jj39

We’re only a little more than three weeks from the FL law going into effect. Heck, I’ve got the Edge booked for October and am not even real comfortable about that being a 95% sailing. I’m not at all interested if it’s a mix requiring masks and distancing.  

If you can afford it and you like the Mille I would believe that would be the bet. Note we’ve had many folks on this forum predicting that there would be a decision on the FL law last Wednesday. That day came and went to only see FL double down on the rhetoric. IMHO if the cruise lines together gave DeSantis a date certain to work this out or they would move ships out of FL there would a deal. People need to make plans and the cruise lines need to take firm action. Seems there are lots of Gulf coast ports that would welcome them.   

Since RCCL already has a presence in Galveston it would be nice to see Celebrity join them with at least one ship

Just wondering. If DeSantis wins or CEL were to back down and settle for any one of these three:

1)      Simply ask for verbal confirmation of vaccine(honor system) but no document

2)      Go the mixed route but require all passengers to wear masks indoors and comply with the rest of the non-vaccine CSO requirements used in test cruises

3)       Add “Covid” to the existing “I’m not sick” paper that everyone has signed for years before boarding, but not specifically ask for vaccine info.

Would you cancel your cruise?

I would hope management is looking at this. We are booked and fully vaccinated for later in the fall but likely would not consider a cruise under any of the above circumstances. As an aside I don’t believe the June Edge sailing indicates anything one way or another since the FL law is not in effect till July.

2 hours ago, tserface said:

The last cruise we were on the waiters were selling tables in the lounge to the highest bidders and putting drinks on the tables to reserve them.  Some people didn't show up until 20 minutes later and just went right to their reserved tables while other people stood up.  I thought it was a pretty poor practice, but the concierge said it's how they make extra tips.  So, in a sense, they are starting to charge for use of the room anyway.

 

Tom

We're Elite+ and never seen anything like that. From some of the other replies here it appears it was a onetime event. 

I will say, IMHO that the CC HH was the PRIME reward for Elite or above status. We were cruising several years ago with another couple on their first cruise and we had a very bad service event in Blu. The cruise Director met with us and was most apologetic and asked me if there was anything he could due to make up for the event. I replied that was not necessary, but if he really wanted to  it would be nice if our non elite friends could join us each night at the CC HH. He arranged that for the rest of the cruise. They were so impressed that they have cruised exclusivity on CEL since, trying to reach Elite status ( I think they are now within about 15 points). I think CEL mgt under estimates the social value of the event. It's not the drinks or the appetizers it's the opportunity to meet other frequent CEL cruisers. 

2 hours ago, jj39 said:

My understanding is that during the relaxed Covid CEL booking procedures you can get your money back even during the penalty phase . Of course that may not included expenses not booked through CEL.

My mistake....it may be 100% FCC for cnx during the penalty phase. Even that would be good enough for me. We're booked at end of Oct so final payment is due in Aug. Hope by then things have settled down. I doubt if we'll go if it's less than 95% vaccinated.

1 hour ago, flyhi120 said:

I am starting to hope my cruise on Celebrity cancels and I get my money back.  I have a pool at home and I don’t eat grab and go.  

My understanding is that during the relaxed Covid CEL booking procedures you can get your money back even during the penalty phase . Of course that may not included expenses not booked through CEL.

Any comments made about FL law which prohibits cruise lines requiring vaccine proof? Booked on the Edge out of FLL in OCT but will CNX if CEL does not require most to be vaccinated.

Just off Liberty, our first RCCL cruise but this was our 27th cruise over 6 cruise lines (mostly Celebrity and Princess). WE felt the MDR food was at the bottom of all we have experienced on any of the other lines. The presentation was nice but the food, especially beef dishes, were very poor. Windjammer buffet was acceptable but still in the lower tier compared to CEL,PCL, and HAL. We tried Chops and I had the fillet which was very tender but lacking in much taste. Don't know how to take the taste out of beef but they managed to do it.

One thing I found very concerning was that virtually every crew member we met emphasized that we should fill out the RCCL survey but in no case rate anything less than a 10 (excellent). I even asked the waiter if I rated the service as great but only rated the food as poor would it hurt him. He replied it would even tho it was out of his control. No surprise the last 2 questions on the RCCL survey was "did anyone request you rate the survey high" and "who requested it". 

It seems to me that management wants high ratings but is not really interested in improvement.

Old one was fine. Not too pleased with the new look

We had to show/get our passports stamped multiple times:

When we arrived to Schipol from USA, when we went through customs.

Just before boarding the cruise ship in Amsterdam

Upon arriving in Dover, in the cruise terminal.

Dublin also required this - the ship collected our passports 2 days prior to arriving in Dublin and returned them the day after we left Dublin. There was a large green stamp from them.

When we disembarked the ship in Amsterdam.

Multiple times in Schipol Airport.

We had a flight that departed Schipol for Houston at about 11am. We disembarked the ship at about 7:15am, caught a cab by 8am. We got to the airport, through the airline check-in area and through passport control with time to spare to sit down and have a small breakfast before catching our flight.

THX for the info.

quick question. we're doing a 12 day British Isles in Aug. Cruise is AMS to AMS with all stops in EU countries. I'm assuming that since we don't leave the EU on the cruise there will be no customs to go through on return to the AMS port and that we can walk off directly the ship to a cab.. I'm concerned since we have a rather tight (4 HR) connect to Schiphol for the flight back to the US.

I guess it's ALL in the eye of the beholder! I really enjoy the modern "classic" style of the Solstice Class ships. The interiors of the cabins and several other spaces in the Edge are "white out" to me with too few pops of color. Much of the outside (fake trees et all)remind me of the view of the future from the 60's Jetsons comic strip.

If it's your style, go for it!

That is correct they have some lockers by all the excursion areas, jet ski, zip line.......

Once you pay for the wrist band that works on all areas where lockers are located you can use it everywhere for the day.

You just pick your locker.

 

I think it was around $8 this past August charged to sea pass.

 

Later

Thanks for the info.

Does anyone know if there is a secure place to leave your personal items unattended while doing the wave rider?

The new rules were posted a few weeks ago http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2327474

Thx. Sorry I must of missed that.

Looks like CEL is changing the cancelation rules. Per the CEL website all booked after 4/3/16 canceled 89 days or later lose 100% of deposit. Old rules were after 74 days lost deposit (minus taxes).