Captain-John

I have read elsewhere (having waded through some rude and 'shouty' comments) on other threads that sailings on the schedule after a certain date are new additions and therefore those that were cancelled in previous years due to Covid wouldn't have had the opportunity to book onto the new(er) released sailings so they are less likely to be oversold etc. I don't know what stock to place in that given the tone with which the information was relayed. I too am booked on 27/04/24 sailing in a V2 and there is plenty of available still showing. I am concerned as to the whole 'season' and their intentions for Millienium as others are and I don't think this is unreasonable. Just want to pick your brains on this if I may and apologies to others for the off-topic question. I am booked on the 27/05/24 sailing and intend to redeem a BA 2-4-1 companion voucher to hopefully fly to HND in J. We plan on heading out to Tokyo at least 4 nights before so I have the T-355 date marked in my calendar. Did you phone the US office to book? I note you had to stay up two nights, do I infer it wasn't an easy process? Finally I take it they keep the trip 'open' for you to add in the homeward leg when it is released and it is all held under the same redemption? I have redeemed companion vouchers before but always through the UK office and never in two seperate calls so not sure what to expect. On the ShoreEx topic, I am delighted that Celebrity let you use OBC to book tours in advance and I've used up all $750 of my credit already plus some cash on top - scary!

I've cut your full quote for brevity, but your experience is an absolute disgrace and you should have been compensated on top of the pro-rata refund at the very least.

My UK address was provided to the TA, quite what they fed to Celebrity I'm not sure.

Some of those Facebook comments are really bothersome. I know some people are prone to exaggeration but combined with your account of the sailing, something is quite wrong I think!

I may be completely calling this wrong, but as someone who has been affected by a charter taking over a whole ship that has reduced my cruise by 1 night, I'd be glad to see the back of group bookings? Or are we talking about two different things here? I am pretty sure my TA adopts a model whereby they give up most of their commission to reduce the fare, and charge a flat booking fee to make their revenue so I never see the benefit of group rates anyway.....

Damn annoying. I have booked on Millie for May '24 via a US T/A, because US cruisers get better pricing, more OBC, more flexibility etc. - USA passenger policies are MORE user friendly, not less.

Interesting itinerary and I'd like to do a similar passage one day so keen to hear your thoughts. Might pick a UAE starting point for ease if there is ever one available. I remember the pool being heated on both Preziosa and Meraviglia and I had been advised otherwise prior to my sailings, so interesting you have noted the saem. If I'm not mistaken (every chance I am!) you were on an NCL Encore repo last year, I remember your username and postings as I had relatives on the same sailing that I was following.

Hi gents, a pleasure to follow yet another Live thread having lurked in the background of many others.I have never sailed Celebrity before (hence my lack of presence on these boards) but have booked Millenium out of Tokyo in 2024. I have followed your threads prior to this booking but thought the time was right to say 'hi.' Absolutely none of my business and feel free not to answer - I'm not a stalker, just interested! I think you made a comment on another thread about being a pilot - I have a PPL(A) myself and I cemented that fact of yours to memory. I assumed you meant flying commercially, but comments like the above now make me think you didn't do this for a career but perhaps as a hobby and had another career. Then I saw this post: So I wasn't quick enough to get my question in and you have already answered ! 🙂 I must say to my shame I have not explored Scotland as well as I could have, having it on my doorstep. It's a cliche but I'd rather spend the same money (or less) on better weather than what we have to live with - so I'll also be interested in your thoughts on the ports you attend that even Iain isn't familiar with when you get to that leg. We are heading to Miami for an NCL cruise in a few weeks and I could not believe the price of the hotels, even fairly average ones. I think we snagged a good deal at the Kimpton Epic for c. $360 a night all in (taxes, resort fee etc.). I know you are heading to FLL not Miami but the whole area seems very pricey compared to times gone by. Anyway enough of a ramble from me, I will be following closely and hope you both have a fantatsic time! 🙂

Agreed, very poor for a normal excursion but unforgiveable for a disembarkation excursion with airport transfer. Numbers would have been known well in advance as mentioned. Sorry about this and the very late notice Bea. Not the ending you want to your holiday. I don't have any helpful tips or solutions other than what has been mentioned I'm afraid but at least your flight time isn't tight and that gives you options.

Thanks again for sharing your time onboard with us and hope you continue to have a fantastic time.

I shouldn't laugh as I can't speak or write a word of Italian, but, I did have a titter at this: €7 does sound reasonable although I wouldn't like the uncertainty around the package for the other drinks. It does say at the very bottom: So the inference is anyone having anything above the Easy package should OK, subject to the seperate cap?

Thanks very much for the very detailed account of your trip - fair, balanced and a great resource for anyone looking for some tips. I am not surprised at your butler experience unfortunately - it is an extremely variable experience across the MSC fleet and even within the same ship as you have noted. The loungers and pull-out bed are unforgiveable and I would expect these requests to be fulfileld outside the YC, let alone within it! I may have missed it, but would you sail MSC YC again for your next cruise (assuming you want to cruise again!)? 🙂

I assume not like the YC high tea experience, or if it is, for a suitable upcharge?! Despite what her screen says?

🤯

That's a shame Bea. We have taken a dining package for our sailing precisely because food is the one consistent drawback for us on MSC. Logic was if we are eating in specialities more than not, the overall quality would be higher but sorry to read that is not the case. I know a different line but we have been invited back (or to another restaurant) when we have had issues with food or service in NCL specialities (offered without us asking). Based on your Seaview experience in 2019 it seems MSC would be unlikely to do this if they didn't even offer a replacement dessert.

Bit of a strange idea to change the restaurant on a given day. I hardly ever read the dailies, or at least only the port information on the front page. Although, I will pay closer attention now!

Sorry to hear you both aren't back to 100% yet. I think it has been noted elsewhere, but would be grateful if you could confirm - are the burgers & pizza 'better' from that venue compared to the buffet? I don't remember being overly impressed with the buffet burgers in the past, but I thought I read they were in fact better (or at the very least, different) on deck 6.

Hope you both feel better soon Bea, and manage to enjoy BC! 🙂

Booked on the 27/05/24 sailing so looks to be OK so far, touch wood, but I feel sorry for those of you in limbo. But if not a charter, would they redeploy the ship elsewhere in the region for only a few cycles? Perhaps they would, I really don't know. This is about the time people will be thinking about airfare so it really is not fair there is no clarity.

That's good news for sure. Pleased the food continues to be good. Have you stopped by the Raj Polo tea house at all? I think it looks a very pleasant area in photographs and videos but wonder if it is well utilised and what the setup is?

Also, do you have any idea of how full she is and does she 'feel' full so far or is there enough room for everyone to spread out?

Yes following along with both your direct and indrect updates. Hope you have a fabulous time. Thanks for the info shared so far particuarly on the Aurea sepcifics such as the sun deck and restaurant (I had previously assumed all guests were in Les Dunes, not just suite guests so that is definitely news to me). So glad the food is up to standard. I would use the buffet for breakfast and lunch but never dinner so not as concerned about that. Do you have any speciality restaurants planned for this trip?

Sorry to hear Epic is still in bad shape. I was on her last October and posted a thread here about the various shortcomings from a maintenance and wear/tear point of view. I complained onboard, and to shoreside on my return. It needs drydocked, stripped back to the metal and fitted out again. Epic is often sailing in Europe, and on the more interesting itineraries - I really want to go for the places but will not for the ship. Another continent can take a turn with her, we've had her long enough and would appreciate some of the newer ships spending more time here! Going on Joy in May and very much looking forward to a ship in better shape.

🤯 Dare I ask how many bags?

I am going to lose Diamond by a matter of weeks due to the 'sail within 3 years of the last' rule... so my account shows Diamond now but I will board a few weeks after it is due to expire. So any excess points I am happy to absorb. 😛