robinlynn

Just now, robinlynn said:

 

I am 5 points from Elite.....lost out on the change from the old to the new point system years ago.  Have nothing but time on my hands like everyone else and love to write. Frustrated that I can’t seem to get to do this although I have tried by both e mail and phone. Would love to get to Elite before my transatlantic next year!

On 6/13/2020 at 9:12 AM, laslomas said:

I did not get an email about Power Up. So I went to the website page for Captains Club and read all the info. At the end was this:

"Click the ✉︎ SUBSCRIBE button at the top right of this page to receive emails from us  and participate in Power Up Points."

Even though I know I am subscribed as I do get some Captain's Club emails, I subscribed again. Ten minutes later I got the email.

I will now never know if it was because I subscribed again or whether it was coming anyway 😕

But worth a try if you have not got the email.

 

I made this inquiry for a different sailing that was really close to the date of refurbishment, which I ended up cancelling.

I am not at all worried about it having a problem with this May sailing and am very excited!

There is a dry dock scheduled 1 month before my sailing....can they really get it done in a month or are there going to be workman still working during our sailing?  Anyone here have this experience?. Thanks

Robin Lynn

Having gone on two Viking Ocean cruises and three Celebrity cruises, I feel that comparing the two is kind of like comparing apples and oranges. They have been two week or more on all but one to Europe.

Viking has a better business model IMHO, with a great web site, ( which doesn’t keep messing up like Celebrity), very few hidden expenses like Celebrity, and the most gorgeous ships, more serene and elegant, with a more relaxing vibe in the public area.

I love that because of its size, their ships seem to get better dockage, and we hardly ever had to tender. And in the rare times we had to, no long tendering lines.

There were maybe a few more older people, but no kids, which to me is a trade off.

No glitz, just very classy, no photo hawkers, no casino,no art auctions.

Shows a bit better on Celebrity, and a greater variety of entertainment.

I do miss the Martini Bar on Viking , but am really annoyed that on my upcoming Celebrity cruise next month, the premium beverage package costs for two is exactly half of what the entire 15 day cruise cost! This will limit my enjoyment of the Martini Bar, since this will be my first Celebrity cruise where I won’t have the premium package.

In the end, I enjoy both lines, so it will really come down to itineraries

offered by both. I wish both would consider more overnights , which would allow more time in one spot than the usual 5-7 hour visit.

Personally, I would rather have a few less ports with longer visits in some that deserve longer.

Looking forward to my upcoming Celebrity cruise, while also looking forward to hopefully booking another Viking as well.

Do we need to get Mexican pesos before we go? We will be in Cozumel for a half day and Merida (Itchen Itza) , both on ship excursions. Also Belize 1 day on ship excursion. I am hoping a credit card or US $$$ will be accepted.

Hope someone reading this has been to Mexico or Belize recently and can provide first hand experience.

Thanks,

Robin

We are thinking about taking our 16 and 12 year old grandsons on an Alaska cruise next year. Any advice if Celebrity has any activities for teens or if w would expect other young people on Celebrity?. It would be a June sailing, so school will be out.

I know RCL usually has more teens, but we are loyal Celebrity cruisers and Celebrity ships and service are, IMHO so superior to RCL.

The cruise we are looking at is the Solstice, which I understand has been recently refreshed, although it will be 10 years old by next year, and the RCL on the sailing we would be taking is over 20 years old.

Any thoughts from people who have taken teens on a Celebrity cruise?

Thanks

Robin

• We are considering taking my two grandsons on an Alaskan cruise on the Solstice next year out of Seattle...they will be 12 and 16. The excursions sound great but I am concerned that their will other kids close in age and activities for them. It would be in June, so kids would be out from school.
  
• I know RCL has rock walls, etc for kids, but the RC ship is over 20 years old, and we have been so happy on our three previous Solstice class cruises on Celebrity.
  
• Any input would be most appreciated
  

I hope they will be on board for our voyage in three weeks!

Robin

Does the package include cappuccino and expresso along with coffees, teas and hot chocolate in the silver package? I certainly hope so!

There were a few do it yourself machines on our Viking River Cruise and they were very popular. It was also included in the premium beverage package on Celebrity.

Thanks , Robin

I am booked with them for my upcoming cruise. Excellent reviews from many ,

excellent communication. Need a few more participants from this sailing .

Robin

Thank you Jean. I will go check it out now!

Robin

Waiting to hear back.....called this morning.

maybe if we all call or e mail, they will move a bit quicker.

Its so frustrating, especially since I can't seem to find many companies offering small tours for Granada and Seville as a ship excursion from our port.

I did book one, SpainDay tours for Granada, but she cancelled me because I was the only one from our sailing that had made a reservation.

Since I am not in a suite, I am nervous that most of the tours I want will be booked full before I even get to try and reserve.

This will be my sixth European cruise, but the first time I have had these issues.

Usually booked completely by three months out.

Robin

Does the Silver Spirits package entitle you to the better wines, even if just by the glass?

Thanks

Robin

I think I could fit most of myclothes in the largest allowable carry on, but the problem for me would be all of the extra liquids that would not fit in the quart bag that I now triple wrap ( in case something ever leaked)

that have to go in my suitcase. I found some incredibly flexible totally non leakable bottles on Amazon that I love.

Between my shampoo, hair conditioner, body lotion, etc would fill up the quart bag by themselves, but then what about my eye drops, cosmetics, Ocean drops, toothpaste, skin products etc, for the flight?

I think it could be done if you decided to be VERY low maintenance and use whatever is provided by the ship, but I like my certain .products.

I think this is a great idea......for a number of reasons.....there are many ports where all guests who are traveling would find useful when deciding to jump on a Viking tour or not (including myself).......however I do believe that those of us who enjoy and book private tours are attracted to them for the small or totally private group experience that allows for personalization - often times at the same price range as traveling with a bus load of people. There are just certain ports where for some of us, that is a much more attractive way to see that area....

If you go to the Ports of Call section of Cruise Critic , you will find information on the various ports and tour companies that go to those ports.

I was happy to see the company I am using for three ports received great reviews

Robin

Thanks for all the input.... I guess I will just have to be patient....I think I will be doing more ship excursions and less private this time.

Robin

Thanks for answering my question.

Since I am a DV passenger, I should have lots of time from the time they are posted for Explorer Suites to choose.. I assume it will be posted for all to peruse?

I just hope there is plenty to choose from by the time I get to book.

I have booked several private. small group tours for some of the stops, including Granada, Seville, Barcelona, and Lisbon, because I am concerned that the tours I want will be filled up by the time I get to book.

Your information is most helpful....thanks!

Robn

Does anyone know about how far in advance of sailing Viking lists descriptions and prices for each sailing? My sailing is April 16, 2017 . The descriptions up now are not specific and only a few show prices. I know these are just general descriptions. With only 4 1/2 months to sailing, I am starting to get antsy to

see the specifics since I may want to book some private tours .

Thanks

Robin

Are these no jeans/ no sneakers requirements applicable to The Rstaurant, main dining venue as well? If so , for breakfast and lunch as well?

Sounds crazy if it is, as we will be dressed for a day of excursions.

It's not listed under casual.

Just learned about all these dress code rules tonight on here, and am not happy.

We were on a Viking River Cruise in 2014, and it was so casual and wonderful.

The reason we booked this cruise!

No problem dressing up for the specialty restaurants, but was surprised to find the main dining room , with its dress code , listed with them.

Many days our excursions are close to 8 or 9 hours. Then getting all dressed up for dinner after such a long day. Did not count on having to eat from a buffet on all those nights.

Seems a bit of an anachronism in today's world.

Does anyone know definitively if a sweater w/o a collared shirt is considered acceptable for other than the casual dining? My husband has some really nice sweaters that look great w/o a shirt underneath.

i believe I read somewhere that it is possible to dine at Blu, based on aVailability,

paying a surcharge, even if not in AQ cabin. Anyone know if this is true, and if so, how or when do we try to make arrangements?

This will be our first Celebrity Cruise without having an AQ cabin, and I would love to go there at least once for old times sake.

Thanks

Robin

I believe I read somwhere that it is possible to pay a surcharge to eat in

Blu, subject to availability, if the restaurant is underbooked for the evening...

Anyone know about this, and if so, how last minute must you book?

This is our third Celebrity cruise, but the first that is not an AQ booking.

Thanks

Robin

Thanks for the information!!

Much appreciated

Robin

This will be our first Celebrity Cruise where we will be eating several nights in the MDR, When we travelled in AQ in the past, we would buy a bottle of something special in Blu and they would hold it for our return visit the next evening.

Since we opted for the premium beverage package, we will most likely be having a cocktail of two before dinner, wine with dinner, and a drink or two after dinner. I wouldn't mind paying our of pocket on occasion for a special bottle with dinner, while only having maybe a glass, considering all those before and after cocktails. My question, will they hold our open bottle for the next evening in the MDR like they did in the past in BLU?

Thanks

Robin