mic123

15 minutes ago, abbydancer said:

And did they have passed hors d'oevres?

Yes

32 minutes ago, kwokpot said:

I'm not sure what you're talking about but the Elite Happy Hour was Never 'done away' with but has been PERMANENTLY altered to be available at all bars except for a select few. It will NEVER RETURN to it being a private event in the Sky Lounge. I'm not sure what you're referring to about the Elite event reappearing based on the number of Elite and higher since the event never was eliminated but instead was it changed. Your information is all totally incorrect.  

Well, they had it in the sky lounge on our last cruise on Reflection last year so my information is not “totally” incorrect.  Having it available at all bars really isn’t any perk or incentive if you have a beverage package.

I guess people may think that if they have never sailed with Celebrity.  My mom and I have been taking  my daughter on Celebrity since she was 6 or 7 including a Galapagos trip at age 11 which she absolutely loved.  She's 19 now and has loved every trip.  We also prefer the older smaller ships although we are going on the Edge in January.  Interested to see how we all like it.

I think it's great that that there are so many cruise lines to choose, from since people all have different tastes.

I would be irritated as well.  While our main reason for booking concierge is the extra per night points, we truly look forward to the embarkation lunch (and the sparkling wine as silly as that sounds) to get our trip started.  It's a tradition with me, my daughter and my mom. 

Another tradition is the nightly (elite) happy hour which they have now kind of done away with (depending on number of people).  We loved getting dressed up and going to that event each night.

I'm hoping all these things will be in place for our trip in January.

I know you are asking those who have already sailed so this may not be helpful.

We have not yet sailed, however, it shows our check-in time as 11:30-3:30.  My guess is that in the past it was priority boarding because of the concierge lunch, but now have read that it may not be on embarkation day so I'm not sure how they are handling check-in times.

1 minute ago, marieps said:

It sounds like a blessing that you got your flights through Choice Air.  Refunds are coming.  I got mine though it took several weeks post cancellation.  Good Luck!

That was our thought.  We don't normally do that, and for whatever reason their flights were cheaper than what we could find on our own.

Just now, Jenjohncourt said:

mic 123! You are the winner!! This is exactly what I was talking about. I am extremely aggravated with Celebrity for dragging their feet. No way I will “lift & shift” now. Don’t trust them as people can still book cruises in June with them. They know they won’t be cruising!!! I’m not going to let them hold on to my money for no knows how long!! 

I only get it because I am in the same situation.  They canceled through June 11 and ours leaves on June 12.  We have flights going out a few days prior (Rome) which we also purchased through them.  We do not want to shift at this point, but would rather rebook when we feel like it.

3 minutes ago, marieps said:

See post #28.  

yes, I read all the posts including yours, and even "liked" it.  Apparently, people are still not reading it right so I thought I'd re-mention it.

I think some posters are misinterpreting the OP.  They know the trip won't happen, but in order to get a full refund they have to wait on them to cancel otherwise they are only getting a credit.

 ETA: I am in the same boat.

We also used SPB for the 2-day tour.  They were absolutely fantastic.  Small group and very well planned.

3 minutes ago, UKPete71 said:

I thought the new restriction doesn't start until Monday 16th March?

I saw this date on Celebrity website as well.

2 hours ago, C-Dragons said:

We have a cruise coming up in 30 days, which is paid in full. Apparently, at this time, X intends for our cruise to be a go.

I am sure X is monitoring the current pandemic situation and making adjustments daily. For those of you who have cruises several months out at least you have a little bit of time to decide your course of action. We're not as fortunate.The whole situation is really depressing. We really want to take this cruise but have to weigh the underlying risks.

If X were to cancel, I would hope they would give us at least 3 days notice. It is obvious they are overwhelmed by the enormous response of those canceling. At the same time they have to juggle itineraries and port changes for multiple ships as more and more countries are denying entry. They are probably working on cruises in order of departure, with those that are immediate ranked higher in importance. These are pretty tough challenges. I understand that uncertainty is nerve racking and everyone wants answers yesterday. But I am trying to remain calm.

Well, my mom was supposed to go on an Antarctic expedition on Saturday and was due to fly to Argentina tomorrow.  She was just notified by the TA today that the cruise line said not to come.  Those who are already in Argentina will still be going on the cruise. 

This was due to the new restrictions Argentina placed yesterday requiring automatic 14 day quarantine if coming in from selected countries of which US is one. 

So, I suppose you will be given as much notice as they get which may not be three days.

@Bruin Steve 

I am (Hopefully) on your June 12 sailing.  I feel the reason there is no info is because things are changing day by day.  I plan to wait it out.

there is no point of them hastily canceling all sailings when this is such a fluid situation.

stressful for those of us booked?  Yes, absolutely.  However, there is no way to know what the situation will be three months from now.   I remain optimistic.

oops, I see you are in July.  I am on the June 12 Rome to Venice so I’ll let you know haha

Just now, rimmit said:

That’s a great rate.  Our trip was a little pricey and that may have made a difference, as they tend to base it on a percentage of the actual cost of the trip.

That's a good point.  She booked this trip last month because it was a steal.  About half the normal going rate.

1 hour ago, rimmit said:

Those expeditions require all sorts of docs.  I am only in my 30s,  and had to get a doctors note And proof of Travel insurance.   Insurance cost me $1600 alone for the trip.  Almost as much as my airfare.  And I am only in my 30s!  Can’t imagine how much trip insurance is for someone 70+ for an Antarctic expedition.

Interesting.  I just asked her and she said a little over $400.

1 minute ago, katrina915 said:

If they cancel, you get cash and not FCC, right? If so, could cause a huge cash flow issue for the cruiseline.

I don't know anything for sure, but I am just waiting things out.  Flight is booked through Celebrity as well so I will just see how everything shakes out.

1 minute ago, Purplsmurf said:

We sail on Saturday and there are over 600 open cabins. I spoke to a crew member today asking him at what point Celebrity would cancel and he said that it will sail as scheduled! Here’s to getting a seat by the pool AND martini bar! 🍻

I'm glad to hear this in the event my June trip is not canceled due to other factors (Italy).  Last week it looked to be 91% booked and today 63%.

My mom (71) leaves for Antarctica on Saturday and she did have to get a doctor note although not virus related.  Due to the nature of the cruise.

27 minutes ago, Fly and Sail said:

 

What makes their lawsuit frivolous? From what I read it has plenty of merit if the chain of events occurred as the suit alleges.

It's my opinion.  Looking to make a buck off an unfortunate event.

1 hour ago, Jeremiah1212 said:

It’s also just a matter of time for someone to take the $200 offer, get sick onboard, then places blame on the cruise line for enticing them to cruise. Even when it was against their better judgment in the first place. 

Yep, like the FL couple filing their frivolous lawsuit against Princess?

1 hour ago, sdc1127 said:

Going to Galapagos Do you think the risk is the same?

Trying to decide what to do leaving Thursday Are we being naive

 

Only you can make that decision for yourself.  I will say that was the best trip we ever did.  I can’t believe how the price of it has more than doubled since we went five years ago.

If it was me, I would be going, but I am in a very low risk group.

ETA: I do have a cruise out of Europe in June and I have not canceled that.  Of course, it may be canceled for me, but who knows.

This link has the updated itinerary:

https://www.celebritycruises.com/travel-alert

5 minutes ago, 4774Papa said:

You can request table size when you check in with the Maitre Dee.  We love select dining and usually meet new cruise friends at the happy hour and then migrate to the MDR.   We never make reservations and have never waited more than 15 minutes.

Agree.  We prefer to eat alone (3 of us) and still have never waited long.  They are happy to accommodate whichever table size you prefer.

2 hours ago, Artisticgirl said:

I'm booked on the Celebrity Best of Italy and Malta cruise June 12th.  I have booked a hotel in Rome for June 11th.   I paid in full already but the final payment date is March 14th.   I don't know what to do.  I will lose my deposit but can be credited for another cruise.  My TA, who was handed the cruise since I booked it and transferred to her, wants to charge me $500 to cancel.  I will never use her again.  She did absolutely nothing.  I'm torn because this could all disappear with flu season once the weather warms up.   It our 25th Wedding Anniversary so postponing til next summer kind of takes the excitement away.  Not sure what to do.  I will see what transpires within the next week. 

We are booked on this cruise as well.  We are just going to wait and see what happens.  If it goes, we will go.  If not then we are refunded and will book something else later.  We also have air through Celebrity, so no issue there either.  We have a hotel booked in Rome for Jun 9-12 but can cancel with no penalty up to three days prior.  We figure it will be sorted out for us one way or another, so we're not really worrying about the "what if".

Obviously, I don't know your whole situation, but you may be better letting them do the canceling so you are not losing anything.

I think we will know a lot more once the ships reposition...or not.

Maybe it's too early?  I see them available for purchase on my planner for my June trip.