Sussex Cruiser

I've only ever found availability by starting the starting a booking process (and I have REALLY tried to figure other methods over the years). If you choose your site, and don't log in you won't be bombarded by finish your booking emails etc. There are quite a few good sites out there which are really quick and easy, such as enabling you to use your own browsers bookmarking etc for real speed, but they will never show more than 50 cabins available in each grade, even if 100 are available. So for one that distorts the picture a little bit. Also look out for guarantee grades... there can be MANY people who have booked a guarantee and are awaiting an allocation so, suddenly, all the availability can disappear overnight.

From multiple previous experiences it will definitely be very last minute. And expect near to zero compensation/sympathy from Celebrity other than a refund of those port charges. As you are before final payment, ask yourself if you would be happy doing that cruise without Israel in it.

I agree with the others. After resumption of sailing there were severe shortages of everything, even down to cans of coke on one cruise. It has got much better for sure, but some ships are still missing some items, only one or two mind. I'm still very wary of getting a premium drinks package as a result, as those missing items are usually ones I want, and I feel rather shortchanged as a result. Plus the menu changes at the world class bar, and removal of my favourite drink, seals the fate for me.

I'm very pleased that at least for this seasons TA's there is still mandatory vaccination and testing. Yes, of course anyone can still get covid, but like others have said, it reduces the number of cases, at least initially. With regards to vaccination - who knows how their bodies will react when they get covid each time. You could have a very severe case, and that is not good when you are half way across the Atlantic, days from any hospital care. And if you think the ships 'hospital' will be able to look after you properly, you may well be very disappointed. That's why vaccinations are good for the long crossings.

Use Skype... all 1-800 calls to the US from the UK are free of charge.

Yes it all changed a few months back now. (and the prices have gone through the roof to go with it too)

I too am not particularly fussed about Bermuda, BUT Lisbon, really...!?!? That place is really dull. This was one of the only more southerly crossings where we hoped for some better weather (as we have always found). Now heading across from Madeira is not a good omen. Why on earth could they not have found a better port, Caribbean side, for us to go into instead. I do not believe that they were all full. No doubt more penny pinching by Celebrity so they could go across the Atlantic at minimal speed, yet again. And we are supposed to be grateful for 11 days at sea now? They really have to stop treating their guests with such indifference.

Every cruise that I have done in the past year hasn't posted the 2x points (even when 2x the fare). It has taken months and months to sort out with huge call wait times (US) and incompetent staff not filling in forms correctly. I've had to call on average 3 times to get the points added correctly. So, don't hold your breath!

Back to self serve on Connie too. It was like pigs in a trough, especially around the deserts.

I just sent my suit jacket down to be pressed, and it came back in a terrible state. They had obviously pressed it far too hot and it frayed all the fibres. They did take it back to see what they could do. It did come back looking better, but you know they just trimmed them off. It has looked pretty sad ever since. I have had so many clothes ruined by ships laudries over the years that I never send anything down anymore, despite having free laundry. If they wash it, it goes on a boil wash with everyone elses clothes. I'd rather just take extra to last me.

Chia seeds...? Haha! Dream on. This ship had nothing of anything. They even had to give out plastic bottled crew water as they ran out of cans. Half the spirits were missing, loads of wines missing, and couldn't even get a coke zero after two days. Loads of breakfast items were missing. If there is something specific like that which you need, I suggest you take some with you. This is by far the worst ship in the fleet at the moment, especially with so few crew members.

Probably all still recovering from the extremely large covid outbreaks with zero action by Celebrity to control it.