gcgold

The contract is that document you agree to when you take a cruise. It may or may not include the T&C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Which is exactly why the cruise lines will avoid making specific statements. BTW, I understand the UK contract includes words that define an "important change" and only "Important changes" give cause to a claim. I seem to remember that a cruise line can miss one port but if it misses two ports, then that becomes an "important change". I maybe wrong in that. I only read the contract once. If that is the case, I'm not sure that missing lunch a couple of days would be considered an "important change" deserving of compensation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm not at all sure that UK/EU provides additional advantages in consumer protection. If the change is not an "important change", what protection do you get? And, those additional consumer protections prevent you from getting a refund of your deposit as well as add to the costs. Looks to me that in that case the US customer is better protected since he can always cancel the cruise and get his deposit back. We should all remember that large organizations and regulations are not always our friends. Sometimes "consumer protection" is just a synonym for "consumer exploitation".

The UK/Euro Consumer protection laws are seen by many corporations as going too far to protect the consumer.

I wasn't saying they are better , rather different and you correctly point out that our deposits are non-refundable.

What I was trying to point out is that on these multi national forums it is important not to espouse opinions regarding contracts without stating which country's laws one is referring to.

I have on occasion booked via a USA TA in the full knowledge that I do not know my Consumer Rights , in exchange for a much cheaper cruise. If I book via a UK TA then it is with a fairly comprehensive knowledge of my rights but with an extra premium to pay.

According to some posts on this forum a USA booked cruise could mean that the Cruise Company could simply cruise around the sea off Miami for the duration of the Cruise? I can assure you all that this would not be tolerated in an English Court of Law IF challenged by a consumer .

Sounds like you enjoyed your trip. Do you have dailies that you can scan and post? We are on the July 10th cruise, and would love to get a heads up look at the dailies.

We definitely enjoyed it despite a serious onboard injury to my FIL's leg and my iphone going walkies [emoji33]

Have all the dailies and intend to scan the first 2 pages of each one and it them on Google Drive with a link on here - is that OK ? [emoji41]

If there is any other questions I will do my best - although the premium package can make one's memory a tad hazy you lnow [emoji33][emoji32][emoji12]

Has this bar now become the World Class Bar? I thought they had 10 drinks. Or is it still Molecular and they are just scaling it back before the conversion?

 

 

 

Thanks

No its still Molecular and apparently there ate Contractual wrangles with the franchisee ( junor mireno ?)

As usual the paying customer is the one who suffers [emoji33][emoji33]

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Are you sure that the switch hasn't already happened and that's why they weren't allowed to make their own mixes?

 

The contract with Junior Merino is over and so for the last few sailings with Molecular I can't see the problem with improvising (especially since they've been doing it for years).

They were Junor Merino mixes ( the cocktails were definitely his). My suspicion is that they can only continue the Molecular branding etc under strict conditions. Sooner it switches the better IMHO

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What is the seating capacity? We are thinking of Sky Suite so as to eat at Luminae instead of aqua

if that us the only reason you may be disappointed. We paid a significant premium for a suite the bigger room and 2 free spec. restaurant meals were the only thing worthwhile for us but not worth the extra dosh - back to steerage or Aqua for us [emoji33]

Seriously only 5. We found the 10 on world class hard to find something we liked. We loved the fact the bar tenders at molecular used their ingredients wisely and created unique and very enjoyable drinks. That's what kept us coming back.

Interested to know whether the Diageo Bartenders are allowed to create their own concoctions ? [emoji32][emoji484][emoji484][emoji484][emoji484]

Holywood GC......hope he didn't over do the Rory Mc stories ;)

 

 

 

All I'll say is I have Rory's two balls..............practice ones, but that's another story :p

 

 

 

We enjoy a bit of napkin waving, so it will be the MDR for us, but will conclude the cruise in the Martini Bar......in true Ulster fashion :D

sorry to disappoint you but the 'parade ' has been discontinued. - at least thats what our waiter said [emoji12]

My recollection is that it used to be the last formal night ?

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I would expect nothing less, a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do :D

I note that you are from N Ireland [emoji41]

there were quite a few on the boat with us. The last night we invited a honeymoon couple from Belfast ( Marcus plays @ Hollywood GC) to join us in Qsine as we find it lifts the downer of it being ' the end'. We also find QS more enjoyable in a group.

We had coffee with rachel & marcus in FCO airport the next day and they said how much they enjoyed QSine - but maybe it was just Ulster politeness ?[emoji33]

Jolly good, have already booked the Tuscan Grill both nights :)

 

 

 

Returning to the Shore Excursions, what did you do at Kusadesi ?

As usual - not a lot ! [emoji32]

Third time there and ashamed to say we haven't been to Ephesus yet [emoji33]

I understand its only s 10 minute bus ride away- plenty of info on t'internet.

Did a bit of haggling in the Bazaar then returned to the Boat to hit the Premium package [emoji41]

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Hi I'm curious to know what deal you got on upgrading to the premium package. We have the classic and were wondering whether it was worth upgrading?

Now that is an interesting simple question but the answer is a tad complex.

If you do it onboard it will cost $11.80 per day and you can use any OBC (including non-refundable. OBC). However i called Celebrity UK and they quoted a sterling price which saved quite a bit on the exchange rate at the time.

It is always worth it for me as I enjoy the Pellegrino ,cocktails wines & beers that are not covered by Classic.

We had a bit if a celebration and SWMBO fancied a glass of shampoo ( i think it was $22). we only had to pay the difference $9 (+18 %) whereas if we had Classic then it have been the full $22 (+18 %)

I heard a few peoples saying there isnt many wines on the Classic - and the choice isnt great on Premium either. I did find a nice Pouilly Fume that cost $0.50 (+18 %) per glass extra - which would be $13.5 extra plus 18%![emoji32]) on the Classic

Personally like to know that I can get Tanquerary 10 etc without a big bill at the end - but that is just my opinion.

Cheers

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That would be an administrative nightmare. Exactly what would constitute an "important change"? Where would this be posted? On the website? What about persons who book by phone? Should Celebrity be required to send them an official change notice? How? Email or snail mail?

 

 

 

What if "important changes" happen? Should celebrity have to allow cancellations?

 

 

 

Hotel websites typically have some kind of legal disclaimer that protects them in the case that their website information is incorrect. Hotels can change all sorts of things on their website without an obligation to inform already booked customers. Celebrity already has such a disclaimer in their contract.

Can you please define what you mean by "contract".

I understand ( but not sure) that the T's & C's form the contract in North America.

However I am 100% sure that the T's & C's are only part of the contract in the UK ( & possibly Europe).

To give an example the Head of Celebrity UK publicly stated that Luminae would be serving 3 meals per day every day including Lunch on embarkation. Any UK booking made after that announcement would have that statement as part of the 'Contract' Should a Customer not get what she said they would have a legal claim against Celebrity UK. Whether anyone would wish to go down that route with all the costs etc is another matter.

It us important to realise that posters may not be aware of the significant differences in Consumer Protection in the UK/Europe compared to , say USA.

gcgold

 

 

 

Thanks for all this great info, we're on the 10th August 11 night cruise, can you remember which nights were the formal ones?

Cheers

 

Michael

Indeed I can - remarkable given that I had upgraded to a Premium Package before we left Blighty and got excellent value for money ;)

Day 2 (first Full Day at Sea ) was formal as was the penultimate night on the final Sea Day between Athena & Napoli

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Just got off Reflection

The Who's Who is located here

I have to say that Captain Peppas was the most visible and amiable Captain we have encountered

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We are going on this cruise 20 July and would love to know your views regarding shore excursions. We've booked the Celebrity Santorini tour but for the other ports we really only want to do half day tours rather than full day trips e.g. Pompeii. Also is it easy to do your own thing in Athens and Istanbul or better to book a tour?

Thanks, any advice appreciated!

We dont do celebrity tours for a variety of reasons.

Pompeii can be accessed via train ( we did it on a previous occasion then Sorrento for a stroll around and jetfoil back)

Istanbul is very easy DIY . Tram costs 4TL (approx £1) most attractions , blue mosque, aghia sofia grand bazaar etc within easy walking of the stop ' sultanahmet',

there is a very old traditional hamam right beside this stop where we have a turkish bath and massage

athens. we get the bus ( think it is the X80) leaving from the terminal B drops you very close to the acropolis. The day ticket costs €4 and covers all public transport for 24 hours. validate the ticket for each journey in the machine on the bus or tram or when entering the metro.

let me know if i can help further [emoji41]

Never seen a Julius Caesar Salad or Shrew in the MDR, and I wouldn't eat any part of a Coriol let alone its... any way all's well that ends well. Glad it wasn't a comedy of errors.

 

 

 

Don't understand why Celebrity didn't do a soft opening on Luminae - charge a slightly lower price to start with and admit "it's a work in progress". Sounds like they didn't do enough market research beforehand,

Much Ado About Nothing [emoji12].

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Anything in particular stand out as a might see, do or place to eat in Mykonos?

Sorry for butting in on someone else's thread.

We have just come back from reflection, on mykonos day if FIL's big birthday. we had a really good lunch ( seafood /fish mixed plate) at a restaurant near the famous windmills right on the edge of the sea. It was the penultimate restaurant on the sea line with the windmills behind you. Even had a visit by 'pelican pete'

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just off Reflection

Luminae provided 3 meals per day every day including embarkation day , as promised in the UK

Only had 1 of each meal on different days. Frankly it is simply an overhype IMHO.

Beautiful room , attentive staff, very good quality crockery and cutlery .

Food same as MDR but a very limited choice . Food quality very good same as MDR.

a bit like the famous Shakespeare play IMHO [emoji12]

Just off the Reflection. still has the Molecular Bar but only 5 drinks available and staff were reprimanded for making an alternative for me on first night.

apparently there is some contractual wrangle with the franchisee now that CelX are introducing the Diageo World Class thing

Pity they couldn't have swapped all the Bars over at same time. [emoji32]

Used to love Molecular now it is a joke - and not a funny one IMHO. [emoji12][emoji636][emoji485][emoji484]

Hey there! Welcome to 'terra firma'. My two questions:

 

 

 

1- Are they doing small martinis for classic package at the Martini Bar?

 

 

 

2- What cruise terminal is the Reflection using at Piraeus, A or B?

I dont know about the martinis as i had prepaid the upgrade to premium ($11.8 per day inc grats). I didnt see any small glasses but that isnt a definitive answer[emoji32]

we docked at B . We got on a bus (x80 i seem to remember ) straight outside the terminal €4. The ticket covers 24 hours on any public transport (bus tram metro)

the bus stopped at A then dropped us very close to the Acropolis

Let me know If I can help with anything else[emoji41][emoji636]

OMG I bet the "nonEEC" peoples didn't like that!! The irony of it all!!

 

 

 

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;);)

To be fair a couple of Non Eec 's I spoke to did see the irony.

Perhaps the answer is for us all to campaign to get the same deal as our Irish friends. I understand if one is USA bound from ,say, Dublin then one clears immigration in Dublin and lands 'cleared' .

i am led to believe the same applies in reverse.

we should get the overpaid cheating politicians on both sides of the pond to travel same way as us - they will soon change the system [emoji32][emoji32]

quote

Marlene the Captains Club rep fabulous

last week she sent us an invitation for that nights captain's table . with an RSVP deadline if 9:30 a.m.

it arrived in our room at 10:30[emoji32]. she couldn't understand why we were unhappy . fabulous ?? not for me.

I'll ask again, hoping for a more detailed response...

 

Lunch: Is it a REAL lunch, or a few lunch type items on a brunch menu ?

 

Does " lunch " end at 1:00? Or 1:30?

 

Does the lunch menu items change daily, or are there daily specials?

 

 

 

I ask because lunch, more than dinner is the deal killer for me sailing with Celebrity. I can't stand the crowded Oceanview cafe on sea days...

 

The higher end lines that Celebrity " hopes " to compete with offer a real lunch, civilized with good food.

just back from reflection. did one breakfast one lunch and one dinner in luminae for a variety of reasons.

we do like to be waited on particularly breakfast . conversely we do like to sit outside if weather us good same applies for lunch. they ere very good and the room is lively great crockery and cutlery but food ( excellent) same as MDR

lunch finishes at 1 :00. However the very helpful staff arranged a main course and sweet for us when we arrived at 1:20 - even though we said we would be happy to dine elsewhere.

In summary luminae should (IMHO) be renamed 'Shakespeare'..........

Much Ado about Nothing [emoji12][emoji486][emoji486][emoji485]

Good on ya gcgold - pleased to see your on-boat misfortune didn't dampen your humour!!

 

 

 

We're on Reflection end of July. Pity you couldn't post photos.

 

 

 

Presuming you flew into Rome FCO? Did you have any hassles as a result of the fire they had in May?

Cheers [emoji41]

Think I might have a few pics of the boat - could take a few days as my family are going to share their pics once we get things sorted [emoji12]

FCO wasnt too bad going in - for Europeans [emoji33]. The nonEEC peoples had to queue for over an hour at Passport control.

Flight back was delayed for over hour and half because of issues associated with the chaos of the post fire building closures and confusion over which terminal lights were leaving from.

one word of Caution . the penultimate day a very clear announcement was made over the PA system advising that 2 flights had been changed to another AIRPORT. ( Ciampino). This was repeated twice. we emailed our transfer Company and arranged the change. Fortunately our brilliant van driver doubted this and made several calls . Stopped at FCO just in case, just as well [emoji12]. we left from FCO

You cannot beat Celebrity's misinformation system[emoji33]

Cruise was great though [emoji41]

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Sorry to hear of you double misfortune, I hope you were able to make the most of the cruise, despite your caring duties.

 

 

 

We are on Reflection in August, did you find see any of the much talked about issues with wait times for the MDR?

 

 

 

Cheers

 

 

 

 

 

Michael

We had a ball [emoji41]. It was just that the issues prevented me from posting ( not to mention getting value from the Premium package [emoji41][emoji485][emoji484][emoji482])

We always do fixed dining ( late ) so can only provide anecdotal experienced . some people were unhappy about a wait of over an hour others said they never had to wait.

Perhaps post in the Cruise Roll call june 8th relection ?

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Quick Summary of the Cruise:

Overall - fantastic[emoji41]

Ship compared to others -

Sunset Bar better IMHO but Boss Lady thought the opposite. Therefore worse [emoji32]

Extra Deck. Can cause confusion if one is familiar with the other boats ( Marine Vessels [emoji12]). particularly if leaving Martini Bar and heading for Sky Lounge .

Sky Lounge far inferior on Reflection IMHO as no longer a panoramic view.

Other things.

Molecular Bar is now a joke . only 5 items available and staff were reprimanded for making variations on the first night - apparently contractual issues with the Franchisee.

Bar and Waiting Staff fantastic .

Captain was very visible and approachable - best I have ever experienced.

Luminae - Much ado about Nothing IMHO

Guest Relations & Captain's Club Host - couldnt organise a. booze up in a brewery

Passengers. Great mix of Nationalities. As usual 90% + were obviously happy and engaging . But as usual a few miserable so & so's . As one of the Barnen said " Mr Chris Celebrity will stop them coming again". I asked "how will that be achieved ?". He replied "we gonna have a happy hour every day" [emoji2]