Gingerjulie26

Thanks for all the advice and suggestions. We do have the premium drinks package, but are not in a suite. Im a big fan of afternoon tea so I think we will splash out and try it, have tried a few afternoon teas in buffets and have been Abit disappointed..

Has anyone tried Champagne afternoon tea aboard celebrity? Or the millennium in particular? Is it worth the $25pp? I've also read it is usually only served once per cruise, so likely to book up quick. Is this accurate?

In just over a week we are cruising from Shanghai, stoping in S. Korea and then onto stops in Japan. If anyone has done a cruise in this part of the world, at this time of year could you tell me if the sea days will be warm enough to sunbathe by the pool deck? Also wondering how choppy the seas were between these countries? (Prone to seasickness, will be taking seabands and tablets just incase)

We're sailing in just over 2 weeks out of Shanghai on the millennium. Obviously we are flying out from the UK, but I still plan on packing two suits and a tux for my over half. One of the best bits of cruising is the opportunity to dress up, it's the only time he gets to wear his tux haha however I wouldn't judge people who don't want to dress up. As long as I don't see any beachwear or sportswear in the dining room im happy :)

I'm the original poster and thought I would leave an update in case anyone else comes here looking for advice or answers. (Sorry this is a long and detailed post)

We have done our research. Including reading up on the Shanghai immigration website, phoning shanghais direct immigration helpline, phoning our airline - Lufthansa, phoning celebrity cruises and even double checking with the visa agency recommended by celebrity. Everyone was in agreement we will qualify for the 144 hour transit visa, and do not need to spend £350 for a tourist visa. Which is enough to put our minds at rest. I appreciate everyone's advise saying it's only £350 just pay it, however to me this is still a lot of money to pay if it isn't even needed. (Its more money to spend enjoying ourselves on holiday). The lady from celebrity cruises explained she has answered the same question countless times over the last few weeks, due to the upcoming cruise. She reassured us celebrity cruises are aware of it and will let us board at boashan port as they deal with the 144 hour visa all the time. We've been told the most common problem encountered is boarding the plane to shanghai from whichever country, so to pre-empt this issue we have already checked with Lufthansa that they will let us board without a tourist visa in the aim of getting a transit visa on arrival at pudong airport. However we plan to also arrive at the airport extra early just in case ;)

I think a lot of confusion unfortunately stems from the 144 hour transit visa only coming into effect from Jan this year. Then mixed with lack of information from visa agencies, airlines and cruise lines. Hope some of this info helps reassure people still worried.

Sorry I Mis typed 'heading to South Korea and China' which should of said 'heading to South Korea and Japan' we leave from shangahi and do not re enter China. The cruise is the celebrity milenium on the 9th October 2016 of that helps. With this correction, I'm hoping your ABC country theory would still stand?

Hello,

Does anyone have any experince of using the 144 hour transit visa in Shanghai? I'm aware this is the only city in China that this is possible. However I've heard conflicting reports, and do not want to spent £350 on Chinese tourist visas needlessly if it is an option? Basically we are british flying into Shanghai pudong, spending 3 days in Shanghai before joining a cruise from boashan port heading to south korea and China. I can't seem to get a straight answer from cruise line, airline or visa centre. Does anyone have any personal experince of being issues one on landing? Any advice Would really help, thanks :confused:

Hello,

I will be sailing this Sunday on the epic from Barcelona (Yay!) I have a question regarding the check in process. As we are flying in and have transfers through NCL, is it possible to drop bags off and then go explore Barcelona for a few hours? We will probably arrive at port at around 12:30pm and all aboard isn't until 5pm, and wondered if it's possible to go explore Barcelona for a few hours without dragging luggage around. We have only ever sailed from Southampton, so are unsure if when you drop the bags off you have to check in and get straight onto the ship. Any info would be much appreciated. Thanks :)

Julie

Hawkey, your right it's back phew. Thanks for responses though :)

My boyfriend and I have been looking at a cruise on the epic departing on the 29th of November from Barcelona, for 10 nights. However when I went to book today, it wasn't there anymore on the site? Does this mean it's sold out or been cancelled? Also tried a few other cruise sites looking for same cruise but cannot find it anywhere. Is this normal if it's sold out? Many thanks for any responses.