RTR 21-0

Our first Celebrity cruise is in May so whatever they offer will be a change from Royal and Carnival but could it be they’re making cuts/changes to get more people to buy the speciality dining and not a supply issue? 

4 minutes ago, kwokpot said:

Exactly. Whatsmore, the specialty dishes can be ordered in any of the other MDRs. 

Thank you! Sounds easy breezy 😉

34 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

If you are on May 7 Italy Croatia --- I would say Day 2 - May 8 and Day 7 May 13

 

 

That would be the one 😊 Thank you! 

Will be 1st time Celebrity cruisers in May on Beyond and not with an Aquaclass booking.  Just so I’m clear and to wrap this up for us newbies:  (1) no specific dining room is assigned; (2) Beyond has 4 MDRs which are all any time dining; and (3) all of the MDRs basically serve the same menu except for a few speciality dishes.  Did I get all that correct? 

On 2/2/2023 at 8:31 AM, Jeremiah1212 said:

 

It may be dated info but at one point TBL had at least a 20% commission since they are acting as the broker. They're going to make money off the booking somehow. 

 

Viator (owned by TripAdvisor who owns Cruise Critic) has even more fees and is a little more sketchy. They allow vendors to adjust their commission to boost their ranking in the search results among other things. Basically the big guys eat the little guys. 

Learn something new almost daily on here.  Had no idea TA owned CC.  

What are the two get your fancy on nights?  I’m assuming the only two sea days on the itinerary but assuming sometimes gets me in trouble 😁

Thanks y’all!  We’ll be there from 8-6 so we would probably have time to take the train ride and a little boat tour.  Do they offer boat tours at the port?  Thinking we’ll DIY that day.  

On 2/4/2023 at 11:28 AM, Wakepatrol said:

Board an air conditioned bus with one hundred plus people, enjoy stops for junky souvenirs and finish the day with a ride back with a watered down rum punch- NAH

Nailed it! 

So sorry this happened to you.  I’m forever grateful to this forum as last year I considered using FBC mainly to put off that payment but after reviewing tons of FBC reviews here I decided to go with purchasing a flexible ticket through AA.  Turns out it was cheaper than going through FBC.  I’ve been updated two or three times by AA through email and the app of some minor changes to the flight since booking.  

We are the same as you and your mom, CityChick, and taking our first European trip this May.  Last June I began looking up airlines, seat configurations (width, leg room, etc.), luggage allowances, etc., and decided on AA premium economy flexible tickets.  First class was out of our budget.  I’ve been checking prices once a month since July and I know for a fact the same seats would not be in our budget now but I would probably do some cost cutting elsewhere to not be crammed in economy for 10 hours.  My back would be laughing at me every time I cursed it after that plane ride.  

50 minutes ago, SpacemanSpiff said:

Thanks for the comments to all.  We've already booked a private driver, primarily because we want to see Positano -- it's the other areas we aren't sure about seeing (suggestions are welcome).

 

And this is directed at the OP -- Bama fan?  Your name reminds me of the score of a certain NC game.

Haha yes indeed we are, but it was the score against LSU in the 2012 BCS National Championship game.  Good eye!

That was immensely helpful and my husband will appreciate reading it instead of listening to me explain lol.  Thanks so much! 

First off, thanks for those who have and continue to take time to share your experiences and suggestions as I plan our upcoming cruise.  We are staying two days pre-cruise in Rome.  Since we need to stay up to adjust to time change we are considering doing a Colosseum tour the afternoon we arrive.  So far our arrival time has changed from 8:30 to 10:00 and I’m not assuming that will be the last time change.  How far in advance do skip the line tickets need to be purchased for the Colosseum? We’ll be arriving on a Friday in May if that makes any difference.  Considering getting a tour guide for this.  Do most have the tickets already and we would keep them updated on arrival time or do they have you purchase tickets separately?  

Thanks Hiltner for this very useful info! Hubs and I were just talking this morning about tip practice.  Seems like they are giving Americans what they are used to by asking how much tip they want added in. I’m 100% cool taking a break from tipping for a week and following their way of life lol.  

I think I’ve found an independent operator for the Amalfi coast tour.  Options are 1.  Amalfi coast w/stops in Ravello & Amalfi on the way to Sorrento, lunch there then stop at Positano balcony for pics before heading back to ship.  Option 2 Ravello, Amalfi & Positano  leaving out Sorrento which I would assume leaves more time at the other stops.  First time to Naples so I’d like to know if Sorrento is worth the visit or scratching that off and spending more time at other stops?  

4 hours ago, edinburgher said:

RTR 21-0

 

Sorry  to ask ,but it would also be helpful for others if you would name all of your ports - and countries!- as a generic "Europe" isn't that helpful when you are asking for specific info.

 

Rome and Naples are mentioned, but is that Rome for only one day on a port stop at Civi, or will you be based  there for a few days pre or post cruise?

Yes, we will be staying in Rome two days pre-cruise then stops in Dubrovnik, Kotor, Corfu, Zakynthos, and Naples and one night either Rome or Fiumicino post-cruise. 

What is there to do?  Not really beach people so not very interested in Shipwreck Beach.  More in to history, scenery, shopping, food. There from 8-6.  

Cruisemom, thank you for your response.   First time European traveler so doing my homework. Many of the 3rd party companies that I’ve researched were recommended through this board and other boards.  After digging further there were many unfavorable reviews such as some of those that happened to you.   Definitely not opposed to looking directly at independent operators and as I mentioned I’ve looked them up as well.  I’m just kind of at the point now who do you trust?  Tours by Locals keeps grabbing my attention but I believe they are 3rd party as well.  

We are taking our first European trip in May and consider my mind officially blown trying to plan tours and excursions. Companies I’ve considered are Shore Excursion Group; Viator; Trip Advisor and a few others.  Have read some pretty bad reviews and now I’m not sure which company can be trusted including independent operators.  We are not fans of excursions offered by cruise lines and prefer 3rd party.  Looking for names of companies that y’all have used and would without hesitation use again.  Tours for Rome and Naples and possibly one or two more port stops on our med cruise.  TIA

I’ve read so much on not tipping in Italy but I’ve not seen anything mentioned about porters.  Are they to be tipped or not?  

Wishing on a star, same situation here.  I have looked up so many companies I feel like my head is spinning.  On Celebrity Beyond sailing May 7th, in Naples on the 14th from 7-5 and am starting to 2nd guess my dream of touring the Amalfi Coast.  Husband and I are not interested in seeing Pompeii and I’ve read hit and  miss reviews on Sorrento.  Getting ready to tear up my notes and stay in Naples that day.  

Thanks again to everyone that has replied and especially on a holiday 😊 very helpful.  I did notice the FF OV and am also interested in those but I’m wondering how much you can feel movement in those?  Have never stayed in a FF cabin and thought that may be something different especially with a view.  Fifteen cruises and the only one I experienced some seasickness was on our return May cruise on Panorama to Mexican Riviera.  That Pacific was pretty rough.  We were aft, deck 7 so I know that had something to do with the amount of motion we felt.  Anyone notice a lot in the FF OV? 

Never cruised on Celebrity and have never seen this configuration for inside cabins (at least on Carnival).  Why do cabins 9146, 58 & 64 run the opposite direction of those across from them; what is on the side of 9164 (the long white space); and any pros/cons to these three cabins as opposed to the inside cabins across from them?  TIA

Hello everyone and Happy New Year!  We are looking at a 6 night Cabo & San Diego cruise and considering either an inside or OV cabin.  This would be our first time on Celebrity so we’re not sure about their cabin layout and would love to hear first hand experience with inside and OV and recommendations. It’s hard to really tell the size from the videos I’ve seen.  We always get a balcony on our Carnival cruises, only once an inside cabin and it was tight. Since we have an overnight stay in Cabo we think we’ll be spending more time off the ship than on, and on sea days wandering around the ship checking it out so won’t be in the cabin as much.  That extra money would be great to apply to our flights but I don’t want that claustrophobic feeling either.  Thanks in advance for your thoughts.   

Any feedback using this company for tours in Rome or Amalfi Coast/Capri?  Tours taken with them, pros/cons?  TIA