newtocruiseinblue

Hi there, 

if I select cruise only, then I choose to be covered by Holland Americas insurance, and I put down a deposit, but then I canceled before the final payment, am I still on the hook for the cost of the insurance? The language seems very ambiguous and I can’t figure it out …

thank you!!!! 

8 hours ago, CGYCruisingFamily said:

I know I can possibly put this into the port forum and will pop over there after this but I am wondering if anyone has visited Edinburgh and tendered in South Queensferry? If so, is there HAL provided transportation into the main part of the city and if so, was there a fee? Or do we need to rely on public transportation and taxis?

 

I know when we were in Dubrovnik a number of years ago there was a shuttle that we could purchase a day pass for about $10 pp for unlimited trips from the ship to the city area.

 

I have looked on our booking but can not see anything and am trying to make plans for our upcoming cruise. Thanks for any insight or info.

Local bus x99 greeted us at the port with bag pipes! They make it so simple and hospitable to get to the city center. We were there last April-May. Highly recommend! 

11 minutes ago, TrueCruiseaholic said:

So what's the point of the survey?

 

I'm not trying to be dumb. There is status matching between Royal and Celebrity up to Elite/Diamond. Silversea is a different structure. Why even ask about interest in cruising on another line with status matching if nothing is going to change?

 

It isn't all about the credit card since some guests are not asked about the credit card.

 

Is the survey gauging whether guests know there is status matching up to Diamond/Elite?

 

What, if any, changes are being proposed?

I'm really confused now...

My interpretation is that they want to find out if customers are more likely to try other brands if there is status matching. Secondly, does it make sense to offer one RCL “super” credit card that goes across the three brands with its own benefits to encourage credit card enrollment. 

Thought this might be a good opportunity for us but even 48 hours is cutting it close. Enjoy to those that are able! 

Can someone ask why we aren’t receiving more pups? ☺️

No extra treats from HAL for Valentine’s Day or President’s Day? 💝

11 minutes ago, the penguins said:

there is a charge for most room service requests except I think Continental breakfast. we never use it as the "Boss" says the walk to the Buffet or Al Bacio is good for me.

And my “boss” is an accountant ☺️ which is why I have to prepare for the “audit” before I spend anything 🤣❤️

2 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Nahhh... you need a drink.   LOL

 

Enjoy I'm sure you will have a wonderful time.    I can't drink alcohol and always find plenty of things even though I have a drink package.    In the OVC and Spa Cafe they have drink dispensers with Tropical Fruit, Ice Tea, Lemonade etc as well as about a dozen type of tea (herbal, green, black and English breakfast).    They also have a filtered water dispenser.    I do have to say I have to rely on al Bacio for coffee --- that stuff in the OVC burns a hole in my stomach.   

Thank you - you’ve made my night! 

2 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

I believe this is in reference to the drinks available in the OVC.   They have always been free to all guest and I can't see them changing.    They have also always provided them for free in alll the dining rooms.   If you choose a Cappuccino or Latte, bottled water etc there will be an up-charge.

Thank you so much! I am over analyzing as always! I think I’m just nervous not having the drink package. I need a vacation! Cheers! 

Five days ago, Celebrity updated the article, “What’s included on a cruise?” 
 

Under the section on drinks, it reads, “

“Are drinks included on a cruise?” is one of the most common questions asked by newbie cruisers. With our All Included* pricing model, you’ll find cocktails, wines by the glass, liqueurs, beers, spirits, frozen drinks, sodas, specialty coffees, juices, and bottled water come included.

With our cruise-only rates, drinks are available at an extra charge”

Pay close attention to the last line. Regular coffee, tea, lemonade, milk, and unbottled water are always available in the dining venues…do you think there will be a charge for these now? 
 

We chose a cruise only rate and I’m aware of my drink package options. We usually drink water and the order bottles of wine. We, of course, get coffee and tea at the buffet and with room service.

I hope it’s just a poorly worded article, but you never know. I did call Celebrity in the rep said yes they are included but sometimes even the reps on the phone don’t know what’s going on…

Let me know if you know…would hate for my hubby to miss out on his complimentary “Arnold Palmer”.
 

Cheers! 

1 minute ago, FlorenceItaly said:

half off wine packages, complimentary laundry, half of mini bar and half of most specialty restaurants.  All these benefits combined with the casino deal is a great deal.  For us, we feel we are farther ahead not purchasing HIA.  For internet we are fine with accessing on our phones while in port.  The complimentary drinks in casino is nice.  We typically tip $2 per drink.  And, we attended happy hour.  Also, when adding HIA one must consider it does add to the cost of your insurance as it is based on what you paid for the cruise.

My husband - the accountant - thanks you 😁 

Someday maybe we will be 4*……

18 minutes ago, POA1 said:

Does my 4* half-off, mini bar discount make it a micro bar? 😉

What are your favorite 4* benefits? (Off topic) I would imagine using the discount on wine packages and the wine tasting….

26 minutes ago, YourWorldWithBill said:

I've received offers with the codes CSA, CIZ and CPG at the bottom. Any idea what these stand for? Cheapskate gambler?

CPG is Chief Party Guy - he always gets in free 🤷🏼‍♀️

2 minutes ago, Monarda55 said:

Regarding HOB denoting High Onboard Spending — is that certain? Because my son received that email last night, and he didn’t spend a dime on his one and only HAL cruise. I did purchase three shore excursions for him, and technically I suppose they were in his name although charged to my credit card. But that was it. Less than $200 all together. 

That is what I was told by HAL and shore excursions are included in onboard spending 

3 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

Do you know what HEP is?

HEP is on almost every offer I receive….HAL Email Promotion…

4 minutes ago, cruisn71 said:

I received an offer yesterday and this is the code on it:  HEP2409HOB

 

The email links to a webpage now and not to a PDF like before.

The HOB means high onboard spending - that’s why you received it. 

1 minute ago, grannyshell said:

We didn't spend a penny in the casino on either of our 2 cruises.

 

Grannyshell,

At the bottom of the email there (probably on the left) there is a campaign code. That will tell you why you got it bc the numbers and letters are abbreviations…what is the campaign code? Your marinara number has to be on the list in order to take advantage of the campaign code.

I also get the free staterooms….done 3 “free” cruises and love them. But we do pay port fees, taxes, shore excursions, drinks; etc…we also do not use the casino.
 

Our only problem is sometimes they are on short notice and we cannot take advantage of the offer. 

Cheers and enjoy! 

15 hours ago, cruisingator2 said:

We now cruise between the two. Our last few X cruises have not been what we experienced in the past. Especially the Retreat. IMHO RCI has better perks for the past guests. 
 

Since the restart, I would rate the two lines close in service with RCI being ahead of X in entertainment. Both are great cruise lines which is why we go back and forth between the two. 

What are the perks for past guests that you like best? We cruise Holland and celebrity but we’re thinking of doing celebrity and Royal….to stick with earning one group of points…thank you!!

2 hours ago, wbmom1 said:

Thanks yes, it is an option, just wanted to be sure i didn't miss out on something .

 

 

 

I can’t believe it! I just received an email that has a promo code in it - I’ve never seen this on HAL! 

21 minutes ago, sofietucker said:

Mykonos is also really exciting: take a boat to Delos for the biggest, brightest archaeological complex in the Med. It's so bright it can be seen from space, due to all the mica in the marble.

Wander the maze of streets in Mykonos town, built that way so pirates would be lost and confused.

Taxis from the pier to Paradise Beach should be no more than $17 euro. 

Great seafood.

 

Most important: DO NOT GO IN SUMMER. That's the rule for most of the Med anyway--all of Europe goes on vacation there in July and August.

Mykonos is the most beautiful island to take pictures! 

I would recommend Option 2

I just did a very similar itinerary last summer and loved it. 
 

Athens will be fresh to you and I recommend staying near the Platka so you are within walking distance to most sites. I definitely recommend a sunset tour to the Temple of Poseidon. And possibly a day via the ferry to Aegina Island if you have time.

Rooftop dining in Athens is a must.

I’ve done Rome twice so was glad to get a change of pace in Athens. 
 

You will love Ephesus and Istanbul. 
 

There isn’t much in Katakolon  but Olympia. 
 

In Santorini - I recommend the Celebrity tour 

Sailing at the Caldera - 5 hours - seeing it via a catamaran was amazing and we still had plenty of time to explore the town. 
 

If you are docked in Fira town - take the cable car to the top - do not attempt the stairs! If you know you know. 
 

Happy cruising and cheers! 

On 1/20/2024 at 11:28 PM, Arizona Wildcat said:

One of the reasons I always use a TA.  Let them handle it.

I angree and I always use a TA. 😃

The issue is that there’s a glitch on the Celebrity website where, when you are pricing out a cruise, and you select insurance, it doesn’t carryover to the final estimate when I’m pricing out cruises to see which ones I want to send to my TA…

No way to get the website fixed 😕

When pricing out a cruise on the website, I always check the box to include insurance and for months it never carries it over to the total!!! It’s annoying as you see the total estimate and assume the insurance included because you opted for it. But it’s not! This has been happening consistently every single time price out a cruise. 
 

I apologize if this has already been discussed at length…

Did you know that you could use the app to open your cabin door ?? I did have one unique use for the app on my last cruise - I went to my cabin to get something and left my keycard with my husband, I used the electronic key card on the app to unlock my cabin door! Nice save by the Navigator! 

On 1/6/2024 at 5:37 PM, ctbeacher said:

Thanks to all for the suggestions!

 

We will visit all of these!

 

Thanks,

This isn’t a bar but happy hour and trivia always seemed to be hopping. HH is usually 3-4 pm and I found the drinks to be stronger than those at the pool bar. Enjoy and cheers!