Pilot70D

We too were on the Constitution for this cruise. We now refer to this cruise as the cruise from hell. Understaffing was a problem throughout this cruise and then we had the COVID outbreak. ACL was in no way equipped or ready to handle this outbreak. This was our third cruise with ACL. There will not be a fourth. 

We too went through the 2020/2021 cruise cancellation wringer. Over this period we had seven cruises (I think it was seven but they blur together after a while) cancel. The most recent of these was the Sydney to Auckland cruise on the Explorer departing December 20th but there is a happy ending (we hope).

Let me step back a little. We have sailed with RSSC for several years now. During this time we have have booked direct and have done so via one of RSSC's TA's, Keith Shields. He has done a really good job on our behalf during both smooth sailing years and then through the COVID years. We were on our way to the airport to fly to the City of Lost Wages as part of the officiating crew for the Team Bryan National Tennis Tournament when Keith called. RSSC had just cancelled our Australian cruise and he wanted to tell us this before the email came out. OK, all of us including Keith assumed that the Explorer would remain somewhere in that part of the world but with a new itinerary until Australia opened up. We asked him to move us if possible to this new hypothetic itinerary. 

Well, RSSC surprised all of us and moved the Explorer to the Caribbean. We thought that RSSC would give priority to those who had bookings in this same time period for whatever the itineraries morphed into. We were wrong and I think RSSC was wrong in their decision to not unequivocally priority or consideration to those with existing bookings.  Fortunately Keith got us booked on the December 20th Explorer cruise out of Miami (we could not do the December 11th sailing) and in the same cabin type (GS).

But wait, there's more. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to the Suite Guru here on the RSSC Board. Our cabin location was directly under the pool. Past experience taught me that locations like this can be noisy. I looked at hi spreadsheet and indeed reviewers mentioned that it could get noisy early in the morning there. I wanted this to be the cruise of a lifetime for the War Department. However, she spells morning 'mourning'. I called Keith again and there was an MS available on Deck 8, all the way aft. The War Department loves to sit on the balcony and watch the wake behind us so she will have that cruise of a lifetime after all.

The bottom line (for us anyway) is that RSSC management could have made it a lot better for a lot of us but chose not to do so. Our situation was salvaged through the efforts of Keith Shields. I do have a slightly more jaundiced view of RSSC's top management though after reading other posts in this thread coupled with the ups and downs we experienced.

We are now really looking forward to sailing on December 20th. I hope that everyone encounters smooth sailing and enjoys that next cruise.

Have a great day out there.

We currently are getting the first floor of our home remodeled/refurbished/repaired. Pursuant to this we had to pack everything down there for storage in a POD while the work is going on. This caused us to go through all of the old paperwork that somehow gets squirreled away and then forgotten.

I was going through a drawer with lots of old stuff when I came across the invoices for our 2004 cruise on the Volendam and another one for our 2005 cruise aboard the Veendam so I thought I would share what the cost of cruising was back then.

For the 2004 cruise we had a Category B cabin for this 10 day cruise. The total for the two of us including cruise fare, port taxes and trip insurance was.... are you ready? Drumroll..... $3,005.22.

For the 2005 cruise we also had a Category B cabin. Bear in mind that this was a 14 day cruise. OK, our total for the two of us including cruise fare, port taxes and trip insurance was $3,661.64.

My, how times have changed but it was fun to look back at these two fun cruises.

Everybody have a great day out there.

:D

We too would REALLY like to see Celebrity re-instate the luggage valet service. We used this service every time and in every port where it was available.

We have now cruised on Regent twice and really love not having to drag multiple suitcases through airports. We liked this same convenience when cruising wiith Celebrity but no longer. The lack of the luggage valet was one of many reasons that we switched to Regent. In today's market Regent is much more dedicated to the concept of insuring that their guests have the best experience possible starting from the time one gets on the ground at the airport initially and extending until one returns to their home airport. Celebrity used to be much more like this when we first starting cruising with them some ten to twelve years ago but no longer.:mad::mad:

Happy Birthday to all my fellow Marines around the world as we celebrate the United States Marine Corps' 241st birthday.

241 years of uninterrupted service to our country.

SEMPER FI & HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Does anyone know if there's a certain pattern to how beds are place on M class ships? Basically, my DH prefers to sleep on the left side of the bed and not face the balcony. I'm trying to fit the perfect bed setup on the Summit and getting a bit frustrated with the deck plans.

We have now cruised with =X= for over a decade. In our cabins the beds have always been placed on the deck (floor to none naval persons).

:D:D:):D:D

Well, our Alaska cruise draws near (our first on Regent). We have notified Regent giving them the approximate number of long tonnes of luggage the War Department will be bringing aboard. This estimate is necessary so that they can load the appropriate amount of counter balancing ballast on the other side of the vessel.

:D:):D

We just booked our first ever Regent cruise going to Alaska in June on the Mariner. We are experienced cruisers having been on been on cruises each of the last fifteen years. We have cruised with Princess, HAL and Celebrity with most of our cruises having been on Celebrity.

OK, we need the help of you experienced Regent cruisers. What are the should never miss type things aboard the Mariner? What advice can you us about the various dining venues? Any other words of wisdom will also be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance and everyone stay warm out there.

:):):)

Hello and thanks in advance for all of the information you dedicated Princess cruisers are fixing to provide.

We sailed on the Grand when she was less than a year old. We haven't sailed with Princess for over ten years now and we were wondering about the condition of the Grand. Has she been well maintained? How does she compare to some of the newer ships?

That voyage on the Grand was our very first cruise ever. We did go on to become platinum level cruisers with Princess but have primarily sailed with Celebrity over the last ten years. We are seriously thinking of booking a ten day Alaska cruise out of San Francisco for this June. We are looking forward to this cruise and will probably book either an S6 or an S7.

Any information/advice will be greatly appreciated. Everyone out there have a great day.

:):D:)

I tried searching the forum before asking this question, but the results were for every other definition of "port" lol

 

Does anyone know if they serve port wine on the Equinox? I don't remember seeing it on any of the drinks menus, but I'm hoping I missed it somewhere...

Yes, they do indeed serve port wine. It may not be available in every bar or dining venue but they do have it at least in the specialty restaurants. I don't particularly like Port so I can't tell if the port they offer is a good one or a great one.

:D:D[

Everyone should be thankful for those poles in the Sky Suites. They present a great opportunity for pole dancing right there in your cabin. Naughty thoughts accompany those pole dances but I'll never tell!!!!!!!!

:D:):D

Is there a maximum length for any one post?

I need to know because I finally finished writing a review for our just completed TA cruise on the Silhouette. This review is fairly long but I can split it into two three or even four parts if necessary. If there is no max length then I will post it as a single message.

Thanks for your help

:):):):):):)

We just finished the TA this morning on the Silhouette. For the first three days of this cruise the Internet was OK. It was VERY slow but it was reliable. After leaving Toulon Internet reliability became worse and worse as we sailed westward to Brcelona, Palma de Mallorca and then Tenerife before seven consecutive sea days.

It didn't matter whether Iused one of their computers in the iCafe on Deck 6 or our own devices. There were numerous delays and out right outages per hour. i t also didn't matter when Iogged in. I tried at 7:00 A.M., 11:00 P.M and even 1:00 A.M. Reliability was so bad that we went to a cafe wwith Wi-Fi in Tenerife so that both of us could respond to a handful of business emails that had come in. Here is a hint - in Tenerife go to McDonlad's. Their Internet is frree. It's fast and it's reliable.

After leaving Tenerife I really needed to reply to one email that Isent whille in port. I connected to Celebrity with n problem. I logged in to Yahoo email again with no problem. Iclicked o nthe message Iwanted to open and then waited. After eleven minutes I gave up. I tried another message and after eight minutes I once again gave up because no message was ever retrieved. I did go talk to the personnel in the iCafe and they cheerfully restored my minutes but so what. The reliability of the Internet service did not improve. In fact they published a notice every day in the Celebrity Today that their are "challenges" in achieving reliable satellite reception when crossing the Atlantic. Guests were requested to be uderstanding about reduced Internet reliablity.

Now Celebrity does have Project Zoom underway. in this project they are changing their satellite service provider and they ar increasing the bnadwidth available to guests. They have done this upgrade on one ship. Unfortunately that one ship isn't the Silhouette. Frankly I hope that Ceelbrity completes this effort quickly because almost anything would be ebtter thann what we had on our transatalntic.

Some but not all surge protectors are a hazard aboard cruise ships. Not all are and it depends on the design of each individual manufacturer's product.

Surge protectors (excluding uninterruptable power supplies) are sacrificial devices. They absorb extremely short duration high voltage spikes when they occur. Within these appliances is a special semiconductor called a Thyristor. The Thyristor and the circuitry around it detect the presence of an overvoltage spike. The Thyristor then essentially turns on and shunts the excess current caused by the overvoltage through itself. It is this shunting that does eventually break down the surge protector. Surge protector capabilities are usually stated in Joules they can absorb. That number of joules is a cumulative total. Over time as the surge protector absorbs spikes it's protection capability degrades. For instance if we have a surge protector rated at 4000 joules. That surge protector will protect things plugged in to it from one surge of 4000 joules (unlikely) or 4000 surges of one joule. The effect though is cumulative and over time surge protectors have diminished capabilities to protect from surges.

OK, why are SOME surge protectors a hazard on cruise ships. Most (I would hate to say all) cruise ships are wired differently from our homes here in the U.S. Both our homes and cruise ships have three pronged, U.S., 120V, 60 CPS outlets but they are wired differently. In the U.S. that three pronged outlet has a hot wire, a neutral and a ground (sometimes referred to as a transformer center tap). The hot wire has 120V at 60 CPS running through it. The neutral has zero volts therefore the difference in potential between these two wires is 120V AC. The ground wire is there for protection and keeps consumer's safe to a degree. On a cruise ship they have hotwire one and hotwire two. Hotwire 1 has 60V AC at 120 CPS. Hotwire 2 also has 60V AC at 120 CPS. The AC on these two wires is always 180 degrees out of phase so that we always have that same 120V difference in potential. However, on many (maybe most) cruise ships there is no ground wire. It is this wiring difference that can cause surge protectors to malfunction. Most surge protectors are designed to monitor the difference between a neutral line and a hot line not between two hotlines. On a cruise ship some surge protectors will allow overvoltage spikes to get through because of the way they compare the two active lines coming in.

Please bear in mind that I have attempted to provide a by and large non-technical description of thyristors, surge protectors and AC wiring. The actual engineering jargon and mathematics would be much more involved. There can actually be a fire hazard from use of some of these appliances aboard a ship. The danger is minimal but it is real.

I hope this simplified explanation is helpful. Everyone go enjoy that next cruise but leave the surge protectors at home.

:):):):)

OK, here are two products which we have used frequently for a couple of years now including multiple cruises on Celebrity. I bought these products on Amazon and I have included a link for each product on Amazon's website. I have no financial interest in these products or Amazon or Celebrity for that matter except to pay Celebrity scandalous amounts of money so that we can live aboard one of their boats for a couple of weeks at a time.

First, is a Photive 50 Watt 6 Port USB Desktop Rapid Charger. Intelligent USB Charger with Auto Detect Technology.

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B..._al_bw_g107_i2

This stayed in our cabin. It occupied one outlet and let's you charge up to six devices with USB capability at one time. When we aren't cruising this unit stays on my desk and has been in daily use for over two years now.

Second, is a BESTEK® Portable 6A Max Travel Adapter & Power Converter Voltage 220V to 110V with Interchangeable UK/US/AU/EU Plugs.

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B..._hps_bw_g23_i1

There several European type power plugs in each cabin and located throughout the ship. This compact set of adapters gives you the ability to utilize those outlets with U.S. type devices. It provides three U.S. type outlets plus four USB charging ports. It works and we used this all over the ship without anyone saying anything to us.

There are many different manufacturers out there producing similar products to these. I just happened to have purchased these two and found out that they work and work well. We wouldn't cruise without them.

Hope this is helpful info. Now go enjoy that new found power on your next =X= cruise.

:):):D:):)

OK, here are two products which we have used frequently for a couple of years now including multiple cruises on Celebrity. I bought these products on Amazon and I have included a link for each product on Amazon's website. I have no financial interest in these products or Amazon or Celebrity for that matter except to pay Celebrity scandalous amounts of money so that we can live aboard one of their boats for a couple of weeks at a time.

First, is a Photive 50 Watt 6 Port USB Desktop Rapid Charger. Intelligent USB Charger with Auto Detect Technology.

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LMIA9L4/ref=s9_al_bw_g107_i2

This stayed in our cabin. It occupied one outlet and let's you charge up to six devices with USB capability at one time. When we aren't cruising this unit stays on my desk and has been in daily use for over two years now.

Second, is a BESTEK® Portable 6A Max Travel Adapter & Power Converter Voltage 220V to 110V with Interchangeable UK/US/AU/EU Plugs.

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MSTG93S/ref=s9_hps_bw_g23_i1

There several European type power plugs in each cabin and located throughout the ship. This compact set of adapters gives you the ability to utilize those outlets with U.S. type devices. It provides three U.S. type outlets plus four USB charging ports. It works and we used this all over the ship without anyone saying anything to us.

There are many different manufacturers out there producing similar products to these. I just happened to have purchased these two and found out that they work and work well. We wouldn't cruise without them.

Hope this is helpful info. Now go enjoy that new found power on your next =X= cruise.

:):):):)

The War Department (a.k.a. Mrs. B) has come up with the path for our salvation.

 

We are booked on the upcoming Silhouette TA cruise leaving Rome on October 31st. We will pack and bring along with us two jars of peanut butter and one jar of jelly!!!!!!

 

I'm on that cruise so I can't wait to see that !:D:D

Fortunately the two jars of peanut butter will have to go in checked luggage. It most certainly would not last until we cleared the ADIZ on our flight to Rome if the War Department could get her hands on it.

Everyone out there have a great day.

:D:p:D

I rarely let things get to me, and I know I will have a great cruise no matter what, but this really bugged me.

 

As stated in the title, we are Carnival cruisers, because we qualify for a great rate with them, and have enjoyed all of our cruises with them so far, but, had an opportunity to book with Celebrity that I was really excited about. I (Jen) booked the cruise myself, over the phone, DH (Sam) is my guest on that booking. Got an email from them today, to my email address, trying to sell the drink package. My problem you ask, IT WAS ADDRESSED TO SAM, Dear Samuel!!! Again, I'm the one that booked it, and paid for it. I know Celebrity is supposed to be higher class than Carnival, but are they that old fashioned that they must only communicate with the gentleman? When I look at my reservation online, I'm listed first.

 

Sorry to vent, but hoping some of you might have some insight. Is this what I should expect on the cruise as well, am I subservient to my Husband? This has to be some kind of mistake...

I completely understand your feeling in this matter but never you fear. Celebrity gave me a free sex change operation not to mention that they managed to overlook that we had been sailing with them for seven years at he time that I wrote the following message. I started a new thread titled "Celebrity Strikes Again" in December of 2013. Before I go any further though, rest assured that my sex change was completely painless.

Here is the message:

Fortunately the War Department (a.k.a. Mrs. B) is not the jealous type nor is she a KATHLEEN so go forth and enjoy your Celebrity experience. Everything will work out OK in the end.

:D:D:):D:Dexpect.

Don't forget the SPAM!!!

Due to the recent cutbacks Spam is being served only in the Luminae dining room!!!!!!

:D:D:D

What will the guest invoice copy show?

Will it show ta's obc?

If you are referring to a copy of your guest invoice before you sail then no, TA provided OBC will not be on there. Only Celebrity provided OBC shows up on this invoice. As a previous poster wrote that OBC from your TA should appear a day or two after you sail.

We have always gotten all of our OBC for our various cruises no matter where the OBC came from so enjoy that next cruise.

:):):)

I guess the cruise lines should save on fresh produce and lean protein and just serve processed, out of the box foods, Kraft mac & cheese, Dinty Moore Beef Stew, etc. I am sure there are more but since I don't buy box foods I can't think of any.

QUIET - hush there or those will become the only items in Murano's!!!!!!!!

For those not dining in the specialty restaurants it will be bee's knees on bread!!!!!

:p:D:p

The War Department (a.k.a. Mrs. B) has come up with the path for our salvation.

We are booked on the upcoming Silhouette TA cruise leaving Rome on October 31st. We will pack and bring along with us two jars of peanut butter and one jar of jelly!!!!!!

:D:D:rolleyes::D:D

Or at least that is the title of the following article which appeared on MSN today. It seems that we have all (or almost all) of us have been eating the wrong types of foods while cruising.

Unfortunately about the only thing not on their list of no-no's is beer and ice cream. Hmmmmmmm, come to think of it maybe the ice cream isn't so good for you either.

At any rate here is a link to the article. Please try not too laugh too hard while reading it:

http://www.msn.com/en-us/health/wellness/8-foods-to-avoid-on-a-cruise/ss-BBlXkAH

Everybody enjoy that next cruise and the food on it as well.

:D:):D:D

Today I read an article in the Travel Section on MSN. The article highlighted a family that cancelled a Disney cruise after a flood with several tragic drownings struck their neighborhood. Initially they were unable to get any refund because of the last minute cancellation. The article went on to state that most cruise lines are very inflexible and in most cases are unwilling to give exceptions to their cancellation policies and that buying cruise insurance is one way of preventing this sort of loss.

OK, we have always purchased cancellation insurance for all of our cruises and thankfully have never had to use this insurance but it did start me to wondering. Here is my question (and it affects many of us): How does the cruise insurance offered by Celebrity stack up against that offered by independent sources?

Any thoughts on this will be greatly appreciated.

:):):):)

Does Celebrity read what's posted here???

I wonder. However, two days after I posted the preceding message an email from Celebrity (the first one in many moons) popped up in my In Basket announcing the new Celebrity pricing. I doubt if I will ever find out why email started coming in but I am glad to get the messages from Celebrity.

Another good thing happened before this though. I got a follow up email from the Captains Club person with whom I spoke to get the $204 credit. She said that because of the way their OBC amounts worked they couldn't credit me with $204 so they would have to credit me with $225!!!!

WOW, thanks Host Andy and thank you Celebrity. BTW, I did not turn down the additional twenty one dollars.

:D:D:D