DC1979

When I was looking at cruised last month, only non refundable suites were showing up online, but when I called in they were able to price it as refundable.  The difference was about $1500 for a 10 day Baltic cruise in a sky suite.   One other point - I went to price a cruise in December to replace the one that was cancelled in March.  Also in a sky suite.  The original booking was a refundable rate, however, the December cruise was about $3000 higher for a refundable deposit versus non-refundable, and the non-refundable rate was already about $1500 higher than my original cruise.  One difference may have been that the original booking was on the Equinox and the replacement on the Edge, but I think $3000 extra is outrageous.  

Yes.  I booked a cruise for December after cancelling my cruise for March 14.  I received a call from the PCC to schedule my flights through Celebrity.  Considering the current meltdown I’m pretty sure current airline schedules mean nothing.  I refuse to book until things settle down.  I did think the timing was weird.  Seemed a little tone deaf considering all that is happening right now.  

Well so far pretty unanimous!!  Looks like the Riverside it is...now I have my fingers crossed that cruises will have resumed by December.  This was supposed to be a vacation week for me...instead I am temporarily unemployed and on lockdown.  So by December I will be totally ready for some beach and sun and relaxation!!

Hello everyone

Hope you are all well, and staying safe out there.  Trying to maintain my sanity during these unprecedented times, I am looking at hotels for my cruise in December from Fort Lauderdale.  I am hoping things settle down by then, plus it’s nice to have something to look forward to once we emerge from lockdown!!! 

I have sailed from FLL many times, but usually I rent a car for the weekend and stay in Hollywood as it is a lot cheaper and I’m not so concerned about being beachfront as I will be headed on a cruise anyways!! This time I am doing things a bit different - no car rental, and am traveling with a friend who has never been to Fort Lauderdale. I will be flying down Friday morning for a cruise that departs on Sunday.  For me, I view the Fort Lauderdale part as the start of the vacation, but the cruise is the main event.   I am much more picky about a hotel for a land based trip than I am as a pre-cruise stay. So while I would like some place nice and clean, I also don’t want to spend $500 a night on a room in Fort Lauderdale.  Maybe casual upscale (is that a thing?!?!)

Currently I’m trying to decide between the Riverside Hotel (the executive tower non-balcony room - while a balcony would be nice, I’m not paying $50/night for a balcony!) or the Hilton Marina (intracoastal view room with balcony).  At current pricing, the Riverside would be $110 cheaper for a two night stay.  Between those two properties, which would you choose? I don’t mind paying extra if the Hilton is a significantly better property, but if they are fairly similar I’d rather use the $110 towards a nice dinner or something!!  I’m also not limited to just these - I would be happy to consider another property as well.  

What do you guys think? Thanks for your suggestions! And again please be safe out there!!! 

I am in the same boat.  I cancelled on Tuesday for my cruise that was supposed to sail tomorrow.  Princess is offering those who cancelled earlier the same compensation, but for some reason I have a feeling Celebrity will not be as generous (this is just a guess, but given Princess had a more generous offer in the first place I am not optimistic about getting the higher FCC).  I hope I’m wrong though - especially since future cruises are so much more expensive right now! 

Nothing was provided over the phone but the next day I received an email detailing the charges returned to my credit card and zeroing out the charges for the cruise that I cancelled.  I also made a new booking for December and my agent said that she could see the details in my previous booking and she confirmed the amount of FCC. 

On 3/6/2020 at 7:46 PM, Jim_Iain said:

Doubt you will see them dropping the prices.   For close in cruises there may be some good opportunities to bid on an Upgrade.     Even on our 3/14, 3/21 and 3/28  there have been no suites available until today and currently seeing a number of suites but same price.

 

I’m glad I saw this post!  I switched my Sky suite from deck 12 to deck 11.  I’m new to Celebrity and when I initially made my booking on the website, it looked like sky suites were only on deck 12.  Once I realized I could switch decks, there were none left, and I was hoping to switch because I didn’t like having the ocean view bar on top of us.  I’m happier having cabins above instead of the bar!  Now I just hope nothing major changes between now and then and I will be able to sail! 

I will not be changing my plans.  I think that people need to be a little cautious, but at the same time not let fear dictate their life.  I would definitely hesitate to cruise to Asia at the moment, but I do have a Caribbean cruise coming up in a few weeks (actually my first non HAL cruise - will be on the Celebrity Equinox) and I have another HAL one booked for next year to the Baltic region.  I’m of the “if something is meant to happen it’s going to happen so I may as well enjoy my life” camp.  

Thanks all for your suggestions!! I have only cruised with Holland America in the past.  I love their specialty restaurants, but while you can order as many appetizers and desserts as you want, you can only order one entree.  As such, I didn’t realize I had the option to create a surf and turf. Sold!!! Maybe I’ll just tell them to bring one of every appetizer, my surf n turf selection and every dessert and just make my own little private buffet HAHAHAHA. (Yes I’m kidding. Kind of 😉)

My first cruise with Celebrity is coming up shortly.  I have booked dinner at Murano for our first day on the ship.  Looking at the menu, I don’t eat beef..but the other options all look so good I don’t know what to pick!! I’m thinking either the Lobster, Duck or Venison.  Any recommendations/suggestions? And while we are at it, any must try appetizer or dessert?  I’d love to hear from the experts.  I’ve only booked the one night at Murano - I plan on eating at Luminae on the others days.  I will be on the Equinox if that makes a difference.  Thanks!! 

I went ahead and booked the Baltic cruise.  I do hope to do the Western Mediterranean sometime for sure, but having just done the Eastern Mediterranean, I felt like it would be better to do the Baltic cruise next so I can see an entirely different part of Europe. I am very excited for the cruise...thank you to everyone who offered their suggestions!  🙂 

6 minutes ago, twodjs said:

Wow, I thought I was clear. The restaurant was fabulous. HAL's marketing vision is terrible. 

Sorry I accidentally responded in the wrong forum and don’t know how to delete it off here!!

7 minutes ago, Tom O. said:

I would pick the Baltic too. But if possible, you might consider a smaller ship. This is simply because you would probably get to dock in a more ideal location. But this only applies to a few ports and it also depends on how many ships are in port on a given day.

I did consider that, although I am a bit of an anomaly here. I notice most people on this board tend to prefer the smaller ships (and I understand why they do) but honestly I’m not a fan. I was on the Rynadam (the older one) and I totally didn’t like the ship.  Westerdam was ok, but I much preferred Nieuw Amsterdam and especially the  Koningsdam. I find there’s more to do and I prefer the restaurant choices (I swear I could eat at the Tamarind everyday lol).
 

I am starting to lean more and more towards the Baltic cruise! 

39 minutes ago, CruiserBruce said:

My vote would also be the Baltic. Did Eastern and Western Med on B2B Med cruises a few years ago. The western Med doesn't compare with the Eastern Med, IMHO. The Baltic compares better, at least in what interests us.

May I ask why you think it doesn’t compare? I appreciate the comment though - that would factor into my decision for sure. I loved the feel of the eastern Mediterranean so I’d be disappointed if it wasn’t the same (ish) 

1 minute ago, Alberta Quilter said:

You really can't go wrong with either itinerary.  However, one thing on which I would choose the Baltic is the timing.  In June, you will have the longest days and will see the white nights.

 

If money and vacation time are not an issue (like they would be for me), then I would do both cruises!

 Ha! Trust me if I had the time to do both I would but sadly I can’t take time off work for both, plus have time left for other things so I need to pick one or the other. I am leaning more towards e Baltic as it would be a totally different experience. Decisions, decisions!!

thanks everyone else for your suggestions. Everyone on these boards has helped me a lot with my previous cruise choices!! 

I’m looking at two different itineraries for 2021 and wanted to get the advice of the experts.  I’m looking at either:

Jewels  of the Baltic on the Nieuw Statendam in June, going from Copenhagen to Tallinn, St Petersburg, Helsinki, Stockholm, Berlin and Hamburg 

or

Mediterranean Dream on the Nieuw Statendam in October, going from Rome to Monte Carlo, Provence, Barcelona, Cartagena, Gibraltar, Pisa

Both are for 10 days.  In May 2019 we did the Eastern Mediterranean on the Koningsdam for 12 days.  Loved the ship and loved the cruise but now am torn on doing the Western Mediterranean or seeing a new area altogether and doing the Baltics.  Any help on my conundrum? Thanks!! 

7 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Yes.   I’ve attached the laundry list to understand the pricing.

 

Thanks so much for posting! 

Sorry to piggyback off the thread, but does Celebrity have a pressing only option? I usually sail HAL and have been spoiled by their pressing only package when not in their Neptune Suites where it is offered for free.  I’d be interested in a pressing only service, if it is reasonable in cost, otherwise I’ll have to iron at the hotel in FLL and then pack some wrinkle release spray! 

2 hours ago, DiamondDiva said:

We have stayed in Sky Suites several times, including this past August, and have never been asked about our room bottle of wine ahead of time.  We most often have been left a sweet white or sparkling, which are not our favorites.  Usually we just ask for a switch to a merlot or something similar.  We usually do get it fairly quickly ( a day or so), but on our last trip, it took 3 reminders to get it changed.  Not really a huge problem, but sometimes we also had to

“ convince” our butler to even make the switch. 
 

I hope that these two posts mean that we can request a wine type ahead of time for our next scheduled SS in a few months.  Much easier for all!  

Also, we never had a “personalize your suite” email....what else was in the letter? 
Thanks for the info.

When I clicked on the link,  I was asked

1) If I was celebrating a special occasion.  If so what occasion and what day.

2) Type of wine I would like -  Sauvignon Blanc Chardonnay Pinot Noir Cabernet Sparking Non-Alcoholic

3) Beds together or separate

4) How I prefer to spend the day in port? I.e. beach, sight setting, golfing, etc.

5) Do I need extra blankets

6) Do I need extra hangars

Thanks for the help all.  I think I’ll go with the Pinot Noir! 🙂 

Hello! My first cruise with Celebrity is coming up and I’m looking forward to it! We will be in a Sky suite on the Equinox.  I just received an email from Celebrity about personalizing my suite and one of the questions asked was which type of wine would I like to welcome me to the suite.  I didn’t realize this was a perk, so that was an added bonus.  Given the choices, I’d either go Pinot noir or sparkling, but I thought I’d check on here with those of you that have sailed before - which would be better? I realize the free wine wont be top of the line, but figured one Of the choices may be better than the others.  Thanks for your suggestions!

4 hours ago, tv24 said:

Sorry!  It was meant to be a short and silly joke.

If it was meant to be a joke then I am really sorry for my snarky reply.  I just get so annoyed when people ask for advice (especially people who are new/not as seasoned as some of the others on here) and then get chastised by people who have been cruising for decades and made to feel silly for asking legitimate questions as if they should have been born with the knowledge. 

Thanks for your explanation though...all is good 🙂 
 

34 minutes ago, tv24 said:

OMG!  Don't we get enough food earlier in the day?

Then don’t eat at night time.  No one is forcing you to eat anything.  Seriously, how are comments like this remotely helpful?

Back to the question...the evening buffet in the Lido has some choices and It varies daily.  It is more snack type choices, but it is something.  There are some choices on the  room service menu as well, so you will have plenty of options.  Also, I would like to add another vote for the chocolate cake off the room service menu.  So good.  I usually order it with tea at night, because if I drink coffee that late I wont be sleeping!! 

I’ve only been to Half Moon Cay, which is the private island for HAL/Carnival.  From what I understand, only ships from the same company are there at the same time, so you don’t have mixing of Carnival and HAL passengers.  Yes the beach was a little crowded when two larger ships were docked at the same time, however, Half Moon Cay remains one of my favorite beaches.  The water and sand is incredible and I look forward to it on all my Caribbean cruises.  (Side note: We don’t eat or drink on the island.  I’ll have a late, large breakfast on the ship, head over for several hours of gorgeous beach time, and then back to the ship.). Truth be told, I could do that for 2 or 3 days in a row, the beach is that good!!!  

Stayed at the Albrego del Senato for four nights prior to our cruise, and I absolutely loved the hotel.  The location is amazing and the staff we were wonderful.  Walk out the door and you can practically touch the Pantheon.  Next time I am in Rome I would go back there in a heartbeat. I would recommend spending all your time in Rome.  No point on leaving early to Civitavecchia.  There is nothing there and the transfer to port from Rome is very easy.  We used to Rome cabs which I highly recommend as well.  

Male

I bring a pair of walking/running shoes to walk with, which I wear on the plane as they are heavy, a pair or flip flops for swimming/beach/in cabin use, a pair of sneakers to go with my jeans for dinner on non gala nights and a pair of black comfy semi-dress shoes for gala night or to go out to dinner while in port or on the pre-cruise portion of the trip.