Sussex Cruiser

On 4/11/2023 at 5:21 PM, Orator said:

Yes they do. But if you are Aqua Class or above you are required to purchase a Classic package.

I haven't been told that and I'm in AQ sailing in 4 days.

2 hours ago, BigAl94 said:

She was a disaster for Celebrity and its loyal customers - good riddance.

Couldn't agree more.  She was responsible for some truly staggering decision making which has undoubtedly done severe damage to the brand.

I've only ever found availability by starting the starting a booking process (and I have REALLY tried to figure other methods over the years).  If you choose your site, and don't log in you won't be bombarded by finish your booking emails etc.  There are quite a few good sites out there which are really quick and easy, such as enabling you to use your own browsers bookmarking etc for real speed, but they will never show more than 50 cabins available in each grade, even if 100 are available. So for one that distorts the picture a little bit.  Also look out for guarantee grades... there can be MANY people who have booked a guarantee and are awaiting an allocation so, suddenly, all the availability can disappear overnight.

From multiple previous experiences it will definitely be very last minute. And expect near to zero compensation/sympathy from Celebrity other than a refund of those port charges.  As you are before final payment, ask yourself if you would be happy doing that cruise without Israel in it.

 I agree with the others.  After resumption of sailing there were severe shortages of everything, even down to cans of coke on one cruise.  It has got much better for sure, but some ships are still missing some items, only one or two mind.  I'm still very wary of getting a premium drinks package as a result, as those missing items are usually ones I want, and I feel rather shortchanged as a result. Plus the menu changes at the world class bar, and removal of my favourite drink, seals the fate for me.

I'm very pleased that at least for this seasons TA's there is still mandatory vaccination and testing. Yes, of course anyone can still get covid, but like others have said, it reduces the number of cases, at least initially.  With regards to vaccination - who knows how their bodies will react when they get covid each time.  You could have a very severe case, and that is not good when you are half way across the Atlantic, days from any hospital care. And if you think the ships 'hospital' will be able to look after you properly, you may well be very disappointed.  That's why vaccinations are good for the long crossings.

On 10/11/2022 at 3:29 PM, upwarduk said:

Now that would cost from UK, so not so much saving.😱

Use Skype... all 1-800 calls to the US from the UK are free of charge.

Yes it all changed a few months back now. (and the prices have gone through the roof to go with it too)

I too am not particularly fussed about Bermuda, BUT Lisbon, really...!?!?  That place is really dull.  This was one of the only more southerly crossings where we hoped for some better weather (as we have always found).  Now heading across from Madeira is not a good omen.  Why on earth could they not have found a better port, Caribbean side, for us to go into instead.  I do not believe that they were all full.  No doubt more penny pinching by Celebrity so they could go across the Atlantic at minimal speed, yet again.  And we are supposed to be grateful for 11 days at sea now?  They really have to stop treating their guests with such indifference.

Every cruise that I have done in the past year hasn't posted the 2x points (even when 2x the fare).  It has taken months and months to sort out with huge call wait times (US) and incompetent staff not filling in forms correctly.  I've had to call on average 3 times to get the points added correctly. So, don't hold your breath!

Back to self serve on Connie too.  It was like pigs in a trough, especially around the deserts. 

I just sent my suit jacket down to be pressed, and it came back in a terrible state.  They had obviously pressed it far too hot and it frayed all the fibres.  They did take it back to see what they could do.  It did come back looking better, but you know they just trimmed them off.  It has looked pretty sad ever since. I have had so many clothes ruined by ships laudries over the years that I never send anything down anymore, despite having free laundry.  If they wash it, it goes on a boil wash with everyone elses clothes.  I'd rather just take extra to last me.

On 6/10/2022 at 7:01 AM, Airportlimbo said:

Glad to hear you are having a good trip, and thanks for the update.

Have you seen chia seeds available for breakfast at the buffet?

 

I will be onboard in a few weeks.

thanks!

Chia seeds...? Haha!  Dream on.  This ship had nothing of anything.  They even had to give out plastic bottled crew water as they ran out of cans.  Half the spirits were missing, loads of wines missing, and couldn't even get a coke zero after two days.  Loads of breakfast items were missing.  If there is something specific like that which you need, I suggest you take some with you.

This is by far the worst ship in the fleet at the moment, especially with so few crew members.

Probably all still recovering from the extremely large covid outbreaks with zero action by Celebrity to control it.

14 hours ago, Alcairns said:

So the internet was working on all other Princess vessels with the exception of Regal which was also on a transatlantic. Are you saying princess have separate providers for each of their ships and  that they  changed the provider for Sky only? Sounds a bit far fetched to me! On Sky now and internet is working well. Crew  say that the problem was a problem with needing replacement equipment which they could only get and install on arrival in Europe. 

I wish they had just been honest about it rather than coming out with all that rubbish about so many people using the internet etc.  We all knew it was a ship issue, that was perfectly obvious with the Medalion app being down most of the time as well.

Just disembarked this morning.  The Captain announced yesterday that they had four positive cases on board, consisting of 1 passenger and 3 crew members (who are all vaccinated).  It came a few hours after they were doing the pre-disembarkation testing of the under 18's, although there was no information about whether the passenger was under 18 or not.  Though, it wouldn't suprise me as the adherance to mask wearing by almost every single child was non-existent, and there was zero enforcement by the crew.

I wonder how many more will test positive in the next few days now.

I use a US travel agent all the time, and it has never been an issue (haven't tried on the Celebrity website though).  I stopped cruising with Princess as they blocked you booking outside your country, and I'm grateful that they did as Celebrity is much better and I haven't looked back!

Great news..! I am on Edge in October. Very pleased she won't be on it.

24 minutes ago, laslomas said:

 

Where did you see the Government changes?

 

This is the link to the government website, and I can't see any change to capacity: Coronavirus (COVID-19): domestic cruise ship travel - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

 

On the 3rd July cruise they only have Aqua Class guarantee, and 4 Verandah staterooms available. This is after offering a Move Up to the passengers already booked. I thought maybe a few had cancelled due to the current requirement of PCR tests, and the need to use celebrity curated tours.

 

The 9th July sailing only has guarantee cabins for sale.

 

If the capacity has changed I thought there would be many more available - unless they were already overbooked!

https://www.mirror.co.uk/travel/cruises/msc-cruises-changes-vaccine-policy-24423357

13 minutes ago, CocoCronut said:

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. 

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.

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 can't imagine anything worse than meeting someone that has had that great vision to utterly destroy the Celebrity brand, and who will only be happy when it is a women only cruise line.

16 minutes ago, LGW59 said:

2022 will be much better!

That's such a great help. Thank you!

Looks like they have pulled the first two sailings from sale, despite having huge amounts of availability yesterday.  I wonder if they are thinking the same as me, in that June 21st is going to be delayed, and therefore have a 1000 passenger limit. 😪

54 minutes ago, lovetoholiday said:

I am on the 9th July. Not 0% but pretty close.  All it took to get it reduced was a phone call.

Still showing 25% for me, which is the same as it has been for weeks.  Maybe I need to look at some other sites.