di T

Received an email a couple of days ago from NCL We are cruising from Barcelona in November all ports are EU,The email said there would be charges to all applicable purchases while onboard.21% on retail items from the shops, and 10% added to all drink and food bills.Including purchases made on the unlimited open bar and speciality dinning packages.I expect this to apply even on the pre purchased free at sea as we were charged on our last cruise in March on these while in Spanish waters. Strange on Oceania in June we were not charged the extra VAT even though we sailed from Barcelona.

Yes I also thought sail away had no free at sea but it seems it does in the UK, I’ll take the gamble on where we will end up as the stateroom allocated to me wasn’t great! No big deal it’s just a cheeky extra cruise we have added to this years jaunts! Thanks,Dianne

Love it Chemmo! We are young at heart too.3 weeks to our Reflection cruises, can’t wait.I really like a nice mix of ages and think Celebrity do have that. Also like a mix of nationalities, we are all so fortunate to cruise this year we have went a bit daft ( blame covid lockdown) we have sailed 5 times plus 3 to come on 3 totally different lines. Large fun ships small luxury, and of course Celebrity.Not so loyal anymore but just enjoying.

We are on the Dawn in November, booked a gty inside around May.The cabin we were allocated a few weeks ago I did not like.So put a low bid to upgrade to an OV, Today I saw for a wee bit less than the bid I could change to a sail away OV, So back to not knowing what our cabin will be, but still have the free at sea and all my dinning reservations as in the original booking, plus the prepaid gratuities.Never have booked a sail away but hey this is just an extra cruise for us this year and a short one for us(10days) so will hopefully be fine.What are your experiences on sail away? Dianne

So agree I would not use them again!

Hi, I have been in touch with ABTA and received a reply to say they have corresponded with NCL who are a member of ABTA. Will see if this helps. Dianne

Not big meat eaters but could not remember on the last NCL which restaurants we enjoyed! Been on Oceania recently and have a couple of Celebrity cruises soon, but we enjoyed the Norwegian cruises early this year.

Have booked Le Bistro think we had a nice meal there on another ship! Thanks for the recommendation

Going on The Dawn in November, free at sea no idea about which restaurants are good

Will definitely post!

I got nowhere with NCL Uk they said try insurance! Insurance said it was cruise line to pay out of pocket expense, emailed NCL in Miami and they replied they would as a good will allow up $300 for lost flight fares, I had to send proof of booking and cancellation of the flights.British airways were very prompt at emailing the proof,butTAP were hard work,eventually I forwarded the details to NCL and they said I would receive the refund into my account asap.This was two weeks ago. Dianne

Naples! Been there 15 times or more and always find something to see. Even the city just love it❤️

Les43 just looking at the forecast for Italy and lots of that area 🥵 so hot! Have the best of times though! Just 7weeks to we leave we are flying from Manchester but Glasgow or Edinburgh would be around the same 3hour trip.Can’t wait😊😊

Really? The last 3 Celebrity cruises we have been on in 2 yrs the fizz has been missing! But no drink package next cruise will check out😊🥂

We are also followed along! We will join the Reflection in Barca for 19 nts in September. We were last on her last September almost identical itinerary and had a great time. Interested to hear if this vibration is still causing concern. Hope you have a lovely time, enjoy the sunshine and bring some back with you! Dianne

Thanks for all your replies👍

Thanks for this! We have booked a number of b2b criuises and will sail in September on Reflection as a b2b. I could not remember if I received the $100 reduction on both legs was booked well in advance. Looking at another for next March which I will book on board so I will ask for the discount.

Hi fellow cruisers, As anyone booked a b2b recently? Just wondering if you still get a discount. Regards,Dianne

Hi, so what was your opinion of the cruise? We had a lovely time but not in a hurry to book Oceania again! Dianne

👍We disembark tomorrow off our Oceania cruise, so will start getting ready for the September ones, we were on Relection in the med last September and had a brilliant time.

Bo, we too are on the 02 September cruise plus the following one as a b2b, love the Reflection.Dianne

we are sailing Nautica (so one of the smaller ships) Only two speciality restaurants Polo Grill which was just ok.Much preferred the Toscana (Italian) The pasta of the day I had as a small portion before my Entrée of sea bass was lovely. just find it strange that every time I ask in the morning the guy on the reservation desks says fully booked! We would have liked to visit Toscana one more time.We are in an ordinary category stateroom so no butler but I have heard some say they have had dinner most nights in the specials. Haven’t asked today as it’s the last night and a sea day, but we have had a lovely time.Dianne

Pinotlover, thanks for stating this.We are on the last two days of our first Oceania, and have been a bit disappointed on the food! We booked our two speciality restaurants before boarding.One was very nice the other not.But I have tried every day to get a reservation for the one we enjoyed and every time have been told fully booked.The service has been excellent by all the staff and we have had a great time as we always do.But I haven’t looked to book with them while on the ship which is unusual, so maybe not for us.Dianne

We are Elite plus with Celebrity and have travelled mostly with them over the last 15 years. On our first Oceania cruise at the moment, food, ambience and service have so far been wonderful (on our 3rd day) said to my hubby it’s like Celebrity was when we first started cruising with them.But there are a few minor cons for us, the bathroom especially the shower is tiny and the music around the ship is a bit old fashioned.But will probably book with them again.Next cruises are in September on Reflection so will be interesting to see if we book Celebrity again for next year!