barneymag

Can anyone who has embarked in Civitavecchia since 18th May confirm that Celebrity are now accepting Testing 2 days prior to embarkation ? We embark Reflection on a Monday, flying from UK on a Saturday so if 2 days we can arrange for Covid Test at UK airport before flying out.

Thanks

15 minutes ago, Mark_T said:

Has something changed in the last couple of years?

 

With UK bookings we don't benefit from the ability to reprice an existing reservation, but in the past it has been possible to change to a higher grade cabin and pay the price difference between the original reservation and the current price of the cabin.

 

Just called in to do that as prices had fallen with the current promotion so was going to move from Veranda to Concierge and was told it was not possible and would have to cancel the existing reservation, lose the deposit, and rebook at the current price...

Are you calling your travel agent or Celebrity direct ? I’m sure the UK now allows one price match in the booking T&C’s …. We booked onboard last few times for future cruises and were told we could get best price match if it changed ?
Also for this years cruise we booked a sky suite and only one was available when we booked and better positioned became available a few months ago (corner aft sky suite) I emailed our TA in UK and she said no problem, changed booking with Celebrity and no change of price or charges (and the SS is now over £3K more than we paid when we booked !!

2 minutes ago, VitaminSea53 said:

If you test Covid + and elect to disembark, are you free to continue your travels or are the local authorities ‘in charge’ of you (if the country has a quarantine in effect)??

Depends on which country you are disembarking, if it was UK we now have zero restrictions on travel and no actual quarantine laws now (but suggested you should self isolate for min of 5 days) ….. if it was Italy then current rules are you will need to quarantine in an approved hotel. Suggest you check o local restrictions based on the country you would disembark 

17 minutes ago, groryjm said:

 🤞 🤞 🤞 🤞

 

We are on Reflection in 8 weeks and as it is a fly to cruise we are going the day before and staying over night in Civi. We currently need to test the day before we fly to get into Italy but also need to need to test the day before we cruise. When we are in Civi! 

Current entry requirements to Italy If you’re fully vaccinated ( or proof of recovery ) …… you don’t need to test to enter Italy from the UK

Obviously we are all currently required to test 24hrs before to get on the ship though ….. however these rules could change again.

26 minutes ago, kywildcatfanone said:

So, the classic alcohol package includes the coffees and latte's, which is good.  Does it also include fountain/canned soda and bottled water?

 

We have the classic package for our upcoming first Celebrity cruise, but I'm still not clear on if that package basically includes the bottled water and soda items as well.

Yes, non premium bottled water is included along with canned drinks Coca Cola, Fanta, Sprite etc ….. don’t think Celebrity do them by fountain, only in cans

if you want premium waters such as Evian or San Pelligino then these are included in the premium drinks package (along with Martinis, higher end wines and spirits)

1 minute ago, wrk2cruise said:

No outdoor suite only  area on Reflection.  Was aboard 2 weeks ago in a corner aft suite.

Thanks to the quick reply, how did you find the corner aft suite ? We’re in 9301 in September 

cheers !!

Hi all

i know Reflection hasn’t been yet been “revolutionised” but can’t find any info on whether it has a retreat only outdoor area ??

we have a sunset corner sky suite so really looking forward to the great all round views from the cabin, also guess the retreat lounge is not yet been revamped but less concerned about that. Was hoping to enjoy a slightly more comfortable outdoor experience and not have to fight with chair hogs as we have on previous cruises. 
Anyone recently been on Reflection in a suite that can advise ?

We’re on a 11 nighter out of Rome to Greek islands and Turkey so great ports of call !!!

Thanks in advance of any insight 

On 2/8/2022 at 4:19 AM, Denny01 said:

   And Schiphol airport is a minimum 30min taxi and 45 min train from the Amsterdam station and that is when there is lower traffic so be aware Its not close. And that’s when all works cleanly. 
 

den

Amsterdam Central Station to Schiphol Airport is only 20 mins by train and they run approximately every 10-15mins and you’re straight into the airport - 5 euros per person ……taxis generally take much longer due to traffic and will cost you at least 50euros. I fly into Amsterdam regularly for business and the train is by far the best way to and from Amsterdam Central 

1 minute ago, sls28 said:

I was wondering about the 5% discount to upgrade to Premium.  Is it only offered before the cruise or do you still get the discount if purchased on board?  When I attempt to upgrade on line it charges the full price and not the difference between Classic and Premium which I believe is an additional $12.00 per day.  

No you only get the 5% if you book prior to boarding. When do you sail ? as in my experience the upgrades only appear a few weeks before sailing. Also on a few occasions I’ve had to call to get the discount as the X website is often “broken” and just doesn’t work correctly 🤷‍♂️

1 hour ago, emmas gran said:

I have just checked my future booking, we are in a suite and it wants £63.66 per person per day to upgrade  to Premium package which we already have along with Stream Wi-Fi  Gratuities and OBC.. It never gives the upgrade price always the full cost.

I don’t know if this is peculiar to UK

We’re from UK and if we haven’t already got the premium package as a perk we always upgrade online and receive 10% off as elite. The upgrade offers usually only appear a month or two prior to sailing (probably after final payment from memory) . We also have premium already included for a September sailing and when I go on cruise planner I can also see the premium package at £63.66 per day …. This is the full price rather than an upgrade price, which will normally be $12 per day ($10 + 20% tip) and will show as approx £9.20 per day when checking on the UK site.

Hi All

We’re boarding (🤞) Silhouette on Monday and thinking of booking a 3 or 4 night Specialty Dining package. Looking at the various menus Murano has so many great options we would like to dine there multiple nights if not all nights ….. is this possible ? or are you forced to eat in different restaurants on the 3 or 4 nights ? 
 

Also is it possible to order two appetisers and one main course in Murano ? I tend to enjoy trying many different appetisers if they’re not too filling and Murano’s look great. Quite often don’t bother with a dessert as I don’t have a particular sweet tooth (although I love great cheeses ) so is the cheese course available as well as a dessert or instead of ?
 

Thanks in advance for any advice

6 hours ago, jelayne said:

Unlimited speciality dining is considered a. Amenity of the RS and above so if you had a successful Move Up you would have that.  What you would not get is the Suite OBC, Premium Beverage package or Stream wi-fi

Thanks jelayne
 

whats got me confused is that they include “premium drinks” “unlimited specialty dining” and “unlimited internet” (and don’t mention OBC) in the description of the Royal Suite benefits in the move up bid page, see attached screenshot but the Celebrity Suite and Sky Suite purely mention standard Retreat amenities including luminae, retreat lounge and retreat deck which makes sense to the way I read it. 

I’m wondering whether all the above benefits are classed as standard for the Royal Suite and not for the lower suite options but as usual X is very ambiguous in how it’s T&C’s are worded ???

🤷‍♂️

Hi All

We’re on Silhouette in the next few weeks, booked in in 1a veranda on the hump. Received the “move up” email and Concierge, Aqua, Sky suite, Celebrity suite and Royal suites are available to bid on.

TBH we would never normally even consider a RS option as full price for us would pay for 3 or 4 standard veranda cruises, but minimum bids are relatively affordable. Question is with the Royal Suite you would normally get lots of extra perks and in particular the unlimited specialty dining perk. T&C’s in true X fashion are ambiguous and state you keep your original perks and don’t receive new perks but do get the normal “suite amenities” such as luminae, retreat deck, retreat lounge …….. so has anyone been successful in a bid from veranda to RS in move up program and still received the “unlimited speciality dining” perk

if the dining option is included on top of standard suites amenities then we will probably try to bag one, if not we could try for a Sky suite at a much lower bid and just pay extra for specialty dining …. However really would love to try a Royal Suite once in our cruising life 

Interesting thread ….. we just received our “move up” email and currently paid £4K for two people in 1A balcony. Royal suite for same cruise is £18k !! 😳 but minimum bid to upgrade is £1k pp and max less than £4K pp so even at max bid ( I haven’t bid max 🤣😂) it £6k less than current deal and with minimum bid it is £6k v £18k for 2 people so a third of current full price deal….. if we get lucky with our bid I’ll be very happy 😉

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

Another option for making free phone calls without huge surprises is to use FaceTime either with  or without Video     

 

Another option is an app called WhatApp.    It can be used for both messaging and to make calls.  Very popular in South America 

Safest way is turn “mobile data” off but wifi on and be connected to the X included package, then simply use “FaceTime” “Messenger” or “WhatsApp”. all 3 have voice only or video options depending on available bandwidth and should take away any risk of charges from your network 

In the UK we are “encouraged” to take home Lateral flow tests twice weekly. Tests are supplied free either online on UK government website or pick up a pack of 7 tests at any high street pharmacy free of charge. We self test every week as 1/3 of people who are infected never show symptoms but still can infect others.

Our business requests visitors to self test before coming into head office and one of our sales managers was due into head office after a 7 day vacation with his kids …. home tested before leaving home with a LFT and showed positive and then booked a PCR at a local test centre which confirmed home test …. without home testing he would have come into our head office and potentially infected 100 people

UK hasn’t got everything right, but with testing availability being supported by UK government we at least have economy fully open now and can isolate infected people who don’t even know they are positive 

We’re on the first UK international cruise on Silhouette in 3 weeks and everyone has to have negative PCR before boarding and everyone has to prove double vaccination status - no exceptions 

Once we are home we legally have to have a PCR test 2 days after entering country to check for potential new variants and this is checked by authorities 

very few cases on the UK only cruises over last 2 months so hopefully this will continue for the international cruises

23 minutes ago, chemmo said:

 

Yes, if it happens...I have an awful feeling that at final payment it will be happening and then a week or two after it will disappear and be replaced by the staycation cruises.

 

One bit of us would just like to board but at that time of year I am concerned about the weather...Also it is a lot of money to spend if the experience is lacking. For example, the suite deck is in a breezy spot if you are in the Caribbean, passing the Isle of Man I would think would be windy even on a calm day....

 

To us one of the pleasures of booking a PH is enjoying the balcony, particularly first thing in the morning and late at night. We did book the PH a few years ago for a Norwegian Cruise. Much as we loved the cruise (and the PH) we didn’t use the balcony as much as usual (and we had fabulous weather)...Lots to think about...

 

We are hoping some honest reviews come out in the next few weeks before we need to decide what to do...

Think we're on the same Sep 27 cruise - looking on Celebrity site the first cruise i can see that's not UK only is the Iceland cruise on Sept 4th (i thought the international ones were starting August ?? so not sure if some have already been switched ?) 

So with Sept 4th being first one available when will final payment be on that one ? and if that stays on the itinerary then i guess there is a good chance that the rest will stay as international cruises ? We were booked through a TA so final payment is due in 2 days but fortunately TA has extended our final payment date for a couple more weeks as i raised concerns about will they go ahead.

Massive dilemma as desperate to get back on a cruise ship but will it be even close to what we're used to ? 

Hi All

When do the UK cruises start on Silhouette ? I believe she is supposed to arrive in Southampton tomorrow ?? what are the first months itinerary's (i know they are all UK only staycation cruises) - can't find any info now as they've been removed from sale. We are booked on September Canaries cruise on Silhouette and final payment due in 48 hours, however our TA has extended payment date until mid July to give us more time to decide if we still want to go, but i would like to understand how the first few cruises go.

Anyone booked on these first cruises and are you planning to post on CC how things are ?

Can't make my mind up yet whether to go or just bail on the deposit- Really love to cruise but concerned it will either bear no resemblance on how cruises were i.e. sitting at the Martini Bar, eating, drinking freedoms on the ship, Sky Lounge etc

Obviously at this stage Celebrity are saying adults can only cruise if they have been double vaccinated (which we have) so that should give us some reassurance but then if all adults are vaccinated and any kids are tested then wondering what restrictions will be onboard compared to normal cruising.

Finally what anyone's best guess that Silhouette will even be able to do Canaries cruise at end of September ?

Thanks

13 hours ago, bellasorella said:

20 hours ago, bellasorella said:

Has anyone who lives in the U.K.  been able to “Lift and Shift”? I see some Canadian posters have, and I believe quite a few of our Aussie friends. But Britain tends to have more restrictive booking. Asking for a friend....

We are in UK and had no problem using Lift and Shift - booked onboard on our previous cruise on Connie for a September 2020 cruise on Silhouette, got a really good deal inc drinks package, grats and $500 OBC, had the booking transferred to our UK TA who added extras to the deal. When L&S was announced I just contacted our UK TA in May to move everything to September 2021 and everything was sorted within 24hrs. Same price, same perks, same deal, same ship, same itinerary, same cabin grade (but better location) and it showed on my Celebrity account 24 hrs later ..... couldn’t have been easier !!

Quote

 

1 hour ago, Firepath said:

If your existing perks are thru a TA (classic drink package for us), would Celebrity still honor that and at the TA's price, which is a bit less?

We booked onboard last year for our Sept 2020 cruise and then had it transferred to our TA who added extra discount on cruise price - contacted TA last Saturday about lift and shift and switched to Sept 2021 under the current X offer, same price, same perks, same extra discount from TA ....... Celebrity are really making sure guests are looked after in this crisis and TA was more than happy to help us switch 

no pain and hopefully by 2021 this will be a distant memory and we’re all safe and able to enjoy cruising again

13 minutes ago, Chest Rockman said:

Hi Pushka

They aren't running the same cruise next year unfortunately none of the itineraries match the cruise we have booked. All similar cruises visit many of the ports we have already been to

We have just used the new lift and shift offer to move our Sep 28th 2020 cruise on Silhouette to Sep 2021, keeping same no of nights (almost identical itinerary) same ship and same cabin class, as well as our original price, OBC and other perks. Don’t need to pay anymore money or balance until July 2021 - really easy process thanks to UK TA and Celebrity 

No brainier for us - don’t think the Sep 2020 will go ahead and if it did I,m not sure we would have travelled and this way no financial penalties and much better chance of (hopefully) the cruise going ahead in Sept 2021 !

i would see if you can switch to a similar itinerary on the same ship/same no of nights in July 2021 +/- 14 days either way and not have any financial worries and better chance of getting on a cruise

Surprised I haven't seen a post on this already, especially from us Brits who will be sailing in the next 30 days. Sorry that the US team are not there this time..;p

 

Anyone on board already that can tell me if the games are being shown on board, we are sailing out of Bayonne on the 27th June and would hope to be able to watch some of the games while on board.

Not 100% sure - If you were sailing out of Southampton, Rome or Amsterdam I would say no problem - We were on Eclipse during the Euro Championship 2 years ago and all games were shown in various bars, always in the casino bar and usually for the bigger games they also showed in Celebrity Central and Sky Lounge.

With your cruise probably dominated by North American passengers they may show more US sport such as Baseball (i think Basketball season will be finished by the time you sail ??) but I would be surprised even with USA not making finals the World Cup is too global not to show.

Evening folks. Hoping that someone can answer our query regarding booking the MDR when on Select dining?

I assumed, rightly or wrongly, that we would be able to roll up at the MDR at a time to suit and either get a table there and then, or possibly after a wait of say 30 minutes or so? However, looking on our cruise planner some of the timed options to book tables have already gone (assumed booked by other PAX) If we only do it at the restaurant on a day-to-day basis are we basically left with whatever times are left eg early or late? As we have never sailed with Celebrity before, is the best option to book a table now for every night? Can these times be changed on board? Advice would be appreciated as we are also concerned about fitting in around show times etc . Also, if there are three of us incl 17yo would we always be on a table for 3 and is it the same table every night? Occasionally our son may decide to eat in the buffet so there may only be the two of us.

We always choose select dining and normally pre book first couple of evenings online if time slots we want are available

You can definitely just turn up for 2 or 3 of you and request a table for 2 or 4 no problem. If they have available tables they will take you straight away or you may get a buzzer - I’ve never waited more than 10 or 15 mins

Queue on 1st night can be bad between 7 and 7.30 if you’ve not pre booked as a lot of guests haven’t got into a routine and go for the “popular” times

You can also reserve a time for the following evening when you leave the restaurant if you want but if they don’t have a time suitable don’t worry just turn up at a time to suit and they will put you in the buzzer system again

As I said we’ve never waited longer than 15 mins and more often than not straight in

I just checked my booking for October. It lists the new price ($69 plus gratuity) for the Premium package, but it stills shows an upper limit of $13.

 

Hopefully just another website error.

We upgraded from Classic to Premium the week before prices increased and sailing in a couple of weeks to Baltic out of Amsterdam - Just checked cruise planner and our order confirmation now shows an upper limit of $15 !!! I’m sure it was showing $13 when I booked it a month ago so guess something’s working it’s way through the X systems :beer-toast::tropical-drink::cocktail::champagne-toast::cool:

Questions - feel free to ask.

 

Loved Bermuda, in spite of not great weather.

Loved the Summit. Needs a face lift, but still a nice ship with a great crew.

 

Bayonne Customs Service - horrible. No other way to put it. They had 3 agents checking in over 2000 people. Typical US government operation.

Hi Adonisr

Were you on a drinks package ? Or did you notice the price on the ship for upgrading from classic to Premium - it used to be $10+18%tip per day($11.80) but recently Celebrity have increased to $14+18%($16.52) per day when upgrading online before sailing.

I know sometimes the fleet are behind the website and haven’t heard from anyone currently on a ship or recently disembarking what prices are being charged on the ship

Plenty of threads on cc but not seen confirmation of upgrade prices on the ships from anyone on an actual cruise since the announcement

Thanks