cruising in mn

Not necessarily on the first meeting ...

 

-extra hangers

-extra towels

-remove mini bar contents

-remove coffee table

Ah who knew they'd take out that darn coffee table! I'm going to ask for that too! Didnt know about hangers either. YAY!

We get pillows, and extra towels, and ice 2x a day as well. And empty the fridge, or we take all the stuff out and they get rid of it for us. :-)

Does anyone know what Celebrity Promo codes that are on your paper work mean? We have a couple cruises booked one with the 123 go and one with big better best and all codes are different. not sure what any of them mean.

also see our OBC is left off one of them...

Tell us the codes and maybe I can help. They usually are like all in one. So if you had 1,2,3 and chose OBC, Free gratuity's and drink package they smush all of that into one code. So its hard to say without seeing them?

But, if you're worried, please call and have them check for you. They've somehow forgot to add mine once too, and I called and they put it right back on :-)

Hello, we are sailing on Celebrity Reflection May 27 - Jun 7, and we are interested in touring Santorini on our own after visiting Fira. I am scheduling with a rental car agency and am trying to estimate the time that we would want to rendezvous with them.

 

Because we are not taking a cruise-blessed excursion, we will have to tender after the privileged class :-). Can anyone provide me with an estimate on when we can reasonably expect to be able to disembark and then cable our way up to Fira?

 

Many thanks.

 

 

Rick A.

Pleasanton CA

You will LOVE Santorini! We were there last year right around this time. We too did the island on our own, however we didnt rent a car, we took the local bus from Fira to Oia (I think I spelled those right) and it was easy peasy and cheap. We took the Donkey's up after tendering in and the cable car down when it was time to get back on the ship. I dont know how much time we spent in each, but we sure felt we had enough time and werent rushed at all. The bus went straight there, and I think each way we waited no more than 10 mins. You buy the tickets right on the bus. So if you're only going to that one place, you might want to skip the car and take the bus and enjoy the ride :-)

We are on the Mediterranean again next week, on the Connie doing a different route, and I only hope it can live up to how great the 12 day Greece itinerary was, we loved it!

Have a great time!

More information and reviews can be found here:

 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1BsykXmdAxnY0hOSZOys9ixw9qAEsCduOteFDtkGilno/edit?pref=2&pli=1#gid=0

 

You can filter by Deck and Cabin Type to compare cabins and locations.

 

Heather

Love that Spreadsheet thank you!

I'll be on the Connie in less than 2 weeks, and I'll add to that if you'd like :-)

Thanks for sharing that and keeping it updated!!!!

Hi all,

 

I'm new to Celebrity and not quite familiar with its policies. I put a hold on a 2017 cruise and paid a deposit a few months ago. Unfortunately I will have to cancel my booking because of work. I booked through a TA. I've contacted her at least twice over the last week and requested that she cancel it but she is unresponsive. My question is: Can I call Celebrity directly and cancel it myself? I know that I've read that if booked through a TA the cruiseline will not talk to you but in this case do you think they would make an exception once I explain? the problem?

 

I just wanted to get your thoughts before I call Celebrity. I really would like to get my deposit back!

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Camelia

Needs to be done through your agent. If its in 2017, no rush needed. Give her (or him) some time to get it cancelled for you.

There are two reviews of this cabin in the M-class cabin thread:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1911871

[just search on 6124]

Thank you but, no photos on that review :(

Hi there.

Has anyone stayed in cabin 6124 Category S2 on the Constellation?

Cant find any pics anywhere of this particular cabin, and hoping for some.

Also curious about noise, and veranda size.

Any obstructions in the view?

Any help would be great. Thank you!

We booked a great cruise with a great price on the Summit to the Lesser Antilles that was chartered unfortunately. We booked it on another Summit Cruise so we have $600 OBC, drinks and internet as part of an old I think it was the 123GO????

 

We just had this happen to us. Booked on board in May of 2015, rescheduled 3 times, and was told that we could keep the OBC indefinately, however it was like 15 months or something after initial booking, that you will lose the perks you got when you booked. IE: 123Go promo. However, you CAN get the current perks/promo. Which I think are just as good.

Thanks for the replies. There is no balance on the card, it is not being used currently. We got it for the AA bonus airline miles and used it until they offered us a better card with more bonus miles...We do not need both cards and that one is going to have an annual fee added to it next month. The thing is the cruise deposit was put on it, so if we cancel the card, then have to cancel the cruise later on, just do not know what happens, maybe not a problem. But the last thing we want to do is lose the perks we got for booking in 2015.

Any future payments you will and can give any kind of payment you want, you can even pay on 20 different cards to pay the balance if you want. Celebrity doesn't care how you pay going forward. I don't even think they keep your deposit CC info on file, I am a TA and have to give the CC info every single time I make a client payment. So go ahead cancel that card, it has no effect on your deposit (unless it was just charged like today and you want to cancel) in which case Celebrity probably would have already received that payment anyway :-)

Its a valid question, I can see why people think the one card they use is tied to future payments, but it is not. Not in the least.

I'm curious if it is unusual for a 10 day cruise to be taken out of inventory for either a charter or group booking. Particularly one accommodating almost 3000 guests?

Not unusual. Happens at least once a year. Just because its taken OOS, doesnt mean they have 3000 People on board. They pay for the entire ship, and bring as many as they want. I'm certain there is a substantial discount for buying out the ship especially since they have to re-accommodate many displaced cruisers and all that that entails when doing so.

hcat, thank you for all the info. I did look at other cruises right away. I guess I'll give it a few weeks and check again. I'm not feeling wam and fuzzy about X at the moment. One has no idea once they book if they are really going. Do they do this on other cruise lines?

So sorry to hear about this. I have actually had experience with this! Two times in fact. Once it was a maintenance issue, where my 7 night had to be cut to 6 for dry dock (the following cruise had to be cancelled all together) I was given a generous on board credit, and offer to pay for a hotel for the one night missed, and offer to help with airfare if needed. They paid for our room, which was $250 a night.

Next was this coming Jan (2017) I booked in May of 2015 a cruise on the Summit and they called me a couple months ago telling me it had been privately chartered so we could not go. They offered to move me to another sailing, and give me all my current perks, along with a guarantee same category or higher room at no charge. They were very good about it.

I'd say if it was something you couldn't go on (ie fully chartered), they would tell you as soon as they know that. My cruise last May was probly 70% chartered and we still went never heard anything about it.

I know its your first time on X and that stinks to worry about it, but they have always taken very good care of their passengers. Its a WONDERFUL cruise line. I know its easy to say, but I'd wait and see.

Also your insurance you bought outside of X, explain to them what happened, depending on who they are, they could be very easy to work with as well.

Did you work with an agent? If so, ask them to follow up on your behalf. I am an agent and sometimes if you book with an agent they only talk to the agent. But if you book direct with X, then they will talk to you.

Please keep us posted. Paws crossed it all works out for you.

Shorts in the evening, or shorts for lunch? If evening, this really surprises me.

 

 

 

Marie

I was wearing sorta longish Bermuda shorts, and was asked to go change on the Constellation last May. It was a Mediterranean cruise, maybe its less casual on those? I've never worn shorts to dinner, nor have I seen anyone else wearing them.

My husband and I just sailed on Constellation and had cabin 9153 and we actually liked the larger overhang. Yes, the posts are more noticeable but were easily avoided and I took a lot of pics from the balcony. We liked the fact that we had better protection from any inclement weather plus there was no one right above us, which we also liked. Hope this helps.

I will be in that room in a few months. How was the noise level from above?

We are early risers, so we go to bed fairly early, just wondering if its noisy after like 9 pm?

Thanks!

Hello:

 

I've been reading many thread but can't find the specific info I'm looking for. We have a port stop in Kusadasi from 7am-2pm so it's much less time than most posts I've read about. The following are a must-see for us:

 

- Ancient Ephesus

- Terrace Houses

- local traditional Turkish lunch

 

We also want to see either Sirince or House of Mary but we don't just want to do drive by's of everything. So, for those who have been to Ephesus, will there be time on this short port stop to do all of this. If not, which would you choose - Sirince or House of Mary?

 

Thank you.

Personally, I loved Ephesus AND the house of the Virgin Mary. We are not super religious, but it was a lovely, peaceful inspiring visit for us. We attended a small Catholic Mass there, and if I were to ever go back, I'd do it again. Walking through the home was very touching, and brought both my husband and I a bit of peace in our hearts. There was a cute place to light a candle just outside and say a prayer, there was a super cool wall to write a prayer on a piece of cloth or paper and tie it to this fence, where there were thousands of other prayers there. Also a great place to get some fresh blessed water from a natural spring that runs under the area.

It felt like it did when we've been to other places like Pearl Harbor for example. Of course its your call, but I truly believe its worth the visit :-)

I hopped on a good Alitalia fare and ended up relatively last-minute spending this last week of November in Rome. Things are going well. A few notes:

 

• The Trevi Fountain restoration continues, but you can walk across a walkway to get close to the sculptures (I did it today -- unfortunately not good photos ops as there is scaffolding everywhere). There is also a little makeshift "Trevi pool" where you can toss your coins.
  
• The Colosseum is also partly under scaffolding for cleaning but there are still lots of good photo ops -- just walk around it. The talk here is all of the Russian tourist who just got handed a whopping $25k fine for carving his initial into the stones. You can't fix stupid.
  
• Also in the Colosseo area, work continues on the new Metro line, so it is a bit of a mess. On the other hand, they seem to be doing additional conservation/consolidation work on some of the ruins in the area, which is all to the good.
  
• The weather has been good up until today when we had some rain. And tourists are few. Great time to be here!
  
• I am thrilled with the efficiency of the website I used (coopculture) to book some private tours -- House of Augustus, House of Livia, and the Domus Aurea special opening. I was a little skeptical after past experience of trying to visit these sites (repeatedly :cool:) but it worked like a charm and well worth the small fee.
  
• The food has been very good in the restaurants I've visited including some old favorites and a couple of new choices. A new "thing" seems to be that restaurants are making displays of fresh seasonal ingredients in order to entice you in. (Whether or not they are using them is anyone's guess...)
  

That's about all I can think of. Very few signs of the upcoming holidays (unlike the US). The roasted chestnut vendors are out in force though. ;)

Hey, quick question on the coopculture. I was looking at their site today for a May visit. Its going to be the first Sunday, so all entrance fees are free. But they offer some guided English speaking tours that you can purchase in advance. I was wondering if they even do them on those free days or not? I am worried we'll try to get into these places when we get there, and its going to be so crowded it will be hard to see everything we'd like to. I had booked some tours, but they refunded my money when they realized later that it was the free Sunday.

Maybe you dont even know, but I saw that you used that same site we were looking at.

Thanks in advance!

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I'll be sending our travel agent an email tonight to look into the staterooms for us. I will also check on those concierge cabins. We haven't picked our date in August yet but TallJerseyGirl we may meet you on the cruise if we choose the same date.:)

Hi there

I have been on the Summit 3 times, all 3 in Concierge with veranda. I think our room was 8079. Anyway, unless one of the 3 of you is a small child, I'd highly suggest the family room. These rooms are SMALL even in Concierge. You open that sofa and you wont be able to walk around. Let alone get to the veranda.

Even in an overhead bed, these rooms are small. Go for the bigger room, you'll be happy you did :-)

BTW, have fun, Summit is my favorite ship!

We had another fantastic day in Malta and can highly recommend Rolling Geeks!

Wow, love your photos! I really wasnt sure what to expect from this stop, but it looks incredibly gorgeous! Thank you so much.

That is such a lovely photo Turtles! WOW

Not really sure what section to post this, so forgive me if I've put in the wrong section.

 

Leaving out of Rome (Civitavecchia) this coming weekend and one of the stops is Ephesus Turkey. Seeing a lot in the news about Turkey lately (I realize that's mainly on the eastern side) but wondering if anyone has been there lately or has any information on how safe this stop may be given what you've seen in the recent past?

 

I did call RC to see if there are any concerns or changes planned and they nothing so far.

 

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated since this is our first trip to the area and we have no idea what to expect under normal condition, let alone with this turmoil. Thanks for any comments!

I think this is a valid concern, and I am glad you asked. We'll be there next May and I watch for posts about this stop on CC all the time! I'll keep watching, have a good time, and give us an idea of it when you get back.

just a little warning how we were pickpocketed in Naples.

 

we took the tram to the trainstation. As we were getting on the tram a group of young women ran along the side of the tram and pushed us in all direvtions. We had not seen them coming, they surged from behind the tram. By the time we got on the tram without falling my husbands bag was open and his wallet was gone.

 

Even if we had realized what was happening, we could not have stopped it, there were too many of them and they were just too quick.

 

The worst, there were two police agents standing just across the street who saw everything and did not react.

That stinks! I guess you have to beware, everywhere in Europe, I guess I was thinking only in Rome, or Venice, but it sounds like all over :( I did buy the money belt. I'm sorry that happened to you, and I hope you can enjoy the rest of the trip despite that awful thing.

We made a reservation with this company as well for our transfer from port to airport. They responded immediately to my email and quoted 40Eur for 2 of us.

I'd much rather have someone waiting for us than have to hunt down or wait in line for a regular taxi and the cost is probably the same.

Here's the link:

 

http://www.city-airport-taxis.com

Thanks for this! I just booked our transfer too! $40 Euro for 2 of us. 2% Euro surcharge to pay in advance (came out to be 1 Euro) but glad to get it done. One less thing to worry about. Sweet!

That is great interest! I might look into that card myself! Thanks ;-)

I found almost all of your criteria. It does have an annual fee, but all else is what you'd like.

http://www.hawaiianairlines.com/hawaiianmiles/pages/ha-credit-card.aspx

Also, if you don't mind a credit union, this is the BEST I have seen. Orig interest rate at 7.99% for like a year or more, then after that, never goes over 9.99%. No fee, no foreign transaction fee, offers pin and chip. No charge for going over your limit, or late payment (I think) never had either happen. And hands down the easiest to deal with. Only hiccup is, you need to open a bank account, but I put in $25 and never touched it since I opened it like 6 years ago. Thats what I'm using in Europe, even tho I'm past the sweet 7.99% interest, still worth it! Found it years ago in the consumer guide for top 5 credit cards on the market.

Check it out

https://www.penfed.org/

I've been wanting to get a TRUE chip-and-pin card for a while but cannot seem to find one that meets the following criteria and is available to me as an individual:

 

• No foreign transaction fee
  
• True chip-and-pin card, not just chip-and-signature
  
• No annual fee
  
• Available in America
  
• Doesn't require joining a credit union or opening an additional account
  

 

If anyone knows of such a card, can you please list the specifics (issue, name of card, etc)? I don't really care whether it is a MC or Visa if it meets all of the above criteria.

 

I have so far this morning tried Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Citibank, and Chase. I didn't call Capital One but I checked with them pretty recently and they do not offer anything. Yet.

I found almost all of your criteria. It does have an annual fee, but all else is what you'd like.

http://www.hawaiianairlines.com/hawaiianmiles/pages/ha-credit-card.aspx

You can call and they'll tell you what they think it will be. They think its the same hotels and pricing for this year. For example, I am going to the Med in May of 2015, they said its about $500 per person PER NIGHT for the pre cruise hotel stay, which included transfers to the cruise terminal in Rome. Which I found to be too expensive so I already booked my own lodging and am staying 3 nights pre cruise, and got our hotel to send us a car to pick us up at the airport, and after 3 nights, drive us to the dock. Easy to do if you'd think you might wanna try it yourself.