OceanMonarch

Sounds as though we may be in luck in that some of the decorations will be up. I really hope that the large Christmas tree in the lobby is there.

Thanks to everyone who has replied. I too have sailed WB on Dec 15th and the ship was beautifully decorated. I was so impressed and glowing in my comments that my mother and my sister also wish to sail in December. Since they sailed EB last year (in August) we thought it would be so exciting to depart from New York this time (even though it will be cold).

I am hoping to take my elderly mother on a pre-Christmas TA. Does anyone know if the ship is generally decorated for Christmas on the Dec 8th sailing.:)

I think you might want to get your TA to check again. I just checked an online TA I use which has an online booking engine and I could book an Inside single for US$749 plus taxes as the OP states. The twin share rate is US$549 pp plus taxes.

OP. Yes it's a great rate and is still available.

Still available via large online TA. Only $749.00 + tax of $67.70.Choice of various cabins and decks.:)

$95 seems quite low for A CFAR policy. Usually CFAR is at least that much on top of a standard policy. Could you elaborate on the policy you purchased? Thanks.

I am not sure how much information I am allowed to give here with regards to insurance company name etc. but it was their 'luxury policy.'

I 'googled' CFAR policy and found a company (look for a shape and a facial body part, sounds strange I know) that gives information on a variety of insurance companies). I entered our personal information, *cost of the cruise and travel dates; the search delivered quite a few insurance companies that had good priced quotes. I had several to choose from and did not select the cheapest option. Hope this helps.

* only non -refundable costs I was told. This means you do not have to include port fees because they are always refundable in full by the cruise line. However, for safety please always verify this information yourself. I tend to ask for any additional information I need by 'chat' or e. mail and print out the conversation so that it is documented.

Is this the insurance offered by Celebrity? Thanks so much for sharing! Congratulations on the large savings, WOW! The Thanksgiving/Christmas cruise prices are incredible this year. Happy Sailing!

 

 

 

 

Marie

I used a regular travel insurance company in the US. I believe Celebrity offer something similar to CFAR insurance but they give you a cruise credit instead of cash. Not 100% sure, perhaps somebody could offer some personal experience here.:)

I thought I would pass on a recent, very positive experience using CFAR (cancel for any reason) travel insurance. I purchased the policy initially so that I had the ability to cancel the vacation in case the company that I work for was unable to grant my vacation request.

However, I used the policy when the price of my Caribbean holiday cruise dropped substantially post final payment. This was during the loss of deposit time period (89 -57 days prior to departure) and is typically the time when there is often a combination of low prices but with good cabin availability. I was able to rebook the cruise at the new lower price and by using the insurance, forfeited just 25% of the original deposit ($111). Even with the cost of the policy ($95.00) I was still able to save over $400pp, receive even more OBC and rebook my original 1A largest balcony cabin.

This was somewhat of an 'experiment' on my part not knowing 100% if this would actually pay off (insurance companies will always try to find 'a way out of paying') but I was pleasantly surprised . The insurance company was extremely professional, responsive to all my e-mails and I received my check (not cruise credits)within 10 business days as promised. Celebrity of course refunded their portion of my original payment (less the deposit) within 3 days.

Would I do this again? Certainly, but I would need to save at least $100.00pp on top of my expenses. CFAR insurance really did live up to its name!:)

Does this include cancelling a cruise and re booking at the new drastically reduced prices post final payment? You lose 25% of your deposit (up to the 57 days cancellation period) but are still $$$ better off.

There are some great price reductions on this 12 night Christmas cruise. One of the large online TA are offering category 1A cabins at 1099 and Concierge C2 for 1199 along with $250.00 OBC. You get to choose your cabin and there are still some of the larger hump balconies left when I looked.:)

Glad it worked out for you. Sometimes, it's just a matter of speaking with confidence and authority. If you know what you should be getting (reasonably speaking), then it's easier to sound confident. Have a safe flight and a great cruise!

Thank you, to everyone. I truly appreciate all of your sound advice:)

OP. It obviously seems to depend on who you speak to and when.

Now, if only I could speak to someone at Celebrity who will upgrade me to a suite and give me all '4' perks - for the price of a regular balcony:)

I believe the OP has just started a new game on CC.

Who can get the most responses in the shortest amount of time;):)

I called AA again and politely explained the situation (exactly the same information that I had given initially) and this time the agent was willing to look at suitable alternatives. Although, we were not able to change to an arrival airport with more convenient times closer to our home, she did change the reservation to a later connecting flight.

We arrive quite late now but at least she made the change. So, thanks to everyone on CC - perseverance and great advice pays.:)

Now, I just have to get up for work the next morning!

By stopover do you mean just a stop somewhere or do you mean a stop with over a four hour lay over?

I suggest you see if there are any other later flights that include a legal stop with availability and call back and explain the situation. I would think AA will help you. It is useful to have some options that would work for you. Is this a purchased ticket or an award?

This was a purchased ticket (almost $400 for a one way flight). On my initial call I did give acceptable options with availibility (connecting flights via CLT or arriving into nearby airports) but was advised that these options involved an additional fee.

But I am going to try again and speak to another agent.:)

Were due to dock at 7am, be prepared to walk off with your bags and through to a cab. Last cruise I did I had a flight at 10.20am walked bags off to a pre booked car waiting for us at 7.30 and we did ok but I wasn't looking forward to it and thought we were lucky to get straight through. Wouldn't do it again.

 

 

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Thanks to everyone for their advice. Armed with this knowledge I will very sweetly 'fight my corner' I do not wish to spend my vacation stressing about missing my flight. Even though the change was just 45 minutes, it was 45 minutes in wrong direction!

What ship? At Miami?

Eclipse. Returns on January 2nd.

We have just been notified of a flight schedule change on American Airlines for our upcoming Christmas cruise. Our nonstop flight now departs at 10.19 am and AA do not consider the change significant enough to allow us to choose a suitable later flight with a stopover.

My question is - with express disembarkation at Miami are we likely to make this flight ? How long does customs/immigration take? How readily available are taxis? I realize there is always the possibility of late docking etc. Just trying to find out readers personal experience at Miami before contacting AA again.

OP - Update.

The response from Cunard was fairly optimistic. I have to make a reservation first and then they will seek permission from the relevant authorities. I then have the option (provided it's outside the 90 days) to cancel if the request is denied.

Thanks to everyone for the assistance given.

It did get some sun. The thing we loved about this partly obstructed balcony was that the view wasn't compromised. The davit didn't bother us at all. It Was to one side you could look straight out with a great view.

 

Hopefully this photo will show better

 

 

 

 

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Thank you for the photo. It looks like a good cabin.:)

Cunard may permit you to do that, but may charge you the fare for the entire cruise.

 

Ricki

I'll post the outcome after I have made contact with Cunard.

Does the balcony get much sun? And how much did the lifeboat/davits interrupt the the view - just want to be prepared.

It won't hurt to call and ask. Since Charleston is the last port before leaving the US it might be arranged.

Yes, I will. Thank you BlueRiband. I just wondered if anybody on cc had any personal experience doing this with Cunard, in case I get to speak to a 'newbie.' I can push the point a little more if I go armed with expert advice from cc.:)

Just wondering if anyone knows if it is possible to join the Queen Victoria mid voyage - specifically the transatlantic crossing, April 21st that departs from Fort Lauderdale.

Could we join in Charleston, SC instead of travelling down to Florida? We know that we would have to pay the full cost of the voyage having tried this on other lines successfully. Any advice would be appreciated.:)

We have 6155 booked on the Eclipse in November.

We had 6157 on the Reflection last year and loved the larger balcony, but the next one along (6155) looked even bigger.

We are very happy to have nabbed that one this year.

OP - We have 6155 assigned on a balcony guarantee - much earlier than we thought considering this is a Christmas cruise. Do you have any photos from the balcony of 6157?