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Everything posted by debfed65
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Wow this is great! Thanks for the link!
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@rodndonna and @Queen of Oakville...thank you both for your detailed responses and your experiences. This is when CC comes in handy, when people take the time to help others with this type of information 🙂. It is my understanding that once you make final payment, you can request for your ticket to be issued so the airline can assist you with seat selection etc... If you have eticket number then for sure you have been ticketed. I have always found that they don't issue your ticket right after final payment, and only do so a few weeks before departure unless you specifically request it. Also, if you request your ticket to be issued prior to final payment, then of course you will have to pay for it at that time. This cruise that we are booked on goes to Alexandria, Egypt. The only reason we would cancel would be if HAL pulled the itinerary (before final payment). That is the reason why I do not want to pay for airline tickets now. I have only had experience with Flights by Celebrity, and they do not operate the same way FlightEase does, hence the reason for my frustrations. For example, our recent trip to Japan I found cheaper flights with WestJet after selecting my flights with Celebrity using Air Canada. Celebrity did not have WestJet flights listed as an option, but I called and they were able to get the flights I was seeing on WestJet website, for the SAME price and it was held until I made final payment. I saved $1000.00 per airline ticket by switching to WestJet! Also to note, our return flight was with EVA Air and our reservation showed our first and middle names as one long name with no space in between. I think this is similar to Queen of Oakville situation 🤷♀️ There was no problem at Singapore airport with check in with our reservation showing that way. I have never had a problem paying for seat selection direct with AC when booking with Celebrity, after final payment. Our international flights booked with them always include a checked piece of luggage, so I don't understand why HAL FlightEase is saying we don't get checked luggage. They are quoting $1982.00 per person for the flights into Barcelona and returning from Athens. I can't believe that a standard economy fare at that price doesn't include luggage! The restricted fare with AC and Air Transat is approximately $1370.00 and those tickets do not allow changes, cancellations, no checked bags. Thank you again for your responses. And I have to ask @rodndonna what is the "outlook" thing you mentioned regarding changing flights impacted by delays etc... In all my years of travelling, I have never heard of this, but I am very interested to know what it is! Happy cruising ....Debbie
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Air Canada Flights through HAL travel
debfed65 replied to Queen of Oakville's topic in Holland America Line
Yes it's a flex fare with FlightEase, not a restricted fare - HAL have told me its a standard economy fare class with AC. The lowest restricted fare with AC is a basic economy fare. If I select the exact same flights with a standard economy fare on AC website (which includes your first checked luggage), I am comparing apples to apples with the fare HAL has offered and HAL is charging $296 per person more, and saying that I still have to pay extra for my first piece of checked luggage. Just as you stated, they are cheaper typically than direct airline flex fare. It just doesn't seem ethical that they are doing that & that is my point. Of course I know I can book elsewhere, but why pay for it now if I can pay with final payment. That is one of the perks of booking the flights with the cruise line. What I am trying to find out is if anyone else has experienced them charging more for the same fare class with the airline, that's all. It just doesn't make sense. -
I have left this same post on the HAL site and my HAL roll call re: Flight Ease with HAL. Maybe someone here will give me some insight - it seems that @Queen of Oakville has had a bit of a frustrating experience as well. Hope someone can shed some light on this. This is our first HAL cruise using Flight Ease. I booked Air Canada flights Toronto-Barcelona/Athens-Toronto for September 2025 on HAL website. I have been on hold three times for hours on end trying to find out exactly which type of economy fare we are booked on Basic, Standard, Flex. I have been told its a Standard Economy fare, but does not include our first piece of checked luggage. When I go on AC and book the exact same flights on a Standard Economy ticket, it includes the first check bag and the pricing $296.00 per person CHEAPER than Flight Ease. I have been trying to speak with a supervisor to get some clarification, but was left on hold for over two hours so I gave up. The HAL website says they have "specially negotiated low prices" on their airfares so I have no idea why it is an additional $600 for the two of us. Has anyone experienced anything like this, overcharging for the identical flights? I usually cruise with Celebrity and their flight department does not do this. Their flights are priced the same as the airline, and you can even choose flights that aren't even on the Celebrity website - but HA doesn't even have this option. I am so confused - any insight would be appreciated! Thanks....Debbie
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Air Canada Flights through HAL travel
debfed65 replied to Queen of Oakville's topic in Holland America Line
Hope someone can shed some light on this. This is our first HAL cruise using Flight Ease. I booked Air Canada flights Toronto-Barcelona/Athens-Toronto for September 2025 on HAL website. I have been on hold three times for hours on end trying to find out exactly which type of economy fare we are booked on Basic, Standard, Flex. I have been told its a Standard Economy fare, but does not include our first piece of checked luggage. When I go on AC and book the exact same flights on a Standard Economy ticket, it includes the first check bag and the pricing $296.00 per person CHEAPER than Flight Ease. I have been trying to speak with a supervisor to get some clarification, but was left on hold for over two hours so I gave up. The HAL website says they have "specially negotiated low prices" on their airfares so I have no idea why it is an additional $600 for the two of us. Has anyone experienced anything like this, overcharging for the identical flights? I usually cruise with Celebrity and their flight department does not do this. Their flights are priced the same as the airline, and you can even choose flights that aren't even on the Celebrity website - but HA doesn't even have this option. I am so confused - any insight would be appreciated! Thanks....Debbie -
Thanks for posting this....we have also secured our cabin at a great price WOOHOO 💃🕺🛳️ We are also booked on the Ascent TA this coming April but paid much more for that one! This is a bargain!!
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@hillswood We just got off Celebrity Millennium & had Shimizu/Mt. Fuji as one of our ports of call. We went to the Shiraito no Taki and the Otodome no Taki Waterfalls....it was spectacular! We also went to Sengen Taisha Shrine and the Miho no Matsubara pine grove. Unfortunately, Mt. Fuji was not visible from the beach at the pine grove on the day we were in port, otherwise it would have been a beautiful place to see it! We were on a ship shore excursion to use OBC, so it was a very easy, pleasant day. If you would like, I can post some pics...just let me know and I will put them here. We did Hiroshima on our own and it was very easy, thanks to all the help from @monkey@cruise. We went to Peace Park Memorial and did the sights, it was a very peaceful and moving day...it was one of our favourite ports of call. We also DIY most of the time and it was our first time in Japan. I highly recommend you get an eSIM for your phone or use your phone plan to have access to google maps if you plan to do things on your own. It was very, very helpful when navigating the trains in Japan! Everyone is very helpful if you get lost! Have a great cruise! Debbie & Ron
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Singapore port, will we have time to catch our flight?
debfed65 replied to mashisback's topic in Asia
We had no problems getting to the airport for our 1:15pm flight to Toronto. We disembarked Celebrity Millennium as soon as they announced we could, retrieved our luggage and headed through security and then out of the terminal. As soon as you exit, there are people with signs offering pre-paid taxi to the airport for a lot more than the regular taxi rate. If you bypass them, go straight and then veer off to the left you will see the directions for the taxi stand. Since we departed the ship ASAP, there was approximately 30 people ahead of us in the queue for the taxis. It was very, very humid so we were thankful we didn't have too long to wait. Within 15 minutes, the lineup behind us was about 60 people. The taxi ride was very nice and we arrived at the airport with by 8:30. It cost $38 SGD in total and we were dropped right in front of our check in gate. I would highly recommend to get off the ship as fast as you can....the line up gets very long, very quickly for the taxis and the humidity is crazy! Make sure you go to see Jewel at the airport....it is spectacular! -
Singapore port, will we have time to catch our flight?
debfed65 replied to mashisback's topic in Asia
Celebrity cruise air department (Flights by Celebrity) -
@bookbabe also posted two really good YouTube videos in post #160 which were very helpful for me as I have never used an eSIM before. Also, the gentleman who is in the second video, has also posted 8 things to be aware of in the settings when using Airalo. Everything on this board has been very helpful 😊
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I purchased an eSIM so I have data but also took a screenshot of this page. Thanks again 😊
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Have a wonderful cruise....We love the TA's!!!
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I will definitely follow the instructions on the Airalo email as well! This is valuable information - thank you for posting!!
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Thank you for explaining this more thoroughly. I have taken a screen shot of this to save on my phone. I think you'll be happy when I finally board the ship this week and stop asking so many questions 😂. I can't thank you enough for all the details you have posted on Cruise Critic!
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Hi @monkey@cruise it's me again lol. We are also planning to for Fushimi-Inari Shrine to be our first stop in Kyoto on our DIY (Millennium Oct 9-10 port of call). Does #3 mean there is a direct train from Osakako Station? I am a little confused. Thanks...Debbie
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Thank you for this information 🙂 I have one question….do I select the eSIM when I am leaving Toronto airport and before I go on airplane mode ? And then when I arrive in Japan and go off airplane mode I assume it will automatically default to the eSIM I set before leaving Toronto?
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Thank you for this information & that is a good idea to toggle off the other one! I am going to watch the videos that bookbabe posted above to get a better understanding of it all 😊
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Thank you @bookbabe for explaining this for me! Its perfect! I will watch the YouTube videos you have posted. I do know that my iPhone is compatible to use eSIM - I have checked that already.
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Hello everyone. I hope someone can help me with some questions about sSIM for Japan. I have been searching through CC but can't seem to get a comfort level on how they work. I have never used an eSIM before so bare with me please as I try to figure it out. I understand that I install it before I leave Toronto and my iPhone stays on Airplane Mode the whole time while away. My questions are: 1. Will I still be able to connect to Celebrity wifi while onboard? 2. Will my family still be able to iMessage me using my phone number as if I was at home? 3. I do not need use WhatsApp to make calls, as I keep in touch via iMessage & email, so can I safely assume these will continue to work while using an eSIM? 4. I am on a B2B to NE Asia, and will not need to use the eSIM for the second cruise, so can I toggle back to my regular sim on my iPhone while on airplane mode? Please be kind with your replies I am not very tech savvy. I have travelled internationally many times, but have never used an eSIM, but feel it is something I will defiantly need for Japan and as we all know, our Canadian carriers charge exorbitant rates for international usage. Any and all information would be greatly appreciated. We are leaving October 3 2024. Thank you....Debbie
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Thank you. I will use Suica in my Apple wallet. Although, I was under the impression that it was universal and could be used for all transportation in Japan. Either way, I will still have it in on my phone to use when I can & purchase Yen before I leave Toronto.
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Thanks - we appreciate your experience & opinions 😁
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Thank you again for all your details and suggestions! 😊 I was looking at Wong Tai Sin temple, but I will look up the Man Mo Temple too. If Man Mo is easier to get to and see, then we will do that. Also, was thinking of the Temple Street Night Market which I believe is close to the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade. Our ship leaves port at 10pm but we wouldn't stay late at the night market I read that they start to set up at 4pm and run into the evening. Or go to the Ladies Market (I love shopping lol especially markets) ....but now I am nervous to use my credit card at a markets and am thinking I should get HKD before we leave Toronto. I do not think they accept USD 🤷♀️What do you think? Debbie & Ron
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Thank you again for all your help - we leave in 8 days 💃 but who’s counting lol
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@monkey@cruise quick question to this prior answer you gave me re: Kamakura on turnaround day....can we use SUICA for all these different lines?
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Thoughts on Celebrity Millennium for a Japan cruise?
debfed65 replied to jbinpa's topic in Celebrity Cruises
We will be on Millennium b2b from October 6-29 this year. I have heard it is too early to enjoy the fall foliage in Japan, but October weather is supposed to be good 🤞 I can report back here on our weather experience when we return if you would like.