Elusive_Cruiser

12 hours ago, Mum2Mercury said:

Yes, I was going to make this same point.  The cruise lines'd like you to feel you either buy a package ... or you can never have an alcoholic beverage.  But you can buy individual drinks without a package.

We generally buy the package (lowest level) as we prefer the upgraded coffees and bottled water and just do not like having to keep track!

Thank you!  So, what if you want to order a 'premium' wine, or scotch...?  Do you pay the full price, or a price differential?

We're sailing 1st time on RCC, but have loyalty on Celebrity.  Doing a transatlantic cruise, Nov-2024.  It appears we only have one choice for a drink package, being "Deluxe Beverage Package".  On Celebrity, there are two choices, being "Classic" and "Premium".  Is this the case, or just due to being a transatlantic?

We've a Med cruise booked for Oct-24. Have not cruised since 2020 (thank you Covid) so have not dealt with Celebrity customer service for a few years.

We booked directly with Celebrity, and was very pleased with the service Nancy provided.  She was pleasant, efficient, and knew the product.

Decided to do a cabin change and saw a few available (per Celebrity website) cabins as options.  When I called in I spent over an 1.5 hour on hold (not used to this!) and then when I finally connected, the rep informed me that EVERY cabin I selected was not available, despite showing they were, both on the Celebrity website, and another one.  She actually put me on hold for over 3 minutes just to see if the cabin I wanted was available.  Weird.
 

As I wanted to change to a mid-ship cabin, I asked her to check what was available, and she informed me there were NO mid-ship cabins available at this time.  Weird.  Had her change me to a less desirable cabin, having decided I would call right back and talk to a different agent.

Lo, and behold, Daniel took great care of me.  The 1st choice cabin I'd selected was,sadly,  no longer available, but the 2nd choice was. Not only that, there was a price discrepancy of almost $200 between booking online and what I was now being quoted.  The previous agent basically said "I don't know why".  Daniel spent a very long time, patiently helping me get resolution, and he did!

The moral of the story is, if you do not like the first answer, call back!  AND, plan to put on your patience hat.  

Shout out to Daniel, and our original booking agent Nancy!!!

We've a Med cruise booked for Oct-24. Have not cruised since 2020 (thank you Covid) so have not dealt with Celebrity customer service for a few years.

We booked directly with Celebrity, and was very pleased with the service Nancy provided.  She was pleasant, efficient, and knew the product.

Decided to do a cabin change and saw a few available (per Celebrity website) cabins as options.  When I called in I spent over an 1.5 hour on hold (not used to this!) and then when I finally connected, the rep informed me that EVERY cabin I selected was not available, despite showing they were, both on the Celebrity website, and another one.  She actually put me on hold for over 3 minutes just to see if the cabin I wanted was available.  Weird.
 

As I wanted to change to a mid-ship cabin, I asked her to check what was available, and she informed me there were NO mid-ship cabins available at this time.  Weird.  Had her change me to a less desirable cabin, having decided I would call right back and talk to a different agent.

Lo, and behold, Daniel took great care of me.  The 1st choice cabin I'd selected was,sadly,  no longer available, but the 2nd choice was. Not only that, there was a price discrepancy of almost $200 between booking online and what I was now being quoted.  The previous agent basically said "I don't know why".  Daniel spent a very long time, patiently helping me get resolution, and he did!

The moral of the story is, if you do not like the first answer, call back!  AND, plan to put on your patience hat.  

Shout out to Daniel, and our original booking agent Nancy!!!

Hi All Celebrity Lovers!

Cruising once per winter, we've done a dozen Caribbean Cruises on Celebrity (reached Elite!) and have LOVED this product.  Our last cruise, we disembarked in early February 2020, and all hell broke out with Covid and shutdowns only days later.

We have not cruised since then.  Nor have I followed followed the CC posts, as it saddened me 😞

Now, a few years later, we're fully retired, and are able to do a Mediterranean cruise so are excited to start the planning. 

Looking at the Fall 2024.

My question is mostly directed about the changes that have occurred, post-Covid?  The ships are now again sailing at full capacity, but are there some things that are now permanently different?  I understand I can read the numerous threads on this, but looking for current and thoughtful responses.

Thanks!

Patricia

12 hours ago, 39august said:

People who can drive to a port are so lucky!  There is no way we can drive to Florida to take a cruise. I am really more concerned about flying than cruising. We have a late Nov.-Dec. cruise booked but I don't think we will be going. Hope all 4 of our 2021 cruises will be a go. We are booked on Reflection and Equinox. 

I agree... we are more fearful of flying than cruising.... we have to do two legs to get to Florida... 8 hours minimum....

Just now, Elusive_Cruiser said:

You know you are anti-social when the 'at home quarantine' does not change your lifestyle! 😁

 

Seriously, tho, we are currently debating our January 2021 cruise, which is booked with some cruising friends from Chicago.  We are mid-60s, they are early 70's.  Some of us are immune-challenged.  I think we'll hang on to the reservations for now... just in case a vaccine gets approved.  We'll never get the same price as we booked, as we book, like many of you, as soon as the itineraries come out..... wish I could sell our reservation on eBay! 😬

You know you are anti-social when the 'at home quarantine' does not change your lifestyle! 😁

3 hours ago, Perky1 said:

In manage reservation....

Thanks Perky1... that does not show up in my reservation  😞

7 hours ago, MarkWiltonM said:

I have a happy update on this issue.  I called Celebrity to cancel my Jan. 2021 cruise because I had paid in full and my travel insurance for this particular cruise doesn't cover financial default of the cruise line.  The CFP I spoke to said, "What if I could get you a refund for everything you've paid except the $900 deposit?"  (Of course this is exactly what I had wanted but wasn't even going to ask because it seemed so unlikely.)  I said, "YES!"  He spoke with his "team" and confirmed they could process that refund.  He said it might come back to my card in "chunks" rather than one lump sum but I should see it in 14 to 30 days.  Unfortunately, he said he couldn't email me an invoice/updated booking confirmation until the refund is processed.  So I have nothing in writing about this call/arrangement, but he did say the call was recorded.  I was impressed with this guy's energy and competence (Daniel F. in the service department.) Now let's see if/when I actually get the refund.  But I have until Oct. 6 to call again and cancel if necessary prior to my final payment, and I think RCC/Celebrity has secured enough credit to last at least a year or more no matter how bad things get. At any rate, if this refund goes through my maximum loss is now $900 instead of almost $5,000.  

Nice - happy for you!

Thanks All!  Cannot find a 'cancel cruise' button anywhere.  Will call tomorrow and do my Microsoft Jigsaw Puzzle while waiting on hold!!! 

On 4/3/2020 at 6:50 AM, Essiesmom said:

This was our cabin, 7272 on Silhouette.  Note the shiny rectangle in the ceiling above the couch,  that is the upper bunk.  If you aren't looking for it you might not even know it is there.  EM

 

That's pretty neat!  I always wondered how that extra bed worked.  Would love to see a picture of the bed 'deployed'!

Maybe I'm just being dumb? ... but I cannot see this as an option in my account.  We have 2 x 2021 cruises booked, and for now, we want to cancel one of them. Cruise was booked directly with Celebrity.  Hoping to avoid getting in the telephone 'queue'.  Shouldn't this be possible?

58 minutes ago, Elusive_Cruiser said:

 

My DH got the call about 30 minutes ago, and he is NEGATIVE!!!  However, I've not yet received my call... was waiting for both before posting.... 

Just received my call - I am also NEGATIVE!!!  And, yes, @phoenix_dream - also the answer we anticipated, but great to confirm, with all this madness.

That said, people please continue to show social distancing and stay diligent.  Things have slowed down in Canada, but not so much in the U.S.  We want to cruise next January.....

Stay healthy, stay home as much as possible, wash your hands... you all know the routine... let's 'Just Do It'

1 minute ago, phoenix_dream said:

According to your post, you should have had results by today.  If so, can you please share?  Those of us also on that cruise have been monitoring this thread.  thank you

My DH got the call about 30 minutes ago, and he is NEGATIVE!!!  However, I've not yet received my call... was waiting for both before posting.... 

12 minutes ago, mayleeman said:

@Elusive_Cruiser I think the title was entirely accurate about your experience. Anyone grabbing hazmat suits because your title mentioned being in quaratine needs to be able to read the thread. It wasn't crying "Fire!" in a crowded theater, for crying out loud. People need to get a grip.

 

As for the duration of your isolation, if you don't get a notification for a test within 2 to 3 weeks of isolation, can you just call the public health office, describe your husband's recovery, and get them to agree you can be "freed"?

Thank you mayleeman!

We were finally contacted and have an appointment for our test tomorrow.  Then, 3-4 days for results.  We'll then also be at the 2 week mark anyway, but will at least be able to confirm that my DHs cough was not a 'mild' case, which was the concern.

17 hours ago, phoenix_dream said:

Everyone should indeed be concerned.  But honestly, the title you chose went a bit beyond concern, to spread fear for those of us on that sailing (like me!).  It implicated that the virus had been on that sailing.  There remains no evidence of that, thank goodness.  Concern and fear are two different things. I certainly have one, but prefer to avoid the other unnecessarily.

Point taken

3 hours ago, gerelmx said:

 

B&P, We also were on this cruise and the next one (Mardi Gras), Almost 3 weeks from disembarkation without symptoms.

Do you receive the results of the test?

L&G

We STILL have not been contacted to get the test, so we are going to assume that they are less concerned with us than others.  We're still in quarantine, but at this point, consider it self-inflicted.  My DHs cough is almost gone now.  I'm sure there is little to no concern that we brought home anything more than a cough. 🤷‍♀️

8 hours ago, PTC DAWG said:

Now that you mention it, it has been tremulous. I learned a new word today.  🙂

 

sail on. 

You are welcome!  WordWeb is my friend! 🙂

On 3/16/2020 at 3:28 PM, idh2019 said:

The title of the thread is going to worry Reflection cruisers. 3 weeks after the cruise is a long time for COVID to appear. 

He came home with the cough.  At that time, there was an issue if you had several symptoms, such as cough AND fever.  Then, of course... things changed.  3 weeks later, it was only one symptom.  Regardless... ALL cruisers should be concerned, not just those off the Reflection.  I do not apologize for worrying anyone.  EVERYONE should be very concerned.

5 hours ago, Swann5 said:

Original poster, Elusive_cruiser, did your DH, get his test results back?

Dianne

We have yet to be contacted to get appt for test, and it's been over a week.  I think, since there is a shortage, they decided we were not high priority, since we arrived home BEFORE all s*** broke loose.   We are still staying in quarantine, to be on the safe side.

2 minutes ago, ghstudio said:

 If it's any consolation, I come home with that same dry cough on about 3/4 of our cruises......lasts about a month and just disappears on it's own.  I hope your husband has a similar cough and outcome..

Yes, it's the same for him - we think it's the flying.  We're at four weeks home today.  It is subsiding, but still there!  Just bad timing, as no one wants to be around him (except me, of course 😁)with what's going on, and you can't blame them.  AND, we still have not been contacted to be tested, so home we stay, for now.

1 hour ago, lostchild said:

 

If you could, get yourself a few bottles of the Sambucus Black Elderberry (the more concentrated the better).   It supports your respiratory immune system.   Drink it for a week and any dry cough will go away.   Some people make it themselves but I just buy the Nature's Answer brand one with 12,000mg elderberry per serving.

Thanks for the info - seems to be a product in high demand at this time... almost $37 for 4 ozs😬

Nice to hear.

Challenging times for everyone.

Happy that they made you 'right'