU

Update: As of 9:05 this evening, our booking is restored, boarding passes & luggage tags printed! It pays to keep checking th I'm calling tomorrow to verify that we're okay. Thank you for the kind responses; the cruise is sold out. I'm known for diligent research and perserverance....will sleep good tonight😴

Rainey