micruiser2002

4 minutes ago, Peteymil said:

That was not the case when we were in Japan.

https://www.travelvisapro.com/blog/passports/do-you-have-to-carry-your-passport-in-japan#:~:text=Everyone in Japan must carry,as it has international recognition.

1 minute ago, Peteymil said:

That was not the case when we were in Japan.

You may want to look into it again. You may not have ever been stopped or asked but it is a law in Japan.  I believe even for Japanese citizens.  i believe it has been a law for many years.

2 hours ago, uktog said:

I’ve always read posts from people who say you must take your passport ashore every day. This unfortunate thread should highlight once onboard if the cruise line don’t take your passport (which I prefer!) it’s passport to the safe until disembarking unless there is a legal requirement to have it with you ashore. 

I accept some countries ask that you carry an official document and many guests just use the passports again we never do that -  we will use our driving licenses whenever we can

 

I know the original passports were stolen before the guests got on board and once on board, perhaps the inconvenience is a little less, but still don’t carry passports ashore unless you absolutely have to. 

 

I hope things are beginning to settle down for the poster and his parents, and the time they are able to enjoy a wonderful

Some countries like Japan require you to have your passport on you at all times for identification.  It is a legal requirement. They can fine you if you do not have it and they will not accept other identification.   

On 9/26/2023 at 7:46 PM, PompeySailor said:

The offer we got yesterday from HR

7 Nights on the Brand New X Ascent 

Balcony Cabin 

$332 PF&T for 2 PAX 

$23.71 each per night 

 

That’s what I call a Casino Comp 

I have 2 free Aqua class bookings from BCC for next February and March on Ascent.  Both have all included.  That is great Casino comp.

20 minutes ago, luv2cruzuk said:

I sailed Aqua Class - (after placing a move-up bid), but I also experienced the Oceanview Cafe and Room Service (a lot of Room service as you'll see in my video!) 😅

But the Blu menu has not been impacted by the recent menu changes.  Also I believe the newer ships still have menus with better options than the older ships.  Look at some of the current menus on the app very disappointing.  Even Luminae has been downgraded.  

52 minutes ago, njguy_south said:

The rule is “two bottles per stateroom” as found on the Celebrity Cruises PDF Alcohol Policy: http://media.celebritycruises.com/celebrity/content/en_US/pdf/faq/Cel_Alcohol_Policy_07-30-07.pdf 

That is actually outdated, it is 1 bottle per guest.  Which is a bit annoying if you are a solo traveler.

https://www.celebritycruises.com/company/customer-support/conduct-policy#alcohol-policy

1 hour ago, Cruising Princess said:

Here is menu for this upcoming cruise.  I’m all for less options if quantity is stellar….but not just soups and salad.  

This is exactly my issue.  They have no "real appetizers" anymore.  I sometimes prefer to make a meal out of a few apps, but not with these menus.

10 minutes ago, Mark_UK said:

 

My parents had both a photo and scanned copy of their passports on them - no one would accept it. 

I understand but it can still be useful when trying to get another one.  

4 minutes ago, Traveling Fools said:

Perhaps the best solution is to travel with both.  Leave the copy in your room safe and carry the card with you.

The best solution is to have a picture of your pp on your phone or save it to a email account you can access remotely or to Google Share drive.

22 minutes ago, SoloAlaska said:

The smaller menu makes sense especially since celebrity cooks to order each ticket. Not sure when the change happened of prepping dishes ahead of a service to made to order but if having less options makes a speedier service I have no problem with it. Now my problem is the quality has gone done, presentation has gone down, and service is still slow. 
 

The menu being smaller is not new news but having cruised a year apart on the same ship I can say the changes go beyond the smaller menu.

The issue is the smaller menu also has very downgraded options.  They are serving the cheaper types of products.  

1 minute ago, helen haywood said:

I posted about the abbreviated menu awhile back from menu pictures taken by someone sailing at that time.  I was jumped on by many posters who claimed that was not so and posted menus from their past and present sailings showing Celebrity’s usual full menu.  I tried to explain it apparently was going to rolled out fleet wide but again no one believed me.  (Said Cassandra…)

I agree, everyone seems to think because they cruised months or years ago this is happening.  Yet all they have to do is look at some of the current sailings menus.  I think there is an issue that not all ships have rolled out the new menus yet.  So that will also probably cause some disagreements.  

17 minutes ago, Tierun said:

The app pre sailing isn’t fully detailed. It generally changes once on board.

No the problem is they started new menus in August.  The menus are more limited in selections and options are downgraded.  You can also see the same menu on a current sailing on the app.

12 minutes ago, Traveling Fools said:

 

In the U.S. you can order a Pass Port card at the same time you order your PP.  It contains all the relative information contained on the face page of your PP, including photo.  It isn't a substitute for a PP, but eliminate the need to make copies of your PP. 

You could also lose that.  I always have a picture of my PP on my phone and on my google drive.

7 minutes ago, jelayne said:

These are new additions and a step up from their usual offerings.  I wouldn’t expect a lobster roll or prime rib sandwich to no charge items. 

I think that would be fine as long as they do not also downgrade the free items that have always been around.  That is exactly what they have started doing with the MDR menus.  The selections are very poor compared to what they were prior to them adding all the add on's for a fee.

17 minutes ago, chemmo said:

I guess the really clever thing to do is take each vacation as it comes…

 

Loyalty to no company

Look for exactly what you want from a vacation at that one moment in time

Consider a range of options and their prices

Be willing to be adventurous 

 

For the first time in many years we are about to do an AI in Europe, first in a very long time…

 

All we want is a crash out, we didn’t want to fly far but wanted good weather, we didn’t want much sightseeing…If we had chosen a cruise we may have seen good ports as a chore rather than a pleasure…

 

Celebrity doesn’t only face competition from other cruise lines…

I agree, I just finished booking a trip for next June with my family to Venice & Turkey and first time in a very long time not using Delta or one of their partners.  I am also going to start looking at some of my casino offers for other cruiselines.

3 minutes ago, nijh said:

Used to be quite common for a hotel in Europe to hang on to a passport for 24 hours after checking in, shouldn’t be a requirement these days but definitely worth checking.

I know most hotels outside of the US take a picture of every guests passport at check in.  I was just wondering if maybe they just forgot to get them back.  

1 minute ago, doghog said:

Not any more. At least the CAS drinks. 😁

I meant in the Suite lounge, I believe they get the unlimited drinks there.  Otherwise they have to use their CAS limit?

37 minutes ago, doghog said:

I don't. But I'm not Zenith or cruise in full suites. If I was Zenith I'd like the offer.  I use to read a lot of complaints from full suite posters on the RCI forum when Pinnacles were always allowed in the SL. Not so much anymore under the current exception if the Pinnacle numbers are low. But if the Pinnacle numbers on a specific cruise (like the president cruises) are high then the CAS LA also will set up a temporary Pinnacle Lounge. A lot of D,D+ and Ps don't use the DL as much now with the 4,5,and 6 drinks loaded on the Seapass cards to be used anytime of the day, at most bars and the drinks can be ordered from the regular bar menu. We still use the DL for a couple of pre supper drinks and a lite snack. I believe the cost of the CAS drinks have a cap of $15.00 per drink. Since you brought up Royalize, I like to see that change made to the current CC HH. 

I think the big difference between RCL and Celebrity is that Zenith get the beverage package but I do not believe Pinnacle get a package just the drink coupons.  That is probably why so many pinnacles are in the lounge and spend the entire time there getting their fill of drinks. 😁

14 minutes ago, zitsky said:

Did you lose your entire suite deposit or just the $200?

From everything I have read if you are just changing a booking and not cancelling it completely you do not lose your deposit.  You are only charged a change fee.

Is it possible they just didn't get them back from the hotel when they were checking in?  I have to agree with the others that it does seem odd that they would have been stolen.  I am sure they are very distraught and maybe they could ask someone to help them search their room again?  Also could they have been accidentally picked up with housekeeping?  Hopefully they have asked the hotel management if anything was found.

44 minutes ago, jelayne said:

But returning access to the Lounge for Zenith members has 0 to minimal cost.  Returning Butlers for Sky Suites is an expense, so unlikely to happen.  

Do Zeniths automatically get all included?  If not then it could be a cost to Celebrity to allow them into the lounge for free drinks if they have not already paid for a drink package.  

1 hour ago, Shiba_Lover said:

If you want some Yen before you arrive - check with your bank before you go.  For example, Bank of America can get me any currency I want for no fee, just the bank rate for exchange.  If I am going to some obscure country where it is easier to use cash and difficult to find an ATM (or I am arriving in the middle of the night and don't want to bother) - I will sometimes get a little cash before I travel just so I have some.  

Just check what they consider the "bank" exchange rate.  I recently had my DIL exchange at Huntington bank and they supposedly used a Bank exchange rate which was much lower than what I saw on the web or using the rate that some of the tour guides have stated for my payments to them. 

18 hours ago, monkey@cruise said:

My friend from Diamond Princess.

Do you have any more information on this?  Price, booking, times?  TY

15 minutes ago, monkey@cruise said:

Can travel to Kyoto either from Kobe or Osaka depend on the port time.  If port itinerary specify Kyoto (Osaka),  meaning  extensive port time in Osaka for Kyoto. If using public transportation to Kyoto, is easier from Kobe than from Osaka, especially during morning rush hours.

I understand that, I was trying to tell the person who asked the question about if they dock in Osaka that they need to check their specific cruise.

I have booked through this company for next month.  I will try to remember to post a review.  I actually have 3 tours booked with them.  https://www.dokotrip.com/