dmk

Yes I would expect them to just suck it up. It is part of doing business and there are many many industries where sales related activities take a lot of time and effort even though sales might not go through. It is just part of making a sale and providing services.

You are so right!!

My husband works for a customs brokerage firm and assists large companies in what duties and taxes that they will have to pay to bring their item into Canada.

Suppose a company is bringing in a large piece of machinery. My husband needs to study what the country of origin is for all parts: What use this piece of machinary will have. Then, study the duties and taxes that must be based on this information. He will then add on his own fee for his time and efforts!

There is nothing stopping that company from going to a another Customs Brokerage to work out the same thing so they can compare prices.

There is absolutely no fee for that service no matter how many hours my husband spends on that. If there was a fee, his company would be out of business.

For that long winded explanation, I have absolutely no sympathy for TAs that charge a fee.

We use a TA out of Arkansas for many years. She is very reliable and always returns our phone calls within a day or two. We have never paid a cancelation fee.

 

 

 

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I believe we have the same TA and she is very good.!

“Suite Class” benefits include priority check-in and embarkation, complimentary premium beverages, unlimited internet access, daily high-end afternoon tea service, as well as a 24-hour personal butler to help manage your trip from the second you arrive.

Do "premium beverages" refer to same thing as when you buy a premium alcohol package which includes high end alcohol drinks? If so, perhaps a suite is something to reconsider price wise.

I always play it safe. I book a cabin that has cabins above and below. After having a cabin underneath the pool. Yikes:eek: so noisy. I will never book any thing but cabins above me.

They don't release them with the Europe itineraries? That's bizarre

Usually, after. It is usually the last to be announced.

The TA date has not been announced yet. From past experience, it is usually the last to be announced. Often, around April.

You're right, it's definitely cheaper. I don't know about it being better.

 

I don't have a lot to compare it to, but if you remove U.S. based carriers, first class airline food is likely better than most MDR food on Celebrity, with pretty nice service as well. Food cooked to order, free alcohol (high quality), quality cuts of meat, etc etc. I don't count domestic front cabin as first class, that doesn't even compare to international business class. Do a quick net search for first class airline reviews and you'll see some pics and get some reviews, and while it varies, just like the Celebrity MDR, Asian, Euro and Middle Eastern Carriers do just fine with food.

 

Of course, these seats regularly sell for $7-$10k per flight, so more than a suite for a week on Celebrity. It's all perspective, if you can afford those seats, you expect certain things.

 

Happy Sailing and Flying

Jenna

I must beg to differ. I have not found the food in First Class to be better than the MDR. I have flown First Class to Europe a number of times, on different airlines. While the food in first class is a very nice depature than the meals in economy, I have never found it to be better than in the MDR. Especially the MDR on the Reflection. Our cruise last November was the first time that we didn't go to any of the Speciality Restaurants because we were enjoying the food in the MDR.

But, I must admit it is a lovely luxury to enjoy the First Class service:)

I was on the Reflection on the Nov TA and had quite a smooth crossing. The ship didn't "rock" any more than any other TA. This was my 4th.

The $350 OBC is a terrific reason to transfer to a TA. However, I would do this only if the TA offered excellent service and did not charge a fee for cancellation before final payment.

If their exchange rate is anything like their exchange rate on their billing from USD to CAD, I would say run to your nearest ATM. The exchange is miserable.

It seems that between the Captain's Club ,Aqau class and now Suites, the caste (oops, class) system is alive and well on Celebrity cruises.

Hi Andy:)

Do you have any idea when the fall 2015 Transatlantics will be out?

Thanks

We were on the Reflection TA in Nov. The weather was beautiful. The days were sunny the whole way across and the temps mid 80s.

The alcoves were never used except for1 for 1 day. I, too, can't understand why they made them without a sea view. They did not look very comfortable. On windy days, the left the tops down...not much privacy there.

If you are looking for a more secluded and quiet area, why not go up to the Solstice Deck.

Ha don't be so sure!!!

You might find yourself eating your own words. lol :)

Funny, on my last cruise years ago on RCCL, the MDR waiter quickly learned to bring me an extra NY strip steak every night. He was one of the best waiters of all time!

There is no problem ordering anything extra in the MDR. But speciality restaurants are different.

Plus, good luck in finding room to fit in extra anything in the speciality restaurants. You will be stuffed just eating their 3 course menu.:rolleyes:

mac_tlc:)

Do you have any idea when the new transatlantics will be open for booking?

A wonderful detailed to review!

It is too bad that you didn't give the MDR a chance. We were on the Reflection in December and found the MDR to have superior food to Blu. This came as a complete surprise to us. However, on other cruises we have found the MDR lacking, but not on this cruise. We opted with other Aqua guests to eat in the MDR instead of Blu.

I was told the vouchers are no longer used (due to cost) three weeks ago...The Elite lounge is from 5-7 pm daily...with exception of meet the Captain evening.

You were told by what person in the know??

I was in a 1A on the Reflection on the hump. l found it the exact same size as the 1A on the Solstice and Eclipse.

.

Do NOT put anything in your suitcase that is valuable and certainly no electronics or jewelry. Put all valuable things on your carry on bag. I don't travel with anything other than costume jewelry since my emeralds and diamonds were stolen off a nightstand in Russia.

Bravo! I can't emphasize it enough. No matter where you travel keep all values in a carry on bag with you!

I was wondering how much it costs if you need to see a doctor for a standard medical appointment on board and what it was like. I have a rare type of inflammatory arthritis which affects the spine and occasionally it flares up and I need to see an MD.

 

Have you seen a dr on Celebrity? What was it like? How terribly expensive? Was your travel insurance willing to cover it?

I have seen a doctor on the ship. Twice, unfortunately...Due to an accident and post surgery complications.

As a fellow Canadian, I would encourage you to get travel medical insurance. We had travel insurance. We did first have to send the claim to the government. After, we sent it to our travel insurance company. Everything was reimbursed. It did take a while but because of the cost it was well worth it.

We were on a forward hump on our Nov. transatlantic cruise. Wind was never a problem. As a matter of fact, I found more wind on the aft facing hump balconies on a similiar trip.

Have you cruised on the Eclipse?

In the Oceanview buffet there is a constant low level vibration that was bothering me and a lady came over and asked if I was feeling sick at my stomach. It was then that she told us the low level vibration was bothering other passengers in the buffet. She suggest we limit our time there to calm the insides. She was right. We'd get the strange feeling each time we took lunch in the buffet, it went away when we were mid or front of the ship.

 

jls

Yes. We have taken 3 cruises on the Eclipse in the last 3 cruises. I didn't notice any vibration.

Perhaps, it has to do with one"s sensitivity. For example, I have trouble being in the theater in rough seas. It is a different kind of movement than aft. So being forward is the motion that affects me.

We have cruised on most of Celebrity's ships in aft locations. If there were any vibrations, it is only felt when docking, and last a brief time.

No, if you have the drink package, that's all you can get through Celebrity. The other offerings are through this travel agent that we cannot name. ;)

Or many other Travel Agents!