cheffip

cheffip, it's not as tight as an airport but they are pretty strict. For example at Ashdod they don't want you taking any photographs of the port.

 

Wishing you a wonderful time.

 

Israel is such a beautiful country. It is amazing how nice they made it. For example, you will pass by areas that are forests but that came to be because they planted millions of trees.

 

Keith

Thanks Keith. First time there for us and really looking forward to it. - Phil

Thanks to you both. I'm concluding from your comments that Israel has a well established system and we'll probably have immigration clearance on one of our two sea days before arrival. As Keith notes, local events could cause a delay at the port. I believe we're the only major ship in port Oct 3-5 so that may help. Is security at the port itself something like an airport? I'll have my camera bag of course and my daily medication with me.

We'll be visiting Israel with Celebrity next month - two nights docked at Ashdod and one at Haifa. What's the process for passing through immigration, customs and security before meeting our small-group tour guide?

We'll be coming back to the ship each night.

I dont see any discounts but the 4 or 5 night price is pretty good. On Silhouette, will I get my choice of Q-sine, Murano's, Sushi on Five, Lawn Club Grill, Murano's and Tuscan? And can I repeat a favorite?

Thanks all for the advice. I will check the cruise planner. We have Celebrity and TA OBC (which I know you can't use in advance).

I guess the real pain is having to have the first meal on nights 1 or 2.

We'll be onboard Silhouette next month and plan to have some meals in the specialty restaurants. The four-meal package on the website looks good but we've also purchased packages on Day 1 onboard, (usually from "greeters" as you enter the buffet.)Any advice as to which way to go on these options?

Just to close the storyline here: my TA switched our Classic package to the other official perk, $300 OBC, so we will purchase the Premium non-alcoholic package with that. Does anyone know if they have Day 1 promotions on these packages like they often do for specialty restaurant packages? We had a great deal on a Millennium specialty restaurant package which the we're promoting on Day 1 last time.

My husband has changed from the Classic Alcohol Package to Non Alcohol Premium package twice without any issues. Just make sure you do it before you get any drinks.

Thanks...we'll definitely try but some people seem to be refused. Did your husband go to customer service to make the change?

The packages each have a price cap. If you order anything over your package's price cap, whether it be alcoholic, non-alcoholic, smoothie, whatever, you pay the difference. Is that what you are asking?

Thanks...do you (or anyone) happen to know what the non-alcoholic price cap is for the Classic package?

We have the Classic alcohol package that was pre-bundled by our travel agent. I know you can pay the price difference to get a premium alcohol drink but what about non-alcohol drinks? eg Does Celebrity have a formula for you to get a Perrier for a supplement over the price of a regular water? Or a can of Diet Coke rather than the fountain stuff?

My first choice would be to simply downgrade to the Premium non-alcoholic package but based on feedback on other threads that seems to be a very hit and miss option. My travel agent certainly wasn't able to do it when she called Celebrity though we'll try again on the ship.

Any recent successes (or failures) to switch from the classic alcoholic to the premium non-alcoholic package? FWIW, we'll be on Silhouette.

Among the non-alcoholic choices on the website, the distinction is made between "premium coffees" in Classic and "specialty coffees" in Premium. What's the difference?

Thanks everyone!

Thanks to you both. My concern was specifically about wafting up from the designated smoking area but I realize there is always a risk of someone breaking the rules and smoking on their balcony.

Probably being over-cautious but I wondered if port-side balconies on Sky Deck could detect the smokers from below? I'm guessing we're high enough above them but double-checking with those who know. FYI, I'm specifically referring to 1091 on Silhouette.

I'm feeling the frustration with the website. When I get it to log me in (sometimes takes a few times) and when I get to my reservations, I can't find my shore excursions...nothing is listed under the "extras". I do have my receipts from Celebrity but is there something I'm missing in order to see them on the website?

Thanks Hank and Annie

The cruise has enough long touring days that I think it will be enjoyable just to hang out at Mykonos Town and say hi to Petros the pelican :-)

My wife and I have a stop at Mykonos on our eastern Med cruise this fall. Our second time there...first time we did a very enjoyable DIY to Delos plus exploring the town.

I was looking for something new like an island tour this time, but the ship's tour is very expensive and I can't find any local tours through TripAdvisor.

Any suggestions? I was also wondering about part of the day at the beach (if it's warm enough) and some time in town. If so, what's a good DIY beach?

Great! Thanks everyone for the replies.

Our TA bundled some perks which included the classic alcohol drink package. We drink very little so our main interest will be the non-alcoholic beverages that are included.

What can we expect? Any specific locations?

Hey Phil. Since you are now in C2, you might want to contact Celebrity and ask if there are any staterooms between 1083 and 1223 on starboard side between 1062 and 1102 on port side. We booked C2 in August and swutcged to another C2 on the 10th of this month. Good luck. The other Phil

Thanks eanj...I did look at the sticky and read about those closest to 1079. Just wondered if anyone had actually been in it.

And thanks Phil...nothing right now but I will keep an eagle eye with your advice in mind. Particularly close to final payment, somebody bails. Also I'm aware of the price volatility of our cruise. Who knows, we may end up in Aqua Class :)

Do you lose your perks if the price drops after final payment but you pay a little more for a higher category?

We had an unexpected upgrade on Silhouette to a C2 and this seemed like the best of the few remaining choices. We're right behind the hump so I imagine the view forward isn't great. Any other concerns like the window washing equipment etc? Hoping a better placed cabin opens up closer to final payment.

Here is a copy of the menu that someone posted previously.

 

There has been some debate about the "freshly squeezed" orange juice.

Thanks for posting. I wonder if those are the regularly available smoothie flavors?

Thanks everyone. I'm now looking at a 1A - 7260 - which would be the second furthest forward of the angled balconies on deck 7 just in front of the rear elevators. Reviews sound good and better than 7258 because the bed apparently is not beside the balcony and it would appear that wind and noise wouldn't be an issue. Actually all four starboard angled cabins 7258,60,62 and 64 are available if anyone has something to add about the merits of each?