oceancrusin

No of course it wouldn't, it's only fun to publicize the bad. I work for the Public Service, not Passport Canada, so I know how bad it can be. It was quite a surprise at how quick the turnaround was. Especially considering they said it wouldn't even be sent out until May 29.

I just renewed my passport last week. Went to the office in London on Friday, May 12, I made no appointment and was in and out in 1.25 hours. I had the new passport, old style unfortunately, in hand on Friday May 19. I only paid the regular fee, no express request. 

Just received and opened my 'gift'.

Like everyone else I received 10 Power Up Points, so 1 Captains Club point. Interesting if anyone receives more than 1 point.

3 hours ago, 1025cruise said:

I think that's Columbus Day weekend. It's a popular weekend for the colleges.

 

And if the Holiday Inn Express being referred to is the one in Dorchester right by the highway, I don't think you could pay me to stay there.

Not knowing anything about the area, yes that was the one that was ‘cheapest’. So what you’re saying is that’s it’s a bad hotel, and I should look elsewhere…

On 4/1/2022 at 12:04 PM, Thechamp555 said:

I found a descent hotel , the Holiday Inn Express . 10 minutes walk from subway and really good reviews with a great breakfast . Just over 200 . Pretty good for the quality of the hotel. No worry from past comments. You may check this one if interested. 😆

Wife and I will be cruising out of Boston in October 2023. Arriving on the 12th, boarding on the 13th. I just had a look in the area for hotels and like you I nearly fell off my chair. The only thing reasonable (in my opinion) is the Holiday Inn Express @ $232 USD including taxes.

Most are in the $285 - $570 USD (pre tax) range, just for single nights sleep. As I'm Canadian the current exchange rate is about 1.4, so anywhere from 400-800 CAD before tax, that's nuts.

2 hours ago, IZZYDAD said:

Just sat in Eden from 4:30 till 6 and never saw a bar server. I know those in the Retreat class say everything is great, but Celebrity is not short staffing them. Those of us in stowage are paying the price.

Any idea what the availability of 'premium' alcohol is currently like on board? I purchased the upgrade to premium for my upcoming cruise out of Bayonne on October 26.

Did anyone receive the standard email “thanks for watching, blah blah” after watching the webinar? Err, maybe that’s only for when they’re live webinars…?

Have NOT received any PUP emails here either.

Just checked the Celebrity website and I still haven't been awarded the single PUP from August...guess I'll check tomorrow.

20 minutes ago, gold1953 said:

I have 2 cruises booked for January and cannot see where I sign up for Go green. I will need these points to  put me over the line to elite Plus

This should be the link for Go Green.

https://mc1wmw0-rflh5n8g9pwr89vxd3c4.pub.sfmc-content.com/fs1s5o251sa

The other issue I have with Bermuda is the type of test they require.

COVID-19 Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT)

   “COVID-19 PCR test” (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction),

   “COVID-19 LAMP test” (loop-mediated isothermal amplification), and,

   “COVID-19 TMA test” (transcription mediated amplification).

They're not even accepting a RAT (Rapid Antigen Test), unless I'm reading something wrong, or not understanding the test types. I can get a RAT test in Canada from Costco for $15. The only other test I'm aware of that we can pay for is a PCR test, which is $169.50/person (including tax).

Thanks for the clarification @Charles4515

Pain in the butt is right.

I find this statement, taken from OP, quite strange. Unless I'm reading something wrong, fully vaccinated passengers have to have a test no more than 2 days before arrival, but unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated must take a test no more than 4 days. So they get MORE time to take the test? In addition to that, our planner says we arrive in Bermuda on DAY 3. I'm confused, but maybe that's just me.

Fully vaccinated passengers must take either a COVID-19 NAAT test taken no more than 2 days before arrival, or a supervised antigen test no more than 2 days before arrival.

Unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated passengers must take either a COVID-19 NAAT test taken no more than 4 days before arrival (strongly recommended), or a supervised antigen test no more than 2 days before arrival.

4 hours ago, Ipeeinthepools said:

To the best of my records, I've collected 85 additional CC points.  These were all webinars, surveys and quizzes and 5 shore excursion points (with thanks to mahdnc for providing a link to register my shore excursion). I didn't do any social meeting posting.  

We had to register our shore excursions....? I don't remember doing that. Could you possibly provide said link?

I had a repositioning cruise on the Summit at the end of April, we had printed dailies on what was happening on the ship. 

6 hours ago, Silkroad said:

Yes, because I booked our flights through Celebrity air. My understanding is that Celebrity air books only fully refundable flights. Mine were refundable.

I've had flights from Celebrity Air that WERE NOT refundable.

When you have the regular alcohol package and you order a more expensive drink, do you have to sign every time, or they just charge it to your room?

Have a few packing cubes for certain things, they're OK IMO. As for folding vs. rolling, most things I roll.

7 minutes ago, drakes2 said:

I booked through Costco for April 21st.  No appointments available for April 22nd.  They fill up very quickly especially in my area almost as soon as posted.

I've been watching the website and they WERE only booking out to April 16th. Having read your message I thought hmm, maybe I'll just take a look again. Good thing I did as they now have appointments for the 23rd, which I just booked all 4 of my party for.

Woo Hoo! One more thing off the checklist! 😀

Does anyone know if the rapid antigen tests by Costco Canada work for flight / boarding the cruise ship? I assume they would be no different than those from Shoppers. 

2 hours ago, drakes2 said:

I only know of the 10% Elite discount if you upgrade pre cruise. What sort of deal do they give onboard never heard of any discounts 

I believe you get a 5% discount if you’re Select or Classic as well, pre cruise.

No idea if they're acceptable for boarding or not, but noticed that Costco (some locations) are doing Rapid Antigen Screening. I would assume they would be no different than Shoppers. Tests at Costco were $17.

Can only comment on personal experience for my upcoming cruise on April 25.

Completed all required information including the upload a vaccination record on March 11, records were approved by March 16 or 17.

1 minute ago, hiccups said:

Possibly you're like me and at some point turned off the signatures because they made the posts too long.  Not that I remember how to turn them back on 🙂

Yeah, that sounds like something I would have done. 

1 hour ago, doodlefan said:

If you want to email me (my email is attached to my signature)  I have some info for you

Unless I've done something wrong in CruiseCritic, I don't see your signature. I went to your profile and I don't see your email there either. 🤷‍♂️

Just now, Ipeeinthepools said:

 

Maybe someone can send you a copy of their screenshot.

Good idea.

It's more the principle of it... following the instructions given, only to be told they need proof you did it.