Csardas

We're booked for next July on Reflection and have the Classic package included.

Does this include any sparkling water?

Does the package cover soft drinks/water in the mini bar?

Susiesan: Sorry, I didn't notice taxis but not to say there weren't any there, or just outside the gate bit.

A pair of Australian women were very vocal. They'd cruised on Oceania before so were invited to a special returnees cocktail party that evening. I didn't envy the Captain as they were planning to give him what for about the bus issue-I decided to leave it to them!

Hi.

(I'll preface this: I'm in the UK and don't think I can book with an US TA and their better offers).

Considering Celebrity for the first time and wondering if, in the UK, there are any advantages with booking direct or with an agent? I know the forum rules re mentioning agents and I'm not looking for names, just peoples' experiences with both methods.

Thanks very much for your response.

I should have stated that I am in the UK and subject to our booking conditions. Searching the UK site, I cannot find an equivalent statement re flights at all.I'll keep looking and also hope that some UK cruisers will have some advice.

We're looking at a cruise next July and the price for flights from Celebrity is the same as purchasing them ourselves. If we don't buy the very expensive transfers as well, do we get any protection from Celebrity if the flight is late/cancelled/changed?

Srdancer, on our cruise this month the shuttles were very infrequent, compared to the same ports with another cruise line so I'm sure it's Oceania's choice and how many buses they choose to pay for.

Hi,

I'm thinking about booking a Med cruise on Reflection next July and I have a few questions.

1. Does the evening dress code apply across the bars too or just the dining room and restaurants? We've just come off Oceania's Riviera and many were in shorts, t-shirts, trainers and baseball caps in the evenings - but not in the dining rooms/restaurants.
   
2. We like to eat circa 8:30pm but on Riviera having a pre-dinner drink at 7:45/8:00 meant that the bars were empty and souless as 90% ate at 7pm. Does this happen on Reflection?
   
3. This would be the largest ship so far- previous max was 2000. Do you struggle for seats/sunbeds on sea days?
   

I appreciate there is a general thread on dress code but I couldn't see my specific query.Thanks in advance!

Post this on their Facebook page and ask for their comments??

In the evening we wear what we would usually wear if going to a good restaurant. I wear dressy dress but not full length, husband usually wears linen trousers and shirts but occasionally brings out a suit. Less formal during the day of course. Wouldn't expect to see shorts or jeans anywhere at night. Love getting dressed up but happy not to have to back the full length/black tie.

I'm afraid you'd have been shocked at the state of a good many on our Riviera cruise last week. Shorts, trainers, t-shirts and those blasted baseball caps in the bars/lounges in the evenings. Many of the clothes were downright tatty - we muttered "garden" to each other as a code as many of the worn out polo shirts, shorts etc weren't fit to be seen outside your own back garden.It was the men who were the worst but I saw two women in the dining room on the first night, not together, who hadn't changed out of the crumpled clothes they boarded in. Very much doubt they showered - yuck!

Us too last week and Oceania only provided one bus per hour! They had a separate bus for the staff which only had roughly six people in it and they wouldn't let us on.

Found this aspect of Oceania poor.

Thanks all. I'm looking at possible 2Ds, all on deck 6. I'll try a search on those on the board.

We're on the Riviera.

Considering our first cruise with Celebrity and wondered if anyone had been in these cabins and had any comments/photos to offer?

Thanks!

(1st timer, next week)

I know we can go to Barista's and get coffee there but can we order in any of the lounges or bars if we fancy a relaxed read and a coffee? From the photographs, it doesn't look as if there are many seats in Barista's.

FUN is not a word I would describe eating in the TERRACE

of course if you like to see your food before your order & like popping up & down for your courses or waiting for your partner to get their food while yours gets cold yup the Terrace is a great place

Yes I know you can put stuff on the table to hold it & go together to get your food & come back to find someone eating at your table ..

 

I am not a fan of buffets at most times but we do go to the Terrace when we are tired & do not feel like sitting through a long dinner in the GDR

 

We eat in the GDR then go for a walk about the deck & have dessert /coffee in the Terrace unless service took too long in the GDR & we will have dessert there

I really did not spend all that money to be a jack in the box for meals

I like to be served

YMMV

Couldn't agree more! Buffets are ok for a single course meal but I actually like a long, leisurely dinner-served course by course.

Dates are not good for me-work gets in the way of cruising!

What about later on, in Horizons? Any chance of a bop?

Breakfast at Florian's?

Wait. If you sit on one side going one way and then switch sides for the return, don't you end up seeing the same thing?

I meant sides of the Grand Canal, but maybe wasn't clear. Most beautiful ride in the world.

Walking is fun in Venice but taking the vaporetto on Grand Canal is the quintessential Venice experience. It is the only vantage point from which you see the facades of the grand palaces the way they were intended to be seen - from the water.

Agree! The best way is to go up sitting on one side and then go back sitting on the other. Unfortunately you've got to get off and on...

Yes, feel the same. Save the trees!

The 1st is too early! Ne'er Day ( New Year's Day) is a big deal in Scotland-people have friends and family over for another big meal, like another Christmas, and I was really disappointed when I got up on the 1st on Elizabeth to find all the decorations down. It felt quite flat.

JimandStan, That'll be us in July. Do they manacle your legs on Oceania-first cruise with them???

Oceania have confirmed that we have to be off the ship by 9am. Our flight departs at 15:15, so we were thinking of arranging transfer for 11:30-12:00. Given we'll be lumbered with our luggage and time is limited, our options would be either of the above.

Last October there was substantial building work at Fiumicino but we were through the port so quickly that I didn't notice what facilities were available.

Advice anyone or past experience?

Wrong-given work/holiday timings that cruise and guarantee was our only choice or not to go at all.