mermamasailsagain

Thanks very much! Again, so appreciated. Navigator appears to have to be reinstalled now and then (I had the white screen yesterday) so I hope once connected onboard, it won’t totally rely on that app for connectivity. 

5 hours ago, Mary229 said:

my experience below is based on the old internet.  Koningsdam has the new Starlink.  You may get incredible service 

 

You can switch devices but can only use one device at a time.   Yes, your photos will upload to the cloud.  You can force the upload in photos.  Once they are uploaded then switch to your iPad and give it a moment to access the cloud then you will be good to go.  

In Apple email there is a setting to send a smaller, non full size image.  I send mine off when I wake up as I am an extremely early riser.   
 

My phone, while on ship, is always in airplane mode.  I use cellular once in port (US plan with international coverage).   If you have an apple phone you will be able to receive texts and FaceTimes from other Apple users while connected to the internet.  Don’t be surprised!  It is ok. 

Thanks very much! Very helpful. I gave you a trophy (I hope that button bottom right on the post is meant to show appreciation for a good answer! Lol)

We have wifi included for the first time onboard, not upgraded and one item each of two passengers. Do they give simple, thorough instructions for not-too-techies, on arrival? A few answers I’d be appreciate in advance, please. Answer any number you are able:

1) I will use my phone to take pics but prefer to edit them on the larger iPad…..can you switch back and forth for your one item? Or do you have to register one and stick to it?

2) If photos are taken with my phone, will they upload to iCloud automatically on their wifi so when(if) I switch to my iPad, the photos will synch up once it is open and appear so I can edit?

3) Besides photo editing and storage, I intend to send pics in emails and check Instagram and Facebook… any issues with downloading or speed? I’d presume it might be faster if half the ship is asleep or ashore?

4) We are on a Canadian plan only and assume once out of Vancouver, cellular data will be turned off and in airport mode to avoid unwanted phone calls and texts coming in and HAL wifi when in use.

Thanks so much!

Thanks for your kind support. I’ll be happy to share my chair to waiting line neighbours who’ll need a break to sit!
Yes, I was in line for a replacement after I got into an exercise regime but during Covid years lost my place, so back to referrals and waiting in the long Canadian waiting list for surgery (at least for that wait I can choose to sit! 😉)

9 minutes ago, RuthC said:

Have you considered asking for wheelchair assistance to board? It may or may not shorten your time in line, but it will make it more comfortable. 

Thanks for this suggestion which I have done for flights and to OlSalt for the Porta seat. I can walk and stand in short spurts but have trouble walking the sometimes incredibly long way through airports to luggage areas or slow customs lines. I guess I have to get over the embarrassment and wondering what people think when I appear capable and have not yet reached a walker stage. Knee replacement is in my future!

Crazy question… do you think the casino cashier will accept rolls of coins for deposit to add to my playing in the casino? After holidays to the States and catching your currency in our Canadian change, we’ve emptied our pockets into drawers and during a cleanup, I just rolled about $35 dollars in “silver”. My bank where I have my American account won’t take coins! Seems a simple way to return coinage other than the extra weight in carryon!? 

Sailing on the Koningsdam in 3 weeks and now, I’m worried! Just short points for priority so we’ll be in the longest lineups and though I have tons of patience, I can’t stand in one spot for more than 15 minutes without a lot of pain. Is there anywhere to sit if my husband stands in the line so I can join him as he nears the check in? Quite a change from 2012 when I seem to recall one of our most efficient boardings!

This is new to me. If you buy a pass do you have access to the heated therapy pool plus the steam rooms and saunas? I had heard one of the saunas was accessible without extra cost on the Koningsdam. Is that true? TIA

That's what I do unless I'm doing a B2B and want the same cabin.

Interesting, Orator..... so do you do say an oceanview and then historically, after final payment, ask to move up to a better level of oceanview or veranda and pay the difference? Have you ever been stuck unable to move because the ship is full or were you happy to stay put if you couldn't?

To earlier posters, I'm fine with taking a cruise and being happy with $100 or $200 savings later if the price drops but I was going to book on what I felt was a fair price for the Asian cruise. The cruise jumped $2000... I wasn't going to see if the price dropped that much... I'd be dreaming or it would be past final payment in their desperation to sell rooms if it did! To be stuck with the new increased price would be too much for my two week vacation budget.

Yes, my apologies for posting accidentally on the Edge post. I thought I'd backed out into the main thread.

In response to HCat, we had a double booking for the same cruise for which, beyond the 60 day transfer date but before the 90 day final payment, we'd found a better deal at an agent than from the original Celebrity purchase onboard. For weeks, we tried to agree upon a cruise for the future to park our OBC so were really frustrated when we decided to book the Asian itinerary I liked, two days later, and found the $2000 jump (yes, in the future, lesson learned that pushing that 24 hour hold button might have helped).... we didn't have the mental energy to find another cruise. All of them seem so expensive these days and the prices don't drop as much to an agreeable level.

There was only one perk and a $200 OBC so not major and we are going cruising in the fall so will take our chances to find something and get the ghost booking. The original date on the cruise booking was 2016 and we've had a couple of cruises since then. We didn't want to end up convincing and selling ourselves on any old cruise! Hope that makes sense.

I've been cruising on various cruise lines for over forty years and we've done our last three major cruises on Celebrity and love them as we feel we'd found our niche but beyond the fall cruise, we may be taking our friends' advice and looking at the cruise line they enjoy to see if it indeed is less expensive. I'm also not fond of what I see with the Edge... too modern and sterile for me and I don't like the increase in segregation of the suite owners etc. I'm only in my young 60s but the new look reminds me of trendy restaurants catering to 20 and 30 year olds. I just don't feel like I fit into those pictures. Who knows... on the fall cruise, maybe I'll change my mind.

For some it's a hobby and you have time to check but I'm getting tired of whittling away to get an affordable holiday by constantly checking cruise prices lowering and raising unpredictably and spending time on a phone readjusting. By final payment, you tend to have committed yourself for all the time invested and finally focus on it being your holiday as you accept whatever price you've managed.

Besides having affected the pricing sky high for any ships being revolutionized, I can not only afford the cruises I used to have (and never would afford a suite for the privilege of the bow sitelines) but I would have to buy a whole new wardrobe to fit into this decor! That sterile white and gray makes me feel old and frumpy in comparison. It doesn't look relaxing but makes me feel like I need to be in business suits that are freshly pressed!

We were going to move a booking to preserve our OBC to an Asian cruise on March 2nd, earlier this week. Seemed fair for a total of $5000 Canadian for an oceanview with two perks for two weeks on the Millie and it appeared to be fresh from a renovation, though Asian cruises have always seemed moderately priced anyway. I went to book at the end of this week and BOOM $7000 for the same level! We think that the announcement on the 17th of the 'Revolutionizing' has sent the prices beyond our bracket...will they ever drop down to a reasonable level again?

That price took a drastic jump that when I called to cancel, even the Celebrity agent seemed a bit surprised on doublechecking the pricing. Maybe we should have held on to it and hoped the pricing would drop but we are noticing less drops in the last year too. So as much as we love this cruise line, there's a market that accepts the push upwards and will fill the cabins and we have to broaden our horizons on brands if we want to cruise as we approach retirement.

Anyone else feeling the pinch to have to look elsewhere?

On a Princess cruise over Christmas week and wondering which port is better to book a snorkelling excursion, St. Kitt's or St. Thomas and where and with whom would you go if choosing a tour? Or, which beaches to snorkel from? Thanks!

Thank you, Ine. I appreciate your feedback.

Has anyone found a recent cost for four with one piece of luggage before I require filling in all my information and email address on the Schiphol Travel Taxi site?

Thought this would be a popular topic but my search is bringing up years old threads. Recommendations for reliable pickup from the cruise to the airport please? Looking for a mini van service for four with luggage and even tripadvisor seems weak of reviews for this service in Amsterdam.

Thanks in advance.

You have some choices. We did the ship tour and it was one of the most reasonably priced offered in ports. Took us to a vineyard with fantastic views including the ship before heading to the beautiful Oia. Plenty of time to walk around and a good guide. There was a Greek buffet and we ate in the aft sailing away as the sun was setting, enjoying the view and dolphins following!

I agree with Romytravels (sorry we didn't meet!)...fantastic itinerary. We did small tours in both Istanbul which I think is doable by yourself as it was comfortable and interesting to walk about and see all the major sites from the ship, if you are a walker.

I took the classic package and drank pina coladas, white Russians, all the basic cocktails with no specialty alcohols and even asked the bartenders to cook me up some delightful surprises to fit my classic package..... hubby took the premium to enjoy the fancier beers like the tawny brews I couldn't... and if you want to have martinis and Molecular Bar drinks but you can still drink AT the Martini Bar with drinks from the classic package, just not fancy Martinis!

We must have boarded about the same time as Romy..no problems.

Enjoy...wish we were there again with everyone!

(and can't say enough about Bob's Limos who served us well at shared shuttle prices but sent a car for just us from the airport to hotel in Rome, from Rome to the ship and the ship to the airport, flawlessly and in style...and even a senior's discount! :) )

4774papa... I needed the cash for private tours so yes, wanted to cash onboard the ship and only carry off as needed at each port.

Passports at hotels... in Civitivecchia, we were asked for the passport in the hotel and said we'd get them back in 10 minutes...secure? Not really as he took them out of the slots of mail behind him and wasn't sure he'd even given us the right ones as he laughed that more Canadians came in at the same time. In hindsight, you could stand and wait til he put the info in or feign reading in the lobby until he'd done the task if held up with other checkins...and I think I'd do that next time.

We did the Reflection this June and the Martini Bar on the 4th is the place to be...barely a dance floor so you tend to head down the stairs to the mini one on third. The dj couple on the 4th were terrific with house music or a disco night and added some of their own singing. Lots of fun. There are themed nights with dancers down those stairs to the 3rd and balloons bopped around added to the festivities.

We did the Equinox in December in the Caribbean with the same layout. The Martini Bar was the place to be but not as much dancing adjacent though the dancefloor below got lots of action. Whereas the SkyLounge was underused on the Reflection, it was hopping as a dance area in the Caribbean but the room was still the original size and not reduced as on the REflection. Also, might add that one of the best dance nights in the Caribbean was by the pool where they had mermaids in the pool... good time!

Just reiterating as I think the point of my OP is getting lost by people saying you CAN cash TC.. I didn't try US$TC. The cruise where I had trouble cashing EURO TC was June 8, 2015 on the Reflection. They wanted 3% to convert to American and then 3%convert back to Euro to give to me in cash which really resulted in a 15% loss. Take a chance on traveller's cheques if you want and know even if they assure you that you can onboard, it isn't necessarily so. Good luck.

WifeofBedo... sorry that I missed seeing your post earlier...yes... our passport was kept, receipt given and you went to pick it up again on the last sea day at a designated time which you receive as mail to your cabin.

Hi Christine,

No...not US$ as we took a minimum of those in cash and wouldn't mind using our credit card onboard. The Euros I needed for private tours...can't blame Celebrity for not providing this service as it is not to their benefit other than a service and not a benefit if we are using on shore. It's the principal that you can't get a correct response of yes or no! All about principal and misinformation. And as I responded in our original conversation thread, no worries Christine. I appreciated your help...it was Captain's Club who confirmed you were correct before I left.

GH... true but when they calculated the Euro to Euro it amounted to a loss of 15% of my money, though they said it would be 3% charge to change from Euro to US and 3% from US to Euro...all about the rate of exchange on board too!

As one passenger had alluded to..Traveller's cheques have appeared to become dinosaurs now.

We were on port on the Caribbean and no problems but because the weather was better, not so windy and the days longer last week in Europe, the port side was horrid on 7th mid bump because of the smoking level 5 but NOT because of the smoke which I never smelled, but because of the noise til the week hours as the smokers partied below our cabin with their drinks, lingering to talk very loudly. No peace and quiet listening to the waves this time. If you don't use your verandah and keep the door closed, the soundproofing is good..but if you like it open to hear the waves...fegetaboutit!

Oh, please, Christine...not at ALL your fault. Don't forget I called Captain's Club right after you said that and she confirmed it. I just thought it was an extra 3% change. If it sounded like that in my post, I apologize. You had good advice, but it had just changed and even Celebrity wasn't 100% in their answers depending upon who you asked. I just want you to be aware and anyone else I may have led astray :) ...but don't be surprised if it works for you next time...Hahah! Just have a back up in case.

Hi

I'm back and wanted to share my experience. I've also posted the same on a more recent traveller's check post. Christine, it was you here as in the last post... I hope if you are going on another cruise, you'll take back up! I appreciated your advice but it didn't work for me.

Sample of another case of misinformation from Celebrity! I was very happy pre-cruise to get Christine's response about taking Euro TC onboard to cash. I even called Captain's Club to confirm and had her doublecheck....June 8th, Reflection, YES, Amber said, I'm sure you can cash onboard Euro and American traveller's checks for a 3% fee (okay..I'd heard for no charge but that was fair enough).

A few days before our departure, I had my bank call 5 branches and found them downtown Toronto, spent the time going to the head branch only to find they'd used their last and got sent to yet another branch a few blocks away where after a brief conference, they found them, dusted them off and charged me a fee, which I think I'm supposed to be exempt from so there's another battle yet to follow up.

First day onboard, cheery to start my journey, I went to guest relations to cash my checks where the rep told me, sorry... they don't...or, let me correct myself: they will take your Euro Tchecks and convert them to American and then back to Euros which would lose me 15%!! I'm not kidding...and don't forget to factor in that I had already converted my Canadian dollars to Euros!! I argued that Captain's Club confirmed what an Elite cruiser had told me was a sure thing. Her response was so sorry but it must be a recent policy and she was following Bank of America rules...REALLY...this policy changed within ONE WEEK? I didn't win the argument after she checked with the invisible controller in the next room.(just to add, our passports had also been kept by the ship during the cruise and though I'd heard my odds of cashing the checks weren't much better on land, we had the identification issue too)

A few days later a bottle of wine and strawberries appeared in our room with apologies for my disappointment. The cruise was fantastic and the crew wonderful but this issue irked me as now I had to use ATMs (yes, I've learned they work well by this experience but this added stress at the time and I thought I already had a tried and true solution for safely carrying 'cash'), and I needed to come back to let those CruiseCritic members to whom I'd said..'wow..here's a great idea for you', that you should NOT take TCs so I wanted to understand this and I wanted to see if I got a different answer.

Back to guest relations and told the story again to a new rep...this time the answer I got was that the policy had been in effect for at least two years that she was aware of....... Celebrity, I work for a large hospital with a number of sites...why can't you catch up to this century and have an intranet system where policies are updated and staff have one true source with the RIGHT and updated responses!

My recommendation is not to take Traveller's checks and learn how to use the ATM. Carry cash and stash some in a security pouch so you can get through to the next port or two.