sunlover33

If this trial is successful and rolls out across the fleet, this will be my last Celebrity cruise. I have sent an e mail to head office. The more complaints they get may make them back off, otherwise they may lose a large chunk of their regular cruisers. I will be interested I see if I get a response. E- mails to executiveoffice@celebrity.com with any comments or concerns. 

16 hours ago, LoneMoose said:

We took a private tour with Rammuni Tours a few months ago (Dec. 2022).  We got to see a lot of animals (elephants, water buffalo, monkeys, crocodile, lots of exotic birds).  Our guide, however, struggled with English and seemed rather put out that we paid in $20 dollar bills.  (He wanted to be paid in 100s which we don’t carry and the Azamara ATM doesn’t dispense.)  The driver we had was excellent, finding most of the animals.  

 

We were in a Jeep and the “roads” in the park were very rough: rutted and pot holes, many filled with water and mud.  While most of our clothes came clean afterwards, one of DH’s shirts still has mud stains from the splashing.  So wear your least favorite clothes!

 

Finally, and this has nothing to do with our particular tour, the taxi union in Sri Lanka has a stranglehold on the the port and private tour vehicles were not allowed inside the port gate (buses for ship excursions were allowed in).  The gate was about 2 miles from where we were berthed so it would have been an impossible walk for one of our participants and a long hot one for all of us. Luckily, as we started walking, a van of reporters who were leaving insisted that we get into their van for a ride to the gate.  So if I was booking another private tour, I would get specific details about how you are going to be picked up and what arrangements they will make to shuttle you to the pick-up point.  I don’t think the line of taxis waiting to be hired for a tour were willing to get out of line to transport us to the gate.

Thank you for taking the time to answer my question. That’s really very useful information  for us to be aware of. 

3 hours ago, donaldsc said:

I would suggest that you repost this on the appropriate Ports of Call board.  Your question will get a wider exposure there including people who are not cruising on Azamara.  You might also post it on your cruise Roll Call or set one up if one does not already exist.

 

DON

Thanks Don I have posted on several boards hoping for a response, I am looking for information to inform our roll call. We have already arranged  several tours  but I am looking for someone who has experienced this trip in Sri Lanka with an independent organisation. We  booked this cruise with Azamara in 2020 just prior to covid shutdown but like many others it was cancelled. I posted on here hoping  someone had  managed to do this cruise and experience a private tour. 

Hi Everyone, just wondering if anyone has experience of private tours tours in Sri Lanka. We will be in Hambantota port from 08.00-  19.00 and were particularly interested in visiting Udawalawe National Park, does anyone have a recommendation for a private tour guide please? 

Hi Everyone, just wondering if anyone has experience of private tours tours in Sri Lanka. We will be in Hambantota from 08.00-  19.00 and were particularly interested in visiting Udawalawe National Park, does anyone have a recommendation for a private tour guide please? 

Has anyone been in a small group private tour of Udawalawe National Park Safari from Hambantota Port and can you recommend a tour operator? 

We always use  Rome cabs and just recently again  for three transfers for our recent cruise. FCO to Civitavecchia port, Civitavecchia to Rome to spend a few days in the city and finally Rome to airport. Service as always first class. Drivers always on time, polite and professional. We actually arrived at FCO slightly early, but they had clearly been tracking and immediately had a text telling us driver was on his was and another driver from Rome cabs was looking out for us. Wouldn’t ever use anyone else and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend. First class service. 

Loving your posts and can’t wait to board on Friday,  flights and covid tests permitting.  The photos bring back some lovely memories of  Istanbul on the various stops we have had. Just love sitting in the balcony listening to the Al Adhan calling the faithful to prayer, they echo all around the city. 

8 hours ago, groryjm said:

Taxi dropped us off at the luggage drop at 10.30 through security and escorted to our suite by 11.10 😎

 

Got to Michael's, and I mean MICHAEL'S as it is a proper Michael's club pre Revolution, for our security brief by 11.45😎

 

 

Thank you Olympia for the first Campari soda. Off to Sushi for lunch

 

Can’t wait, we follow you onto reflection of the 15th . Michaels Club  looks wonderful. Now to decide what drink to order when we get there as the tension melts away, hopefully. Looking forward to your excellent reports. 

Hi Everyone seen lots of post about the martini bar and martini drinking in general which seem to be a very popular pastime while onboard. I’m a whiskey and red wine drinker normally but may branch out on this cruise to try some martinis. Are there any particular martinis you would recommend based in my usual drinking habits or any martinis that are a must try? 

35 minutes ago, Orator said:

He was one of the most "classless" people I've ever met.

Think I came across him on one cruise too on Azamara, or maybe there is more than one of his type.  😉 

We book aft cabins. I don’t care what level of aft it is as long as it’s aft. On our cruise in 2 weeks we have an aft sky suite. Our next cruise we have an aft balcony cabin. We have had great aft concierge cabins and had an aft aqua cancelled. Whatever level you decide Celebrity is a great cruise line and I’m sure  you will enjoy it. There sometimes appears to be a snobbish element on here, but remember anyone can post they have cruised only Penthouse suites when they really cruise in inside cabins. Really no one cares. Buy the perks that appeal to you and don’t worry what everyone else is doing. Enjoy x

On 6/28/2022 at 3:23 PM, ohnonotmeagain said:

Hi

I've booked a cruise [flights / hotel included] from UK to Japan in Nov 2023 and obviously the flights are not available yet but what airline are Celebrity "likely" to use for that route and what airport in Japan? I want to stay on a few days after for an independant trip - hence the questions for logistics/planning. 

Many thanks.

We went to Japan just pre covid. We booked independent flights with emirates which were wonderful but 17 + hours with layover in Dubai. It was only when we were discussing with other Brits who had flown with BA direct LHR to Tokyo 11 hours direct. Depends if you have a preferred airline,  but if you want to get there asap choose BA. Have a great time we loved Japan and had a three day stop in Tokyo. Getting around on the railway was so easy once we figured it out and the people were amazing and very helpful. Unfortunately we booked with Princess, never again! 

11 minutes ago, OysterD said:

Where does your cruise start from, I'm wondering if that's the case for all cruise departure ports?

Or maybe 'Sam' doesn't know what she's talking about? Their website doesn't 'suggest', it clearly states a COR replaces the pre cruise test! 

 

We originally thought it was 90 days (below from Celebrity website states 180 days) and some in our party caught covid last week...we were about to pay for PCR tests/COR so we can avoid testing before cruise in a few months. So a bit of clarity from Celebrity would be nice haha

 

For cruises originating in Italy:

 

Sailing Testing Requirements:

All guests ages 2 and older must present a digital or physical copy of a supervised, negative COVID-19 test result in order to board their sailing.

Pre-Arrival/Embarkation Covid-19 Test

• Up to Date* Guests: Must present a negative Antigen test taken within 2 days prior to sailing. Testing at the terminal will not be required. 
• Fully-Vaccinated** Guests: Must present a negative Antigen test taken within 2 days prior to sailing. Testing at the terminal will not be required. 
• Unvaccinated Guests: Must present either a negative Antigen test taken within 1 day of sailing or have the option to be tested at the Terminal prior to Embarkation. 

 

Guests who have recently recovered from COVID-19 may present a Certificate of Recovery and proof of the positive PCR test result taken between 11 and less than 180 days prior to the sail date in order to board. The Certificate of Recovery can be presented as an NHS COVID Pass, EU Certificate of Recovery or as a letter from a healthcare provider. In addition, you must still present a vaccination card. Please be aware that some ports of call do not accept a Certificate of Recovery for the purposes of debarking and enjoying the destination. We will not accept a Certificate of Recovery in place of a vaccination record***

 

Yes I have read that so many times and thought we would be ok, but something made me double check.   I quoted the COR information to Sam and as you can see this was the reply. I have decided it’s just easier to get tested than to start the cruise arguing. We start from Civitavecchia in just over 2 weeks. 

I have just asked the same question and had a direct reply from celebrity saying you still need to produce a negative antigen test before boarding, as we were planning just to use the COR, but have now booked antigen tests. 

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/somethings-gone-wrong-with-a-purchase/if-you-want-a-refund-because-of-coronavirus/

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2020/02/coronavirus-travel-help-and-your-rights/

https://www.celebritycruises.com/content/dam/celebrity/pdf/cel-covid-19-cancellations-and-refunds-policy.pdf
 

because there is a complexity of scenarios maybe you can see if any if the above  helps. Did you book a package  with a TA or direct with Celebrity? Abta may also have some advice? You may have to claim via your travel insurance. 

30 minutes ago, LGW59 said:

Sure it is, that is until someone asks here on this forum and it no longer remains private.  

But that’s the whole point, tip extra if you want to, and the amount is whatever you deem acceptable or affordable for yourself personally, but you do whatever feels ok for you depending on your culture and don’t feel obligated to do whatever anyone else does or is expected. It’s so personal. Gratuities are already paid,  anything else is an extra given for good service. 

2 minutes ago, Pinboy said:

Wrong---

No " bullying " intended.

Perhaps a little " frustration " as we are all expressing our point of view on whether to tip or not for  room service delivery.

To me and others it makes no difference if it's included or not ?

Why so much discussion and confusion over a few $$ anyway ?

 

 

 

 

Me think thou dost protest too much. Surely tipping extra is a private and personal matter and no one else’s business? 

2 hours ago, Pinboy said:

Either way, a tip is always expected and appreciated.

Appreciated yes, expected no, this infers that a tip should be given even if you are unsatisfied with the service. Food cold, not as ordered, very late? Would you tip in a restaurant for poor service? 

19 hours ago, mom says said:

It's that anonymity.  Anyone can be as obnoxious and sanctimonious as they want when their identity is behind a fantasy user name. As evidenced on every forum.

Unfortunately some are more obnoxious than others. 

5 hours ago, Virginia100 said:

What’s your suggestion , 6:45 am?

I would agree, we have had many flights from fumancino. Most flights at 12.15 onwards with private transfer from the ship with Rome Cabs  at 7.00 am with very little time to spare at the airport. No time to eat drink or shop. This was in ‘normal’ times so goodness knows what it’s like now. It’s a very busy airport. 

2 hours ago, The Traveling Man said:

We thought it was a bit much, also.  There were about a half dozen cabs at the taxi stand when we came out of the port terminal, though, and none of them were willing to offer a better price.  We didn't book a taxi in advance this time because of a bad experience the last time we cruised to Civitavecchia.  We had booked one last November for about 130 Euros.  We waited for him curbside for about a half hour past the scheduled time.  He never showed up and did not answer his phone when we tried to call him.  We ended up grabbing a cab from the taxi stand for 150 Euros.  This time around it was 200 Euros.  We were short on time to get to the airport this time, so we really didn't have much room to negotiate. 

If you find yourself in Civitavecchia again. I would highly recommend Rome Cabs. Very professional company, have never been let down by them. Usually large  Mercedes and very professional drivers. You can book and check prices on the website. 

19 hours ago, The Traveling Man said:

That's the same as we paid last Autumn, but the rate was 200 Euros last month.

I think you were fleeced. We just paid €130 euros transfer private taxi for 2. 

20 minutes ago, RichYak said:

So the pre-paid tips I pay before sailing are bribes?

In that case we are all guilty as charged. 

9 minutes ago, Pinboy said:

It is not a bribe-- period.

While it's been quoted as being a US " thing ", as a proud Canadian, I'm happy to inform you--- We do it here too-- in our " culture ". It's just the right thing to do .

Merci--- ( Thank You ).