Pepsi36

We have done the majority of our cruises with RCI round the Med but this year we opted for the Celebrity Relfection 10 night Caribbean cruise. It was our first with them and we loved it. Most things on par with RCI, although the food was slightly worse but not anything bad. The ship was beautiful and I would say it is classier then RCI. Dressing up wise there are no formal nights any more just smart chic where anything smart goes.

I've just booked a 3 night cruise for next year and asked if we could change the free wi fi to car parking or drinks and was not able to.

Sounds similar to the two night cruise to France we took this year after the transatlantic. It’s a way to get the schedule straight and show off the ship to travel agents and writers.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I guess so but it's a new one on me as I'd not seen it before. I've booked it anyway as an extra cruise next year:D:D as I had some future cruise vouchers and didn't want to waste them:D:D

(sorry about the smiley faces I can't seems to delete them.)

I had an issue with a tour on disembarkation and called a UK number but didn't realize I was being charged premium rates. the call cost £23.00. I emailed Celebrity and after 5 weeks waiting and a couple of further emails i was refunded the tour cost, the phone call costs and was given future cruise vouchers.

I've just noticed this cruise for May 4th 2019. I've not seen this before. Is it a new addition on Silhouette.? Anyone thinking of booking this. There is No OBC or free drinks package but tips and free wi fi included at this time.

I started a post about the Best of Miami tour last month as we had a shocking experience. Long and short of it we got dumped at the station in the heat and waited an hour to collect our luggage, the bus to the airport was full and no one was around to help us and a few other people left stranded. After another hour not knowing what was going to happen we were loaded into a cab. It was a horrible end to the cruise.

I phoned Celebrity the day I returned home to complain and was on the phone for an hour at premium rates which I wasn't informed about. I eventually got half the tour price refunded but the advisor wasn't the best so I emailed and after about 6 weeks recieved my telephone money refunded plus some future cruise vouchers.

I was looking to do the 7 night Fjord cruise 27th April 2019 but the price for an outside or cheapest balcony is ridiculous. I don't want the free drinks particularly or the wi fi so I wonder if it's worth calling my TA to see if I can get them removed and a lower base price. I would be interested in a 2 night cruise as well but there is nothing on line yet about it.

That's so lovely. I should like to have my ashes buried at sea as cruising is what I love best in the world (after my family and dog )

Never had a problem with the food quality or the temperature it is served in the MDR. We enjoy the meals and the service. We sailed on Celebrity and RC last year and we found the food on RC equal in quality to Celebrity. We had heard for years that Celebrity's food was better. Haven't sailed with Carnival in MANY years.

Yes I agree.We did our first Celebrity cruise this year and didn't find the food to be superior to RCCL at all. Some RC ships do serve better food than others I've found.

One comment on the internet on the Norwegian Fjords cruise... when we went in August 2016, the Internet was VERY spotty. This may have changed but it was something the crew discussed and made passengers aware of. So if you are in a position to get another perk, maybe pick something besides internet for this specific cruise.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks but it's not an option as a perk at the moment. The Spring offer isn't even giving $300.00 OBC just the classic drinks for next April cruise and depending on the TA one small additional perk like half price tips or a Small speciality dining voucher.

It’s always best to check both sides of the pond and remember there’s always more flexibility on the US bookings than there are on the U.K. ;). I’ve never booked a GTY in the U.K. and wouldn’t because of not being able to change the allocated cabin for another in the same category like you can in the US.

 

The Med prices for next year are eye watering. I’ll hold on to my 2 placeholders until I see something I’m more comfortable with ;).

Several years ago we could change cabins and even cruises without charge in the UK but not any more.

It's not just Celebrity though, RCCL are charging nearly £1,000 more this month than when I booked last month with less perks.

When we first started cruising about 12 years ago OH always wanted a table for 2 at dinner. We did this for the first 2 cruises even going to see the dining room as soon as we boarded to make sure we had our own table. On our 3rd cruise we were told that there were no tables for 2 so we went to dinner that night with heavy hearts. We had the best time and our table mates were great fun. ever since we always request a large table. 6 years ago we met a couple from Albuqueque and have been on a further trip with them. This year on reflection we requested a table for 8 but unfortunately only 1 other couple turned up. They were lovely but it would have been better if the table was full as they did speciality dining a couple of evenings so we were eating on our own.

I recently got a quote (just to be thorough) from a U.K. travel agent with and without gratuities. (No drinks nor OBC). When the value of the grats was added to the lower quote, it was less than the rate that included the grats. Really? Do they not think that we could do basic math?

 

This is to advise people to ask for rates that don’t include the extras then do your own calculations for the value of these perks. You may be surprised both ways.

 

I ending up booking with my tried and trusted US TA that when I paid an extra $300, I received premium bev pkg and internet and grats. Also $450 OBC. And the rate was significantly lower than the U.K. even after adding the $300. Now that was easy math. Happy dance. :D:D

I wanted to book a 7 night Fjords cruise April 27th 2019 and the only perk I was offered from 2 UK TA's was the classic drinks. No OBC or internet. With one I could get half price tips and the other $110.00 speciality dining voucher.. I will wait to see what the summer offers are

Thanks again Maris. You're a star. This was my first Celebrity cruise and hopefully not my last. I'm back with RCCL next year as we find it so easy to sail out of Southampton but I'll look out for your reviews next time you sail. XX

I'm sad we have reached the end of the cruise Maris but have thoroughly enjoyed your fantastic review and will keep going back to look at the stunning photo's.

Thank you so much for sharing and bringing back so many memories. I haven't seen myself in any photo's though .

Do you mean you got it with your booking two years ago or that you found a code for free parking then?

We found a code but I can't remember where from. We didn't get it with our package.

I rather doubt you will find completely free parking. That only comes sometimes with your booking as a perk, for example from P&O. A discount is the most you can hope for if you didn’t get that when you booked your cruise.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

We did get it 2 years ago so I was hoping we might be lucky again. Will see if we get a code for a bigger discount

It's cold and has been raining here all day in the UK so you'r posts have cheered me up Maris.

I hate to admit this but I had a cheeseburger almost every ag=fternoon and they were fab.

just booked a 3 day sampler cruise as we usually cruise with. P and o

Just interested in how people think the two companies compare ?

Are shuttle buses to the ports included ?

We have been to Bruges a few times now so we might just use that day as a sea day and explore the ship which looks amazing

But interested in a shuttle bus to Le Havre ?

Also how does tipping work , how much does it work out for a three day cruise

And any other helpful hints would be much appreciated X

I think the 2 companies are on par with each other. We have paid for shuttle busses on both, not sure on your cruise what you would pay for with regards to shuttle busses but they aren't that cheap. Sometimes you can walk out of port on your own. Tips are higher on RCCL but I can't remember exactly how much as we always pre pay our

Does anyone have a promo code for free parking in Southampton for 2019. The only one I have is for 10% discount.

You may also want to try the Britain port of call forum: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=233

I will thank you XX

Just wondering if anyone has a code for free parking in Southampton for 2019,

Thanks in advance. xx

Our cruise on Indy next June has gone up £1,000 per person as they have added free car parking, drinks package and tips. We have tips and $150.00 each OBC included and are happy with that as we aren't big drinkers.

I'm loving your reviews and photos Maris. It is bringing the memories of the cruise back so vividly.