susierailroad

Our silhouette Cruise is not scheduled until May 30. It has not yet been canceled by Celebrity. Just wondering what the offer to clients is.  
Are the choices:  FCC (100% or more?) or a full refund (no FCC)?  Our full final fare amount was due and paid mid March, just days before the panic ensued.  I had been hopeful this issue would be rectified in time for our month-long trip to Europe.  Obviously that is not gonna happen, I am not panicked  nor anxious, just curious as to what I can expect when/if the cruise is canceled.  Thanks 

Oh dear.  Big questions:  On the national rail website, which Waterloo and which Southampton stations to I inquire regarding?   Thanks for assisting ignorant tourists.

Actually, very helpful info.  At least I have an idea where my hotel is in relationship to the train stations. Your suggestion re the SouthWest trains from Waterloo appears to be the better option for us.  I did read somewhere, however, that your coaches are far superior to the US buses.  For viewing the countryside enroute to Southampton, is the train the better idea?  Thanks so much.  

Such wonderful information.  Too bad  we only have the one day for the visit.   My thought had been to at least hit Brighton before enjoying Dover, the castle and cathedral.  It appears, however, we may have to cut the trip down as, unfortunately, I don't "have a week."  Since it's only about 2 hours to take the boring route to Dover, that may be our best option, giving us plenty of time to explore that area.  Your comment regarding Birling Gap and the other coastal towns entice me to change the plan; but, as stated, I kinda want to see the White Cliffs in honor of my father.  So, it appears a direct route to Dover thence the 2 hours back to LHR on the motorway may be our best option.  

Your insight and practical information is truly appreciated and, oh, so helpful.  Thank you, again.

Thank  so much for your very good information. I do believe we will opt for the last suggestion of simply taking a train from London out to Windsor. I appreciate the train scheduling information. Once we depart the train in Windsor, is the castle  within walking distance of the train station?   Again, very appreciative of your information. 

On 7/22/2019 at 6:43 PM, John Bull said:

By road, Windsor is only about 9 miles / 20 minutes from your Heathrow hotel.

The main draw at Windsor is the castle - private guides aren't permitted - the castle has its own guides and audio-guides, so a "tour" would be a waste.

But altho it's only 9 miles, by public transport it's complicated & time-consuming.

So the best compromise is to pre-book a taxi to Windsor and either pre-book the return, or for more flexibility at higher cost just take a cab from the rank at Windsor back to your hotel. 

Cheaper and IMHO more personable if you book with a Windsor taxi operator rather than an airport operator. Best-known is Royal Windsor Taxis   https://www.royalwindsortaxis.co.uk/ or google "taxi Windsor UK".

 

Buying your Windsor castle tickets in advance will avoid a line at the gate.

The changing of the guard is at 11am most days, so you'd miss that - but afternoons are less-crowded (though August will be busy).

The official website is https://www.rct.uk/visit/windsor-castle

The town centre (right by the castle) is small & interesting. For a 10 - 15 minute each-way walk, cross the River Thames on the pedestrianised bridge & a straight walk to Eton School, where a high proportion of Britain's prime ministers & other famous people were educated. School's out in August, I don't know if tours are available then but when they are  I think you have to pre-book.

 

JB  

The suggestion to stop by Windsor Castle enroute to central London hotel is super but I have two questions.  We will have luggage, so would it be impossible to find a method of storing them while visiting the Castle?  Also, what method could we use to get to our London hotel from Windsor?  It seems apparent that it would be  best to go straight to the hotel and discover Windsor another day.  Whatdayathink? 

One more request for transport information.  My husband and I will be departing St. Ermins  Hotel, 2 Caxton Street on a Saturday, in May, traveling to Southampton to board a Celebrity ship.  I have read this entire post (and my head is spinning), however, not knowing which train station or bus station is nearest my hotel, I'm at a loss.  Could you aid me with a suggested itinerary to the port?    

It seems a crime to take advantage of your largess.  The  knowledge and generosity you experts display is amazing!!  

When our cruise ship returns to Southampton in June, 2020, we would like to rent a car, drive to Dover, stopping along the way at some beautiful coastal towns.  In Dover, visit the White Cliffs (which I remember my father talking about their beauty when he as in WWII), the Castle and perhaps the town.  Then head back to LHR for a flight out the following morning.  Can anyone help me with this itinerary:  ie.  Timing; duration; ability to get a car at the cruise port (I believe their is a Hertz agency there); sites to see going and returning?  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

We want to do the car rental from the West Palm Beach airport or FFL to the POM. I am concerned about which agency would be the easiest and most convenient to use. Suggestions? Also Uber might be a good option but is there the ability to set up a scheduled pick up? We're totally unfamiliar with using them.

I've read everyone's position on this BOGOHO offer, along with the majority's very poor adjectives describing Celebrity's marketing ploy. My story is slightly different. While onboard in January, we booked a 2/17/17 sailing to the Caribbean, with "go better" promo, which included classic beverage package and $300 OBC, plus the $150 booking onboard credit. I then transferred booking to online TA who provided PPG. Due to a conflict, I called the TA on 9/3 to change the sailing to 2/25/17. Due to the Two if by Sea offer, the TA and Celebrity tell me that we will lose one of the perks from Celebrity AND the booking while onboard $150 credit will not apply, even though everyone who has ever booked while onboard has been assured that "your reservation is flexible, change it to suit your needs...ship, sailing date, etc" and your booking while onboard credit will still be valid. I am more than a little annoyed with Celebrity's cavalier attitude. Although we are Elite Plus, this episode has caused me to reconsider my loyalty.

hvbasky: I'm thrilled to read your blog. Great live play by play! One question I would really like an answer to: will the Casino on Constellation allow you to get cash for playing the tables and charge it to your account so you can use your OBC? I know there is a 5% charge to do so and I have done it numerous times on other ships (and Connie as well in the past); however, I keep hearing the Casino on Connie no longer allows it! I can't image it being true, but I'd love to hear it from someone who is on that ship right now. We will be on it in a few weeks. If we are unable to use OBC in the Casino, I will be most disappointed. Would appreciate your letting me know. Thanks so much and have a truly glorious time!!!

Thank you,Tony, for your great YouTube films.

re IST departure, does anyone know if departures are especially lengthy or problematic. I've been offered VIP departure services (at an added cost, of course) and just wondered if they are necessary. Advice please?

I was given to understand that we will need a visa due to the fact we are stAying 2extra nights in Istanbul after our cruise ends. It also appears that since the visa is for a 90 day period, I must wait until 90 days prior to our arrival in IST before I can apply for the visa on the official website. Does all this seem accurate to you, JohnBull. (BTW, I love your input!)

We used romeinlimo.com a few years ago and, although we'd been to Rome, Florence etc. previously, their services made me feel like a local, especially our driver/guide in Florence. She took the back way into the city and parked right next to the Church of Santa Croce. Having spent "a week" one afternoon trying to drive out of Florence myself, I was blown away!

Hank:

My "sweetie" is pressing in on the age where MedJet Assist is not going to cover him any longer under the standard policy, requiring an upgrade to a more expensive policy. Also, we were recently told by AmEX that they were no longer providing this type of policy. (Amex had been the company I was going to go to when we no longer qualified for MedJet.) Thanks for the tip on HTH-Gold as I will check it out, but the caveat that the decision for evac and subsequent payment rests with the attending physician and the insurance company gives me cause for pause. As you know, MedJet makes it "your choice/decision", not dependent upon the physician/ins. company. Ah, the decisions are tough.

BTW, I love reading your input on various destinations. Thanks.

Thanks, JB, for the quick info.

We will be visiting Cherbourg on the Celebrity Constellation in Sept., 2014. It appears that Omaha Beach isn't too far east of Cherbourg. Is Omaha the main beach to visit as a tribute to our WWII forces?

It is so wonderful to have someone gracious to explain may things about your wonderful city. Can you please tell me how far a flight would be from Malaga and to Maderia and if you recommend an overnight visit? We'll be in the Costa del Sol for 2-3 weeks in late April-May. Thanks,

Can anyone offer some assistance. Brillance of the Seas has fantail staterooms available. 7172, 7174 and 8170. Has anyone ever stayed in one of these cabins?

If you have any input regarding a cabin on the rear of the ship, please clue me in. Thanks so much,

Jimconi: Did you have difficulty getting a taxi in Sydney when you disembarked?

Don't scold me cause I've done my "due diligence", reading the previous 18 pages, but it's late and I give up on finding the info I want.

Only one question: What is the daily parking rate at the port of Tampa? Thanks.