Papa C

We cancelled on 12/17 and got fees and taxes back on the credit card within a week. Still waiting on FCC. Last time I checked they said late Feb or early March. Early March is disappearing quickly. As I understand we have to "redeem" the FCC by May for sailing up to our original sail date of 1/29.

Seems like to me that if the cruising industry wants to get back to profitable status they are going to need to address this issue themselves. Given the American idea of freedom I don't see the need for testing to go away and the 2 day requirement puts a large hurdle in the way of cruisers. The lines need to put in or at least support a quick affordable way of testing at the embarkation site to makes it easy to cruise. These boards are full of experienced cruisers saying they are thinking of cancelling their cruises due to this issue. It will be even tougher to attract first time cruisers. Why not partner with a 3rd party testing firm to provide tests (antigen for speed) at the port and leverage the volume they can provide to keep costs down? The promise of capitalism is that if there is a market someone will want to step up to fill the need in return for profits. Just the view of an old retired guy.

Vaccination is not only to protect ME but to help get us to herd immunity so that those who are unable (for medical reasons) to be vaccinated can live normal lives and stop this virus. Estimates are that 3.6 to 9 million people have already perished. Most of us would feel more secure on a cruise (at the grocery store, spa, etc)if we reached that level. As someone pointed out the issue may be even multiplied when you consider the ports of call. Again I will listen to science vs political figures when it comes to health precautions. 

I guess there is another option for the cruise lines. I recently saw a story about a concert promoter who was charging $18 per ticket for vaccinated people and $999 for those who were unvaccinated. After all there may be liability for a line that sails with unvaccinated folks and has an outbreak. The "law" can't set a companies pricing so they would be in compliance with the law and cover themselves.

As for me I think the whole law is garbage. On the basis of "it is a personal choice to be vaccinated" DeSantis wants to ban private business from setting limits on  customers. Can I assume that under this law I no longer need to wear pants in Kroger's? Obviously that would be unsanitary and dangerous to the health of others but it is my personal choice. Face it this is a political move to burnish his credentials with a certain segment of the population . The honor system does not work with people who have no honor. I can find my way to other ports if the cruise lines decide to move operations. 

It has been 4 plus yrs ago but we stayed at Ayre Hotel Rosellon for one night post cruise. It was a block or 2 from Sagrada. We had a great view of the top of the towers from the breakfast room at the hotel. We found it to be a very nice room, lobby, and breakfast at a very good price. As I say it has been awhile but you may want to check them out.

Well, Reflection is currently the newest vessel in the Celebrity fleet and we sail her in May to the Med. We had to cancel the same trip last Sept so I don't know that this is true. I don't see many of the mega liners like Oasis class etc in the Med but that is probably a function of port capabilities. Maybe someone more versed than I can be more definitive.

On the first day of a Med cruise in 2013 I discovered that I had not packed enough of my injectable diabetic medication (non insulin). I had DIL fed x to Venice care of the port agent and gave info to Guest Services. The individual there took care of the whole matter from there and gave us daily updates on the deliver. She also sent us chocolate covered strawberries and sparkling wine as tho they had done something wrong. Outstanding service. I noted the situation in my survey and received a phone call to verify everything and the caller promised that the guest services employee would receive recognition for going above and beyond the call of duty.

What time did you need to leave the ship to make your 11 AM flight?

Just to reinforce the point. I also singled out an individual in my post cruise survey for exemplary service and received a phone call to be sure they had all the details of her service. So I guess the answer is yes, Celebrity does care.

I would call it more of a ramp much like those at public buildings to accommodate those who cannot handle the stairs. Not steep. I am 71 and not a workout person but I had no problem negotiating it in January.

We also were turned off by the hard sell for specialty restaurants. It seemed to cheapen the experience for us. All in all tho the cruise was top notch. We enjoyed all the entertainment and thought Paul Baya, the cruise director, did an excellent job. He was all over the ship and while always busy still found time to answer questions etc.

While my experience with Royal Caribbean's website is limited (Most of our cruises with RCCL were prior to the digital explosion) we did sail on a family cruise with them 18 months ago. I do not recall any of the issues that I am finding with this Celebrity cruise check in/manage your reservation (yea, right).I am bewildered why RCCL corporate cannot use the systems and/or personnel from the RCCL system to improve Celebrity's website. I prefer the Celebrity experience and ambiance but the website is bad. If frequent guests like myself are complaining what are those new to the line doing?

The way I see it is that they are just changing the official policy to match how people are already dressing. I know some will not like it but you don't have to dress "chic". Myself I will probably do with a blazer instead of suit and maybe also a tie depending on how I feel. This is just a reflection of today's society. During my working life I wore a suit and tie everyday for some 40 yrs plus and the last 6-8 it evolved to khakis and a golf shirt. Always did hate that tie choking me.:)

I have the mirror image of this. My mother-in-law decided to take her children (5) and spouses on a cruise 3 months ago. We sailed aboard Freedom of the Seas which is a behemoth of a ship (I know, not the largest) but pretty stable.

Anyway, one SIL and her husband complained about anything and everything for the 7 days.

They never ordered soup, salad, or appetizer and said there was not enough food. Of course, I told them to order 2 entrees or 3.

They did not like that guy (cabin steward) coming into their room and did they have to tip him?

BIL said he was very subject to motion of the water and was always queasy (amazing given he lives on a lake and is on his boat all the time).

Food was terrible so they ate in the buffet most nights because as we all know there are separate kitchens and cooks to prepare foods for the buffet (NOT).

BIL just could not eat in the dining room due to the motion of the ship altho he dearly wanted to on lobster night but the SIL would not let him.

He complained that these GD people don't speak English

This went on and on for the entire cruise. Now, most of us here truly enjoy cruising so we find this hard to believe but different people have different tastes, or lack thereof, so it is well within their right to feel that way. However I was incensed that they would complain so bitterly in front of the woman who paid for the trip. Her intent was to get her family together and spend time as a family. Their behavior was like getting an expensive Christmas gift from someone and asking the giver why the hell they would give them this crap.

I am venting but I found this so classless and rude that I will not think of this couple the same way as before. Thankfully my wife and I live 1000 miles from the rest of the family so don't have to spend a lot of time with them.

You might also check the Rome in Limo web site. They have a tour sharing option for cruisers. We used them for Florence and Naples/Amalfi coast last fall and they are really excellent. You can check for groups that have been started but not filled on this site and sign up to join others on your ship for the needed date.

Take a look as it may be a good option for you. I would certainly not try to walk off and find a tour.

We did a wine tasting at Tenuta Buonamico in Montecarlo last fall. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Tasted about 8 wines and also a small tasting of Grappa.

We sailed in cabin 6206 last October to the Med and loved the cabin. Did not notice any noise at all and altho, as mentioned, it is an obstructed view cabin this did not bother us. View is restricted straight down to the water but decent out to sea. Also, great price. Hope you enjoy your cruise.

Another thought---you might check with the ships medical staff. If it is a common med they might have it on board and you may to be able to have it filled on board. I don't know if they could write the scrip or whether your Dr could fax, e-mail, etc.I talked to them in my case but it was a somewhat unusual med and they did not have it. Fed X to Italy cost $100 but I figured it was worth it.

I had a very similar problem on a European cruise in October. The med was in my refrigerator and I forgot to pick up the 2nd injectable pen that I would need to get me thru the 12 days. I called my daughter in law and asked her to check with Fed X regarding time frame to get the med delivered.

She found that it was a few days as it would have to go thru customs. Anyway, I spoke to Guest Relations and we chose a port that we were sure the med would arrive at in time. Guest Relations then e-mailed my daughter with port agents name, address, etc. She then went to my home and picked up the med and took it to Fed X. We arrived in Venice at 2 PM and the medication was lying on our bed when we returned to the cabin about 3-4 PM.

Guest Relations was absolutely amazing and updated me on the status of communications with my daughter in law at least twice a day. They would leave a message on the voice mail in the cabin. I can't praise these folks enough.

I would have someone check with Fed X regarding timing as I doubt that Guest Relations will be familiar with that and then get with Guest Relations to have them provide the port agent information.

Good Luck, I hope this all works out and you have a great trip. I know we did thanks to my daughter in law and the super folks in Guest Relations.

We did a Rome in Limo Tour of Florence, Lucca, and a wine tasting on 10/10/2013. Our driver was Riccardo and we cannot praise him and Rome in Limo highly enough. We had a very ambitious plan and Riccardo did his best to fulfill our desires and provide both knowledge and a great time.

We did 3 private tours on our 12 day cruise and this was our favorite by far. Riccardo is an engaging young man with excellent knowledge, grasp of the English language, and a genuine desire to provide an outstanding experience.

You can't go wrong with Rome in Limo!