37 minutes ago, Orator said:

I agree with you and hope that once we resume cruising passengers will show their appreciation to the crew. However All inclusive with tips included may actually serve to reduce extra tips as people feel that they paid what was deemed appropriate in advance.

Sadly I agree that some guests will not reward the crew with extra tips.

9 hours ago, ChucktownSteve said:

 

Is this the same Celebrity who took away your ability to use Michael's Club/The Retreat if not booked in a suite?  I'm happy you appreciate their appreciation.  However it sounds as if their marketing department is trying to smooth over other Zenith cruiser's ruffled feathers.

9 hours ago, ChucktownSteve said:

 

Is this the same Celebrity who took away your ability to use Michael's Club/The Retreat if not booked in a suite?  I'm happy you appreciate their appreciation.  However it sounds as if their marketing department is trying to smooth over other Zenith cruiser's ruffled feathers.

Perhaps those of you who are reporting "appreciation gestures" from Celebrity can confirm if you are all from Australia.   Perhaps this is a marketing tool that is only being used in a particular country.   As well, if you would be kind enough to advise what loyalty level you are at.   It's hard to assume that you are Zenith or Elite Plus or what level you are at presently.   I think it would help a lot of people to understand how these "thank yous" are happening.   Any other feedback you can provide would be greatly appreciated such as number of cruises, how long you have cruised with Celebrity and if you are suite guests or otherwise.   Thanks so much.

In any case, happy holidays and enjoy your beverages.

18 minutes ago, wrk2cruise said:

Nobody cares that they are going after GenX.   It's turning their back on everyone else, particularly the people who have been filling their ships that makes people upset.

Thank you wrk2cruise.    I assume that you have been a loyal supporter based on your comment.  

I agree with you 100%.   Feel as though "I am being taken to the curb to go out with the trash".   

Folks:   Please don't bash my comment.  This is MY personal opinion and I feel as if I'm being discarded, hence my comment using the word "trash".

I feel my loyalty is not valued at all.

11 hours ago, tert333 said:

The whole point of Celebrity creating the all-inclusive pricing is to increase their revenue/passenger.  There are gen-x  people that don't want the all-inclusive pricing just like there are boomers that don't like it.  For those people that wanted it, they have had that option many years with Celebrity.

 

From traveling on Celebrity for many years, I think there has been a mixture of boomers as there have been Gen-x.   They should put a focus on getting ALL of their previous customers cruising again.  This company has approximately  1 year of cash burn before they run out of money.   I would not be picking and choosing the customers I want at this point. 

 

With all of the bad press that is out there, I think it will be very difficult to get people to cruise in the next year, who have not cruised before.  Celebrity's best bet would be to convince their existing client base back to cruising again(many of which like the base fees for cruising).   I would not want to jeopardize any group of customers at this time.  If, in 2 or 3 years they want to move to an all inclusive pricing model, then do it.   But, at least they will have the crisis behind them.

 

It does not seem logical to me that in the midst of the worst business crisis that the cruise industry is in, they would increase prices(or the perception of such).

Could not agree with you more.   Now that is my personal opinion so for those reading this and don't agree please don't bash me.   You are more than welcome to state your opinion here as well.

Based upon all inclusive rates and new options being introduced I assume that they are just changing prices accordingly and the cruises will appear on the website again once the pricing has changed.

Good luck to all of you who are waiting to hear whether or not you are cruising or not.   That is not a sarcastic comment, I truly mean I wish you well and hope that you are on your upcoming cruises.

Thanks to LGW59 and Jeremiah 1212 for the info.

Just trying to figure this out.   Could you please include a link or reference as to where this was posted on today's date, the date of your posting......October 26.

Checking the CDC site I see nothing that is recent.

Thank you.   Hope the tone of this message is appropriate.   Just would like to read the full article myself.      :-)   

55 minutes ago, Argo. said:

Royal is offering cruises out of Singapore in Dec. on the Quantum... sailing at 50% capacity.

 

https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/23639-here-are-royal-caribbean-s-new-december-cruises.html

I believe though that these short cruises are for residents of  Singapore only.   That's not to say that one could not be affected however there will be no guests on board from other countries.

Thanks so much.

Met a few Zenith guests last year.  For clarification they said they are not allowed on the Retreat Sun Deck on any ship.

I guess I have the wrong idea in my mind.   I thought that part of the Sundeck was being utilized for the Retreat Suite Sun Deck.  Do we know for sure that the whole area is going to be only for suite guests?    

The Constellation has not been refurbished and doubt that it will be by the end of 2021.   Believe that all improvements/changes, etc have been put on hold.

The former Michael's Club is now called the Retreat Lounge.  On the Edge class ships and the other ships that have all ready been "redone" the room is now brighter/lighter and the furniture has all changed.   Not much else is different.   This is an exclusive lounge for Suite Guests, VIPS and Zenith Members.   Concierge available in the Retreat Lounge to assist you with any excursions, questions, etc.  Many suites also come with beverage package and internet package.   As well you will have access to the Retreat Sky Deck which is available only to the Suite Guests and VIPs.   A limited lunch menu, lounge chairs/chaises and very limited bar service.

Hope this helps you in your decision.

MSC became the first cruise line to mandate coronavirus swab testing for all passengers before embarkation in Europe, and Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley indicated that's being considered by his company, particularly for the Caribbean.

'Very likely testing will occur'

'Testing seems to be very relevant and discussions are under way ... Testing is part of the thinking, but we have not yet reached a point in our protocols where we're ready to publish and release for discussion,' Bayley said during RCL's second quarter earnings call.

'But it's very likely testing will occur,' Bayley continued, ' ... Particularly as it relates to the Caribbean, that testing is very much at the front of how people are thinking of protocols for returning.'

FCCA Caribbean/Latin America task force

The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association has formed a task force with tourism ministers and many prime ministers from the Caribbean and Latin America participating. The purpose is to 'start thinking through how we're going to safely resume,' Bayley said.

The prevalence of the virus in the source markets and at the destinations is key.

Certain US states like Florida, one of the coronavirus hot spots, are important source markets for Caribbean cruises.

But 'we do draw from the entire country and of course we have an extensive international footprint as well,' Bayley said.

Healthy Sail Panel timing

The Healthy Sail Panel is likely to release its findings by late August, Bayley indicated. However, just a few days ago, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings CEO Frank Del Rio put the timing as around when the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's public comment period closes, on Sept. 21.

Bayley predicted some 'meaningful discussion' with CDC could start toward the end of September.

Royal Caribbean Group Chairman and CEO Richard Fain cautioned the process will work more like a dimmer than a light switch. Some things may emerge in early fall, he said, but then there will be changes. It will be a continuous process.

China, Australia before end-October?

The Royal Caribbean Group's sailings are suspended through October, with two exceptions: China and Australia.

'It may well be possible that we'll resume operations in China, and potentially Australia, before the end of October but it's uncertain,' Bayley said. 'I'm not making any statements that's going to happen, but there's some possibility,' he added.

Europe feedback encouraging

The recent restart of cruises in Europe will provide insight for the industry. 

Royal Caribbean Group joint venture affiliates TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises have begun with sailings to nowhere. Royal Caribbean CFO Jason Liberty said customer surveys and net promoter scores have been 'relatively high,' showing that even with protocols in place, cruising can still offer a good vacation experience.

Suspended until October 31 excluding sailings  for China and Australia......from the Celebrity website. 

31 minutes ago, wrk2cruise said:

Try here

Thanks.   Checked out the  link you provided.   Unfortunately bookings must have been made during a certain time frame which is now out of date.

Savings Offer (“Offer”) applies to new individual and non-contracted group bookings named during the offer period on select sailings departing April 2020 – September 2021. Cruise must be booked February 1, 2020 – April 31, 2020.

16 hours ago, Germancruiser said:

Hello all and again, thank you for your kind and encouraging words. We are now at day two sailing right now into the Oslo Fjord, approching Oslo and docking there for three hours.

 

Miaminice already answered the questions about the masks and the menus. You make your selection and order via the waiter as usual. 

The wearing of mask walking the ship inside is no problem at all- as soon as you take a seat it gets off.

 

Ones temprature is taken every day. I heard from a crew member they did that on the first voyage when you entered the restaurant - but that did no work out. So they set the Disco apart for that purpose. It is a very swift and quick procedere, you just stand in front of - well it is a tablet computer really your head gets into a frame and thats it. Oh by the way my temprature was 36,4 so I passed with flying colors. LOL.It took me but three minutes. Again the ships sails not even at half capacity.

 

 

Thank you for taking time from your cruise to answer questions.

Could you please provide the following:

1.   any dancing for guests on board?   If so are the numbers of guests limited?

2.  how many people can reserve for the show?   Are they allowing 200-300 people at a time?   How far are they seating guests from one another?

3.  anything else you can shed light on in respect of every day activities would be appreciated.

Enjoy the cruise and stay healthy!

I just tried both phone numbers and they are working numbers.   Perhaps try again.

34 minutes ago, thon said:

I was on the 27 March-5 April Silhouette.  And you’re right, we really have no idea how they are sorting out the order for refunds but I’m sure they have some sort of a process.  And you’re right again, I certainly cannot complain about the length of time I’ve been on hold.  And the agents I’ve spoken to (at least the last few) have been very friendly and seem to be trying to help - but they have no control over Celebrity’s system; they are not the decision-makers.

Wishing you the best....remain positive and please return to this thread and let us know when your refund is received.

Thanks.

I know life isn't fair sometimes.   Truly don't know how they are being sorted.....is it by ship or by sailing date?   Not sure when your cruise was scheduled for so cannot determine if this is the cash.

Look at the positive....you've called them once a week and have spent about 8 minutes on line waiting for an agent.  Cannot complain about that.

13 minutes ago, thon said:

Well that’s not fair😀.  I requested my refund 13 March.  Just got off the phone with Celebrity.  My refund is apparently in stage 2 of a 3 stage process. She says the 3rd and final stage is “disbursement”. And she quoted the 45 business day drivel they’ve been instructed to say.  She also said that she’s waiting for a refund as well and didn’t seem too worried about hers. Apparently I should have refund to my CC by 2 or 4 May.  We’ll see.

 

I’ve called them I think about 4 times now (once a week) and have never spent more than maybe 8 minutes waiting.

Celebrity refund requested March 20.  Refund received today April 24.

Hang in folks.     

Cruise refund was requested on March 20.  Amounts deposited to credit card today, April 24.  To entries; one for deposit and one for cruise, port charges and taxes.

E:    for the excellent service that the crew and senior officers provide

L:   for the love of cruising Celebrity

:-)   :-)  

22 minutes ago, VickyMcG said:

Hi!

Anyone having trouble getting through to customer service? They don't seem to be answering their phones....

What phone number are you using to ask about refunds? My sister has a refund coming to her and it has been 5 weeks since she was "approved".

This was for a Cruise in June

We've tried 888-859-7692 & 751-7804

Thanks! Be safe!

The 1-888-751-7804 number works for sure.   I just tried it.   It takes a few moments before you actually hear a ringing tone and then an announcement about cancellations is played.   You then receive the opportunity to stay on hold.   Be prepared to wait for at least 1 hour and 30 minutes (based on past calls ) for your call to be processed.    Good luck.  Please report back once you have received the information you are requesting and let us know how you made out.