Apex due in Israel tomorrow

[Presto2]

3 minutes ago, Mark_UK said:

 

Don't think anyone is blaming X for making the changes, just some would like to be given the opportunity to change sailings given it's now not what they purchased/paid a premium for. 

In 2011 we paid a premium to do 2 nights in Israel and 2 nights in Egypt on Silly. There was a war in Egypt so it didn't happen. We 'went with the flow' - its the Middle East and we knew that when we booked

[deliver42]

The contract specifically says they can change itineraries when ever they want.  This time it's for a very good reason. It's called, staying alive.

[bEwAbG]

Again, true for U.S. cruisers.  May not be true if you're from another country that has different booking rules.

Edited October 8, 2023 by bEwAbG

[WestLakeGirl]

17 minutes ago, jwlane said:

Read your contract.

Yes, read the contract and you will see that what you thought you were purchasing, a cruise to Israel and Egypt, is not in fact what you purchased at all. You purchased a cruise, true, but not to those porch necessarily

[Brettskyg]

I am booked on this cruise (10/16) via a casino offer.  I am in the process of cancelling.  I should be able to recover all of my expenses (taxes only), dining package, excursions, prepaid tips.  I am not sure about insurance cost (doubt it).  I do not feel very comfortable with Egypt and Turkey right now.  There will be other trips.  I wish everyone in Israel a quick and speedy victory, and pray for their health and safety.  

[jelayne]

1 hour ago, Cruise a holic said:

I heard two american tourists have been taken as hostages.  

Where did you hear that? 

[jwlane]

36 minutes ago, jelayne said:

Where did you hear that? 

Sec. of State Blinken (USA Today, one source).  Possibly deaths, also (not necessarily "tourists", but American citizens).

Edited October 8, 2023 by jwlane

[chemmo]

2 hours ago, Mark_UK said:

 

I know, can you believe it... I was the one who suggested they try this trip so I feel quite guilty. Sadly we've done Greek Isles before so not excited about it, particularly given what we paid; seeing the Pyramids is something my Mum is desperate to do. But who could predict a robbery, and then a war breaking out. Why is the world so complicated.   

I can’t deny seeing the pyramids is a real bucket list sight….We did a Nile river cruise some years ago and it remains in my top three holidays ever and it had serious opposition! 
 

Perhaps you could look start browsing something for next year or the year after. Seeing Cairo from a sea cruise isn’t the best way to do it…

 

Much as I understand your disappointment with the Greek Islands they are always wonderful. Santorini remains one of my favourite spectacular spots on the planet. I never tire of visiting the wonderful little archaeological museum and then sitting in a white and blue bar thinking of the Minoan civilisation and its sudden catastrophic demise and the legend of Atlantis….Across the caldera the ‘New Burnt Island’ sits threatening future eruptions…

 

Hopefully as you adjust to the changes you will find plenty to look forward to…In the meantime buy that lottery ticket, you must be deserving of a bit of good luck. Who knows your next cruise could be in the Iconic Suite! If you win I expect an invite!

Edited October 8, 2023 by chemmo

[RD64]

Celebrity and the other cruise lines had to make these itinerary changes literally over night. It seems like so many people on these boards have not given any thought to the complexity of changing a cruise line itinerary at the drop of a hat. This is an extremely fluid situation and will continue to be so - I do not see cruises returning to the area until at least 2025, given that the Med season starts in 6-7 short months.

[dcbiker97]

1 minute ago, RD64 said:

Celebrity and the other cruise lines had to make these itinerary changes literally over night. It seems like so many people on these boards have not given any thought to the complexity of changing a cruise line itinerary at the drop of a hat. This is an extremely fluid situation and will continue to be so - I do not see cruises returning to the area until at least 2025, given that the Med season starts in 6-7 short months.

Totally agree.  I’m on the cruise now.  While

I’m extremely disappointed in not being able to go (this would be the third try), I booked full well knowing that this part of the world requires flexibility.  I’m grateful for Celebrity for doing all of the legwork to change our ports. I’m sure there will

be a lot of sleepless nights among celebrity staff and am grateful for their hard work given what’s happening.  This is nothing compared to the real world right now. 

[wineoclock]

Can you imagine the furore if Celebrity carried on with the original itinerary and something happened to any of the passengers? Celebrity have been absolutely correct to change the itinerary to keep everyone safe. 
 

It’s a risk you take when you book a cruise that it may not end being the ports you originally thought you were getting. 

[Zrf80]

No one is blaming Celebrity for changing itineraries on short notice.  It’s obvious that any decisions they make is for the safety of their staff and the passengers.

 

With that said, as a business you have to respect your customers and what they paid for.  There is no doubt that the majority of passengers booked this specific sailing for Israel and Egypt.  And even though it’s short notice, you cannot expect your passengers to accept a substitution of Jerusalem with Mykonos.  Or Cyprus for Alexandria.  It’s not an apples to apples comparison, not for what we paid for.

 

Im been on Caribbean cruises.  I’ve had ports of call changed due to bad weather.  I’m sure most can attest that there is a big difference when you’re comparing Bahamas to Bermuda vs Jerusalem to Santorini.

 

Celebrity, as a fair practice company, should acknowledge this and give their passengers leeway.  It doesn’t have to be a refund. But at least FCC so that we can book another cruise more to our liking.

[hcat]

2 hours ago, jelayne said:

Where did you hear that? 

AP : repotedly says 4 dead.. as part of the rampage!

[dcbiker97]

31 minutes ago, Zrf80 said:

No one is blaming Celebrity for changing itineraries on short notice.  It’s obvious that any decisions they make is for the safety of their staff and the passengers.

 

With that said, as a business you have to respect your customers and what they paid for.  There is no doubt that the majority of passengers booked this specific sailing for Israel and Egypt.  And even though it’s short notice, you cannot expect your passengers to accept a substitution of Jerusalem with Mykonos.  Or Cyprus for Alexandria.  It’s not an apples to apples comparison, not for what we paid for.

 

Im been on Caribbean cruises.  I’ve had ports of call changed due to bad weather.  I’m sure most can attest that there is a big difference when you’re comparing Bahamas to Bermuda vs Jerusalem to Santorini.

 

Celebrity, as a fair practice company, should acknowledge this and give their passengers leeway.  It doesn’t have to be a refund. But at least FCC so that we can book another cruise more to our liking.

Yes, while that would be nice in an ideal world, we agreed to their terms and conditions when we signed up and paid to go on the cruise. Take a look at them and see what they are allowed to change and substitute with no notice on their part.   The  only way to get around that is to not cruise.  

Edited October 8, 2023 by dcbiker97

[RD64]

As has been stated a hundred times when there is a weather - mechanical - or in this case political event that causes missed ports, you should never book a cruise if your intent is to book one or two specific ports - because things happen.

 

On a 13 day transatlantic (with quite a few port stops) we missed St. Pierre et Miquelon due to weather. I was disappointed of course - but I could not believe the number of irate people that claimed they booked this cruise just because of that particular port and wanted a full refund.

[Arizona Wildcat]

Try the Falkland Islands!  About half the ships make it for the scheduled port call.

[cruisingaussies]

3 hours ago, bEwAbG said:

Again, true for U.S. cruisers.  May not be true if you're from another country that has different booking rules.

I’m pretty sure this is a standard world-wide clause, they can change the itinerary at any time. 

[Mark_UK]

4 hours ago, jwlane said:

Read your contract.

 

Thanks for the tip. I actually did read the UK cruise contract, the definition of "significant change" is most relevant. It says:

 

5.5 Can you change or cancel my holiday?

 

Occasionally, we have to make changes to the brochure and other details both before, and after, bookings have been confirmed and, even more rarely, cancel confirmed bookings.

 

Whilst we always endeavour to avoid changes and cancellations, we must reserve the right to do so. If we have to make a significant change or cancel, we will tell you as soon as possible. If there is time to do so before departure, we will offer you the choice of the following options:

 

(a) (for significant changes) accepting the changed arrangements or

 

(b) purchasing an alternative holiday from us, of a similar standard to that originally booked if available. If this alternative holiday is in fact cheaper than the original one, we will refund the price difference. If you do not wish to accept the holiday we specifically offer you (if any) , you may choose any of our other then available holidays. You must pay the applicable price of any such holiday. This will mean you paying more if it is more expensive or receiving a refund if it is cheaper. or

 

(c) cancelling or accepting the cancellation in which case you will receive a full and quick refund of all monies you have paid to us within 14 days of such cancellation.

 

Please note, the above options are not available where any change made is a minor one.

 

What is a significant change?

 

A significant change is a change to your confirmed holiday, which we can reasonably expect will have a significant effect on it.

 

Examples of significant and minor (defined below) changes are as follows: Significant change: Examples include a cruise itinerary change from two days port of calls to two days at sea instead; a change in UK departure airport (excluding changes between local airports) and a change in the time of your outbound flight by more than 12 hours on a 14 night holiday.

 

Minor change: Examples include a cruise itinerary change from one port of call to another; a change from one day’s port of call to one day at sea; a change in timings for any port(s) of call but the ship still calls at all confirmed ports; a change in order of ports that are visited; and a change in the time of your departure or return flight that is less than e.g. 12 hours on a 14 night holiday

Edited October 8, 2023 by Mark_UK

[BOB999]

FYI for those on the 10/16 Apex sailing that they just cancelled out Egypt. They replaced it with Crete, Cyprus and an additional stop in Turkey.

 

[Zrf80]

They officially took off Alexandria.  There is no way that Celebrity can chalk this off as a “right to change ports”.  These are two major ports, and we should be given a chance to change cruise ships or get a refund.

[azbirdmom]

7 minutes ago, Zrf80 said:

They officially took off Alexandria.  There is no way that Celebrity can chalk this off as a “right to change ports”.  These are two major ports, and we should be given a chance to change cruise ships or get a refund.

 

Agree that they should at a minimum allow cancellation with no penalty.  This isn't an "Alaska" or "Caribbean" cruise where you may miss a port but make others to still experience the spirit of the cruise you booked.  Celebrity sold this (and is still selling it) as "Israel, Egypt & Med".  Given that it's only "Med" now they should definitely offer some flexibility given that this isn't anything close to the unique cruise that folks booked.  This isn't a knock on Celebrity in terms of their efforts to line up new ports in a very short time frame under no doubt difficult circumstances.  Just that they should take one step further to allow cancellation with full restoration of amounts paid as FCCs.

[golferguy3]

Just informed that Celebrity Apex cancelled the Alexandria port due to the terrorist issue in Alexandria on Oct 8, 2023.   This follows the cancellation of Israel due to the terrorism on Oct 7 2023.       The revised ports are not quite as exciting.     Any other cruisers on the Apex sailings currently in process (Oct. 6) or the upcoming one on October 16 have any thoughts?    Undecided here about embarking on the Oct 16 cruise.

Edited October 8, 2023 by golferguy3
typo

[gordylad]

this is a significant change

[Georgia_Peaches]

Have they offered the option of cancelling for a FCC?

[lexmiller]

14 minutes ago, azbirdmom said:

 

Agree that they should at a minimum allow cancellation with no penalty.  This isn't an "Alaska" or "Caribbean" cruise where you may miss a port but make others to still experience the spirit of the cruise you booked.  Celebrity sold this (and is still selling it) as "Israel, Egypt & Med".  Given that it's only "Med" now they should definitely offer some flexibility given that this isn't anything close to the unique cruise that folks booked.  This isn't a knock on Celebrity in terms of their efforts to line up new ports in a very short time frame under no doubt difficult circumstances.  Just that they should take one step further to allow cancellation with full restoration of amounts paid as FCCs.

This may be happening.  Someone on the roll call for the Oct 16 roll call on the site that shan't be named, spoke with Customer Service today, even before Egypt was cancelled, "only" Israel had been cancelled at that point - with an agent and supervisor, who said that FCCs for the Oct 16 cruise are being offered - this is a quote from her post:  "Future cruise credits for the total amount you paid for the cruise, to be booked within a year but can cruise anytime".  She had not yet taken the FCC, so I do hope she got the name of the supervisor!  But this bodes well......