sabbo55

On 1/21/2024 at 11:10 AM, arubaaruba said:

Not that my opinion is any more important than anyone else, but I have to say that it was a wonderful experience onboard the Summit. I have sailed on many lines, in many different types of accommodations, from inside on an NCL to Owners Suite on Azamara. I have also sailed Princess, Disney, Viking and Carnival. This was my first Celebrity cruise.

 

The food was hands-down, the best cruise food we have ever had on a cruise ship. With that being said, we ate in Luminae for the most part with a couple trips to the buffet as well as room service breakfast one morning (that was absolutely the best room service we have had). We never went to Blu because we were allowed to order from that menu in Luminae if we wished (we did order a couple apps here and there) and we had a great server, Kurt from Jamaica in Luminae. I am Gluten-free and had zero problems or concerns on the entire trip. The gluten-free muffins were horrible, I have to add to be fair. We love wine and we drank many really good glasses on board. We found the selection to be reasonable for a cruise ship and did not select any outside of the premium package as there was never a need and were quite happy. We also brought a couple bottles to dinner and were not charged a corkage because we were on the premium package. 

 

We stayed in 6132, an Aqua Sky Suite and found the room to be quite comfortable. The balcony showed some wear, but we still used it every day and loved it. 2 loungers, a love seat and a table with 2 chairs. It really was a great balcony. Our room attendant Jonathan got the job done and kept the room spotless and checked in with us periodically throughout the cruise. On our anniversary, they brought a charcuterie and bottle of sparkling wine to our stateroom. Kurt our server in Luminae, acknowledged our anniversary on the following night as we were in Le Petit Chef on our anniversary. Le Petit Chef was also excellent. 

 

Our goal on this cruise was relaxation and did not go into any of the ports. We had visited them more than enough in the past, this trip was really about the ship experience. We did utilize the Retreat sundeck for 2 full days. Mostly good experience. Not surprisingly, the service was better on port days when things were not as busy for them. The sundeck was never crowded and there were always loungers available. The day we were in Cozumel the ship cleared out quite a bit in the morning, so we used that time to enjoy the cool main pool and also the Solarium. Both were good but on a sea day...... not my cup of tea. It was quite crowded and busy on a sea day. Again, this was a cruise to relax, so under different circumstances it may have been fine.

 

We initially didn't think that we would use the retreat lounge very much, but we did end up going there quite a bit. Karla kept the fridge stocked with my gluten-free beer and was very approachable and pleasant every time we visited. We would go there before and after dinner, after shows and midday on our way to and from the casino and events.

 

The thing about this cruise is, we kept saying to each other how much we were enjoying ourselves and how great the service was. We saw officers all day, every day, everywhere we went. They would wipe tables down as they went by, return glasses to the bar, pick up stray napkins and straw wrappers, check in with Guests as they walked through spaces. That is something I have never seen on any other cruise. I wish I had kept count. I am not saying everything was perfect, we had a few minor inconveniences however, I would be hard pressed to be able to list anything as it was overwhelming fantastic.

 

It truly was a magnificent cruise, and we look forward to cruising with Celebrity again.

Thanks for the review.  We are in the same cabin at the end of the month!

Do you think any cruise lines will skip Nassau in the short term?

I am considering a one-night stay pre-cruise in Civi.  This was very helpful.

Thanks all!

We have been to Rome several times and will only be arriving the night before.

I thought seeing Civitavecchia would be something different especially since we will have only about a half day.

I would hope there would be a decent place to stay for one night and a few interesting things to do to fill our time.

Has anyone done this?
 

4 hours ago, fruitmachine said:

I had no issue last month at Herculaneum with a small day-rucksack (one big enough to take a coat, bottle of water, etc).  The National Archaeological Museum in Naples wanted it left in bag storage though.

 

Thanks..our bag will be smaller than that!

12 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

They don't want people wearing backpacks in the site due to the fragility of the walls, etc. You'd be surprised (or maybe not) at the number of times that people wearing backpacks seem to be unaware that their backpacks graze against wall surfaces (and other people).

 

Thank you.  I understand.

But will they allow you to carry a small bag?

I have read that you can't bring a backpack to Herculaneum, but you can bring a small bag.

I'm not sure what that means.  Does anyone have experience with this?

Thanks

We are booked on this maiden voyage..we have never done one before and are excited.  I look forward to hearing about what can be expected.

We also just signed up for the roll-call.

On 3/21/2020 at 12:43 AM, midwestchick said:

I am hoping they change the final payment date.  We have final payment due April 8 for an August cruise.  I don’t see any ships sailing in April or possibly May.  This virus continues to spread. 

Hi!

We are "in the same boat" so to speak.  Our final is due mid-April.  They are not giving us much choice.

I agree that it is unreasonable to ask a cruise line to think many months ahead...but on the other hand we as quests must think 4 months ahead when we consider making the final payment. I really do not want to cancel my August cruise, nothwithstanding the fact that it is Italy intensive.  A shorter payment window would certainly keep me in the running!

3 hours ago, jpalbny said:

The Rhine was our first trip, in 2014. My info about specific tours on this itinerary is a bit dated, I am sure, but the beauty of the river and the castles section is not. I can't comment on Crystal but there are some reviews on these boards; I think Keith1010 cruised with them, but not the Rhine, perhaps?

 

My Uniworld review is here: 

 

 

And there is a review of a Crystal sailing on the Rhine here:

 

 

 

Thanks so much!

Always get the best info from those on CC

We are looking at the Rhine Cruise- Basel/Amsterdam.  We would like to get a German feel on this trip, having done Italy extensively  on Azamara.

Being new to river cruising, I am looking at all options. Can anyone comment on Crystal River Cruises?  How does it compare to Uniworld?

Thank you all...so I take it you all recommend Uniworld.

1 hour ago, bobcatalfie said:

All day and night, whenever the bar is open. Or if not open, often you can find someone to make you a drink. At least that was how it was on the two Uniworld cruises I have taken (last year and the year before).

Thank you..that's what I wanted to hear!

I am new to river cruising and am planning our first, so I apologize if this has been asked before.

We are looking towards an all-inclusive experience.

Uniworld’s brochure states: “ UNLIMITED CHOICE OF PREMIUM SPIRITS AND WINES Enjoy only the finest wines with every meal or relax with a top-shelf cocktail, prepared with your favorite ultra-premium liquor”.

Is the unlimited spirits/wines only with meals, or is it all day/night?
 

If it helps, I just booked this for August:

https://www.tourofsicily.com/tour/full-day-tour-to-taormina-castelmola-from-taormina-port/

I am looking for a private shore excursion ( tour or just transportation) from the port at Ravenna to Bologna and back.

Has anyone done this?  Any recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

56 minutes ago, Mackdogmolly said:

You probably won’t find out about White Night until you’re onboard, but it’s usually on a late night stay or an overnight. Azamazing evenings, check the shore excursions for a zero priced event. Sometimes they show up many months in advance.

Thanks..I have been checking, so far nothing, but we are 5 months out.

I apologize if this has been asked before.  Does anyone know how far in advance Azamara announces the date for the AzAmazing Evening and White Night on a particular cruise.

I am beginning to set up shore excursions and don’t want to interfere with those events.

Thank you.
 

I typically tip liberally ( but small amounts) at all venues on Azamara.  Yes I am from the US, but I always appreciate the good service I get.

I have not heard of the Crew Fund.  Does anyone have details on how we can do this.  Is it really preferred by the crew to individual tipping?
 

53 minutes ago, Lottie A said:

Actually you will hear that. 
 It’s often sung on White Night complete with all the actions! 😂

You are quite right .  I stand corrected. I guess i was having so much fun I forgot.

Y.M.C.A.

27 minutes ago, cruisinislife said:

I was just wondering what Hotel you decided on. We are in the same situation as you. Going on a cruise in 2020 and staying 3 days pre cruise in Venice. Don’t have a clue where to stay with airport and cruise transfers. Thanks

We booked the PALAZZO VENEZIANO in Dorsoduro. From the website it looks great.

We were in GN/Taormina  a couple of years ago.  We did "The Godfather Tour" as a private tour to Savoca.  It was amazing!  Of course I'm a big fan of the movies. 

We are on the Venice to Rome cruise in August with stops at Ravenna and Giardini Naxos .  I see Azamara is offering its own Godfather Tour this time.

We were in St. Maarten last month. Along the boardwalk near the Court House there were plenty of beach bars that had sporting events on TV.  I'm sure if it is a big match it will probably be on at one of them.  Sorry, i'm an American..was more interested in the baseball playoffs.