LF2C

We are doing an Alaska cruise next June fro Seattle.

Post cruise, we are flying from Seattle to Calgary.

Please can anyone answer the following

a) what's the earliest time X will allow us to disembark

b) how long is it by cab from Seattle cruise port to Airport on a Friday morning in June, and

c) are there any known problems with immigration for Brits at Seattle cruise port

Thanks

We're doing the Solstice Alaska cruise next June and will be flying post cruise from Seattle to Calgary.

There's a flight at about 10.30 a.m., otherwise we have to wait until mid afternoon.

Does anyone know

a) how long it takes by taxi from the cruise port to the airport on a Friday morning in June,

b) what is the earliest time X will allow passengers to leave, and

c) are there any additional immigration checks for Brits that might delay us getting away

Thanks

I know it's not going to happen since they only repeat the web site but I would love to have the Celebrity Cruises poster tell us why some ships are doing three evening chic nights. This has been posted by a number of people. The web site and press release specifically said there would only be two no matter the length of the cruise.

 

From the web site:

 

All cruises that are 7 nights or longer will feature two Evening Chic nights. Any cruise 6-nights or shorter will feature one Evening Chic night. All other nights of the cruise will feature Smart Casual attire. Celebrity Xpedition will continue to feature casual attire for the entire cruise.

No idea, our last cruise was 12 nights as is the next.

We board Equinox next week and my boyfriend will most definitely be lugging his suit all the way from Australia! It'll be a nice change to get dressed up for an occasion other than weddings and trips to the races.

 

 

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Here, here !

My wife and I are on Equinox in November and starting to plan dinners. We like to dress up and will miss Formal night. I wanted to get any opinions on which dining venue may be best on Chic Night if we decide to go Formal with Tux and Dress. Luminae, Blue, Main or one of the specialty restaurants?

We were on Connie in June. I took my Dinner Suit (as us Brits call it). We had 3 "evening Chic" nights. Plenty of people dressed up and I certainly didn't feel out of place.

We're on Connie again in a couple of months and I'll be wearing my DJ again.

We will be on Eclipse in the Caribbean in January and I am considering a smart lightweight jacket instead, purely because on European sailings you get a more eclectic mix and more Europeans whereas I suspect that the Caribbean in January will be predominantly US & Canadians, who (and this is not a generalisation, so don't berate me) don't tend to be as "dressy" and are less traditional.

Hi Everyone!

 

When in doubt, I turn to the experts! Just received an email from Celebrity. I never did Select Dining. DonI have anything to do prior to boarding or can I reserve once on board?

 

This is part of the email:

 

Celebrity Select Dining reservations have not been purchased at this time.

To search for Celebrity Select Dining, you may visit: http://www.celebritycruises.com/DayByDay

 

 

Thank you

The whole point about Select is to just turn up. Either ask for a table for 2 but other tables are close enough to be able to chat, or ask for a larger table (6or 8 works best and just join others.

Then if you do meet up with people who you want to dine with, book a table.

We don't usually dine till after 8.00 so we never have a problem.

Between 7.00 & 8.00 can get a bit busy and as others have said, they just give you a buzzer. Works for us. Don't like regimentation!

:eek: Perhaps that's her version of 'Chic' :D. Now you've said this, I'll purposely be looking our for her when we sail next weekend ;).

Definately not chic.................more Eastern European urban grunge :eek:

Has the girl singer been smartened up?

We were on Connie in June & will also be on the Oct 21 sailing.

She looked like she'd just come back from doing the weekly shop!.....

I have 7199 for a cruise Oct 21st.........nice

Hello all

 

We are booked for our first Celebrity cruise in April 2017 (Panama Canal) and now that flights are available for that time, I would really like to book them so it's all sorted. As it's Easter, I think that the earlier I can book, the better.

 

I've checked with Celebrity and they were able to quote a couple of airlines but I'm really disappointed that their prices are not competitive with what we would pay to book direct with e.g. BA or Virgin. Even economy flights are coming out at £1k plus per person (with Premium Economy at £1500 per person). Is this normal? Usually we sail from Southampton, but have done a couple of Transatlantic crossings for which Cunard offered a really great rate for the single flight.

 

Does anyone from the UK have similar experience and can offer any tips/hints for a cheaper airfare? Am I better waiting (despite it being Easter) to book? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

Regards

Sarah

Celebrity have 2 systems. One is the "package" that includes transfers and where appropriate, hotels, the other system is a competitive flight only one.

I did the Panama in 2014, flying Manchester-Miami via Heathrow. Celebrity were as competitive as booking direct with BA.

I've recently confirmed seats for next January, again to Miami, but this time from Leeds. Return flights were £970 for two (economy).

Because I book through Celebrity, I don't have to pay airfares until I have to settle my cruise invoice and cab fare and a hotel in Miami (or anywhere else) is a heck of a lot cheaper than using Celebrity's package system.

Ok,

so I've read through all the post since my original question.

If I understand correctly, US Airports have now introduced a higher level of security which entails hand baggage going through scanners and laptops, kindles etc., removed from bags along with permissible liquids. Humans have to remove belts, coats, shoes and any metal objects and place them in a plastic tray which also goes through the scanner. You then pass through a body scanner, collect your belongings and move on.

If I have got this right, what is the problem? we have had this type of security for years and although at busy times it can take a little longer, we still don't ever consider checking in more than two hours before the flight, maybe a bit longer for transatlantic/long haul.

Is this really a case of American beauracracy, doing what it does best..........simply being totally inefficient!........sorry, no offence meant, but as I said in my original post, us Brits do find your immigration process just a little "quaint".

Ok, so I've been reading this thread and also tweets from US friends.

So can someone please tell me what TSA stands for (apart from "not fit for purpose")

I am from the UK and travel extensively (I've even been to the States a few times). Security throughout Europe and elsewhere has been tightened and enhanced, but so have the systems and scanning procedures. Although getting through security takes longer than it used to, it's still manageable within the normal timescales for check in etc.,

So what's the problem in the USA? Getting into your country has always been a bit of a "mare" due to the over exuberance of your immigration processes, but we just laugh about it and go with the flow. Getting out of the USA never used to be a problem, apart from your rather, how shall I put this delicately, somewhat Dickensian procedures. So what's happened to cause such lengthy hold ups?

Hi Paul, well we're English and on your cruise too. We are travelling with friends and our menfolk are wearing their DJ's and we ladies will be in long dresses on Chic nights. We fully subscribe to the notion that people should wear what they want, we don't have a problem with anyone wearing whatever they feel comfortable in. But for us we enjoy "dressing up" in long dresses and our men like wearing their DJ's so that's our choice. So you won't be alone, there will be three of you, at least.

 

Just over four weeks to go and cannot wait.

Nancy

Nancy

Thanks for your post...........I'm definitely taking my DJ :D

I had a look on the Roll Call for our cruise as I didn't recognise your name. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea but it's good to get to know folk before departure.

See you at the sailaway? which leaving Venice (which I have done before) is just wonderful :)

It's not a mess. From someone who dissembarked Monday it worked fabulously. People were dressed up and looked good. Some were just not in traditional formal wear. It's called progress, not a mess.

Common language, different interpretation!

I only referred to it as such as so many people seemed unsure :)

With luggage concerns, since they started the Evening Chic, my husband plans on wearing a very nice polo shirt (not the golf type ones) with dark pants and dress shoes for evening Chic. I will wear nice black pants with a sparkly type top. In the past, he has alway worn a suit with dress shirt and tie, but considering that "designer jeans" are now considered Evening Chic, I figure what he is wearing will be fine. We are in our early 60's and would not wear "designer jeans". We are going out of Venice, spending 3 nights pre-cruise before a 12 night cruise. We don't want to lug an extra bag between the charges on the airline and having to get over bridges to get to our hotel pre-cruise.

We're on the same cruise

I've been following these "Evening Chic" threads for a while and still can't make head nor tail of the mess Celebrity have created!!! :mad:

I'm British (no, not overly "formal") and mid 60's and dress in what I would call "evening chic" every night!!! but no jacket. Formal nights were for me, a differentiation and an opportunity to wear a Dinner Suit (a Tux is actually a white dinner jacket).

As ships are air conditioned anyway I can't see that wearing a jacket is a hardship and I will probably still pack my DJ......whether I wear it for the 2nd 2Evening Chic" night will depend whether I'm the only one or not!!! ;)

We are on the equinox in November and have select dining (hope that' is what it is called) how far out can we book, and as it is only 2 of us, will we be able to book a table for 2, and if we don't book in advance is there normally much of a wait time around 6.30.

Why do you want to book?

The whole point about Select Dining is that you go in for dinner when you are ready and not necessarily at the same time every night. If there's just the two of you, you shouldn't have to wait, and even if you do turn up at peak times the wait will not be very long.

The best part about Select Dining is that on arrival you can request to be put on a table with others or just by yourselves.........your choice. Mind you, most of the tables for two are quite close together so it's easy to talk to your "neighbours" should you wish to

Thanks for your reply. We will hope for the best. We don't expect a lot of Ballroom dancing, since most ships really don't really have a large dance floor, but it would be nice to be able to do a Waltz or Cha Cha during the cruise. Hope they play decent music, I find that sometimes a live band is a hit and miss because although they might play a familiar song, but their tempo could be different and that could throw you off. Usually we just end up dancing to club music free style, or a slow tune or two, as long as there is half decent dancing, we are happy.

I'm sure you will if past cruises are anything to go by. On our last Celebrity cruise (Eclipse) there was a Ballroom hour every few days where the DJ played "proper" ballroom & Latin tracks......................keep dancing :D

We are considering the Constellation in May. We like to do some dancing in the evenings (club dancing, basic ballroom...). Could you please tell us how many dance venues are on the ship. So far I gathered that there is a Reflections Lounge and a Rendez Vous lounge that has a live band daily? What sort of music do they play? Is there a separate "disco" on the ship with a DJ? Are these dance venues well attended? We find that depending on the ship, sometimes there are hardly anyone on the dance floor, whereas, on some other ships, the lounges are packed, the room temperature gets really warm, and the crowd makes it uncomfortable to do any dancing without bumping into someone.Are there dance lessons offered during the day time ?How do you find the other entertainment offered, the production shows..etc. Thank you in advance.

We have been on Infinity which is basically the same ship as Constellation which we will be on in June and then October. We are also ballroom and latin dancers. Assuming the same layout you are right about the two lounges.

On Infinity, the house band was usually in the Reflections lounge, but there was also a trio playing at certain times in the Rendezvous lounge. On that cruise the house band were amazing (Phillipino) and played just about everything imaginable. The trio was Argentinian and would you believe that they couldn't play us an Argentine Tango, but otherwise they were good for strict tempo stuff.

The ships usually have some dance lessons but they are pretty basic (sorry if that sounds offputting but it all depends at your level)

The only problem with X is that their dance floors are round....not the best shape for ballroom!

new york , london , bali, tunisia ,paris , brussels. all attacked by terrorists none were predicted nor repeated . one cannot predict things neither can we let them win.

 

personally i find the armed nutcases in usa more a credible threat than a tourist attack - but even then it doesnt stop me from travelling.

 

One wouldnt cross the road or drive a car if one was worried about real risks - even more so in North America where the crazy drivers are on the wrong side [emoji33][emoji33]

Here here!

When are people going to understand that the risk of being killed by some nutter in the USA is far greater than the threat of terrorism in Europe.

I appreciate that it's not quite the same as Turkey, but I've just returned from a week in Israel.............a helluva lot safer than downtown Leeds on a Saturday night! Yes there's lots of soldiers carrying guns and lots of security checks, but if certain countries (Turkey included) followed Israel's example, the threat of terrorist attacks would diminish.

I'm on the Connie cruise out of Istanbul 21st October. We're flying in a few day earlier and will be touring the city. Unless the FO refuse to let me fly and X cancels the cruise I will be visiting a city I've wanted to go to for a long time.

[

In the last 10 months, we've cruised aboard 3 of the 4 M class ships. Summit is the missing ship and we'll cruise the third time aboard her in June to Bermuda. Constellation, among Infinity and Millennium, seems to me to be just a step above the others so far. The ship is immaculate. Walking around early this morning before most cruisers were up and about, I couldn't find anything amiss. Decks were spotless, everything in its place and given we've got a number of spring breakers aboard, there wasn't a single empty glass, dirty plate or beer bottle discarded haphazardly anywhere. When we debarked today and looked back at the ship, it just appears to be very well cared for.

I read somewhere that Constellation is the highest rated cruise ship in the Celebrity fleet. I seem to remember this comes from the on line guest questionairs. I can't remember where I read that but, so far, it HAS been a step above the others we've been aboard in the last 18 months and that includes Eclipse and Equinox, both S class ships. Hearing plenty of comments in various cruise reviews about declining service, cost cutting, dropped ammenities and decreased staffing numbers on the Celebrity line, I don't see or feel any of those things so far. I think last night's dinner had something to do with this view. We'll dine in the MDR tonight and I'll review that tomorrow. I'll revisit this assessment after I'm home. Also, I won't be posting any pictures from aboard. To do this properly requires more bandwidth and time than is available and that I'm willing to spend. I'll try to do a follow-up review back home with pictures.

Glad to read your positive comments about Connie as we have two cruises booked on her this year.

I feel it is not very often that you get the chance to dress up so why not do so. Pity Celebrity changed the dress code is sounds like an 'anything goes'

Going away in November will be anxious to find out what everyone is doing by then.

Hear Hear! Dressing up for the evenings has always been something we have looked forward to and like about cruising. Whilst it's not the "be all and end all", it has been a differentiating factor from beach hotel holidays.

I originally asked where the Solstice was as I believe that there are parts of the world where the majority of passengers will dictate how formal or informal people will dress.

For example, if a cruise is predominantly Brits it will inevitably be "dressier" than a cruise where the majority are American..........just a fact, please don't shout at me :eek:

Just back from cruise on Solstice and very pleased to see that there was still a good number of people dressed formally, ie Tuxedos.

Just as a matter of interest, which part of the world was your cruise?

Thank you all for your replies. Paul, it's good to hear from the perspective of a dancer. I would be very disappointed if we didn't dance but would be prepared to just do things like seroc (4/4 beat) and salsa if that's all the music and space allows.

 

Diane

The only latin dance we can't do on the ship is Samba as it travels far too much and I don't like it anyway :D Cha & Rhumba are usually ok as is jive or rock 'n roll. Depending on your particular routine you're ok with waltz and some form of Foxtrot. Quickstep in virtually impossible, which is why we are now learning a "cut-down" social quickstep, really just for the ships. Tango can be a problem and Argentine would be great in a confined space, if only we could get the bands to understand that its not the same as strict ballroom tango.

Viennese Waltz..............forget it and refer to my original comments about moving ships :eek:

I am used to sailing with Cunard and dancing the night away. I am looking at a Celebrity cruise on Equinox for August.

 

I would be grateful for information about dancing. Do they have ballroom and latin dancing at night? Is the dance floor a decent size? Is the music good for dancing?

 

Many thanks

Diane

Hi Diane

Never sailed with Cunard, but from what I understand, they are possibly the only ships that have what we dancers would call a "proper" ballroom/dance floor.

We love Celebrity and whilst we also love to dance, each cruise is different and will often depend on the quality of the house band and also the crowd on board.

We sailed on Eclipse last October, a mainly British crowd, and there was a Ballroom hour some evenings with recorded music played by the DJ. The house band weren't that great and much of their sets was similar tempo with little variation.

The Theatre Orchestra played occasionally in the Grand Foyer as well. Great musicians.

On a previous cruise we had a fabulous house band whose repertoire was incredible.

On the Solstice ships, dancing is either in the Sky observation Lounge or in the Grand Foyer.

The former has a round dance floor which sometimes makes it difficult to get you angles right, especially if the ships rolling a bit and you've had a couple of "sherberts"! whilst the floor in the Grand Foyer is not very big and has commuter traffic wandering across from Guest Relations to the Bar/lifts/stairs.

Having said all that, we still manage to dance virtually every night; but do have to adapt some of the dances to accommodate the space.

We are on the Connie that was boarding 21st October, departing 22nd. Received a letter by email yesterday confirming that we will be sailing out of Istanbul on the evening of the 21st. A sea day has been switched around and Limassol has been added to the itinerary.

As we will be spending 3 days in Istanbul pre cruise, we're more than happy with this alteration..............just so long as they cancel Israel!

Oops! That should've said just as long as they DONT cancel Israel!!! Silly me 😡