jody75

They say “you get what you pay for”, that is very true whether it is land or sea. Generally speaking cruise food is better but the gradual decline in food quality is very noticeable especially on P&O. That’s why we always pay the extra and eat in the specialty restaurants whether that is on P&O or Celebrity.

Go to an Ikos hotel in Greece then the food is a better standard but even then if you what quality you have to pay extra even there. Land based holidays always cost more comparatively but variety is the spice of life. These days I tend towards land as the pollution aboard cruise ship is becoming intolerable.

I received the Celebrity email too and followed the link to the site. I was interested to look at the 2 evening speciality dining and one lunch but nothing like that appeared on the site, let alone a 20% discount. I suppose it means one has to ring them......

Hate to tell you GBP prices have just been increased by Celebrity on Cruise Planner.- now 1.33GBP = 1US$

We've been on P&O and can't believe Marella is worse. Maybe cut from the same cloth so would pass on both.

The ship's excursion does not walk from village to village. It's done by water taxi. Walking tour in Portovenere and one in Monterosso. Time for lunch in Monterosso. Then you take the train to the next village where the bus picks you up for the return to the ship. I picked the ship's excursion because I had a ton of nonrefundable OBC.

Celebrity have changed their tour based on what you say, that itinerary is good. It used to be bus to Manarola, water taxi or train between villages and collect group in Monterosso. That was hell on Earth. Water taxis between village are cancelled with the slightest sea swell and then the trains become over crowded, not pleasant.

I did the ship's Cinque Terre excursion from Livorno as I had already been to Florence. It was excellent.

Beware that the Cinqueterre is extremely busy in summer /early autumn. I would avoid, better to go to Portovenere and take the water taxi to Monterosso - you will see the 5 villages from the sea better than the hassle you'll experience walking the villages.

For more info goto www.cruisetimetable.com that will tell you more about the port - Hvar is definitely TENDER.

Also goto http://www.cruisecal.com/portal/ItineraryPrint/tabid/2919/Default.aspx?sailID=CarnUK/E814 for your arrival/departure times - P&O's Captains use this website for the info as well as Head Office don't even tell them docking times, LOL.

We cruise November and March every year in the Caribbean. In the last three years November has been the best weather without question.

Believe me, I have read the T&C's thoroughly, and I can only speak from our experience. Last year there was a large price drop on our cruise, and we were allowed to do it.

Suggest you read Section 10 Future Cruises (Onboard Booking ) - UK Terms & Conditions

"Guests who wish to take advantage of a new UK market promotion/benefits at a later date, whilst keeping the same ship and sail date will have to cancel (at loss of deposit or applicable cancellation charges) and rebook to access the benefits of the new promotion. The unlimited free changes apply to changing ship and/or sail date only"

I equally have received a concessionary benefit when a large price drop occurred but it was in the form of obc not a reduction in the cruise fare, maybe that is what you received. These T&C are current and readily accessible via the Celebrity website.

err

We have found that the only way to definitely benefit from price drops and unlimited free changes (before final payment date), is by booking the cruise whilst onboard doing another cruise. Even if we aren't sure where we want to go, we book a cruise that we think we MAY like to do, and can relax knowing that if we do change our minds when we get home, then we can change it as many times as we like, and have nothing to pay. When booking in the UK there is a £75 per person charge every time we make a change to the booking which has always made us think twice before booking. The staff on the ships seem very well aware of the frustrations.

That is incorrect. You are allowed to change sail date or cruise as many times as you wish without charge. You can’t retain a booking and benefit from a price drop on that sailing. Read the U.K. terms and conditions for onboard bookings.

Don’t be put off Britannia..........

I think we will give P&O a wide berth from what I'll read in recent days.

UK is 57 days.

Thanks for the feedback, I’ll pass on Britannia.

Can anyone advise who have cruised on Britannia this year if the Soot Problem which affected the aft Balconies been resolved ?

err

They are contracted to Cruiselines and will NOT accept bookings from cruise passengers directly. Celebrity charge $75/pp for a 3 hour trip with Seacow.

Woodwind charge $65/pp for their 4 hour trip and $55/pp for their 3 hour trip, also they provide a fabulous lunch when sailing back to their berth.

Woodwind win hands down

I am really hoping this post is tongue in cheek. ;p

You obviously have not cruised recently as Celebrity Customer Services onboard will tell you that there is nothing they can do. Miami Head office has instructed them to not to upset the passengers by enforcing the request “not to reserve sun beds”.

So it’s definitely NOT tongue in cheek, we all need to join the hoggers as that’s the only way to get a bed on seadays, unfortunate but factual.

Hi,

I have read so many posts about the Reflection being so busy and not being able to get a chair around the pool.

Do you think that will be the case on a 14 night cruise before the kids are out of school?

You will need to get up and reserve your sunbed by the pool before 6am otherwise you wouldn't get one. The upper decks are a little better but ALL beds will be RESERVED by 9.30am latest across the whole ship.

The good thing is Celebrity will do nothing to stop the chairhogs so get up early and YOU will be OK, never mind about anybody else.

Thanks for the feedback.

What’s the procedure to get ashore at Georgetown when you are not on a Celebrity excursion? Do Elite Captain’s Club members get any priority?

Is it worth buying the package prior to going on holiday.

Celebrity UK cruise prices currently include the Classic beverage package and free unlimited WiFi. I asked for a price without the free WiFi as we don’t need it and was told it’s the same price. This offer ends 29th.August.

We always book onboard, always taking the obc on the current cruise thereby the deposit is free.

Our onboard booking has unlimited FREE changes to a new ship/sail date so its a no brainer for anyone.

Don't know what happens on cruises from UK but on cruises from Barbados they didn't even check if we attended.

Take some Vick for under your nostrils as the BO of some passengers is shocking in the confined space of the lifts.

Heathrow to Victoria will always be better by train. Road congestion is a major headache especially crossing the west end to Victoria. National express operate a coach service costs £10/pp whilst the underground CONNECT service from LHR to London Paddington costs £11/pp, luggage is seldom a problem. Heathrow EXPRESS costs £24/pp and is 10 minute quicker than the Connect service.

Would recommend you purchase an OYSTER Card in advance as it will significantly reduce your transport costs within London.