the penguins
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Really. Many "join" the Roll Call before they book often using this years sailing to help plan next years or last years to help plan this years.
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Sports programming at Craft Social in Europe
the penguins replied to Karen450's topic in Celebrity Cruises
If he wants a guarantee that he can see his favourite sports it's simple - leave him at home 🤣. -
if 3104 is on the Port side you could be under the disco/nightclub. We have been offered an accessible cabin twice and refused it each time. I would call and discuss an alternative.
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we booked the train that departed before the cruise ships excursion. Walked from the ship to the station. When we got back discovered there was really nothing to do in Flam - we eventually took a sightseeing boat to the other side of the Fjord and came back on a regular bus.
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Is Celebrity trying to imitate HAL
the penguins replied to Ipeeinthepools's topic in Celebrity Cruises
I was responding to a Post comparing Celebrity with Princess and on that comparison the difference is not great. I am much better of on X as I don 't need to buy any package (Elite+ gives me all the WIFI I need plus unlimited speciality teas/coffee/chocolate - we don't drink alcohol - and enough water/sodas during Happy Hour to see us through 24 hours). We haven't looked at a HAL cruise since our terrible experiences on Westerdam in 2017 which included: 1) day 8 of a 12 night cruise before we had hot water and a working toilet at the same time. 2)Taps over the bath that my wife couldn't turn due to her Arthritis - the plumber's response was " we have much better taps with levers if you like I can fit them for you". We later learnt the new taps had been brought on board when the ship went in for a refit but for some reason they weren't fitted. No cabins available with just shower cubicles. 3) a coffee shop with only one person working the espresso machines. HAL's response to the long lines wasn't to get extra staff so they could use both machines but to get chairs. 4) no fresh supplies of food/cakes/pastries in the coffee shop after 8.0pm - the place was like a morgue. 5) shows so bad that even the Cruise Director didn't bother to come and introduce them. On one night after 35 minutes the production show just stopped leaving us wondering if it had ended. After waiting a few minutes the house lights came on so clearly it was time to go. I could go on but you get the idea. No apology from HAL. On the last night, after repeated requests, they gave us a small discount on our Account. After much post cruise correspondence got an offer of an additional FCC which ran out during Covid and which HAL refused to extend. Shame as our our cruises on the smaller ships had been great. -
Is Celebrity trying to imitate HAL
the penguins replied to Ipeeinthepools's topic in Celebrity Cruises
I would suggest that the drinks/wifi/tips packages are perhaps not as different as you imply. For comparison in Europe this summer prices were: Princess: $60 per person per day Celebrity (with the tips added) $66 per person per day. In addition as with X you add the tips separately anyone with OBC can use that to pay all or part of the tips whereas with Princess you are using "real" money. Personally neither package offers any value to us as our Elite+ benefits means we are far better off on Celebrity. -
There didn't seem to when we boarded Reflection in October. There were 2 lines: the first short for suites and, if you asked, for disabled. The second, a very long line for everyone else. Several Suite Guests questioned the Port Staff as to why we were being allowed in the Suite Line - clearly my wife's bright red Rollator wasn't a good enough clue.
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Should last the year. If they were raised X always gives notice so you can pay at the current rate.
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All the cruise lines base it's published passenger numbers on 2 guests per cabin (plus the few singles) which gives a level playing field when you are comparing. However if you look at the actual quarterly figures most of the lines operate at over 100% capacity based on that system. That has nothing to do with life boat capacity. Taking into account the lifeboats you see, the inflatable rafts in the big round boxes etc the ships have the capacity to disembark every passenger from each side of the ship i.e. everyone could be evacuated using just one side of the ship. The ships are also designed to be their own lifeboats i.e. to keep everyone safe onboard until rescue arrives.
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absolute rubbish. The vast majority pay the "auto grats". As it's impossible to pay all the staff who are included in the system individually (for example Laundry staff or the staff in the public restrooms) anyone who doesn't has to accept that a considerable number of the crew will have worked for less money than they should have had.
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Really. For a first Post depending on the port that's really bad advice But of course you won't be there to "share the pain" if they take your advice and are board at a port where the Authorities do check and enforce the times.
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Stuff a bus - lots of cabins with 3 plus passengers increasing passenger numbers to way over 100% which in turn affects crowding on the decks and in all inside venues /lounges - a bit like the Christmas/New Year Sailings. Spa Pool area likely to be opened up for families at least for part of the day.
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All of the UK schools/colleges will be on holiday during August and anyone here who doesn't want to be on an E class ship could well be booking Silhouette (a very popular ship when it sailed from the UK). The so called obstructed views on Deck 6 aren't too bad - basically you can't look down but looking out is generally OK.
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I like your attitude - it works by not using it.
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this dispute has been ongoing for a couple of years with no sign of a settlement. Bus bookings are up due to the uncertainty
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the crew all know so don't worry just give extra to whoever you chose to.
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has one of your group booked Speciality Dining on one night?
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We have sat out on our traditional balcony every day for a minimum of 3 hours on every TA both East and West Bound. I just can't imagine doing that on the low backed, non reclining chairs that are a feature of an IV cabin. Nor for that matter would we have space for our lunch which we also have on the balcony. IV's seem perfect for passengers who like the idea of a balcony but don 't actually use it.
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X has a unique solution to the boarding day lunch which is offered for example to Concierge Class Passengers. When too many passengers are likely to be too late, on some cruises X simply changes the lunch from the boarding day to a Sea Day (I know it's not the same thing so don't shoot the messenger). Unfortunately you won't find out if your cruise is affected until you board. It's an "all or nothing solution" i.e. however early you board if X has decided to go for the Sea Day option no one gets the Boarding Day Lunch.
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the wellness questionnaire can be completed on line the morning you board so it's not an issue.
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Be careful if you are considering the train as the Drivers are still in dispute with the management with the next batch of strikes due between the 5 and 8 April. Also the carriages are designed for Commuters with baggage space mainly limited to the end of the carriages i.e. out of sight of the seating, which some passengers may feel uncomfortable about.
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I have no idea of how Princess works and they use a different terminal to X. My comments were for how it works on X. If you arrive at around the right time you will be on board in your cabin in about 20 minutes. Unlike on Princess you go direct to your cabin and your room key will be waiting for you. You can leave your carry on bags and use the safe even if your cabin isn't fully ready - it's a great system. Wifi and lighting is often poor in Southampton and it pays to have all your docs printed out and in your hand rather than to rely on your phone.
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depends on the port. Southampton for example checks the time. Arrive early and you will be sent to the holding line - no seats and no cover. Other Posters have reported the same at other Ports. Arriving early is at your own risk - if it doesn't work don't complain.
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You are trying to book in the peak holiday season so not surprising X is holding out for 3 pax per cabin. Even if cabins for 2 become available you will most likely be on a ship with several hundred kids and in ports that will be swamped. This demand might also be a reaction to there not being an S class ship sailing from the UK. If you really want to experience the Fjords I would recommend you look at Hurtigruten out of Bergen - the 12 night Classic Round-trip covers the whole coast and numerous Fjords.