Bounce

We are getting ready to book our first Silversea cruise. Our family is booking 4 suites. We see there is a special referral offer. 
 

We have made so many friends while cruising. I am wondering if anyone might remember us and offer us a referral. We’ve sailed Crystal, Seabourn, Celebrity. 
 

If looking for someone who might remember us is not acceptable, I apologize. Just thought I’d try. Anita (no space) lupcho at yahoo dot com. 
 

Thank you!

12 hours ago, Thenagers said:

I am on on the 26th and they completely changed ours to basically a Greek/Turkey cruise.  We are cancelling. Round trip from Athens.

We are also on that cruise. The most important ports, Croatia and Venice, have been taken away. Would never have booked this itinerary. Will no doubt cancel. Sigh…..very disappointed. 

12 hours ago, Thenagers said:

I just booked yesterday because our Ritz Cruise was cancelled and it was the same Athens to Venice route with only a days difference.  We had already booked our flights and had our hearts set on seeing Croatia and Italy.  The cruise is now round trip to Athens and only does Greece and Turkey.  We are now in the process of cancelling.  I am so dissappointed.  I realize that ports are never guaranteed but a complete change is crazy.  I thought they might use Ravena or Trieste but not change the entire itinerary!

We are also booked on this cruise (7 of us) and would never have chosen this itinerary!  Regent took out two of the most important ports——Venice and Croatia. Yes-disappointing. Looks like we will cancel. 

14 minutes ago, LisaE said:

Thank you for your comments.  That is interesting 'Bounce' regarding your research into the Marghera port schedule and potentially good news.  We are on the same cruise as you!

LisaE. Are you on Athens to Venice or Venice to Rome?  This is our first Regent cruise. High hopes after three cancelled cruises. 

We overnight in Venice July 2-3. In checking the Marghera port schedule…..our ship, Explorer, is listed on their schedule. 

We are a family of 6 booked in two E suites flying from Orlando to Rome. Would Regent ever separate a family on flights!?! Our TA says she has never heard of them doing this-but I’m concerned. 

My family is taking our first cruise with Crystal this June and we are very excited to experience your product. We are 3 generations and have been cruising a number of years because it meets our needs so nicely.

I am curious about the Crystal Memories with Friends and Family Program. When I first read about it on your website and in a Crystal brochure I thought .... how brilliant! But does this only apply to certain cruises? The reason I ask is when my travel agent inquired about it .... it did not seem to apply. (We have booked the required 3 staterooms with 6 full paying passengers). The Crystal Clear Choices also did not seem to apply. Guess I'm a little confused and would love some clarification about your promotions.

Thank you ..... hearing directly from you is so appreciated.

Given this is a Crystal cruise, and they have done overnights before, I suggest you post on the Crystal board - there are a handful of folks over there I know have done overnights here in Vancouver this year, e.g. before the Northwest Passage cruise. They will be the best-placed to answer about how & when they could get on and off the ship while in port!

Will post there ......... thank you!

We have not made our travel arrangements yet. Wanted to get this information first.

Since we arrive at port on a Sunday morning ---- but do not disembark until Monday at 8:00 a.m. ..... would we not go through formal CPB on Monday with our luggage?

I understand US Customs does not open until 4:30 at the airport. But - what time could we get off the ship? Will Canada let us disembark early? Will CBP be open at port at 4:30 a.m.

Or do I have all of this wrong? Hey, thank you so much ...... this site has never led me wrong and it is my first go to for info.

We sail from Los Angeles and end in Vancouver with an overnight stay. Questions:

1. Do we go through Canadian customs when we get off the ship or at the airport?

2. Since it is an overnight - would we be able to take an early morning flight to the US? Wondering about hours of getting through customs.

3. Did I read right - we will go through Canadian customs and then through US customs in Vancouver?

Thank you ---- yep, I'm a bit confused ~grin~

 

I wanted to tour Hollywood and Beverly Hills. The tour you mentioned would take us out the morning of our cruise and drop at pier. Fairly expensive - oh well.

 

But I like the idea of staying in Santa Monica - this area looks so nice! Maybe I'm being too ambitious wanting to see it all (we range in age from 10 - 72) and a focus on one area would be more enjoyable. We also fly in from different parts of the US.

 

Questions: 1.) Long Beach or Santa Monica ..... which would you choose?

 

2.) Are there shuttles from Santa Monica to San Pedro if we decide not to do the tour? Is transportation a nightmare? We probably want to get to the ship around 2 or 3 maybe.

 

3.) Where would you stay in Santa Monica? I looked at Georgian Hotel and Lowes. Others? We would like something nice (probably 3 in a room - suite) and close to attractions.

 

I so appreciate you help. Thank you.

Thank you. These suggestions will surely get me looking in the right direction. I appreciate the input. Didn't realize just how big LA is!

Our family of 6 is taking a cruise out of San Pedro. We arrive at LAX the day before our cruise; our cruise does not leave until 9:00 p.m. the next day.

We would like to see LA while there.

Looking for suggestions on hotel - should we stay in Hollywood / Beverly Hills and then taxi to port? What nice hotel near sights would you suggest?

Or would you suggest going directly to port and trying to find a tour of LA from there?

Any suggestions for tours we could take? Thank you!

We did a family cruise this past summer and wanted to take the entire family to Murano Restaurant including 2 children, age 8 and 11. We asked before making reservations if this would be acceptable. We were told the children would be welcome as long as they did not disrupt any other diners (this was told to us very firmly).

We prepared the children telling them how special they were to experience this wonderful restaurant. They pulled out their best packed dressed, paid special attention to their hair and even wore their little plastic necklaces.

The staff in Murano's treated them as special guests - I could hardly believe how very wonderful the staff was even though I did expect good service ... I think they love children and perhaps miss their own (?). They gave the girls their menus first (ladies first); after we had time to look over the menu they offered my grandchildren grilled chicken (much appreciated by one of the children who said it was the "bomb") .... just watching their faces as the covers were lifted off all the plates at once was memorable. Trying some new foods prepared and served so beautifully was such a good experience for them (we learned to never say we do not like food - instead, smile and say it is very interesting).

There is nothing worse than wanting a quiet, lovely evening and having a child make a fuss. I have no patience for it! But, if properly prepared, this is a truly beautiful experience for a child who is ready for the experience. My grandchildren did not ask to go back to Murano's (they did ask to return to Quisine) but, it certainly added to their experiences and skill.

We have seen children in the specialty restaurants many times - I have never seen one who was not well behaved. Leads me to believe the children are ready and have been prepared about what to expect.

The problem was that when they did have Italian offerings on the menu they were excellent but they did not always have Italian offerings. They seemed not to be able to do fish or seafood well at all. Both of those are not strangers to Italian cooking. I think it had to do with the quality of the fish and seafood they were using.

I really appreciate hearing why you did not care for MSC YC. Thank you for taking the time to answer. I will add it to my list of pros and cons for MSC YC.

Questions: Would you compare the room size in the YC to a sky suite on Celebrity?

Will the restaurant prepare food to your specifications? Such as "no sauce" or "grilled simply".

Do you know if the balconies can be opened between suites?

How was it when you got off the ship? Did someone escort you off the ship or just throw you out (the way it is usually done ~giggle~)?

Where there any standard provisions made for drinks in other parts of the ship - such as coupons? Some people report they received coupons and/or OBC. I'm confused.

Any children in the YC?

Thanks again.

We tried MSC in the yacht club. We were grossly unimpressed and will not do it again. We were on Divina. They built a beautiful ship. The yacht club space was amazing but they don't have the panache to pull it off.

After 5 straight Celebrity cruises (we book suites), we decided to book a cruise in the MSC YC for next year. That decision was based on so many favorable reviews of the MSC YC including those who sail Celebrity.

I'd love to hear some specifics about why you did not like the YC.

Thank you.

We have been sailing Celebrity the last several years in a suite. Decided to book the YC for a family summer cruise in 2016. This will be our first experience with MSC. We have 3 suites on the 15th floor next to each other. Question: I see an ALL IN offer --- does this or any other promotions ever apply to the YC? Also - do you buy coupons or anything to use at other bars throughout the ship? Are there any reserved seats in the theatre for YC? Thanks - appreciate your help and comments.

We have a Celebrity Suite booked on the Constellation. Have read different things about the condition of these since the addition of the balconies. Some indications that other parts of the room are getting a bit shop worn.

 

I realize this post will have a smaller audience in that there are only a few of these rooms on each ship, but would appreciate any thoughts/comments. I'd always been tempted to book one due to what seems a lavish window set up, but was put off by the absence of a balcony.

We have sailed in Celebrity Suites on Reflection, Summit and Constellation. We were very happy with room. Off of the bedroom is a closet with a desk for hair/make-up; the living room is spacious and bright; the bath has a big step into (be forewarned); location is super....close to stairs and elevator bank. We always book the back suite instead of the one in front ---- just in case of wind. But our family has been in that front suite with no problems. We very much liked the Constellation - fabulous service.

I will say, that in comparing our suite class experience with the MSC Yacht club, the Yacht Club still comes out on top. The ability to have your own lounge (nothing like Michael's Club), butlers waiting on you all day in the lounge, pool, bar, etc., proper high tea (not served from the hallway), private pool and hot tubs, tons of empty lounge chairs, and a restaurant that feels like an actual restaurant and not a dining room, all make the Yacht Club a better overall product. Luminae was certainly wonderful, and the food was pretty much on par with the Yacht Club restaurant but the other factors really do make a difference. I do believe that Celebrity will offer more of these amenities and develop something like the Yacht Club with their new class of ship.

I really have to thank those of you who have talked about the MSC Yacht Club. We usually sail Celebrity but will try the Yacht Club next summer .... I am super excited to compare the two.

I have been a part of Cruise Critic long enough to know many who post here are very travel experienced. I believe we are also intelligent enough to understand how to read and interpret the written word.

Celebrity has stated they will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner in Luminae along with regional specialties and wine pairings. They have stated certain suites will receive specific benefits. This is their business - there should be enough staff; sufficient planning; adequate resources (including financial); and top-notch training to ensure this happens. This is Celebrity's job - not our job.

So far, I am not impressed. How can a company change the rules after a product is purchased? How can top-line staff (butlers) be confused about suite benefits? Will we starve without lunch? Of course not. But if a company makes a promise - isn't proper implementation a part of their contract with us?

Our family has booked 2 Royal Suites in the next 2 months. I will reserve final judgment until then ....... but the next time Celebrity comes out with a big hoopla I will be very leery.

I work with young adults. They are my favorite people. They are creative, passionate, unafraid, loyal and forward thinking.

Celebrity is one of my favorite cruise lines. Enough to now be Elite.

I have read all the posts and there are enough who were on this cruise to understand this was a nightmare.

If I had a party and served alcohol to minors, I could go to jail. If I had a party and my guests were behaving so badly as to make my neighbors uncomfortable the police would be called.

This behavior by a bunch of obnoxious children is unbelievable! It is also unbelievable that Celebrity did nothing to stop this behavior (I do not consider putting a few children off the ship enough). This is Celebrity's ball park and we are their guests. Celebrity puts itself out there as a more refined type of holiday. They certainly did not live up to their marketing hype.

If one of these minors wound up dead from alcohol poisoning, I wonder who the parents would be suing?

As for fun at 20 or 60 ---- listen, class and good manners are ageless.

Heck yea! You deserve more than a free specialty dinner. Anyone on this cruise who was not an ill-mannered child should be refunded their money. This was not a small matter of kids having some fun. I am sorry for those of you who had to ensure this - you had no way to avoid these immature ruffians except escaping to your room.

We are booked to Bermuda this summer. Does anyone know if we can combine the 123 Go package Celebrity is currently offering for Bermuda with the resident discount they are also offering? It would make an upgrade look very attractive. Am I missing something? Thank you.

First, I would like to tell Celebrity the added perks for Suite guests is much appreciated. We have experienced Michael's Club and very much like it.

We also wonder if menu items that are not quite so fancy will be offered? A perfectly grilled steak or fish of high quality would certainly make us happy. Perhaps being able to order how we would like an entrée prepared?

We will next be traveling with children - all of us are in suites. Although I hope the children will experiment a little ---- will there be a children's menu offered just in case? (for the poster who has children staying in an adjoining room ---- I thought I read in a case like that, the children will join you in the suite dining room)

My son asks if he would be able to order something from the MDR menu - he has such favorites!

Thank you and wishing this roll-out goes smoothly for Celebrity. I'm sure it will.

We have dined in most of the specialty restaurants. On our last cruise, we dined in OL on the Connie. This was our favorite restaurant. The food was excellent (we expected that). But the service was over the top. As an example, our son asked if a main course could be prepared in a particular way. The waiter said, "this is your vacation - we are here to make your wishes happen." Well, that set the tone for the rest of the meal. To be made to feel special in today's world is something to remember and cherish. I hope I helped answer your question.

We have never been on RC but are elite on Celebrity. 6 of us will be sailing next summer on Oasis (4 adults and 2 children - we are a family) . I am looking at booking 3 junior suites or 3 balcony rooms. I would love to do two loft suites (with 3 of us in each one) or 2 owner suites but the prices seem extreme. Are they really worth it? Do the perks justify the expense? Need some advice. Thank you.