amcb

2 minutes ago, Sunshine2000 said:

Agree with the need for Clarity and simple written requirements for Embarkation on the St Maarten website!

 

I still can not figure out why they did not continue with the wording, "At the terminal, all guests ages 2 and up are required to present negative RT-PCR test results taken within 72 hours prior to boarding," as they had listed for the Travel Requirements on 5/19/2021...

That's a very good question.  I wonder what they do for people who don't frequent Cruise Critic and just read what's on their website and take it at face value. If you showed up with a test within 72 hours of departure for St. Maarten as the website currently says, but had been in St. Maarten for 2 days before boarding, do they deny you boarding, even though you followed the requirements posted? Do they give you a test at the dock? Could present a difficult situation...

🙂 amcb

7 minutes ago, Sunshine2000 said:

I just got off the phone again with Celebrity and it appears that the wording on the July 1, 2021 update is being moved up to management to be addressed. 

Hopefully that will result in some clarity!

🙂 amcb

2 minutes ago, Fouremco said:

I suggest that you phone Celebrity or your TA to clarify. There are multiple threads discussing this issue and Celebrity's inability to provide concise, accurate and non-conflicting information. If you go through the threads, you will find a number of posters who arrived early in Sint Maarten had a second test and provided information on where they took the test.

I think one difference now is that the St. Maarten requirement changed as of July 1st. Up till then you could get your St. Maarten test up to 120 hours in advance. Now both Celebrity and St. Maarten require 72 hours. That doesn't address people that arrive in St. Maarten early, but it does put the requirements in line with each other. Hopefully Celebrity will issue additional clarification.

Just now, Sunshine2000 said:

It has been updated and is listed as "St Maarten Travel Requirements as of July 1, 2021."  I'm just looking for clarification.

The section you quoted has definitely been updated, which is hopefully good news for all of us.  I was just saying that the homeport chart has not been updated and as usual, Celebrity's website has conflicting information.

The chart on the homeport page still shows the requirement of 72 hours prior to arriving at the terminal. But it doesn't look like it's been updated because it still refers to the 120 hour requirement for St. Maarten.

I wonder if they tried to come to some agreement with St. Maarten since now the 72 hour requirement is in place for St. Maarten. 

10 minutes ago, Sunshine2000 said:

St Maarten Travel Requirements as of July 1, 2021

 

Celebrity Boarding Requirements:

"All guests must present a negative RT-PCR test taken 72 hours prior to arrival to St Maarten."

 

Does this mean that if you are staying on the island pre-cruise  you do NOT need to obtain another RT-PCR test before departing on the ship?  Will the RT-PCR taken to obtain the Pre Approval to enter St Maartin be our only necessary test?

 

Any thoughts?

 

 

This is interesting.  Where did you see this? It would be lovely if only the test to get into St. Maarten were required.

47 minutes ago, caymancouple said:

I emailed St. Maarten and just heard back.  YES, the Walgreens ID NOW test is accepted and it is the 72 hour test.

Good to know!! 

5 hours ago, DCPIV said:

 

Considering how everything is going right now, he's probably better off getting what sticks he knows he enjoys and bringing them with him.  If he has a portable humidor, then he knows he's good to go.  If not, a Ziploc bag works just fine for a the week or so you'll be on board (but I'm telling you something y'all probably already know).

 

In any case, I'd hate to count on something being there and then finding out it wasn't.  Until dust settles, I hesitate to make assumptions.

All good points! As I said earlier, he's pretty flexible. He hates to "complicate things" so the ability to get something on board or in port solves the problem. 😉 amcb

2 hours ago, TeeRick said:

In Phillipsburg if you have the time, get your DH to go check out the famous Juggie's.  He has a unique little place not far from the ship and he sells real Cuban cigars among other things.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g147347-d9869920-Reviews-Juggie_s_Place-Philipsburg_Sint_Maarten_St_Martin_St_Maarten.html

What a great suggestion!  Thanks so much.  I'm sure DH will appreciate it.  We're flying in the day prior to our cruise so we should have plenty of time to visit Juggie's.

Does anyone know if they sell cigars on the ships? We are sailing Summit out of St. Maarten, and I just want to know if DH should purchase some before boarding. He has been fairly happy with the limited selection onboard Royal Caribbean ships so he can definitely be flexible.

Thanks!

🙂 amcb

41 minutes ago, basenji56 said:

Someone on the second sailing of Millennium just posted the following on Facebook (in port tomorrow I believe):

 

"The Captain just announced that all COVID tests came back negative! This has been an awesome cruise with a great crew! Thanks #celebritymillennium"

That's wonderful news!!

13 minutes ago, NanaPam00 said:

This actually makes it harder for those of us flying in a couple days early….

I don't disagree. We are flying in the day before so that means 48 hours to get the test done, results back, and approval from St. Maarten. I'm hopeful things will change by the time we sail at the end of July.

🙂 amcb

I saw this earlier today.  I wonder if they're just trying to keep it simple for people so their timeline coincides with Celebrity's.

🙂 amcb

1 minute ago, laurajc said:

We called that day and Celebrity corrected the error.  Thanks for your thoughts!

Well that makes me feel much better! I felt so fortunate that our process seemed to have gone so smoothly, I was seriously bummed to hear that maybe others weren't as lucky.

🙂 amcb

3 minutes ago, laurajc said:

Our booking never showed as cancelled.  It definitely got wonky - couldn't access links, etc.  I just kept checking.  When it made the switch of ships and ports earlier this week we had a new cabin as well.  Still a Sky Suite, just not the same category/location.

I'm sorry to hear that! Have you tried to call and see if you can get your original cabin back?

1 minute ago, abbydancer said:

Those of you who have been rebooked.  Did you get an email or see it on your account?  We're on 7/31 in a sky suite I really want to keep.

I just kept logging on. At one point yesterday it switched from showing a cancelled cruise to a current booking.  We also were in a sky suite we really wanted to keep.

🙂 amcb

1 hour ago, sn2792 said:

Our 7/17 cruise has been moved over to Summit. We kept our same cabin. We had booked an excursion and chef’s table on Millennium and that isn’t showing up. I’m not sure if I need to rebook. I don’t want to be double booked.

We were in the same position. I received an email yesterday that all our prebookings had been cancelled and we needed to rebook.  My onboard credit came online today and I was able to rebook.  This is for the 24th sailing.

🙂 amcb

1 minute ago, laurajc said:

I would call and confirm!   Good luck!

We don't sail until the 24th so the new reservation hasn't even been uploaded yet. My awesome cruise agent is aware of my concerns and is all over it. 🙂 

I'm glad they put you back in your original cabin! I'm worried about the same thing with the change since we booked 6132 which has the larger balcony.

🙂 amcb

1 hour ago, wrk2cruise said:

Most suite passengers have had 4 perks included in their fare for a few years now.  Not everyone uses the Retreat lounge but many do for the relaxing environment and superior service as well as socializing with fellow passengers.

 

I don't think the usage will change.

That's actually good to know. I didn't realize that. Thanks for sharing. I know that we don't know what will happen yet, in terms of self-serve, etc., but historically, were there snacks available during the hours before dinner?

With the Always Included package in the suites, do people think the utilization of the Retreat Lounge will diminish?  For us, sailing on RC in suites, one of the major perks was being able to go to the suite lounge or concierge lounge and have cocktails and snacks before dinner. With the ability to get your preferred drink from anywhere on the ship, what is the benefit of the Retreat Lounge?

Has anyone else seen the new, updated St. Maarten HAS page? Updated as of today, May 20. I'm uncertain about the changes given there's a section for fully vaccinated people vs. unvaccinated. I'd love to hear others thoughts.

🙂 amcb

30 minutes ago, jelayne said:

Keep in mind the beverage package does not include drinks delivered to the suite or the mini bar.  

This is why it gets confusing - Celebrity's website states in their "The Retreat" page:

"Premium Drinks

Enjoy your favorite beverages throughout the ship. Whether in your suite, out exploring, or relaxing by the pool, our dedicated butlers will serve your need."

This makes you think the premium beverage package is available to you in your suite. Sigh. The webpages are never right.

Hi All,

Can anyone please let me know what types of evening hors d'oeuvres are available in the lounge? Is it the same every night? Also, is there a start/stop time to the evening cocktail hour? I'm showing my suite experience from Royal Caribbean where there is a definite start and stop time, but not sure if it's the same on Celebrity. Also, are drinks always available at the lounge or are you better served by going to a bar elsewhere on the ship? Finally, I'm confused as to what drinks you can have delivered to your cabin vs. stocked in your fridge vs. must go get somewhere else on board. Is this dependent on your butler or is there an actual standard? In addition to cocktails I'm thinking waters, sparkling waters, etc.

Thanks as always for the great info and insights.

🙂 amcb

1 minute ago, mahdnc said:

@amcb, Celebrity has put a lot of money into their ships (new and refurbished) and have been emphasizing/investing in the suite experience.  I think your cruise this summer will compare favorably with your experience in 2005.

I'm sure it will! DH and I are really looking forward to it. We have loved all our cruises, and it will be very interesting to be cruising again as a couple instead of as a family. I'm not sure we'll know what to do with ourselves without having to rush to register the kids for kids club, or plan our day around what time the rock wall or skating is open. 😉

I'm sure I'm just being a little nostalgic since our Constellation 2005 cruise was our last cruise before the kiddos came along.  🙂