Ma Bell

Personally, I believe the problem is with the cabins with windows and the materials used in the construction of the ship. The materials used in the walls everywhere are static and have no give and  when the weather is a little rough the noises are evident. It's the same in the hallways. They used to use more natural materials than they do now.

Obviously site wide. Same thing for Beyond.

I'm certainly not criticizing you at all, but how could you possibly say you haven't infected anyone if you started getting symptoms the day after you flew home on a plane? Glad to hear you are doing well. We should all know by now what we're dealing with and should be able to assess the risks and try to do the best we can to keep ourselves and others safe. Hopefully we're heading to the time when this will be able to be considered as one of the many other possibilities we may encounter and deal with it accordingly.

3 hours ago, Stockjock said:

I shared these comments on another cruise forum.  Some repetition, but obviously I'm trying to be helpful and keep people safe...

Got covid on a recent cruise. Just thought I'd share a few remarks.

My GF and I usually do MSC or Celebrity. This one was a NYE cruise on Celebrity Summit. Passengers and crew were fully vaccinated. I've had both jabs and the booster. The cruise was masks optional and I'd say 80% did not wear them and maybe 20% wore the masks.

Had a great time. Food and drinks were great. Flight home cancelled, but grabbed a hotel in Miami and flew out the next day.

The next evening (last Thursday), got a mild cough. Next day, mild cough, mild congestion and the slightest of fevers, which would be normal for most humans, but maybe 1 degree warm for me.  

Started gradually feeling better after that. Got a notification Friday from CA Health Dept. that I had been exposed to covid, apparently while on the ship.

Did a total of 3 in home covid tests (Binax). All were negative.

But I had a feeling it was the corona.

Sunday, I went in for a PCR test. No results by this morning, so I did another in home test, this time it was positive. Later got the PCR results, also positive.

On a 1-10 scale, this is about level 2, similar to a very mild cold. Feels more cold-like than flu-like.

The takeaways?

I do recommend that you get vaccinated and boosted. I think this is largely why I feel pretty good right now.

Understand that there are definite limitations to the rapid antigen tests, whether in-home or not. If you need a quick test, rapid antigen tests are the only way to go, but if you truly want to know if you have the corona, do the drive-through PCR test. Just understand they are backed up, so it may be 3-5 days before results are available.

Despite no mask much of the time, we were careful. Mostly good social distancing on the ship. I sanitized non-stop and made my GF (still negative) do the same. On the flights, I brought sanitizing wipes and wiped down all surfaces I might touch. Mostly avoided crowds, but on New Year's Eve that was hard to do. Still got the corona.

I do recommend that you download your health dept's notification app. Enable it. If you test positive, do the reporting as a courtesy to others.

If you are feeling under the weather, assume it's the coronavirus and self-isolated until proven otherwise. I self-isolated despite 3 straight negative rapid antigen tests. I think that was a good strategy. Mom is 87 and in need of supplies at her assisted living facility. I told her no for now, and I think that worked to keep her safe.

Several have asked me if I wished that I hadn't cruised and my answer is that I have zero regrets. Had an amazing time.  

In my mind, coronavirus is here to stay. *But*, I do think it will get milder and milder over time until it gets to the point where it's not at all dangerous. Maybe at that time, which could come sooner than later, they'll stop freaking out about it.

Almost glad I got it, as I haven't infected anyone else and now I have even stronger immunity and anti-bodies than before. At least for me, it hasn't been a big deal at all.

My friend Karyn and I are two that didn't make it. We flew to San Diego Saturday morning but my friend's husband had a medical emergency so we had to cancel last minute.

3 minutes ago, jelayne said:

Where did you see all suites get 2 bottles of liquor I not seeing that?  I see the champagne or sparkling wine listed, which are  included now.

It's under Premium Beverage Package.

7 minutes ago, actuarian said:

The people occupying the larger suites are escorted onto the ship and to Michael's Club (or The Retreat) so people see who they are.  We Sky Suite peons can go to Michael's too but we have to find our own way.

Strange, we sail in Sky Suites and I couldn't tell you where anyone else is. This whole thread has been very interesting.

Thanks for posting your review.

32 minutes ago, phoenix_dream said:

Let's be honest here - the experience of someone in a Royal Suite may not be the same as the experience of someone in just a Sky Suite, or in Aqua Class for sure.  I rarely can afford to sail suites, but when I recently did (sky suite) I could absolutely tell that there is even a class system within the suite level.  I was treated very well and have no complaints, but the higher level passengers were treated like royalty.  Please note - I am not saying this is not justified - Royal Suite guests are paying a very large premium for the privilege and I don't begrudge them getting special service.  I'm just pointing out that your experience may not be indicative of all suite guests.

How did you know who was in which suite?

9 minutes ago, MEcruzr said:

Ooooooo... good question! Yes, under what circumstances was this information shared? I'm guessing it was due to a complaint about over crowding and having to wait for a table...

 

Odd that it was the M'd who said it. It's HIS responsibility to allow or disallow suite guests into Blu. If that many suite guests were overcrowding Blu it was his fault. 

Yes, it would have been a great opportunity to make a complaint rather than coming here to gripe about it.

3 minutes ago, phoenix_dream said:

I agree about the slumming part.  But I can tell you on our last cruise our Maitre d' told us that 1/3 of the suite guests were eating in Blu every night.  He said there were 60 suite guests onboard and 20 of them were eating in Blu.  That was exactly the numbers he said.  I am not saying that number applies to every cruise, but apparently it did on my last one.

Was the Maitre'd gossiping or answering a question?

It must be tiring trying to keep track of everyone's status. Each cruise is an experience unto itself and there can be any number of reasons why a certain venue is crowded. Personally, I doubt that most suite passengers would give a hoot whether they could go to Blu or not. When I want a change there are plenty of other choices including the buffet and room service.

It seems that one of the biggest problems is people worrying about what others may be getting. One thing I have learned in my fairly long life so far is to appreciate what I have when I have it and don't be envious of others.  

1 minute ago, Alsmez said:

 

I am aware of this, but not every passenger is, nor do most of them read Cruise Critic to find out. 

If everyone in Luminae made special requests every night it wouldn't work either. Fortunately there are less "picky" people....at least that used to be true. It's a changing world. The staff always do their best to satisfy.

3 minutes ago, hcat said:

Isn't that a reserved time, although for AQ class guests it is Select Dining..no res!

So would it be better if everyone just showed up? That's the point isn't it? It's up to management to make it work or change the rules.

On 2/6/2020 at 7:01 AM, terrydtx said:

I stand corrected thank you pointing this out. However under no circumstances should a suites guest be able to make a reservation in Blu as reported earlier and seated ahead of waiting Aqua guests.

 

Also how in one sentence can Celebrity say Exclusively for AquaClass® guests and in another Suite guests welcome upon availability.?  This hardly makes AquaClass use of Blu "Exclusive". 

Since it's upon availability, I would imagine they tell the suite guests when to arrive and have their name. We usually sail in Sky Suites and never use Blu. No reason to.

2 minutes ago, Gordoncruickshank said:

They ask for your room number when you enter either Blu or Luminae

I'm well aware of that. My question was for the poster, not the staff. Seems like there must be a lot of detective work going on.😉

On 2/4/2020 at 7:18 PM, phoenix_dream said:

It's been gone for years.  They have muesli on the menu but not the cart.  They cut that when they cut the staff.

No, they cut that when the health department told them they had to.

On 2/4/2020 at 11:36 AM, phoenix_dream said:

I thought this topic would generate some opinions, and you did not disappoint😉.  I wanted to make a few points based on some comments.  

 

In the past three years, I have sailed more than 20 times on Celebrity - one in a suite and the rest in Aqua Class (and a number of cruises in AQ before then).  In all of those cruises, I have never encountered Blu "half-full", except right before the 9:00 close.  (I never showed up before 7:00, so perhaps it is half-empty at that time but I certainly don't want to eat that early)

 

I realize that there may be Maître d's who turn suite guests away in Blu.  In all of those cruises I have never encountered one to my knowledge, and regularly encounter suite guests regardless of the crowds.  I don't deny it can happen, but I can say for sure it does not happen enough.

 

I acknowledge that Reflection is the worst case scenario, but I have encountered difficulty in getting seated between 7:00 and 8:30 on almost all of the cruises.  Certainly not every single time, but enough to make it problematic.

 

As I stated in my original posting, yes, I understand why the process was initially started.  But much has changed since then (in particular the addition of Luminae) so I think the process needs to be re-evaluated.  

I wonder how you know who are suite guests.

If it's only 7 days it would have to be Alaska for me. It's because of the beautiful scenery while sailing.

Only if you want to be chic. My husband likes to look like he's with me so he does.

3 hours ago, blueboro said:

I have always been able to link reservations and make dining for the entire group online.  Just did it last week for our party of 8 for the entire cruise with no issues.  I also paid for a family cruise with sons and their wives and simply put my credit card as the card to be charged on their online check in.  

Same here. Not a problem.

On 9/18/2019 at 12:12 PM, B+S said:

Bob,

 

That's the best rational reason I've seen for why the cruise lines may have different policies that the US Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs.

 

Thank you,

Bob & Sue

That's because it is a valid reason. I wouldn't want to be a test case.

Very sorry to hear of the passing of this wonderful lady. Her continued posts on the Edge class ships certainly helped to spur Celebrity to improve the product. I was very reluctant to book a cruise on this class of ships but seeing that many of the concerns I had were being addressed I finally booked one with my granddaughters as a graduation trip this coming May. Her cheerful and informative posts were always a pleasure to see.

Her family and friends have so much to be proud of and her legacy will live on. My deepest condolences to them.

2 hours ago, mom says said:

I'm curious- how does a photo (of possibly dubious quality) tell you whether or not a given dish tastes as it should? I've seen plenty of examples over the years of things that look good and taste awful ( and vice versa).

It's only one indication that someone may use to give them an idea of what to expect. We all have different experiences and tastes so the same can be said for anything that is subjective.

I'm more likely to value the opinion of someone I know because I would have a good idea about their taste level. That being said,  reading reviews and seeing photos can certainly be somewhat helpful to others. If not, they may as well shut down all these kinds of websites or one can always just pass them by.

Here is a link to a frequent Celebrity cruiser. He always provides wonderful photos of the various dining venues a well as a lot more valuable information. Thanks to Mike Preisman,

http://www.thepreismans.com/cruise_reviews.html

39 minutes ago, davekathy said:

Had it on our recent Summit cruise. 

And here I thought I came up with something new. Oh well.😊