HLR

Well, so far this year I sailed solo on the Carnival Splendor out of NYC...they said the furnishings were PINK and over the top...and that they were!

On October 2nd I sail out of Istanbul on the Celebrity Constellation to the Black Sea and Mediterranean...also solo...but have been contacted by two fellows in London who will also be on that sailing. Pied Piper has a group going on the sailing right before...but I could not fit that one into my schedule...so I'll see them all disembark!

HLR

I had the same concern. When I made an inquiry, I was told that on the arrival date the time was the last bus to the ship. On the departure date the time was the last bus from the ship to the airport.

 

However, when you arrive at the airport on the arrival date you will go immediately to the bus and will be transferred as soon as possible.

 

On the departure you will be given priority depending upon your actual flight time.

 

Hope this helps.

Yea! Wonderful information!

You actually answered the original question!

HLR

Your Pictures are just Breath Taking!!!!

Opps! I found it!!! Yea!

I don't think they would actually refuse to talk to anyone, since they have answered some questions for me without even asking who I am. I have always found them to be friendly and helpful.

 

But just tell them that you want to sign up to become a Preview member and presto!

You are a Captain's Club member.

 

That is a new category they started recently for people like you, to let them join the Captain's Club before they ever sail with Celebrity.

 

Have a great cruise!

 

I guess you have to call them...I can't find anything about being a preview member on line!

HLR

Great! I'll look forward to hearing about what your plans might be. It's still a wee while away...but I am searching around Athens and Kusadasi, etc...to see if there are any "off the beaten path" things to do/see...

If you would like to take this off the forum I can be emailed at HLR9 @ Verizon dot net. Might be a good idea...

Howard

I had the same problem...entered the info and "Page Not Found" BUT the next day there was an email in my in box saying that I was registered...see if that happens for you!

I don't think they would actually refuse to talk to anyone, since they have answered some questions for me without even asking who I am. I have always found them to be friendly and helpful.

 

But just tell them that you want to sign up to become a Preview member and presto!

You are a Captain's Club member.

 

That is a new category they started recently for people like you, to let them join the Captain's Club before they ever sail with Celebrity.

 

Have a great cruise!

 

Thanks Fleckle! And what a wonderful screen name!!!

I have called Captains Club 3 times since monday and it has been answered on the first ring. I never call the general customer service number. Use 800-760-0654

I am sailing for the first time in October....do you have to be a Captain's Club member to use this number if you have a cruise booked?

The secret is - knowledge that it can be done and the willingness to call back until you get someone who knows how to do it. To be fair, some things can't be changed by the airline and No really means No. I find asking experienced flyers at flyertalk, similar to cruise critic, is an valuable resource for researching when to pursue and how vs graciously accept that the resolution I want isn't likely. There are many members who are frequent fliers with plenty of premium status and butt in seat miles which translates to real experience. And with air travel, that can also mean real experience when things go hay wire.

 

@HLR - Echoing Sue L here. It totally is possible to get the middle name fixed http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/united-airlines-mileageplus/1550733-middle-name-problem-my-united-redemption.html check post #8.

I looked at that post #8...Very Interesting! Sounds like exactly what I am going through:

--> [1) The first time I called, the representative said "tough luck, the ticket has been issued. There is nothing we can do. You will have to contact Thai Airways and ANA the partners to change it, as they will be the ones issuing the tickets.

2) I contacted Thai airways, they are really helpful. However hard they tried to change, they can't as the names were given to them by the united.

3) I contacted United again, they said they will have to cancel the existing tickets and reissue new ones. I might not be able to get the flight that I want, based on its availability.

Then of course we have 99 out of 100 people saying "It's no problem"...but ONE person saying...."It is a total problem...The ticket and Passport must match exactly".

The bottom line...my travel agent has said "We will make this right!"...so we shall see how things transpire.

HLR

middle names are very easy to fix on most tickets. should not be a reissue, ask for a resolution person at choice air , this really isnt that big a deal

 

and Yes I am a TA

So how do you get a middle name added? United Airlines said No...ChoiceAir said No...I call the TA who said "Don't worry, I've got you covered" and it wasn't originally changed...

What is the secret to this?

HLR

middle names are very easy to fix on most tickets. should not be a reissue, ask for a resolution person at choice air , this really isnt that big a deal

 

and Yes I am a TA

The agent at ChoiceAir put me on hold saying she was contacting a resolution person...then came back and said "Though it is not necessarily a problem with the airline..it may be a problem with the TSA screeners and will not allow me to board" and that "with a non-refundable ticket the only resolution is to cancel the booking and make a new booking" That is what I was told.

I sent a strong letter to my TA attaching the email I had sent to them that specifically says "Here is my MIDDLE NAME for the airline ticket as it appears on my Passport".

I received a very apologetic letter back from my TA saying that after speaking on the phone with Celebrity they know it is Celebrity's fault and Celebrity's resolution department will have an answer for the TA within 48 hours...but whatever the outcome that the TA will make this right!

We shall see!

HLR

P.S. Yes, I feel if I had NOT used a travel agent I would not be having these problems!

I am STILL having terrible problems with the Travel Agent I am using for an upcoming European cruise...the latest being: They did not give ChoiceAir my full name for the airline ticket and my middle name as listed on my Passport is NOT on my airline ticket.

Now most people say "the middle name is not important as long as the first and last are correct" however calls to ChoiceAir and United Airlines don't seem to agree. Both say I should book a new ticket forfeiting my first non-refundable and very expensive ticket RT to Istanbul.

A) Is this middle name thing REALLY a problem?

B) Who pays for the new ticket if I do indeed need one?

HLR

Hello!

This may just be another Celebrity Website issue...but...my online reservation says:

Istanbul Airport Pick-up 4 pm [my flight arrives at 9:25 am]

Istanbul Airport Drop-off: 12 pm [my flight departs at 1:05 pm]

They have my airline reservation arrival times and departure times...can someone explain?

When I called Celebrity the agent said "Where are you seeing this?" I said "On YOUR website in MY reservation"...

Any gurus have a handle on this one?

HLR

Well Yea! I was so excited when I was notified of a message this morning on here!

I fly into Istanbul that morning and return right after...I usually like to fly the day before but it just didn't work out that way this time. I have been to Istanbul twice before and the Mediterranian ports, but not the Black Sea ports. What are your plans in Athens? I've been there twice also...seen the major sights...

Howard

No other Gaysters on board....aye?

Yes, but only if you book onboard (new in March). Choice of 2 onboard and the option to add the 3rd later.

 

:)

Why would you have the "option" to add the third later? If it's three out of three...there is no 4th choice to pick? You just take all three...

Can you explain what you mean? [is there a reason you wouldn't wanted the 3rd option?]

[i too just had the 1,2,3go promotion, that the online Celebrity agent told my TA that I qualified for for my sailing, denied from my cruise...and only got $150 for using ChoiceAir when my TA was told $200. She said she argued at length as these were offered by the agent, not requested by my TA...but nothing worked]

HLR

Certainly what you get for booking through a TA is not being able to speak to Celebrity directly! Personally, I would be uncomfortable with that but others are happier with a cost saving.

Hi All!

I Am SOOOO glad to have found this thread as I too have this "Magic Number" that appeared under my name on my online booking. NO ONE at Celebrity could figure out what it was. Two operators had "Never Seen THAT Before!] and then I was switched to a techie in a foreign land who wanted to do the remote access thing as he couldn't find my reservation AT ALL...even with my reservation number, sign in name and full name!

And I too am uncomfortable with not being able to see my deposit and finances on line on the site because, for the first time, I booked with a travel agent. I don't know what would be worse...trying to navigate Celebrity's mystifying phone service myself or what I have now; having my TA do it and unfortunately come back to me with WRONG information from Celebrity's operators that then Celebrity would not Honor! [i lost the 123go package and have yet to see the ChoiceAir credit!]

I keep seeing people post that their TA gave them OBC and a better price and upgrades....I was told I was getting a bunch of stuff...then...oops! "We were wrong" and it was taken away. This does not instill any confidence in Travel Agents!

I do hope the shipboard product is WAY better than the pre-cruise experience.

HLR

For a European cruise, you are allowed two perks. However, you do need to book OV or higher. The 1-2-3 and PYP have always been that way, so you really are not due any perks and probably why you are being billed thru Celebrity. Once again, either Celebrity gave your TA wrong information, or your TA failed to tell you that you needed to book a higher stateroom. Check the prices and see if you can upgrade.

 

For what it's worth, I would not have picked Choice Air. You can usually do better booking a flight on your own. I think it's too late to cancel that, though. If not, I'd cancel the whole cruise and start over with someone else or direct with Celebrity. ;)

Obviously the Celebrity Agent gave my TA the wrong info as you said.

But the question remains: "WHAT DO I DO NOW?"

Where is the choice air credit? Why am I being billed for Gratuities that the agency says they are paying if you book though them?

Guess I can call again and bug them...which I shouldn't have to do!

HLR

Here's a pickle.

The question is: What do I do now?

I finally booked a European Cruise solo [200% supplement] through a TA because I got an email promotion that the agency would comp the gratuities.

When I got the confirmation phone call the TA told me I would also get $200 ChoiceAir Credit when my flights were booked AND the Celebrity Agent told her I get the 123Go promotion with TWO choices as it is a European Cruise.

The next day the TA calls and "Yes, You are booked and have your cabin, but Celebrity does not want to give you the 123Go promotion because that is for Ocean View or higher" even though the Celebrity Agent told her that I would get it. [she said she is fighting to get these]

Then after the flights were booked through ChoiceAir I get my invoice which does not have the Choice Air Credit and has the Pre-paid Gratuities billed to me.

I call and she says they are working on a negation for the 123Go parts since the Celebrity Agent promised them, and I may have to pay the gratuities and then I'll be reimbursed?

What on earth??? What did I do wrong? [aside from pick the wrong cruise travel agent!]

But more importantly...what do I do now?

I really try to be pleasant and not yell and scream or get nasty....pick your battles...but....this ain't working!!!

HLR

Hello!

Just booked the Celebrity Constellation sailing out of Istanbul on October 2nd, 2014.

Any other Gaysters booked?

Any suggestions? [yes, I know that Pied Piper is going the sailing before, but it doesn't fit my schedule...darn!]

HLR

What on earth is going on at Celebrity?

First their site is down...then I go to book and the price for the Oct 2nd sailing on the Constellation [been following this cruise for 5 days and three hours after last checking came home to book] and the price has jumped from $2098 to $6,398????? For the least expensive inside????

I called and consulted an agent and I was put on hold...15 minutes later and she never came back. Now I have called them three times and their system has a few announcements and then...Silence....and no one picks up!

So I try the "Let us call you!" box on the website...the phone immediately rings and I get the SAME announcements and then...Silence and no one picks up!

I've never sailed Celebrity...Maybe I never will....

HLR

You're gold because you will hit the 25 points needed by the end of the cruise.

That's cool...since I haven't gone yet! I'll get a free cocktail party!

Well hmmm...I am RED...[17 cruise day points ]....but on my boarding pass for Sunday's 8 night sailing it says GOLD....

Is it a Boo Boo? Or I am Gold cause I paid for the cruise and they like me?

HLR

Curious...What is with the Mega Line to get back on the ship [as seen in two pictures] in Grand Turk? I've never seen lines like that to get back "on"....

HLR