cl.klink

3 hours ago, Tranquility Base said:

If considering Asia with Oceania an important consideration (for me) is the size of the ship and where it is scheduled to dock.

IE: An 'O' or an 'R' ship.

 

Note: The following info is 5 years old, so I am not up to date as to current docking locations.

 

1. Bangkok:

  Laem Chabang : 2 - 2.5 hour bus drive, versus

  Klong Toey: 30-40 mins shuttle ride.

 

2. Saigon:

    Nah Rong: 15 minute shuttle ride, versus

    Down river at various docks as far down as Phu My: 30min - 80 min ride.

 

3. Da Nang: 

        Da Nang, closer to Hoi An,

       Chan May, closer to Hue.

 

4. Hong Kong:

    Kai Tak: 20-30 min taxi, versus

    Ocean Terminal: Downtown Tsim Tsa Tsui.

    

Thanks. Which size shop do you prefer?  I’ve read about this but not sure what I’d like best. 

- Joel. 

Never cruised Asia, want to. Never cruised Oceania yet either, but want to do that too. We like nice ships and visiting another culture. DW cannot walk long distances.  Choosing between cruises that focus on Japan, vs. span several countries. What do you recommend for a first timer?  
 

Thanks, 

- Joel

Never cruised Asia, want to. We like nice ships and visiting another culture. DW cannot walk long distances.  Choosing between cruises that focus on Japan, vs. span several countries. What do you recommend for a first timer?  
 

Thanks, 

- Joel

2 minutes ago, cruisestitch said:

I don’t think you will find any availability for 2024 on Celebrity. Look at 2025 and even then, there aren’t many available rooms

☹️

Never cruised Asia, want to. We like nice ships and visiting another culture. DW cannot walk long distances.  Choosing between Celebrity cruises that focus on Japan, vs. span several countries. What do you recommend for a first timer?  Also, is there anything to rumors of Celebrity’s Asia cruises being at greater risk of being cancelled next year?
 

Thanks, 

- Joel

Never cruised Asia, want to. We like nice ships and visiting another culture. Choosing between cruises that focus on Japan, vs. span several countries. What do you recommend for a first timer?  Also, any thoughts on which cruise lines do Asia best?  And is there anything to rumors of Asia cruises being at greater risk of being cancelled (read about it on Celebrity forum) next year?
 

Thanks, 

- Joel

Once

- Joel

6 hours ago, Cruisenewbie20181 said:

My wife and I are 67 we have only been on 3 cruises a RCL 2003, NCL 2018, and Celebrity 2022. We are now in a position to cruise more often. On a cruise we like being at the pool enjoying adult beverages, participating in the various activities on the ship, like to gamble, and take in the shows. As far as dining we run the gamut from buffet to specialty dining. I would appreciate your opinions on the following.

 

Should we stick with one cruise line to establish loyalty or just choose based on what interests us at the time?

 

 Is it worth saving a couple hundred dollars and choosing a gaurantee? When do you find out what room you’ve been assigned? Can you bid on an upgrade?

 

We are deciding between Celebrity Equinox and Caribbean Princess for our next cruise in October 2023 embarking out of Fort Lauderdale. We live in Port Charlotte Fl. Based on the time of year I’m guessing that fellow passengers will trend on the older age group like us. Yes or No?

 

Equinox or Caribbean for food, ambiance, service, cleanliness? Also what is Princesses smoking policy? We are non- smokers. Not begrudging smokers as they pay the same cruise fare as us. But as part of our decision making process we will choose between cruise lines based on which is better for non smokers. Read about Princesses policy but it seemed rather convoluted. Anyone with firsthand knowledge?

 

Lastly compare Equinox with Celebrity Constellation. We found the Constellation lacking in vibrancy, decor, and color. 
 

Thank you. I appreciate your time and replies.

 

 

The "loyalty" programs are mostly gimmicks, all factors taken into account.  Travel and leisure life became so much easier for me when I stopped caring.

- Joel

- JOel 

I have found it to be very reliable

Not to invite flaming back at me, but it's relatively hard to ruin an effortful informed attempt at French onion soup 

- Joel

4 hours ago, ymncruise said:

The ship is well maintained and the crew is great. I loved my Infinity cruise and knew it wouldn’t have the modern tech, like USB ports in the cabins. Brand new is always nice, but I wouldn’t think twice about booking an older Celebrity ship. 

completely agree

- Joel

1 hour ago, *oceanlvr* said:

I too have searched everywhere for specifics about carry on luggage for Celebrity Cruises. Nowhere have I found the acceptable dimensions for a suitcase. Lots about weight but nothing about size limits. I have no idea what the limits are that go through a scanner - can anyone help? Thank you.

I don’t think I’ve ever noticed any checking of a carryon’s weight or dimensions for a Celebrity Cruise boarding. I doubt it’d matter. 
 

- Joel

Surely I do, right?

- Joel

These responses seem very hit and miss.  Do you think this is variable performance at the restaurant, or variations in people having different tastes / standards?  I get that it's likely a bit of both.  But, do you think it is more one, or more the other?

 - Joel

8 hours ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

...

It should be noted that X had to choice to do whatever they wanted with the suite balconies and they choose to put zero IVs in any of them; they all have traditional balconies

This is an excellent point.  I think this decision betrays that they made a conclusion that they felt that IV is a less good option and it would have been harder to sell suites, and they wanted the best features they could put together for suites.

I think they felt that the main advantage of IV is less wind drag and so less energy needed to drive the ship, translating into cheaper cost.  I think they calculated that this calculation was worth it against the costs from the fact that some would not like it, possibly also offset by a calculation that the newer ship features would otherwise be sufficiently compelling to customers that they could still sell a product in a way that would make money.

I think this is what is happening.

- Joel

Just now, cl.klink said:

48 days to go

48 days to go

1 minute ago, cl.klink said:

48 days to go

I decided not to use Flights by Celebrity (FBC) for my western med cruise in May, booked directly with airline, and then got an email like OP's. The email, and website account info, essentially said "there has been a change in some of your flights" but could not tell me what the change was. It took a week or so for the information to become available (one flight had a change in time), and then only after I did a lot of detective work.

I think this is airplane travel in the immediate peri-COVID / post-COVID era, and not FBC per se.

- Joel

9 hours ago, Treasure Hunter said:

Had the lobster last night ( chic night) . We pack for home today. It was three-four inches long. Very tasty. Had it with baked potato to fill up. Escargot and bread first both delicious. They forgot my veggies. Service is random in Luminae. Lots of new people, eager but inexperienced. Baked Alaska for afters ( melted inside). 

Pure speculation, but my gut is that this is the glue holding these issues together.

- Joel

So, it sounds like the "coating" is not containing digital information then, right?

- Joel

6 hours ago, chemmo said:

Under the name of ‘Chemmo’ my husband and myself have regularly contributed to CC over many years. At first to ask questions and, in more recent years, as we became more experienced to offer information and advice, particularly about the RS and PH experience. We loved doing our live reports.

 

My beloved husband is now sleeping his last sleep, no more shared cruises but no regrets either… Our cruise toast was always to ‘Making it count’…We did…We enjoyed so many happy times…

 

Chemmo will continue with me and his son and future daughter in law…The heart will go on…

 

 

 

May his memory be a blessing

- Joel

I want the evening turn down, daily bulletin on the bed, drapes drawn ...

I want to feel pampered.

I can feel normal at home.

- Joel

Check out one bag dot com

For 20 years I have never checked a bag and only travel with a single carry on, including long cruises or international land trips.

That said, no major down side, once you arrive at the ship terminal, to check in outside and walk on board and wait the short time for your bag(s) to arrive.

- Joel

On 7/27/2022 at 3:16 PM, Cruising7in2017 said:

Are we crazy? Anybody else only doing only carry on for European cruise (7 night cruise plus 2 before and 3 after)?

I have had so many friends that have lost luggage this summer traveling or it arrives 10 days late!

I think everything we can fit everything in our carry on if we a launder our sundresses/bring steamer, since it is like 95 degrees in most of our ports, all of the clothes are light. We are a family of 5 (kids clothes are smaller too). Think it is doable? We are traveling 1st class, I am not sure if that helps, 1 roller carry on and personal item (backpack w/electronics/books/empty water bottle)? Has anyone else done this or had bad luck with luggage this summer. 

TIA

I've done a one bag carry on as my only bags for 20 years now, including several trips to Europe, 7 to the Middle East, and every cruise I've ever done (a few of which were for two weeks). 

Check out one bag dot com

- Joel

I'll just take the wrinkles.

Thanks, everyone.

- Joel