24acorns

I am also very interested in this topic and would happily pay the up charge of I knew what I was receiving. 

I am looking at the menus for my 9 night sailing next week and not seeing anything too inspiring, a lot served with mashed potato scoop.

All of my sailings post Covid have been on RCCL I where I was very impressed with the food served and would say as good if not better than X pre March 2020. 

On 9/13/2023 at 8:39 AM, chemmo said:

That is a sad looking fish and chips…The salmon is rather uninspiring too…

 

Loved the Murano pictures. Made me regret that we are on M class next cruise…S class ships have so much going for them, especially Silhouette…

I too loved the pics of Murano.

very disappointed to see triggering from the mdr. Post Covid I returned to RCL ( I hasten to say  on the smaller older ships) On the basis of these photos I would say RCL is vastly better. Not big at lunch in dining room on sea days however in June I had a wonderful lunch. I'm happy with reduced portion size but maybe slightly reduce the plate size. Chefs table was not far behind Murano.

I am concerned in 4 weeks I return to X on Connie beginning to think it is a big mistake. I cruise solo now so not to keen to go to speciality restaurant s besides no Murano on M class.

Would be interested if anyone has any experience of ordering any of the up charge items in the mdr.

Keep up the good work ladylemondrop. Loving following along on your travels. Enjoy.

My room attendant was almost apologetic when asking if I needed am or evening.I chose am as I always found I was always getting ready when twice a day. The only thing I asked was it possible to have an ice bucket in the evening, which was always delivered.

The facts are costs have increased world wide, so whilst cutting room service to once per day and therefore staff have more rooms to service makes some saving for RCG after increased labour cost. That is not the only reason I believe for this change. Since COVID there is also a shortage of workers.

It has been lovely following along on your journey, thank you for taking us along with you.

I'm sure your Mum had a wonderful time, your photos looked great.

Hope you have a good journey home.

5 hours ago, infoseeking said:

I'm on this cruise in a couple weeks and my TA said the Royal Caribbean Ravenna to VCE transfer was already full, wait list only. 🤔 Maybe are spots reserved to book once on the ship?

 

I would prefer the transfer to Venice city center but didn't know it was an option.

Not sure about the return transfer being full. 

I called earlier this week to book transfer from Venice to Ravenna and was told just to turn up anytime for the coach. I arrive the evening before but a late flight and have booked an airport hotel. I asked twice if I needed to book a time but she said no they run every 30 minutes. Thought the cost was quite reasonable (for RC) includes phone charge point, free Wi-Fi  and bottled water. Coaches only filling to 50% capacity. She asked if I wanted to book the return transfer, however I left it as I thought I would maybe do the Padua transfer (Although that is a steep price). 

Maybe call RC to book although it looks as if return transfer is bookable on board. 

Hi 

loving your pics and thank you for letting us follow your live on board adventures. 

I have done chefs table twice and enjoyed the "experience" as well as the food. On board Brilliance in just over 2 weeks your review is telling me to do again.

I am sure your evening drinks event will be a great success. Perhaps the couple who called 're the love and marriage show got your room number from the invite from Montserrat?

Hope you didn't get blown away in Mykonos today. 

15 hours ago, little britain said:

4-6 July?   What tier are you? 

I too bad the invite, I thought it was perhaps through taking part in the cafe royal chats.? I seem to remember in one there was mention of those taking part being given first option.

I have completed a few ship  day tours in the past, where the ship does not leave port. All lines asked for passport details pre visit and on the day passports were inspected retained and returned as we disembarked.

I'm sure it's a security issue.

I love the Celebrity product and Solstice class ships however I reluctantly think my days of cruising with them again are over especially as they have gone all inclusive. I also feel I no longer fit the demographic X are now looking for.

Will say I am at a disadvantage as I now cruise Solo, did a mock booking today result balcony from £2600 for 7 nights end August. I am paying 2 x for drinks package, Wi-Fi and grats,  gratuity I can accept paying for two but not Wi-Fi and drinks, for me that is unacceptable

The last cruise I took ex UK with Celebrity nearly all pax on board had a drinks passage included , it was not a pleasant experience, I can only assume that by hiking the prices they believe the passengers will be more responsible.

I too made a comparison between Princess and X and felt they were much more expensive, also they look higher than prices out of St Martin for Us residents, although that I think is Millenium caps ship.

4 hours ago, FionaL91 said:

This is very surprising given the UKs current stance on holidays abroad, unless they are for UK passengers only. 

RC positions for all lines is to sail with all vaccinated crew and passengers with a negative test to be taken before sailing for children.

I also believe that these will be only for UK residents. 

4 hours ago, little britain said:

 

I have no idea why RCI/X are taking so long to throw their hat in the ring.  

 

I took part in a cafe royal meet hosted by Ben Boudin on Friday morning. it  was quite informative, they as others have been working with government departments & CLIA  regards 're commencing but want to carefully assess the situation before jumping. He also mentioned a possibility of X that came up as someone asked about test cruises each cruise group has to conduct one test cruise to pass all the guide lines this he said could in their case be a RC or X ship. They will operate with an all vaccinated crew as in Singapore & Israel, but do not want to operate only with vaccinated pax as that would restrict the age range possible, in RC case they do not want to exclude children.

I think they are not in a great hurry as any ship that sails ex UK between 17May and 21June may only carry 1000 pax max, he used Anthem as an example "which is in UK waters & can be turned around quite quickly"  but at that loading would mean less than 25% capacity. My guess is maybe beginning July by which time although sailing at reduced numbers it would make it more viable.

Later in the the day we then had the announcement of X out of St Martin & RC so  with the Israel commencement too they have 3 ships to return crew and more importantly organise vaccinations for.

Hope that may answer some of your questions. 

34 minutes ago, Pickels said:

you can't get  a refund if you accepted the credit; you can't cancel the credit and accept the refund.

Not sure that is so at least in the Uk.

On the email I received it said you could opt for the 100% refund anytime upto the date the FCC runs out so apply before December 31 2021.

My only quibble is when I called to ask for the refund the person I spoke to said she would mark up and pass onto the refund department, I appreciate the refund will take time but I would have liked an email as confirmation I was in the system somewhere.

I had an email from Virgin within 12 hours of my email request.

18 minutes ago, upwarduk said:

Someone in IT not up to speed ( probably as it’s the weekend).

As of this morning my sailing 23 March still tells me I am going.!!!

In answer when will they make an announcement on past experience i would say last possible minute.

7 hours ago, cruiserchuck said:

 

Cash flow.  

Well thats worked out well for them!!!!

This will have cost them more with undoubtable refund and FCC as well as cost of onward travel.

Sue Denning Cruise Director.

7 minutes ago, son3cruisers said:

Can you share that email? 
Agreed X has not handled this situation as well as other companies. 

I can't  as I was not fortunate enough to receive seemed very hit and miss if you received.

Look at Page 4 on the boards headed "Email from LLP". 

13 minutes ago, son3cruisers said:

I know I saw that! So it was denied docking in San Juan if it’s heading North West.

We were suppose to board that ship today.

Here in Canada, we found out about the women with the positive case in the news on Wednesday. It was traced to the Summit by Thursday. I wonder why Celebrity has not released any statement .

Their heads are still in the sand.

I thought I saw Summit had been turned away at St Lucia.

Don't get me wrong I am a huge supporter of X but the statement last night looked as if it had been thrown together, surely they should have been preparing for lots options.  Then again the LLP email yesterday morning talked about sailing out of the middle of the storm, not sure we are anywhere near the middle!!!

I have been away from the boards for a few hour, how things have moved on.

Did I not see on another thread RCL to make an announcement 2pm EST.?

I too am in same position, but flying Virgin on Friday 21. I had an email from them they are allowing changes, travel needs to be completed by end September.

It may be worth contacting BA as to deferring? 

I am holding until Monday I think, in the hopes!! of cancellation. Not sure that is likely given their financials.

9 minutes ago, waterbug123 said:

 

Virgin has delayed their launch, originally scheduled for late March, until August.

I might be wrong but I thought I saw they had cancelled the Inaugural Season yesterday.

In the UK we have been told by Chief Health Officer 10/11 weeks to peak with another 10/11 weeks to get back to where we are. So by my calculation August, September.

I am not an accountant by any means, but setting Ships to sea at 50% or perhaps less capacity is not a sustainable model. Especially as the ports you visit are shrinking by the day!!!!

Last weeks Cruise with Confidence bought some time to minimise the lay off time, well thats my thinking. 

I voiced this at the weekend at the time someone "really" .

18 minutes ago, CHOPPERTESTER said:

I have a colleague on a 14 Nt Barcelona to Athens cruise mid April who has 5 Italian stops. I told him there are lots of other nice stops between Barcelona and Athens like Corsica, Palma de Mallorca, Malta (Valletta & Gozo), and a few Greek stops they could change itinerary to. As long as Catalonia stays open.

Valletta refused an MSC ship last week. The doctors treatenef to strike if it were allowed to dock!!

Admittedly it is an Italian owned line may be different for other lines, however I would not bank on it.

2 hours ago, sasset said:

It's still selling on Celebrity's website.

As is the 17 march sailing and that was also been cancelled. 

I am sure I will get shot down in flames for this but as soon as President Trump stated on Friday he thought it a good idea to leave Grand Princess floating, this opened the door to everyone else to close their doors.

If ships are sailing well under capacity, then having to offer cruise credits and OBC because of missed ports then there must come a point in time when the finacial departments say, it is more cost effective to stop for a short time.

1 hour ago, Not a username2 said:

 

Where do you see this, I can't see that anywhere?

I can' find where I saw this. But hope you have sorted now as I have seen 2 other posts on same sailing as you who have managed to obtain FCC.