yorky

10 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

My personal view is to not make final payments for at least 2020 cruises and just Lift and Shift or do whatever you have to do not to send Celebrity more money, and substantial money at that,  at your risk.  Just me and my conservative view- I am not much of a risk taker.   But think about the 125% for a moment.  Are you really getting much for risking your money?  Many cruises albeit not all have gone up in fares to a point where 125% might be break even at best.  It is a one way shell game.

We look at the lift and shift as only taking the risk of losing our deposit of £300 maximum, even if the cruise lines go bust ( which I don’t believe will happen with Celebrity ). I would personally not be making a final payment for any cruise just now, too many unknowns.

On 7/23/2020 at 7:23 AM, chemmo said:

I can understand people waiting for cancellation to get the 125%...

 

However, I think this can be a false gain...We moved our cruise from October this year to September next year at a slightly reduced cost, deposit transferred. At the time we moved (a few months ago now) there were a wide range of suites at all levels available, now there is one sky suite only at an elevated price. 

 

Our initial cruise still hasn’t been officially cancelled but as the Silhouette is still in the Caribbean and our government is advising against cruising it isn’t going to happen. So people who have waited now for cancellation will get their 125% but may have a limited choice of rooms for next year and those rooms may be at an elevated price.

 

In the meantime we have been getting on with enjoying our Summer, no stress no worries...

We were pretty much the same. We lifted and shifted to Feb 2022 as we really don’t see the cruise product being the same in Feb 2021 even if it sails. Holding on would have entailed booking flights to Hong Kong and back from Singapore, and booking Raffles Hotel with payment up front. All we would have done was worry, not worth the stress. We moved and saved £30, kept all our perks, and moved from M class to S class and were able to receive a cabin on a different deck due to the difference in layout from M to S class, we did not want deck 3 on S class below the night club and casino. Probably a lot less choice should we have waited. The cruise was already around 30% dearer than we paid so a FCC of 125% would have ended up a loss. There are times in my view it’s just not worth waiting for Celebrity to cancel, all depends on individual circumstances.

8 hours ago, Blackduck59 said:

Well I spent some time reading this thread and put some likes on comments I agree with. Like others on this thread I will "choose" not to go on a cruise if a mask is required. Not because I can't breathe with one on, or any number of other real or imagined problems with a mask. I don't enjoy wearing a mask and do not choose to pay for a vacation where I am required to wear something I find unpleasant. I do wear a mask when required or social distancing is not possible, it's the right thing to do.

Be well everyone.

That’s pretty much us as well, we have no interest in spending thousands of pounds for a holiday only to have to wear a mask. While that is in place we won’t be cruising.

40 minutes ago, BRONZEMEMBER said:

not so great a deal!  I was working with my TA for a Jan 2022 booking as well as putting another trip on hold.  she got the one on hold and called Celebrity to book the other, the price went up $1,000.  TA argued with agent, spoke to resolution desk and was told if she had a screen shot they would give the lower price, we didn't do a screen shot because we were going to book right then.  I looked up the 4 cruises we have for next year, and sure enough, all prices increased by $1000.

 

That’s why lift and shift works for many, the price is locked in. Sadly it probably is having an impact for some making new booking as many are shifting to 2022, that’s why we moved ours quickly as I can see limited availability as more people move.

10 minutes ago, jwc1027 said:

A prudent decision no doubt to keep cruisers interested in booking new reservations and keeping money in cruise line coffers. I wouldnt be surprised as each month is cancelled to cruising they extend lift and shift accordingly.

It makes financial sense for both the cruise company and passengers.

The positive thing is that cruising has restarted in a limited fashion and it’s without a vaccine. That puts to bed the argument that there will be no cruising without one. The cruise industry will need to adapt and this is the start, even if no vaccine is found it’s clearly not intending dying on its feet. 

52 minutes ago, Miaminice said:

 

Your views are already outdated! Fact is, there are already cruises sailing in Europe under strict guidelines and reduced capacity. One of them is a joint venture of Royal Caribbean (TUI). Another (Aida) is one of Carnival´s cruise lines.

Even some small ship lines such as Hurtigruten and Le Ponant are sailing with reduced capacity. So do river cruises.

Yep, not sure why people keep stating there will be no cruising without a vaccine when it’s already happening. Cruise line can’t just wait in the hope of a vaccine when there may never be one.

45 minutes ago, Doubt It said:

From my perspective, a significant price increase is of course to be expected given so many people took the FCC. 

 

Get your cash and run.

 

When the cruise lines prove to people they have a sustainable, consistent product, then consider.

 

Folks remember, the cruise lines were all busy downgrading their product before the virus - what makes you think this will not re-commence upon restart - especially given their financial pressures?

 

I like cruising but I will not be scammed, taken advantage of.

 

I’ve said this before but we still find Celebrity value for money, we do not believe we are being scammed or taken advantage of in any way.

4 hours ago, swigso said:

We are booked on the Constellation Feb 26th out of Tampa. I just did a quick look at a dummy booking. There are very few cabins that are booked right the way up to Aqua.

The only cabins that are booked are the suites. There is 1 S1 available 2 CS and 2RS 

pit looks like most have jumped ship because prior to February this year the ship was 

showing very limited availability.

We booked a CS and got a great deal during a sale, because of this we are hoping that it will sail but I am not holding my breath. However there is now way we will make final payment in December if sailings have not started.

Yes, looking at various roll calls quite a few individuals have lifted and shifted. We did the same with our February booking moving it on a year. Just too many unknowns for us such as a second spike and no vaccine, we were not willing to book flights and hotels and risk it.

2 minutes ago, pumpkin 11 said:

If you honestly believe wearing a mask is going to solve this whole pandemic problem why didn't we do it back in March? It's like putting a condom on after sex, not going to do you much good at this point! 

It’s one piece of an overall bigger picture, responsibility to yourself and others. When all those pieces are understood, respected, and followed then we all move forward together. If we ignore those pieces more people die.

53 minutes ago, ECCruise said:

The most obvious question for me would be pretty simple:  Who would pay these kinds of prices?

Time will tell, if not enough are willing prices will drop, back to the old “Supply and demand”. Plenty of people were willing to pay the inflated prices for E class early on, not so much now and they started to drop.

It’s not always the case, our 14 night Asia cruise was cheaper than our 11 night Caribbean cruise last year, which was cheaper than our 12 night Caribbean cruise two years before that. I think we paid £2200 for an inside cabin including flights with obviously no perks in 1999 On a Thomson cruise which was a Russian built ship from the 1960s. I’m pretty sure with inflation that’s more expensive than we pay now for what was a far  inferior product. There are still deals to be had if you watch out for them.

2 hours ago, Josie201 said:

I know this is not top of mind for any of us, and certainly not Celebrity, but does anyone have any information on when new itineraries might be released for into 2022.  We bought a cruise later certificate on our ill-fated Reflection cruise in March and I need to use it by August 31 to benefit from the additional OBC that accompanies these certificates.  Celebrity told me I need to book something and can then move it, which is fine but since I already have two cruises booked for 2021 I am not really interested in booking another one that I have no intention of taking and will have to move.  I will do it if I have to but does anyone have any information on release of new itineraries for 2022 (right now they only have Galapagos cruises showing). 

Not sure why you are only able to see those, we already have an Asia cruise booked for Feb 2022

17 minutes ago, SunsetPoint said:

 

We do as well.  Doesn't hurt to spend a few minutes on math now and then with a possible nice payback.  Of course, you need to figure out what each perk is worth to you.  If you don't drink alcohol and wouldn't have purchased an alcoholic drink plan anyhow, having that as a "perk" doesn't offer much value to you.  We always get the premium drink plan, so we factor that into whether a "sale" that offers perks will save us money or not.  We both work in IT and enjoy getting AWAY from the internet while cruising (we have T-Mobile, so we can do a quick email check in just about every port we visit without incurring data charges).  That means having internet as an included perk doesn't provide much value to us.  Celebrity is smart to offer different combinations of pricing and perks throughout the year, and we're smart to always be re-evaluating right up until that final payment.

We find the lower priced surf internet works for us and it’s cheaper to purchase that than pay the grats so we go for the two perks worth the most to us, drinks package and grats.

I’ve always been a firm believer that we would see cruising resume at some level this year, I’ve not seen anything to change my mind.

I would also agree the perks are not always a rip off, just a case of doing the maths and knowing what you would spend on drinks without the package which for us would be the biggest cost. Adding two perks works out best for us, drinks  and grats on a 14 night cruise would cost us somewhere around £1100 and we save less than that with no perks. Just doing a quick calculation for our next cruise at today’s prices and adding the drinks package as a perk add just over £400 to the price for the two of us, we would have a bill for drinks of around £800 without it so a saving of around £400.

9 minutes ago, chemmo said:

 

After many years of looking at hotels based on star ratings we realised that they really mean little to us. To us the view and facilities are what matter. We don’t care about casinos, on site dining, spa options...

 

Examples...

 

We booked the Park Shore in Hawaii...big 2 room suite with kitchenette,  two balconies and fabulous sea view to say nothing for the sounds of the elephants and monkeys in the adjacent zoo.  Low star rating as few on site facilities but high on trip advisor.

 

Then there is the Pullman Quay in Sydney Harbour, cheaper than the Intercontinental we had stayed at on a previous visit (which was great) with self catering and laundry options and a wonderful harbour view...fantastic for pre and post cruise stays. 

 

I could go on but it is all about what matters to you...We find many 3* hotels have basics like a fridge and microwave that many 5* hotels don’t...not saying that one or the other is best just what is important for you at the time.

 

 

We often avoid the big chain hotels and go for smaller independents where possible, last September we stayed at the Pillars hotel on the inter coastal waterway, we had breakfast served to us right next to the water, wonderful place and staff. I tend to be the one that plans our holidays and we only get away every couple of years so I try to make each part of it as special as possible. The next cruise included four nights at Raffles which to be fair is part of a chain these days but still I hope a special hotel.

11 minutes ago, chemmo said:

 

We were so concerned about some of the reviews that in 2018 we tried something else...made us really appreciate what the Embassy Suites do offer...Great location, large rooms with fridge and microwave, decent pool area and the included breakfast and evening cocktails. As a package it is hard to beat. 

 

I think the snag comes when guests fail to read read reviews that comment about the suites being ‘dated’. They are dated in style, even the ones that have been updated. Bathrooms are functional rather than chic. It all depends on what the visitor prioritises. Over the years we have paid more for rooms that were modern and chic but lacked the basics we wanted...

Yes  the dated word is used quite a bit in many if the less favourable reviews. I must admit I’m guilty of rarely looking below a hotel that’s outside the top 15 in any city we visit and tend to filter out anything under 4 star, it would not even come up in my search as a 3 star hotel. But it appears to meet the expectations of many and that’s all that matters really.

https://www.rte.ie/news/munster/2020/0713/1153077-kerry-tourism/
 

Hard to believe but true.

30 minutes ago, hcat said:

Cheaper and much more efficient to book Embassy  on your own. The Cruise Line package will cost you more time and money..not worth it at this port.

 

When you arrive at the hotel,  you can  sign up for shared Van service to the pier but we usually just  ask them to call a taxi on morning of the cruise...never a long wait!

 

ES has a nice pool, awesome breakfast buffet and  nightly cocktails included!  Hotel is dated but clean and great Hilton  service .  Many restaurant choices  in walking distance.

The Embassy Suites seem very popular on here yet don’t receive great overall reviews online.

10 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

It is with great frustration that I say this about my fellow American citizens, but the odds are quite high that a good percentage of them will refuse to wear masks on a cruise ship just like on shore.  I know it is craziness.  So cruising in Europe with the travel ban against Americans might be successful.  But cruising from US ports not in the picture at all right now.  We need a vaccine!

Yep I think America is going to be the last area of the world to open up to cruising. Asia and Europe already trying to get things started end of this month.

38 minutes ago, ule said:

Sorry to be beating a dead horse.... I know this has probably been discussed at length already, but I've been off the boards for a while.

 

We're looking to book a cruise and they are "giving" us Classic Drink package.  It says that they are going to add a $14 a day charge for gratuities.  I didn't realize they were still doing this.  What I'm really annoyed about is the Classic package is $59.99 a day, the Premium is $69.99 a day.  So they are applying gratuities based on the Premium package even though we are only receiving the Classic.

 

Any thoughts or information on this?

The $14 a day grats are nothing to do with the drinks package.

11 minutes ago, Redtravel said:

Don’t panic.  The cruise line will offer you an incentive to keep you booked. They want to keep your money. They want you to want to sail again. 
unfortunately,  not much news has been shown regarding changes to provide real sense of safety.   I am surprised that since cruising stopped 4 months ago, we have heard very little about changes. Starting to wonder when or if cruising will return.  Looking at possible land vacations.

Cruising is starting again later this month in some parts of the world.

Still remember cruising out of New York on QM2 on our Honeymoon. We actually did book a package with Cunard flying in the same day. This was April 6th and you would think weather would not be a problem and we stayed at Glasgow airport overnight for an early morning flight. Well we woke up to snow and were sitting on the plane while they de-iced the wings. We got into New York slightly late to be met by a Cunard rep but the snow had been worse down south and at least one plane load of passengers never made the cruise, think they tried to get them on days later in the Caribbean. That was a lesson learned but plenty from the UK still take an early morning flight out for cruises on the same day.  I think they  just see spending extra money on hotels as a waste of money.

20 minutes ago, Ride-The-Waves said:

Cruise lines appear to be cutting their own throats.  Little actual response to the NSO directive.  No real changes in procedures. Whining about social distancing and mask wearing for the crew. etc.  Doesn't bode well for a return to cruising in any real form, much less what it was pre-Covid-19.  And with many of the Caribbean ports closed that option for sailing from Florida ports is out.  Not that one could possibly sail out of Florida with infection cases spiking in its port counties.  Then there is the reduction on numbers of ships even trying to achieve compliance with CDC directives - about half of those sailing pre-Covid-19.  Its as if the cruise lines are not trying - or they are finding with the current ships structures its nearly impossible to manage "social distancing," and safe contact procedures for crew, much less potential passengers.  It appears that it will be a long time before any form ao cruising returns.  In the meantime, cruise lines are not refunding monies and asking us to buy more cruises.  Ponzi scheme if there ever was one...

I thought some domestic cruising was starting this month ?