cricketts

7 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

CDC has reported and Outbreak on Celebrity Constellation

 

 

I have heard from some friends on the ship that are on a B2B that they have to pack-up so their CS can be fumigated during B2B.   All B2B must disembark and will be bussed to a Local Mall and not expect to return to the ship until well after noon.    A cc member joining the ship have indicated they received a text saying not to show up at the terminal until after 12:30

 

CDC will be coming aboard and will have to clear ship prior to boarding.  

 

CDC reports outbreaks when 3% or more of passengers or crew report symptoms to the Ship's Medical Staff so would not include those that don't self report. 

 

 

 

Such a shame... we disembarked on January 3rd and everyone was healthy.

Thank you everyone for the input! We boarded Constellation today and I’m very impressed 🥰

she has been very well maintained and our first day has been terrific!!

1 hour ago, Charles4515 said:

Before Michael’s on the M class became the Retreat they were piano bars. But originally they were cigar bars. 

Never realized - Thanks!!

Are there any key differences between Summit and Constellation - other than Summit being "revolutionized"?

Thanks for doing the "live" review! We board on Thursday (the 28th)!

18 minutes ago, fannym123 said:

I meant my cruise is in next year 2024 not 2014 , lol. Share your experience in PR cabin when you return. Thanks 😘

I figured that was a typo!!

We'll be home on October 19th, so please post a reminder for me!

Or, if you're on FB, send me a message there (my FB link is in my signature). 

I don't use CC on my phone since they quit supporting TapaTalk. Consequently, I don't post pictures on CC. I'll be happy to send pictures via FB. We board on October 4th.

47 minutes ago, fannym123 said:

@cricketts I came across with your posting on booking Island Princess PR718. Just wonder how did you like it? Interested to know the PR cabins

We haven't been yet! Our cruise is on October 4th.

3 hours ago, nascartony20fan1 said:

There is no set amount of money. Once you have gambled once on a cruise and accumulate 800 points you get a free cruise, 2500 points is choice level and 25,000 points is signature, and so on upward. Works like land based casinos with yearly tier credit and status. Points add up over a year. They randomly send lists of free cruises weekly that you have to choose by a certain date. I don’t have unlimited travel time, so from the free choices, I would like to pick the best option for me. Back to your question, the $$ spent to reach 800, 2500, 25,000 etc if you don’t win at all, I think is  $5 for 1 point. Which is a ton of money to spend, but if you like gambling and spend the winnings, $100 or $1000, you quickly reach 800 for a free cruise. 2500 points gives you free drinks in the casino for the year. 25,000 points gets free internet in addition to drinks. Points add on for a year and guarantee you one free 7 day cruise a year in addition to the offers mailed/emailed throughout the year. They like to fill cruises to capacity with gamblers. If you’re smart, you can go on many cruises for way less than the cost of paying for them. 

Thank you for the best explanation I've ever read!!

40 minutes ago, Mort13ers said:

Heading out on her on 3/12 right after Dry Dock, I was able to search and find these from a few days ago

Nice! She's looking shiny and new feeling! 🙂 

53 minutes ago, fredmdcruisers said:

We loved our 3 weeks in Jan. Great ship and staff. Try Giovanni’s. We ate there a bunch. Brian, headwaiter and Francisco, waiter were fabulous! My wife likes their minestrone but it was every other day... no problem... we make for you! I am jealous that you will be on after dry dock. Can you come back and tell us about it please?

Will do!

This will be our first time on Explorer - however, we've been on the other Voyager Class ships 12 times!!

We travel on Explorer in May 🙂 

So, we're anxious to hear about the changes!

I guess we'll know in March!!

Excited to be following along! Take good care of Anthem - we'll be getting on when you leave 🙂 

The September 23rd cruise has the same itinerary as y'all!

8 minutes ago, DRS/NC said:

I was on the Island in May/June 2022, FLL to Southampton, 18 days TransAtlantic, via Iceland & northern Scotland.  I was in PR703, a Handicapped Accessible cabin w/adequate room for my scooter.  

 

It was the biggest cabin I've ever had & the balcony was very large & completely enclosed -- very cozy on damp, often dreary sea days.  It was great for coffee & a book; the chairs were up-right, not loungers (probably a concession to HA).  The HA bathroom was large & well-fitted w/several grab-bars.  The cabin walls were metal; I use magnets on them.

 

I was in the cabin more than usual that cruise & found it to be a very quiet area, except for the usual noise of morning cleaning carts & Room Service.  It was a very convenient area too -- close to all the Deck 7 restaurants, lounges, etc. 

 

I'd read all the complaints about the Island Princess.  Except for not having an IC, it "worked" for me just as all the other Princess ships have.

Sounds like you had a great trip - thanks for sharing the info on the PR cabins!

Glad to see this thread is a little bit active again! 

We've decided on PR718 for our cruise next October.  From what I've continued to read, the first rooms in this stretch (PR701 and PR702) are right next to the door from the Promenade back inside.  Apparently there's quite a bit of noise from the doors opening and closing as people realize they can't walk around.  I've also found out that "white space" on the deck plan (between 718 and 722 as well as 719 and 723) is a linen storage closet.

On 7/20/2022 at 11:21 AM, jules815 said:

Hi everyone, haven't posted here in a while but always lurking. Also, I had knee replacement surgery 3 weeks ago and am doing really well, but am bored out of my mind. 

 

My husband recently took early retirement after over 30 years in a high level, extremely stressful, IT position at a major bank. Best thing he's ever done!  Early in June we had the "what do you want to do in your retirement" meeting with our financial guy. Of course travel came up, and he told us about how his retired parents travel all the time using their accrued credit card points. We used to do something similar with our Marriott card rewards back when our daughters were in college and we'd travel to see them. For years we rarely paid for hotels. Anyway, we recently started using a credit card instead of our debit card for all of our purchases, including all the online recurring payments we have set up. Went on the Chase Ultimate Rewards website yesterday and blown away with how many points we already have with only one billing cycle. So now I understand how his retired parents are able to do all the travel. This is a very good thing! Cash back is also an option with this card.

 

In addition to flights, hotels, rental cars, etc., you can purchase cruises. (I also really like that you can use your points plus cash.) Several Royal Caribbean itineraries, including one to Bermuda from Baltimore on Enchantment that caught my eye.

 

Just curious if any other retirees play the points game and if this is how you afford to travel as much as you do. Have you ever booked a RC cruise using points?

 

We love our Chase Sapphire Reserve!  Not only 3 points per dollar travel, but, with the insurance coverage and travel rebate the card pays for itself!  We've not used the points for a cruise, but it's wonderful for air. In January, we'll be flying from DFW to Singapore via Helsinki and back through Tokyo. We'll circumnavigate the globe, all in business class, for $700 per person!!

4 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

We made it home yesterday safe and sound.  Today has been a day of reflection on the great times we had on our cruise. 
 

Now to start planning for our March Southern Caribbean cruise on Silhouette.

I'm very glad you had a wonderful trip!

Thank you for taking us along 💓

57 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

After two years, it’s anyone’s guess how the CDC assigns those colors.  I have never bothered to look and frankly could care less. 

Hear, hear!! 🍷🍷

14 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

Today was a very ‘easy’ day.  After doing the B2B thing we went to our new stateroom where we were greeted by our Personal Retreat Host (I still prefer the term butler) who was the same as ladt cruise.  He has asked us if it would be okay for him to attend to us on our second leg and we told him that would be wonderful. He already know what we like and do not like and had already had Diet Tonic in the mini-fridge for my occasional vodka Tonic’s. 
 

This is the first time we have sailed in a Celebrity Suite and there are some first impression likes and dislikes. 
 

First and foremost- who ever thought it was a good idea to put a phone in that cramped bathroom, especially where it gets knocked off the hook so damn easily should have their head examined.  If we ever do a CS again, I am bringing duck tape.

 

I do like the balcony even if it is smaller yhan the aft S1.  Foot stools would be an added bonus. 
 

Having the bed in a separate room is nice but we have bumped into each other a couple of times already. 
 

A few photo’s 

 

 

Thank you for all the great photos!!

21 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

If you are dining in Luminae he will be your Sommelier. He’s the only Sommelier in Luminae.

I'm excited we'll have a great Sommelier! 🍷🍷

9 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

As some of you may have come realize, I am southern born and southern bred.  As such I am very particular about typical southern dishes (see earlier comments on Luminae’s idea of buttermilk biscuits and sausage gravy). 
 

Tonight’s MDR menus listed “Spiced Louisiana Gumbo” as an appetizer.  As you can imagine there was no way in God’s green earth I was going to pass up trying this.  I am here to tell you this was the best Gumbo I have had outside of the Mobile to New Orleans corridor. The spice level was point on and the flavor was wonderful.  The fact that it brought a slight sweat to my brow speaks volumes. 
 

I also have to give praise once again to Siraz, our Sommelier, who paired it perfectly with a refreshing white wine.

 

 

 

Sounds yummy!!

I hope we have Siraz as our Sommelier!!

28 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

There has only been one reported case on board Reflection this week.  Today may be interesting as COVID test were administered to B2B cruisers and those traveling internationally that require test to re-enter their home country.  
 

We received our results around 30 minutes after testing.  So far I have heard nothing about anyone other that the one male a few days ago as testing as positive. 

Thanks for the update!  Please keep us posted 🙂 

2 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

You may try contacting this young lady.  
 

Terrikka McCoy
Retreat Suite Concierge 
Celebrity Reflection
ConciergeTerrikka@celebrity.com
316-554-5610

Thank you very much!

18 hours ago, deliver42 said:

I stopped looking at the code colors. It is what it is, and I'm not letting the CDC affect my cruises.

Unfortunately, the CDC has affected our cruising for the last year and a half. 😞 

I don't want them to start shutting things down again!

36 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

We had an appointment for our B2B courtesy COVID-19 antigen test this morning at 0900.  We went up and got in line at 0845.  We were done after a short wait by 0900.  At 0932 we received emails with our test results.  We both tested negative and are cleared for our cruise next week.

 

Yay!  Congratulations 🙂

I'm really enjoying your live report - Thank you!!

If you get the chance, I'd like to know the email for the Retreat concierge.  We'll be on in January and I need to touch base about a special event.

As of December 8th, the CDC has 4 Celebrity ships classified as "Yellow".  The ships are Edge, Millennium, Reflection and Summit.  Yellow means "Reported cases of COVID-19 have met the threshold for CDC investigation."  Anyone know any details??