joeysmom220

14 minutes ago, RandomUser123 said:

Is there a DX in your set sail pass online? If so then you are good. 

Yes there is and my travel partner has RR for non-alcohol pkg. thank you!  

I’m all checked in for upcoming cruise. None of my documents show a beverage pkg. I have a receipt from my order history but it doesn’t show anywhere else. Is this common?  

And another vote for Alla!  They were great!  We did a two day tour and added on Fabrege Museum at night.  Great driver and guide for a group of 12!

Since they’ve changed east coast ports from Nova Scotia Canada to Bermuda or Nassau, why didn’t they change Alaska ports to Mexico? Alaska cruises are just cancelled. The same should happen to Nova Scotia ports. It’s a whole different itinerary, not just a small change in ports!!  They are treating each coat differently and that is unfair. I’m going 700 miles south on the right coast when I booked 700 miles north. Explain why if I leave from the left coast to go 1000 miles north it was right for X to cancel rather than go 1000 miles south. I just want to be treated the same. 

Since they’ve changed east coast ports from Nova Scotia Canada to Bermuda or Nassau, why didn’t they change Alaska ports to Mexico? Alaska cruises are just cancelled. The same should happen to Nova Scotia ports. It’s a whole different itinerary, not just a small change in ports!!  X dropped the ball here!  

8 minutes ago, kk99 said:

Here is a screenshot of the early Summit sailings with the changed itineraries in May-June 2020

 

These are major changes!  How can they get away with that?  If I wanted to go to Bermuda or Nassau, that’s what I’d of booked. I booked Canada!!  A full refund should be offered-and not just FCC. 

Thanks for the reply!  Is that hold-em or the 3 card poker with a live dealers?

On past Celebrity trips, they had an automated Texas Hold-em table for tournaments.  If you had enough people, they would also open them for regular play.  With the renovation on the Summit, I was wondering if the still have them or is there a live poker room?  Anyone been lately?

This is my Fantastica experience. 

I found the cruise I wanted after looking at various lines - Going to the Baltic in April and the itinerary fit my needs.  I called MSC directly to book.  I had no idea of different packages, just knew about where I wanted to be on the ship.  When I booked I was told by MSC the cabin was a Fastictica experience TO INCLUDE:  12 drink vouchers, free room service breakfast, requested dining time, and some discounts on spa services.  I didn't ask;  they told me what I would get.  It was an additional $200-$300  PP - I forget exactly.  The vouchers added a value PP of appx $100-$120.  That made Fantasica have a higher value than Bella.  I could have stayed in the same area of the ship on the 8 deck for no additional.  We decided the higher location, drinks and dinner time were worth it .  

Dinning time is wait-listed and the drinks disappeared. 

I have emailed them.  One rep asked what phone number I booked from presumably to check recording.  That was the last I heard from them on that email.  I tried again.  I've been waiting 3 weeks for a reply. I re-mail it weekly and receive the standard "that you for choosing us, we'll get back to you soon"

When a representative of MSC tells me what is included I should not have to go back and read the fine print to discover the MSC booking agent was wrong!    

Bait and Switch?  Cheated?  Deceived?  Use whatever words you like.  Bottom line is it's not right.  

I’ve been arguing with msc about these vouchers for months. Sailing 4/23 Baltic cruise. When booked agent specifically said we’d get them. I don’t feel it’s up to me to check on the validity of what an agent tells me. Why would one book a more expensive experience when you get the same as a lower one? Adequate cabin location for Bella was available but the vouchers made Fantastica a better deal. No longer.  I cruise often and this is a 1st on msc. So far the experience is making this a one and done.  I will say a $50 cabin credit has been added to my account but that doesn’t begin to cover the value of the vouchers that I place at around $200 for two of us. I think we’ve been cheated and deceived by msc!

I too was told I would receive vouchers then told no I was given wrong information. I have emailed 3 Times and got one response asking for the number I made the reservation from - they say all calls are recorded so they just have to listen!  Then I received an email from another agent that said no way I was getting vouchers. I should have read the small print rather than listen to an agent. As a first timer with msc, I am not impressed  

Thank you for the information. Will look at Alla!

I was wondering if tour companies would have access when it’s closed to the general public. I’ve found two tours I’m interested in-they include Frabrage museum as this Alla does not. 

We are in St.Petersburg Sunday 28 April and Monday 29 April.  The Hermitage web site tells me they are closed on Mondays.  St. Catherine's Palace site states they are closed on Tuesday and the last Monday of the month - that would be the 29th.  So this tells me both are closed the Monday we are there.  Is there a tour that will do both on Sunday?  I've asked this question of two operators and don't get a definitive answer -  just they do these sites on seperate days.  I don't want to book and then be told - by the way we've eliminated St. Catherine's since they are closed(or the Hermitage).  Suggestions?  Input?

Agree with the above! There is a refundable $650 deposit on your credit card and a waiver to sign. Island is easy to navigate. I’d stay away from margoit and Philipsburg. My only complaint is my feet got sunburned!

We rented one last week. Once away from cruise port traffic is less. Around towns traffic bad but always felt safe. I ride back but partner said easy to handle. You can go anywhere on island. Damage on French side is horrible. Dutch side coming back faster. Would recommend if experienced rider.

Will be in port 06/26 and DW and I Would like to spend some time on the beaches, but maybe visit a couple for a couple of hours each (Grand Case, Orient and others). Would renting an ATV be a reasonable way to get around the island or would we be better off just using a taxi?

 

Anybody done an ATV on the roads? Recommend or avoid?

 

Found a Scooter and ATV rental place with good reviews (Johnny's) but would welcome other thoughts.

 

Suggestions for beaches? Looking for a beach with chair rentals and bathrooms. Other rental options would be a plus but not necessary especially if we rent the ATV. Clothing optional is fine.

We will be renting spyders for our day there in April. Discovered somewhere on this discussion. They look like fun. Will let you know.

Sue

Looking for the same answer. travelling companions arrive at 4am. Transfers? Celebrity at airport? Luggage storage at port?

We rented spyders from SXM Spyder Rental www.sxmspyderrental.com last week. It was wonderful! Easy to get around and the local drivers were very friendly. Just make sure on the France side you wear your helmet. We got pulled over. They let us put them on and did not fine us.

 

 

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Thanks for the reply! Have looked at them and it's where we're leaning towards. Is one enough? I'm used to riding on the rear and would prefer to stay there so I can sightsee.

Has anyone rented one recently? Wondering how hard it is to get around the island on one. Looking at the end of April.

Sue

Dodger, you hit the nail on the head!

Celebrity is successful in recreating the class system on a ship. I met no one on this trip that was in a suite. I met a few in Aqua class. Between speciality and exclusive restaurants and private bars, the "upper" class is completely removed from the masses. The "masses" experience has changed and you're right, you can get that experience on most lines today.

Celebrity used to give that intangible experience to all.

I agree rust on a seagoing vessel is the norm, but not on a ship just out of dry dock for painting. The looks of the railings and furnishings shouldn't be excused.

I was not disappointed with the experience on Millie. Love smaller ships and Summit is a favorite. I am disappointed in celebrity for a lack of maintenance or postponing replacement of well-worn furnishings, for lowering the quality of food service particularly in the buffet area, for not stocking premium wines at all bars (and I do tip appropriately with each drink-25+ years in hotels/restaurants does that!), and for charging extra f o r so many things that used to be free.

It's hard to pinpoint one or two things that weren't right. It's the overall experience that was diminished. Service was excellent for the most part so staff didn't do it. The cut backs the bean-counters have made were very noticeable to me.

Again, just my observations.

So far windstar stands out as a next aventure. Sailed with them in Europe and they were great. Also will try Oceania.

Sue

Just back from Southbound Alaska cruise on Millennium. Have done several cruises on Celebrity the past 5 years and sad to say this was probably last and will try different lines now. It's the little things.

Sushi and munchies from the buffet at 5pm are a thing of the past - unless you want to pay full price for sushi and wait for it on Sushi on 5. Had the Premium wine pkg but premium wine was usually not available unless you waited for it to be brought from another bar. No more fresh squeezed grapefruit and orange juice in the morning. Nothing to munch on at most bars. Food was good, but not the quality/selection as in the past. Didn't try specialty restaurants-why should you have to pay $40 extra to have a meal? Sushi on 5 was empty most all the time - and I made it a point to look! Just out of drydock and rust was visible on balcony and around the doors. The railings I could see from 9th were all in need of varnish. Chairs all around and especially in the cafe were worn down to the wood on the arm rests. Room service was terrible - only ordered breakfast - and extra charges apply for several items. It used to be the ship would offer a tour. I haven't verified yet but was told a behind the scenes tour of the ship is offered at $150? Used to be free. Finally, most of the shows were terrible - appeared to be the same shows I saw last year on the Summit - with worse performers.

It wasn't all bad! Service was excellent at all the bars and most of the dining room. Cabin attendants were great. Waiters, though overworked, were good. Sommilier, no so much. The naturalist, Milos, was excellent. Great dining partners at a 10 top each evening and shared breakfast tables. Scenery was to die for...

But it's certainly not the Celebrity cruiseline of the past. The level of service was good but the surroundings have diminished as has the overall experience. Looking forward to next trip but it won't be Celebrity.

Ten years ago, I was on one of the first cruise ships to stop at Hoonah. Had several online discussions with some of the people in Hoonah about how the port would effect the native people. Booked a cruise for this year that stops in Hoonah expressly to see what has happened to the town. Anyone been there more than once? That 1st year you walked into town along a not-very-busy- road. There was one or two local restaurants, a tiny grocery store, and just a couple of small businesses. It was tiny - and beautiful. Looking forward to seeing the changes. Would love to hear from some of the natives as to their thoughts on progress or not.

Happy!