bdstickks0944

36 minutes ago, Inspirazione said:

Any new updates today?

This from celebrity’s website today for all sailings out of the us

2 hours ago, Cheshire Blue said:

Yes - I think you are correct.  I doubt they will check the photo properties (so in theory you could perhaps show an old photo of a test / result) or even produce an actual (old) negative test !  As far as I'm aware - there are no dates on them. 

 

It's become a bit of a farce - may be time to drop the requirement to produce the tests / results completely and simply have people declare they have no symptoms etc (as is the case with other illnesses) 

  

Id not try to scam them if I were you.  

1 hour ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

Celebrity has announced they are doing exactly what RCL is doing at this time. No testing for vaccinated guests on sailings less than 6 days. Testing 3 days prior now for both Celebrity and RCL.

https://www.celebritycruises.com/healthy-at-sea/updated-us-travel-requirements

 

 

The only difference between RCL and Celebrity right now is that Celebrity did not say they would have another big announcement on August 14th. 

https://cruiseradio.net/royal-caribbean-celebrity-adjust-testing-requirements-us-cruises/

 

 

Celebrity much better than RC.  Too many little brats running around lol. Celebrity should do a Virgin and go adults only. 

28 minutes ago, wrk2cruise said:

It probably varies by country.  Celebrity posted changes today effective 8/8 and testing for US departures is 3 days.

 

https://www.celebritycruises.com/healthy-at-sea/updated-us-travel-requirements

Yep.  I just saw that. So now three days before.  So if we depart on a Sunday, we can take on Thursday. 

Peoples, this is for Royal only, and it is only for cruises 6 days and under.  Over 6, still have to test two days before on celebrity as well.   Celebrity has not changed anything as of yet. 

If your flight is cancelled, the airline should in theory rebook you.  Another thought is that I highly recommend not booking your air to get in the same day as your cruise.  Get there at least a day early.  We always do this, and have never used Celebrity Air.  I work for an airline.  For cruises, we always pay for the tickets.  We are arriving two days early into FLL, so no reason to be concerned.  Got a better deal booking direct over Celebrity Air.  Just my two cents. 

On 7/28/2022 at 10:07 AM, Redtravel said:

That service isn’t great. 3 day turn around. Folded even when told to iron.  Had to chance down clothes at end of cruise.  Even free, no worth using.  It used to be really good. Like everything, it isn’t what it was before the pandemic.  Bring clothing that you can wash out yourself.  Leave the heavy clothes home. There lines in the showers. I bring a flexoline that I bought on Magellan.  It comes in handy.  

So pay $10,000 to get free laundry. What a deal.  Lol. I will stay with my common folk cabin and pay for laundry. 

On 7/27/2022 at 6:31 PM, eroller said:

Calling any call center customer service department these days is an exercise in futility.   Banks, credit cards, airlines, etc.  Celebrity is no exception.  I try to avoid calling any call center at all costs, but sometimes you have no choice.  As others have mentioned many companies lost a huge knowledge base during the pandemic, added with the Great Resignation which leaves a lot of companies in a compromised position regarding staffing. 

 

I recently booked a Celebrity cruise as cruise-only, so nothing included.  I wanted to add a drink and wifi package which of course is offered online, but I'm Elite status and if I want the Elite discount I'm forced to ring the call center.  It took two calls, being placed on hold on both calls an absurdly long time, but I finally got it accomplished.  This seemed like an incredibly simple transaction but apparently not.  Booking the actual cruise was far easier.  Hopefully this will be my only call to Celebrity customer non-service. 

Funny, my TA is and was able to make the elite calls that you mentioned.   

3 hours ago, eroller said:

 

I included that in context as to why I actually had to call and not just book the package online.  You have to in order to receive the discount.  It can't be done online.  If I really wanted to brag it wouldn't be about Elite status on Celebrity.   It's no great feat.  

Absolutely no reason to call celebrity if you book with a travel agent. 

3 hours ago, bdstickks0944 said:

No.  It’s not the wrong thread. Everyone needs to just stop complaining about hold times. It is what it is. Complaining about it won’t make it better. 

Thank you.   

Just now, eroller said:

 

 

No one needs to stop complaining about anything.  If they want to so be it.  Get over it.  

🤙

Just now, eroller said:

 

 

Testy.  Comical.  

Nope. All is well. I find it humorous when people brag about their status.  Like it makes a difference.  

8 hours ago, eroller said:

 

Your choice.  Good for you.  
 

If you don’t want to read about Celebrity customer service issues then why on earth are you participating in a thread devoted to it.  Just move on.  

Because it’s comical to see people complaining about something that could be easily fixed by not booking direct.  How about you move on.  No one cares about your “elite” status.  Cheers

7 hours ago, eroller said:

 

Sounds like this is the wrong thread for you. If you don’t want to read about others people’s issues, which by the way are no less valid just because you haven’t had issues, then don’t go into a thread titled “customer service wait times”.  You pretty much know what you’re going to find.  

No.  It’s not the wrong thread. Everyone needs to just stop complaining about hold times. It is what it is. Complaining about it won’t make it better. 

7 hours ago, LGW59 said:

Spot on here, IMO.  Some say they are just "venting", really?  The diatribes (on so many subjects) go on and on and on...I call it a RANT, a useless one at that!  I book my cruises direct w/Celebrity and then move it to a TA, from that point on, I deal with and only with the TA.  He is responsive and if/when I need Celebrity help, he does it on my behalf, though it is rare I need to do this.  Also, when I was booking on my own during the craziness of cancellations etc. I called Celebrity on a number of occasions, never had an excessive wait time, never, and almost always the issue was resolved.  The times that it was not, was frankly because I misunderstood something or did not read it thoroughly, so yes my fault.  Considering what they have had to deal with as a company and the CSR's have to deal with day in and day out, and stay professional with many of their callers, I have been pleased and impressed.

Thank you. Well put

53 minutes ago, Bo1953 said:

Yes, then the next big issue that many potential passengers will have, 'my online payment was not credited correctly or mis-applied' what is the reason that X cannot build a website that posts payments properly...' etc, etc, etc...

 

Is there any cruise line which accepts on-going payments on-line beyond the initial booking does anyone know?

 

bon voyage

My TA takes online payments.   Another reason to use a TA.  

8 hours ago, eroller said:

 

I’ve already explained why it could not be done online or on the app.  Read the post. 

Yeah I read it. So do it yourself then.  Do we need to continually hear how bad celebrity customer service is every five minutes? Nope.   We all know, and frankly, the negativity is wasted energy.  Read my post.  I don’t care how many cruises you have been on. I have been on quite a few myself. Never once have I booked direct.  Never had any issues with needing to call the cruise line.  

8 hours ago, PinkSandGirl said:

 

I have done both, booked direct and with a travel agent.  My current bookings are direct because I was able to get much better rates through Blue Chip.   Even when I use a travel agent, there are things I need to call Celebrity myself with.  

 

Celebrity allows direct booking so they should be able to handle the call volumes within adequate times.   

 

Something as simple as being able to make an online payment should be available at all times, that right there causes way too many unneeded calls.  

 

🍹

 

We booked ours through a TA, and I have yet to contact celebrity for anything.  We booked our airfare independently, as we are arriving two days early.  We did our travel insurance through our TA.   We upgraded our beverages through the TA.  Made dinner reservations through the app.  Made all payments through TA website.  No reason to contact the cruise line if you book through a TA. 

2 hours ago, PinkSandGirl said:

I had to call last night and waited 2 hours.  2 hours.   I've waited a long time before but 2 hours has been the longest.   Ridiculous.   

 

I have to make final payment and the website shows an error (everyone in my party has tried on different devices) so we have to call in to make the payments.  That right there are tons of calls that don't need to be going into the call center for something that should be able to be taken care of online.  

 

My advice, be prepared to wait but hope for the best.  😅

🍹

Once again I have said this before and I will say it again. Do not book directly through the cruise line. Booked through a travel agent, and they can do all of this work for you without you having to make any phone calls to the cruise line

1 hour ago, eroller said:

i did book through a travel agent, but I don’t expect them to call to book my onboard packages.  

That is what they are there to do for you. And you can also do it on the app. That’s why travel agents book travel

13 hours ago, eroller said:

Calling any call center customer service department these days is an exercise in futility.   Banks, credit cards, airlines, etc.  Celebrity is no exception.  I try to avoid calling any call center at all costs, but sometimes you have no choice.  As others have mentioned many companies lost a huge knowledge base during the pandemic, added with the Great Resignation which leaves a lot of companies in a compromised position regarding staffing. 

 

I recently booked a Celebrity cruise as cruise-only, so nothing included.  I wanted to add a drink and wifi package which of course is offered online, but I'm Elite status and if I want the Elite discount I'm forced to ring the call center.  It took two calls, being placed on hold on both calls an absurdly long time, but I finally got it accomplished.  This seemed like an incredibly simple transaction but apparently not.  Booking the actual cruise was far easier.  Hopefully this will be my only call to Celebrity customer non-service. 

If you would’ve booked your cruise through a travel agent and you wouldn’t have to call their customer service at all elite or not eliteIf you would’ve booked your cruise through a travel agent and you wouldn’t have to call their customer service at all elite or not elite

On 7/25/2022 at 4:12 AM, dasmith21 said:

Ive currently been on hold with Celebrity Customer Service for just about an hour now. For me, i think this is appalling. I have a genuine question to ask and called just after 9am. 

Is this something others are finding when trying to contact CS. I'm calling from the UK.

Don’t book direct with the cruise line. Book with a ta, and they can make all the calls for you. 

On 7/7/2022 at 10:09 AM, tonylander said:

What is going on with Celebrity.  They are not answering their phone, it seems impossible to try and upgrade or general questions.

I have called 21 times since last Saturday and waited an average of 30 minutes, and still did not get any one.

I hope the on board service is much better

Don’t book the cruise direct w celebrity. Use a travel agent. 

On 7/5/2022 at 8:16 AM, Lunastella said:

Precusor & Introducation 

 

It is Day 2 and I haven’t typed a word yet….remiss of me, but if I don’t start now, I never will. Where to start? Like many others, this is our first cruise since Covid-19; our last (Sapphire Princess) ended in Singapore in January 2020, just one day after the Diamond Princess left port…it was a lucky escape! Two and a half years later, all vaccinated, fully boosted, immunity from a recent C19 dose and we are ready to get back to sea…fingers crossed…..

 

Who are ‘we’  - DS (sister), DM (mother), and me. It’s our 7^th cruise – so we are still relatively new to the game. We started in 2015 on Celebrity Reflection, and in no particular order (because I really can’t remember) – there was HAL Oosterdam, Celebrity Equinox, HAL Nieuw Statendam, Cunard Queen Mary II, and Sapphire Princess covering Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean, but mostly Europe.

 

The 3 of ‘us’ on our last previous cruise from Singapore 

 

 

Why Celebrity Beyond? Why not? A beautiful new ship, Captain Kate at its helm (whom I only discovered on Instagram during lockdown), and our first time on an Edge class ship after our cruise on Celebrity Apex was cancelled in June 2020.  I have been eagerly following its build online and now I get to see her in person…the ship that is, not Captain Kate, but also Captain Kate.

 

Beyond taken from a tender

 

I have written this review/diary while on the cruise, but I am posting it when I return due to a) rubbish basic wi-fi package, and b) writing in a hot solarium after a day in port is not conducive to correct spelling, grammar, or sense, so editing is required. I will hopefully post it all over the next week or so….but don’t quote me on that.  

 

Where did we go?

-        Barcelona

-        Marseille

-        Villefrance/Nice

-        Santa Margareta/Portofino

-        La Spezia (Pisa/Florence)

-        Civitavecchia/Rome

-        Ajaccio, Corsica (well maybe not)

-        Naples

-        Barcelona

 

A few sneak peek pics of destinations to come

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How long did we go for?

-        9 nights

 

Where did we stay?

-        Sunset veranda (aft) on deck 12

 

 

Our cabin was top right

 

 

What class are we? (if that’s not a rude question)

-        We are not Elite or Zenith and we are not staying in a suite or Aqua class so we don’t have access to the Retreat, Luminae or Blu (please read review of a financially well-endowed person for that, i.e., not me); however we did purchase a 5-night speciality dining package beforehand, so you can read about Eden, Fine Cut, and Voyage.

 

What package did we have?

-        ‘Always Included’ – classic drinks package, free gratuities, free basic wi-fi. We considered upgrading to the premium drinks package but the drinks on the classic were fine and we just paid the difference when we wanted a ‘better’ glass of wine.

 

Where did we mainly hangout while at sea?

-        Solarium (for afternoon lounging)

-        Eden (for lunch and night time fun)

-        Café al Bacio (for the cakes, I’m not going to lie)

-        Cosmopolitan (for breakfast)

-        Speciality restaurants (well 3 of the 5 isn’t bad)

-        Stateroom (for obvious reasons)

 

What were the highlights?

-        Beautiful ship with that ‘new ship smell’

-        Sunset veranda for, you know, watching the sunset

-        Amazing food in the speciality restaurants, esp. Eden and Le Voyage

-        Again Eden – everything about it

-        Friendly and efficient service from all staff

-        The relative emptiness of the ship (while this cannot be sustainable for the cruise company, it’s a real bonus for anyone cruising now)

-        Meeting Captain Kate, although not Bug.

 

More of these type pics to come...balcony view 

 

 

Beyond!

 

What were the lowlights?

-        Um…….this is hard….eating too much lobster and drinking too much prosecco perhaps??

-        The absence of a outside deck where it is possible to do a full 360 loop – although I haven’t seen any of these on Celebrity ships.

-        Having to go to 4 different stations to fill one plate of salad in Oceanview café. It’s a lot of work for your lunch! 

-        A more serious one – zero info about number of guests onboard or any mention of the big C19. However, all staff were wearing masks at all times.

 

 

Great salad but took a lot of effort

 

 

If you don’t like detailed, minute-by-minute details of life on Beyond (ok not quite), this is not the post for you. I repeat move right along!

 

Cruise lines will not announce COVID cases.  

On 6/15/2022 at 5:51 PM, grandgeezer said:

“Everybody” as you put it, that complains about the cruise lines do not continue to use them. From 2017 through 2019 we cut our cruising by over 80%. From October 2019 through the present, we’ve done 0 cruises, none scheduled, and none being watched. If and when they go back to offering a quality product for a reasonable price, we’ll reconsider although we aren’t holding our breath. The Always Inclusive is a deal breaker also.

Well good for you.  I completely disagree with you but that’s fine.