Canadaclyde

2 hours ago, colbe said:

What currencies were you able to get from the front desk?

I got US $ and Euros. I didn't ask about any other currencies. It worked out great for us. We didn't have to travel to Ft Lauderdale with a lot of cash. In addition, we had problems with one of our credit cards, so the ability to get cash easily helped to make up for that issue. At the end of the cruise, we still had money left over in our onboard account, and HAL issued a refund very quickly.

I purchased onboard credit prior to our 2023 world cruise. When I needed some cash, I was able to get it from the front desk. There was no service charge.

We were pretty happy about it too!. Since I had initially been told that I wouldn't receive any compensation, I figured that was that. It left a little bitterness that would crop up now and then. And then HAL surprised us by applying FCC to our already-paid for cruise. We are now even more excited about our 2024 cruise.

While on the 2023 world cruise, I had to quarantine for 6 days due to the gastro issue. Once I was released I asked the Front Desk if I would be receiving FCC for those days, similar to that given to people isolated due to Covid. My reasoning was that the Medical office told me the cause of the sickness was attributed to the fruits and vegetables being served onboard; and that Norovirus has been ruled out. This was told to me three days into my quarantine. I still had to quarantine until I was 24 hours symptom free; hence another 3 days in my cabin. This did not make sense to me because my illness wasn't transmissible, hence I thought I should be released. After checking with Head Office, I was told that I would not get anything. I decided not to make an issue of this while onboard because I just wanted to enjoy the cruise, and not fight a battle. When I completed the survey after the cruise ended, I mentioned that I felt I should receive FCC. I didn't get a response to my survey. However, the good news is that a week ago, I noticed that my HAL account had been credited with a nice amount of unexpected FCC. The bad part was that it had to be used by 31 May 2024. Having paid for our 2024 world cruise due on 1 June, I couldn't apply it to that, and I didn't want to book another cruise just to use up the FCC. I contacted my travel agent and asked her to speak with HAL to see if I could at least get unrefundable OBC or apply it to our flights. The other possibility was that it could be applied to a cruise we've booked for 2025. HAL did even better! HAL applied the FCC to our 2024 world cruise, and I will receive the refund on my credit card.

I am impressed that HAL did this. I could find nothing in writing that said HAL would give FCC to people quarantined due to issues other than Covid. Hence, they weren't obligated to give me FCC. However, they made good out of a bad situation, that went beyond the written guarantee. Thank you HAL!  And also thanks to my travel agent!  

30 minutes ago, erdufylla said:

Another thing to consider is that if you book through FlightEase, that means HAL knows your flight itinerary, and if they can, will hold the ship if your inbound flight is running behind. ...

Another good point! We are, however, flying three days before we sail. We are Canadians and our cruise is in winter. We're experienced with the havoc bad weather can create! I'm glad though that you mentioned it because you made me remember how helpful HAL was when we had to rearrange a flight to Vancouver because of a death in the family. We were to fly a week prior to the cruise, and ended up flying the day before. I don't know if the arrangements could have been made so smoothly with an airline. Perhaps FlightEase now has an edge!

Cheaper of course can be a significant benefit; however, if it's only a few dollars difference, then it doesn't really matter to me. Delaying payment makes sense if we want to leave our options open, or if we think we might have to cancel. I have to decide if that's a risk I am willing to take. It seemed like there were quite of few CC people who have had difficulties with Flight Ease -- their bookings were somehow dropped from the system, perhaps because of nonpayment by HAL. But as pointed out there are also horror stories of people who book directly with airlines. I reached out to CC because of the varied opinions and experiences of other cruises. I thought I might be missing something regarding the benefits of Flight Ease versus booking direct. Many thanks for all your responses. Now I just have to decide what we think will work out best for us. 

I would like to know if there is any advantage to using Flight Ease, other than the possibility of getting a reduced rate and not having to pay until final payment. From reading previous posts, it sounds like numerous people have experienced lost bookings, so I am questioning how to proceed. If I book directly with an airline for approx the same price, am I missing out on something that Flight Ease offers? 

I bought OBC prior to our 2023 Zuiderdam world cruise, approx $5000, to pay for gratuities, tours, onboard purchases, etc. When I needed cash, I just went to the front desk and was given US dollars (no service charge), or local currency (no service charge, just the exchange rate). It worked out great, it allowed us to not have to travel with a lot of cash, as well as we did not have to worry about finding local ATMs. We had some money left at the end of the cruise. It appeared on my credit card within a couple of days. 

We stayed at the Palace Hotel in August 2019. It was in a great location, very central, lots of shops and restaurants close by, as well as tourist attractions. Nice buffet breakfast included. We had a package through our travel agency, unfortunately transfers weren't included. It was $60 Cdn for a taxi from airport to hotel, approx 9 km. Apparently it's easy to take a train. Here is the info I collected from 2019; I don't know if things have changed since then.

In May, I sent email to Scandic Palace palace@scandichotels.com asking about transport from airport to hotel. Response was that price would be approx 250–350 DKK  ($50–70 Cdn) depending on traffic. Taxis will accept credit cards. Also said we could take the regional train to the central station, and then walk to hotel which will take about 5-7 minutes.

To take train: From airport, taking the train, with luggage, is easy. Most trains from Copenhagen Airport have low floor wagons with step-free access. Take the train, not the metro. Costs 36 DKK (approx $7.30 Cdn) per person. Tickets for the train can be purchased at machines in the baggage claim area or machines near the DSB ticket sales counter inside Terminal 3. These machines only accept coins, some credit cards, and most debit cards with PIN. Can also purchase tickets at the DSB ticket sales counter inside Terminal 3.

Entrance to train station (Københavns Lufthavn, Kastrup Station) at the airport is located near end of Terminal 3 (which is the terminal we will arrive in). From the arrivals exit baggage hall of Terminal 3, walk straight across the terminal. At the end of the terminal, follow the signs towards Track 2 for Copenhagen Central Station, Nørreport, Østerport, Helsingør, Fyn and Jylland.

Take the moving walkway down (no steps on walkway) towards train tracks to board next train. Elevator available if preferred.

Do not need to validate ticket or pass through any gate; just ensure you have ticket in hand in case asked.

During day train runs every 10 minutes; at night runs about 1 to 3 times per hour. Takes about 13 minutes to reach Copenhagen Central Station from CPH Airport.

Just completed a back-to-back-to-back cruise on the Caribbean Princess. We had three booking numbers that were linked. The coffee "card" that I purchased for the first cruise was valid for the three cruises for 15 specialty coffees and unlimited regular coffee, tea and hot chocolate. The only problem was that they miscalculated the number of specialty coffees I ordered (probably because I ordered some when I was in covid quarantine -- the coffees are supposed to be free during that time). I was able to sort out the problem. Until the second last day when I ordered a coffee and was charged, even though I knew I had only ordered 13 specialty coffees in total (not including the ones I got free while in quarantine). My suggestion is to keep track of how many coffees you order.

Thanks for taking the time to tell us all about your cruise. I'm glad you had such a good time. I was fortunate to sail when Gary was our cruise director. He really added to our enjoyment. I'll be sailing on the Caribbean Princess in August. I sure wish he will still be on the ship; but I imagine that would be beyond his current contract. Wishing you safe travels on your way home. I look forward to hearing about your future adventures.

1 hour ago, SonuvaBeach said:

If it is convenient, try to use the AFT elevators on deck 3. Even before COVID, no one ever used them, and we almost never had to wait!

Great tip. It'll mean walking a bit farther because we will be closer to the midship elevator; but I will benefit from even that little bit of extra exercise.

39 minutes ago, SonuvaBeach said:

Okay...in order...

 

Thanks so much. That was all very helpful. Good to know that I can't just open a can of water in the cabin without being charged. We have chosen an even less expensive stateroom -- an inside one on 3 mid deck. The stateroom you were in sounds great to me. Will definitely consider that area for future cruises. Since my husband always keeps the curtains closed when we've had oceanviews or verandas, we decided to go back to inside cabins and then have more money for more cruises. We will be fairly near stairs/elevator so will have easy access to get out and about and see what the real world looks like! 

51 minutes ago, SbbquilterUT said:

You can refill anything you like - I happen to have a stainless steel pink flamingo one I love as it keeps water cooler longer and it is so colorful I know it is mine 😀

Great idea! Thanks.

3 minutes ago, SbbquilterUT said:

You can carry your own refillable water bottle.

Thanks for answering. To save space and money, I used to take onboard one plastic bottle of water, and just kept refilling it prior to going onshore. Looks like I will need to get a "proper" refillable container. No big deal!

Are you allowed to take the canned water that is included in the drink package off the ship when in port? My husband and I used to carry plastic water bottles, but it's my understanding we can't bring them onboard. Is that correct?

4 hours ago, SonuvaBeach said:

Glad to help! Ask me anything else, and I will try to answer!

I will try not to take too much advantage of your kind offer to answer anything .... but I do have some questions. I'll try to be gentle! The upgraded drink package is included in our cruise. Can we get free drinks everywhere? i.e., bars, all restaurants, in theatre, in room, spa. The covid refund and cancellation policy is effective 25 Feb 2022 to 30 April 2022. Has this policy been in existance for a while, with Celebrity just updating the time periods? In it's current wording, it won't be effective in September, but I wonder if Celebrity has had a history of extending it as time goes on. We have previously sailed with Princess and Holland America. Can you offer any opinions on comparisons? If not, could you tell me what was your favourite thing about your Millennium cruise, and what were you least impressed with. Well, I could go on and on, but I better stop! Thanks for taking the time to help me out. 

3 hours ago, SonuvaBeach said:

Hi..i am glad my videos were helpful! Yes..there is a ping pong table on the Lido deck , just past the pool area, mid ships, port side...anyone can use it at any time.

Thanks for answering! That is good news. My husband is relieved  now he knows he can pursue his favorite past time while on the cruise.

Thanks so much for posting all those videos. What a great way to share your adventure, as well as for you to remember it as the years go by.

Since we are new to Celebrity and hope to sail on the Millineum in September, your photos are very helpful. I was wondering if there are ping pong tables on the ship? My husband loves to play table tennis; that's his go-to past time, particularly on sea days. I think there might be a table in the kids area, but are there ones available for adults to also use? Thanks for your help.

12 hours ago, DC1andDC2 said:

As of April 1, for fully vaccinated travelers, this requirement will be no more.  Official announcement from the government is scheduled for tomorrow (Mar 17).

That sure will make things easier for so many people.

It is my understanding if  Americans are entering Canada to take a cruise from a Canadian port, you need to have a PVR test three days prior to your cruise, or a rapid antigen test within one day of your cruise. Here is a link for Canada's requirements:

https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/domestic-travel#ready

Thanks for taking the time to tell us about your cruise. Wishing you and Barb a safe and enjoyable trip back home.

12 hours ago, KroozNut said:

Why aren't you sailing now? 🤔

We cancelled a 36 day cruise from Ft Lauderdale to Barcelona in Dec due to omnicron and difficulty in our ability to get tests. (We live outside of Ottawa, and the availability of tests for travellers was very limited.) Now that things are easier, maybe we'll take a cruise prior to the 2023 world. In the meantime, I'm happy to read about the adventures of others!

2 hours ago, iflyrc5 said:

Hello Bonnie - I wish you had joined us in the Caribbean.  The only discussion I have heard with respect to the fuel supplement charge has been here on cruise critic.   There have been some cutbacks from what long time HAL guests have experienced but the number of guests on the ships in increasing.  Our first 3 segments it was between 800 and 900 and this segment it is a little over 1100 and from what I understand the next cruise will be over 1400.  If I see the captain in the lido I will ask about the fuel supplement.  The slide show he gives with his ask the capt talk shows the cost of fuel for a typical 10 day cruise is about $350,000 and at his last talk he said that the price is now about double that.

We sure wish that we were sailing with you too. Hopefully we will again sometime soon. That would be great if you have the chance to talk with the capt. In the meantime, keep enjoying your cruise. I'll be doing the same, even if it is just remotely!

Thanks Ted for taking the time to share your cruise with us. I've been enjoying reading about your journey. Your photos, as usual, are beautiful. I was wondering if there has been any talk onboard with staff in the know about instituting the fuel supplement due to the continual increasing cost of oil? It would really impact our upcoming world cruise, so any info you can provide would be appreciated. Glad you and Barb are having a wonderful time. Keep enjoying the warm weather, the beautiful water and great food. Best regards, Bonnie