Zele
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Posts posted by Zele
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31 minutes ago, Worldtraveler22 said:
Not exactly a straight answer in our case on this trip. We do need a visa per the description. The question is where to get it. As we are not arriving by air, it's different. I'll keep digging.
37 minutes ago, Worldtraveler22 said:Yes, Visa Central says Dubai, Oman and Egypt require visas for US and Canadian pp holders. I also looked at the e-Visa for Egypt but couldn't tell if it was legit. I'll do some more digging. Thank you.
Both the Canadian and US government websites say that Visas are not required by their citizens for entry into the UAE. For Canadians a Visa is not required for the Oman but is for Americans according to their respective government websites.
I would wary of the accuracy of Visa Central.
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31 minutes ago, Zele said:
We are on this voyage and we got our Egyptian Visas through the Egypt e-Visa Portal. Its relatively straight forward. If you have an issue, the people at the Portal reply well within 24 hours.
We have British passports and so we checked with the British Foreign and Commonwealth office first on the entry requirements for each country on this voyage. Egypt was the only one that required a Visa but only for certain ports, none of which we are stopping at. I also checked with Visa Central and they had a different view, which makes me suspicious of them.
My suggestion is for you to check with your Government's appropriate department / service as they should have the most up to date and reliable information on entry requirements.
As a British passport holder we don't need Visas for Greece, the Oman and the UAE. However next year it may be different for Greece and all other EU countries.
The following is from the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office. The Egyptian Entry Requirements may be the same for other nationalities, but needs checking especially as to whether there will be immigration officials at Port Suez as according to 'What's In Port' Crystal Symphony is the only vessel docking in 2023 !
If you wish to get a visa on arrival, you can do so at approved bank kiosks within airport arrival halls, before reaching immigration counters. The visa fee is US$25, payable in US dollars as the preferred currency, although you may also be able to pay in pounds sterling or euros. Visas granted on arrival are valid for a maximum of 30 days. There’s no need to buy a visa from an agent. In many cases agents will charge more than US$25 for a visa. If you’re harassed by an agent, report the incident to the tourist police in the airport terminal.
If you’re travelling to Sharm el Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba resorts for up to 15 days, you will receive a free entry permission stamp upon arrival. If you intend to travel out of these areas or stay longer than 15 days, you must get a visa.
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6 hours ago, Worldtraveler22 said:
If anyone is on the October 9 cruise from Athens to Dubai have you had success buying your visas online from the government websites? I don’t want to pay a premium using Visa central. Thank you in advance.
We are on this voyage and we got our Egyptian Visas through the Egypt e-Visa Portal. Its relatively straight forward. If you have an issue, the people at the Portal reply well within 24 hours.
We have British passports and so we checked with the British Foreign and Commonwealth office first on the entry requirements for each country on this voyage. Egypt was the only one that required a Visa but only for certain ports, none of which we are stopping at. I also checked with Visa Central and they had a different view, which makes me suspicious of them.
My suggestion is for you to check with your Government's appropriate department / service as they should have the most up to date and reliable information on entry requirements.
As a British passport holder we don't need Visas for Greece, the Oman and the UAE. However next year it may be different for Greece and all other EU countries.
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Keith,
We are really enjoying all your posts, so please keep them coming but don't forget to enjoy your holiday.
We are booked on Symphony this October and again in April and May next year so your comments are very much appreciated and make us really happy. We can't wait to get onboard.
A small question. Are there guest speakers onboard and what are their topics?
Cheers
Rod & Linda
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5 hours ago, Catlover54 said:
That style is 'hip and in'. Anyone who doesn't like it is a hopelessly dated unstylish and biased senior. That would include me 🙂
I prefer heavily cushioned seats with arm rests.
However, much as I dislike such spartan chairs, cruising isn't just about the chairs (despite my not being as fit as some posters here). The chair status is just one small contributing factor.
Itinerary remains #1 for me, and #2 is whether or not I will have daily battles and headaches getting basic service in restaurants and at guest services (i.e., if I will have to be a VIP ot travel agent to enjoy my cruise).
I like mixing and matching my cruise lines, and it is wonderful to have so many choices.
Given that a large proportion of guests may be seniors many of whom may have dodgy knees it is therefore important to have arm rests as support when sitting down and getting up. Crystal may have put design ahead of practicality.
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My favourite is Martin Miller.
Anyone know whether they stock it onboard or if not how can I request it.
Cheers
Rod
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The title of this topic is very misleading '....travel to Europe..'
The ETIAS scheme only applies to 30 countries in Europe.
These are EU countries and those with bilateral agreements with the EU like Norway and Switzeland.
Other European countries like the UK are outside of the scheme.
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Cheers Keith
Rod
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Keith,
Will there still be a magician from the Magic Castle as there as been no mention so far or will he suddenly appear as if by...?
Rod
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23 hours ago, Keith1010 said:
If you go to the Crystal Cruises Home Page and scroll down you will see a video from Manfredi which was just added to the site.
Great video.Chee
www.crystalcruises.com
Keith
Keith,
I can't find the video. Where is it actually?
Cheers
Rod
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Like suzeluvscruz and Pat & Ray the ship is our destination.
But that doesn't mean we don't go on excursions. We are just particular about which ports and which excursions.
Some ports and some excursions are just not worth the bother and cost.
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2 hours ago, Texas Tillie said:
I'm putting $5 on no luggage tags, get them at the port. That's what Silversea is doing now. It won't be long until we know for sure!
Patty
Patty,
I hope not as it could mean further delays in getting onboard as passengers will have to hang around longer to complete luggage tags or some other form of identification.
But, as you say we will soon find out.
Rod
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5 hours ago, Keith1010 said:
One of the silent questions was one I asked that anyone who is booked on the first cruise might want to know. I asked when the cruise documents would be sent out. They will be sent out in early July for the July 31 cruise and my impression is by e-mail. They also said for many they will also be reflected in my account.
Keith
Keith,
It is good that the cruise documents will be emailed out to guests but what about the luggage labels / tags?
The luggage labels / tags from old Crystal were quite sturdy that could withstand rough treat at airports, not so anything printed at home.
Rod
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On the top right hand corner of the Crystal Web Page there is 'LOG IN / REGISTER'
First: Register
Second: Sign In
A Welcome Page appears.
On the left: My Bookings
On the right: Account Settings
From 'My Bookings' find your bookings with your name, booking number and CS number.
Thereafter complete all the mandatory information about yourself and your preferences.
Quite straightforward.
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13 hours ago, History&Wine said:
@Zele said: We asked whether we could leave our luggage on board in a safe place. They said yes but a day later said no.
Must be a reason I can't think of for this, as it would seemingly make sense. I wonder when the three day gap was posted on the website if it was not always there?
The reason for the 'Yes & No' was that the 'management' overruled the inexperienced 'clerks' handling the bookings.
The three day gap was always on the Crystal website. Our TA and ourselves didn't notice it as voyage one ended in Venice and voyage two started there, hence the assumption it was a B2B. It was our fault for not checking the dates thoroughly enough and Crystal for not being explicit enough in their literature.
It also highlighted the fact that Venice, becasue of cruise ship restrictions, may not be the actual port where the ship docks. We wonder whether there are other ports like Majorca / Mallorca where no more than three cruise ships can dock per day.
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1 hour ago, Keith1010 said:
Just wondering did you ask Crystal if you have to take all your luggage off the ship if you are doing a B2B with this three day gap?
Keith
Keith,
Our TA, ourselves and Crystal didn't notice the three day gap as Crystal gave us a confirmed booking with a B2B discount. When we noticed the three days our TA contacted them.
Crystal then confirmed and apologised that it wasn't a B2B and that we would have to leave the ship.
We asked whether we could leave our luggage on board in a safe place. They said yes but a day later said no. We cancelled the cruise and moved our deposit to a later cruise.
What alarmed our TA was that the internal Crystal cruise schedule document made no mention of a private hire.
Rod
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33 minutes ago, Zele said:
Yes, that's the reason I originally posted. I was curious to know what information Crystal was providing to paid up passengers for the inaugral cruise as the Crystal website is still work-in-progress as evidenced by the May 2024 cruise from Rome to Lisbon which states that Malaga in Spain is an island (ie the famed islands of Ibiza and Malaga').
I do hope it's not Symphony's navigator who has written this !
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6 hours ago, Cruise-y said:
Crystal’s website shows Symphony arriving in Venice on 9/15 but not leaving until 9/18. Does anyone know what this gap means? I assume it’s not possible to do an onboard B2B over that gap? Thanks.
Its a private hire.
All passengers have to get off the ship.
Passengers can do a sort of B2B only if they get off the ship mooch around Venice and then get back onboard three days later with all their luggage.
The Crystal website should make it clear that the ship does or does not dock in Venice as many cruise ships over a certain size are banned.
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4 hours ago, History&Wine said:
July would be the first sailing for the New Crystal, and if one were booked on a sailing in July, one would have already paid the full amount due. Mr. Bluebird has not yet paid the full amount, so cannot be sailing in July.
Welcome to Cruise Critic and the Crystal board Softly Darlene!
Yes, that's the reason I originally posted. I was curious to know what information Crystal was providing to paid up passengers for the inaugral cruise as the Crystal website is still work-in-progress as evidenced by the May 2024 cruise from Rome to Lisbon which states that Malaga in Spain is an island (ie the famed islands of Ibiza and Malaga').
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We have paid deposits for cruises with Crystal Symphony for this year and next with our first balance due in June this year.
Has anyone paid their cruise balance?
If so, what did Crystal respond with? (eg an email account, resevations for specialist restaurants, booking excursions, details of talks etc etc.)
Cheers
Rod & Linda
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3 hours ago, Old Sea Dog said:
Just noticed that on the above cruise the port of Sharm El Sheikh has been removed so visit to Mount Sinai & St Catherines Monastery now impossible
Has anyone on Cruise been advised by Crystal?
We have a confirmed booking from Crystal dated early March 2023 and Sharm El Sheikh is not a port of call.
Don't know if it ever has been.
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Does anyone know what time 'the doors open' for embarking passengers.
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8 hours ago, happy cruising said:
Tracie, if the rendering is accurate we’re going to have to put the stuff we used to put in those desk drawers and shelves in luggage under the bed … we will be living out of a suitcase, especially on the longer cruises.
Can't believe A&K / Crystal would promote a luxury experience with high prices where passengers are
forced to store much of their belongings in their suitcases under their bed.
Perhaps the examples shown by Crystal are either artists impressions or unfinished suites. For example, the early descriptions of Deck 7 of Symphony included Self Service Laundry and Bridge Room which they don't have and never have had. They have now been removed.
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We always sail on the Symphony so my comments apply to it or is it her.
Amenities to which many modern cruise ships don't appear to have but Crystal have retained are the superb library, the cinema, the self service laundries, the wraparound walking promenade deck (for us doddery old folks), breakfast, lunch and dinner in the MDR (which was not the case on a recent SB voyage) and likewise the free Wi-Fi.
I'm pleased with the change to walk-in showers instead of having to clamber into a bath tub. Never went to the casino so not missed but what will replace it? No mention of the magic castle, lets hope it reappears as if by magic like the proverbial rabbit.
I'm hoping that they will not introduce, unlike other cruise ships, incessant musak and frequent annoying tannoy announcements. I was always amused by the only announcement of the day by a previous German captain as he sounded exactly like the captain of the U-Boat in Das Boot. I was hoping he would announce 'enemy convoy ahead' to see what the reaction would be with fellow passengers.
To us, the ship is the destination and its the whole package from pricing, cabin and ship amenities, social events, fellow travellers, food and beverages, the generous quiet public areas, little to no queuing, excisions and of course the very professional and friendly crew who have always made a cruise a very special and highly enjoyable occasion with Crystal, and lets hope it continues.
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Symphony to Middle East
in Crystal
Posted
We too read the same UK government and Egyptian embassy requirements and then we spoke to our TA who arranges many holidays in Egypt and who confirmed that multiple entry Visas at US$120 per couple was required.