MustBCruzn

13 minutes ago, FlyerTalker said:

I wouldn't be so fast to book Boston, @MustBCruzn.

 

How about thinking a little bit differently - with your break in Europe instead.

 

For example, you could fly out of Denver on AF through Paris.  Leave Denver at 5:20pm, arrive Paris at 10:40am.  Utilizing the 24 hour connection rule, you could then fly the next day to Rome at 9:15am arriving at 11:20am.  This would give you a single through fare from DEN to FCO without breaking it with a stopover that would result in separate prices to Boston then Boston to FCO.

 

Another option would be through London.  BA leaves DEN at 7:35pm arriving LHR at 11:30am.  You could then fly the next morning at 10:35am arriving FCO at 2:25pm.  Again, just a single through fare DEN to FCO.  And if you need to get to Rome earlier, there are earlier flights leaving LHR -- I just picked this one to give you the max time in London.

 

In addition to the possible fare advantages, you also get to experience the business class flight for a bit longer duration, thus maximizing sleep.  Both LHR and CDG has train service from the airport to the city.

 

Just food for additional thought.

 

Wow! Thank you. This is excellent information. I'll play with those options.

Thank you both, Gardyloo and Zach1213. Boston it is. Tthis is exactly the information I was looking for. I really appreciate it.

DH and I will be flying RT to Rome for a cruise next June. In doing mock bookings, it appears prices for business class are very similiar for Non-stop flights from BOS, JFK, and EWR...with flights from ATL quite a bit more. We will be flying in from COS the day before and spending the night in a hotel near the airport. Do you frequent flyers have a preference among these departure airports? With all the airport horror stories right now, I'd really appreciate your input.

6 hours ago, Lastdance said:

I have done both, but I would never pick August for Europe.  Not only the heat, but so many are on vacation from all over Europe, so it will not be as enjoyable.  I love Italy, Turkey and Greece; however, May/June or in the fall are wonderful.  My next trip is this October, but on Apex.  The only tour I have even done with Celebrity was on Millie.  The ship was fine, but I did not like taking the buses, along with waiting for the same people who were always late, loud and acted like everything was all about them.  Most likely, that will not be your experience.  However, the scenery was gorgeous and overall it was a great vacation.  I just prefer doing my own trips and land vacations with a cruise.  Whatever you decide, traveling is something that is great for the soul and I am sure you will make it a great time. 

This! We have done Alaska several times and in several different months. August will be fine for an Alaska cruise. We've cruised the Italy, Turkey and the Greek Isles itinerary in May, August, and October. I would never have chosen August, but it was the only time my son and DIL could take vacation. Never again, though. It was SO hot, and the crowds were awful. October is by far my favorit time of year for this itinerary.

51 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

I've stayed there in the past but they were getting a bit run-down, then were purchased by a new company and undergoing a major renovation right before COVID.

 

Have you stayed with them since that?  Would love to hear your feedback on it if you have. Or if not, your feedback on it after your October cruise.

 

I like the location very much and their rooftop bar area is great. Just would like to know about the current room condition and whether the hotel management is still warm and friendly.

 

Our October pre-cruise stay will be our first since thier renovation. However, my brother and SIL stayed there last month for 3 days prior to thier HAL cruise and raved about it. They had stayed there twice before with us on previous cruises, so they had that to compare to. They said it's still thier go-to Rome hotel.

We've stayed many times at 9Hotel Cesari and have it booked again for our upcoming cruise in October. It's in a great location and the rooftop bar (also used for the buffet breakfast) is fantastic.

I just got the e-mail as well. DH and I were to be on the Sept 25th sailing. What a disappointment. I was concerned that things didn't seem to be falling into place, but I didn't think a cancellation was in the picture.

1 hour ago, Arizona Wildcat said:

This month we asked to leave a day early in Victoria instead of Vancouver.   Was told no.  Explanation was covid and customs issues.

It cannot hurt to ask 

This must be covid related or the rules have changed. I lived in Seattle until a couple of years ago and did 3 Alaska cruises and 2 Honolulu - Vancouver cruise on Celebrity where we got off in Victoria instead of staying onboard to Vancouver. It's so much easier to take the Victoria Clipper back to Seattle than to mess with getting back from  Vancouver.  

I wish I had seen this thread sooner. I recently booked the Feb 2024 35 day Hawaii-Tahiti-Marquesas cruise on the Koningsdam which required a heafty deposit. Now instead of being excited, I'm worried. 😬

2 hours ago, DAF7065 said:

 

What I like about this cruise is that it starts / stops in San Diego and hits a lot of nice places we want to visit.  So do not need for 10 hr flight to Tahiti or 15 hour to Sydney with all the time zones.    Just have to fly across from Florida, so not too bad.

I just booked this cruise yesterday, and yes, the deposit was a bit of a shock, but we'll have to pay up eventually. The included gratuities were clearly listed on the confirmation document . We too were really happy with both the itinerary and the round trip from San Diego--so convenient. Hope to see you onboard. And there's already a very active roll call.

4 hours ago, phoenix_dream said:

You weren't asking me this question, but I'll give you my two cents anyway.  In large part I think all other things being equal we often will call a ship our "favorite" because of experiences on particular cruises.  By that I mean maybe you have made lots of friends with staff on a particular ship, or a particular cruise had great ports or great entertainment so you enjoyed it more than other cruises.  This is honestly why Equinox is probably my favorite ship, although I love all the S and M class ships (E class not so much due to design).  We sail a lot and over the years by chance have sailed Equinox more than many others and have made some long lasting friendships with staff onboard.  I have to admit that colors my opinion in nominating it my favorite.  This is not necessarily true for everyone of course, but I think it does factor in, particularly for long time cruisers.

After giving Jagoffee's question of "why" some thought and reading your reply, I 100% agree with your thoughts on what makes one ship or another a favorite. I loved our cruises on the Silhouette too. I think I leaned toward the Equinox on an emotional level for the reasons you described. We were fortunate to have a very active rollcall several times, and made some very good friends...none of which has anything to do with the ship. You summed it up very well.

3 hours ago, Denny01 said:

Same with our kids. Started as Teens and love it now as adults. They also have careers that have Lots of time off and they cruise when they can. And Celebrity is their pick.

 

This is our kids exactly. They're now 30 and 32 and Celebrity is their cruise line of choice.

I've sailed both, and Equinox is by far my favorite. In fact, it's my favorite S-class ship.

1 hour ago, mauimary said:

For our return in July we are flying back the next day. We are staying at an airport hotel just to keep it easier.  

This is what we have done on our previous visits. The Sheraton at the airport is convenient and very nice.

1 hour ago, Denny01 said:

Won’t go into the MATS or Carrier ‘cruises’ i did

This cracked me up! That's why I didn't mention my tours on the USNS Mercy! My DH claims that doesn't count as sea duty.  🙂

My first cruise had a similiar theme to yours. In 1994 I was stationed in Sicily (a Navy nurse) and my mom, back in Seattle, had just retired, and my dad had recently passed away. Although I had been stational all over the world I was only able to convince them to visit during an overseas tour once, when in Spain. She was very nervous about traveling alone all the way to Sicily. Long story short, I convinced her to come by booking us on the Costa Crociere for a 10-night Eastern Med cruise to Israel, Egypt, Athens, Cyprus, and Rome. It was wonderful. Not only did she find the confidence to travel the world, but it  turned us both into cruise addicts.

We stayed in 9Hotel Cesari on two previous cruises and have it booked for our upcoming cruise. It's beautiful with a great staff and very walkable to many attractions. We especially love the rooftop terrace for breakfast or a drink watching the sunset.

We stayed in 2155 several years ago and were disappointed with the amount of noise from above. The next year we were able to book 1405, a corner aft on deck 10...it was huge and very quiet!

8 minutes ago, mauimary said:

We are on probably this same cruise.  If you do not get off do you even need to bother with a test for Victoria?     Since this is primarily an Alaska Cruise do we all need to get tested to get back into the US in Seattle?   Doesn’t sound like they are doing this down in FL for US citizens.  Only those that are flying to other countries. 

I'm hoping that the requirements are as you describe. That would certainly make things easier.

Final payment is due in a few weeks on our Alaska cruise RT from Seattle and this looks concerning to me. I can't imaging Celebrity testing all onboard for the few hours we spend in Victoria. I've done this cruise many times and no longer get off in Victoria as our time there is so short, but I would still like clarification sooner rather than later.

I've had the pleasure of doing the Honolulu - Vancouver route twice, and have a third scheduled for April 2024. And I've also cruised the Eastern Med/Greek Isles three times with another scheduled in 2023. Both are wonderful but, as mentioned by previous posters, there's really no comparison. The history and beauty of the Greek Isles can't be beat IMO.

I've been a critical care nurse for over 30 years and a cruise fanatic for about as long, and I understand your concern. It's a decision only you can make. For myself, I cannot currently risk not being available for my health-care team and patients. And as my preferred cruise destination is Europe, I'm willing to wait for things to open up there. This has been a long haul for many, and seeing it daily at work is rough. I've not yet had the luxury of a B2B or a TA, but they're at the top of my list when this is over. 

23 hours ago, Gracie115 said:

For those of you who are still working with someone who has been with X for several years it might be helpful to hear who they are or perhaps what their phone extension is.  If anyone is willing to share that info my email is jr34951 at aol.com.  

 

I have some reservations that need to be completed and a few to be changed/cancelled and prefer finding someone who will stay with us throughout the process.

I just sent you an email with the name and number of my Celebrity Vacation Planner. She's wonderful and very responsive. I'm sure she'll be just as great for you. And I too had the same experience with the NH Big Box agency. 

I'm sorry to those of you who have had issues with your CVP. Mine is wonderful. She's very responsive, friendly, and very easy to work with. I've used the big NH-based TA in the past, but since coming across my CVP I haven't looked back. Her great support has made the "perks" of the TA not worthwhile.

24 minutes ago, gerelmx said:

 

September and October 2023 look on Asia cruises

Thank you! Just booked. 😁