davidk800

We decided to get the visa because to risk a quite expensive holiday for the sake of the cost of the visas was a bit of a no no ,we are also spending two nights in Beijing.

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As I understand it, you are making multiple entries into China,ie flying into Shanghai, leaving for South Korea, then back to China. You can visit China for limited hours if you are in transit through to another country.

We are on the same cruise and we have obtained a visa.

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I'm really enjoying your live blog,a really good mix of on board and shore trips,more so as we are due to join the Millennium on 27th in Shanghai on our first cruise with Celebrity.

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Iisiamc

Still a good idea,have just given it a go and it works quite well,and I agree with your statement.

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Iisiamc

Thanks for that tip, as you can imagine after a approximate 16 hour flight to get to the starting point of the cruise in Shanghai the clothes in the case's will be a bit wrinkly [emoji23]

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I wasn't intending to take an iron with me,I suppose I already knew the answer.

On previous cruises i have taken ,mainly on P&O ,there was an ironing room available .

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I am aware that there are no public washing machines facilities on celebrity ships but is there access to irons and ironing boards ,for instance, would the cabin steward be able to supply via an official source. We are on our first celebrity cruise in October on the millennium.

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What an absolutely fascinating thread, you only have to read the various posts from people to realise peoples differing views and opinions of how to deal with perceived bad behaviour. The various response from,give as good as you get to turn a blind eye shows how people can and cannot deal with each other.

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Do we have to put our travel insurance details on the web site.

The site has changed (again) I'm sure I had seen an entry for the details, can't find it now.

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Now got the web site down to a fine art.manage to get through nine out of ten.

It's a bit like playing snakes and ladders. Still didn't make (normal )sense.

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Oddly enough, last month I managed to get through and sort out a shore excursion.

The drinks package seem to be 25% off at the moment.

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Trying to buy drinks package ,web site simply says sorry ,gets as far as choosing package but will not put in basket. Really frustrating.

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I'm new to celebrity,the web site is absolutely c____p , doesn't make sense,you can go around in circles all day.

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Although not with Celebrity (P&O) seem to remember we were out of the mombai port pretty quickly,have to use the bus to the exit gate were the guards let you out. We had a private tour arranged and they met us just the other side of the gate.

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eandj, thanks that seems a good game plan,added to"running the numbers" we're going to be in Beijing for the length of the time that Millennium is in port which means we're off the ship for around 3 days.

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Do I buy a package before I start my cruise on the Millennium,or wait until I'm on the ship. Does the package cost more when you buy on the ship.

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Sorry,for Portsmouth, please read Southampton,not thinking about it

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We have cruised 3 times with P&O and enjoyed each one,the Mediterranean,part of a world cruise,and the Caribbean,on three different ships.

We're now booked onto o celebrity cruise of the far east in 2018, looking at the superficial differences the one that stands out is the cost of drinks onboard plus the 18% service charge .

Drinks on P&O cost about the same as you would expect in a hotel or upmarket pub no service charge!!!.

Even with a modest drinking habit it would appear that you could run up a pretty high bar bill,I know drinks packages are available but in our case this would be around £600 for the cruise because 18% is added to the cost of the drinks package at checkout.

The other statements regarding joining P&O cruises,never had a problem joining any of the ships,on board without any fuss,and in the case of joining at Portsmouth I fail to see how quicker it could be done.

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Yup, although still a year away I have booked 3 hotel rooms in Beijing, within walking distance of the forbidden city.

I have been to China before whereas my fellow travelers have not.

I'm looking forward to comparing my first cruise on an American ship as apposed to my previous cruises on ,I suppose,a quintessential British ships of the P&O line.

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Glad to see that the Mellenium seems to be in good cruising order.

We're due for our fist cruise with Celebrity from Shanghai to Tokyo in October 2018.

We have cruised before with P&O and have enjoyed it,after all a cruise is what you make of it.

If we had believed some of the reviews of P&O ships you would think the ships would be better of at the bottom of the sea.

I'm looking forward to this cruise along with two other couples and I'm determined to enjoy myself.

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Unfortunately our cruise doesn't include a drink package.

It's part of a cruise which includes extra days at the beginning and ending of the cruise.

P&O prices are on a par with hotel prices in the UK.

Celebrity seem to be more expensive plus there is 18% service charge each drink.

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Having been on three P&O cruises IV food the system easy to use,the prices on wine were reasonable, plus the ability to bring some wine , spirits,or beer was a bonus.

Were due to have our first cruise with Celebrity,next year.

The drinks package is about £45 a day for their standard package. The drinks are expensive plus there is a 18% service charge on top.

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As this is going to be our first cruise with Celebrity is the drinks package worth having.

Our cruise is part of a TA deal includes extra days before and after the cruise but didn't include a drinks package.

The drinks package seems very expensive,but the drinks onboard seem very expensive as well plus the 18% service charge.

Is it worth buying the drinks package?

Could you give an idea on actual drinks prices.

Thanks

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