vulcan1971

@aaalynn1 - hello there! It has been many years since we have cruised from Italy. Our last time was in 2013 and 2014. Both times we used Rome Cabs and was not disappointed. The drivers were prompt and professional. In our situation, we were being picked up from the place we were staying in central Rome and driven out to Civitavecchia. On one occasion, In 2013 I had to make a change at the last minute to go back to the airport for drop-off because the ship we were embarking had to board us in Naples due to weather conditions not allowing for boarding in Civitavecchia. The cruise line provided a coach transfer from the airport to the port in Naples on the day of the cruise. Rome Cabs was able/willing to work with us and even lowered our charge since we were not going all the way to Civitavecchia. We are planning to use them again in Nov 2023 for our airport transfer to our hotel in Civitavecchia.

This is a great post for the ports of call section of the forum.

1 hour ago, kwokpot said:

Generally with facial recognition and masks the way it would work is that you are asked to briefly lower your mask as you past by the cameras. 

@kwokpot - maybe you intended to quote @ipeeinthepool about the topic of facial recognition?

Everything done on a large scale, such as moving large groups of people from Point A to Point B, will need a lot of consideration on how to accomplish. This thread has been concerned on speculation about how current categories of bookings with their related perks can be delivered to passengers in this new COVID world of cruising.

27 minutes ago, ipeeinthepool said:

 

I'm not so sure the cruise lines care so much about disembarkation.  They will still want you off the ship as soon as possible.  I keep thinking about the cruises I've been on when we had restrictions do to Noro.  No self-serve in the buffet, etc.  However on disembarkation day, all of those restrictions magically disappeared and it was self serve in the buffet.  Did everyone suddenly get cured of Noro on the last night?  Obviously not.  But as soon as we were off the ship we are no longer their problem.  

 

I'll suggest that there may be a wider implementation of facial recognition and other tools for passengers to clear customs by just walking through the terminal.  If you can eliminate the lines in the terminal, there won't be as much of a rush to get off the ship to "beat the lines".  

 

Now if we can find a way to get more taxis to Terminal 25 at Port Everglades....

@ipeeinthepool - It's my take from your post when you say "I'm not so sure the cruise lines care so much about disembarkation." that this is your impression of how things were pre-pandemic. Your idea of facial recognition can be useful but not so much if passengers are required to be wearing a facemask. Do you really think that cruise lines will focus only on checking the health and well-being of cruise passengers and following health protocols when boarding but not when you leave the ship? That attitude of "its no longer my problem" once the passenger leave the ship is clearly not going to fly in our new normal.

I realize that we all are just speculating on what embarkation will look like when it comes time to return to a reduced capacity cruise (I don't think anybody thinks full capacity will happen any time soon). I get that people paying for perks certainly want to feel like they received the benefits that were inferred when booking the reservation. I've done Concierge once or twice, but only once was during the available embarkation lunch, which was definitely well received. However, there will likely be a need to focus on how the disembarkation process happens. I'm thinking that the long lines for self-disembarkation won't be permitted any more than people crowding on the lower decks waiting for a luggage tag number to be called. This needs to be well thought out and would equally impact how soon the embarkation process could start.

Now, back to our regular scheduled programming on "Speculation".

On 9/1/2020 at 5:33 AM, sparkx said:

 

Thanks for sharing this - My understanding remains that she'll be off of the coast of France for a few weeks and then head over to join Edge around Cococay. I've seen quite a few posts from on board that confirm that.  Slightly surprised they won't have her come to Southampton to join some of the Royal ships, but sounds like they have a financial deal with the yard for the anchoring. 

 

And that's for sharing the post - she's a really stunning ship.  If you have any questions give me a shout! 

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I've started following you on multiple social media platforms.  🙂

5 hours ago, CHEZMARYLOU said:

Even accounting for the change in itinerary and 10 days vs 7 on Apex the per diem on Edge still comes out to $8,500 pp more for 7 days than we are paying on Apex.

Well, I guess you should be patting yourself on the back for getting such a great deal at the time in which you booked.  🙂

On 8/27/2020 at 8:32 AM, CHEZMARYLOU said:

You think $2000 is insane.  We were booked on Edge February 2021.  Did a L&S to March 2022, B2B on Apex. Our suite is now $8,900 PP higher than we are paying. 

@CHEZMARYLOU - I agree that what you describe sounds even MORE INSANE than my situation. However, I was comparing an Apex to Apex shift, not an Edge to Apex shift. I suspect therein lies the reason for a larger discrepancy in price increase.

21 minutes ago, sanger727 said:

The CDC has recently released a recommendation that businesses not challenge people who don't wear a mask - even though they are required - because there have been many instances of store employees being assaulted by the customers. There are a great many reasons for why Europe is doing better than the US that go far beyond the mask vs shield debate. When the center of disease control has to tell people - yes, people should wear a mask, but it's not worth getting shot over - it's pretty hopeless. 

Yeah, like people staying home for an extended time to limit the potential of spread followed by a slower and thoughtful reopening. Gee, I wonder if that would have worked in the U.S.? Oh, wait a second... isn't that what the CDC recommended in the reopening guidance? Much of the country didn't follow it and look where we are as a country.  The northeast did follow it and essentially are managing to have some semblance of normalcy. It comes at a great effort needed from ALL to make this work.

8 hours ago, diamondintn said:

Has anyone been on Millennium post revolution? I'd love to know what people think of the changes that were made. Our cabin is one of the new ones on the Resort deck. (1008).

1 hour ago, Rustyman said:

The ship was fantastic, staff great and it turned out to be one of the best cruises ever. I’m sure you’ll love it, the ship is much nicer than pre refit, it’s fresh, clean and a happy ship.

@diamondintn - I've only been on the Summit post-revolution in an Aqua Class (A2) stateroom (9043). Practically a duplicate in design/layout. I've been on several M-Class ships prior to the Revolution Re-fit and I liked the ships as they were just as much as I enjoyed the refresh. I'd be just as happy to sail on Constellation (not updated) as I would be on Summit or Millennium. The only change that I have frowned on is that the Murano styled restaurant on M-Class is gone (changed to Qsine for ships not refreshed, or, Tuscan Grille moved down to Deck 3 and Qsine to Deck 11 for ships that were refreshed). Chances are that you likely won't notice a difference in the size of the stateroom. The overall ship, with the exception of the new rooms, is essentially the same but just looks like a new ship. Enjoy your cruise!

On 8/24/2020 at 6:37 AM, mikkelhansen said:

If this guy is just a little bit right in his claims, it would appear that both my "thoughts" mentioned above are true - off-shore anchoring before being moved to the Caribbean:

The hype is real!!!

 

Go see all the wonderful pictures and videos for yoursel on this link: https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/celebrityapex/

This individual also has a blog page at www.sparx.org and I have included a link to his entry about the Apex where you can view even more pictures, both exterior and interior in all different phases.

https://sparkx.org/?p=12035

Enjoy!

2 hours ago, Ashland said:

I got a nice price reduction for my July 30, 2021 cruise.

I originally booked on Dec 2, 2019 and saved $$'s on Feb 19, 2020.

Sometimes their sales actually work out.

Now fingers crossed they sail.

@Ashland - This is roughly the time when I booked my only future cruise. Originally booked for March 2021 on the APEX. I have already done L&S to February 2022. Current pricing on that cruise as of this week is more than $2000 what I am booked for. The going rate right now is INSANE.

5 hours ago, TeeRick said:

Joel,

There are a few things that generally in normal times get people going here.  Let's recap:

-Smoking, smoking on balconies, smoking areas

-Loud music

-Infinite Verandas

-Taking "perks" away.

-Oh those horrible suite passengers taking away prime ship space

-Oh those horrible suite passengers daring to dine in Blu

-Food in the MDR is inedible

-The Eden show on E-Class

-E-Class vs S-Class vs M-Class

-Kelly Hoppen and Hoppenization of Celebrity ships

-Footstools or lack thereof

-Gratuities

-Price of drink packages and specialty restaurants, price of WiFi

-Chair Hogs

-Art Auctions

-Scooters

-Cleanliness of the buffet

-Lisa Lutoff-Perlo (LLP)

-Saint Captain Kate

 

Of course people can come up with others I'm sure.  But none of these things seem as important to us right now as before when we were free to plan, book and take cruises.😀

 

 

@TeeRick - It can't be forgotten how many threads have been had on dressing for cruises / the MDR and whether or not shorts can be worn (where and when). 😆

On 7/26/2020 at 7:04 AM, hcat said:

Hoping this thread will be a  continuing one that allows us to share tidbits and info about APEX.

We are booked on her for a short cruise in 2022, and  look forward to experiencing her first hand.( first time in a suite). 

 

Seems there will be lots of exciting features..some are like EDGE but  also new  changes... a bigger gym, new bar overlooking the Grand Plaza, new shows, new menu for EDEN restaurant.... and all new art! 

 

This Cruise Critic article ( see link)  is an  enterainment overview:

https://www.celebritycruises.com/things-to-do-onboard/entertainment/apex

@hcat - thank you for starting this thread. I think this is sorely missed (and needed) for those of us new to Edge class ships and have an itinerary booked on Apex. Like you, I also have an Apex sailing in early 2022 now (in a suite); I have also not yet been on the Edge. My one and only time in a suite on Celebrity was back when there used to be Aqua Class suites on Reflection... and all prior to the roll out of their suite benefits program. I'm now following.

1 hour ago, vulcan1971 said:

 

@robinandrobert - I would agree. They likely have people much closer to final payment date that need this transaction completed. My original cruise date was March 2021.

 

By the way, I'm surprised this is your first post and you have been a member since 2007.

6 minutes ago, jelayne said:

  My L & S was from a Feb 2021 cruise to a Feb 2022 and I did it on-line early this month.  Took 2 days,  not sure how I got so lucky.

So, oddly enough in my boredom today, I logged into my Celebrity Cruises profile to see whether or not my old cruise was listed or if the new one was listed. To my surprise, the new cruise is listed. Now this could have been done days ago and I didn't think to look. Now that the new cruise shows in my upcoming cruises, I will only bug the TA in about two weeks if I don't see a new confirmation sent.

17 minutes ago, tallnthensome said:

Prices going forward are horrible and any new “sale” is no sale at all when they have raised the prices through the roof. For those of us who booked future cruises a ways back before Covid for 2021 and 2022 we are in better shape. I booked the Apex for April 2022 earlier this year for four in a balcony and all perks for $4079. Today it is around $6300. Any sale they have now would never bring the current price back into my booking range and I am seeing this with many future cruises. My opinion is like others. Keep the bookings you have already and don’t give them a dime for new bookings right now unless you like being ripped off and/or never seeing that cash again. Wait until they sail safely and they get rid of their ridiculous prices on a product that is going nowhere right now. 

@tallnthensome - I agree 100% with your post. In February 2020, I booked an Apex Aft S1 for early March 2021. Two month later in early May 2020, I did a dummy booking for the same date / cruise ship / room type and the price was up about $2000. I figured I would hold on to the reservation through the summer and see what happened. I made the decision about 2 weeks ago to L&S since the ability to do so was extended to 30 Sep 2020.

Today, I did dummy bookings for my original Mar 2021 cruise and the price to book today is still $1700 more than when I booked back in February 2020. I also looked at a dummy booking for the same cruise I shifted to in late February 2022 and an Apex Aft S1 is greater than $2000 more than my original booking price. Even my TA agreed that the prices are terribly high from pre-COVID rates.

1 hour ago, robinandrobert said:

I did the lift and shift online on the 4th and have not heard anything back yet.   I actually went in today and tried again and a message popped up that I had already requested.   It still shows my 11/2/2020 cruise in my profile.   I'm assuming they are just way behind. 

@robinandrobert - I would agree. They likely have people much closer to final payment date that need this transaction completed. My original cruise date was March 2021.

By the way, I'm surprised this is your first post and you have been a member since 2007.

9 minutes ago, TorontoSailor said:

Last week, I opted for an online Lift and Shift. Had to change ships, but I don’t really mind, as I’ve been on most of the Celebrity ships, except the newest ones. Changed from a winter 2021 (too soon for us!) to winter 2022 (much better odds it will go and bookings are filling up fast!)

 

The website said I’d  receive confirmation within 72 hours, but, of course, that has lapsed. Celebrity has a habit of not sticking to its own policies, in my experience. 

 

For anyone who did an online L/S, how long did it take to get your confirmation? At what point should I call and check?

I’m not overly concerned. Hard to get too worked up about something a year and a half away! 
 

Just curious about other people’s experiences with this.

 

Thanks...and stay safe/healthy, everyone! 

I know your question specifically references how long it takes for an "on-line" L&S. I called my TA to process a L&S because I didn't book directly with Celebrity. When we spoke, he also mentioned that I likely wouldn't hear sooner than 3 days given the time it took to process. Since I called to make the change, it has also gone beyond the 3 days. I'm not surprised at this point. I told the TA I would call back in a week or two if I didn't see the confirmation from Celebrity come through.

2 hours ago, ECCruise said:

803,000 not scared any longer.

@ECCruise - your point is well taken, at least by me.

@Pinboy - what exactly did you find funny about this post?

I think that most people with extensive cruise experience know that going to food venues at peak times will always find them crowded, whether the ship is 2000 or 6000 passengers. I figured that out after 2 or 3 cruises. Hence, we tend to dine later for lunch and later for dinner. Never a problem and not crowded when we dine.

I did a 15-day westbound Transatlantic on Reflection. The only other S-Class ship I have tried happens to be the Silhouette. I did not notice a difference in increased passengers or crowding of venues. If you loved Silhouette, you will really enjoy the Reflection.

5 hours ago, Miaminice said:

We normally really dislike the ship’s tours. I always say I have a bus and crowd allergy. So we usually book with local guides for 6 persons max.

 

But people, this ain’t normal times!!!

Maintaining a controlled environment makes perfect sense.

 

So it’s kind of funny to read so many post here about what people don’t like or won’t do... Tours, dancing and even the most basic thing like masks.

 

With all due respect: compromise or stay at home. This is how it needs to be done now and probably for some time to come - vaccine or not. Nobody is forced to cruise. But stop whining if you can’t just because you are not willing to do the right thing,

 

We can’t just press a button an make it all go away!

BTW: so far the price for excursions on the cruises sailing is just the same as before - regardless of smaller groups.

 

Exactly this!!! Thank you for saying it in a way more appropriate than I could have managed in the moment. If cruising is to come back with any amount of confidence for passengers to be safe, cruisers will need to start being part of the solution (not part of the problem) when it comes to embracing changes in the cruise industry.

There was another separate thread on the MSC decision to remove a family for not following rules for shore excursions and I see that this thread now is talking about it. I won't derail the OPs topic about crowding on ships but now that I have given it some thought, and after having read a few of the comments in this thread, I have some thoughts...

In cruises occurring in pre-COVID times:

• the ship has all passengers on board on embarkation day (for most of the day).
• the ship has all passengers on board on sea days (all day).
• the ship has all passengers on board overnight (entire cruise, except for overnight port stops).

The ship seems to operate just fine when the ship was at full capacity. Given that it is very likely that cruising will resume with a reduced passenger capacity, I seriously doubt that passengers will feel "crowded" on the ships.

The cruise lines would be well suited to be creating and planning for more types of on-board activities occurring across the whole ship (whether free or with a price). While there will be a segment of passengers that will take the ship sponsored port excursions, Many passengers are likely not going to be leaving the ship for any other reason than to disembark when the cruise ends.

11 minutes ago, Von & John said:

 

@hcat - this statement is the key for me...
Hoping this is simply a C-19 mitigation rule 🙂

Which will quickly disappear - when it is no longer needed...

Agreed.

On 8/17/2020 at 5:39 PM, vulcan1971 said:

I'm glad to see this thread and have enjoyed reading each persons differing experiences.

 

I've already had several short versions of "The Talk" as a means of priming the situation for when it will eventually need to occur. I have a March 2021 Apex Aft S1 and there appears to be plenty of option for a L&S in 2022. On top of this, I'm also not able to travel to Canada during this time so having "The Talk" on the phone has been easier than I anticipated. My partner is working to get a new PR card issued but who knows how long that will take. I figure if cruises are happening in early 2021 and we are both able to travel, we could hopefully just book something last minute.

UPDATE... I phoned my TA today and pulled the trigger to L&S my March 2021 Apex cruise to a late-February 2022 itinerary. Now, I will just wait and watch and keep my fingers crossed for others either hoping to take their cruise or will inevitably go through a cancellation or rebooking process. Good luck to all.

Not sure what kind of discussion this thread will generate but I think MSC made a good call.