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sakigemcam

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Posts posted by sakigemcam

    Onboard Pricing for Specialties

    in Celebrity Cruises

    Posted

    1 hour ago, trabeler said:

    Onboard discounts typically available are a 30% discount the first night of the cruise.  There is often also a 20% coupon for Sushi on 5 if you attend their sushi making demonstration.  Other discounts really depend on how the restaurants are booking.  On longer (>7 days) non-prime time cruises I've seen discounts offered of 20-30%, even up to a 2 for 1 on the last night.

     

    However, if you have a special event and need a particular restaurant on a specific day or time, it would be better to book ahead.  Discount availability can be hit or miss and depends on the sailing and passenger interest in the specialties.

    Sushi making demo? That’s totally up our alley but we’ve never seen it offered on past cruises! Where did you notice this offering? Thank you! 
     

    I tried booking for Tuscany for the first night but it’s only offering our regular Dining time and says it’s booked. We’re flexible so maybe I’ll have to call?

     

    Thank you for the great info! 

    Options for Covid test pre=cruise

    in Celebrity Cruises

    Posted

    1 hour ago, RichYak said:

    You can't just take any home test, it must be a proctored (telemed) test like the ones linked to on Celebrity's FAQ or the ones sold on emed.com. The proctor (telemed professional) watches you take the test, examines the result, and sends you the official results via email. The emailed results are the proof you provide.

     

    Alternatively, you can schedule a test at CVS, Walgreen's, or other testing site for the Wednesday before your Friday cruise.

     

    I would encourage you to schedule a test AND purchase the proctored home tests. One for plan A and the other as a backup.

    THANK YOU - As a communications director I find it so annoying that the provider information is only in the FAQ rather than on the Overview page on Healthy at Sea! Way to bury the lead!

    Options for Covid test pre=cruise

    in Celebrity Cruises

    Posted

    Pardon my denseness - density? - on this subject, but as we start ramping up for our cruise next month, I'm paying attention, finally.

     

    • I keep reading on CC about proctored tests but I don't believe that applies to those of us traveling domestically to FLL. Is that correct?
    • AND that any test can be purchased, not just the ones through X's site? My company provides reimbursement and they have a specific procedure we need to follow as well. 
    • We sail on a Friday so we can take our tests anytime Wednesday then, correct? 
    • Lastly, if you're taking a home test, what is the proof you provide? The little stick with negative? How do they know those are ours? And what date they were taken? (We have not used any of our home tests, thankfully, so not yet familiar with what the kits provide for this.

    Reading halite below from the X site, I don't see anything about proctoring, nor that the kits need to be a specific brand.  

    Thank you for humoring me 🙂 

     

    All vaccinated guests must present a negative COVID-19 test result taken as either as an Antigen or PCR test conducted within two days of embarkation and complete a health questionnaire prior to sailing. All unvaccinated children between the ages of two and eleven years old, will be required to bring a negative PCR test result conducted within three days of embarkation. An additional COVID-19 Antigen test will be administered in the terminal before boarding and on the day before disembarkation

    The CDC has advised unvaccinated guests cannot be tested twice in one day as it may affect the accuracy of the test results, therefore the COVID-19 test required before arriving at the terminal cannot be taken on boarding day.

    All fully vaccinated guests requiring a COVID-19 test to return to their home country will be provided the opportunity to receive testing in the cruise port during disembarkation. Proof of return travel scheduled within 24 hours of disembarkation will be required. Details on testing registration will be provided onboard. Testing will be complimentary for guests with cruise reservations booked prior to November 16, 2021. For new bookings made on or after November 16, 2021, testing will be available for a per person fee. The cost for onsite cruise port testing starts at $99* per person.  Prices vary by port and test type. 

    Are suites worth it?

    in Celebrity Cruises

    Posted

    5 hours ago, HBDave said:

    I think it comes down to disposable income. For the cost of a Suite on one cruise you could go on 2 - 3 cruises in a veranda. Quality vs Quantity.

     

    I had two fiends go on sperate vacations to Hawaii at the same time. The one with money, stayed at the Four Seasons and the one with less money stayed at the Best Western. When they returned the one who stayed at the Four Seasons was complaining about everything. The one who stayed at the Best Western said she had the time of her life. I guess it all comes down to expectations and your attitude. 

    I love this analogy! We were just in Hawaii and spent 6 days at an Airbnb and 4 at the Four Seasons (closer to the wedding festivities). We had an incredible deal at the FS but we were barely there. Stunning hotel, amazing service, but just not worth the money (and I did want to take the bed and bedding home with us). It was a shorter walk to the ocean from our Airbnb than our FS room, although we had an ocean view at FS with a large, beautiful verandah. When we left we were frustrated we couldn't spend more time there. We'd feel the same way in the suite space - too much to do outside the suite and dedicated suite spaces. 

    BTW it came to $1200 for 6 nights at Airbnb and $1600 for 3 nights at FS!

    Are suites worth it?

    in Celebrity Cruises

    Posted · Edited by sakigemcam

    We think about your points every time we book and with the exception of the food, just feel it's not worth it. A verandah is non-negotiable, because how often do we get to sit over the ocean in our bathrobes just staring at the sea? Overall we spend very little time in our actual cabins and feel if we were in a Suite we would limit ourselves to the fewer Suite spaces when we enjoy so many across the ships - too many to list.

    DH would probably insist we spend more time in a suite or the suite areas bc we paid for it, and would get all conflicted lol. 

    If we want better cuisine we can do so on land - we love eating outdoors for breakfast and lunch at the buffet, and it's fun to mix things up with the specialties we enjoy (not all of them). 

    Just make my bed, feed me,  treat me better than I'm treated at work and I'm good - and we can use the other funds for more travel or say, a nice piece of bling 😉 

    • Like 1

    St Lucia…4x4 waterfall and beach adventure or coastal cruise to the Pitons?

    in Celebrity Cruises

    Posted · Edited by sakigemcam

    1. We have the 4x4 booked as well, but it skips the Pitons and I SO want to see these iconic landmarks! Are they viewable from sailaway?

    2. I am fine cruising with my motion sickness patch (miracles!) but haven't had the nerve on our many cruises to try catamaran sailing - should I get over this?

    3. That contact tracing issue makes me want to cancel all our other excursions - if you're not on a boat trip that access near port, you really are at risk from just being in a vehicle with others. So frustrating.

    4. We've had Spencer on standby for almost 2 years now. Kind of torn about what to do.

    We've had this island on our list for so many years, and for some reason now it's the most challenging excursion planning island for our March cruise.

    • Like 1

    On Reflection now and it is Incredible

    in Celebrity Cruises

    Posted

    30 minutes ago, capsplace said:

    You can book a taxi tour at the port in Barbados.  We did on our Jan 2 cruise.  Found two couples from our ship, so six of us paid 25 each for 3 hr tour of island.  Legal and cheaper than ship tour.

    I believe the status in Barbados has changed this week per OP's post. 

    On Reflection now and it is Incredible

    in Celebrity Cruises

    Posted

    5 minutes ago, 1620rock said:

    Yes they gave us a letter onboard with the change. Celebrity only except for St Kitts but you can get off to ship but not leave the port area

    Thank you, fellow New Englander (CT here....). One more question - your cruise to the Pitons, what kind of boat was it? (I'm prone to sea sickness - will have my trusty patch but due diligence) - and how much time (and where) did you get to swim? Thanks again 🙂 

    On Reflection now and it is Incredible

    in Celebrity Cruises

    Posted · Edited by sakigemcam

    22 hours ago, 1620rock said:

    I hope you have a great cruise. The crew are all eager  Our ports haven’t changed so far but ship tours are required for St Lucia, Barbados and Antigua.

    Thank you 1620, for this great post. To clarify, no "government-approved tour operators" currently allowed in these ports? That's a change....

    Unrest on French Side - Dutch Beach Comparable to Orient?

    in St. Martin/St. Maarten

    Posted

    2 hours ago, SpaceCowboy9 said:

    My guess is the reports are overblown...

     

    I'd say Grand Case, but on the French side

    & Pinel Island is awesome, but also on the French side

     

    Mullet Bay Beach is on the Dutch side - I have not been, but going to St Maarten in March & it's on our list of beaches to try.

     

    Our favorite tour operator on the island may be able to give some insight?

    https://bernardstours.com/

    Toured with them each time to the island

     

    We went to St Maarten in July 2021 and had a fabulous time!  Here's a pic of us on Pinel Island.

    PinelIslandJul2021.jpg

    Thank you - I'm waiting to hear if Divi is an option - they're not too good at replying to emails 😞 

    A Real Stunner

    in Virgin Voyages

    Posted

    I love an edgy experience but omg the VV marketing EXHAUSTS me. I feel like they're trying so hard to be different. Good for those who enjoy it, I just can't w the marketing.

    It would be nice to experience their dining concept, though.

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