cruisellama

8 minutes ago, SpicyCherry said:

Thanks....I saw some of the menus in the App and some were, as you said, less attractive. I found the same situation, at times, in Coastal Kitchen aboard Symphony. I didn't think to order from the MDR menu but it was probably allowed there as well. Won't make that mistake again!!

 

You can do the same thing at CK

Onion rings!!

The service is definitely better as there's a better guest/crew ratio.    Regarding the food, there are good menu days and less attractive menu days.  If you're not satisfied with the menu on a particular day, you can order from one of the 4 MDRs also.  We've done that especially for appetizers.

Odyssey in Naples with us this morning 

Currently sailing on a 3 June Med itineraries.  1968 boarded,  ship has a 1% infection rate.  Service great.   Masks required in casino, theater and Celebrity  buses.   All our ports have been normal as protocols are dropped Italy, Greece, Croatia, Montenegro.  Hoping the dropping of US return testing is real as we fly home early next week.   No official word from airline or cruise line.

Great. Current in Italy and fly home next week.   Have not seen anything from my airline or any change to VeriFLY.  Doesn’t come into effect until 12:01 AM Sunday.  Have tests just in case.

It's just a crap shoot.    But, wouldn't let that get in the way of a good cruise, especially if you're getting the right price.  If there's an issue, the ship will steer away from the bad stuff.  And there could be itinerary changes.  You just don't know in the Caribbean, which is I favor Alaska, west coast or Med cruises during hurricane season.

Yes - innovative hull design - different angle on the bow .  Also the blue coating is more than just a paint - its has a special composition to resist barnacles and reduce drag.  All the ships will end up with that same coating as it reduces fuel consumption.

1 hour ago, Gears said:

We were on the Silhouette. It had a refurb in early 2021(?).

There was a glass blowing/craft class on some of the Solstice class ships.   

On 3/20/2022 at 6:47 PM, Srp431 said:

Does Symphony  have boardwalk donuts in the morning, similar to Allure?

Not when I sailed her.

Is the correct strategy to operate the whole fleet or operate a smaller fleet that is better staffed and provisioned?   Too many dissatisfied guests will reduce future bookings.    Overall prices are up and the effects of higher fuel hasn't kicked in yet. Of course, the industry (and other travel industries) is still being held back with health protocols too.   Many are not sailing because of the rules to get to/from home countries.

On 5/15/2022 at 11:02 AM, cruisellama said:

Reflection is currently sailing from Rome.   As we're sailing her next month, we've been monitoring the changing protocols traveling from the US to Italy and back.  Currently if vac'd and boosted, two tests  are required, one to board and another to return to the US via air.   Celebrity provides the test to passengers after disembarkation (free to those who booked before Nov 2021 and those who booked later pay $24).  As the tests are provided after leaving the ship, they must be administered somewhere where the passenger can have access to good internet service.   Awkward for  some passenger because they must either find off-port local internet at an intermediate location to the airport or test in the airport terminal  itself.   There is also the option to forgo the proctored self test and use an airport test station.   Some passengers found it difficult to connect with sufficient internet service to use the tests, and had to work through the airport service missing flights.   Some thought ahead and packed their own tests and administered while still on the ship.  This option seems to be the most practical.  Bring extra tests to cover the return home.

Reading a common theme from the some folks who unfortunately tested positive at the end of their European cruise.  For Americans, exit testing is required within 1-day of return flight to US.  You want to perform that exit test BEFORE getting off ship.  If you or your partner test positive, and asymptomatic or mild symptoms, you have the option to remain in quarantine on the ship, meaning there is not a need to find a quarantine hotel and wait for the clear to travel test.  This means you need a proctored internet test and the premium service to connect to the proctor.   The basic internet service is not sufficient to maintain connectivity.  Current protocol has Celebrity distributing that final test kit after you've disembarked leaving it you to find adequate internet service to administer the test.  And if positive, you'll have to arrange a quarantine hotel somewhere.

14 hours ago, FireFishII said:

According to what I read,  cosmetic damage only. I don't think Canaveral can say the same. 

So will just buff out?

No toys on Celebrity.   Focused on culinary, entertainment, and service experience.    More of an adult experience (not much for kids to do).   Edge class ships offer more included dining and premium dining options and are priced higher as newer.  Sail 3 classes of ship:  Millennium, Solstice, and Edge.  All three have unique feel, but we now prefer Edge (more culinary options) and Solstice. ts all personal preference.  Read about experiences from those who sailed and see what resonates.

12 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

I don't think her stacks were Sharmin clean

Needed this guy

Nasty looking soot

On 5/12/2022 at 12:49 PM, smokeybandit said:

Cargo holds in modern aircraft are temperature controlled. emed tests have a lower range of 35 degrees and cargo holds are at a minimum of 45 degrees.

Actually more concerned with luggage sitting on a hot tarmac prior to loading into the cargo hold.  Something to watch in warm sunny climates.

12 hours ago, Breezyclimber said:

Just to confirm, it’s “atleast 2 days prior” for vaccinated adults, so tests for a Sunday cruise can be taken after 2am Italy time on Friday or Saturday, correct?

Should we be counting the sail day or not? 

Countdown:  2, 1, 0.  Think of embarkation day  is day 0.

Try this executive contact:

Primary Contact
Jennifer Morales
Senior Director of Celebrity Engagement
1050 Caribbean Way
Miami, FL 33132
[email protected]

Has anyone noticed a difference between submitting vaccination status using a QR code is faster/better than scanning card?    Difference noticed using the Verifly APP for air and other cruise line travel.   I used a QR vax record and was approved immediately, my wife used her CDC card and it took 4-5 hours for manual review.  I have not tried the QR on the RCL or Celebrity APP.

Does guest services have a place to deposit post when at a port stop?

41 minutes ago, twangster said:

Bookings are soft in Europe as it is.  Not what the cruise lines needed in the aftermath of a pandemic that isn't over.   

I'm reading observations of that from a number of travelers on some Celebrity cruises this month.   US is still requiring negative tests for reentry of US citizens by air travel and that makes the European venture less attractive for some.

1 hour ago, twangster said:

Fuel costs haven't hit them yet, they hedged fuel.  But it is a coming storm.  

Will we see the surcharge come back?

On 5/13/2022 at 7:50 PM, Jill said:

Well this takes us from 9 tests to 6. It’s an improvement but the US needs to drop it’s ridiculous testing requirement. We literally will walk off a ship that has been in the US ALL WEEK, go straight to Vancouver airport and we need a freakin test. 
 

Meanwhile you could drive from Seattle across the border, traisp all over Canada for 2 weeks, drive back across the border and no test required. 
 

Proof our government is totally dysfunctional 

Its driving us crazy on our upcoming med cruise.   Highly recommended you bring extra e-med tests on the cruise so you can take it prior to leaving the ship to catch your flight to US.

7 hours ago, twangster said:

Sadly if they don't sail at full capacity they will fail and go out of business. 

I don't think most people realize how close they are to failing and going bankrupt.  

If you factor fuel costs, and the cash burn on the new ships -they're really on the edge right now.  Fuel costs alone have to be killing them.  Was  the strategy to get the entire fleet sailing the right one?  Or focus on regions, ships and itineraries that can maximize cash and minimize risk and costs?   If not this year, next we're going to see the  industry contract.