only1armband

I have just checked in on the Celebrity APP and all documentation and fully vaccinated certificates uploaded. I'm traveling from Heathrow to Vancouver and staying in Canada for 2 days before boarding the Eclipse. Although it's been stressful trying to trawl through the requirements to travel (and now BA are going in strike!), I'm now  confused with Celebrity's pre testing. I have to provide a negative antigen or PCR test within 2 days of boarding. This does not require monitoring when testing. Then Celebrity advise I bring an eMed kit and to click on a link. This looks like a purchase kit for US citizen cruisers. Therefore would the UK Government"s Flowflex rapid Antigen test kit be deemed as approved and accepted? 

I've sent emails and spent hours trying to call celebrity without success, my TA can not help either. May I ask if anyone has had success with getting an answer from Celebrity.

Many thanks 

Thanks, I'll check out the upgrade options

That's excellent thank you. I know from my TA that I have 23kg do I guess I'll be economy. I'll look at the link, many thanks

Thanks for the quick responses much appreciated, my TA booked the flight, hotel and cruise package with Celebrity, I take it that because it's not an Air Transat package I won't be getting the additional allowances. Is the options plus with Air Transat any good? I believe I can get additional baggage allowance if I pay for that option?

Hi all,

After receiving tremendous advice from cruisecritic members, I have booked an Alaska cruise with 1 night  hotel stay before sailing with Celebrity. I booked the cruise via a Cruise agency and on my guest invoice I will be flying direct from London Gatwick to Vancouver. My agency inform me that Air Transat will allow 1 x check baggage of 23kg per person, however when browsing the Airline's website I came across a policy giving each cruiser an additional 5kg via an Air Transat voucher.

I spoke with the agent I booked the cruise with and they referred me to Celebrity, I emailed Celebrity and they sent me a link to Air Transat help page, this did not help. I then emailed Air Transat and they just replied with a link to their baggage policy per class, but nothing regarding cruisers from Europe. I have copied the page showing Economy class with Cruise package. I can't seem to get a definitive answer if I am entitled to this extra allowance so may I ask if anyone has been 'in the same boat' when travelling with Air Transat for a celebrity cruise?

Decided to book the trip thanks to the wonderful reviews, replies and photo's from everyone. This will be my route and I want to book a Balcony. Does it matter which side of the ship is best to book?

Firstly I take exception to Brits and rain, I remember that we had a dark, gloomy overcast day in August. Not a drop of rain! we celebrated by having a BBQ that day, not many countries can buy a bottle of BBQ gas and make it last for 4 years. 😀

I never knew about Princess' relationship with Alaska, the replies I've received are so informative, thank you. I have also decided to make sure Glacier Bay is on our itinerary.

Sincerely appreciate your post Hank.

Graham

I'm so glad I didn't go into this with just looking at Travel agents pictures and recommendation. Your post is exceptional, thank you. Since my Alaska plea went out I have received unbiased, informative in formation that can only prepare me for selecting which route to take.  To give myself a chance to get a flavour of Alaska, I think I will take up your recommendation at look at Glacier Bay, southbound. hopefully I will also see some wildlife and sea life as well as glaciers. You must be well chilled (no pun intended) with your time in Alaska. I can only imagine a life of tranquility and beauty.

Thank you for taking the time to post.

Well, after reading hours of nothing that helps, I have received magnificent replies. What a review based on actual experiences. Orcas, frisky whales, eagles and so on. I was tingling with excitement just reading the feedback to my questions.

Great tips, great advice and I can't wait to book to visit an amazing place.

Sincere thanks

Hi all, 

I normally cruise with RCI or Celebrity as I enjoy the atmosphere and relaxed environment on board, The USA ships find the balance with families, formal and casual attire, dining experience and ports. 

Having covered all of Europe, we are now looking at Alaska for our next cruise in August 2020. The thought of seeing Whales and other sea life, brown bears and Glaciers excites me to the core. So I thought I'd book a cruise....Simple!

Blimey....which cruise do I book? Northbound, Southbound, Hubbard Glacier, Inside passage and so on...

I looked at a cruise that takes me from the UK to Vancouver, hotel overnight then 7 days on the Eclipse visiting the Inside passage, Hubbard Glacier, icy straight point (Hoonah), Juneau and Ketchikan, and inside passage again.

What could I see on Sea days? Would I need to book excursions to see the sea and land wildlife or would there be a possibility I may be lucky. I'm not sure how close we would sail to the coastline or the Glacier. Could I be lucky and see Whales on this route or is this exclusive for excursions only?

Have I chosen the right cruise course? sadly I only have 10 days so I am unable to extend my stay in Alaska, hence I want to cram as much in as possible.

Any advice, good or bad news is welcome. thank you

Excellent, thank you

13 hours ago, garuz said:

I researched independent tours of St Petersburg because ship excursions are so expensive. Firstly let's clear up a common misconception regarding visas. If you arrive in St Petersburg by ship, are staying less than 3 days, and have pre-booked a tour with an approved tour operator, you do not need to apply for a Russian visa. Most cruise lines and UK tour companies tell you that they include a visa. This is just a sales pitch because they have to use approved Russian tour operators for their tours, just the same.
I opted for TJ Travel because they offered what I was looking for at a very good price. I made contact via their website and had an almost instant reply in perfect English, explaining They would pick us up outside the immigration hall. We would be using new air conditioned Mercedes mini buses, have a maximum of 16 people and an English speaking guide. They sent me all the appropriate tickets via email and a comprehensive explanation of procedures about how to get through Immigration. 
It was very simple and uncomplicated. They met me as agreed and there were a total of 14 on our tour. Our guide Mikhail was exceptional. His knowledge was outstanding and the trip was planned to the finest detail. We did a number of unusual things like visit the St Petersburg Metro including a two stop ride. the architecture down there is stunning. All major attractions were done in such a way that involved virtually no queueing. Our lunch stop was a small Russian cafe with local dishes. it was exceptional value for money, even if we did have to rely on Mikhail for a translation of the menu. The whole 2 days was a real highlight of our Baltic cruise. I would heartily recommend this company

Top post, thank you

Had done excellent feedback. Both days in StP are sorted and saved a few  pounds too.

Thanks to all 

2 hours ago, little britain said:

+1 for Alla.  They will cover all your visa requirements too.  

Cheers for that, I'm flying from Birmingham on a propeller plane, that'll be an experience in itself!

Excellent, I'll take a look and many thanks.

1 hour ago, 1025cruise said:

If you are only a couple of weeks away, it might be too late to find something. As a reminder, if you don't have a tour booked in St. Petersburg, you can't just walk off the ship without a Russian visa, which it is definitely too late to apply for.

Many thanks,

As a last resort we can book on the ship for our excursions but as we all know, you pay doublw what independant agency's charge. Had some decent replies re Alla so will look at their website.

H all,

We start our Baltic cruise in a couple of weeks, we stay in St Petersburg on the Thursday and Friday and so far booked to see Swan lake on the Thursday evening. Having read so many good reviews on many places to visit, we are conscious that time is against us. So without cramming in places we would rather take our time and enjoy our overnight stay. I would like to go to the Hermitage Museum and also told a visit to the Savior of the spilled blood is a must.

RCI don't do an excursion to combine both and I can not see on their excursions an option to visit 1 on each day. Has anyone found an agency that would pick up from the cruise port and either do a combined Hermitage/Silled Blood tour or 2 separate tours on the Thursday then Friday?

Many thanks

With respect, the date format is irrelevant to the question asked. Passport with 5 months 20 days left. Apologies if you were confused.

Thank you Charles, the best reply todate. I was hoping someone was in a similar position to what I am currently in. Even playing it safe and spend £70 GBP on a new passport could be a waste of money with March 29th Brexit day looming. I have emailed RCCL and asked for the third time if they will allow a passenger to board with 5 months 20 days left on the passport. So far I have had 2 customer service replies, 1 saying yes it will be fine and 1 saying they recommend 6 months. I've had over 2 years of people sitting on the fence with Brexit and now getting it from RCCL. 

Thanks again

Charles...a big male Rooster! Why pay for something if you don't need too?

Thank you all for your input, I have sent an email to the UK Government with my question and await a reply, Brexit is not helping matters as no one really knows what will be agreed or not. I apologise if I am on the wrong thread as this is a genuine oversight. Mt aim on this forum was to see if any other UK passenger has experienced my dilemma.

Excellent much appreciated, Royal Caribbean have said 6 months is 'recommended' which didn't answer my question. I don't see why I should renew if my passport is still in date and I'm only visiting these countries for the day (Russia -2 days).

I am on a cruise on the 11/08/2019 for 12 days. My passport has an expiry date of 29/01/2020 so when I disembark the ship for my flight home, I will have 5 months 7 days left. Browsing through the excursions I see that Visa's may be required. I would therefore ask if my passport will be valid to visit these countries and for me to return to the UK.

I have a UK passport and I am cruising with Royal Caribbean

11/08/2018: Leaving UK to Amsterdam
13/08/2019: Denmark
15/08/2019: Estonia
16/08/2019: St Petersburg Russia
17/08/2019  St Petersburg Russia
18/08/2019: Finland
19/08/2019: Sweden
21/08/2019  Denmark
23/08/2019  Amsterdam
23/08/2019  Fly back to UK

Sounds like you are not understanding tipping/gratuity process.

 

Drink packages have an automatic 18% tip included. You do not need to tip extra, unless you find a favorite bartender or just simply want to tip extra. You can tip in cash $1-2 each drink, but it is not required. If you purchase an individual drink an 18% tip is added.

 

All food service staff and your room steward are included in the prepaid gratuities. If you choose not to prepay (and you don't have to) a service charge/gratuity of approximately $13 per person per day is billed to your Seapass account. You should tip room service delivery person as they are not included. This daily charge includes MDR, buffets, and other miscellaneous personnel. Very simple.

 

Wow envelopes are not really used much any more. Not all ships leave them in your cabin. Wow tips are extra on top of the daily charge should you desire leave extra.

I thought I would be tipping 3 times. If I'm reading the replies correctly If I pre pay gratuities then I avoid the daily gratuity charge applied to all cabins and if I want to tip extra then that's my choice.

When you purchase the drink package with RCCL via on-line or on the ship, they automatically add gratuities, therefore, every time you order a cocktail, there is no tip required.

Thanks Champagne123 and apologies for not making myself clear to the other reply. So, If I have the 'free' deluxe drinks package that's on promo at the moment, I wouldn't be paying on board for specialty coffees etc. Therefore, if I tip the waiters and housekeeping via the WOW envelopes, why would I need to pre pay gratuities as well or would I?

I'm confusing myself with this question so any guidance gratefully received.