Islandhop9

I hope the Havana pool is working for our cruise next month. 

I'd be unhappy as well given that is the only pool for the Havana area on MG. 

Seems like they could have given you access to the other private pool area those days. 

On 10/3/2022 at 12:35 PM, kwokpot said:

Not really, there's the 3rd party cruise casino hosting company URCOMPED. COM

Thanks, will have to look them up. 

We enjoyed the Celebrity cruises, but like other lines as well. 

Called to check again and was told my tier doesn't expire for at least another year. Person on the phone was trying to help, but often had to go back and forth asking someone else for answers. 

Seems they could save by combining with the Royal program. 

On 9/10/2022 at 8:35 AM, AnnaNicole said:

So true.   I've had excellent customer service from Angela and Emma.   Both of them moved me to a cabin of my choice on both of my booked cruises.   Both were friendly, helpful, and a joy to work with.

 

I had called last weekend and a gentleman told me I could not move my cabin to a Sunset Veranda.  He was kind of rude about it.   Snarked that I had a complimentary cabin.   I was insistent that it is allowed (I was told this on my other booking) and asked him to check with his supervisor.   He put me on hold and then said he would call me back.  Never did.   

 

I called again yesterday and made the cabin change with no issue.  Not only that, Emma was super helpful pricing out All inclusive and al a carte on drinks, tips, etc.   A world of difference in customer service.  She reminded me I get a 15% BCC discount on drink packages and to call when I was ready to book the package for my Feb cruise.  

Agree, I was hung up on recently by a Blue Chip rep. because they didn't want to answer my question. 

I earned Amethyst, but they never sent anything about the benefits or cruise options. 

Told different things about when the tier expires. Earning is extended to end of year, but I was told it expires January 31 2023?

On one call I was told the basic beverage package would be included, next call they said No. 

Royal Caribbean is much better organized. They actually have offers listed online and detailed benefits listed. 

I do not recommend Blue Chip. 

59 minutes ago, WonderMan3 said:

Standardly your new tier benefits do not kick in until the cruise following the one you earned it on. But some players have been reporting recently that casino hosts have been honoring new tier benefits if a tier is achieved mid-cruise. I would go in expecting not to receive the benefits.

I reached enough points for the next tier early in the cruise and was told no tier upgrade on that cruise. I did see a post where someone said they were upgraded...

22 hours ago, CruiserKris34 said:

I know there is a section for excursions, but I have a general question.  My cruise is Apex 2/26 & I'm not seeing a lot of choices for excursions (esp Nassau).  Will there be more choices once on board?  Do you think Covid is limiting them or maybe they are full already?  I haven't been on a cruise since Jan 2020 & back then, I remember a ton of choices.  We just like a nice, uncrowded beach day.....also going to St. Kitts and St. Thomas.  Thanks all!!  Kris

I don't think they have enough passengers to fill some of the excursions. 

We ended up booking a taxi to do our own tour to ruins in Belize as the ship canceled the tour we wanted. 

We've done the beach on our own many times. In Nassau they wait until 6 people are in a cab, but you can pay more for your own. 

Make sure you compare Uber/Lyft prices. After our recent cruise at Terminal 25 the Uber price was double what Lyft wanted to FLL. 

Was fine last week. We only had an issue during some heavy downpours which I suspect caused issues for all. 

9 hours ago, downsmead said:

We enjoy the Indian food from the buffet, and although X now does an Indian evening at Sushi on 5, we find the buffet offerings are just as good.

We really liked the Indian food in the buffet on Equinox in October and Millennium in  December. 

However we were disappointed with the Indian on the Apex, only a few dishes and most weren't good, lacked flavor/spices. Two supervisors said Celebrity management told them to decrease the number of dishes and spices. I'd rather they not have any if not done right. 

Buffet is nice if you're in a hurry or don't want to dress up. Food wasn't as good as lunch and the place was pretty empty when we went on Apex. MDR was better and had higher quality items. Two circular buffet stations were empty at dinner. 

Don't think they care, just don't do refill cups/thermos from the machines. 

Considering all of Celebrity's sanitation efforts I always roll my eyes at their drink station hygiene...

Metal straws work well when you really need one. I'm used to not using a straw and find it annoying some restaurants automatically throw a plastic straw in sodas.

The Caymans have a banking/financial industry and resorts. They aren't as dependent on the cruise industry like a number of other countries in the Caribbean. 

They'll probably be the last place in the Caribbean to fully open to cruises. 

8 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

I do believe the reason quarantining is in effect and the cruise lines are putting those infected off theirs ships is because there is no consensus of the effectiveness of remedies AFTER infection occurs.  There's also the lack of consensus regarding the effectiveness of some of the drugs touted in the treatment of C-19, let alone the Omicron derivative.  

 

Can't imagine the ship's Med Center stocking something to treat C-19 if it's not categorically proven to work curing it.

Some of those new drugs have bad interactions with a number of drugs. 

Even if they were able to get access I don't seem them dispensing. 

If you're someone with very high risk you should keep that in mind. 

58 minutes ago, Grambler said:

Thanks, I was just wondering if the X-ray could damage or alter the chemical in the test. 

It doesn't matter for ordering from Optum, it makes reordering easier if you create an account.

You will need to create a separate Navica account for each person being tested. That stores the results and pulls the personal information needed for the report. Each person should sign into their account when they start their test. 

Follow the instructions on the box and do not open until instructed. 

We've brought tests in checked bags and carry-on with no issues. 

40 minutes ago, finny2 said:

Did you get an email from Celebrity announcing it? If so, when?

Yes, Celebrity sent an email on January 21st.

Key West was listed as the replacement. 

The app was showing the old itinerary,

today the app. cruise planner shows

Costa Maya, Belize, Cozumel,

Costa Maya(again) 

This is hard with just two choices. I'd recommend a 5-7 day cruise on Celebrity, Royal or maybe NCL to a new cruiser. 

We've done 4-9 days and found 9 days had a few more sea days than we cared for, but this depends a lot on itinerary. If you are content doing things on the ship you'll be fine. Especially if you have plenty of vacation or are retired. I'd do Celebrity over Disney unless Disney is cheaper that might help you afford excursions/a scooter. Consider renting a scooter. 

Review the excursion prices, they aren't always super expensive. Also you can often do the same things on your own cheaper, especially if your friend wants to do the same things/split a cab. Stick to a mid-ship cabin if possible in case you run into rough seas. 

We didn't do an excursion.

The tram was free and goes to the beach club, also stops at a shopping area on the way back. 

The beach is free, but you can't use their roped areas with chairs/umbrellas unless you pay. 

On 1/25/2022 at 2:54 PM, bdstickks0944 said:

https://store.optum.com/celebrity-cruises/

May or may not get it by next week if they order from Optum today. I'd make an apt as a backup if you do. 

You can get the Antigen from wherever CVS, Walgreens, etc., but it has to be monitored by someone and you need the negative test report with your details to provide Celebrity. 

https://www.celebritycruises.com/healthy-at-sea/us-travel-requirements

9 minutes ago, Projunior said:

Phone call #1

One hour and twenty minutes on hold. Then the phone rings once. Then the line goes dead. No human on the other end.

 

Phone call #2

Fifty five minutes on hold. Then the phone rings once. Then the line goes dead. No human on the other end.

 

Phone call #3

Two hours and fifteen minutes on hold. Then the phone makes a clicking noise. Then the line goes dead. No human on the other end.

Yikes! 

I wonder if people are out sick or if they're getting a lot of cancellations? 

Would be nice if they let us do some more things via the website. 

18 minutes ago, PAGA said:

B2B Feb 5 & 12 Apex…checked in for both Jan 15. A few days later, vax cards were “approved/accepted”

Jan 23 received email saying “check in for your cruise”

Double checked this morning - Jan 24: vax card upload requirement disappeared from

both sailings (not my submission, which I know was happening to some - but rather the entire requirement to upload the card) and the entire check-in for Feb 12 (2nd leg of B2B) needs re-done. 
Any clue what’s going on? Is Celebrity getting rid of their vaccination requirements now that CDC sailing order is voluntary? 
I’m hoping this is a computer/programming  glitch, and not a change of course…

I'm on one of those sailings and it is in my app I can assure you Celebrity has NOT changed their requirements overnight. 

Each guest should have also received the email below reiterating the requirements. 

34 minutes ago, dateacher said:

We are in a 1A Veranda (8256) and trying to decide if we want to try to move up to Aqua if given the option.  Are there any cabins that would not be as desirable (not that we have a choice) as far as noise, obstructed view or all they all good?  I have seen a chart showing at what price it's worth it and wouldn't spend more than about $300 for the cabin if we could do it.

 

Also do we have access to everything in the spa (except treatments) such as steam, sauna etc.?

Yes, some can be under a public deck. A number of them on some ships are under a very long overhang/won't get much sun. 

Always expect the worst room so you're not disappointed. 

You might be able to move, but on our cruise in December AC was sold out even with a not that full ship. 

The Blu restaurant and spa access are the only substantial benefits. 

6 hours ago, Definitas said:

There have been some complaints about the Binax tests being supplied dry (not test fluid) and Celebrity don’t take any responsibility for them so using Qured may well be a better bet anyway. They would be a good fallback option. These people have had good reviews too .https://labdoctor.org/covid-pcr-testing/  I emailed them and their reply was reassuring. I’m going to do the Qured tests 2 days before boarding and, in the event there are any problems, We will do the walk in clinic as a fall back. Last resort would be walk in at Fort Lauderdale Airport. 

Ours have all had excess fluid in the droppers.  If doing two tests it would be a good idea to save the dropper after the first is done in case you need it. 

The regular non proxied binax now tests use the same fluid. So a dropper from on of those would work in a pinch. 

A back up is a good idea though. 

1 hour ago, KellyMcB said:

Thank you for posting the pictures!  I fear that Millie (Deck 9) has an even bigger over hang and we

won't see any of the sun, even the little that you had there.  

Oh well, I'm sure we won't suffer 🙂

 

If you're a sun seeker you can always try moving to one of the other AC locations if one opens up. 

The thread below has some photos. 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com.au/topic/2020441-constellation-deck-9-overhang/

13 minutes ago, KellyMcB said:

Wondering if anyone who's been in one can tell me, should I expect an all shaded balcony for the entire time?

 

Thanks for any in site 🙂

Yes, pretty much. 

There are a few aqua in aft with good sun exposure, some of those aren't as private. 

17 minutes ago, 39august said:

When I ordered this in Luminae what I got was certainly bigger than 4 oz. I estimated it to be about 6 oz., the size we usually have at home. Perfectly cooked as ordered. Delish. 

I ordered one in Blu on Millennium and it was definitely bigger than 4oz. Maybe they picked it from elsewhere, not sure... 

35 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

I hear everyone's positive reports of Emed.   I've been very disappointed in my experience.   As I said they have never answered any of my enquirers via their portal messaging system.

 

I tried to check the status of my order today and it still shows -

 

 

At first I though I had gone nuts because I was sure I saw a message about my shipment yesterday.   I looked through my mail and nothing from Emed.    I then looked for FedEx. and there was a message saying your package is on the way and a tracking number.

 

The good news it's from EMed but the reference number doesn't match my order number.   At least it shows it is in Oakland and scheduled for delivery today.

 

 

 

Interesting, mine came from Kentucky, so the must have different fulfillment centers. 

Might explain why the processing differs. (along with huge demand) 

If you have tests you aren't going to use I'd look into ways to donate or give away. I keep thinking how many tests might expire and go to waste. Would be nice if the cruise lines had a box where extra kits could be dropped. 

1 hour ago, kenb said:

FYI If you are planning to use Optum as a backup, they are out of stock on Binax AG tests.

Wow, yep. 

"We are currently out of stock. Please check back after January 25th to place an order."