barneymag

We just got off Reflection a couple of weeks ago and the Retreat Lounge (still Michael's Club on Reflection) and there was fully stocked large coolers fully stocked with beers and soft drinks to help yourself to - Never saw any kids in Michael's on our sailing

You’re probably right, never once announced anything about number of COVID cases on last cruise BTW we found Eli to be amazing once we had had a chat with her our likes etc - she got us a kettle day 1 (we’re Brits so have to have mug of tea as soon as we wake up😊) she also put fresh milk in the fridge for us. I asked if they could empty mini bar so we could fill with water, soft drinks etc …. she said no problem, but instead of emptying she filled it every day with water, sprite, coke and beers, fresh ice twice a day and she asked if we would like wine or a drink bringing when we got in after being on deck or a trip. We had breakfast on the balcony about 4 times and she sets it up on your balcony for you (although the timing could be a bit off as she had a lot of suites aft to look after) 10 out of 10 for us.

@calicakes have you a feeling for level of COVID on the ship ? We were on Reflection last week also in a corner aft sky suite (also had Eli as our butler) It became very noticeable after about 4 or 5 days that virtually everywhere you went you heard coughing … by the second week it was crazy how many people seemed to have the same cough. My wife started on the last day with a slight cough and the next day when we got home she took a home test and sure enough was positive. That was 4 days ago and I’m still testing negative and have no symptoms at all 🤞 pre testing seems a waste of time as I heard of several people having to isolate for most if not all of the cruise …. they never once announced any numbers on this but my guess it would be a large number that were isolating and and even larger number that were ignoring it. virtually no one masked anywhere - I masked up every time we were on a bus/transfer/flight etc and my wife didn’t. Can’t guarantee where she caught COVID whether on the ship, on a bus transfer or offshore on an excursion but timing would suggest ship or bus transfer. Another couple we met in Luminae said their butler was really stretched as they were having to serve 3 of their suites with constant room service due to them having to isolate - I guess the only positive was that it seemed that they were allowed to remain in their suite.

We were on Reflection last week and they never set the sun loungers up like this ? Last week set up as all spun round as a single row both sides of the walkway …. I can’t understand why they would do this and can imagine most people don’t want to be constantly looking at the 4 people directly opposite - never seen the beds set up like this on any previous cruises we have done 🤷‍♂️

Only main benefit is the boarding day lunch in MDR exclusive to Concierge Class - other than that extra Captains Club loyalty points You also get daily Canapes and cabins can be in better location

Depends on the cabin class you choose - Suites and Aqua Class includes drinks, tips and wifi as standard. All other categories now show as “cruise only” rate so nothing extra included but you should have an option to go “all included” at a higher rate. check out the celebrity website, choose your sailing date and ship and required category and you should get two pricing options - that’s what happens and shows on the UK website anyway, not sure if different on US website ??

Agree that the Greece testing makes no sense - we now have to test on a Saturday in Rome, get on ship in Italy on the Monday and we stop in Santorini, Mykonos and Athens 6,7 and 11 days respectively after the test ??? what's the point of this as we are also stopping in Sicily 4 days after test and before our first Greece stop ?? and as you say Greece has no such restrictions for entering the country by other transport methods .... Crazy !!

I can see major confusion at Civitaveccia on 5th Sep !! If people just look at the headline for boarding in Italy they will turn up with a self test or photo of it .... our cruise visits Santorini, Mykonos and Athens and therefore when you scroll to the bottom of the page they state for visiting Greece we still need a supervised/observed test - I wonder how many won't realise this and just seen the headline for Italy stating no longer need supervised tests ??

I wouldn't get hung up about La Spezia being a bad option, I agree Florence is not convenient from this port (about 2 hours by car) but the Cinque Terre is beautiful and well worth the visit. Last time were there we took a 20min drive to Porto Venere (lovely village in its own right) and spent 1 1/2 to 2 hours there, then got on a boat that visits all of the villages (we stayed on but you get the great views approaching each one) and it ends at Monterosso al Mare where we wandered around, had lunch and then took a train journey back from Monterosso to La Spezia (20 mins) One of our best trips that day !!

This has definitely just changed - we are on Sept 5th Reflection cruise and had only added our vaccination records a few days ago, mine was verified and my wife's was pending awaiting verification ..... now they have both completely disappeared from the APP. So possibly the big announcement might be no proof of vaccination needed going forward ? Whether this means they will drop pre cruise testing who knows ?? TBH would prefer they drop pre cruise testing and still maintain vaccinated guests only as this takes away the hassle of finding an observed test 2 days before (we arrive 3 days early into Rome) However they may choose to go the other way and allow anyone on ship vaccinated or not as long as they provide a negative test 😕

Its been about 4 years since we last sailed out of Amsterdam, but from memory we just walked into he terminal and checked our bags inside. Can't even remember if there were any porters at this terminal.

Hi TBH I love Celebrity's "Evening Chic" dress code vs other cruise lines. You will see some in full Black Tie and long evening dresses for the ladies, however I would normally dress how I would go to a nice restaurant. Last few cruises i would wear either trousers or smart dark jeans, smart shoes, a nice collared shirt and possibly a jacket ...... most of the time I wouldn't even see the need for a tie. Its fairly relaxed and you will see a multitude of outfits and I've never felt out of place or uncomfortable. Its a holiday, dress how you like (within reason) and Celebrity is our main choice for cruising these days due to the more relaxed (yet still smart enough) dress codes. The vast majority of the ship will probably be in shirt and trousers or smart jeans (no shorts in MDR) and perhaps 10% in formal attire.

Chandon Brut isn’t a champagne though …… it’s a sparking wine and definitely doesn’t taste like a true champagne it has to come from the champagne region of France to be called champagne

We don't sail until September, but this was my plan as well when we do the online check-in Out of interest did you upload all vaccinations ? I have had 2 original vaccinations plus 2 boosters ? wasn't sure if I will need an image of all 4 or just the last booster ? Thanks

There’s a reason why Celebrity’s latest airport transfer is 1pm ! If there is any way you can reschedule your flight I would do so. Ravenna is around 230km from Venice Marco Polo, you are looking at 2 1/2 hours door to door by car assuming no traffic hold ups. Flights and airports in Europe are chaotic at best and hundreds of flights across Europe are being cancelled every day. If your connecting flight is delayed or cancelled it will be impossible to get to Ravenna on the same day for embarkation Even if your flight lands on time at 2.15pm you could have an hour + to get your luggage as airports are struggling with lower staff numbers and you still have to get to a private transfer …… at best you could get to Ravenna between 5.30 to 6.00pm if there are no delays or flight cancellations. If you can’t change your flights I would suggest you look at plan B if your flights are delayed or cancelled on how you get from Venice to Split (or Ravenna to Split if you get to port but too late to board) That is an even longer and more expensive to get to compared to Ravenna - you are putting a huge amount of pressure on yourself and you have zero wiggle room if any delays to your same day arrival. if you can change your flights to an earlier flight into Venice or arrive the day before you give yourself a much better chance of actually getting your cruise.