Thank you so much. We are going on the Equinox September 8th for the first time. While we have sailed on X many times ( we are Elite Plus) this will be our first time on this class of ship.  Also our first time in AC. Thanks again for the review.  

On 3/28/2020 at 4:47 PM, ciera123 said:

Wondering if they will even continue with the revolutions with all that is going on. We were planning on booking the Constellation for February, so hoping they will continue! 

We are booked on "Connie" for Feb 11, 2021.  Hope she sails but on the other hand hope she doesn't.  Can't imagine being in an elevator or buffet with 30 BFF's

On 3/28/2020 at 4:47 PM, ciera123 said:

Wondering if they will even continue with the revolutions with all that is going on. We were planning on booking the Constellation for February, so hoping they will continue! 

We are booked on "Connie" for Feb 11, 2021.  Hope she sails but on the other hand hope she doesn't.  Can't imagine being in an elevator or buffet with 30 BFF's

On 3/28/2020 at 4:47 PM, ciera123 said:

Wondering if they will even continue with the revolutions with all that is going on. We were planning on booking the Constellation for February, so hoping they will continue! 

We are booked on "Connie" for Feb 11, 2021.  Hope she sails but on the other hand hope she doesn't.  Can't imagine being in an elevator or buffet with 30 BFF's

On 5/14/2020 at 3:16 AM, wowzz said:

Let's face it, if the CV19 situation is still so bad that people are needing to wear masks, cruises will not be taking place. 

Even if they are sailing who would want to cruise having to wear a mask?

15 hours ago, Wine-O said:

My final payment date is 28 May for a 27 August cruise.  I don't think I will be making final payment and just transfer my non-refundable deposit to a future cruise.  I would have hoped they would have cancelled all Med cruises by now  considering the current climate in Europe.  🍷

Wonder what this new date extension (7/31) does to sailings scheduled to depart on August 2nd.   Doubt if Port Liberty will be open by then but who knows?

14 hours ago, jelayne said:

The 2020 options are getting less and less.  

 A lot of us are still on pins and needles regarding our Aug. 2nd 14 night to Dublin from Port of Bayonne.  That port is closed as are several of the stops on the itinerary.                     

7 hours ago, Roger88 said:

I expect masks and gloves to be mandatory now. Also, I expect elderly people to go thorugh some checks a few day before boarding and moreover, this thing will be enforced on the governmental level. I only hope that a number of these limitations will be dismissed eventually. But this is the reality that awaits us right now 

Are you referring to Celebrity's policy of not allowing someone over 70 who has diabetes, heart condition et al?  Happens to fit my description to a tee.  Can't imagine asking my doctor to sign X's form.   Wouldn't this policy apply to the vast majority of cruise passengers or at least a signifiant portion of them?

On 3/28/2020 at 11:45 AM, ontheweb said:

If it is up to Tony Fauci, it's all over. Remember he said no one should go on a cruise. He also said no one over 70 should go on an airplane, but Trump vetoed that idea. So maybe it is up to what Fauci proposes that Trump will accept.

 

So far all they came up with is the letters from doctors that some lines are now requiring for passengers 70 and over.

 

The one thing I would propose that some lines are already doing is have servers on the buffets instead of self serve. That would be a lot easier to do than to have crew checking that passengers wash their hands after using the bathroom. (The last time I used a public bathroom, not that long ago, was in a skating rink. I of course washed my hands. The other person there at the same time as me did not. I cannot understand that behavior.

Just to play devils advocate, just what does washing your hands after using the restroom accomplish?  Number 2 - no question. Number 1 - I don't know.  It sounds good (I do it) but really what are you preventing? Covid 19? What else? Sounds good that everyone coming out of the restroom has nice clean hands - but again, what are we preventing.  Lots of men simply splash water on their hands - they don't scrub for 30 seconds with soap and hot water.

On 3/13/2020 at 10:42 AM, tiggy85 said:

I called and asked this exact question last night. We have a friend with a diabetic child Who wanted to join our cruise and they said regardless of age, if anyone has any of those conditions they would be denied boarding. It’s not just 70+. 

X is not sailing currently so are you referring to sailings after May 1 (or 15th) whichever is their target date?  Thought I saw a specific form on X's website that had to be signed by a doctor that in connection with age (+70) would result in non boarding.  I suspect this situation would still be in place by 8/2 which is why we cancelled our reservation.  Plus the thought of sailing with 2,000 New Yorkers (one of the hardest hit places) was asking for trouble.

Celebrity for one does offer a very nice military discount.   On an 11 day sailing the discount could be as much as $1,600 per person.  Depends on the sail date as it does vary.   Make sure you bring adequate identification as it will be checked at check-in. 
 

Semper Fi

This has nothing to do with the topic, sorry but don’t know where else to go.   How in the heck does one reply or respond to any posting?   looked everywhere and just can’t figure how to do this.   Again, sorry for hijacking the forum, don’t normally do this.   

A lot of discussion on booking onboard versus after or even close to sailing.  We’re just off the Silhouette where we booked a 14 day Caribbean for January 2020.  Received beverage package, prepaid grauitites and $350 OBC.  booked a 1C balcony which was upgraded to a 1B due to our elite status.   Total fare for two:  $5330.  Price today: $8000.  

We we booked on day two of the cruise. By day 8 there had been 3 price increases.  We have received similar savings on all our bookings made onboard prior sailing.  So much for waiting until the last minute.  

Just heard this perk has been eliminated chain wide.  Going to need my toes to count the number of such perks eliminated by X.  

Just got off the Equionix. There were no daily papers.  Pursers desk said it was a company wide cut. Just one of many.  We have 17 cruises on X and are 127 points away from Elite Plus.   That said we are looking at HAL more and more as a line of choice.  

The only reason we don’t do HAL more is my DW thinks she has a better availability of gluten free foods.  

I  have had the need to call Celebrity on a variety of topics over the past few months.  Usually the with time is less than 2 minutes.  Never experienced what you describe.

On 9/3/2018 at 8:19 PM, Tntt said:

we are sailing Symphony on a 4 day cruise in 2019, due to such a short cruise I am debating rather or not I need to purchase royal caribbeans cruise insurance or purchase travel insurance through 3rd party or just for go it since it is short cruise. Does anyone else buy travel insurance through royal or do you just travel with out it? Please give me your thoughts....

On 9/4/2018 at 10:03 AM, boatclub1 said:

 

 

Hello....I never travel without Travel Insurance, I buy the extra insuance with the cruise line. I just came off the Anthem of the Seas this past August 2018. There was 4 Medical Evac's on the ship that I know of. We watched one person being taken off the ship by a medical helicopter - rumor had it that medical helicopter ride was $36,000 !! Hope they had the extra travel insurance.

L~NY

On 9/4/2018 at 10:03 AM, boatclub1 said:

 

 

Hello....I never travel without Travel Insurance, I buy the extra insuance with the cruise line. I just came off the Anthem of the Seas this past August 2018. There was 4 Medical Evac's on the ship that I know of. We watched one person being taken off the ship by a medical helicopter - rumor had it that medical helicopter ride was $36,000 !! Hope they had the extra travel insurance.

L~NY

On 9/4/2018 at 10:03 AM, boatclub1 said:

 

 

Hello....I never travel without Travel Insurance, I buy the extra insuance with the cruise line. I just came off the Anthem of the Seas this past August 2018. There was 4 Medical Evac's on the ship that I know of. We watched one person being taken off the ship by a medical helicopter - rumor had it that medical helicopter ride was $36,000 !! Hope they had the extra travel insurance.

L~NY

We never cruise without insurance.  Brother who lives in Colorado fell over a railing in January in Germany.  Broke leg, hip, shoulder,  hand. Did not have insurance. Cost over $90,000 when all was said and done.  Two surgeries and two months in a German rehab center.  Biggest expense was getting back to CO. 

Even  on a four day cruise one could have an accident right on the pier.   Our Chase MileagePlus card covers all th basic components of travel except for medical and evacuation.  We are going on a 12 night cruise to the med in four days.  Cost $175 for and unlimited policy for medical treatments and emergencies evacuation.   

On 9/6/2018 at 10:32 AM, watson61 said:

I'm wondering how many of you long-time cruisers stay on the ship when the port is one you've been to many many times. I'm at that point with St. Maarten, Nassau and Labadee. I recently went on Allure with family and had a great time, but I was tempted to stay onboard at St. Maarten and Labadee. My family had never been to those ports so I got off with them, but next time I don't think I will.

 

Allure is a party all on its own so it's not like I would've been bored.

We also suffer from Caribbean port fatigue.  We have been to them all, on cruises and a few at resorts.   We do get off for about 30 minutes.  Walk around, visit the tee shirt shops then go back aboard.  The pool area is not empty but the choice of lounge chairs is yours. Quiet, easy to get a drink.  Take a dip now and then.   Have a relaxing lunch without all the hysteria.   

On 9/15/2018 at 5:46 AM, di T said:

currently on Eclipse and we have 3 drink vouchers on our sea passes instead of the normal lounge happy hour! After 25 Celebrity cruises this is only the 3rd time we have had this and on the other times it was on transatlantic cruises. The hostess says this is going fleet wide and as been on the Eclipse for months! Have any of you experienced this?

We can use the vouchers at most bars between 5&7pm but I get the impression the bar staff in some bars and not really interested in serving the drinks from the Captains club menu. Really miss the atmosphere in the lounge and the friendships with fellow guests and staff. In fact thinking of doing more other cruise lines not just because of this but lots of little niggles we used to feel our loyalty was important but not now. Dianne

On 9/16/2018 at 10:24 AM, 39august said:

On Equinox in July we also were directed toward the central part of the Sky Lounge for the Elite event and not allowed to sit by the windows on the starboard side of the lounge, Those were held for the folks buying drinks from the bar. We didn't mind as we had the rest of the lounge windows if we so chose. I prefer the lounge for a chance to meet others and for the prompt service, pleasant waiters and the munchies served.

On 9/10/2018 at 6:48 PM, JimandStan said:

 

Granted the crowds will be smaller during the fall, but we've also found that the waves are generally larger after September. In tender ports such as Portofino, getting on and off of the ship may be more taxing.

 

Those who are in any way mobility challenged will want to give sailing so late in the season serious consideration. There is a reason why the fares are lower during the shoulder seasons.

On 9/11/2018 at 10:59 PM, su-arizona said:

We enjoy cruising the Med in the fall, when the heat and crowds are lower - but....

 

We have experienced some seriously bad weather cruising ~across~ the Med in November. The Strait of Bonificio (between Corsica and Sardinia) can be especially exciting in late fall. And I would entirely avoid any Med cruise in the winter/Mistral seasons. Most US cruise lines don't have ships in the Med then, but Viking Ocean does seem to have a few...perhaps it's the Norwegian seafaring heritage?

 

I wouldn't hesitate to cruise along the coast of the Med in Italy or France in fall, but I would really avoid crossing the Med (like from Italy to Majorca).

Can you elaborate on the rough seas comments?  Really rough or Caribbean rough?

On 9/15/2018 at 5:46 AM, di T said:

currently on Eclipse and we have 3 drink vouchers on our sea passes instead of the normal lounge happy hour! After 25 Celebrity cruises this is only the 3rd time we have had this and on the other times it was on transatlantic cruises. The hostess says this is going fleet wide and as been on the Eclipse for months! Have any of you experienced this?

We can use the vouchers at most bars between 5&7pm but I get the impression the bar staff in some bars and not really interested in serving the drinks from the Captains club menu. Really miss the atmosphere in the lounge and the friendships with fellow guests and staff. In fact thinking of doing more other cruise lines not just because of this but lots of little niggles we used to feel our loyalty was important but not now. Dianne

This new practice does nothing for us. In fact, is a big takeaway.  We always get the beverage package so going to a bar with a card accomplishes nothing.  Just the opposite.  In the Sky Lounge there are delicious snacks, good conversation with fellow passengers and usually music. View out the big windows and more.  

On 10/18/2018 at 2:54 PM, SoCalTraveler said:

1.  Bring Euros with you for incidentals between landing at the airport and the cruise.   (Taxis, snacks, etc.)  The best rates here will be at big banks, but those rates are still not great.  We bring $100-$200 in Euros.  I use B of A, which has comparable rates to Wells Fargo.  I have easy access to a money changer who will, reluctantly, match B of A.  Check on line with B of A for the exchange rate.  You can also go to a number of sites such as XE.Com for the rate if you are buying $100,000 worth of Euros.  That's the approximate rate, plus a conversion fee, your credit card company will use plus a conversion fee.  Our experience is the $100,000 rate, plus the conversion fee, is still a better deal than buying Euros here.

2.  Charge everything you can to a no-foreign-transaction-fee card.  If presented with a choice by the merchant choose the local currency as your bank's conversion rate will be the best.  Make sure you have notified your credit and debit card issuer.  If at all possible, use a different card from the one your cruise charges post to.  Princess will tell your credit card issuer that you are in Santa Clarita, CA.  RCCL will tell them you are in Miami.  It confuses the computers and generates warnings.  If your credit card company calls you, you won't get back to them fast enough.

3.  If you need Euros in Europe, get them from an ATM.  Make sure you have a 4 digit PIN; some European ATM's will not accept a longer PIN.  Some banks (and perhaps Schwab) will rebate fees.  Bank of America has a no-fee network.  See this link:  https://locators.bankofamerica.com/international.html   We have found that B of A, even where the list geographically limits the bank, there were no fees regardless of the country for participating banks.   So, for example, we got Euros at a BNP Paribas branch in Venice without fee.

Here's what B of A says:  (And I believe First Republic is affiliated with B of A.)

Traveling Internationally?

Use your Bank of America ATM or debit card at one of our International partner ATMs and avoid the non-Bank of America ATM $5 usage fee for each withdrawal, transfer or balance inquiryFootnote¹ as well as the ATM operator access fee.

• Barclays United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey and the Channel Islands)
• BNP Paribas (France)
• BNL D'Italia (Italy)
• Deutsche Bank (Germany and Spain)
• UkrSibbank (Ukraine)
• TEB (Turkey)
• Scotiabank (Canada, Mexico, Peru, Chile, and the Caribbean countries: Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Maarten, Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos Islands, and US Virgin Islands)
• Westpac Bank (Australia and New Zealand)
• China Construction Bank (Mainland China, excluding Hong Kong)

Bank of America will assess an international transaction fee of 3% of the converted US dollar amount.Footnote² Foreign ATM operators may offer to do your currency conversion for you, but they may charge a higher fee for conversion. To insure that your currency conversion does not incur a fee higher than 3%, you may refuse the ATM operator's offer to convert the amount of the transaction.

Note: Participation in this program is subject to change, please review participating Financial Institutions prior to traveling internationally and using International Partner ATMs.

On 9/22/2018 at 6:37 PM, beautifullady said:

For me, walking up that good ole ramp to start my vaca! Looking at and hearing the ocean. Looking at the sky and water(day and night)thinking about genesis when GOD began forming the world!! Meeting friendly passengers and crew from different cultures. Not having to clean cook or work. People watching, entertainment, being in the thermal spa while sailing at the same time, and MOST OF ALL, being on a vacation PERIOD!!

On 9/23/2018 at 6:44 AM, momofmab said:

As a mom, and the vacation planner for my family, it is the easiest vacation option for me. As others have said, planning a land vacation is stressful - having to find a place (or places) to stay that make everyone happy, researching restaurants and activities...by the time I'm finished, it's hard for me to enjoy the vacation and completely relax. On a cruise everything is there - you unpack once and pick from a list of pre-determined activities and existing dining options. There's something for everyone.

 

That said, we don't cruise every year - we do alternate with land vacations (here in the U.S. because I want my children to see their own country, outside of our state), but cruising is the most relaxing for ME.

 

I will say that I am awesome at planning our land vacations - my favorite to date was a leisurely jaunt from Seattle to San Francisco along the PCH (breathtakingly beautiful scenery - especially along the Oregon coast!)

Land vacations are too stressful for us.  Getting to the resort, taxis, weather issues. What do you do at a resort when it rains?  Watch General Hospital in your room?   On a cruise ship, whether at sea or at a port, there are tons of stuff to do. Our next cruise is in four days.   It was a free cruise so can’t complain but it only has two sea days out of twelve.   Would perfer two port days and 10 sea days.  

At age 70, getting to and from resorts is a hassle.  We are fortunately in a position to do two 12 night + cruises a year.  More than most, less than many. 

Absolutely, positively not worth it.  We did it one time.  Every day we got a plate of unappealing strawberries or the like.  Cabin is exactly the same size as all other balcony cabins.   One positive was I think you get two points per night towards CC status.  

Even if they do use the three drink card system what is to preventing you from using it in the sky lounge?

We are dedicated Celebrity cruisers having cruised 26 times with them.  However, last year we went on a 14 day cruise to Alaska on HAL.  Was absolutely fantastic.  Went far north that other don’t go. Service was superb, e.g., they serve hot pea soup on deck while cru near the glaciers.   Highly recommend HAL if you are serious about going to Alaska. 

What would anyone pay $400 for unlimited WiFi?  Can’t imagine anyone being so important that they need to be on the phone or computer that much.  The first thing we do we we get to cabin is put the phone in airplane mode and put it,in the safe.  12 days later we take it out.