ChuckL

1 minute ago, Fouremco said:

We had a cruise booked for March 2021 that we pushed last week to March 2022. Too much uncertainty about the pandemic and second or subsequent waves; the receptiveness of foreign ports; and total silence from Celebrity to date on how they plan to operate when the time comes to restart, whenever that might be. By pushing it off for a year, we trust that these issues will have been resolved and that until then we can sit back and relax.

We did the same thing for pretty much the same reasons you had. We changed a Honolulu-Vancouver May 2021 cruise to May 2022. We had the dilemmas to risk of either Honolulu or Vancouver being closed down when our ship would have begun sailing to Hawaii in September 2020 for a sailing season in Australia and New Zealand, or the possibility that the full winter season sailings down under would be cancelled because the foreign ports wouldn’t accept the ship, thus canceling the return through Hawaii to Vancouver in May 2021. There were just too many uncertainties for us to feel comfortable, so we made the change. 

 
I just called my CVP and got the same message as yesterday.  If you have an existing reservation, call Central Reservations at ...
If he is on vacation, he always leaves a message to that effect.  This is not good as he has been outstanding and we have developed nice relationship.  Sad...

15 minutes ago, keesar said:

 

Has anyone actually reached their Celebrity Vacation Planner this week?  I do get a voice recording to call another number and there is no option to leave a message on his business line.  I just assume he has been furloughed.  That is sad for him personally and for the company.

I just tried reaching my CVP. I got her voicemail, but it was her own recording with today’s date stating she would be in the office until 9pm, and to please leave a msg for her. Hopefully that means she is still working for Celebrity. We’ll have to see if she returns the call.

We booked our 2021 cruise in 2019 when it was first announced, so the price was around $700 less per person than today’s price, and it also included all 4 perks and an additional holiday weekend booking OBC. We also got a substantial price match OBC for not switching to a big box agency booking. When the original cruise was cancelled and we rebooked on our May 2021 cruise, we got price protection, all existing OBCs, an additional day cruising and another OBC, making around $1100 in OBC. Cancellation and rebooking is not an option because of these factors. 

Check with your travel insurance company.  I called mine and confirmed we would get a full refund if the cruise is cancelled due to insolvency or bankruptcy of the cruise line. That sealed the decision to keep our current fully paid booking. 

11 hours ago, MarkWiltonM said:

We have booked a Jan. 2021 cruise on Celebrity Reflection, and I paid the full amount rather than just the $900 deposit.  The full amount was not due until October 2020.  I'm wondering if Celebrity will, at my request, refund everything to my credit card except the $900 deposit so I can get that cash back until I have to decide in October whether to sail or cancel. I assume the phone lines are very busy so I thought if someone has done something like this before I'd save myself and Celebrity a phone call.  I booked directly through Celebrity.  A second question would be if Celebrity were to file for bankruptcy (unlikely, I know) and I subsequently canceled, would I be able to get a refund on my credit card even if the cruise line was insolvent.  This is probably more of question regarding credit card policies in the event you have paid for a service you aren't receiving than a Celebrity question.

MarkWiltonM,

I also made a full payment for an April 2021 cruise, which was subsequently cancelled due to a change in dates for the Revolution of the Eclipse. The full payment was only done because I had a nice unanticipated  cash rebate from something else,  and I just decided to use those funds to take care of the booking then rather than spend it on something else. Actually got more OBC than others did for rebooking of the April 2021cruise with a similar cruise in May 2021. 

Now I had exactly the same questions that you just raised. Please update this post if you find out the answer(s). 

7 hours ago, youwash said:

We just returned from our cruise on Solstice in NZ and AU and just wanted to comment on the service in the Alcoves. We do rent Alcoves on all our cruises so have had experience on other ships but we liked the Alcove itself better on Solstice. It is actually a different design than the other Solstice Class which makes it bigger, roomier and with more comfortable furniture. Our group of six could all be there at once, comfortably. 

 

The attendant is very-attentive!  Since there is no Lawn Club Grill- his only job is to take care of the Alcove. Throughout the day there were three staff changes with them hovering around to see if we needed anything. We had a wonderful cheese plate and fruit plate and water. When we wanted it he brought a bottle of "bubbly". Offered us sandwich menus and also dining room menus which we did order from. 

He also got us the Blu menu for the evening and arranged a specialty dining reservation for us. 

 

Just writing this makes me wish I was back there being spoiled!

Thank you for your comments on the Alcoves aboard the Solstice. Although we had a good experience in the Alcove on the Reflection last April with great service, the furniture was definitely not the most comfortable and our food choices were more limited. Having a dedicated attendant to service the Alcoves, a larger space with comfortable furniture, and multiple menus to choose from appears to elevate the experience on the Solstice up a notch. We can’t wait to experience our day at sea in the Solstice Alcove next year. 

8 hours ago, beachluver9 said:

We did the reverse of your cruise last year Vancouver - Hawaii.  If I remember correctly, the alcoves were available online around 60 days prior.  I can say, however, that the weather was only favorable to use an alcove on the two sea days closest to Hawaii.  Further north than that it was too cold to enjoy.  Most alcove's stood empty the entire cruise.

 

Thanks beachluver9. We heard basically the same weather conditions that you experienced even though we’ll be cruising eastward in May and you probably cruised in September. That’s why we want to rent an alcove on the first day out of Hawaii. 

How was the service you received in your alcove? On the Reflection last year, We had The Porch and Lawn Grille in the same area. so service was great. We’re you able to enjoy the pools or hot tubs at all during the cooler weather?

Chuck

We’ll be sailing on the May 3, 2021 sailing of the Solstice from Honolulu-Vancouver. Although Shore Excursions, Internet/Photo Packages, individual Specialty Dining Reservations and Beverage Packages have been open for sale at least a couple of months on Cruise Planner, Alcove Rentals are not showing. They used to be in the Dining Section. I’ve contacted Celebrity, the Captain’s Club and our Celebrity Vacation Planner to see if they know when reservations might open up, but they are all clueless.

Have any previous cruisers on this itinerary reserved an Alcove cabana, and do you remember how far prior to the cruise you booked it?

Thanks! 

504 days from today on the Solstice 11 night Honolulu to Vancouver cruise on May 3. This was booked after an April 10 night Hawaii cruise on the Eclipse was cancelled because of it’s Revolutionizing dry dock dates changing and the ship rerouting from Singapore. 

amoscotti

Also sorry to hear about this. That was a horrible lack of communication from the TA or the cruise line. Hope that you can keep your modified original plans, but it’s great to know that you were able to find an alternative if needed!

1 hour ago, vtcruising said:

 

Sorry for your cancellations and for everyone affected. I've had it happen before and it all worked out, but it is disappointing when you've done all the research and chosen the cabin you want, etc. I hope it works out okay for you...

We were on the 10 Night April 22 sailing from Honolulu to  Vancouver which was replaced with another cruise. I contacted Celebrity and have re-booked on the 11 Night Solstice Honolulu to Vancouver Cruise. We had really wanted to sail on a Revolutionized ship and were planning 5 nights in Honolulu pre-cruise. Oh well. We’ll have 2 nights in Honolulu pre-cruise, 2 in Vancouver/Seattle and an overnight in Maui on the cruise. Not so bad after all!

47 minutes ago, SummmerInKefalonia said:

From 17/5/2021 untl 18/10/21 Celebrity Eclipse is registered at Palma de Mallorca's port. According to the bookings it will do 14-day cruises including Valencia, Palma de Mallorca and Toulon.

What website did you find this information at?

I just noticed that the Revolution date for the Celebrity Eclipse was changed on the Revolution Schedule webpage

https://www.celebritycruises.com/revolution/schedule/ 

from November 24, 2020 to April 4, 2021. 

I haven’t seen the change reflected on other webpages yet, but the 4/4/21 sailing of the Eclipse is currently scheduled as a 19 night trip from Melbourne, Australia to Oahu (Honolulu), Hawaii. Is Melbourne a port with the facilities capable of completing the Revolution upgrades? She was originally going to be upgraded in Singapore in November 2020, which I believe is where the Millenium was done. 

8 hours ago, laumicmah said:

Actually went ahead and booked the 3/2021 Reflection ABC cruise. Looks like a good one!

We were on the 11 night Reflection ABC cruise this past April. It sailed to Grand Cayman, Cartagena, Aruba (1-1/2 days), Curacao and Bonaire. Had a wonderful time on this itinerary. 

17 minutes ago, karen&kevin said:

We just booked 8348 on the transatlantic for next year and thanks to you we are looking forward to our extra wide balcony!  So glad I found this thread before we booked!

I think that you will enjoy the larger balcony and the wonderful aft view from the center of the ship  Have a great cruise and crossing!

Just now, Ma Bell said:

You quoted me so I would assume you were speaking about me.

No, just hit quote by habit. Sorry about that! Have a great day and happy cruising.

1 minute ago, Ma Bell said:

I'm not putting anyone down or fighting...are you?

No, please reread my edited previous post.

6 minutes ago, Ma Bell said:

Maybe you should read the whole post. As I said, people can do whatever they want.

I have read the whole thread and know that opinion has been shared already, but some others continue the “fighting” and putting others down. I wasn’t trying to point fingers at you.

1 minute ago, Ma Bell said:

I didn't know we owned the doors. Can we take them with us when we go?

This has become (and has been for a long while), one of the most petty threads I have seen on CC. There is something called personal choice, and as long as it doesn’t violate any rules, which in this case it doesn’t according to Celebrity, then let those who don’t want to decorate leave the door alone, and those that enjoy doing so, go ahead and decorate the door. Stop the bickering and belittling of each other already and move on to other threads with the intent to share helpful information with each other. After all, I thought that was the intent of Cruise Critic since it’s inception.

1 hour ago, HeavyMetalDeacon said:

Where did you order the "cruising together" sign from ?

I ordered it through Amazon but the link to my order says not currently available. Look up Premier Cruising Gear on Google and you’ll find it among literally a hundred or more different designs for all occasions. They also offer door banners that you can place on your door with a magnetic hook. 

Chuck

14 minutes ago, Les43 said:

 

 

Thanks Chuck. Does this mean the rooms themselves are also wider? Don’t suppose you have any photos of the actual balcony size? 

The rooms are the same size as the other sunset verandas. The balconies are wider because of a cabin attendant closet that is between the cabin and the one next door. The picture I’m attaching gives somewhat of an idea of the difference in balcony sizes. It looks down at the balconies below ours and you can sort of see the ones to the right and left being smaller than the ones directly below ours.

6314, 7366, 8348 and 9384 are the SV cabins on Reflection with the larger balconies, and are the cabins 4 to the left of the corner Sky Suites on the port side. We actually moved up to 1222, a C1 right above 9384 which is what I originally booked, when I caught a price drop before our cruise April 1  No soot or noise issues whatsoever on our cruise. The balconies are about 50% wider than the other aft balconies. Once you’ve sailed on one, you’ll be hooked. 

Chuck

After checking with Celebrity and hearing that it was permissible to decorate the cabin door, we purchased this magnetic sign and placed it on our door along with the Cruise Critic sign  There were actually a good number of doors that were decorated.

13 minutes ago, Welland said:

Thanks.   If you happen to hear anything about the other personnel and can report back that would be great.     🙂

 

Enjoy the rest of the time on board.

Not onboard yet! Will be on April 1. 

Just now, Welland said:

Thanks.   I did in fact see it.   I was wondering though if there will be a changeover of staff.   I believe that many of the senior personnel are at "that 3 month mark" (Captain, Hotel Director, etc).  Believe that Eddy has been on board longer than that and it is time for his vacation as well.   If you are able to find out any updated info that would be greatly appreciated.     🙂

I just found it too! It was #964on March 12 in the April 1 Roll Call. Eddy Jenkins will be leaving the Reflection on April 12. Not sure if it’s vacation or change of ships. I don’t have a clue on anyone else’s departures. 

Chuck