HappyTvlr

I asked a previous question about Masterpiece collection excursions, and I am back again trying to get clarification.  I received my documents for my 28 July trip, and I was left with lingering questions about the AM/PM options because some seem to overlap.  I called for clarification, and was told one excursion was already sold out.  I protested because it is clearly stated that these can be booked up to 48 hours prior to departure, and that the space permitting limitations only apply once onboard.  I was rudely told sorry, and to "try" once onboard.  Not acceptable to me.  I was floored when they had no information for the last and busiest day with multiple Masterpiece options are listed.  I was told that day will obviously be handled onboard.  

Now for my question.  I want to know if I can reasonably count on being able to do excursions listed as AM and PM.  The times seem to overlap in the descriptions, and I am very hesitant to book an optional Masterpiece excursion that can't be cancelled if it conflicts with another excursion.

Also, I have read here in CC that Masterpiece options don't usually sell out so I was floored by this one being sold out well in advance.  Please let me know your experiences.  This is my first European river cruise, and I am used to timetables available on ocean cruises.  I did a river cruise with Uniworld in India, but that was different because there were so few excursions.

Thanks in advance. 

Loving this! I'm hoping to go next year.  Getting back to Honfleur, did anyone do the golf option? If so, any information would be appreciated.

I have, thank you.  Most are labeled, but the description online makes some seem as though they may overlap.  We had a problem trying to get info from Uniworld in India.  They have those wonderful daily sheets onboard, but wouldn't share them until the last minute.  I'm just a bit of a planner, and I like to have all available information.

I would like to know what if any problems people have had booking Masterpiece Collection excursions while onboard. I am particularly interested in knowing whether or not some options regularly sell out.  As noted below, Uniworld allows pre-booking.  My problem is they provide very ambiguous information with regard to timing and choices.  There are some options that I am very interested in, but I am hesitant to book without additional information.  Thanks!

*Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences can be added to a booking up to 48 hours prior to the cruise/tour start date–if the booking window is missed, guests can book onboard (space permitting) and pay in Euros. Pre-booked Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences are refundable up to 48 hours prior to the cruise/tour start date–if inside of 48 hours they are non-refundable. Select Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences require a minimum number of participants and are subject to cancellation (with full refund) if minimum is not met. Gratuities are included. Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences are non-commissionable. Prices are subject to change.

Thanks for the information. How did you get it? I am on the 28 July AMS to BUC river cruise and can't figure out their schedule. On some days they clearly list choices, but on some days they have multiple AM and PM options that I assume we choose from.  I have only been on Uniworld in India where there weren't overlapping options.  Can I assume if there are AM and PM options that both will be possible? The current schedule lists Peles in the AM and Peoples in the PM, but it seems like a push to get back for the Peoples.  Any info would be appreciated.

21 hours ago, dolllover said:

I may do this trip in the future. My question since it's inevitable one will get sick on this trip how are the busses? I would hope there is a toilet on the bus.

Yes there is a toilet on the bus except for when you are in Kolkata, and it was kept clean.  Keep in mind that most excursions from the boat were primarily walks or rickshaw rides from the boat, and on occasion you took a short small boat ride from the boat to shore if docking was not available.  I made sure I ate lightly before going ashore, and I saved my indulgences in local food and drink for days that we had only an AM excursion and we were cruising after lunch.

Just completed this cruise in Oct 18, and the review above covers it perfectly.  India is tough on the senses and body, but it truly is a trip of a lifetime and well worth it.  As for illness, my husband I (as well as most on the ship) suffered with a day or two of gastro issues.  I firmly believe it was caused by eating too much rich food that our bodies are just not used to.  We had a lot of interaction with the chef, and every effort is made to ensure people have local food they can enjoy but moderation is the key.  We heard so many people try to pressure him into making richer and hotter dishes.  He did not, and they still had issues here and there again likely to overindulging the already rich food.  Western foods are always available, and as much as I wanted more local food I found that striking a balance between local and western food solved my issues quickly. 

I can not encourage you enough to take this trip, but do so with an open mind and take precautions such as traveling with appropriate medications.  

We just got off Summit a few days ago. With the exception of the sofa in our stateroom looking a bit tired, the rest of the ship looked to be in great conditions. The flooring, walls, armchairs, all looked good. I didn't see any nicks or scratches anywhere, and I didn't see anything (aside from our sofa) that looked like it needed to be replaced. Will be happy to post pictures, if I can figure out how

Just off Summit in June 2017. Agree with above post that most of the common areas were in great shape due to the drydock. However, room was unacceptable because it appears they have not been touched. Ours had duct tape on the mirror, the bathroom had an awful stench from the drain, the toilet had to be repaired, and there was a puddle in front of the wardrobes for three days from a leak from the air con which also damaged the carpet. Outside the stateroom the only problem we encountered was in the Persian Gardens. The aromatherapy steam room had a broken diffuser so no aromatics, and the heated seats shut down completely half way through the cruise. It was my first and last time on the Summit.

Why is she the best? (I'm genuinely curious, not trying to start a gender war)

I wonder the same thing. Just got off the Summit with her as Captain, and can't figure it out. Didn't dislike her, but can't figure out the hype. I seem to be in the minority.

Just got back, and we did the Bermuda Triangle trip through the ship. It was a fabulous trip. The skipper was a funny and informative young man. He took us to a site not listed on the ship's description because there were too many other snorkelers at the two sites listed. The site we went to was incredible along with the fish and coral reef. He also did a "drive by" over one of the other sites because he has a glass bottom boat.

We also snorkeled Cooper's Nature reserve by taking Celebrity's Hidden Gems tour. Not a whole lot of fish, but the coral was amazing. This was a great tour because we got to swim in a cave, and cliff dive (15ft) into a lagoon.

Cooper's is next to Turtle Bay which I heard was quite good. We also heard Tobacco Bay is very good. We just ran out of time because we were there for America's cup.

We did not visit Snorkel Beach which is a very short walk from the ship. People we met on the ship who visit Bermuda regularly and are avid snorkelers said it was bad because it is a man made beach and the water is not good because it is too close to the ships. Locals were really negative about the spot. They are offended that people are charged to go to a man made beach when there are countless free public beaches.

Just got off the Summit to Bermuda, and had ship booked excursions rescheduled. As others noted, we found out only when we got onboard and found the notice with rebooked tickets. This was my fifth cruise, and I have always only booked through Celebrity. I like the ease of it, and price comparisons have come up pretty close in most cases. This was the first time for the schedule changes. We were really upset because we were on the cruise to see America's Cup, and the changes conflicted with other activities we planned. We made things work, and loved the excursions. We learned from the skipper on the snorkel trip that he gets paid for holding spaces if he signs up for a trip for Celebrity. He gets paid for a minimum of 20 and then for each additional passenger. When we first booked the snorkel trip it was offered twice during our 4 night stay in Bermuda, but when it was rebooked it was only offered the once. We suspect Celebrity had less than 20 for each trip so they combined the groups to avoid paying for two 20 minimum trips. I'm getting ready to post a review of my Summit trip, and it is not favorable. We felt there were a lot of negative changes based on shortcuts and general customer service problems. More on that later.

I overheard a woman at the table next to me in the Tuscan Grille tell her tablemates that she was enjoying the goat’s cheese salad and that it didn’t taste a bit like a goat.

After they left, I asked the server what the craziest thing he ever heard was. He was very reluctant to answer, but it was late and the place was nearly empty so he gave me a good one. He said he was once berated by a passenger for not bringing the right glass of wine. The passenger ordered chardonnay which is what he was given. The passenger became irate and insisted that he enjoys chardonnay and this most certainly was not chardonnay because chardonnay is red.

Take the great advice already given, and join our active roll call!

Thanks for the post. I was considering the tasting menu in Murano on my upcoming cruise, but fear I will run into the same problem. We have done countless tasting menus, and have run into this problem. I think it comes down to the staff on the night because as you said there are times when the glass is never empty. I won't apologize for wanting more than a sip of wine particularly when the portions are more than a couple bites. We have taken the approach of discussing the pours before ordering and getting the sommelier to clarify if "top ups" are available. This has saved us a lot of grief of sitting there hoping for more. On occasions where they were strict with the pours we just paid for a third wine tasting to be split between us.

On Solstice in Oct 2013 Celler Masters was serving wines by the glass, but the sommelier was horrible in pushing wines above the premium limit. I'm talking in the region of $30+ a glass. It was a shame because there were several within the limit, and we really enjoyed the atmosphere but the sommelier was very passive aggressive when we turned down offers for expensive wines.

As for the Martini Bar on Solstice on the same cruise, we noticed they were serving the smaller glasses even on premium and we enjoyed it because we got to try a bigger variety of martinis. We guessed that they were doing this to deal with a large number of people on the classic package because hardly anyone seemed to be signing and paying for drinks. This is just a guess, but it seemed reasonable.

I have used the discount based on the minimum 2 years of service requirement. This used to be clear on Celebrity's site, but I can't find it right now. I did find the information on RC's site, and it is the same that used to be on Celebrity's. Such a shame this has to be hunted down. I hope someone is able to locate it.

Just be aware that you can not combine the discount with most promotions such as Pick Your Perk or 123 Go.

I did a cruisetour with Celebrity around Peru, and we never touched our luggage as it was handled for us. We always had people meeting us at airports and hotels, and there was help for the bus trip as well. Celebrity really set a high bar for this type of tour for me.

If it is truly all the time you have, then it is doable. That said, you will be missing so much. If at all possible take the time to at least do a tour of the colosseum. As for safety, I have spent a lot of time in the city and have always felt very safe day or night.

The time is shown on your edocs/Cruise Summary. I'm guessing it is 11:00.

As mentioned above, they do seem to be having a problem with the IDL crossing and are charging for 18 days instead of 17. That said, it is currently $59USD a day and I think it was $54USD in Feb. I'm sorry I can't be sure, but I think it is a safe bet to assume it was more in $AUD since that is usually the case. I'd contact them to see if they are charging for the 18 days because the other cruiser got credit for the additional night, and then see exactly what you are being charged. The website is a mess, but I have always gotten good help on the phone. Sometimes after a lengthy wait, but in the end they were helpful. Good luck.

I was wondering where is the best place on Century for lunch on embarkation day that is NOT the buffet?

 

 

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As someone mentioned earlier, the aqua spa café is a great alternative. The grill is also open, and it is my favorite.

I suggest you try to get into Murano for lunch. It is usually only offered once during the cruise, and you have to approach them early to find out when it is and make a reservation. It is only $25 and they offer a basic lobster tail that is likely the best you will get onboard.

Ian Creswell?

 

I have not seen his name for a while: Aug 2013?. Perhaps he is no longer with Celebrity.

He was on the Solstice out of Australia in Oct 2013. I adore him, and hope to see him again.

I usually use Google and Tripadvisor to check the title and/or location of the shore excursion. Tripadvisor usually comes up with reviews of some sort. Google usually has a bunch of other cruise lines describing the same tour, and I just pull bits of information from each. Celebrity could really do a better job describing them online, and of course you have to add in the website inconsistencies to compound the problem.