Duke95

Second time being cancelled so this does nothing for us as I am assuming they are not going to give us 200% twice.

I think this line is quickly moving towards going under.

Enjoyed the hell out of this thread. We were originally supposed to be with you on the maiden September sailing that got cancelled. Now I kind of wish I had been with you... we would have had an epic time. We switched to a week long sailing on the Valiant Lady next November to the ABCs. 

Glad you had a great cruise. I will definitely be following you from now on.

I certainly don't agree with the concept of sneaking off, but I do understand the frustration. There simply is nothing about this that makes sense - why would an Allure cruise with a couple thousand pax be safe in allowing people to do their own thing while the Celebrity cruise with less than one thousand pax are somehow in need of protection by the good folks at the Celebrity Private Journeys staff?

On 9/11/2021 at 10:43 AM, Duke95 said:

It's called Private Journeys. You design your own tour with the help of a Celebrity tour specialist. 

I have not been very impressed so far with my attempt to get a very simple trip together while in St. Maarten. They have had the request for over 2 weeks now and are still researching the "feasibility" of basically calling a cab for me.

I'm going to give a different report from Jim's here unfortunately. We had asked for them to provide us with transportation from the cruise port to Cul-de-Sac on St Maarten so we could take the ferry across to Pinel for the day. In effect, they would be providing us with a cab there at 10 am and a cab back at 3 pm (which is what we do every time we go to St Maarten). Normally the cost is about $100 for the transport. I figured they would charge us maybe double or triple that. I received an email this morning with our private journey quote in the amount of $600. That is only for the transport - no ferry, no lunch, no guide, nothing. We politely declined.

Loving the review, Jim. 

If you have a second, can you provide details of what you are working with the private journeys group on for St. Maarten? I have a request in to Private Journeys for our St Maarten day on the Edge in a couple weeks and was wondering what cost you are being quoted for a party of two. Thanks!

It's called Private Journeys. You design your own tour with the help of a Celebrity tour specialist. 

I have not been very impressed so far with my attempt to get a very simple trip together while in St. Maarten. They have had the request for over 2 weeks now and are still researching the "feasibility" of basically calling a cab for me.

Can you please provide a link that this is St Maarten that is requiring this?

It appears from their website that Royal is letting their guests get off at St Maarten and do private excursions.

At this point, I think its about even odds that the Scarlet Lady doesn't make the voyage across the pond until closer to the new year. I think they might just leave it in the UK for another month or two.

5 hours ago, graphicguy said:

PROTOCOLS

 

Vaccines required for anyone over 12 years old (personally, I’d rather they make it a requirement for anyone over 2 years old).  

So I assume you know that there isn't even an Emergency Use Authorization for anyone from 2-12 years right now. If you mean that kids shouldn't be cruising right now, I understand that completely. Celebrity is basically saying anyone who has the ability to get a vaccine must get one. Me personally, I am fine with that.

Had a great time with you again. In late September, I will try to repay the favor.

I have sympathy for anyone who takes a beating like that.

Maybe not Helmuth...

22 hours ago, graphicguy said:

Chef’s Table is Tuesday.  Book in advance as there are only 10 slots.

 

But, I have heard from more than one person on my last cruise that it wasn’t worth it.  Then again, some loved it.  Mixed reviews!!!!

Thanks. We are big foodies so we are still doing it. I will post a report in September.

Be safe and have fun. Thanks for bringing us along!

@graphicguy Can you please check and see on what day the Chef's Table dinner is during the week? Thanks and have a great cruise!

Thanks graphicguy.  This was fun to follow and really got me ready for our September cruise.

Have a great trip home.

On 7/11/2021 at 6:00 PM, jacquesmm said:

• Back to the suites features: my paperwork says that we are in a S3 and we have the "magic windows". Huge balcony too.
• About the "porn stars", you can't miss them. I will try to take a picture and post it, it's worth it. They are in a suite, we checked in at the same time but we have not seen them in the Retreat or Luminea.
• Our concierge tells us about 60% of total capacity but with all suites full. It does not feel crowded.

I have confidence you will post those pics of the stars. Inquiring minds want to know...

Love it when someone reference Wizard of Odds on a cruise forum. Well done sir.

Q-6-4 and sit back and hope to get lucky... and enjoy your cocktail.

I'm  not necessarily thinking that they will go bankrupt, especially with those two huge assets already in their possession. I am more thinking that they will make decisions to keep the ships over on their side of the pond where the Virgin name really means something until next year.

Interested to see what happens in August.

Is it bad that I am hoping it doesn't come close to reaching full capacity until after my cruise in September?!?

I think its fair at this time to wonder about the short term viability of this product and not just the long term viability. I am going to have think hard about whether i just take a refund or take the 200%.

Just got an email that our 9-22 sailing out of Miami is cancelled. No idea how many cruises after us are cancelled too.

Decent investment since I just booked last month. 😀

ETA: Just read that the first three cruises in September all got cancelled. The first cruise is now on October 6.

Have any of you had the travel document recognition system work during the check in sequence? We've been trying for awhile now with no luck.

Six year old thread about a 29 year old cruise. Impressive.

When RCI made their changes a couple years back, I was one of the chosen few who was stuck at 7 cruise credits and got hammered by the changes. At the time, I had 2 cruises booked: one a cruise on the Allure in a Suite and the other a 3 day puddle jumper for the sole purpose of getting me to diamond. After the changes, I would still be a full 14 days at sea short of diamond.

I called and had a very nice chat with a young lady who listened to me discuss the issue (read: "complain") in a very calm manor for about 45 minutes. I told her I simply did not understand why people who were at 7 cruises paid such a high price versus people who had 8 or 9 and wondered about the arbitrary cutoff. She first asked if I was an attorney (I am) then said there was not much she could do but did ask for my email address.

When we completed the second cruise, she sent me a very nice email with the surprise that I had been upgraded to diamond and reiterated how much they appreciated my business.

Big feather in their cap.

Might not be a bad idea for some of you who are in the same boat to call and give it a go...

I would think that typical dress code for a non formal night would be casual - khakis and polo shirt for men and sun dress for ladies. Even on a formal night, I would wear some pretty breathable clothes as you are outside the entire time.

I'm going to preface my answer to the dessert question by saying that I didn't pay for our dinner that night (we had prepaid and I did not win the rock paper scissors for the wine bill), but I do not remember there being an additional charge for dessert.

I think I may be part lion because if any health facilities would let me I would order that rare too.

Salmonella be damned.

I think in general the meat tends more to the rare side.

However, our gaucho was very good at noting people's likes and would come out with a few pieces that were cooked more towards medium along with one which was burnt (and ruined from my perspective).

They were very accommodating for temperature wishes.