bigdawgs

I recently booked my air arrangements through Flights by Celebrity because I spotted a great business fare and couldn’t pass it up. The itinerary was MIA to Prague with Lufthansa, then from PRG to Rome for a cruise, returning from Rome to Ft. Lauderdale. It was booked as one way rather than multiple destinations. The return to FLL is with United (a Lufthansa code share) through EWR with a 4 hour layover at EWR (Newark).

The other day I noticed that Celebrity was offering a flight out of Newark departing two hours earlier, so I called my TA to see if she could make the switch. She called Celebrity and was told that there would be a $200 pp change fee, PLUS the difference in fare which in our case would amount to more than $1,000. 

Therefore, we will keep our original flight to FLL and spend 4 hours at the new United lounge in Newark. 

To summarize, if you spot a great fare, grab it. Had we waited, we would have been able to book the better connection to FLL but the total price would have been more than $1000 higher.

Safe travels.

Larry

We stayed at the Shanghai-La Kowloon following a 14 night cruise. We stayed 3 nights and we should have added another couple of nights. Hong Kong is fabulous with lots to do and see. The staff at the Shanghai-La was outstanding, although the hotel is a bit pricey, but worth the extra $$. Try to prearrange your ride to the airport as it is quite a distance from the center of HK and the airport is HUGE so be sure to allow sufficient time to get there.

Whatever you decide, just enjoy!

Larry

We have used Choice Air a couple of times without any problems. We recently booked our flights with Choice Air for a Sep. cruise, traveling biz class from MIA to PRG (pre-cruise) for $1335 pp with Lufthansa. Then from PRG to FCO coach for $68, returning from FCO to FLL biz with United for $1060. When compared to the airlines’ websites, this was quite a savings.

Keep checking Choice Air as fares do change on a daily basis, so if you see a great fare, grab it immediately. They usually allow a 24 hour hold. One other thing. The cruise line is now letting you book at the low fare without charging your credit card until final payment for your cruise. This is a nice feature. However, there is no guarantee that you will get the seats you want. Until the airline actually issues the ticket (payment being received), the airline can change your seats. When I tried to change my seats, it stated that I had to wait until 24 hrs. prior to the flight. Once I actually paid for the tickets, I was able to change seats.

Larry

We booked the Edge a year ago while on the Infinity in South America for an 11 night Amalfi/Greek Island Cruise on 9/9/19 (an E3 IV cabin on deck 7). We left a deposit of $100 pp. and the cruise fare was $3750 pp. It is now or was $6499 pp. It is now sold out. The fare included free gratuities and a small amount of OBC. We have never been to the Greek islands and are really looking forward to this trip. 

The other day we booked our airfare through Choice Air (Flights by Celebrity) and were very lucky to snag a biz fare of $2350 (open Jaw) round trip pp. However, there is no way we would have paid $6499 pp (for that amount we could book a suite on any of their other ships).

So YES, I believe the Edge is overpriced. I see where they are now offering all 4 perks but the fare is still much too high even for a new ship, IMO.

Happy travels.

Larry

Dear Gravey....

Celebrity may say that express walk off is not available.....but it certainly is! There were approximately 50 passengers on our cruise who did this. One passenger had a 9:00 AM flight out of EZE. We arrived at the airport shortly after 8 AM and we had plenty of time for our 10:20 AM departure to check in, have coffee, etc. This was one of the easiest check ins we’ve had because the flight was half empty, giving us room to spread out. You have to ask yourself “what is the worst case scenario?”  We felt it was a no brainer. The flight was a very comfortable daylight flight, arriving in MIA around 4:30 PM. Immigration was very efficient and fast and we were home before dark (We live in south FL.).

Have a great trip whatever you decide.

Larry

Graveytrain,

We did a round trip BA last Feb. on the Infinity. We arrived at the port around 2:30 PM coming from Iguazu Falls (highly recommended). Check in was a breeze by that time. There is a shuttle bus between the terminal and the ship. This takes about 10 minutes. 

We we were able to do an express walk-off on disembarkation. We had arranged for a 7:15 AM pickup (we hired  a private car) to EZE airport for a 10:20 AM AA nonstop flight to MIA. Since it was early on a Sunday morning, the traffic was relatively light and the drive took about 35 minutes. We arrived in plenty of time to make our flight. Incidentally Choice Air refused to sell us this flight claiming that there was insufficient time to get to the airport from the ship. Therefore we booked directly with AA. 

Hope le this helps.

Larry

We stayed in Tokyo prior to our cruise on the Millennium from Yokohama in 2016. We used Green Tomato. They were very prompt, efficient and courteous. We shared the minivan with 3 other couples from our roll call, all of whom were staying in the same area as we were. The link to Green Tomato can be found in one of the posts above.  The ride from the Shinjuku area of Tokyo took about 45 minutes as I recall.

Bon voyage.

Larry and Ethel

We are looking to book a European cruise during June, 2020 on the Reflection. However, I do not see any cruises out of Amsterdam during June and was wondering if there is some reason for this. Reflection is not due for refurbishing until at least 2021. Wondering if she is being chartered. Any thoughts?

Larry

Boynton Beach, FL

When will the Edge start making her journey across the Atlantic to her new home in Fort Lauderdale? Will there be a gala greeting as she sails into port? What date will that occur?

Larry

Sorry about that. Please forgive the oversight.

Larry

When does Celebrity release its Europe schedule for 2020?

Larry

Does anyone know when. Celebrity will release its Europe calendar for 2020?

Larry

I watched the video on You Tube. Looks like a fancy gimmick to me. IMO not worth the $. Watch the video and see if you feel the same way.

Larry

We booked the 11 night Greek Island Cruise (Sep. 9, 2019) while on board the Infinity in Feb. 2018. We booked an infinite veranda cabin (E4) and paid approx. $3700 pp. I went on line to Celebrity’s website yesterday and the same accommodation is now priced at $5499 pp. What is going on? I presume the price will drop if they don’t fill the cabins.

Larry

Thanks, Kearney.

We had changed from 7155 to 7145 hoping that the bed would be near the bath. Did not realize that there is a firewall adjacent to 7145. Perhaps it will be quieter there.

Happy cruising.

Larry

7145 - next to a firewall? Bed by bath?

Thanks.

Larry

We have also booked our select dining venues for our 9/19 cruise. We have also booked a specialty restaurant.

Larry and Ethel

We are booked on a Greek Islands Cruise on Sep. 9, 2019 and have already made our dinner reservations. We are on Select dining and have booked each of the four complimentary restaurants at least once, rotating them each day, plus we have booked the specialty restaurant Eden one evening. It’s good to get this done, even though we are more than one year away.

Will will eventually look for airfare. Will check with Choice Air as they occasionally have lower fares than booking directly with the airlines, but there’s still plenty of time.

Meanwhile, we are preparing for our Baltic cruise in July aboard the Eclipse.

Smooth sailing everyone.

Larry and Ethel

Boynton Beach, FL

I spoke too soon. They arrived in today’s mail. Thank you, all and happy cruising.

Larry

How long should it take to receive luggage tags by mail?

I ordered them about two weeks ago.

Larry

Thjank you, VT. I sent an email to my TA to change my cabin from 7155 to 7145. Hopefully 7145 has the bed by the bath. There aren’t very many available cabins with the bed by bath configuration. I was lucky to be able to do this.

Normally I would not make an effort to change. However, with the new infinite balcony I think the bed by the bath would afford more space accessing the balcony. Also I like the idea of sitting on the sofa gazing out at th e ocean if the weather is a bit cooler.

Again, many thanks.

Larry

We are also booked on this cruise. We have never been to Amsterdam but most ships allow boarding from about 10:30 AM. We will be overnighting at the airport the night before and feel there is no rush to be the first to board. We will have our breakfast at the hotel and take our time.

We agree with the previous poster. Noon to 1:30 is a good time frame. By the time you finish lunch, your cabin should be available.

But a better choice, in our opinion, is to arrive after 1:30, drop your things in your cabin and then go to lunch at the OCV which by then will be much less crowded.

See you on board.

Larry and Ethel

Understood. Thanks again.

Larry

Flyer Talker and Globaliser:

Many thanks for your most helpful comments as I decide how much to bid.

We will be flying on LH’s A380 aircraft and there are 78 seats in business class. Right now only about 15% have been sold. Hopefully we will have a reasonable chance that our bid will be accepted.

Larry

Dear Globaliser:

I need some guidance. We are booked in Premium Economy on a Lufthansa flight from MIA to FRA. Lufthansa’s web site states that I can bid on an upgrade to Business Class up to 72 hours prior to departure.

Q: How much should I bid and when would be the optimal time to bid? Should I wait until check in on line to see if an upgrade is still available?

Happy Easter/Passover.

Many thanks.

Larry