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My husband and I want to do a Panama Canal cruise. I admit I find it difficult to see which cruises do a full transit and which only turn around and go back. Can those in the know enlighten me please?

Full transit starts in either Florida or California and ends on the opposite coast, while a turn around usually starts and ends in the same port.

That is what we thought and since I am a very impatient person we still might just take a taxi depending on how long the wait is but we get in really early and cannot board until 1 anyway. We will see.

What date and time are you coming in? We arrive in Barcelona on April 11 at 9:15am. Any interest in sharing a cab?

Had the most marvelous lunch there. It is possible to make reservations on line. Reservations open 30 days in advance and they are a MUST. A meal includes access to the tower.

Took advantage of the Black Friday sale. Paid for a C (Deluxe Ocean View) on the Riviera, have a B4 (Balcony) Guarantee including OLife.. Sale is running until 11/27 (tomorrow).

October 18

Barcelona to Miami Dec. 3rd. Great cruise.

This is 2017 vs 2018.

Hope it was a ship's tour.

There are several cruise lines that offer "bridge cruises" such as Silverseas and Oceania as well as Crystal. They are just regular itineraries with organized play on sea days. It was really a great cruise since the Panama Canal cruise was not port intensive so we had a sea day almost every other day.

As long as they don't discontinue access via the "old format", I will be very happy.

We were on a similar itinerary in 2015 (Istanbul to Rome via Israel) and because of the world situation Celebrity changed the whole voyage 24 hours before sailing and we wound up with a Greek Island Cruise. We were all frantically cancelling tours and trying to book new ones.

When was the last time you were on Spirit? Did you feel that your cabin and the public areas were in good condition? Some reviews have mentioned a perceived deterioration in food quality with bland offerings served cold. What was your experience?

I really find this thread fascinating. What difference does it make if they were on a trip yesterday, last month or last year. Your experience today is going to be completely different from your experience tomorrow.

Good question! Glad you are considering your cruise options. The quick answer on your smart excursion cost question is . . . "IT DEPENDS!!" Why and how? From sailing 36 days with Silversea on three different cruise in the past year and a half, "local" supplier and cost structures affect not only Silversea, but any cruise line.

 

Then there is the big variable as to whether you are doing a simple 3-4 hour city tour in a port . . . or . . . a more complex, longer "special event" that is more involved and complicated with its logistics and what location you are visiting.

 

Generally with Silversea, from doing four cruises with them, their groups in doing such tours tend to be smaller and not situations where the buses are packed to capacity. They also have a staff member go along with each group, providing added "service" and monitoring to make things go well, etc. Some tours have been $60-80. Some at $150-$190. Some more, but usually those more costly examples have several "extras" involved and/or are more private/exclusive, etc.

 

Where are you planning to sail? What ports/towns? Tell us more!! Can share more specifics/details as fits your interests.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

From our Jan. 25-Feb. 20, 2015, Amazon River-Caribbean combo sailing over 26 days that started in Barbados, here is the link below to that live/blog. Lots of great visuals from this amazing Brazil river and these various Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, etc.) that we experienced. Check it out at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696

Now at 42,229 views for these postings.

Just remember, you are under no obligation to take the ship excursions. There are several outside companies that act as booking agents for some of the same tours the ship offers without the large markup.

I also have not been able to book excursions on dining .. Whisper 11/27/16. I just keep checking back but so far nothing.

We are on the same cruise. Noticed this advice from Silverseas this AM:

"Spa and Dining Reservations are available for pre-booking online from 120-7 days prior to departure. Shore excursions are available for pre-booking online from 60-7 days prior to departure."

So we are a long way from being able to book shore excursions.

We are outside of the 120 days, but I haven't been able to find the cost of the available excursions, nor find a good way to print them.

Luggageforward.com - one 50 lb bag $124, 75 lb bag $154. It seemed like a lot of money except we we are touring for a week prior to embarking which means $100 in airline bag fees so $124 doesn't seem so outrageous.

So, I finally found where on the website I could print an e-ticket. It took some surfing through various tabs, but I found it. I was just being inept. Thanks for everyone's help.

OK Where did you find it, so I won't have to be concerned when we are getting ready to sail.

Ship : Constellation

Cabin #: 8117

Deck #: 8

Class: S1

Area: Forward

Bed near: Bath

Quiet?: Yes

Balcony view: Good. Balcony is completely covered by the overhang of Deck 10.

Balcony size: standard

Wind: No

Soot: No

This cabin is just forward of the mid-ships elevator and is very convenient.

There is no way that I would book a cruise to that part of the world.

If you want to see Istanbul and Israel you should book a land tour. Cruise lines have the right to change itineraries without penalty and in fact, they do it - particularly Celebrity.

If they really think they had to cancel the overnight at least give us another port rather than another sea day. Our 12 day cruise already has 3 of them. Either give us an overnight in Haifa or add Izmir which is not much out of the way before Kusadasi.

Did a fall TA several years ago. Hit the leading edge of a hurricane. Had 50 ft waves. Water under the balcony doors on the 8th deck, television sets falling off their shelves, china smashing on the floor. Dinner in the MDR was interesting - nothing preset on the tables, either wine or water glasses in use; not both. Missed Iceland and Greenland port stops. Only saving grace, when we finally cleared the awful weather, Captain found a pod of whales which he tracked for an hour. Much fun.

We dock for two nights on my upcoming cruise. Planning to leave the ship and spend one night in a hotel in port. What is the protocol? Do I have to officially inform Celebrity?

Yes you MUST notify and get permission from Celebrity headquarters prior to boarding your cruise. The E-mail address is: air_sea_cci_web@celebritycruises.com

Go to the Holland Website and under Plan a Cruise you will see Ebrochures. There you will find the 2016-17 Cruise Atlas which does list all the cruises including those that are not yet available for booking such as Panama Canal. Won't give you specific pricing but you can see what will be available.

Thank you. Found it.

Does anyone know when HAL will release the fall of 2016 schedule?

Does anyone have any information on the schedule for fall 2016 from Seattle to FLL or Miami?

If the ship makes a stop in Vancouver before going to Alaska get permission to board in Vancouver, rather than Seattle. That should satisfy the Jones Act prohibitions.