ashstreet

Well, I have 2 back- to-back cruises on the Journey starting August 17th, and I certainly hope that these cruises are better than the pre-cruise experience.

i have little sympathy for the company’s computer issues. A big conglomerate called Sycamore owns Azamara, and should be much more efficient.

At this point, these 2 cruises with Azamara will be my first and last.

This past spring, I spent 21 nights on the Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas, and even with missing a port due to weather, the whole process ran smoothly.

The way I see it, a cruise is not upscale if doing simple transactions become a headache. 
I am trying to keep an open mind, but am not optimistic.

Frankie (ms) in Victoria BC

message from ashstreet:

I am not on this sailing, but 3 months ago the hotel receptionist in Civitavecchia gave me the name of a pharmacy. I went there and was sent to see a doctor 2 blocks away.

Very easy process compared to the hassle and cost of getting this in Canada.

You might want to e mail the hotel ahead.

frankie (ms) in victoria bc

Message from ashstreet:

One person’s opinon: Generally, people are so lovely on cruises, but I never understand why people need the Cruise Director, or for that matter, any officer, staff or crew member to pay attention to them or to have to listen to their every thought re the ship we are on, or re their previous cruise experiences. These employees deal with thousands of people over the course of a contract, have long work days with a million things to do. So if someone says “good morning”, maybe we need to respond with a polite, short reply and leave it that. …unless we are at a Captain’s Club cocktail party where they have a bit more time for a wee chat.

On my previous Celebrity cruises, the Cruise Directors have been Giuseppe Moschella (twice), Alejandro Tortorelli , Steve Gayda and Sue Denning.

Their styles are very different but they are all terrific, kind and talented.

It has never occurred to me to check who the Cruise Director,…

or other officers…are before I go on a cruise, but I will be delighted if any of the above CD’s are on any future cruise.

Not saying I am correct, and didn’t start out to write such a long commentary, but all I wish for everyone is that we stay well and have the privilege of doing many many more cruises and vacations. We who have done many cruises are so fortunate….gratitude is a good thing!

Frankie (ms) in Victoria BC

Message from ashstreet:

I have already done a review on Cruise Critic, so this is probably redundant.However…..

Did both the April 23 and May 4th ,2022 cruises to Hawaii and back to Vancouver , and I cannot praise Captain Leo, charming Cruise Director Sue, Activity Manager Kristine and the entire crew enough.

What on earth do passengers want?

Many of the passengers did not wear masks until forced to do so, “social distancing” was a foreign phrase to most people, the pandemic is not over, so why the surprise that eventually there was Covid on board?

Re the barnacles, maybe someone at head office dropped the ball not dealing with this on time, maybe it was a matter of not being able to get labour to fix this,….but missing a day in Hilo and a day in Maui is not a tragedy.

These were the first sailings for the Eclipse in over 2 years….and I wish I ran my life as well as the members of the crew did their jobs.

So, everyone doing the 7-day Alaska cruises this summer is very fortunate and should enjoy every minute.

i will think of you all as the Eclipse passes through the Strait of Juan de Fuca .

frankie in victoria bc

Thank you from ashstreet:

Really appreciate such good advice.

As soon as I get the refunds from this year's cruises, I will probably cancel April 2021 and find something for spring 2022.

You are all the best.

frankie

Question for Blackduck59 - or anyone else from ashstreet:

Like many people, my April cruise was cancelled, and I cancelled cruises booked for this October. My next cruise is on the Millennium in April 2021: 14- days in Japan followed by a TP to Vancouver.

Normally, I would be booking air, hotel in Tokyo, and excursions now. But: do you think cruises will be happening 11 months from now?

i am still waiting for refunds and don't want to complicate things unecessarily.

All advice welcome!

frankie aka ashstreet

A request to Blackduck59: from ashstreet:

Hellp Blackduck59,

i, too, live in Victoria, love Celebrity Cruises, and have  a question that you may be able to answer:

If possible, could you e mail me at

frankieg8@shaw.ca

Many thanks,

frankie

cruise critic name: ashstreet

From ashstreet:

Whenever I hear the phrase "life is beautiful" I think of Captain Leo. If he is the same captain that was on the Eclipse cruise I took in S America in 2019, he is indeed a beautiful person....even though the situation is of course far from beautiful.

All the best to the entire staff and passengers.

ashstreet

More from ashstreet:

Just read the entire thread, and think:

1. In a way, this awful virus situation was more difficult for those who were about to leave home to fly to Hong Kong or Singapore.....or not even worse, for those who had just arrived and found out that they were either denied boarding or even worse, learned that the cruise was cancelled. In Canada, I don't know if any insurance policies cover this.

2. But having boarded the Millennium on January 18th with the plan to do 3 back to back cruises,I truly believe that the cruise staff did not know how it would all unfold much before the passengers did.....although I am sure that they were not surprised that it all came to an end on Feb. 10.

3. But for those on board, customer service was absolutely perfect. The Millennium personnel could not have been more patient or more helpful.

4. Again, I cannot speak for people who had Asia cruise bookings for February 15 or later, as I left the ship when the cruise was cancelled....on Feb. 10

, 

5. In sum, I think everyone on the Millennium, from Captain Harris, Cruise Director Steve, and the entire team for everything they did despite all the uncertainties and the sudden end to what had been a superb voyage.I do not know these people, but if everyone in life whom I deal with worked as well as they did, life in general would be much easier.

Frankie aka ashstreet

Was on the Millennium from Jan 18 until the cruise was aborted on Feb 10.

Many thanks to the best cruise personnel in the world.

ashstreet

from ashstreet:

Totally disagree with any criticisms re the Millennium.

Just spent 23 nights on this ship,until the cruise was cancelled.

I think that customer service was more than excellent . This is a terrible situation worldwide, and the ship staff could not have been better.

Celebrity Cruise lines has my undying loyalty.

Did a "Thumbs Up" excursion from Caldera with a private group while on a Celebrity Eclipse cruise.I think the date was April 1,2019. This was a super tour, and we had an excellent guide (Paul) and a wonderful driver.

Based on this one-day trip, I  highly rcommend this company, and thank the gude and driver for an excellent day.

Frankie in Victoria B.C.