worldtravellerrus

It cant be Trudeau Lite, as he hasn't been in Ottawa long enough to do anything, except selfies.

We are booked on a B2B on the Connie but it looks like Istanbul and Israel might be out, and then add to it, the fact we would have to pay an additional $2000 Canadian for the tours we want which are in U.S. Dollars and it is making us really consider dropping the cruises. It was for our 50th too.

We are taking break from cruising until March '17 , possibly longer . We got a great deal on HAL last summer both on the exchange rate and with an upsell offer . This brings me to the issue of booking direct vs with TA's . Over our last 3 cruises we did very well exchange rate wise by booking through the cruise lines . We even purchased OBC , so much so that I felt like a currency trader .:D Not sure about the future but I certainly have been booking direct lately . Even with the added perks offered by TA's , we have saved more by booking in CDN dollars direct .

 

Wow I'm guessing you are not at the 5 (6) dollar table .:D

I thought it was caused by the people who voted for the pretty boy .

Hi Jenna

We are on the B2B on the Connie and sadly have to agree with you on what Celebrity might do.

We appear to have a day in Istanbul BUT are there going to be any tours offered and we sail at 11 p.m. at night, which could really screw up incoming passengers?

The main reason we wanted this B2B was that it did Istanbul, Israel and the Suez Canal.

If I wanted a Greek Island cruise I would take a Greek Island cruise.

This is correct, as fast as I know, we lost an overnight n the 11/14 cruise but still have one on the 11/2 cruise (which includes Israel), but I'm guessing this itinerary will change drastically. Both itineraries need to happen as the ship has to get to and through the Suez Canal, but I'm guessing they will become much more Greek centric.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

What about Kusadasi? :confused:

As of now, it is still a go for this port. It is not near any problem areas and will be part of their cruises, according to Celebrity folks I have spoken with

What about Kusadasi? :confused:

As of now, it is still a go for this port. It is not near any problem areas and will be part of their cruises, according to Celebrity folks I have spoken with

I agree on the price drop. In checking our cruise a tremendous number of cabins are still available. Our problem is compounded by the fact that we are on the Constellation that is supposed to have an overnight in November, in Istanbul BUT then is supposed to go on to Israel which Celebrity cancelled for the last few trips in 2015. So our problem is magnified in that we cannot find out from Celebrity for sure, if they are going to be doing Israel in 2016.?

All we want is an answer. As someone who was involved in doing major construction projects, the excuse they are using as to the port is being renovated is a cop out. Yes they are working on the harbor BUT that project would have been known a few years ago, giving Celebrity ample opportunity to change their cruises

That's what I figure will happen. We are also speculating that there will be a price drop as the ship is approximately a little over 50% sold. With all the stuff going on it wouldn't surprise me to see people cancelling because of the threat or loss of the overnight.

It may seem selfish of me, but I am only interested in Istanbul.

Germany's Foreign Ministry warned on its website that further violent clashes and "terrorist attacks" are expected across Turkey.

Can you post a link that confirms this statement?

 

All I am seeing so far is that German government is "warning its citizens to avoid crowds outside tourist attractions in Turkey." Which isn't quite the same.

http://www.todayszaman.com/_germany-issues-travel-warning-for-turkey

Can you post a link that confirms this statement?

 

All I am seeing so far is that German government is "warning its citizens to avoid crowds outside tourist attractions in Turkey." Which isn't quite the same.

The German Government has warned its citizens against travelling to Turkey, not just Istanbul, but Turkey.

Wonder how this is going to impact Celebrity's cruises?

It seems Celebrity is not going to be in Istanbul in 2016 any longer than they have to

BUT they cancelled Israel for some cruises this fall but have not heard anything about if they will be going back to Israel next year.

Anyone heard anything about Israel?

We are on a Constellation cruise that is going to Istanbul and Israel next year and if they are not going to be going to Israel too, then we will have to consider if we want the cruise at all.

I know its a year away and a lot can happen in the mean time but if the political situation continues in Turkey and Israel, could Celebrity change the entire cruise?

Has this ever happened to anyone?

Hello

I have done this area on a cruise and found it like any other area of the world, if you aren't flaunting, they will leave you alone.

The strange thing that has always puzzled me was it is quite normal for good male friends to hold hands but if you are gay or even bi, that is frowned upon.

I lived in Dubai for 3 months and found they do frown on anything that can be misconstrued as sexual between men/men and also between men/women as well

It is a fascinating part of the world.

If you can possibly do it, Petra is totally magical to see

We are taking the Constellation on a B@B and like yours Istanbul is the beginning and the end of part of the one cruise. Was there any word on how quickly they are turning the ship around in Istanbul?

They will have to get people on and off the ship.

My wife and I have taken the workshop in the past and really enjoyed it. Now the question for you folks is that as we are Canadian, has anyone Canadian, rather than carrying the glasses home, used the coupon for the glasses in Canada and had them shipped to their home?

Thanks for your helkp

You bring up some good points. It must be great for the cruise lines to have ships half sold out up to 18 months ahead but it sure makes it frustrating for travelers who don't know what they will be doing a year and a half from now.

Oh well, will just have to try and keep on top of it

One thing I would look out for, is perhaps they are still firming up timing of the TA's in the spring and fall, and maybe they have just reserved just to hold space.

 

On the investor call yesterday, they stated they are looking to expand the seasons for ships in Europe and Asia, which means they will spend less time in Caribbean, so I would expect the TA's to happen a week or 2 sooner, which may allow for some unique European itineraries early and late in the season there.

 

Also they were very clear that advanced bookings are the highest the company has ever experienced, so it's no surprise you are seeing complete cabin categories unavailable, the various promos have worked, like 123, 123 All-In, and BBB.

 

I've seen entire cabin categories gone for my late 2015 and early 2016 sailings for some time. My annual cruise after thanksgiving, last year was 60% available cabins at final payment, today it's at 12% open cabins, and we are not even at final pay.

I get so frustrated when I see that part of the 2017 cruises are out and when I open one up like Antarctica Cruise, AQ and Concierge Classes are already sold out.

This cruise is 19 months away!!!!

Are people getting advanced notification before they go out to everyone else?

I am a Captains Club member and have NEVER received advanced notification of any cruise. I love Celebrity but this is ridiculous.

I would appreciate any suggestions

Thanks

Bi man looking for like friends on this cruise. Enjoy a variety of activities

Wife and I are taking the Constellation next Nov, that winds up in Abu Dhabi.

My question is to anyone who has had a cruise end there.

The ship arrives at 4 p.m. November 27th,but the cruise ends on November, 28th

We want to catch a plane at 2:35 a.m. on the 28th and not wait for the cruise to end.

How long would it take the customs to clear the ship and is there a shuttle that can be taken from the cruise terminal to the airport?

Early,early morning seems to be the time for the flights that we want.

Thanks for your help

Life is too short to think anything else

You've got the right attitude.

I have both the age and shape, so should fit in lol

so much for all the valuable info. I cant wait to sign up.

on the gay cruises, what is the age range. I am mid 70's and they sound interesting, but don't want to go if the majority are 20-40's and there not be any folks my age.

Where do you get chances to meet like minded men other than sauna and FOD?

Thank you so much and I wont ask how you know LOL

There is a sauna in the men's locker room on the Connie. Men only.

Are the saunas mixed or are there times just men use them?