merciaman

The Vietnamese Dong is not a closed currency and is readily available here. We are due on board on the 31st so may bump into each other! I think i am just taking dollars but making sure i get small denominations as any change will be given in local currency

On 12/30/2018 at 2:35 PM, Wee Magoo said:

Thanks for that

We are actually planning to visit Mustique when we get off at Bequia - so hopefully that'll be a good day

Tried looking on the Marella website but can't seem to see the Tropical TV Drama Trip you mentioned - oh well need to keep looking I suppose

Bequia is a lovely place for a few hours.Just like I imagine the Carribbean was 40 years ago

I havent been on the Celebration for a few years but stand to be corrected on some points but will do my best

1) No as they set the fire detectors off (but they are now on some ships so this may have changed)

2) It more depends where the cabins are laterally.More central is better.It does suffer from vibration particularly nearer  the stern

3)Yes there are launderies and they are free

4) Expensive and sllooooooooowwwwww.

5) Basic gym and yes there will be various classes.Yoga I think you have to pay for.

6) There are places you can fill up water bottles

7) Drink prices are pretty good actually.Expect to pay pub prices

😎 No problem to take your own alcohol on board

9) Pretty basic unless you are in a suite I think

10)

11)Yes there is just take one and replace when you are finished

As I say things may have changed in the last couple of years but hope it helps

I posted a similar thread.I cant believe how they can make it so difficult to find

On 11/21/2018 at 3:14 PM, Gate54 said:

The Marella prices are there online now for Colours of the Far East, at least they are for the cruise leaving on 24th January.

Thanks,we eventually found them on line and have booked for the 30th Jan. looking forward to it now.

1 hour ago, lexdisic said:

 

You can book similar excursions to the cruise line here -  https://www.cruisingexcursions.com/

Their prices tend to beat them too. Just enter the details of cruise you're looking at and the itinerary will pop up showing excursions available.

You will also find plenty of reputable excursion companies that are "local" and much cheaper too - alot of the time the cruise company use these companies themselves. Asia is very tourist friendly and are geared up for cruise passengers. Google is your friend - just type the city and excursions

Thanks for the quick reply. My gripe is ,how do I know if they are cheaper if Marella refuse to tell you their prices before you book a cruise? Not having done Asia before I wasnt sure about using independant companies, as we have in other places but from yours and  other replys it seems it may be possible. If anybody has info on some of the Ports on Colurs of the Far East cruise it would be good

We have been thinking of booking one of the Asian cruises for Jan/Feb time, but finding out the price of excursions has so far proved impossible.

Marella will not tell you until after you book! How are you supposed to budget your cruise? I am assuming that most of the ports will involve booking excursions

as most attractions seem to be miles away and booking locally will be a no-no I assume,unlike the carribean so the cost for two could run into £1000+. Any other advice on the ports will be much appreciated

Cartagena is a lovely old town and we found it to be totally hassle free.Get a taxi and ask them to pick you up later.

Have just got back from 14 nights on the Celebration,our third time on this ship.Although the cruise on the whole was good,I want to focus on the things that i think have changed for the worse since our last time,. At the time I asked why it appeared that the lovely Phillipino/Indonesian staff were being reduced.I was almost accused of being racist at the time by somebody,when it was a simple observation. It appears that my fears have been proved correct.There is a definite lack of interaction between staff and passengers.The new additions do not have the same attitude to service that the originals had.Yes they will serve you your drink but that is it,no chatter or even a smile most of the time.

Service in the Meridian was appalling at times and getting a drink in Broadway Lounge was very hit and miss. We liked to dine about 7.00pm and then watch the 8.30 show but this proved impossible as service was so slow. One night we arrived at 7.10 and didnt get out until nearly 10pm.If we had stayed for coffee we would have missed the 10.15 show.This was the night when the ACD brings out the chefs,waiting staff etc to thank.The service was so slow we actually sat through 2 of these presentations! One with our starters and again before the end of the mains.And if you want to dine as a couple,forget it! You are made to wait outside like naughty children and wait until you are called.

My next gripe is the cost cutting and upselling going on now.As soon as you board you are approached by waiters to buy the wine package (which we wanted anyway) and then at the end of your first week you are approached again.Items which used to be standard on the Meridian menu are now "extras" The AI package has so many exceptions that you are now asked to pay another £100 a week for proper AI.And when did children have to purchase the AI? Im sure they never used to.What with being sat apart from your OH if you do not pre book your aircraft seats and everything else the costs soon add up.

The shows were the usual mix and generally pretty good but we felt that a couple of .the male singers were not up to the usual standard.

The ship is looking pretty good and a lot fresher after the last refit.The coffee port is an excellent addition with very reasonably priced coffee etc.Also the Sun Lounge makes much more sense than the unused sports deck.Our cabin was clean and tidy with a particular improvement in the bathroom with grouting,sealing etc.

We did have an issue with bedbugs which was swiftly dealt with(not that they would actually admit that we had them.Too frightened of a compo claim,i suppose)

The quality of the food overall was good and the Lido is improved with the addition of the panini station and noodle/pasta station.

I hope this doesnt come across as too negative because we had a good time,as i said it is just our observations and it certainly wouldnt stop us booking again.

Thanks for that,i will have another look or book it on board.

Thanks for that.Looking on theTui excursion page they dont actually offer any trip that looks suitable.:rolleyes:

Does anybody know if there is a way of getting from ther ship to Deshaies without booking a trip.Would like time to look around and find any filming locations for Death in Paradise in my own time and visit the Botanical gardens

Safety drill will probably be after the last flight has arrived,if its on time,so you should have plenty of time.

Thats the same week as us.Im reasonably happy that we will go to Guadeloupe ,however according to an e mail from Cruise operations last week we are NOT going to Kingstown but we are going to Bequia,another island in the group.You see what i mean about not getting a straight answer.

On further investigation I just hope we actually get to Guadeloupe. On line it shows as day 4 and St Lucia on day 3 but when I log onto Manage my Booking it says we call at Grenada on day 3 NOT Guadeloupe and St Lucia on day 4. Speaking via webchat didnt inspire any confidence as they assured me we were going on day 4 but checking Port timetables they confirm the ship is booked in at Grenada and doesnt go to Guadeloupe at all.How accurate are the timetables? and why cant Thomson (Tui) sort out their IT dept.

Updating this thread I never did get my cashback from Thomsons last year and finally gave up chasing it.Never had problems with anyone but Thomsons and the problem is,you can do nothing about it other than "Bump" your claim every so often. However I booked a for the Caribbean last week and had full payment within 2 hours! Also for information anyone using APH for airport parking can get almost 17% back. So with the cruise ,parking and insurance that was £100 saved.That will pay for the wine package!

Thanks for the replies,Martinique sounds like a plan:D

We have just booked for Caribbean Gems and Coral Islands next month and have a few questions for any members who have done similar itineries. First of all how are the clean ups going after hurrucane Irma? We have done some of the ports before but wondered the best things to do on the Dom Republic, Guadeloupe and Martinique. As Death in Paradise is a favourite show is it easy to visit some of the locations by ourselves on Guadeloupe? Are the majority of the crew now Eastern European or Phillipino etc,?

A cre member once told me that only a handful,literally 4-5,of staff on the whole ship are directly employed by thomson

Just walk around it is fabulous. As already mentioned there is the indoor market,the rum museum, the cathedral,Hemingways old haunts.It is a fantastic place

Just an update with thisthread.Im still waiting for my cashback despite chasing it up twice. Have used various retailers recently like Halfords,APH, PC world and recieved the cashback within hours. Thomson are a waste of space.:(:(

Weve never had to obtain a visa with Thomsons yet. Occasionally you may have to carry your passport with you in some destinations i think but thats about it.

Im not sure if you land at 06.40 that your cabin will be available by the time you get to the ship (09.00ish) but you will have full use of the facilities.

Weecountyman. I already considered that but that but it is too much for the deposit and not enough for the full amount.Tart600. the only problems i have seem to be with Top cashback is when i use Thomson, i agree, i would definately reccommend it

I booked again for 11 nights in Cape Verde last night. Thomson are advertising 3.15% cashback. I reieved a pending payment within an hour of paying a deposit but only approx a third of what it should be. looks like i will have to lodge another claim.:(