Bucket List Ticked

Just now, david63 said:

Yes

Good to know - thanks David 😀

Just booked my first P&O cruise. On my past cruises with 2 different cruise lines I had a choice of check-in times to choose from. From reading the comments on here it looks like P&O will just allocate me a boarding time - is that correct? Thanks.

7 hours ago, MandL said:

Have you tried cec@celebrity.com

 

My points took a bit longer than my husbands to show up.  You might give it another week.  I wouldn't be concerned about it yet.

No I haven’t tried that one but I will - thanks.

I will wait another week first as you suggest. 
 

Thanks 🤩 

8 hours ago, twincheryl said:

Have had no luck emailing… just went thru this last month.  Do you have a UK phone number for Capt Club? That’s the fastest way. 

I think I saw one when I was searching for email online but as they are owned by Royal and calling their customer service number recently cost me £25 I really don’t want to risk calling…..

9 hours ago, cruisestitch said:

What address did you use so we don’t just give it to you again?

Hi Cruisestitch,

used - CelebrityEngagementCenter@celebrity.com which I found on an email from CaptainsClub. When I googled it on their website I could only find a phone number but last time I called Royal about something it cost me £25 for holding 30 mins as a premium number so didn’t want to risk it….

Hi, I haven’t been given my points for a sailing I finished on 7th Dec but my husband has got his. It’s well past the 19 days it says it could take to show.
 

I tried emailing an address I found but got delivery failure - does anyone know the correct email address to contact please?

Many thanks. 😀

Definitely end of June is better. Lovely weather (August could be too hot) and in the UK kids are still in school. Late August kids are still off so will be more families away then.

So I’m sailing from Athens to Ravenna in Italy and all stops appear to be in the EU. We have included Premium package. 
 

Are you saying each drink we buy will have VAT added to our room account? Or not as we are not sailing from Spain….

Thanks! 

16 hours ago, Tin can said:

 

You're right, I couldn't find out any information about the shuttle to/from Ravenna before hand from customer services. It was only from here and FB groups that I knew there was one and then when I arrived there was Royal representatives everywhere.

 

I don't know why this wasn't conveyed or promoted as I'm sure a lack of information of the logistics of travelling from either Bologna or Venice to the port put a lot of people off booking. 

 

Thankfully I’m sailing out of Athens so only need to sort out ship to Ravenna abut it’s good to know the ship do shuttles both way because, as you say, they don’t seem to advertise it.

12 hours ago, Tin can said:

Yes it was $10 each way.

 

We just turned up at the shuttle point going and they added our room number and we were charged to our room.

 

The shuttle back to Ravenna does not show up before hand. You scan a QR code on board and book the time you want and again it is charged to your room.

 

People on our FB group got really stressed with the transfers from Venice or Bologna and then how to get to the port but it was really easy and well organised.

 

 

That’s really helpful - thank you! 

16 hours ago, Tin can said:

Just back from a cruise out of Ravenna.

 

There are almost no taxis available, we were sailing with Royal Caribbean and they provided a shuttle and from talking to reception in our hotel most if not all cruise lines do.

 

The train from Ravenna to Bologna both ways worked well, was reliable and was cheap. 

 I’ll be docking in Ravenna with RCI next year - it’s not showing on the excursions page yet - can you remember roughly how much the shuttle to Ravenna station was? Thanks. 

On 1/22/2023 at 4:28 PM, rockmom said:

Yes, they do issue tender tickets.  Priority for tenders is as follows:  Those who have purchased an excursion through Royal, those staying in Grand Suites or better, those who have purchased The Key. None of those groups will need a tender ticket.  Once all of those people have been able to tender ashore, they will go by ticket number for the rest of the passengers. If you aren't in one of those priorty caategories, to get your tender ticket, you will need to line up somewhere early in the morning (or perhaps the evening before). The time and location for getting tickets will be announced in the Cruise Compass, on the TV where it shows the daily schedule and through announcements over the loudspeakers.  The lower the ticket number, the better place you have in the tender line. 

 

ETA:  if you don't have any priority and will be getting tender tickets--don't book a 3rd party excursion that starts too early, allow for a couple of hours after the tendering starts since you won't be getting off the ship until all those other people have already tendered over. 

Do you know how soon after docking time the tendering usually starts? If a boat docks at 7am what time would you express tendering to start? Thanks.

8 hours ago, Stockjock said:

There could be a reason to wait, although I understand the logic.

I'll be sailing on Infinity within a few weeks.  I had previously purchased the Classic Package for 50% off.  Today, they offered the upgrade to Premium Package at 50% off ($10 per day), which I accepted.  But that's it.  No other mention of Classic or Premium packages.

But...if I had purchased the Premium Package already at 30% off, would they later offer me that same package at 50% off.  I could be wrong, but I don't think so.

They won’t email you about something you booked already.

You just need to go in as if you want to buy it again in your account - you’ll see the current price being offered. If cheaper buy it again and cancel the original package.

I’ve done it with excursions and saved £100 by doing this. I still check regularly to see if it’s reduced again.

I paid with OBC so I needed to cancel and await refund to account before buying again but the refund was instant.

It’s worth the 2 mins it takes to check the price.

4 hours ago, LinRon3 said:

Probably a dumb question, but looking at 'soda package' on celebrity tonight, and wife wondered if we BOTH have to purchase it, if we so choose [like the alcohol packages]?  I didn't know the answer but just assumed that would not be required for SODA? But who knows? BTW, it's priced at $9.99 ppd just now [regular price crossed out on pre cruise planner at $15.99].  

Just one of you can buy the soda package - it’s only alcohol packages that every adult in cabin has to buy.

1 minute ago, Rusty_lock said:

I’ve never bothered, carrying the plastic cup around. Anywhere you find a freestyle machine there is a bar nearby where you can just walk up and get soda in a glass.

That’s great - I thought they had to use the machines!! They do like the choice but won’t want to have the cups on them all the time.

18 hours ago, taglovestocruise said:

About $8 + 18%, Freestyle machine or from the gun. Could not get canned soda on Quantum or Ovation. I was able to get two cans of Coke Zero  with one voucher on Quantum but not on Ovation. 

I’ve bought the soda package for my sons - I thought they had to use their freestyle cups and the machines - so they can get regular sodas in a glass from the bars too? That will be much better than carrying the freestyle cups around all the time….

20 hours ago, Lastdance said:

It is called Abba Tours.  We got lucky because it was May, so had our guide to ourselves, but if you can get a few couple together, there should not be an issue at all.  You may have to contact him through Viator.  Actually, there was another company that I planned to use, but they would not take my credit card; crazy in this day and age, so I will not give you their names, as their company was much more expensive and wanted to take you everywhere by boat which was not necessary in our situation.  I like the restaurant and land stops!

Thank you so much!

Abba Tours were actually the first company I looked at yesterday but it didn’t seem that they collected from Port of Zakinthos. Where did you meet them? I only saw Hotels and Agios Nikolaus mentioned….

They are my first choice if I can meet them close the the ship as many trips start too early or end too late. An 11.50 start would work really well! Prices seem reasonable too.

On 5/13/2023 at 12:41 PM, Lastdance said:

Kudos to our private guide, Earaldo; he is part race car driver, photo enthusiast and knows everyone on the Island.  Originally from Athens, he returned to Zakynthos six months ago from living in England that gave him that British accent.  His personality is very easy-going and just wants you to be happy and enjoy life!  Every time I try to post his photo, it comes out up-side-down, even if so change it, so  I am adding a photo of him wearing the blue jacket.

Can you give details of the company you used for this Zakinthos trip please? Thank you.

On 7/27/2023 at 3:54 AM, revjamesl said:

I was surprised to see that ‘The Key’ is unavailable on a Harmony Cruise for July of next year. Does it normally appear the closer you get to the cruise date? Surely, it isn’t sold out.

I just booked it on Voyager for Sept 24 so it does appear far out….

Hi!

I’ve just a 7 night cruise from Athens next year - 2 cabins for my adult sons plus my husband and I.

Although I did it in one booking I’ve been given 2 booking references - one per cabin.

I’ve selected anytime dining for both cabins - when I reserve a table will I be able to book a table for 4 people on one booking?

Thanks in advance!

13 minutes ago, Another_Critic said:

Some clarification:  Change fee, if applicable, is $100 per person.  Booking will be repriced at the current fare.

Thanks for clarifying and noted re the current fare which I hadn’t considered.

1 hour ago, Tree_skier said:

1. You can pre-pay tips at check out if you are booking online.  It is on the final screen before payment information.  Drinks and internet can not be booked until after you book and pay deposit.  These can be purchased through Royal's "cruise planner" which you have access to after you have a booking number.  If you ask people on the roll call for the sailing you are looking at they might be able to tell you pricing.

 

2. Flowrider is included and you don't have to book just show up when it is open and wait in line.

 

3.  Ice skating is included in the cost.

 

4. If you book a refundable fare there is no cost to change. With a NRD the change fee is $100.

 

5. Sorry, it's against the rules of CC to recommend TA's. 

 

Enjoy your cruise 🙂 

 

Dave

Thanks for your answers Dave.

Great idea about the roll call for pricing!

I’m not sure we get the refundable deposit option in the UK (I know we don’t for Celebrity) but I’ll get a UK based TA and check.

32 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

Many TAs here have refundable rates. That's all I book. After final payment all are nonrefundable. If you book nonrefundable before final payment right now for $100 per person in the usa you can move to another date. I'd check the UK rules though.

 

Most things like flow rider, ice skating and rock climbing are included. Though there are private flow rider lessons you can purchase. These are first come first served. Stand in line stuff. 

 

Rcl has no packages to buy all 3 items plus tips. You can prepay tips when you book. Ask to add them or online there is a place to check to add them. The rest are in your planner after you book and not inexpensive. 

 

 

Thanks Firefly - I will know my son’s exam results in August so well before final payment date if I did need to make a change of date.

Good to know most activities are included.

Hello. I’m looking at a Greek Islands/Croatia cruise in September 2024 on Explorer of the Seas.

Quite a few questions so far.

1. When pricing it up I cannot see option to add drinks package/internet/prepaid tips. Do I have to wait until after I’ve booked to add these? And can I book all 3 as a package or do I have to do each separately? I’ve seen people mention daily rates vary per cruise so woukd really like an idea of cost before booking.

2. I’ll have 2 adult sons sharing a second cabin - is the Flowrider included in the price? Do you book a slot once on board?

3. Is ice skating also included in the cost?

4. I’d rather book asap but if my younger son doesn’t get the grades he needs for his first choice university then his 2nd choice starts earlier so if need to book an earlier sailing can I move my booking? I realise there may be a fee to do so - how much is it per person?

5.Finally - not sure if allowed but can anyone recommend a TA in the UK who is experienced with RCL?

Many thanks in advance.

Jane

I note there are a few dishes (such as steak) on the Luminae room service menu for the current Equinox cruise with a price listed by it - does that mean there’s a supplement to order it on room service?

Thanks!