simon stingray

 

Perhaps I should pack some crackers... Not sure what our table mates would make of dodgy hats or dodgier jokes mind... Perhaps we should ask for a British table so we aren't dodged for the rest of the cruise!

We were also talking about bringing crackers:D

On our Princess Cruise they had traditional Christmas Pudding on the menu but we had to try to describe what it was as some of our table mates had never heard of it:confused:

Hi.

We're on the same cruise and whilst we have never sailed Celebrity over Christmas, we have sailed on Crown Princess in the Caribbean (3 years ago) and there was definitely a festive atmosphere.

There were Christmas carols on Christmas Eve in the atrium and the ship was dressed beautifully with many Christmas Trees. Traditional Christmas dinner was one of the options on the menu in the MDR on the evening of the 25th and the tables were nicely dressed (but no Christmas Crackers-not an American thing apparently).

I realise that was Princess and this is Celebrity but from what I've read, the lines are pretty similar at this time of year.

We actually depart from Halong Bay at 1.00PM on Christmas Day-unless they have changed our itinerary so everyone should be back on board in time for dinner:)

There have been numerous threads regarding this and the advice has always been to have your card charged in USD and let your bank (or AMEX) do the conversion.

Apparently the rate that Celebrity uses to calculate the conversion is not good.

I saw an info graphic someplace that showed how cruising has declined in the european markets pretty dramatically the last few years, so they have fewer choice of where to "summer" anyway, though Asia is gaining momentum fast.

I wonder if we will see Millennium being replaced by an S class ship in Asia anytime soon?

This show probably would put you off unlike The Cruise, the one on Celebrity with Jane Macdonald, we couldn't get our hands on a brochure quick enough :)

We also decided to book our first cruise after watching The Cruise programme based on Galaxy.

I agree. It showed the people and line well. There were some 'interesting' passengers. But they make good tv again. I vividly remember the older lady whose teddy bear went with her around the ship, including the dining room

Mrs Goodman!

Steven & I bumped into her in Macy's in Fort Lauderdale a couple of years ago. We heard her voice (complaining loudly to one of the employees) and we both knew exactly who it was before we turned around:D

I understand that kettles are only provided on cruises departing from the UK due to legal safety/fire regulations in the US or Caribbean which prevent cruise lines from placing these in staterooms.

I also understand that passengers are not allowed to bring their own kettles (even when departing from the UK) are they have not been certified as safe to use and the ones supplies by X have.

That all make sense from a safety point of view and I would never consider breaking these rules.

But what I don't understand is how can curling tongs and hair straighteners be ok for passengers to bring aboard and use and how are these appliances safer than a kettle:confused:

Just asking.

15 night

inside 200

oceanview 225

veranda 250

concierge/aqua/sky suites /aqua class suites 350

all other suites 450

 

If it is repositioning

inside 50

oceanview 75

veranda 100

concierge/aqua sky suites 200

all other suites 300

Thanks for the info. That is just what I was looking for.

On Transatlantic you do not get the drink package for booking on the ship :mad:

I'm sure that you do still get the upgrade and some OBC though.

I think it's a reduced amount for repositioning cruises but I cannot recall how much. I would like to know so that we can decide if it's worth waiting to book onboard or not.

Does anyone know what the OBC amounts would be for booking a 15 night sailing onboard?

I would be interested to know the OBC for each stateroom type:

Inside

Oceanview

Veranda

Suite.

The sailing we are looking at could also be classed as a repositioning cruise which I believe reduces the amount.

I don't believe that anyone will be sitting watching what all those cameras are recording.

I'm sure that the footage would only be viewed if there were some kind of event such as a passenger or crew member being reported missing.

As far as that big space over the bed, it's huge. You don't have to be tall to access it either. I'm 5'3" and have zero issues with it.

ClaudiaB, I don't think that M class have the storage cabinets over the bed:confused:

Hi Martin & David.

Great to see you are also on this cruise. Simon & Steve here from Manchester. Also our first trip to Asia so a new experience for us.

We have a small roll call going for this sailing where a few have been arranging private tours. We are joining others for a tour of Ho Chi Minh and a Halong Bay boat tour.

Maybe come over to the roll call and say hello.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1956414

Would be nice to meet you guys onboard for a drink:)

We haven't sailed on Equinox but on Silhouette, one of the designated smoking areas was as follows:

Deck 5 portside, promenade midship-where chairs, tables and ashtrays are provided.

I believe the smoking areas are in the same location on all of the S class ships.

Looking at the deck plans-it does appear to be directly below your stateroom 7241. I can also understand concerns regarding noise as there was quite a group gathered in this area during the evenings as this is the closest smoking area to the MDR and Martini Bar.

I would move.

Also what does "OP" stand for... Please.

 

 

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Original poster.

What type of dining is the SS United States? I am definitely interested in more information about this specialty restaurant.

SS United States is French Fine Dining. Excellent service and some dishes are prepared tableside which can be very entertaining-our waiter seemed to be enjoying himself as much as we were.

The menu is the same as Murano which is on all of the Solstice Class ships.

We also enjoyed Murano on Silhouette but felt that SS United States on Infinity and Ocean Liners on Constellation had a slightly better atmosphere and service.

Bistro on 5 is a definite for embarkation day lunch and I would like to try Qsine again as we loved it so much on Eclipse.

 

I would welcome your advice / suggestions as we don't want to waste it.

 

many thanks

Dinner at SS United States was excellent when we were onboard Infinity last August. Not cheap at $45/person and takes 2-3 hours but we had a fantastic evening.

They were offering a 30% discount on certain nights during our cruise.

Well ever since coming across this picture...

http://www.fotocommunity.de/pc/pc/display/26707150

We now always refer to the Equinox as the Poultrinox-the name really has stuck with us.

We were also on the inaugural sailing of the Silhouette and someone on the roll call always referred to her as the Silly-wet.

Even if they booked a veranda guarantee or oceanview guarantee and were lucky enough to have been upgraded to concierge class when their cabin was allocated, they will still receive all of the concierge benefits.

The concierge class staterooms are grouped together and remain concierge class for every cruise. The cruise line would not change a concierge class cabin to a standard veranda just because that is what your parents booked.

Hope they enjoy their cruise:cool:

Drinks are chargeable at Cafe al Bacio but the food (pastries/cakes) are free.

I believe that Aqua spa cafe have some items chargeable but most is complimentary (not 100% sure here but someone will correct me in I'm wrong).

Buffet and pool grill (burgers/hot dogs) are no charge.

Coffee or Tea in the MDR and buffet is no charge but not very good (especially in the buffet where it is dispensed from a machine).

There are also machines in the buffet which dispense juice made from concentrate (orange & some kind of tropical punch). It is VERY sweet and not good (IMHO).

Room service food & coffee, Tea, milk is no charge although most give a couple of dollars tip to the person who delivers the order.

Bistro on five is chargeable (now $7 I believe) but we feel is still great value-especially when the buffet is crowded.

Perhaps with the exception of New Years, I don't think that there will be loud music on the pool deck in the evenings. The pool deck has been deserted in the evenings on all of the X cruises we have taken.

If there are other available staterooms in the same category you have been assigned (looks like cat 9) they will allow you to switch.

OK, I knew better than to book a guarantee. And I have learned my lesson, finally. :(

Just curious as to why you think this is such a terrible stateroom:confused:

I really wish that they had included Molecular bars when the M class ships were Solsticized.

A Molecular bar at the bottom of the Grand staircase on deck 3 (in place of the captains club & future cruise sales office) would have been really nice.

Just my opinion:D

I think this is another one of those rules which only apply here in the UK but not in the US or Canada.

I have had our guarantee stateroom switched for another in the same cat but we book through a US agent.

With better service and OBC from the agent and more favourable policies from X when booking in the US, I no longer see the point of booking here in the UK.

We have booked numerous times through a US based cruise agent-no problem.

In addition to the better price, you should have no problem finding an agent who is willing to give you some on board credit as a gift for giving them your business.

Skytrax has passenger reviews from all major airlines around the world.

Here is a link to reviews on China Eastern Airlines.

http://www.airlinequality.com/Forum/c_eastrn.htm