megr1125

1 hour ago, Dr65 said:

I’m thinking about an Edge cruise in August but as we all know airfare has become very expensive. I find fares on the FBC website and then call them and they say those fares have not been updated and then proceed to give me a Premium Economy fare double what I can get through the airline! Huh? I ask to speak to a supevisor(on hold for 1/2 hour then(of course) hung up on. I wanted to check air before booking the cruise because air from LAX to Rome is as much(or more) than the cruise.  So, are these fares on the FBC website a fantasy? Anyone have similar issues? Thanks, Gary

You can just add it yourself on their website.  Sometimes they will change a little bit but generally, if it's there, that's what it is.  Once you book it though you can't change it on line, you have to call in.  It's live pricing as far as I know.  When I was looking at one the other day, it was the same as United's site and once I put it on hold (on UA's site using FareLock) it went up right away.

YMMV but the times I've used it, the fare is the fare. SOMETIMES if you see a cheaper fare after you book, it might flake out.  In that case, I called and had the air removed totally (it was refundable and outside final) and then added it back myself.

My experience with Flights by Celebrity

Yes, I know the ups and downs of booking air through the cruise line.  That said, by booking connecting flights through Celebrity, I was able to afford business class between EWR and FCO for my recently completed cruise on Celebrity Reflection.

I was due to fly out on May 9^th at 5:30 PM on SAS via CPH.  At 8:30 AM, I my phone was going crazy with notifications that my flight was cancelled.  I do this for a living so I wasn’t TOO crazy (ok, a little.  If a client’s plans go south, I’m good.  My own?  Eh, pass me a glass of wine.)

I called SAS on one phone and X on the other.  Celebrity’s emergency day of travel department was useless, as was the email they sent me (I pasted it below!)  Celebrity still would have me on hold and I’ve been home for a few days. 

Anyway, SAS said “Oh, Mrs., no problem.  The only issue is you now leave 10 minutes later.  BUT you get in 5 hours sooner since we moved you to the 5:45 PM nonstop on United to FCO from Newark and you’re still in business class.  WHEW!  Again, CRICKETS from Celebrity.  I was happy to cool my heels in the Polaris lounge at EWR for 5 hours or so since UA allowed me to check in and check bags very early.  I also like to arrive at airports ridiculously early but that is just me.  (BTW, while I'm not a lounge expert, I thought this one was super nice and the sit-down restaurant a nice touch.  The new UA lounge opened last week but I haven't seen it yet.)

On my return, my FCO-LHR on BA was delayed around 2 hours or so due to a bird strike when the aircraft landed in Rome.  Again, no issue for me, safety first and the crew, gate agents and turnaround supervisor did their best to keep us updated.  Of course, there were a LOT of angry people but yelling at those who have no control over birds or weather or whatever is just wrong.)

However, due to this delay, I would miss my connection at LHR to EWR.  I didn’t find this out until we were in the air to London.  Again, Celebrity sends the same vague email and did NOTHING to fix the situation.  BA rebooked me into JFK which is a royal pain as it’s hard to get home to central NJ even though it’s only about 75 miles.  (I do not understand the phrase “pack light”).  I had MAYBE 35 minutes to connect at LHR including getting a new boarding pass, passport control, security and riding the tram to the correct set of gates.  They gave me a 10GBP voucher for food that I wasn’t able to use-no time.  Thankfully, I was able to eat on the plane.  British Airways had a special rep with a stack of boarding passes at the customer service desk and mine was all set for me.  Others, who’d missed the last flight out to their destination likely got housed in London.  The line was 50 people long.  I would rather have been housed in London and given a choice of airports.  I would have selected PHL, BWI or even IAD over JFK as I can easily access Amtrak from those to get home. 

 I paid for my own hotel near JFK and asked BA about paying to get me to EWR.  Long story short, I got the RIGHT person as they did (even though at first, the voucher was for the wrong amount, and I had to get a new one the next day.  That’s another story, I’ll spare you.)

The agent who helped me at JFK said that had I not already arranged my hotel, she could probably have gotten it covered for me but I’ll try to get travel insurance to pay (or BA, even though my total delay was a LITTLE under what they consider “late”).

Again, I knew what I was buying but I am very lucky that, aside from ending up at JFK, things went fairly smoothly.  My issue is directly with Flights by Celebrity.  I got this same email for each cancellation and NEVER got my updated info from them.  I did send an email, as well as copied what they sent me, to my sales manager who agreed that this is not acceptable.

Funny thing is, I’d noticed the outbound SAS flight being cancelled a few times and I made a list of 20 options (there were literally 3 times that many I think) to get me to FCO in time. (I flew in 3 days ahead of a cruise).  They put me on the one that was the top of my list, which is funny in hindsight as I said to myself, “there’s no way they’ll send you nonstop if they cancel your flight.”  Yet they did.

Perhaps it worked out well for me due to EU rules and me being on foreign carriers.  I just wanted to share my frustration with the horrible communication from the cruise line.  And my advice is knowing your options, get on the phone, be nice, be patient and be flexible.  I got the email below one hour after I knew the flight was cancelled, and 45 minutes after SAS told me I was rebooked. 

For ALL flights, both those on BA and SAS, I was able to select my seats ( I was in Biz class) at booking for no fee.  I did pay for the air before final payment and asked for it to be ticketed early but I was able to manage my flights via the carriers' websites, albeit sometimes without logging into my account and only using my name and PNR.

I will use Flights by Celebrity again BUT I will monitor my flights like crazy and NOT wait for nor expect them to be of much use in fixing things.  

Passenger(s): MEGR1125

Flights By Celebrity Record Locator:

Scandinavian Airlines Booking Locator:

Cruise Booking Confirmation Number(s):

Ship Name: REFLECTION

Sail Date: 13MAY22

Dear Guest,

As part of our commitment to ensure a seamless travel experience, we would like to advise that your itinerary has been affected by an airline schedule change for your upcoming Flights By Celebrity reservation. This change could include anything, but not limited to, flight cancellation, departure/arrival time, aircraft type, or flight number.

We are in receipt of this change and will work on it as soon as possible, however due to industry irregularities, we are delayed in meeting our targets for finalizing these revisions. We have prioritized these changes based on travel dates, but rest assured we will action all impacted schedule changes as soon as possible.

There is no need to call us as we are currently experiencing extremely high call volumes. We will automatically send the updated flight details to your email once finalized. The timeline below outlines when you can expect to receive your updated flight details:

Travel within 30 days – 48 hours turnaround

Travel within 60 days – 7 day turnaround

Travel greater than 60 days – 30 day turnaround

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to work with the airline carriers in accommodating your flights.

Sincerely,

Flights By Celebrity

On 6/19/2022 at 1:45 AM, Cruisin Around said:

Thanks so much!  This helps a lot.  I appreciate all your knowledge.  I booked through Trinity for the Embassy.  I called the hotel and for us to do it separately would have been about $70 more!  Thanks again!

You're welcome.  As a rule, I always book direct for points, upgrades and stuff.  $70 bucks is a nice savings though.  I am also close enough to drive up day of but I'm nuts and well, one accident on the turnpike like last week (which was close to my house, although it was Southbound and I'd go north) can screw you up.  I have alternate routes to take but still, it can be annoying.

Same with Amtrak and/or NJ Transit.  One bad storm and/or sick out and/or trespasser strike and stuff's shut down for hours, or as in the case of last Friday's sickout, ALLLLL day.  Hence I usually go a day ahead!

Have a great time!

17 minutes ago, floridatravelersforlife said:

This thread got me thinking.  Are there any problems using these tests outside the US?   

No as long as you have a good wifi connection.  Used them in Italy just fine though the internet in one hotel was too slow to get a connection.  As I changed hotels that day, I just did the test when I moved.

https://orlandoairports.net/getting-around-mco/coronavirus-covid-19/

Where will you be staying that wifi may not work?  You can also use cellular data too.  I've done 5 proctored eMed tests and knock on wood, never had any technical issues.

IMO it's easier on a laptop than a phone too but YMMV

On 6/14/2022 at 4:01 PM, Cruisin Around said:

Hi All!

 

Was looking at cruise packages for Bayonne on Trinity Reservations.  Has anyone had experience with either the Newark Springhill Suites or the Newark Embassy Suites?  Both are the same price for what we need.  Springhill is in Newark and Embassy is in Elizabeth, NJ.  We will be coming from Pittsburgh, PA.  Is one easier to get to over another or a better hotel?  I'm leaning towards the Springhill because we are Marriott members but doesn't have to be.  Thanks for any help!

The Springhill was the last hotel of the Marriott flavors up there to reopen after Covid.  It's not near ANYTHING to eat so you're stuck with take out or walking to the adjacent Courtyard for their bistro.

Try the Residence Inn and/or Courtyard Elizabeth (adjacent to the Embassy Suites) and you've at least got the outlet mall across to eat, as well as iHop and Ruby Tuesday though neither of those are great examples of their respective restaurant chains.

You can try those hotels direct for cruise packages too.  Yes, Trinity may be cheaper but you'll have more choices if you expand your horizons. If you're driving and are not familiar with the area, the Elizabeth ones (Embassy, CY and RI) are all next to each other, off exit 13A and are 100x easier to get to.  The ones on routes 1 and 9?  If you are not paying attention and are not in the proper lane and don't haul your butt to make the quick turn into the side street to get to the SHS (or the other Courtyard or Fairfield inn  or Home2 Suites) you're going to have to go out of the way to come back and you're gonna be mad.

I am up there all the time and know where I am going and it's still nuts!

16 hours ago, FlyerTalker said:

 

Because the vaxes have done such a good job on prevention?

Not really.  Trying to think of how to explain it without being political.  Since masks aren't required anymore, and now testing isn't either, I'd feel a little less paranoid knowing that unvaxxed people who aren't masking at least had to have a negative test to get on the plane.

I'll be wearing my mask on planes anyway but judging by my last flight and my last cruise, the number of people coughing up a lung, not masking and not even attempting to cover their mouths and/or wash hands was astounding.  Now, has is ALWAYS been like this?  Probably.  Do we notice it more now?  Of course. 

Hope that makes sense.  Just my personal opinion.  Not a scientist or medical professional, nor do I play one on TV.

I'll still be masking on the plane.  It just takes that stress away of "what if...".  I don't travel without insurance and I'm careful but still, the Negative Nellie inside me kind of messes with the end of my trip.  Double vaxxed, double boosted with trust issues.  LOL.

Personally I'd like to see testing remain for non-vaxxed or not 'up-to-date' pax but I'm not in charge. 

Um. NO.  It's NOT an easy walk if you've got luggage.  Crew does it because it's easier for them and they're used to walking all over the place.

I've stayed in that hotel and heard the desk clerk tell seasoned citizens it's walkable.  I told them they're crazy to walk and to go LOOK at what they're walking under and across.

Get a cab or an Uber. It's NOT a good way to start your cruise.  And in December?  Hellllll to the no.  Weather can be a hot  mess.  

23 hours ago, clpkab4cruising said:

Does anyone have recommendations for parking at/near the Newark airport? (Searching for my parents who will be flying out of there for a European cruise.)

 

Thanks.

 

Cheryl

Park at the airport Economy lot and prebook on the airport's official website.  

https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-travel-government-and-politics-air-af509c58df1c931caac6ecf957ea1aed?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=AP&utm_campaign=SocialFlow

About. Time.

Due to a bird strike on the aircraft I was to fly on from FCO-LHR, we left very late and I missed my LHR-EWR flight.  BA rebooked me while I was in the air from FCO, albeit into JFK, (wish I'd had an option to stay over in London and go to EWR the next day, or even PHL, BWI or IAD; any of them are easier to get home from over JFK)

Anyway, BA forked over $155 for a car service to get me back to EWR.  Ouch.  Better them than me.

Both Courtyards and the Residence Inn offer them (Marriott brands) but you have to poke around to find them.  

The Country Inn did as well.  Please note, at some point later this summer, the Country Inn will become another Hampton Inn.

The Embassy Suites may as well.

It's an acceptable hotel but there is =NOTHING= around to eat, except the Bistro at the Courtyard.  It was the last hotel (Marriott flavor) to reopen after being closed for a long time during the pandemic. You can order delivery but pickings are kinda slim.

I stayed there once and really didn't like it  and I am a Marriott snob.  I thought it was dirty and the staff was not pleasant.  I much prefer the Courtyard (either of them actually-the one in Elizabeth, south of EWR or the one adjacent to the SHS) or the Residence Inn Elizabeth.  I'm also not a fan of the Fairfield Inn either.

The Courtyards both have a lot of flight crews so, IMO they tend to be a little quieter though YMMV based on day of the week.

The Courtyard and Residence Inn EWR/Elizabeth at least have the option of the outlet mall across the street, as well as a mediocre iHop and a mediocre Ruby Tuesday.

I stayed at the full service Marriott and it was just ok.  The restaurant/bar was a nightmare-both staffing, food quality and cleanliness (same for the 'concierge' lounge which is a section of the restaurant.  They did comp my meal and remade it for me.  Also, there's a Renaissance that was decent.  Haven't stayed there in a while.  Was due to stay a couple weeks ago after my flight home from Rome but due to a bird strike, and a missed connection, I was rebooked to JFK

HTH

Yes, we had to wear masks into Italy a couple weeks ago, but not flying home.  However, keep checking as this could change. 

1 hour ago, phillygwm said:

I've flown both domestically and internationally this year.  While one of my domestic flights was delayed for weather, that could happen at any time. For cruises, I always fly in the day before just in case.  But another thing to consider is the cost of airfare: it's through the roof now, so much that it's a significant line in my cruise budget.

 

Flying internationally was exponentially more stressful, especially on the return to the US, where there's a COVID test involved.  I'll think twice before traveling internationally for the foreseeable future.

 

All that said, my next cruise is purposely out of NYC, which is an easy Amtrak ride.  

 

Same for me re: Amtrak or NJ Transit to NYC. That said, one tree limb on the catenary or one trespasser and you're SOL.  Hence, even though I'm an hour from the port, I'm going a day ahead when I sail from NYC or Cape Liberty.  

I had no issues when I booked, I was able to select the flights I wanted and choose my seats so no real problem there.  My whole issue is that they really suck at communicating and it needs to be fixed.

I only wanted to share my experience here in that the carriers did their job and for that, I'm very happy.  I knew what I was buying and I'm impressed that things went smoothly.

FCO, BTW was a hot mess express. At least I had fast track but wow, security's a bleep show.  A LOT of people missed their flights.  I got there about 50 minutes before check in even opened and I am glad I did.

On 4/26/2022 at 5:51 PM, Globaliser said:

 

 

This is an excellent idea in these circumstances. We have actually done this, although for slightly different reasons: our package included a post-cruise day room at the hotel, and so we were able to meet local friends for lunch there before flying back to London.

 

One thing to mention: you can easily take your bags down to check-in when it opens without checking out of your hotel room, so (subject only to how long your day rate allows you to stay in the room) you can come back to the room and continue to use it, finally checking out in time to go through security. I don't think that either of the lounges is anything to write home about, so I doubt that you'd want to specially make time to visit one. And you will almost certainly be better off showering in your hotel room than in the lounge (a pre-flight shower, especially before a night flight, is on my list of essentials).

 

As you'll have a flat bed, my advice would also be to maximise your sleep time as it's a relatively short flight, especially allowing for the fact that there will be quite a bit of activity in the cabin for the last 90 minutes or so of the flight.

I may or may not have rolled out of bed at 7AM, gotten dressed, rolled down to check in bags, returned to my room, napped, showered, ate and gone to the gate!  It's one of my fave in-airport hotels!

If all else fails, there's a nice Hyatt in the airport (landside) and you may be able to book a day room and/or get the bell staff to hold your bags and you can relax in the lobby bar and/or restaurant.  (Pre Covid, I often checked my bags and walked around the terminal or enjoyed lunch in McCoy's in the hotel).  I'd suggest calling the hotel directly to ask about day rooms (sometimes they'll have them on the Hyatt website) a few days or a week before your flight.

Mine took exactly 2 weeks as I didn't provide my SS# to the agency who did the "interview' (which was 'is this your name and address?  Yes, ok great, let's do your fingerprints and photo).

My renewal, done on line took all of 20 minutes for the email to come.  Precheck has no card, you'll get an email with your KTN.  I also have CLEAR and the 2 of them together are, IMO priceless and worth every penny.  Opted to not get GE as getting an interview seems to be a hot mess and tbh, by the time you get your luggage, any savings of time getting through customs and immigration may be negated.  (Again, that's MY experience only, YMMV)

1 hour ago, Daytonasailor said:

Just remember, when you take your normally checked bags thru the scanner and x-ray, everything over 3 oz is trashed. Running late , checked bags was closed and had to hand carry luggage thru TSA. Been there, done that.

They aren't talking about the airport and carrying bags, they're talking about at the pier.  That scanning at the pier is NOT TSA and they don't care about how big your shampoo is, just whether or not you've got booze. 

When check in opened for my cruise, it wasn't actually showing up on the app nor the website until somewhere around noon EDT so, you might be waking up super early for nothing.  Or staying up late.  LOL

Love it!!

The 25% extra for FCCs is handled differently and "reduces the price". Call it Royal's fuzzy math and it's really annoying. What you actually paid out of pocket is a payment.  The extra 25% is like a "coupon" for lack of a better term.  

It's hard to explain and wrap one's head around.  

Hope that helps

BUT if it's fully paid, I'm not sure what they're talking about.  Your TA should be able to get an answer why and explain it all to you.