cruising teacher

I enquired on board Infinity recently for Celebrity's official stance:

Hi Arno

I am seriously amazed that two different Celebrity documentation officers would give completely different answers:rolleyes::rolleyes:

I also received a precruise email that said passengers without visas would be denied boarding. I really think Celebrity should get their act together about something so important.

Hi to Joanne:)

Chet and Carol

Just finished a cruise with multiple stops in India. We needed a multi-entry visa. Even with that, we had to fill out numerous other documents for each port. They take their documentation very seriously in India!

"The British invented bureaucracy. The Indians perfected it"

After all the time, angst, and money it took to get this visa they better require it. I was told by a documentations officer on Celebrity that it absolutely was required.

Thank You! I am sure I could google it, but this was more fun.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

Jenna

Thank you so much for all the time you took to post. We were particularly interested in the letter from the captain regarding your passage through the Suez Canal. Wow! The speakers looked very interesting. We are on the Constellation the month of January and are looking forward to an amazing cultural experience!

Excellent review! We were on the same cruise. You were in a C2 cabin and are Elite Plus. I am also curious how you received Michael's Club and Luminae?

They gave me credit for an average Carribean cruise on a cruise to Australia that I already had booked.

What reason did you get for no Shareholder OBC on the TA I am pretty sure others on TAs have gotten it. Did you check to see if others on your Roll Call were also denied?

The reason given was Special Pricing that I received. Apparently I shop too well.

I know the July cruises were very cheap. However I am in an Aqua on the Reflection at a very fair price

On ten cruises on Celebrity and one on RCCL, we have only been able to use the shareholder credit once: an upcoming transatlantic on the Equinox. There are no perks (onboard credit) on TAs if you don't book through future cruises on board.

On my two cruises on the Equinox in July No perks! No shareholder credit!

On my Reflection Transatlantic this October No Perks! No shareholder credit!

Unfortunately I am seeing a pattern here

Is Shareholder Credit never applied? Applied in July for 2 Mediterranean cruises

Was told that I got a bargain price. Well gee I promise to pay more next time:(

Now I applied for my Transatlantic. Paid a fair price. No other promotions

Denied!!! Apparently I should sell my stock:mad:

Very very cool! Please get me back on a Celebrity ship fast😄

That the weather for the Open is far better this year than it was last...

 

When we arrived in Edinburgh last July, the weather was too inclement and the tides were too treacherous to tender in... Play at last year's Open--at St. Andrews--was suspended that Saturday... For those of us aboard Silhouette, it was like having an unexpected sea day--all considered, Celebrity did a nice job in responding to the change--with our destination in view when the rain wasn't torrential!

 

Celebrity did a nice job to appease the golf enthusiasts--I was not among them but was fine with it--by revising our itinerary to create a double overnight in Edinburgh... Saturday's play at The Open was rescheduled to Sunday and Sunday's finals were rescheduled to Monday... But in turn, our port call at

 

Inverness was scrapped and we sailed directly to Belfast...

 

The weather on Sunday and Monday was a bit better--between torrential rains--and we were able to tender to a small dock just blocks from Lieth [Azamara was docked there; thankfully, we were not anchored at more distant South Queensferry as was initially

 

I loved my time in Edinburgh, I loved the warm/welcoming people, and I hope to someday return--to see/experience more--in better weather... If only weather could be guaranteed!

Because we stayed an extra night we were able to go to the Open for $60. We took the bus out and paid at the gate. They wanted the Open to appear crowded and people on land trips had gone home. The ship was charging $600 pp for that day. Had a wonderful time. St. Andrews is magical

I have no intention of ever getting another Chinese visa. What a pain! As bad as that was the India visa is worse! "The British invented bureaucracy. The Indians perfected it"

Were passengers allowed to board the ship without visas? We are on the Celebrity Constellation in January and I beginning to appreciate how difficult this process is!

This is why we sail Celebrity. The staff is the best!

Congratulations on your retirement! I retired 12 years go from teaching third grade and we went on a Mediterranean cruise in September. In Genoa Italy I remember staring up at a statue of Christopher Columbus and thinking I am never teaching that again😏 I really recommend going in September or October. Nice weather and less crowds. Your retirement isn't real until all the children and your fellow teachers have gone back to school🎉

Wishing you lots of cruises that can be taken during the school year!

We have sailed with Captain Berdos twice, were fortunate enough to have dinner with him on our first sailing with him. Over a year later we were on a sailing with him and he recognized us and stopped us to chat. I can't imagine him doing anything that he thought had any chance of injury to anyone or damage to property.

We have sailed with Captain Berdos many times and have the same high opinion of him

Yet the Celebrity rep has just replied that passengers will definitely be denied boarding without a visa:mad

On the Royal board a cruise critic member presently on the Ovation says that you do not need the India visa to embark the ship. But if you do not have one you will not be allowed to disembark at the Indian ports. At this point I am so frustrated that I would be ok with. Really hoping Celebrity would clarify this

I absolutely loved my four days in India on Rhapsody last year. What an amazing and fascinating country. After all I do travel to see other cultures, and it doesn't come much different than India.

 

BUT, on that trip there were close to 300 people who DID NOT have Indian visas.

 

They just stayed on board. No dramas - apart from not seeing India.

 

Raina

I have spent HOURS researching how to apply for an Indian visa. It is worse than a Chinese visa and I didn't think that was possible! If Celebrity would guarantee that I could board in Abu Dhabi in January without a visa I would gladly skip the ports.

We went last year, India is wonderful (we will go again on a land tour next year) but the application was not wonderful. It is more than a dozen pages. The ship will not get it for you, you can't get it on arrival (unless you arrive at an airport and pre submit the application; and Celebrity goes to a dock not an airport). But it is worthwhile applying for a visa.

 

From the Indian Gov't website: NOTE: WITH EFFECT FROM MAY 21, 2014 THE VISA/OCI/PIO/RENUNCIATION OF INDIAN CITIZENSHIP APPLICATION COLLECTION/PROCESSING AND DELIVERY PROCESS SERVICES HAVE BEEN OUTSOURCED TO COX & KINGS GLOBAL SERVICES PVT. LTD. WALK IN APPLICATIONS ARE NOT ACCEPTED AT THE EMBASSY. ALSO PLEASE DON'T SEND APPLICATION FORMS TO EMBASSY.

 

Website: http://www.in.ckgs.us

 

https://www.in.ckgs.us/visa/visa-application-guide.shtml

 

 

We got a multiple entry visa, one never knows-just to be safe. It is said that England invented bureaucracy and the Indians perfected it- fill out the visa application and you will know that's true.

 

I'm sure you remember all the countries you visited in the last 10 years, and have a sponsor in India (with a phone #) where were your parents born, by the way? From your picture it looks like your grandfather is from Pakistan- that's going to be a problem. (My grandfather was not, but my grandmother was a Pakistani terrorist who snuck into India to blow things up; but they never asked about her).

 

Follow the instructions carefully (note the exact size of the picture- it's not exactly the same as a passport photo) and you have to send in your passport.

 

I bet you think I'm trying to be funny (which I am) but when you see the visa application you won't be laughing. However, going to India will be worth it. Have a wonderful cruise.

 

Steven (aka tampatramp from San Francisco )

Thank you so much for this information. The links are extremely helpful!

What can you use for the India reference? Celebrity Cruises? Obviously I know no one in India.

Note to OP we live near Chicago and so we can apply in person. I was told that you can have your pictures taken at the appointment

Just back from the Summit and here is the "lineup":

Master: Kate McCue

Chief Engineer: Andreas Zofos

Staff Captain: Theodoros Agkas

Guest Relations Manager: Roy Avidor

Hotel Director: Mark McSorley

Cruise Director: John Grantham

Food & Beverage Manager: Cemal Ozcelik

Exec Chef: Wayne Tapscott

Captains Club: Emma (only two cruises left until she moves, Ashley will replace her)

Acoustic Duo: Passion Duo

Vocal/Piano: Peter Rosstti

Vocal/Guitar: Pete Henry

Band: Groovity

Is Emma going back to the Eclipse?

If you are still on the ship and see this, please tell her that Gil and Scott miss her, give her a great big hug, and say HI !!!

I certainly will! :)

The Concierge on the Silhouette is Anca Cene. She is absolutely the very best Concierge we have ever had !!!!

We are on the Silhouette now. We agree that she is exceptional!

On the Silhouette now. We are staying here through Monday. Skipping our call at Inverness.

The last several years we also have purchased annual Medjet coverage. It is surprisingly inexpensive.

It is very inexpensive especially if you take several cruises a year. Unfortunately when my DH turns 75 it becomes much more expensive.

Anyone had firsthand experience with claims?

The Molecular bar was a contract with Junior Merino. Unfortunately this contract ends next month. :( My husband and I will the wonderful bartenders and the fabulous drinks.