sherylc

On the Ovation August 13-20. The app has very little working on it so far. Has my cruise, but tells me I need to link it to reserve anything (even though it is obviously already linked). Calendar is there, but doesn't list the excursions I've booked, etc.  Hopefully they will get their act together soon.

During happy hour, are you able to get a frozen drink (ex pina colada), or just hard liquor, beer or wine?

I'm not an actuary, but rather a Pediatrician.  I think one thing that most people are confusing is "vaccinated" vs "immune."  There seems to be as assumption being made that once you are fully vaccinated, you can consider yourself immune to Covid 2 weeks after your last shot. But all of the studies showed less than 100 percent protection: with the mRNA vaccines in the 94-95 percent range and the J &J closer to 70 percent.(numbers still changing with real world data)  So just playing with some numbers: Assume a passenger count of 1000 and a 1.5 percent positive rate to abort the cruise  -- that is only 15 people! If 5- 10 percent of the vaccinated (based on people receiving different vaccines) are actually non-immune that would be 50-100 people at risk. Add to that all of the unvaccinated on that cruise - perhaps 50 more.  With the delta variant and closed in spaces typical of a cruise, it doesn't take much to hit that 15 passenger limit (and I'm not sure they are caring whether all 15 of those are positive but asymptomatic!)

Was wondering if anyone has been able to check in for their Alaska 2021 cruise out of Seattle. The earliest cruise should be less than 60 days away -- not sure how many is usual (not that anything is these days!) for RCCL. Curious what earliest boarding time will be.

Thanks

We are booked on a Mediterranean cruise onboard the Epic in November with stops that include overnight in Istanbul and a stop in Kusadasi.  I know the Epic is doing 7 day Mediterranean tours up until October 31st, but worried that are cruise will either drop the Turkey ports or cancel altogether if visiting isn't possible. I know many other lines have cancelled Europe altogether for this year. Anyone have any thoughts on whether Turkey ports are likely this year (it's why we chose the itinerary)

Thanks!!!

Has anyone heard from Celebrity whether people booked on the Solstice will be given priority or automatic transfer of their reservation vs having all of the Solstice reservations cancelled and everyone having to start from scratch on the Summit sailings?

I actually had an unusual experience where booking with my "big box" travel agency caused me to have twice the deposit cost as it would have been had I booked with Celebrity online (same overall cost, but more upfront). I was booking a "Celebrity Suite" on a 9 night cruise. I had $900 in FCC deposit from cancelled cruise which is what the deposit was when I tried to book online. Unfortunately the travel agent didn't have those suites available in their system so had to call Celebrity to do the booking. Celebrity rep then told TA that the deposit was $1800 rather than $900 and said that the website price was just wrong and would not honor that.  In retrospect I probably could have booked it myself then transferred to the TA for the very substantial perks, but doing it through the TA doubled my deposit. I did talk to a supervisor at Celebrity who said the deposit is supposed to be the $1800 on these suites (and their website fine print matches that) but that their websites just haven't been updated to reflect this.  Just thought people might want to know that there are some actual times where booking direct is (initially) cheaper.

Well, I also REALLY want to go on my Alaska cruise April 30 and won't cancel unless Celebrity does or I'm sick -- so here's hoping!!!

I appreciate this question -- been wondering myself.  Currently booked on April 30 Alaska RT Seattle.  I still very much want to go (got a great price on a Royal Suite). BUT -- if for whatever reason Celebrity has to cancel, I would hope that I would get a full REFUND instead of FCC (to give me more flexibility if/when i re-book a trip)

Thank you for this -- so tired of the entire board filled with Coronavirus!

I would also love an answer to this one. Can't seem to find it. Thanks!

I have read a few very negative reviews on the noise from the pool deck above. You might want to research or consider another deck if available.

Just booked a royal suite on the Millennium. I booked 6134. Any trouble with noise from nearby stairs or elevator?

thanks!

(first time in one of their big suites)

Just grabbed a Celebrity Suite on the April 30 Alaska RT from Seattle. First time in this type of suite, but great price for an Alaska cruise suite!!!  Prices are already up a little just from yesterday.

Can you bring a glass of wine that you get at a bar during happy hour into the MDR to enjoy with dinner (early seating)? Thanks.  

I had read on cruise critic that the elite drinks were 3 each added to the sea pass card per night and able to be used at any bar including at the MDR during the happy hour time. Is this no longer the case (this was supposedly a change last October)? 

This post does bring back fond memories. I loved sitting on deck playing cards and having the cookies and milk cart come by offering dripping hot chocolate cookies and ice cold milk. Just off the Ruby Princess this month, never saw the cart. And cookies at any of the other locations are just not the same.

We just got off the Ruby Princess. I ordered lobster at both the Crown Grill and on the last formal night. They were incredibly small at both locations and tasted pretty awful. They served 4 at the Crown Grill I believe and 3 per serving in the dining room. (Crown Grill would charge another 10 dollars for a second serving). Each of the "lobsters" was 2 small bites. I took a picture after I removed the shells -- all 3 pieces didn't come close to filling up my bread plate (the knife on the plate is the bread knife!)

If anyone wants to do the Escape Room, my suggestion is persistence in getting signed up. When we got to the library to sign up, we were lucky that the Cruise Director happened to be in the room and helped facilitate the process by having someone called on the radio to come help us sign up. My recommendation is to make signing up one's priority right when you board the ship and don't give up until you find someone to help you.

As stated above, it is a 30 minute experience (most land versions are 60 minutes). We actually met at a specified location given to us when we signed up and then were taken to "the room." Concept wise, it is a bunch of puzzles, locks, mind-games etc.based on a scenario they provide. Nothing physical (my 75 year old mother jumped right in and had a blast). The only issue as mentioned in my post is that it is not well advertised (almost not at all) - so if you are interested I would make it your priority to sign up (hopefully with info found in first Patter) right when you board. So few spots compared with people on board and they are becoming more popular. If you can't find info in Patter, check library when you board.

Just off the Ruby Princess this morning. We very much enjoyed doing the Magician's Escape Room while on board, but it is NOT well advertised!! The only mention of sign ups at all was in the embarkation day Patter where it is mentioned that there will be sign ups that same day starting at 11:45 in the library. Went to the library upon boarding and had to work hard to get anyone to sign us up. They only offered it in the evenings and only 2 days total with 2-3 thirty minute time slots per day, with a maximum of 8 people per time slot. We enjoyed the experience (and it ended up just being the 6 of us in our group), but if you are interested it takes a lot of effort to even find out about it. The cruise director mentioned that on other ships, it might only be offered to Suite guests or possibly not at all (at the discretion of the staff).

Hope you are enjoying your cruise! I am in the early planning stages for a Solstice cruise in March/April 2019. Planning to spend about a week in NZ beforehand and am just beginning to think about flying directly into Queenstown for some touring around that area (our cruise does not stop in Queenstown). Then up to Auckland to start our cruise. I would welcome your thoughts on your pre-cruise travel on the South Island when you get a chance.

Sorry it took so long to reply. We had an absolute blast in Queenstown - wish we had stayed longer. We took the gondola ride up the first day then had fun with the luge cars. Next day we did the shotover jet followed by Queenstown white water raftingon shotover river (my favorite!) then hubby did paragliding -- all in one day! Next day we did a canyoning experience in Routeburn Canyon which would have been better if we had been in a bit better shape. Meals were at cafes outside which were all wonderful. The people were fantastic, the place felt very safe. Just loved it.

Auckland was ok. Not as much to do, much more "big city" feel.

Hope your trip is as great as ours.

We are getting off early on our upcoming cruise (We are getting off in Melbourne rather than continue on to Sydney so that we have more time to see Melbourne then fly into Sydney on our own). We had to let Celebrity know in advance and pay $65 for their trouble. Not sure why you would make that same choice in the port you are in - would have to pay for a hotel and perhaps a meal or two while gaining just a bit of convenience -- but you need to talk to the emergency planning people (or something very similar) at Celebrity in advance if that is your choice.

You can contact me directly if you would like more information about our trip: sherylc@earthlink.net

Our cruise was the Outer Loop, but I'm not sure it really makes a big difference which itinerary you do unless you have a very specific creature you want to see that is native to only one island. Some of the best times we had were the snorkeling -- we did every one of them and they were incredible (playful sea lions, penguins, dolphins, etc). When you rebook, you might want to look at options for the Machu Pichu extension -- we booked through a travel agency and had a guide to ourselves (doing the same itinerary) and stayed up top at Machu Pichu at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge one night for cheaper than the excursion Celebrity was offering. We also stayed until the park closed and was first in line when it opened since we were already up there, plus included dining in the restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner instead of the crowded buffet. We met back up at the airport with the group who had done Celebrity, and our experience was superior and significantly cheaper. (must book way in advance to get a room though!)