vms

Always a delight to read about your adventures, Poohby Joe, and the humans you bring along with you! 🙂

Thanks for a great review.

If Celebrity says they've changed this policy, I haven't seen it recently.

Tried looking at cruises with their most recent promotion of 75% off the second guest. So if a non-promotional rate I should expect 200% of the per person rate, then I should expect 125% with this promotion, right? Nope. Per person rate was around 900. Solo rate for same cabin was $4000+.

I was able to reach Elite status with my last cruise with them a couple of years ago, and sad that I won't get to enjoy any of the Elite perks as I won't be cruising with them again until they change this policy.

I did get an email about completing a survey based on my recent browsing experience, so did let them know I won't be considering them until they change. I don't like paying the 200% but I've always done it for a cruise that I really wanted to go on. But paying 200% of the total for 2 people?!?! Not in a million years.

I would pick the Constellation's itinerary as it is more interesting to me. There are more port days so I don't need the latest and greatest on the ship as I am going to spend the limited sea days relaxing in a chair watching the sea go by.

I haven't been on either of these specific ships, but have been on several others within both classes.

The S-class ships like Equinox have more and better specialty dining, the Lawn Club area, plus the Equinox has the Hot Glass Studio. The buffet area is set up in stations which seems to help with traffic flow. The layout of the Persian Garden is much nicer with the heated loungers facing windows looking out over the ocean, instead of in an inside space on the M class. It also has 2 aft-facing bars, so if you like sitting and watching the wake with a drink, the S class might be for you.

The M-class like Constellation has fewer passengers. I like that the pool is on the same level as the buffet- makes it easier for me on sea days. I love the martini bar on the M-class- somehow never as crowded as the one on the S-class, even while the S-class one is larger.

Constellation is scheduled for drydock in Spring 2024, but is over 20 years old (built 2002). Equinox is also scheduled for drydock in Spring 2024 and was built in 2009, so 7 years newer.

On 3/5/2024 at 6:56 AM, vms said:

Thank you @crystalspin

 

I'm going to try the Stockperks way and if there's an issue, I'll call my broker about changing my address. I get a monthly statement, so I should have plenty of time before my September cruise to get it figured out.

Just an update.

I had to submit a photo of my statement since I go through Edward Jones which doesn't have an automated login process. The page of my statement with my CCL stock didn't have my address on it. I did blackout my account number and submitted the photo. Took 2 days to be verified as an eligible stock owner. 

Now submitting for my specific cruise, but seems straightforward.

So no issues with addresses not matching from my perspective. Hope that helps others.

Thank you @crystalspin

I'm going to try the Stockperks way and if there's an issue, I'll call my broker about changing my address. I get a monthly statement, so I should have plenty of time before my September cruise to get it figured out.

My brokerage account address is different than my mailing address. Is that going to cause issues? Bought my 100 shares during the pandemic and my upcoming fall cruise will be my first time trying to use the shareholder benefit.

Also any ideas of when we will know about if the benefit will be continued for fall 2024 cruises?

There are limited shore excursions for these ports and they are all sold out or not of interest to us. While we might throw our names on the waiting list, wondering if anyone on the boards has done either of these locations on their own, even if not via cruise, and might have some ideas for us. Nothing showing on Viator or ToursbyLocals.  Private tours, car rental options, other ideas?

Thanks in advance!

What a great itinerary! Bon Voyage!

Hi Jacqui- Excited to see you are still doing this as it's been a while since I sailed on Holland America.

I will be on the Noordam departing September 15, 2024. 14 day Great Alaskan Explorer

First time to Alaska and my 50th state to visit.

It depends on where you are coming from. I did it in November a few years ago, and came from Minnesota, so I was enjoying the warmth the minute I landed in San Diego.  Others who were coming from California felt that it took til day 3-4 after departure before they started feeling warmer than the California temps.

After the time in Hawaii, it only felt warm for the first day or two and after that was starting to feel "cool" to most people.

On 12/11/2021 at 8:46 AM, Turtles06 said:

I’m pretty certain it was purchase outside the package. 

Just checking back in to confirm that this has to be purchased outside of any specialty dining packages, per my cruise on Silhouette March 28-April 8, 2022.

Also, all of the main dishes contain garlic, so if you have a garlic allergy or sensitivity, this won't be a good choice for you.

Just left Silhouette this morning and left you with a wonderful crew and a great ship! So sorry I couldn't stay on board for the transatlantic- both for the experience and a chance to cruise with you!

Looking forward to following your adventures!
 

1 hour ago, cruisegal415 said:

Are there lamps next to both sides of the bed? In the photos it looked like it was just on one side.

There are lamps on both sides, but only one has the power outlet/USB in the base. The other side is a hanging lamp.

I have booked a cruise less than 30 days out and emailed special_needs@celebrity.com with my name, cabin #, ship name, departure date & confirmation # and a request for distilled water/extension cord and it has always been accommodated.

Happy Sailing!

Thank you for this info! I was planning the HOHO bus tour in Cartagena through the cruise line so I wouldn't have to get a taxi, so it is helpful to know that I would need a taxi anyway.

Glad the cruise is off to a good start, after your rocky flight situation!

Interesting that they were trying to get you to go straight to muster; on the Summit cruise in November that we were both on, I tried going to the muster station first and I was told I needed to present my room card so they wouldn't allow me to do it first.  It seemed a bit short sighted as so many of the muster stations are on the way to the rooms and they have you as a captive audience, rather than having you come back later where they might need to track you down. Seems like a good change, even if not everyone wants to do it right away.

Have a wonderful time- looking forward to more!

Valerie

On one of my early solo cruises, I was in my cabin bathroom putting on makeup in just my undergarments, getting ready for dinner. All of a sudden, the bathroom door opens and there is my stateroom attendant. I jumped and screamed in surprise, he screamed in surprise, he slammed the door and I heard the outer door to to hallway close very loudly.

I learned my lesson that just because I am alone in the cabin, doesn't mean I don't need to lock the doors- especially the bathroom door!

I caught him later and apologized, only to have him apologize. He had knocked on the outer door but I hadn't heard it, so he assumed he could come in and start the evening clean/turn down service, not realizing I was in the cabin. And since I hadn't locked the door from the cabin to the hallway, he just walked right in. But I was glad we were both able to laugh about it, after the fact.

The one that came out today rejected the first time- I made two changes when I submitted it the second time and it accepted it.

One was to only put the first name of the person they were asking for instead of using the first and last name. The other was to use the character for a number instead of spelling the number out (example: 1 instead of one).

I'm not sure which of those two changes were the ones needed (maybe both?) but I agree- it is very frustrating.

My March 28th Silhouette cruise has 3 different menus showing over the 11 day cruise in the Celebrity app.

Days 1- 3: spring, summer, fall, winter menu

Days 4-7: tomato salad, ravioli, steak frites menu

Days 8-11: half lobster & filet mignon menu

Given the amount of points Celebrity is giving for the webinars, they work for me.

50 powerup points = 5 loyalty points. For less than an hour of my time, I'm getting something that would "cost" me 2 1/2 nights in an inside or oceanview cabin, 1 2/3 nights in a balcony cabin, or 1 night in a Concierge or Aqua cabin. Granted, I don't get food, Cafe Al Bacio, pool time, enrichment speakers, or anything else that is included on a sailing, but I'm also only spending my time and not my hard earned money.

The tests purchased through Optum via Celebrity provide results in an app/web portal. the App is called Navica.  You can print the results if you need to provide a paper copy. The results include the date/time the specimen was collected and the result was reported, the test result, the type of test (Antigen) and the manufacturer of the test, along with your name & DOB.

I do not know if these tests are acceptable to enter Canada as I haven't been following the requirements that Canada has set out.

15 minutes ago, Guppy99 said:

Correct as far as the cruise goes. Has to be in checked luggage for the airline if you need to travel by air.

Might depend on how large they are. I have traveled with small scissors in my carry on to be used with stitching projects (also small embroidery needles) for years and have never had a problem with getting them through TSA security at the airport.

email special_needs@celebrity.com

Include your ship name, sailing date, reservation confirmation date, name & cabin#.  A gallon of distilled water will be provided at no charge to your cabin.

While I always ask for both an extension cord and distilled water, on my last cruise (Summit in November 2021) the extension cord was not automatically provided. Because of the refurb the Summit has been through where there are now outlets in a lamp that sits on a bedside table, I didn't actually need the extension cord, so didn't follow up with my cabin steward, but I'm assuming they could still get one for you if needed.

Happy cruising.

3/28 Silhouette ABC cruise no longer has Grand Cayman as a port option for shore excursions- currently showing a sea day, although the purchasing page for the cruise is still showing GC. We'll see if something else gets substituted.

@GenerationX

Thank you for another fantastic review!!

Add me to the list of people who would love a GenX sponsored cruise. I might not be able to swing for the suite life, but your enjoyment of life makes you someone I would enjoy spending time with.

Good luck reintegrating into real life.