IDB37

Many thanks. Good to know.

Hi

We are considering doing the 4/2018 transatlantic cruise on Brilliance, but are a little concerned by a few comments on some of the reviews re the condition of the ship.

Can anyone who has travelled recently give a balanced assessment of it's overall condition/wear and tear etc. ?

Also, does anyone know when it is next due for a refit/dry dock ?

Many thanks.

Hi

Does anyone have any idea as to whether Sapphire Princess will be making an Asia to Europe journey in Spring 2019 ?

On 28 March 2018 SP starts a 38 night Cruise from Singapore to Southamption, via Asia, the Suez Canal & the Med.. We can't unfortunately make this voyage so we were hoping this was going to be repeated in 2019, but the last scheduled cruise I can see is a round trip from/to Singapore ending on 11 April 2019.

Any clues as to what happens thereafter ?

Many thanks.

Taxi to airport is around GBP25. Journey around 20 mins.

Many thanks for the information, much appreciated.

Hi

I wonder if anyone can help ?

Does anyone know the location of the door entrances to these interior cabins on Caribbean deck (Deck 10) ?

Specifically, are the stateroom entrances immediately opposite the balcony cabins (e.g. C506-C534), or do the doors open into the separate passageway between the two rows of inside cabins (i.e. between C508-C536 on one side & C507 - C537 on the other side) ?

Just trying to gauge any noise issues that might arise.

I think there is a web site which shows deck plans including door entrance indicators somewhere, but unfortunately I can't find it !

Many thanks if anyone can assist here.

We've done eight cruises with Celebrity & also sailed with Cunard, Crystal, HA, RCL, Princess & NCL (yuck !).

Also agree that Celebrity are surely missing a marketplace by not doing any cruises over 18/19 days. We would like to do longer segments, maybe 30-60 days, and whilst b2b etc. is an option, it's all a bit messy & it does seem strange that Celebrity stand back from this sector compleletly.

Having done TA's on the Queen Mary 2 and the QV in the last couple of years, they are lovely ships, but we wouldn't want to be on them for more than 14 days or so. The atmosphere (particularly on the QV) is a trifle staid, and the thought of 60 days on them would not fill us with glee.

Come on Celebrity, get in the marketplace !

Agree. CC adds little, apart from the extra cost.

Hi

Have only travelled with Princess (Ruby) once before, which was very enjoyable, but we are thinking of taking a Singapore to Southampton cruise in 2019, hopefully with Sapphire Princess, which I believe is doing the same itinerary in 2018.

However, I can't find any recent reviews. The thread below only carries feedback up to April 2016:

http://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/memberreviews/getreviews.cfm?action=ship&ShipID=300

Does anyone have any later news or info. on likely deployment in 2019 ?

Many thanks.

Have travelled on the QM2, QV & Celebrity Eclipse in the last year & can sadly confirm the QM2 is light years behind Celebrity's Xlerate internet service which is both (relatively) fast & reliable.

Internet service on both the QM2 last July (post refit) & the QV in Jan 2017 were dire, unreliable & immensely frustrating.

A great pity.

We just got off the Eclipse after a 13 night TA from Miami to Southampton, via Nassau, Bermuda & Lisbon.

John Grantham (see post #3 above) was indeed CD for the Cruise & is simply excellent in every way. He has a prominent personality, is professional in approach, hard working and shows genuine interest in trying to maximise enjoyment for all concerned.

Some other cruises we have travelled on, have had CD's who have been virtually anonymous, so let's hope you get JG or someone similarly talented & enthusiastic !

Thanks for all of your thoughts.

Wonder what Celebrity's 'Official' stance is on this ?

Have cruised six times with Celebrity and enjoyed every one of them.

As we hope to have more time moving towards retirement, we wondered why Celebrity seem to limit their cruise lengths to 14/15 days generally, perhaps 17/18 days for repositioning routes.

Given that the likes of HA, Cunard & Princess all offer substantially longer cruises, does anyone know whether Celebrity are considering extending their options, or if not, why not ?

Many thanks for your thoughts.

"Zimmer Frame" is seemingly unique to the UK, and translates to "Walker" on the North American side of the pond.

As an aside, the world's oldest 'rock band' derived their name therefrom ! Makes for interesting viewing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqfFrCUrEbY

If the weather is fine, you could take the quick Ferry ride across the water to Hythe, which is a pleasant enough town, then stroll around the marina:

http://hytheferry.co.uk/

https://www.google.ca/search?

q=hythe+marina&biw=1360&bih=653&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwiSheuJsLzOAhVP42MKHQUaCYUQsAQIKQ

Or take a ride from Hythe into the nearby New Forest - Lymington, Lyndhurst, Brockenhurst etc.., or an organised Coach day tour maybe:

http://www.watersidetours.co.uk/excursions-and-day-trips.html

Hope this helps.

Just back from a lovely Westbound TA on QM2.

Really enjoyed the trip. Fantastic company, smooth sailing, great service and much improved food and quality in the Kings Court.

Internet however was a massive disappointment & I feel Cunard are really missing the big picture re this.

People need & expect to be connected these days. The connection quality (or, all too frequently, the complete lack of), is really unacceptable and sits completely at odds with the 'remastering' of the ship, which is otherwise almost universally highly impressive.

Come on Cunard. Tradition is all very well, but you should at least aspire to getting into the 20th century, if not the 21st !

Many thanks for the info.. Much appreciated.

Anyone know where the QM2 is during the above period ?

She is showing as arriving Southampton on 22 June, and leaving New York on 1st July, but Cunard say there is no cruise between these dates, which is when we were hoping to travel transatlantic back to North America.

Have never heard of the QM2 being chartered, so no clue as to what is happening here. Why would she travel across the pond, other than on a normal TA cruise ?

Anyone have any ideas ?