When does MoveUP bidding open?

[Plumlee2028]

Hello Everyone,

I'm heading out on my first Celebrity cruise at the end of the month.  Was considering the MoveUp program from the Edge Veranda to a Sky Suite or similar.  When does the bidding open? I double checked today to make sure my email was getting emails from Celebrity (which I knew given the daily emails...).  My trip is on the 28th, so I assumed it would be open now, but no such luck in email or on the website link.  Website link kept saying to make sure the sailing is within 30 days.

[cruisellama]

Normally its within the early 90 day check in period.  That all turned upside down under today's circumstance and check-ins can be within the month of sailing..  

[Plumlee2028]

16 minutes ago, cruisellama said:

Normally its within the early 90 day check in period.  That all turned upside down under today's circumstance and check-ins can be within the month of sailing..  

Makes sense.  Check in is all done, just curious if MoveUp has a set time table.

[cruisellama]

9 minutes ago, Plumlee2028 said:

Makes sense.  Check in is all done, just curious if MoveUp has a set time table.

I found it random in normal times.   I'd get an email stating, "we have a great deal for you...."   with the link for bidding up.    I tried on several occasions, but never bid enough.    I would limit my price to what the retail price of the upgraded room was when I originally booked.   As we usually book Sky Suites, it usually takes a healthy + up to get to the next level.    Perks are the same on all Celebrity suite classes  (all get Retreat/Michaels club and Luminae).   The higher level suite gets you more square footage , sometimes a better location, and more butler attention.

[Plumlee2028]

47 minutes ago, cruisellama said:

I found it random in normal times.   I'd get an email stating, "we have a great deal for you...."   with the link for bidding up.    I tried on several occasions, but never bid enough.    I would limit my price to what the retail price of the upgraded room was when I originally booked.   As we usually book Sky Suites, it usually takes a healthy + up to get to the next level.    Perks are the same on all Celebrity suite classes  (all get Retreat/Michaels club and Luminae).   The higher level suite gets you more square footage , sometimes a better location, and more butler attention.

Yeah I was just planning to try for a Sky Suite to get into the suite class.  Ive tried the Royal Up on RCI, but never any luck, I think im too cheap.  

[cruisellama]

13 hours ago, Plumlee2028 said:

Yeah I was just planning to try for a Sky Suite to get into the suite class.  Ive tried the Royal Up on RCI, but never any luck, I think im too cheap.  

Just an observation.  On these early cruises appears the higher revenue rooms are selling out faster than in the past.   In a way makes sense as folks probably have banked 2020 vacation dollars and want to splurge, but it also would be consistent with maximize areas with great square footage and balconies (airflow).   In 2020 were where planning and hoping '21 would be normal, now we're hoping for '22.

[JeffB]

Following Nassau and after 2 consecutive sea days, we're in Cozumel. The weather in the Western Caribbean has been spectacular. After some clouds and rain in Nassau it's been perfect. Same for today......sunny and hot. Nice breeze though to cool things off.

Guests cannot debark at Coz unless on a ship's tour. It is sad to see the port area shuttered. Celebrity remains pretty organized with respect to keeping guests aboard informed. 2d ago we learned by letter that we'd be allowed to disembark independently in our next port of call - Costa Maya. That's a change. It's just down the road and also in Quintana Roo state. Mexican Public Health officials have labeled Quintana Roo as "Red" or a high transmission area. So, it's a bit curious that Coz is closed and Costa Maya is open??? May be a local government call. There are two Carnival ships here and I believe we are the only ship in port at Costa Maya tomorrow. That may be a factor for local governments as well. 

No hint that Celebrity will be adopting Carnival's mask policy.

Finally, we're B2B and not sure how that will work as pre-boarding antigen testing is on. I've been getting emails that they are. Yesterday, I got a debarkation questionnaire in my cabin asking me about travel plans after debarkation on Sunday. ???? I did go to guest services to confirm they knew I was B2B. They did and told me to ignore debarkation forms and that I'll get a letter detailing B2B protocols - first time I've sensed a bit of confusion on the part of Celebrity. I'll let it come to me. It will work out.

Finally, if others are sailing this weekend out of PEV, there's a disturbance that has moved off  the West coast of Africa that will become a tropical depression and move into the lesser Antilles mid week. Right now, conditions are not favorable for hurricane development at all but rain and gusty winds will appear in the forecast for the Southern Caribbean islands and probably as far N. as St Maartin by late in the week - it's that time of year.

Oh, and you can ignore the COVID fear monkey narrative in the national or local press regarding FL. Be aware that transmission rates are high right now. 99% of hospitalizations are unvaxed. Somewhere around 95% of new cases are unvaxed. Your chances of being involved in a serious MVA are way higher than getting a serious COVID illness if your vaxed and, of course, you have to be if you're over 12 and sailing on Edge or Equinox. Would you not get in a car here inf FL because of that risk? Perspective. Right now a cruise ship is the safest travel and leisure venue there is with respect to infectious disease including SARS.

[Plumlee2028]

Thanks for the updates.  Ill definitely still plan to be careful when Im in FL, just as I am living here in North Texas.  Ill feel very comfortable on this ship, as I did on Adventure a couple months ago.  For anyone traveling out of North Texas, the testing company DFW airport hired has $79 antigen tests, with a 1 hour turn time.  I live about 5 minutes from the airport, so Im actually going a couple days before my flights (about 70 hours before the ship departs FLL) that way I have time in case there is any issue.  

As for getting in a car in FL, Ive heard a lot of bad jokes about FL drivers, so maybe Ill avoid the roads.  

The report on the weather reminded me, Ive been watching the pandemic closely, got to keep an eye on the weather too.  Cruising in August/September gives a lot of chances for weather changes.  

[Plumlee2028]

Has anyone tried the Rooftop restaurant on edge?  Ive got some credit from my package I booked, so thinking about eating there one night.

[cruisellama]

12 hours ago, Plumlee2028 said:

Has anyone tried the Rooftop restaurant on edge?  Ive got some credit from my package I booked, so thinking about eating there one night.

In the evenings, its a pretty peaceful place to eat (after dark), gets forgotten by many.   Service is good as is the food.   Steaks, burgers, (grilled stuff) is what they specialize in.  If I remember correctly, I think the only place you can find onion rings.  Its been  while since we were there.

[JeffB]

Last port call in Costa Maya today, day 5. Sea day tomorrow then back to PEV on Sunday. We'll continue on the next 7n E Caribbean sailing. 

Costa Maya is open....sortof. You can't leave the port area on your own. You can by taking ship's tours. We did. Mayan Culture Through the Ages. Small group of 20, nicely curated. This is another advantage of cruising early. Fewer guests on tours. Ship's tours I would have avoided pre COVID are inexpensive and well done. I've been impressed. Recommend you give them a serious look. Weather great again. Port stores are open but not all of them. The port facility has been improved while visitors weren't coming. I think that's a good sign that investors have confidence tourism will blossom soon.

[JeffB]

21 hours ago, Plumlee2028 said:

Has anyone tried the Rooftop restaurant on edge?  Ive got some credit from my package I booked, so thinking about eating there one night.

Yes. It's OK. It can get windy and/or hot. My hands down pick on Edge class ship's is Fine Cuts. Lunch at La Bistro would be my second specialty restaurant on Edge or Apex.

[JeffB]

Couple of random thoughts on the two Celebrity  sailings we've completed since restart, one in Greece (Apex) and one from PEV (currently on Equinox): 

Travel to Europe to start a cruise requires some research to avoid potentially disruptive surprises. Entry requirements change. What you find on Monday, might change by Friday. Vaccination to enter for US passport holders is pretty much the norm for European countries you may travel to for a cruise start. Recommend use of Flights by Celebrity for obvious reasons. Same day arrivals can be done but are risky given the number of flight delays. Go a day early, book pre-cruise hotels with Celebrity and advantage yourself with Celebrity transport. Normally no need. Currently a good idea. 

Traveling to a US port to sail is less demanding but you still have to keep up with ever changing boarding requirements. 

If you're sailing a Caribbean itinerary, Caribbean ports are restricted, all of them in varying degrees. This too seems to change rapidly. My experience has been positive wrt being informed on current port restrictions by ship's staff. Check the printed daily. Updates are not in the app.

I've already posted this....ship's tours are consistently affordable and good in the current circumstances. I recommend them. Feed back I get from fellow cruisers who go on their own to tour hasn't been positive. 

Just notified on B2B procedures. Completed our antigen tests just now, no cost, done by contractor staff. Other than this and turning in our traceletts, the process is unchanged from the past. We meet in a lounge at 9:30am, debark, go as a group through PEV C&I, then, after the ship is cleared, we reboard. Should be around 11am for our second leg, a 7n E Caribbean itinerary. Importantly, we don't have to get off and then check back in as a newbie. If you want to get off and tour Fort Lauderdale, you do and will be assigned a new check in time. 

Right now and probably through mid-october, is a great time to cruise. You must be open mined and flexible as things change. The advantages are small numer of guests that will be slowly increasing and am told Celebrity is planning to be at 100% by end of October. This assumes the CDC or foreign health authorities don't judge cruise ships to be disease vectors. So far, that hasn't happened and I don't think it will. 

[cruisellama]

2 hours ago, JeffB said:

Couple of random thoughts on the two Celebrity  sailings we've completed since restart, one in Greece (Apex) and one from PEV (currently on Equinox): 

Travel to Europe to start a cruise requires some research to avoid potentially disruptive surprises. Entry requirements change. What you find on Monday, might change by Friday. Vaccination to enter for US passport holders is pretty much the norm for European countries you may travel to for a cruise start. Recommend use of Flights by Celebrity for obvious reasons. Same day arrivals can be done but are risky given the number of flight delays. Go a day early, book pre-cruise hotels with Celebrity and advantage yourself with Celebrity transport. Normally no need. Currently a good idea. 

Traveling to a US port to sail is less demanding but you still have to keep up with ever changing boarding requirements. 

If you're sailing a Caribbean itinerary, Caribbean ports are restricted, all of them in varying degrees. This too seems to change rapidly. My experience has been positive wrt being informed on current port restrictions by ship's staff. Check the printed daily. Updates are not in the app.

I've already posted this....ship's tours are consistently affordable and good in the current circumstances. I recommend them. Feed back I get from fellow cruisers who go on their own to tour hasn't been positive. 

Just notified on B2B procedures. Completed our antigen tests just now, no cost, done by contractor staff. Other than this and turning in our traceletts, the process is unchanged from the past. We meet in a lounge at 9:30am, debark, go as a group through PEV C&I, then, after the ship is cleared, we reboard. Should be around 11am for our second leg, a 7n E Caribbean itinerary. Importantly, we don't have to get off and then check back in as a newbie. If you want to get off and tour Fort Lauderdale, you do and will be assigned a new check in time. 

Right now and probably through mid-october, is a great time to cruise. You must be open mined and flexible as things change. The advantages are small numer of guests that will be slowly increasing and am told Celebrity is planning to be at 100% by end of October. This assumes the CDC or foreign health authorities don't judge cruise ships to be disease vectors. So far, that hasn't happened and I don't think it will. 

Very nice rundown and positive outlook.  Looking forward to seeing more of your reviews.  Thanks for taking the time to document the nuances.

[JeffB]

35 minutes ago, cruisellama said:

Thanks for taking the time to document the nuances.

This may be as good a place as any to post on the subject of being optimistic with regard to the cruise lines continuing to expand operations making more cabins available to the large number of people who want to take a vacation on a cruise ship. Let's start by stating that cruise ships have become, hands down, the safest travel and leisure activity among the many that are available. Demonstrably so. OK then, what else?

Like Governor Desantis, who's getting hammered by his political opponents as new cases in FL break records on a daily basis while he is accused of down-playing it, the numbers will start to decline at some point in the near future - days or weeks, not months. As well, when the press screams, 16,000 NEW CASES BREAKS RECORDS, that headline fails to provide any context.

One of the most important is that, besides almost all of the new cases are among the un-vaccinated, 98% of them are under 60. The mean age of newly infected is 39 (the range is 12-47). As Desantis put it, Would you rather have 500 over 65s infected or 5000 under 60s? The point is obvious. 85% of over 65s are vaccinated in FL and the risk of serious illness among the younger cohort pales in comparison to that of the older one. Silverl ining? Vax rates in FL are up sharply.

I'm not dismissing the downsides of the current increase in new case numbers and % positivity. But, I reject the media hysteria. It's counterproductive to the goal of moving us closer to learning to manage this thing without imposing unnecessary mitigation and mobility restrictions. There's a risk to cruising given the hysteria. I don't think it's great in the US mainly because of what appears to be the likelihood that  FL is going to prevail in it's filing v. Bacerra and Walensky. I think both the CDC and European governments in countries where tourism is an important industry feel shutting it down doesn't offer a great deal of PH benefit and has significant costs given how stunningly effective lines operating there have managed COVID for going on close to a year now.   

[cruisellama]

33 minutes ago, JeffB said:

This may be as good a place as any to post on the subject of being optimistic with regard to the cruise lines continuing to expand operations making more cabins available to the large number of people who want to take a vacation on a cruise ship. Let's start by stating that cruise ships have become, hands down, the safest travel and leisure activity among the many that are available. Demonstrably so. OK then, what else?

Like Governor Desantis, who's getting hammered by his political opponents as new cases in FL break records on a daily basis while he is accused of down-playing it, the numbers will start to decline at some point in the near future - days or weeks, not months. As well, when the press screams, 16,000 NEW CASES BREAKS RECORDS, that headline fails to provide any context.

One of the most important is that, besides almost all of the new cases are among the un-vaccinated, 98% of them are under 60. The mean age of newly infected is 39 (the range is 12-47). As Desantis put it, Would you rather have 500 over 65s infected or 5000 under 60s? The point is obvious. 85% of over 65s are vaccinated in FL and the risk of serious illness among the younger cohort pales in comparison to that of the older one. Silverl ining? Vax rates in FL are up sharply.

I'm not dismissing the downsides of the current increase in new case numbers and % positivity. But, I reject the media hysteria. It's counterproductive to the goal of moving us closer to learning to manage this thing without imposing unnecessary mitigation and mobility restrictions. There's a risk to cruising given the hysteria. I don't think it's great in the US mainly because of what appears to be the likelihood that  FL is going to prevail in it's filing v. Bacerra and Walensky. I think both the CDC and European governments in countries where tourism is an important industry feel shutting it down doesn't offer a great deal of PH benefit and has significant costs given how stunningly effective lines operating there have managed COVID for going on close to a year now.   

Humans adapt.  And we'll adapt to living with COVID too.   If the disease could be decoupled from politics, we'd be back to normal ops.

[JeffB]

Going through B2B process now. We got tested yesterday and only notified if positive. We weren't notified. Around 8pm, yesterday evening the Captain made an announcement that 1 person who presented to medical with symptoms tested positive for COVID. 6 close contacts were tested, none positive. Positive guest was isolated and left the ship today. Private transport to airport and home arranged. 

The B2B process started at 9:30am when we assembled in the Ensemble lounge. There were 71 guests doing B2B. Vaccination cards were checked and we were registered. Guest relations staff kept us informed along the way. Around 10:05 we were escorted off the ship to the terminal where the group passed quickly through CBP check points using facial recognition equipment. Staff led us to a seating area and we were provided our room cards and traceletts. Around 10:50, like clockwork,  we were led back out of the CBP area directly to the arrival terminal and onto the ship. Done by 11:05. Very well organized. 

[JeffB]

Quick update Celebrity Equinox 7n E. Caribbean, day 3 (at sea). We visited Nassau on Day 2. We're just there l;ast week. This time all the shops were open and we took the usual walk with a side trip to pick up some Tide laundry powder at the local food store for our cabin attendant. Those that have been here before might remember a large open market on the main street close to the port. That is not open right now but we were told opening will happen soon as pandemic restrictions are eased.  One thing to note, Bahamian shop owners were very welcoming and not pushy. Just glad to see us. Masks and distancing are required all of Nassau, inside and outside, though outside masking does not seem to be enforced - and there are Royal Bahamian police very visible.

On this 7d itinerary there are 3 port calls (Nassau, St. Thomas and St. Maarten). We lost the 8th night a long time ago (CDC) and Tortola, BVI about a month ago on an itinerary change) and 4 sea days - yes, you need to like ship activities and life. These early cruises aren't about seeing the sights ashore. Fortunately we like ship life and we'll get plenty of it on a now B3B, Western (done), Eastern (on it now) and Southern Caribbean (coming up after this one).

For the S. Caribbean sailing, we'll be getting off the ship, quickly going home - to get bigger clothes - then returning. We'll walk off as early as possible and have a list of things to do like water plants then use our transit pass to re-board. We've used these in the past and pre-COVID. There was a separate gangway for that process. Not sure how it will work in COVID times. Hopefully, we'll get antigen tested the day before debarkation, walk off and back on easily using the transit pass.  I'll report on that process.

Some random thoughts on Equinox. After 40+ Celebrity cruises this is the first cruise I bought the 3n specialty dining package. Since there are just 4 specialty restaurants on the Solstice class ships, we didn't book the one we have no interest in - Q-zine, La Petite Chef. We booked Murano (our fav) 2x, Tuscan 1X and Sushi on 5 1x. Ate at Tuscan last night. I never liked the move away from the Golden Age of Cruising themed specialty restaurants that were a thing on Millennium class ships and Tuscan was one of the replacements. Past experience with Tucson was mixed with the mains being just as good as Tuscan. That wasn't the case last night. Menu selection, food quality, presentation and service were 5*. The ship is still running at just a shade over 1/2 restaurant staff but, then, the ship is sailing at only 40-50% guest capacity. I thought timing and overall service were good.

We really enjoy formal dining. It's not for everyone. But the capacity of the matre'ds and wait staff to deliver a formal dining experience on Celebrity is pretty high. It takes a lot of training to pull this off. I've seen other unmentioned lines try to do this, others don't try and in both cases it's a bit disappointing and since this is such a big part of the cruising life we like we just avoid sailing on those lines.

The bottom line is right now, it's a great time to cruise mostly because of the necessary accommodations that the lines have to make for COVID that tend to produce a better experience with things we like. YMMV. I can say without hesitating that Celebrity is pulling this off and delivering a first class experience at a very reasonable price on a cost per day, per person basis. Then again, I'm highly biased and my tastes are different from others.

[JeffB]

One other comment. This is Hurricane season in the Caribbean and we're dealing with a tropical cyclone that is passing over St. Thomas right now. Tropical soaking rain and some winds but not over 30kts. Our captain mentioned it today and said it is of no concern to our itinerary. I have a friend in St. Maartin that I talked with yesterday. It was getting stormy there but the storm will pass today (it already has) and weather will be fine tomorrow. Supposedly same for St. Thomas tomorrow according to our captain. It is supposed to pass over Hispaniola, then South of Cuba and enter the FL straights passing west of the FL peninsula and into the gulf as a tropical depression. It will probably be rainy in S. FL this weekend if you are traveling there for a cruise.

[PPPJJ-GCVAB]

8 hours ago, JeffB said:

One other comment. This is Hurricane season in the Caribbean and we're dealing with a tropical cyclone that is passing over St. Thomas right now. Tropical soaking rain and some winds but not over 30kts. Our captain mentioned it today and said it is of no concern to our itinerary. I have a friend in St. Maartin that I talked with yesterday. It was getting stormy there but the storm will pass today (it already has) and weather will be fine tomorrow. Supposedly same for St. Thomas tomorrow according to our captain. It is supposed to pass over Hispaniola, then South of Cuba and enter the FL straights passing west of the FL peninsula and into the gulf as a tropical depression. It will probably be rainy in S. FL this weekend if you are traveling there for a cruise.

Quick question...how choppy is the water?  Are you staying far enough out of the cyclone's perimeter to now experience much choppiness?  Just curious since I have never sailed during hurricane season!

Thanks for all the info you've provided.  It's fun to follow along!

[cruisellama]

22 hours ago, JeffB said:

Quick update Celebrity Equinox 7n E. Caribbean, day 3 (at sea). We visited Nassau on Day 2. We're just there l;ast week. This time all the shops were open and we took the usual walk with a side trip to pick up some Tide laundry powder at the local food store for our cabin attendant. Those that have been here before might remember a large open market on the main street close to the port. That is not open right now but we were told opening will happen soon as pandemic restrictions are eased.  One thing to note, Bahamian shop owners were very welcoming and not pushy. Just glad to see us. Masks and distancing are required all of Nassau, inside and outside, though outside masking does not seem to be enforced - and there are Royal Bahamian police very visible.

On this 7d itinerary there are 3 port calls (Nassau, St. Thomas and St. Maarten). We lost the 8th night a long time ago (CDC) and Tortola, BVI about a month ago on an itinerary change) and 4 sea days - yes, you need to like ship activities and life. These early cruises aren't about seeing the sights ashore. Fortunately we like ship life and we'll get plenty of it on a now B3B, Western (done), Eastern (on it now) and Southern Caribbean (coming up after this one).

For the S. Caribbean sailing, we'll be getting off the ship, quickly going home - to get bigger clothes - then returning. We'll walk off as early as possible and have a list of things to do like water plants then use our transit pass to re-board. We've used these in the past and pre-COVID. There was a separate gangway for that process. Not sure how it will work in COVID times. Hopefully, we'll get antigen tested the day before debarkation, walk off and back on easily using the transit pass.  I'll report on that process.

Some random thoughts on Equinox. After 40+ Celebrity cruises this is the first cruise I bought the 3n specialty dining package. Since there are just 4 specialty restaurants on the Solstice class ships, we didn't book the one we have no interest in - Q-zine, La Petite Chef. We booked Murano (our fav) 2x, Tuscan 1X and Sushi on 5 1x. Ate at Tuscan last night. I never liked the move away from the Golden Age of Cruising themed specialty restaurants that were a thing on Millennium class ships and Tuscan was one of the replacements. Past experience with Tucson was mixed with the mains being just as good as Tuscan. That wasn't the case last night. Menu selection, food quality, presentation and service were 5*. The ship is still running at just a shade over 1/2 restaurant staff but, then, the ship is sailing at only 40-50% guest capacity. I thought timing and overall service were good.

We really enjoy formal dining. It's not for everyone. But the capacity of the matre'ds and wait staff to deliver a formal dining experience on Celebrity is pretty high. It takes a lot of training to pull this off. I've seen other unmentioned lines try to do this, others don't try and in both cases it's a bit disappointing and since this is such a big part of the cruising life we like we just avoid sailing on those lines.

The bottom line is right now, it's a great time to cruise mostly because of the necessary accommodations that the lines have to make for COVID that tend to produce a better experience with things we like. YMMV. I can say without hesitating that Celebrity is pulling this off and delivering a first class experience at a very reasonable price on a cost per day, per person basis. Then again, I'm highly biased and my tastes are different from others.

As you've had a nice opportunity to sample venues - are you seeing  changes (updates) to  the menus from pre-shutdown?  Or are the menus pretty much what you remember before shutdown?

[Plumlee2028]

@JeffB reminding us to have flexibility is ringing true.  Got an email that the August 28th Edge sailings had some slight adjustments.  2 less hours in Nassau, and then getting to St Thomas 2 hours later, but still having the full scheduled time in St Thomas.  Interestingly, that provides 4 extra hours of sailing time, so Im guessing there are concerns about other ships in port etc at both Nassau and St Thomas.  

No big deal for me as I stayed in Nassau for Adventure of the Seas in June.  My excursions in each of those stops are now outside the window of when the ship is there, but I'm sure they'll adjust times, or Ill have to grab something else.  

[cruisellama]

1 hour ago, Plumlee2028 said:

@JeffB reminding us to have flexibility is ringing true.  Got an email that the August 28th Edge sailings had some slight adjustments.  2 less hours in Nassau, and then getting to St Thomas 2 hours later, but still having the full scheduled time in St Thomas.  Interestingly, that provides 4 extra hours of sailing time, so Im guessing there are concerns about other ships in port etc at both Nassau and St Thomas.  

No big deal for me as I stayed in Nassau for Adventure of the Seas in June.  My excursions in each of those stops are now outside the window of when the ship is there, but I'm sure they'll adjust times, or Ill have to grab something else.  

Could be limiting port time to limit exposure opportunities on both sides of it?  Edge is a nice ship to be "stuck"  on anyway.

[Plumlee2028]

1 hour ago, cruisellama said:

Could be limiting port time to limit exposure opportunities on both sides of it?  Edge is a nice ship to be "stuck"  on anyway.

Im sure I will survive.  

[JeffB]

Day 6, Celebrity Equinox, 7n E. Caribbean out of PEV. Port of calls in order have been Nassau, St. Thomas, St. Maarten. Now in first sea day of 2 before debarkation in PEV on Sunday. 

Sailing during the Hurricane season....... Over the last 10 years I've chartered sailboats out of Tortola, BVI 3X and cruised Caribbean waters at least half a dozen times. I may have been lucky but none of those events were interrupted by a hurricane. Where they around? Yes. Why does the navy pull all their ships out of port when a hurricane is approaching one of them? Because being at sea during a hurricane is the safest place to be.

Given today's weather forecasting technology, it's easy to predict the paths of these things, not with 100% accuracy but with about 90%. Today's sailing vessels with the capability to reach speeds of 30kts can easily avoid them. That's what Equinox did with Fred. It is what I expect it will do with Grace and any other storms that might follow on my next cruise aboard her - 12n S. Caribbean starting Sunday 8/15. The weather on the current cruise has been beautiful, sunny with seas not exceeding 2-3m. Barely feeling sea motion aboard. So, yeah, Celebrity would not be sailing the Caribbean waters during the hurricane season without knowing that they can sail around them, rearrange port calls and pretty much guarantee a smooth ride.    

Any menu changes in the venues I've experienced? Nope. Standard fare in Ocean View Cafe, Tuscan Grill, Murano, Spa Cafe, Sushi on Five. Did not go to Q-SIne, La Petite Chef. I don't think 30 minutes passed by without some kind of food available in the OV Cafe..... that 30 minutes where it's roped off to allow food table changes. In fact, there is nothing different from my Celebrity experiences of the past compared to now except guest load. It has been nice and is what prompted me to book a B3B. This is a great time to cruise. European travel is a bit more difficult but still entirely doable if you understand and comply with all the differing country entry protocols.

Itinerary changes and COVID related stuff. While in St. Maarten yesterday we learned from the grapevine and confirmed by locals that St Kitts had "closed it's port to cruise ships with over 750 passengers." This was based on a cruise ship (not RCL's but I forgot which one) being turned away and instead porting in St. Maarten the day before we arrived. This turned out to be false. On further clarification it was because St. Kitts, along with most Caribbean ports of call are either already at or are moving toward requiring cruise ships to be at least at the CDC recommended 98%/95% vaxed levels. This ship, whichever one it was, had somewhere around 90%, and possibly other undisclosed factors, e.g., passengers or crew aboard with COVID and isolated.

Local COVID related health conditions are going to drive itineraries. To be sure, island governments are pro-cruise ship visits. TBH, I don't think we're going to see a lot of turning back. Access and fewer COVID mitigation measure will predominate as time goes on. The press COVID hysteria that has driven and in some cases continues to drive perceptions, and accordingly governments and PH authorities react to these, is being discovered to be just that .....hysteria not based on facts on the ground. As these emerge, especially in countries where tourism accounts for most of the local economy, PH authorities will move more toward improved management of and living with SARS2. The Celebrity app provides along with the printed daily, all port COVID protocols. Per these publications, masks are required indoors and outdoors in the ports we visited. However, when I asked locals about wearing masks outside in St. Maarten, I was told just indoors. Ask an then be respectful of spacing.

Still, you've seen the news. Isolated COVID + crew and pax are happening. Everyone of them that I am aware of is being managed in accordance with protocols. There have been no unmanaged outbreaks aboard a cruise ship and only news of positive cases being reported by the lines themselves as handled routinely and correctly despite open press reports of them that imply COVID chaos - but that's their thing. I ignore it. In the 2w we've been aboard Equinox, there has been one announced + COVID case aboard - a passenger who reported to medical with symptoms - the day before the end of the first week. 6 contacts - all negative. The one COVID = pax got off at Fort Lauderdale and handled per protocols. We've also seen two occasions while in port where ambulances appeared and, in both cases, some one was transported. ALos in both cases, ambulance personnel that had direct involvement with the transported individual were wearing Hazmat/PPE equipment. My take is that is SOP for them. I think we would have had an announcement from the Captain if either of these evacs had involved COVID. I believe Celebrity has a policy of complete transparency with respect to COVID cases onboard, of course, consistent with privacy concerns. 

[cruisellama]

21 hours ago, JeffB said:

Still, you've seen the news. Isolated COVID + crew and pax are happening. Everyone of them that I am aware of is being managed in accordance with protocols. There have been no unmanaged outbreaks aboard a cruise ship and only news of positive cases being reported by the lines themselves as handled routinely and correctly despite open press reports of them that imply COVID chaos - but that's their thing. I ignore it.

Agree and if this continues another year,  the hysterical response and behaviors will follow until its considered normal.  I am curious as you've experienced 2 sailings so far, are you observing any of the usual "cruise crud", or is it being mitigated from a more healthy on-board population and better attention to sanitization.   (We were on a last sailing before the shutdown in Mar '20 and the ship was being cleaned far more than the past.   We didn't observe anyone in our party (14) or others presenting symptoms of the typical crud)

[JeffB]

Last sea day on our 7n E. Caribbian aboard Equinox then return to PEV for B2B process for the follow-on 12n Southern Caribbean Special. We'll walk off as early as possible tomorrow morning and plan to go home to water plants, bring bigger clothes to replace what's too tight  and walk back on before 4p. Celebrity does a briefing for B2B'ers in Celebrity Central at 9am the day before return to PEV. The antigen testing is done in the adjacent Quasar Lounge. We were speedily antigen tested and we'll be notified only if positive. Very well organized.

We're switching cabins for the next cruise. The one we're in now wasn't available when I last minute booked the 12nighter 6d ago with the Future Cruise specialists. When you move cabins, all you have to do is put most of your stuff on hangers if you can, leave this in the closet, pack the rest in a suitcase, and your cabin attendant will see to it that it is moved to your new cabin. Easy.

On Celebrity fares: First, the next 12nighter we're sailing on this B3B was booked on board 6d ago. I shoot for an OV or Veranda fare/day/per person of $220 these days. Prior to COVID you could easily get fares for under $200 per day per person. Not that easy anymore. However, for this 12n cruise, there were multiple incentives for on-board bookings. In the past, I've found these worthwhile to consider booking this way. On Solstice Class ships we book either Verandas or OV depending on pricing. The lowest priced cabins this time around were Verandas in Concierge class. There were incentives to book that cabin class lowering the rate. There were also incentives to book what Celebrity calls "Indulge." It's a plus up to premium bevs from the classic that goes along with their "Everything Included" pricing. The incentive is additional OBCs. When I figured in the $600 OBC I got, this fare came to $170/day/person - keep in mind, I'm not actually getting the $600 OBC in incentives in my pocket! What this amounts to is Celebrity getting a bit more money out of your pocket up front then paying you back in OBC's to spend on-board. Smart marketing. On my side it feels good and makes my per day costs look better. That's about all.

Lately, on the RCL blog message boards and other cruise blogs I peek at there has been a lot of comments expressing concern on itinerary changes and cancellations along with speculation for the reasons why. On these three consecutive cruises I'm currently sailing, One of them, an L&S, changed 4x since booked in 2019. The other two were just last minute booked on the front and back end of the L&S. Both of these cruise's itineraries have been changed 1X and 2X respectively. The latest, the upcoming 12n S. Caribbean, just dropped St. Kitts and Grenada and substituted Curacao and Aruba (can't be disappointed about that!). I asked and staff aboard had not been told by corporate as to the reasons for the itinerary changes. I'll not speculate. Could be for a ton of different reasons. None of this is going to be publicly available information. Of course that won't stop cruise bloggers from speculating. I'm not worried about it and I recommend others do the same. It seems like Celebrity, anyway, is doing a great job of continuing to offer an amazing cruise experience in a tough environment to do so. 

The bottom line is that this is cruising life during COVID. From what I've been reading, travel is going to be disrupted for years. That is because of the myriad rules now emerging for airline and cruise ship travel, country entry requirements, vaccination and COVID testing requirements. None of these are either uniform nor, IMO, based on a reasonable assessment of PH risks wrt COVID - cruise ship travel the notable exception. COVID's not going away and I've advocated everywhere I have a chance to advocate that we must learn to live with it without unnecessarily restricting mobility and social behaviors. It's going to take a while for governments to get their heads out of their asses on this point. I don't think we are going to go back to the draconian measures of early 2020. This, despite the very wrong perception of COVID impact the press and social media have created and government PH official feel compared to react to. I see signs that that perception is being questioned. As well, there isn't the political will to shut things down. Cruising will be fine. Accept that it won't be like it was pre-COVID but, as far as I'm concerned, it's till great!   

[JeffB]

1 hour ago, cruisellama said:

Agree and if this continues another year,  the hysterical response and behaviors will follow until its considered normal.  I am curious as you've experienced 2 sailings so far, are you observing any of the usual "cruise crud", or is it being mitigated from a more healthy on-board population and better attention to sanitization.   (We were on a last sailing before the shutdown in Mar '20 and the ship was being cleaned far more than the past.   We didn't observe anyone in our party (14) or others presenting symptoms of the typical crud)

I think those kinds of infections are down considerably due to decreased passenger loads, masked crew, a step up in cleanliness of the ship and the general improvement in personal hygiene measures being taken by guests. The ship knows the exact details but that's not going to be public information. In my recent pre-COVID cruise experience, I rarely fell ill on a cruise. I'm probably not going to be a very good test case. After 2 full weeks aboard, not really changing my own hygiene behaviors aboard, I've not experienced any adverse health events ....... except weight gain! I do think masking in ports cuts down on bringing respiratory infections back aboard ship. 

[WAAAYTOOO]

2 hours ago, JeffB said:

just dropped St. Kitts and Grenada and substituted Curacao and Aruba

WOOHOO !  Nice score.  I LOVE Curacao

[cruisellama]

1 hour ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

WOOHOO !  Nice score.  I LOVE Curacao

That's and upgrade in my book!