ighten

Looks like jaxques twitter account seems to be indicating the explorer ships will be staying around Europe and the UK for the rest of the year

Here's a copy of the letter we got in the cabin.. I,ll have to link to my twit as trying to put images on the forum from a mobile is next to impossible.. is it still broken.https://twitter.com/HHBarn/status/1424024534097842190?s=19

Seems more like a pacifying Govt PR lift than an actual meaningful lift.. What cruise company can actually sail anywhere with the lift when the red, amber, amber +, green (and coming soon about every other colour no doubt)traffic light system still means anything can change anytime..  I cant see a cruise company taking the risk its itinerary cant be remotely guaranteed (its less an issue for a staycation(god i hate that word))

Also makes sense now the school hols have really started.. I suspect they can see that there are more minors on the next bookings

Email update tonight from Celeb..

 

ALL ages will now need a PCR test (though they do not need to pre register and will be done at the port) is the gist of it..

 

Guests of all ages will now be required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within three days of embarkation.  A negative test result may be displayed as either an RT-PCR or PCR test.  Instructions for PCR testing will be provided via email in advance of your sailing.  Guests can book a complimentary PCR test via the Eurofins service also offered by Celebrity Cruises.

 

Unvaccinated children, aged 17 and under, will also be required to take an antigen test at the terminal prior to embarkation and on the day before disembarkation.  Overall, for unvaccinated children, this will be a three-step testing process.  Children aged 6 months – 17 years do not need to pre-register for their antigen test. Registration and the antigen testing will be completed at the terminal. This will be a complimentary rapid test and results will be available within 30 minutes.  Guests aged below 6 months are not permitted to travel.

This ones driving me mad -= is it silver slamon as I cant think of any other thats wrong

Anyone know when these would actually start to appear on sale?

DJ is packed and ready here.. Been sat in casual for far to long.. Only problem is my shirts seem to have shrunk in the wardrobe..

12 minutes ago, mklions said:

Finally if we do edge our bets and book a ships excursion could we later cancel them if things change

Yes -- you can even cancel it on line before you go (though it may then turn into OBC) - I cant remember if its the same if you cancel onboard.

Bare in mind depending on your CC level you will get a discount on the drinks upgrade by pre booking it (you should have or will get an email for that).. Think it starts at 5% and rises to about 20% (Im sure someone will know exactly)

On 7/16/2021 at 10:42 PM, govanguy said:

Intending to book Sept 2021 around Britain today I find the same issue. To get off the ship at my home port in Scotland I have to take a Celebrity excursion. Needless to say, I passed up on this cruise.  

I can travel by car to almost all the destinations of the cruise without issue and yet........I can't disembark? 

Vaccinated, 2 jabs.

I suspect this is a revenue issue.........

It has to be addressed

 

I seriously doubt a few pounds here and there for trips is going to make much of a dent in the black hole of debt being carried at the moment. Especially with so few people on board 50% of whom probably wont be taking a trip.

 

Its the same reason you cant drive up to a cruise ship and just get on without a test.. Its pretty simple - the cruise line has to protect the staff - if it goes beyond a certain % of cases they have to pause ops..

 

Some lines seem to be starting to allow and I suspect it will soon be back to norm  but we have already seen Cunard have to pull one cruise.

 

TBF They have moved the price down so many times now I think my OBC from the best offer has actually paid for the trips 🙂

As no more rooms seem to have gone on sale(other than those that appeared aafter peeps moved Jul to August when the itin changed) it seems they are sticking with as they were - plus I'm guessing they cant just magic more staff out of a top hat..

 

Virtuosa is a different comparison as is Iona - those ships literally are empty with 1000 onboard but they still required a certain staff lvl I suspect they have more wiggle room

Its worth it not to be drinking wine paint stripper with your meals - never mind the other benefits..

Looking at the various tweets from the first cruise it seems to be DJs at the ready 🙂

 

PS can anyone tell me what the wine by the glass selection is on the premium package compared to the basic - I cant find an up to date photo of a wine menu (which I suppose is hardly suprising)

Absolutely DJ and Evening Dresses here.. Spent way to long in PJs and Gardening clothes staring at walls..

 

Sometimes retirement doesnt have advantages

23 minutes ago, 8611202 said:

Silly question but can anyone help with understanding the pre purchase premium wine package? I was interested in buying this for our 17 July voyage, but the system allows you to select one guest or two? Does that mean if you select both guests in your cabin you both get the wine package, or should you just book one package in one name?
And does anyone know whether it is more cost effective to pre purchase the package or to purchase bottles separately on board and get the 20% discount for guests who are on the premium package ?

This is one of those things that going to be quite affected by how they are handling VAT on the bottle and the service.. If its always VAT no matter how far out the ship is sailing I suspect your better pre purchasing..And  Yes you can buy one as its a set amount

A certain number of first nights are available for each cruise(youll find these on your my cruise page - when there gone there gone).. You may find the offer is also given onboard for other nights based on capacity (though never for Murano)

Sounds like a copy of DIsneys WDW new policy - though in DIsneys case its charge more each year and reduce housekeeping to every other day with the only other  option being of none at all!!!!

Has anyone managed to get the drinks package to upgrade online - I just keep getting some guest ID error and a long number - then again I'm trying to remember if anything works on Celebs web pages correctly on a Sunday

1 hour ago, upwarduk said:

BUT, was that a lateral flow test?
If so , were your results through before you boarded?
It’s my understanding, that PCR tests have to go to a lab, so if you were given a PCR test, you have been allowed to board with no test results!😱

You can do a PCR test with a portable lab - takes 30mins or so and sort of conveyrbelt xray spinner thingy - to be technical (NOT) 🙂 - Its not suitable for en masse though

2 minutes ago, iandjm said:

Im so annoyed it is costing me £95 more than celebrity will pay me back to get a reliable results back in 24 hours test only to find out it doesn’t really matter as they will test you in port if it’s necessary.  It’s also costing me a valuable days holiday from work to get the test 🤬

Not sure they are saying that - there saying if your free Eurofins one hasnt worked in time

 

So it looks like everyone who takes the supplied Eurofins now gets a get out of jail free card if it doesnt work in time - but if you go solo for a a test your a bit on your own.. I think I'll still keep the Boots one booked as an option as the Eurofins one is in the next town in a tiny travel agent - not sure if there opening hours will suit

17 hours ago, iandjm said:

So why on earth are we being made to take time off work, and in my case pay £95 extra for a private test because eurofins have no locations near to where I live, when an adequate test is available in terminal?  
Plus those visiting the ship for the day today only had a test in the terminal. According to celebrity that is all that is needed because they are not staying overnight!  Utter rubbish.  They are circulating on the ship mixing with others, touching surfaces and meeting crew members.   Either a test in the terminal is adequate for everyone or a PCR test has to be taken by everyone.  The inconvenience and worry the PCR test is causing some people is not acceptable if others don’t need it at all. 

Im guessing Because a PCR test is more complex to perform on masse in situ and more expensive as some extra equipment needs to be brought in (so they can manage a few missing ones but not a full terminal of pax).. The big ? is why a PCR test at all to be honest -

The issue (especially for later cruises after Jul 19th) is this... You bizarrely may have more chance of catching the damn thing because suddenly everyone decides its a free for all throw masks away supermarket sweep no restriction rampage :)...  You may  be vaccinated and totally safe unless your seriously low odds unlucky - but you can still carry the thing..

 

I think I'll resort too hiding behind the settee and ordering online for the two weeks before the cruise lol

4 hours ago, LifeonMars said:

 

The White Building is a listed building and is part of The Royal Pier and is home to the  award winning Kutis Indian Brasserie, next to the Red Funnel Ferry at Royal Pier. It re opens on 21st July 2021 

https://www.kutis.co.uk/

 

Weirdly its the one thing that always reminds me we have arrived finally close to the port  in  Southampton - Passing the regal looking Indian restaurant (though I think it was once a casino before that) and the rail line next to the dual carriageway

Another thing on top of the normal medical costs etc is If you need to be airlifted from a cruise ship for an emergency that is your cost even if in UK waters.. BUT weirdly most insurance policys dont include it if you never leave UK waters.. Not normally an issue as in the past a UK cruise would call in the republic, France, Norway etc but these are not so you must read the terms carefully.. This and the amounts is being either checked by  other operators (MSC) or insisted on (Carnivals P&O and Cunard so they have no liability) - if you already have a policy but notice in the terms there's no cover if you dont leave UK waters just give the company a call - ours simply sent a new amended cover letter for the annual policy