CocoCronut

3 minutes ago, Nick&Simon said:

By way of an update, our experience so far today has been disappointing. We wanted coffee around 11am today, the coffee bar was full all morning. There are no indoor bars open and all of the outdoor bars were washed down at the same time. There is no room at The Porch, The Mast Bar or Mast Grill. 

 

We ended up eating in Ocean View and in my opinion it was terrible. I started with a plate of cold meats which were put on a very hot plate, then luke warm pasta with no spoon available and no condiments such as tabasco.

 

 It's the worst cruise food I remember experiencing. 

 

I know I will get flamed for daring to say anything negative, but it is what it is.

Thanks for the update, I think there’s bound to be things that are better than others - but I for one enjoy hearing the good and the bad, so honesty is definitely appreciated (from my perspective 🙂)

48 minutes ago, LifeonMars said:

 

CocoCronut said

Yea I wasn’t sure if the lack of availability for singles was to do with lack of extra spend they would have on board…but who knows. 
 

Replying,

Always thought the excuse for solos paying a supplement for  lack of spend was "an excuse" as usually solos spend more anyway .  Most staycations except P&O and Cunard include a drinks package anyway,  

Ah yes, I was thinking more from the point of view of the things celebrity have as extras, so speciality restaurants, onboard shops, added supplement for a drink that’s above the package and internet. But it was only a guess on my part I’m not sure if there’s a better more technical reason that they weren’t showing as a single person booking.

I’ve seen Luminae turn away guests in shorts.

The general dress code for accessing restaurants is specifically stated I believe, and then for “evening chic” nights the differences are noted through the daily planner - a throwback from days gone by I suppose. I personally enjoy an opportunity to wear extra sparkles - but I like to do that most evenings so don’t need a set one to feel I can.

As for what others wear it never really crosses my mind 🙂

2 minutes ago, Sussex Cruiser said:

Well, of course, only those that are of an age to be vaccinated.

 

Interesting with the availability. You'd think that even with the ship only half full they'd give maximum availability to both singles and doubles as half the cabins will be empty anyway. But then, Celebrity have never made any sense with their decision making.

Yea I wasn’t sure if the lack of availability for singles was to do with lack of extra spend they would have on board…but who knows. 
 

21 minutes ago, Sussex Cruiser said:

Just in case anyone wants to do the best price guarantee... the UK Gov has now removed the 1000 passenger limit if all passengers are fully vaccinated, and therefore they can operate at 50% capacity instead (an extra 500 or so passengers). Celebrity have opened up the 3rd and 9th July sailings. May be cheaper for some, and there are now also NO single supplements!

I’m curious if this counts for the UK staycations as under 18s are allowed on and aren’t vaccinated.

Also interestingly some of the cruises show up availability if putting in 2 passengers but when putting in 1 passenger the cabin availability shows as sold out. 

I’ve only ever received contact when in a royal suite - I don’t remember being contacted when in a celebrity suite. 
But I’d imagine if you reached out to the concierge they’d be more than happy to help 🙂

16 minutes ago, downsmead said:

Boots offer a PCR test £85, our local one is open until 7pm Monday to Friday. 

Not all boots stores offer this service unfortunately.

34 minutes ago, Eglesbrech said:

I am getting really annoyed with all this nonsense re testing. It is taking the shine off the holiday for me and I am fed up with the mixed messages from Celebrity, see below two different answers from 2 parts of their web site. They make a material difference to the timing allowed for testing -sailing v boarding time

 

“Testing + Health Screening Policy

Vaccinated guests will also require proof of a negative PCR test taken 24 to 72 hours before the time of sailing. Guests aged 3-17 years will need to take an antigen test, at the terminal prior to embarkation. The PCR and antigen tests required will be at the expense of Celebrity Cruises. PCR testing instructions will be provided via email in advance of sailing. Any additional testing or protocols will be confirmed nearer to the point of sailing in line with the most up to date recommendations of the UK government and our Healthy Sail Panel. Children aged 2 years and younger are not required to do the antigen test.” 

 

“Vaccinated:

All guests ages 18 and up are required to show a negative RT-PCR test result taken 72 hours prior to boarding.”

I also don’t understand why fully vaccinated adults are being made to take a PRC test yet unvaccinated children can just be tested at the port.

 

Everyone is getting so wound up about trying to find a test and timings that they are missing the bigger picture. Celebrity is imposing this misery on us as their paying guests and they don’t have to - other lines are not so it is not likely to be a CDC or U.K. gov requirement.

At least one customer is asking on a very public forum about cancellation as they can’t meet the requirements in the timescale. I doubt they will be the last to do so if Celebrity don’t get their act together and quickly.

 

You are certainly not alone in being frustrated.

I would agree with this frustration. 
 

I’m looking forward to the holiday, however the changes to requirements and expectation for over 18s who are fully vaccinated to have PCR test while those under 18 only require an antigen test doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. 

Vitaminwater is part of the coca-cola brand, and on all sailings I’ve been on it’s only available with the premium package - so this could be why it would be misleading to say all coca-cola products are included with the classic package. 

1 hour ago, Spike11 said:

I agree that it’s difficult to understand this strategy - particularly as we are told that the Delta variant is particularly prevalent in the young and spreading amongst school aged children. Unfortunately I’ll be inclined to give any children on board a wide berth- which is unfair because it isn’t their fault!

I agree, not the children/young adults fault. But didn’t Celebrity say it would be fully vaccinated or PCR test if under 18 originally? If so then why the change to lateral flow, particularly as some schools are having to close whole classes due to children testing positive. I’m not sure I’d be happy as a parent if taking a child on board and having to wait to see on the morning of the cruise whether they tested positive.

If the move is to lateral flow only for under 18s then it does change the goal posts - and not positively….

9 minutes ago, Nick&Simon said:

 

Thanks for a helpful insight. Its ten years since I sailed on Celebrity, and that was a Christmas trip, so my recollection maybe unrepresentative.

Most summer cruises that I’ve taken with celebrity have had a number of families and children of all ages on board. So while not overrun with kids it is fairly family friendly with their kids/teen club.

8 minutes ago, Minnie29 said:

We too are hoping there will not be many children on our July 17th sailing. 
Most UK schools don’t break up until July 23rd so you would hope they would wait for school holidays. 
Also MSC and Royal Caribbean have so many more facilities on board for children and young families. 
never really thought of Celebrity as a family ship

Most Scottish schools break for summer at the end of June - agree though that there’s other lines that cater more specifically to kids.

Half hour time slots available when checking in to choose 🙂

Hey - it’s not always been the case that drinks and internet were automatically included - and I think in some fares still not. But even with a package some drinks cost more than the package so when buying you know the allowance for a drink you have, if the cost is higher than the package allowance you just pay the extra. Plus with bottles etc there may be a cost for these. 
 

not an expert, just from my experience on celebrity cruises 🙂

1 hour ago, Belfastman said:

Yes it is confirmed by Belfast port that the MSC ship will Dock on 17th June and passengers will be allowed off.

That’s definitely good news! 

Not sure if that sailing was due to stop at Belfast? But their next one does it seems.

I see what you mean about the 3rd July cruise no longer showing…you’re right that it’s possibly fully subscribed now though. 
 

I’m very concerned that the cruise I’ve booked with two Scottish stops will have these ports cancelled. As much as I’m looking forward to getting back on the ship, I’m not sure how much I want to just sail around the uk non stop! Looks like it might go to the wire in terms of what will happen with the cruises and their ports 😬

Just saw the article about MSC cancelling Scottish visit - apparently whole of Scotland needs to be in level 1 for cruises to dock…

https://travelweekly.co.uk/news/cruise/scottish-covid-rules-force-msc-virtuosa-to-cancel-greenock-visit

wonder what impact this will have on July cruises due to resume!! 

 I called them when I was having this issue, the celebrity rep was very helpful and let me know it was that there was only one space left available on the bus (or whatever tour it was) so that’s why the website wouldn’t let me book for the multiple people in my party and that was why it was on sale also as limited availability.
As it was she was able to offer me a better excursion at a better rate, however I’m guessing further bookings were cancelled and so more availability came up eventually for the other excursions.  

I didn’t realise that the new ships were offering single-staterooms! Having sailed single the cost can be a barrier at times, so very glad to see that this barrier will be reducing down.

Now all we need are some sailings that embark from Scotland and life with Celebrity cruises would be perfect! 

I also think this would be amazing!!

The Celebrity Cruises twitter account is pretty good at responding - that might allow avenue for discussion...

just a thought 

Gate 8 - drove past cruise terminal on the left (which was where the RS/PS luggage drop off was and signposting to this was good). And then car park we were directed to was further past the terminal building on the right hand side.

A few weeks ago the process was easy. To get to the ABP parking we drove right past the RS/PS drop off for luggage.

We could have stopped to drop luggage off if we had chosen to.

They were also collecting luggage in the car park, however they didn’t seem aware of speciality luggage drop off, so we chose to roll our bag over to the drop off just to be sure. The luggage arrived very quickly to cabin. 

Orlando was one of the butlers recently deck 10 midship portside, he was great - however he has just left on the 14th for leave.

Not sure on others - but all I came across were extremely helpful.

Ramesh was the stateroom attendant and was fab also, so warm and friendly at all times.