SFO-F/A

The Seine River is currently very high.  April 13, 2024

Does anyone know if the River cruises are operating?

41 minutes ago, Ombud said:

That's more believable.  253 cases over 10k persons (staff / crew / passengers per voyage .... last 2 voyages were about 7k of that count) would put it closer to 2.5% positivity rate. It's closer to 5% in my county so yeah, still safer onboard than in SF 

How bout all who got off and tested right after cruise......that happened to one in our group.

I have some miserable cough I caught onboard, not covid.  Probably from me dancing the night away.. LOL

Still had a GREAT time!

1 hour ago, mameeo said:

Does anyone have first hand recent knowledge on if you are still given n95 masks on board or is it just the surgical masks. We sail in a few days. 
Thank you very much for all responses

Cheers 🍷

Just off the Ruby,  only thin blue masks provided

9 hours ago, CineGraphic said:

Last week was California Coastal, this week is Pacific Northwest.

I’m hardly a prude, but it stinks.

Now this really made me laugh!  

Happy we were on the cruise before this one.  I didn't smell weed at all.  Not many cigarettes either.

The swearing woman in the piazza!  OMG.

On last weeks cruise everyone seemed friendly and happy to finally be cruising. 

We had a blast. 

On our return to SF 1 of our 6 tested positive for covid.  We were together constantly, eating, drinking, touring......interesting how 1 out of 6 gets it.  Or maybe we are asymptomatic?  Doing a PCR test tomorrow to be sure.

23 hours ago, CineGraphic said:

There are about 2000 on board, which is 55% occupancy. They can’t sail full due to CDC requirements for isolation cabins for new crew members and passengers with Covid.

Hummmm, I wonder why Estine at Guest services told me the ship is full?   Maybe holding back cabins for quarantine?  Not putting people in cabins that need work?   

Who knows, all I know is I'm happy to be finally cruising, not cooking meals, getting fresh sea air when I walk the decks, seeing happy smiling faces/eyes (with and without masks) wherever I go.

We have standing 7:30 dinner reservations in Botticelli.  Same table, same servers.  We really like being able to get our group of 6 together for dinner each night. 

On the first night we were asked if we liked the table and would like to reserve it every night.  We said sure, I'm thankful we did.  Last night was wild trying to get in there, formal night, Easter.  We walked right up to a line on the right and only had to wait a few minutes while others with reservations were checking in ahead of us.  Those without reservations were lined up a flight of stairs.  Dinner has been good, service excellent, (both cocktails and food).  

We were finished in time 9:10, to get to the 9:30 show.  

We have found the musical group Supersonics to be one of our favorites.  After the show in the main Princess Theater, we head to the venue where they are playing. Wonderful singer and band.  

Santa Barbara today.  4 of us stayed on board, 2 went to town.  Many folks opted to stay on board. 

Really enjoying the cruise, the Ruby, the staff.

No pounding, hammering, drilling today.  YAY!   My thought is because the tenders leave from right under where the work is being done.

45 minutes ago, Ombud said:

I'm going to be at C243 next week ... is it near that? If so,  should I  bring earplugs to sleep with??

 

 

I asked the worker how long he was going to be working on that particular balcony and he said a few more days, then he will move to the other side of the ship.  They start around 9 and finish at 5.  It's super quiet otherwise. 

This is a great cruise, except for the work going on while you want to enjoy peace and quiet. 

No work at night.

Onboard quickly, arrived port at 11:15, was on the ship, around noon!  Not bad at all. 

The six of us dropped our bags in the cabins (cabins not ready but we could drop our carryon bags) and went for drinks and burgers on deck 15. 

We were all very excited to be sailing again. 

After lunch we went to unpack and meet up later for sailaway drinks on the top deck.  Sailaway was supposed to be at 4 so we were there at 3:30 ready to party and go under the Golden Gate Bridge.

  Hummmmmm,  the captain said sailaway would be delayed till 5:30-6 due to windy weather.  Oh well, we are on the drink package, so drink we did.  Also got an amazing slice of pizza from Slice on deck 15.  Finally, the engines start, and we are on our way around 6pm.  

The inside of the Ruby is gorgeous.  Cabins clean and well appointed. The public rooms beautiful 

The staff very friendly and helpful.  

Dinner was in the main dining room, Botichelli.  Service was excellent and food good.  

By the time we got out of the dining room it was 9:30, we opted not to go to the show, a comedian.

We headed to Club Fusion to hear and dance to the band, Supersonics.  They are excellent.

Around 11:45 the music stops, and we are off to our cabins.  

I fell asleep thinking; this is going to be an amazing cruise.  

Just what I need after 2 years of no cruises.

Today is a sea day, after breakfast and a walk on deck, I decide to go to my cabin for a restful day of reading and sun, on my wonderful extended balcony.  What a surprise when I hear pounding, hammering and drilling on a balcony a few doors down, on the deck below!!!!   I call to complain saying this isn't what I signed up for.  A cruise is supposed to be peaceful and relaxing, not so loud that you can't even sit on your balcony.  I was told unfortunately it will go on the entire cruise!  WHAT!  Granted they need to repair the rust on the balconies and hull, however, not when guests are on board!  

Anyhow, what started as a wonderful, relaxing, fun cruise I was going to rave about, instead here I am complaining about something that shouldn't be happening. 

BTW, the ship is full, as told to me by guest services.  I know they sold this cruise at bargain prices after final payment.   We are not the ones who got a deal, as we booked this cruise 8 months ago.  

Guests very friendly, I'd say about 60% wearing masks indoors. 

Looking forward to sailing out of SF tomorrow.  Will post my impressions of the Ruby.  

It's my first cruise since March 2020, the Majestic Princess in Australia, and I can't wait!

It's been too long!

We like before dinner cocktails.  Usually eat around 7-8.

I didn't realize you need to make a reservation for dinner.  I assumed you just show up and wait or get seated or get a pager and go into the bar for another cocktail.

On 1/26/2022 at 2:52 PM, hrhdhd said:

Gratuities are included with the beverage packages.

 

I've found service hit or miss for drinks other than wine in the MDR.

Yes, the same for us.  Unless you are ordering wine, you will wait quite a while for your cocktail.

We usually bring a drink in with us.

9 minutes ago, grest said:

the email I got last week from my TA says final payment 2/1 for our 5/6 cruise.....I guess I'll email back!

Good luck, my TA is balking.  Let us know the reply

16 hours ago, Jeremiah1212 said:

It will apply to you. Being in a group rate does not make a difference. Emails should go out soon if they already haven’t. 

I asked my TA and he said since we are in a group rate this doesn't apply to us we are still to pay up 90 days before sail date.   Where can I find this information?

I am not a fan of paying 2-3 times the cost of a club room balcony to get a Haven suite.

 I've heard about the issue with kids gone wild!  Parents ignoring them as they scream and run amuck disturbing guests who want peace.  I've read this is a frequent problem and the staff do nothing. 

It all depends on your comfort level, if you have kids and don't mind them, go for it. 

It depends on your willingness to spend hard earned money or if you have unlimited funds. 

For me, a nice club balcony, is great, a relaxing aft balcony is great.  I'd take 2-3 trips on one of those rather than 1 haven trip anyday....  but if money was not an issue, perhaps I'd try the Haven.

I'd just be really bummed if loud, obnoxious children ruin my cruise.  

BTW, kids on cruise ships never bother me.....they are in the kids club or not in my space.

In the Haven....they are there...

I really enjoyed this.....getting excited for cruising. 

1 hour ago, ColeThornton said:

Pro Tip:   How to put another poster on "Ignore".

 

Simply go to one of their posts within a thread, hover your cursor above their username, click on "Ignore User".

 

Easy to do and works well.   That saves you getting tired eyes from rolling them all the time.  🙂

Thanks, just did that!  Tired of rolling my eyes.  🤣

Thanks for posting.  Won't miss this one. 

Still want to cruise as soon as CDC says we can

I'm booked on the Epic Rome-NY sailing end of Nov, 2021

Certainly hope it's a go!  

Can only hope.

On 3/4/2021 at 6:22 AM, Spif Barwunkel said:

Celebrity: May 1, 2021

 

Sailings in Asia, Australia, New Zealand and South America are canceled for the 2020-2021 season.

 

In addition: The May 1 Transatlantic crossing on Apex; May through October 2021 Europe and transatlantic cruises on Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Constellation will also be suspended

 

This is X's input from the March 3 Cruise Critic article on when ocean cruises will resume. Looks like Caribbean cruises only beginning May 1 through at least October. Not surprising.  

Why is this dated May 1,  2021?  It's only March

1 hour ago, TMLAalum said:

 

There are what I consider Sweet 16s on the S-class ships. The last 8 cabins Deck 6 toward the stern port & starboard have extended verandas over the blue roof of the dining areas on Deck 5. The lifeboats are forward of these. We've had 6294 and 6298- the blue roof is not a big deal and even the Sky Suite verandas on Deck 6 extend over the blue roof!!

 

Also on Deck 6 there are 2C cabins on the angle of the hump that have the same oversize verandas as the 1As with barely obstructed views- per the Eclipse deck plan these are Starboard 6156, 6158, 6240, 6242 with Port cabins 5561, 6157, 6241, 6243.

 

You can switch cabins within categories and not lose perks so if any of these are available go for it.

Wow....great information.  Thanks, I will keep these in my Celebrity file.

3 minutes ago, clojacks said:

Did you do this in the online request form? I just had one of their chat "specialists" tell me that if I wanted to "upgrade",  I would lose my perks and have to pay the prevailing rate. I hardy consider going from a great Sweet 16 type 2C cabin to a partially obstructed 2C cabin as an equal swap, requiring an upgrade for a comparable view. The agent told me it was only obstructed if you were on the balcony! I couldn't believe he said it....

Yes, I filled out an online form and was called back by an agent about a week after I filled out the form.

There's nothing like a sweet 16 balcony!  I've had them twice and really enjoyed the space.  

The agent I had told me that I had to switch from a 2C to a 2C.  I guess that's the rules.  

However, he said he could let me go up to the 2B if I paid the difference, which was a bit over $100pp at the time, plus still keep my original perks.  I made the switch 6 weeks ago, when the prices were still low and they were offering a couple of perks.   He had to put it through the supervisor, etc.   Yesterday I checked prices and they are much higher.  Perhaps that is why they are unwilling to move you one category up?  

3 hours ago, clojacks said:

Wasn’t us....haven’t done any TP or TA yet. By any chance did you do the Holy Lands with Celebrity a couple of years ago?

  I've been to the Holy Land, not on a cruise.  Fascinating.  

51 minutes ago, clojacks said:

I booked with an online also, and emailed them on Monday asking about the lift and shift, but haven't got an email back yet. I may go directly to the agent I usually book with at the agency and get him to Customer Service working for me. By any chance is your agency in NH? 

 

Your ID looks familiar. Are you saying we were on a same roll call? Not the Dubai to Singapore "Turn-around this past February, was it?

I believe we were on the Millennium 2020 transpacific rollcall together?  

Yes, agency is in NH.   All I know is the agents are now working from home.  At least they were 6 weeks ago when I changed cruises.   It took over a week to get a response from the company.   You may hear from them Monday.

6 minutes ago, clojacks said:

Was there any difficulty getting them to let you pay up? I'd be willing to pay up to 2A, 1A, even Aqua if they would allow it.

I booked the Millennium with an online booking agent.  It took quite a few days to get a call back.  

We were on the same roll call.  I wrote about how frustrating it was to try and get through to the company because they seemed to take days to get back to me. 

When the agent called back, he had all my information.  And knew what I wanted to do, as I wrote it all down in an email..  He was going to book me in the same category and we were online looking at what cabins were available.  Then I realized I would be right above the life boats in the 2C solstice cabin.   I told him I didn't want that as the same cabin on millennium was no obstruction.

He said, right now I can book you in the 2B for $100pp more and you will keep your perks.  I said sure.    I'm not sure about going up to a much higher category?  It doesn't hurt to ask.  

Good luck.

Thanks for the photo.  Yup, I didn't want to see the life boats.  It was worth it for us to pay a bit more to have a clear view of the water.