barbjd106

Thanks for your thoughtful comments. I mentioned it on my mid cruise comment card but no one has taken the opportunity to reply. It has been happening regularly.

I took a video/photo of a couple attempting to get to their cabin through the throng. Will post when I get home.

First and last Azamara. I understood this to be a premium cruise line, but it has not lived up to my expectations. For instance, there is mold in the shower base area (fascinating photos to follow☺️). I also mentioned that on the card, but it has not been addressed. This was several days ago now.

Onward and forward in travels. Barbara

I am currently on the Azamara Journey in Bremerhaven Germany. I am trying to enjoy some quiet time on the ship. However I heard a loud group on my deck, which is deck 8. They were looking into a cabin and taking photos. Yet another group of travel agents is viewing the entire ship.

I feel as if I am on a commercial advertisement rather than a vacation. I have taken photos of this group. Sadly this is not the first time this happened on this cruise.

I put a comment in to guest relations, but no response in several days.

Very unpleasant. I was going to do another trip but have decided to go with another cruise line.

Barbara

Luminae is ok. Needs to upgrade or change the menu. Also have some specials within the cruise I.e. Diversions from the printed menu which stays the same. Ask for what you want. And ask again. I eat primarily vegetables and fruit and it was difficult to get enough of them. Very little imagination with the offerings.

Thanks for your thoughts. I so agree with you regarding the modern luxury advertising versus the reality of the product. Celebrity has become a mass market cruise yearning to be something else. But not willing to put in the work. For instance, we had the premium beverage package and my husband asked for two (small) waters after exercising. They told him no and to go to the pool deck to get the other water. We were in northern Iceland. The pool bar was closed. We are transitioning over to Regent and also like Oceania. It's too bad because Celebrity had some potential.

Hi I joined WW in early November 2015 following a three week cruise to the Middle East. I saw a photo of myself on a camel and thought, 'poor camel'.

I find the plan very doable. I have not felt as if I am depriving myself. It was an adjustment getting back on the treadmill. Previously I only exercised if it was nice enough to go outside and walk or rake leaves etc.

I am on maintenance now. On a 7 day cruise in January I did not gain weight and did not miss any of the heavier type foods. I ate what treat foods I really wanted and enjoyed. I exercised daily and NEVER took the elevator. Actually I lost a bit there.

I recommend the program as a healthy lifestyle. I am 58 and the weight came off regularly and slowly. For me it is a great education (reminder?) in whats really good for me. I have a personal coach (online program) who is very knowledgeable supportive and helpful to me.

Hope this answers some questions.

that they NEVER close the casino. Think of how germs can spread via money, chips, slot machines....

Barbara

Recently on a Celebrity cruise the cruise line stated that they were reducing the number of trivia games because it did not comport with the idea of 'modern luxury'. How many trivia games or sessions take place on a cruise of 10 nights per day?

We are on a cruise to the Caribbean in March 2015.

Thanks

Barbara

Hi I am scheduled to leave on Sunday for a cruise. The price currently goes down significantly and on a daily basis for the cabin I chose.

I called yesterday to complain nicely. I was awarded on OBC. Now today the price went down again significantly.

They said yesterday that the lowest price guarantee was only for the period of greater than 75 days prior to sailing.

Any suggestions? Should I call again or is there something else I can do.

Thanks in advance.

Barbara

The alcoves were sold out on the Reflection for the March 8 2014 sailing. They were all reserved ahead of time. We were put on a waiting list which never opened up.

I missed having them - I think they are lovely and always enjoy them.

Barbara

Luv-My You took the words out of my mouth - almost. I miss my three adorable little puppy mill rescue dogs. A shih tzu, yorkie and chihuahua. It always wonderful to come home to them!

We were also on this sailing.

If you are referring to deck 11 with regard to the smell, our cabin was a royal suite right there (1607) and the housekeepers worked there regularly to resolve it. At some points there was large equipment there and they closed the door between the cabins and the hallway to run this equipment.

We had no rough sea days that I experienced.

We did not get towel animals and do not like them anyway.

We were not crazy about the cruise because my husband enjoys trivia and the staff said they cut back on trivia because it does not go along with the idea of Modern Luxury. We cancelled a future Celebrity cruise and switched to Cunard for this reason.

Happy Sailing

Barbara

Just got off the Reflection yesterday.

Lots of drinking going on. That being said it was a 7 day Caribbean, so maybe it goes with the territory. I did not see a particularly chic 30's age group on the ship but maybe I missed it.

They cut back on trivia and other activities; staff member said that do not go along with the new idea of modern luxury. What trivia they did have was well attended.

Blu is over rated.

Bistro on Five remains under utilized except for the last day.

Not enough enrichment programs.

Service is generally excellent with staff going above and beyond.

We changed our holiday cruise from Celebrity to Cunard while on the ship as Cunard is more to our liking.

Barbara

We were on the Gem from Feb 17 to the 26th. They also had Tri-bond trivia which consisted of three items that are bound by something; for example flakes, hair, mug = frosted.

They also had a Nickolodeon themed trivia at around 2 pm on a sea day.

We won the progressive which took place over 4 sea days. Prizes were a shopping tote, champagne, cards, mugs, and a trophy. Gave most of it away to other players. Players were serious but fun, score was close.

The category has to start with an 'S' and have a number after that- usually 1 - 7 or so to access the Haven.

Suites with SE or SF identifiers do not have Haven access. They have larger rooms, butlers, canapés, coffee maker, priority tendering, etc.

Have experienced Haven both on the Breakaway and the Gem within the past six months. Worth every penny if you can do it. Breakaway has more Haven amenities including its own lounge and restaurant, and a light lunch menu served by the pool area.

Enjoy!

It also depends on where people are in their lives. When we had a young son and looked forward to paying tuition, we travelled much differently. We have had inside cabins and ocean view cabins.

Now, we have one more year of graduate school tuition to pay, my husband just turned 65, and we are in a different position in life.

I would rather enjoy our time while we are both healthy, than watch our bank balance grow.

Barbara

When I pressed the number for a new reservation, I was put through very quickly. However, they transferred me to another line and then I WAS CUT OFF! I spent a long time on hold this morning!! More than two hours in total.

Finally I called my TA who emailed them and it was taken care of. He said he has had the same problems with calling into Celebrity EXCEPT TO MAKE NEW BOOKINGS.

I believe that I should not have to make my schedule to call Celebrity when it is convenient for them! Their job is to service their passengers, old, new and prospective.

Barbara

Modern Luxury?

I have been holding for more than an hour to adjust a reservation detail that cannot be done via the internet.

Anyone else have a problem with their customer (lack of) service?

It seems they only answer the phone for new bookings.

My husband and I got off the Gem on Wednesday. We both had the UBP.

The downside was that we still had to sign a ticket for each drink; bartenders could not tell me what was included and what wasn't (apple blossom martinis were not included); mini bar items, water and specialty coffees are not included. Therefore, it was not really unlimited.

A large bottle of water from the mini bar cost $10.00 and change.

I would not purchase the package again.

I am in the early stages of planning a WC for 2016 The only line that has come out with an itinerary is Crystal.

I do not think we would get bored at all. We love to read, exercise and do trivia on sea days. Also the 'new' passengers on each segment would be interesting to us to meet.

Husband and I are both self employed, so how we would work that out is an issue. I feel that we have plenty of time to prepare. We will also be finished paying tuition in May 2015.

I would like to do this while we are both healthy and able to enjoy it. Husband just got his Medicare card and will be 66/67 when we do the WC.

I have looked into this cruise and am very interested in it.

However, the cruise line insisted on a 20% deposit to book it. I felt this was a long time to tie up that amount of money. I was surprised it was so much!

Questions: What is a good time frame to book world cruise?

Thanks

Barbara

I really like the quiet and low population numbers in the Haven and the Grills. I like it that the waiters and bartenders know me by name, and do not ask for my card each time I order a drink. I like it that they know what I like to order. I appreciate that a great deal and I am willing to pay for it.

It used to be like that twenty or so years ago when everyone sat at the same table (respectively :) and ate in the same restaurant. The ships were smaller then. Unfortunately there are no smaller ships that regularly use our local ports (NYC and Brooklyn).

To each his or her own.

Barbara

The manner of dress of others does affect my enjoyment in the main dining room at dinner.

I do think if a cruise line wishes to have no dress code guidelines, that's fine. However, I feel that when they assert an unequivocal statement re what is permitted and what is not permitted in the main dining room at dinner, then they are obligated to enforce it.

My husband and I were on Carnival last February. Although the program clearly said that cut-off shorts, baseball hats, sleeveless T shirts on men would not be permitted in the dining room, the maitre'd did nothing about it when we complained. Why say it then? We will never go back as we felt they did not keep their word.

And similar to what another poster here said, we were in the elevator going to the specialty restaurant (we wound up eating there nightly) and a woman got in and asked if it was formal night. My husband was in a sport jacket and I had on nice pants.

Since then we have taken one Celebrity, three Cunard and one Norwegian trip. Celebrity is good, Cunard is great at maintaining the dress code. Norwegian is free style and very laid back.

I would go back to Cunard, Celebrity and Norwegian, but never to Carnival.

I know this is way early! I am trying to plan a world cruise on the QM2 with my husband. He is still working and we are both self employed. We will be done with tuition in May 2015.

I am thinking about a Princess Grill room. We were on the QM2 in December/Jan 2014 and were in the QG.

Any suggestions, information would be appreciated.

My questions: How much should we budget for shore excursions? Do the sea days get boring? How do you fit everything in the cabin after 3 months, i.e. souvenirs?

Are services such as laundry/dry cleaning any cheaper on a world cruise than they would be on a shorter cruise?

When do the schedules come out for 2016?

Thanks

Barbara

We were recently in the MDR on a Caribbean trip for the holidays, then changed to the QG for a crossing. My husband dressed the same in each dining room and I did also, with the exception of heavier wraps because the crossing was cooler. We were at tables for 8 in each dining room. Our dining mates were lovely in both the NDR and the QG room. The difference for us was that we could eat at different times in the QG and usually ate earlier than others.

There was a difference in service and quality of food, but I digress.