EDLOS

Originally told by TA that only Visa needed was for India, then learned on this site ,needed E-Visa in advance for Sri Lanka. Now told on roll call site I need 3 color copies of my passport photo page for Oman.

None of these are beyond my ability to deal with.

But doesn't Celebrity have some responsibility to accurately inform 2000 paying customers of any and all Port visitation requirements even to the point of printing " None Required" if that is the case. ??????

It also wastes countless hours of Celebrity staff having to field inquiries, than could be solved by communicating requirements up front.

Thank you everyone for answering - this is great information. I think we will look on the Care Vacations website and see about renting a Rollator, I think that would be easier than bringing one along.

 

Ruth, thank you for the info on the Disabled Cruisers forum, I wasn't aware of this, I will go there and do some general reading!

 

Thanks!

I have been traveling with a Rollator for the last two years. (more than 10 flights) I check it with my luggage without any problems and cost, and it is processed with large checked items, not sent down the conveyor belt with regular bags.

It has suffered less nicks than my luggage. I do request and utilize wheelchair service in airports after checking in.

As OP, why doesn't HAL book more of their ships to So. America/Antartica where typically, they get higher prices and are often sold out in cabin categories???????

I will try to stop laughing at the Lawrence Welk comments (what ever happened to Myron Floren) and comment about some previous comments. The current situation in the Caribbean (due to the hurricanes) has little to do with HAL's bargain basement pricing. HAL has had bargain basement Caribbean pricing for many years. In fact, when we cruised 14 days on the Westerdam a few years ago, a balcony cabin cost us more than 1/3 less than a similar cabin on Celebrity (which is why we tried HAL).

 

But getting back to Lawrence Welk, perhaps that does a lot to sum up HAL and many of its passengers. Trust me that you will not find any Lawrence Welk music (or many fans) on RCI, Norwegian, MSC, etc. I am a senior who was forced to watch Lawrence Welk (as a child). Now, even as a senior, I much prefer Pink Floyd, the Eagles, Adele, etc. Listening to the old HAL Cats (or other pick up bands used on HAL) play "In the Mood" without any woodwinds or horns is very sad. Glen Miller must be rolling over in his grave when he hears his music played with a HAL truncated band that has 2 keyboards, 2 guitars, and a drummer. Ouch! I actually once told a HAL Cat member that they should simply call their music "Roller Skating Music" and he truly roared with laughter and admitted it was true. But he also told me that "its a living" and they work with what they have.

 

For many years we would listen to HAL production shows where they played music from shows like South Pacific, Oklahoma, Pal Joey, etc....all of which were big shows in the 50s. And then we would go on other cruise lines where we heard production shows using music from Frank Wildhorn (Jeckyl and Hyde, Scarlet Pimpernel), newer Andrew Lloyd Weber shows, Les Mis, Elton John, etc. Lets face it, HAL works hard to keep their fans....most of whom are collecting Social Security (I am in that crowd). But this formula just does not work for most Caribbean cruisers. I just returned from 14 days in the Caribbean on the Celebrity Reflection. On the pool deck, some afternoons, we had a hard rock band (they were fabulous). Other days we had Valentina and Peter, and amazing Ukrainian duo who could easily handle Adele, John Cale, John Lennon, Colbie Cailat, etc.....music which would seldom be heard on HAL. Even the classical duo (a Spanish ladies due with Violin and Cello) did mostly modern music in a lounge (where folks would actually have the nerve to talk). On HAL they would have stuck them in a quiet lounge where nobody dares to speak....but falling asleep is allowed.

 

IMHO HAL needs a total make-over if they want to succeed in the Caribbean market and demand higher prices. And they would have to do it with their most modern ships (such as the Koningsdam) since most Caribbean cruisers want a balcony cabin without being forced to pay for a suite.

 

I will be very honest. As a 5 Star Mariner on HAL, we still like the line. But I would never, ever recommend anyone cruise on HAL in the Caribbean unless they had one foot (connected to a knee replacement) in a nursing home.

 

Hank

Could not have said it any better...................some have said HAL was appealing to a younger crown with BB King, Twin Pianos and Lincoln Center.......And I can't stop laughing !

Anyone want to venture why, the pricing, with many cruises much less than $100/day by HAL ???? and some of the deepest on the new K'Dam ??? Yes, I know, empty cabins but why ???

Had a very nice experience with Celebrity Staff, to whom, when I explained my air flight schedule going home, solved the problem, and waived the fee normally charged.

Thank you Celebrity Staff.

Am I going out on a limb predicting that cruise lines will be emulating airlines, i.e. charges for more than one piece of luggage, early boarding charges, seat reservations in main theater, up charges on all restaurant venues but buffet. Two menus in MDR, standard and a la carte (rack of lamb additional), boarding processing fees, disembarking fees, tender fees, Booking fees on Shorex tours, etc.,etc., etc. etc.

I personally think $14.50 Is pretty cheap. I figure this based on U.S. standards of 18%. Assume breakfast is $20, lunch another $20 and dinner $50, which I think is conservative. That is $16.20 and doesn't include the ice cream or snack you may grab from Buffett and Cafe. Then factor in the room steward with turn down and you are really getting away cheap. I know there are still many countries that do not do tips, but that has changed over the years, as well.

 

Many of those concerned this is happening after booking are the same ones that complain when the fare they booked dropped and then try to get the better fares or OBC. You can't have it both ways and, as many said, it is in the contract you agreed to.

 

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Yes, and the CONTRACT I agreed to said $13.50 per day ! HELLO !

Having copied the President of my TA (one of the largest), He agreed with thoughts and contacted Celebrity and got the following answer. You can on board, request the gratuity rate be honored at the original price and it will be changed.

Once a while Don Quixote Wins one !

I agree 100%. It is not about the amount of increase' date=' it is about altering your contracted price especially after final payment. You would not accept this with any other purchase. This is no difference.

P.S. How do you go about paying your tips online? I can't figure this website out...but that is another story.

 

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Yea ! Just Trippin gets it !!!! "You would not accept this with any other purchase, this is no different" I am very aware of the "Fine Print" as I stated earlier. Some would call this a "Gotcha" others a "Sucker Punch".

All Celebrity had to do to do it right is say "If you have made your final Payment before Jan 2nd, you are Grandfather at the old price" So simple and ETHICAL !

Well, since you could just pre-pay the gratuity at the original rate I’m not sure why this is so troubling.... or - and not that I recommend this but since U r so adamant - when you get on the ship you can lower the gratuity or remove it altogether. So you can still pay the old rate if you insist

 

 

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Yes, you are right about prepaying,.....you are missing my point, Celebrity and I signed an agreement when I made my final payment and they just changed it. This not ethical !

How ethical is it to increase the daily gratuity rate after final payment as Celebrity has just done. I signed on at $13.50 per day and now I am told it's $14.50. Will the upcoming 29 day cruise $29.00) break me, no, but so far I have kept my side of the contract, paid everything as agreed upon, should not Celebrity be as ethical I am ?

Think about it, will I get on board with a chip on my shoulder, probably ! Who suffers, the crew, morale??

Please don't tell me about the fine print !!! Can I cancel and get full payment back, doubt it.

It should have been grandfathered to all who have made final payment on any of their cruises.

" You can't fix stupid !"

I've been on the Star and agree with your review. Though I think the food is much better on HAL, especially the buffet. In my opinion, the lack of activity is actually what I like about HAL. The piece and quiet. Boring is AMAZING!

I agree with you on the Buffet on the Star was school cafeteria level, but it was offset by O'Sheehan's Grille which served breakfast, lunch and dinner 24 hours/day. Good Omelette's, Good lunch choices, sit down and be waited on !!! Plenty of places for peace and quiet, Library, Internet (wing chairs)Room and Prominade deck, but only if you vish ! I read 6 books off my Kindle in 15 days.

Sounds awful......arn't you glad HAL seems to be phasing these out. Makes for a quieter on board environment.

But there was no "Frozen Planet" which I have viewed on three HAL cruises (I thought it would change the second or third time), No Oprah programs to make you guilty about you lifestyle and I had to select my own books to read.

NCL also has dance lessons every day !, And I forgot, Cooking Demonstrations everyday too !

On a whim in November after 9 straight HAL cruises, I booked TA on Norwegian Star and found

A lovely Library, quiet and comfortable stocked with books. An internet cafe with an person to answer questions and a printer. Entertainment : a Piano player, a Guitar player, a Trio playing dance music from 7 to 10:30 every night. a ships showroom cast and music ensemble. Individual acts, Singers,Comedians, Etc. that if you missed their act last night, did a matinee the next day at 2 PM. a DJ starting at 10:30 PM.

You name it, Trivia 3 times a day, beanbag toss, fun golf, word games, etc. etc.

Enrichment speaker every day, retired Professor with excellent programs.

A promonade deck with lounge chairs (thought this was a HAL exclusive)

Very good food....all and all a far better experience than on the Eurodam TA in 2016

Yes...next to Gatsby's. But it isn't a raucous Piano bar if that is what you are looking for.

Not raucous. Pop and Broadway show tunes etc.

Is there a Piano Bar on the Star ?? Big fan of Piano Bars

Bumping this up !

Is there a Piano Bar on the Star ?? Big fan of Piano Bars

It looks like getting to the Biergarten on Deck 14 on NCL Star is only via stairs.

Anyone know for certain ??

Where did you get the idea that lido cookouts are against the law? :confused:

Read Post #29 "Law versus Regulations" ???? Put any name you want on this "dog"

Unless you work for HAL, and know the reasoning involved, this is probably not a really appropriate thing to be saying.

Than refuted his comments with "fact " filled knowledge....I am betting on his reasoning !!!!

From a recent revue on Norwegian CL:

"On the few days we were not off on a port excursion, they also had a separate cook out, on the Lido deck : ribs,chicken,burgers,potato salad, etc. One day they had 2 dueling chefs cooking awesome Paella, lots of

fun ! "

So I guess they were in violation of some type of food law that HAL won't cross. or is it just another cost cutting measure excuse by HAL to take the "FUN" out of cruising

What kind of daytime activities might I expect on the Star across the Atlantic for a Senior solo male. No Zumba !

Have not read all the posts, but the first time I was dismayed with all the cutbacks was when I stepped on board and there was no "live" music playing which to my mind always perked me up, but also perked up the crew greeting you.

Now, the crew's greeting is about the same as walking into a Funeral Parlor. Ah yes, The wake you wish to attend (your cabin) is on level 6

I was expecting more from the AFAR partnerships. Have any long time cruisers seen any improvements in shipboard, shore side, or in depth port information since AFAR was implemented?

AFAR Partnerships ?????.......Is that the Shore Excursion personnel on board giving me the " in depth enrichment lecture" on our next port stop. 10 HAL cruises in last 4 years and never heard the term AFAR?????